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Joy Division studio sessions

     

     

Joy Division studio sessions

     
(1) "The Warsaw demo" 
Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham. July 18, 1977
Producer: Unknown
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
INSIDE THE LINE Not released These demos were recorded when JD were still called "Warsaw". 
GUTZ Not released
AT A LATER DATE Not released
THE KILL Not released Different to the one on "Still"
YOU'RE NO GOOD FOR ME Not released  
     

The Ideal Beginning - semi authorised EP

An Ideal For Killing - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

One or more songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs:

 

 

(2) "An Ideal For Living" session 
Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham. December 1977
Producer: Unknown
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
WARSAW An Ideal For Living These songs were recorded around the time Warsaw changed their name to Joy Division 
NO LOVE LOST An Ideal For Living
LEADERS OF MEN An Ideal For Living
FAILURES (Of The Modern Man) An Ideal For Living
     
An Ideal For Living

The songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs:

 

 

(3) Unreleased album. The RCA sessions.
Arrow Studios, Manchester. May 3rd and 4th 1978.
Producers: John Anderson, Bob Auger, Richard Searling (& Joy Division?)
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
THE DRAWBACK Heart And Soul aka "All Of This For You"
LEADERS OF MEN Not released  
WALKED IN LINE Not released The 11 songs from these sessions were supposed to have been Joy Division's first album, but the deal fell through. All these songs can be found on many different bootleg releases, most of which seem to be called "Warsaw".
FAILURES Not released 
NOVELTY Not released
NO LOVE LOST Not released
TRANSMISSION Not released 
ICE AGE Not released
INTERZONE Heart And Soul
WARSAW Not released
SHADOWPLAY Heart And Soul
     
Warsaw - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

lost treasures - unauthorised cd. the use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

one or more songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs (most lp/cd issues listed feature all 11 songs):

 

 

(4) "a factory sample" session 
Cargo studios, Rochdale. october 11, 1978
producer: martin hannett (this is the first time he produced for them)
tracks 1st official release notes
digital a factory sample Cargo studios photos
glass a factory sample  
     
A Factory Sample

One or both songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs:

 

 

(5) John Peel session 1
BBC Studios, Maida Vale, London. January 31, 1979
Producer: Bob Sargeant
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
EXERCISE ONE The Peel Sessions 1 Until its release in 1986, this remained the most requested session ever recorded for the John Peel show
INSIGHT The Peel Sessions 1
TRANSMISSION The Peel Sessions 1
SHE'S LOST CONTROL The Peel Sessions 1
     
Peel Sessions

Shadowplay - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

One or more songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs:

 

 

(6) Genetic Demos
Eden Studios, London. March 4, 1979
Producer: Martin Rushent
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
GLASS Heart And Soul Possibly due to the lack of studio time these songs are played in a rather straight-forward and almost "business-like" manner.

Fans were delighted when the last track finally surfaced in Aug 2002
TRANSMISSION Heart And Soul
ICE AGE Heart And Soul
INSIGHT Heart And Soul
DIGITAL  Not released
     
Note: There was some confusion when we all thought that Exercise One was recorded at this session. This was because the tape that surfaced in 2002 with Digital had Exercise One right after it. However in 2004 a low generation recording of the Altrincham, Bowdon Vale (Youth) Club 14 Mar 79 soundboard turned up - and it was clear that the Exercise One recording was part of that concert.
Soul & Heart - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this productPerformances01 - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

One or more songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs:

 

 

 
(7) "Unknown Pleasures" sessions
Strawberry Studios, Stockport. April 1979
Producers: Martin 'Zero' Hannett
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
DISORDER  Unknown Pleasures JD's second recording with Mr. Hannett at the controls, and the results were possibly even better than the first time around.
DAY OF THE LORDS Unknown Pleasures
CANDIDATE  Unknown Pleasures
INSIGHT  Unknown Pleasures
NEW DAWN FADES Unknown Pleasures
SHE'S LOST CONTROL Unknown Pleasures
SHADOWPLAY  Unknown Pleasures
WILDERNESS  Unknown Pleasures
INTERZONE  Unknown Pleasures
I REMEMBER NOTHING Unknown Pleasures
AUTO-SUGGESTION  Earcom 2
FROM SAFETY TO WHERE...? Earcom 2
EXERCISE ONE  Still  
THE ONLY MISTAKE Still See also session No. 17
WALKED IN LINE Still See also session No. 17
THE KILL Still See also session No. 17
     
Notes: Producer Martin Hannett later stated that they ran out of time in the studio, and the "Unknown Pleasures" album would have sounded slightly differently if he had been able to spend some more time working on it. Maybe this is why some of the songs that weren't going to be on the album didn't get finished. If you compares the finished version of "Walked In Line" on "Still" with the unfinished version on the "Heart And Soul" boxset you can see why they felt it necessary to add some "post production", or at least some more guitar to these songs.
     
Unknown Pleasures

A Retrospective on ... - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

Most of these songs are not available on any bootlegs for obvious reasons. Here are the details about the few that are:

** These "out-takes" are reportedly different mixes done by Hannett during the "Unknown Pleasures" sessions. This has never been confirmed though. 
On the "A Retrospective - Part II" LP these two out-takes are "mastered properly" according to the sleeve notes  - meaning unlike on the "A Retrospective On...." LP presumably.

 

 

 

(8) Piccadilly Radio Session
Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham. June 4, 1979
Producer: Stuart James
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
THESE DAYS Heart And Soul Not much is known about this session, or if it was even aired.
CANDIDATE Heart And Soul
THE ONLY MISTAKE Heart And Soul  
CHANCE Heart And Soul Working title for Atmosphere
ATROCITY EXHIBITION Not released  
     
Atmosphere - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

One or more songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs:

 

 

(9) "Transmission" sessions 1
Central Sound Studios, Manchester. Mid July,  1979
Producer: Martin Hannett
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
TRANSMISSION  Not released The first unsuccessful attempt at recording songs for a new single. These are not the versions on the Transmission 7" single (see next session).  
NOVELTY  Not released
DEAD SOULS Heart and Soul
SOMETHING MUST BREAK Heart and Soul
     
Death Trip - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

All four songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs (unless noted):

 

 

(10) "Transmission" sessions 2
Strawberry Studios, Stockport. July 28 - August 4,  1979
Producer: Martin Hannett
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
TRANSMISSION  Transmission 7" On the second attempt the single was recorded successfully
NOVELTY  Transmission 7"
     
Greatest Hits - Unauthorised CD. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this productTransmission 7

Both these songs have found their way onto at least one bootleg - despite having been issued officially many times and still being readily available in various formats

 

 

(11) "Sordide Sentimental" session
Cargo Studios, Rochdale. October-November  1979
Producer: Martin Hannett
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
ATMOSPHERE Licht Und Blindheit

Cargo studios photos 

DEAD SOULS Licht Und Blindheit
ICE AGE Still
     

Licht Und Blindheit

One or more songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs:

 

 

(12) John Peel session 2
BBC Studios, Maida Vale, London. November 26, 1979
Producer: Tony Wilson
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
THE SOUND OF MUSIC The Peel Sessions 2 Like the first John Peel session it was one of the most requested ever until its release in 1987.
TWENTY FOUR HOURS The Peel Sessions 2
COLONY The Peel Sessions 2
LOVE WILL TEAR US APART The Peel Sessions 2
     
John Peel sessions 2

Joy Division EP - Italian semi official issue

One or more songs from this session can be found on the following bootlegs:

 

 

(13) "Love Will Tear Us Apart" session 1
Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham. January 8th 1980 (not March 1980 as some accounts state)
Producer: Martin Hannett
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
THESE DAYS  Love Will Tear Us Apart On B side of the single
THE SOUND OF MUSIC Still  
LOVE WILL TEAR US APART Love Will Tear Us Apart Faster version - on B side
     
Greatest Hits - Unauthorised album. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this productLove Will Tear Us Apart 7Inside The Line - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

Only a couple of bootlegs include songs from this session:

 

 

(14) "Love Will Tear Us Apart" session 2
Strawberry Studios, Stockport. March 1980
Producer: Martin Hannett
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
LOVE WILL TEAR US APART Love Will Tear Us Apart Slower version - on A side
SHE'S LOST CONTROL She's Lost Control 12" US-only 12", b/w Atmosphere
     

Notes: Due to certain members of the band's misgivings about the version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" recorded only a couple of months earlier (see session no. 13), they decided to have another go at recording the song. This somewhat slower take can be found on the "A"-side of the single, and remains the most well-known version of the song.

This version of "She's Lost Control" is also a re-recording rather than just a remix, and is noticeable for the extra final verse as well as the added keyboards. It features on the following official recordings:

1) fade out version (with the full keyboard solo) features on the following:
"FACUS2" & "FACUS2UK" 12" (all known versions except dutch test pressing)
"And Here Is The Young Man" compilation
"24 Hour Party People" soundtrack
"Substance" (some versions?)

2) full version (no fade out) with less keyboards is on the following:
"Martin" compilation
"Heart & Soul" box set
"Substance" (most versions)

also there are further variations:

3) mispressing with longer intro from master tape (syndrum only):
dutch test pressing 12":

4) Italian "Substance" CD (GDC Records?)

 Greatest Hits - Unauthorised album. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this productLove Will Tear Us Apart

One bootleg includes both songs from this session:

Love Will Tear Us Apart can be found on these bootlegs:

 

 

(15) "Closer" sessions
Britannia Row Studios, Islington, London. March 18-30, 1980
Producers: Martin Hannett
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
ATROCITY EXHIBITION Closer

Joy Division teamed up with Martin Hannett again for the recording of their follow-up to the highly acclaimed debut album. 

These sessions arguably produced the best work of both band and producer.


The strain was clearly beginning to take its toll on Ian Curtis by now, which is reflected in the vocals as well as the lyrics.
 

ISOLATION Closer
PASSOVER Closer
COLONY Closer
A MEANS TO AN END Closer
HEART AND SOUL Closer
TWENTY FOUR HOURS Closer
THE ETERNAL Closer
DECADES Closer
KOMAKINO  Fac 28 flexi
INCUBATION Fac 28 flexi
AS YOU SAID Fac 28 flexi  
LOVE WILL TEAR US APART Love Will Tear Us Apart Song reworked - see below
     
The version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is the same as the one recorded during session no. 14 (see above), but Hannett needed more time to work on the song, mainly on mixing Ian's vocals. Whether any parts of the song (e.g. the vocals) were re-recorded in whole or part at Britannia Row during the "Closer" sessions remains unclear.
     
Closer

The following bootlegs include one or more songs from this session:

 

 

 

(16) Rehearsal room "session"
T.J. Davidson's Rehearsal Studios, Manchester [Note 3] April 1980 [Note 1]
Producer: Unknown
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
CEREMONY Heart And Soul Rough rehearsal recordings which became New Order songs
IN A LONELY PLACE [Note 2] Heart And Soul
     

Notes: The official story is  that these two songs were recorded on cassette at JD's rehearsal room, and Peter Hook dug the tape out of his collection in time for the "Heart And Soul" boxset.  

However, we don't think they were recorded on the same occasion.  Ceremony runs a bit slow and is in stereo while In A Lonely Place is the right speed but in mono. We reckon the two songs were probably recorded on different tape recorders at different times. 

Note 1 It has been stated that these two songs were recorded only days before Ian's untimely death in May 1980, but on this version of "Ceremony" it sounds like Barney is having a little bit of trouble with his guitar part, and Ian's voice is noticeably faltering as if he hasn't figured out how to sing it yet. This would indicate that these two songs most likely date back to April 1980, and recorded prior to the Birmingham University gig on May 2nd, 1980 as featured on "Still". They all sound a lot more confident in their delivery of "Ceremony" on "Still" (even if Ian's vocals are inaudible during the first verse due to his microphone not having been turned on in time), as if they by then had run through the song a few more times in rehearsals and figured out how they wanted it to sound.

Note 2 This old rehearsal room tape even runs out during "In A Lonely Place", or so the story goes, the final verse is missing on "Heart And Soul" anyway. According to others there IS a full version, but the final verse was deliberately omitted for reasons of "taste". While this seems unlikely to us, the fact remains that the song "Fades" out in two steps rather than being cut off because the tape ran out. Maybe someone just pressed "record" by mistake later on?

Note 3 According to the "Heart And Soul" box these tracks were recorded at Graveyard Studios, Prestwick, but it's more likely a case of these songs having been mixed or "cleaned up" at this studio, by person or persons unknown. Listening to these songs there is little to suggest that they were recorded at a professional studio to begin with. It is also a bit unlikely that Joy Division would have decided to record yet more songs so soon after the "Closer" sessions, keeping in mind Ian's fragile health at this time, with several concerts having to be cancelled.

     
 Soul And Heart - Unauthorised album. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this productHeart and Soul box set

These songs can be found on the following bootlegs:

In A Lonely Place can be found on this bootleg:

 

 

(17) "Still" session
Britannia Row Studios, Islington, London. Some time in 1981
Producer: Martin Hannett
Tracks 1st official Release Notes
THE ONLY MISTAKE Still Martin Hannett reworked unfinished tracks from the Unknown Pleasures sessions.
WALKED IN LINE Still
THE KILL Still
     
Notes: This was, for obvious reasons, not a regular "session" as such. These songs were already recorded, but apparently never completed during the "Unknown Pleasures" sessions in April 1979 (see session no. 7 for more details). In 1981 Bernard Sumner went into the studio with producer Hannett to add some guitar to these "unfinished" tracks. According to some sources Peter Hook was also present to add some bass to "The Only Mistake".

We think Something Must Break may have been re-mixed during this session as well - the version on Heart & Soul is different to the one on Still
     
 StillAn Ideal For Killing - Unauthorised LP. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement of this product

One song can be found on the following bootleg:

 

 

 

CREDITS: Information used in the above sessions listing has been taken from the following sources:

  • the booklet accompanying the "Heart And Soul" boxset, London Records 1997,
  • "Record Collector" magazine No. 221; "JD studio recordings guide" by Mark Paytress, January 1998,
  • Mark Johnson's "An Ideal For Living" book, Proteus Publishing 1984,

as well as bits and pieces of information picked up from various JD record sleeves, music papers/magazines/fanzines and books, far too many to be mentioned (or remembered!).