Guest Carl Dixon Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Mine arrived today. I'm in heaven......the guitar work...just everything.....Congratulations Ian and to all those involved right back to the original song concepts back in the day and those having the faith to go ahead and do this.
Guest Jimmy Scriv Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Love She's a Winner, always thought the naff racing commentary spoilt this track. Well done to everyone concerned a true masterpiece of music,
Guest mickeyb Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Mine arrived today. I'm in heaven......the guitar work...just everything.....Congratulations Ian and to all those involved right back to the original song concepts back in the day and those having the faith to go ahead and do this. Got ours yesterday. £14 from Fopp off Covent Garden - robbing bastards £3.50 a disc Had a semi for the last 24 hours or so.
Ian Dewhirst Posted March 29, 2012 Author Posted March 29, 2012 It's really interesting what's happening with this package. Somehow, we've managed to hit a mainstream audience with what would normally be perceived as a 'specialist' release. In other words, the gospel has spread way beyond the normal benchmark for a release like this. The UK sales thus far have been nothing short of phenomenal and with the current momentum it looks like we'll hold a position within the national Top 20 Compilation chart come Monday. Normally this is next to impossible because there's always 100 albums that are either TV advertised or in specific supermarket promotions, so 'specialist' releases don't normally don't get a look in to the higher reaches of the national chart. But this release is an exception to the rule. Maybe people are coming back to great songs and beautiful productions and arrangements again. Or maybe there's an audience that grew up in the 70's and remembers how great the songs were. Or maybe the release was delayed so much that anticipation built to a peak. Or maybe our Social Media, PR and Radio promotion worked. Who knows? Whatever the explanation, this package 100% proves that there's a huge UK Soul audience out there that will buy a quality album and chart it nationally if all the stars align. Every time I read a thread on Soul Source which questions the future of the scene, I sometimes think that the only thing which will defeat the scene is it's inability to evolve and attract fresh audiences because of the scene's inherent caution to newcomers. We all know it's true, because we all went through the same induction process. But the success of this release really gives me a lot of hope for the future. Nothing gives me a bigger boost then to see young people getting off on this music. The scene should embrace the qualities that makes the music great and welcome more people into the fold. Marketing the music properly doesn't cheapen it at all. In fact, it makes it far more desireable. Ian D 1
Carole P Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Wow.what more can you say. Was getting bored of all the remixes latley,but this is something special. Cheers Ian
Ian Dewhirst Posted March 30, 2012 Author Posted March 30, 2012 Wow.what more can you say. Was getting bored of all the remixes latley,but this is something special. Cheers Ian Sure is Carole. Waiting on today's midweek as we speak. Not good for the nerves this job..... Ian D
Ian Dewhirst Posted March 30, 2012 Author Posted March 30, 2012 No.17 today! Still selling fantastically strongly and looking pretty good for a Top 20 on Monday touch wood! Ian D
Guest Carl Dixon Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Ian ...I think it is a bit of everything you say. It's good for the business and all those who may, in the first place cherish the original for one reason or another, and are curious about alternative versions with a twist. For me, all of the above, but I still analyse the music and as I am currently working on melodic throwbacks, I am intrigued how the arrangement weaves in and out of the instrumentation and melody. When I hear a Wes Montgomery octave and the strings together....wow, it makes me realise where TSOP came from and how it eveolved.
Ian Dewhirst Posted March 30, 2012 Author Posted March 30, 2012 Ian ...I think it is a bit of everything you say. It's good for the business and all those who may, in the first place cherish the original for one reason or another, and are curious about alternative versions with a twist. For me, all of the above, but I still analyse the music and as I am currently working on melodic throwbacks, I am intrigued how the arrangement weaves in and out of the instrumentation and melody. When I hear a Wes Montgomery octave and the strings together....wow, it makes me realise where TSOP came from and how it eveolved. Yep, that's the beauty of real musicians Carl. The other ace up the sleeve was Tom knowing exactly what was on the original tapes and now being allowed to use the parts which were edited out when they cut the 7" or album versions. I'm not sure if we'll ever hear such all-round perfection again in our lifetimes. I honestly can't see the same thing happening in 2052 with the majority of the music that's being made these days can you? And to think those guys were working virtually 24/7 throughout the whole of the 70's. And using proper arrangers too! We're all truly blessed..... Ian D
Jim G Posted March 31, 2012 Posted March 31, 2012 Mine arrived today and I echo all that has been said, this is truly awesome :D
Ian Dewhirst Posted April 2, 2012 Author Posted April 2, 2012 Well, we entered the UK charts @ no.21 with over 1500 over-the-counter sales in week 1. Harmless's highest ever entry in the UK Charts:- NEW 21 PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS VARIOUS ARTISTS 1532 We managed to beat the Belle & Sebatian "Late Night Tales" and "It's All Gone Pete Tong Groove Armada Miami" new releases which is pretty incredible considering the age of the repertoire, so I'm a happy bunny today.... Ian D
Roburt Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 Well done Ian (& Harmless) ....... now it's time to move forward ........where's that d*mn Gospel 2fer CD ??????????
Guest Carl Dixon Posted April 7, 2012 Posted April 7, 2012 Well Ian, you know how I tick and it's things like this that inspire me to be creative. It's overwhelming to see that fans can still respect these alternative mixes and get a glimpse into how things went down in the studio etc, and how afterwards a mix was released as a single and thought to be the original version, when it maybe was not. You said it is unlikely we will hear such perfection again, but I am hoping I can muster up the funds to do just that. My demos may have digital artefacts throughout, but I really want real horns, strings and a rhythm section if I can. Of course, the songs have to be up to spec...but it',s the re-mix potential I see as the icing on the cake. You have proved that with this release that these days, it not always about the 'single' release, bit the packaging, marketing etc. Of course, it helps to have a hit record or something that was a disco hit, if that makes sense. You all must be proud and you have made me think about my current demo mixes I am working on, so the knock on effect is extremely important.....
Anais nin Carms Posted April 7, 2012 Posted April 7, 2012 MIne arrived today , look forward to giving it an ear tomorrow
Guest GARV Posted April 8, 2012 Posted April 8, 2012 Ian D wrote Maybe people are coming back to great songs and beautiful productions and arrangements again. Or maybe there's an audience that grew up in the 70's and remembers how great the songs were. Or maybe the release was delayed so much that anticipation built to a peak. Or maybe our Social Media, PR and Radio promotion worked. Who knows? Ian I have lent a lot of your [ Harmless ] releases plus other CD`s & vinyl to a couple of younger guys in an associate company i have dealings with through work.They are in their early 20`s & have become very interested in soul music / 60`s garage stuff & are buying via Amazon & actually want something tangible to play rather than downloads. One is collecting vinyl & has bought a turntable , chatting with them it seems they are bored with just downloading & want to actually interact with their new choices in music........... might be in the minority for young people today but surely something to take heart in & hope enough of their friends do the same. Loving this comp Garv
Ian Dewhirst Posted August 11, 2012 Author Posted August 11, 2012 The good Pete Dillon just PM'd me to ask whether any of the mixes on this album are available on vinyl and reminded me that I never mentioned it on here 'cos I was busy with other stuff. So, yes, there are 3 x 12" double-packs still available here or from any good record dealer:- https://aboveboarddist.co.uk/label/harmless Apparently they're selling like hotcakes, so anyone wanting the first press should get in quick! Ian D 1
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