Blur - "Starshaped" - (Canceled 1993 album).

 

Blur - "Starshaped" - (Canceled 1993 album).

“Starshaped” was a documentary film, running time 60 minutes, by English band: Blur. Released on video tape in September 12.1993. Directed by Matthew Longfellow and produced by Ceri Levy. Distributed by Parlophone & Ventura Distribution. This film It became a collection of live performances, videos and band interviews.

Food Records agreed to release a CD/LP with some songs included in the documentary, already known songs except two: The 1992 promotional single:“The Wassailing Song” or the hidden track: “When Will We Be Married”; although the non-album tracks "Popscene" and "Day Upon Day" are also included.

But the CD/LP “starshaped” project was finally canceled, because the band did not want to be interpreted as a “greatest hits” or a bad and opportunistic compilation without much sense of: the previous albums: “Leisure” & “Modern life is rubbish”, and  the material they have recorded live was not entirely acceptable for a disc.bit.ly/93BAY The original track listing from this documentary had 18 songs, not all complete and seven video clips, only 14 on CD/LP, in this way:

Side A: (22:51)

1.Intermission - 2:30

2.Explain - 2:45

3.There's No Other Way - 3:24

4.Inertia - 3:49

5.She's So High - 3:50

6.Colin Zeal - 3:16

7.Popscene - 3:14

Side B: (22:22)

1.Sunday Sunday - 2:38

2.The Wassailing Song - 3:24

3.Coping - 3:24

4.For Tomorrow - 4:21

5.Chemical World (Rwk) - 4:04

6.Advert - 3:45

7.Commercial Break - 1:44

hidden track: “When Will We Be Married”.

The reception was not very good, some critics and fans described it as boring, reason why the documentary was almost forgotten and not reissued until 2004. The new version of “Starshaped” was re-released now on DVD with extra footage: Live In Kilburn & Live At The Princess Charlotte. But even with this reinforcement, the movie is still boring. What do you think about it?. 

Ok, enjoy it and see you soon, if you want!.

Photo: Original cover for “Starshaped” Lp/Cd, used too VHS tape.

Kula Shaker - "Listen To The Promise Of My Heart".

 

After the success obtained with his first work "K", released on 16 September 1996. This album was the fastest selling debut album in Britain since Elastica´s debut the previous year. #1 position in the UK charts.  Columbia Records wanted to take advantage of the group success and prepared an new CD or LP (special limited edition), a bridge between “K” and “Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts”; which provsional title was: “Listen to the promise of my heart”. This new album contained rare, alternate and B-sides tunes. Some of them unknown in the U.S. Then it´s a good opportunity to complete the Kula Shaker collection for Americans fans.

Next, The original set list for "Listen to the promise of my heart".

1.Govinda '97, Hari & St. George.

(Alternative version from “Summer Sun”  EP. July 29.1997.

2.Gokula.

(B-.side: “Govinda”  cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD5K – November 11.96)

3.Under The Hammer.

 (B-.side: “Grateful when you´re dead/Jerry was there” cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD2 – April 22.96)

4.Dance In Your Shadow.

(B-.side: “Tattva”  cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD3k – June 24.1996)

5.Red Balloon (Vishnu’s Eyes).

(B-.side: “Tattva”  cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD3k – June 24.1996)

6.Moonshine.

(B-.side: “Tattva”  cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD3 – June 24.1996)

7.Another Life.

(B-.side: “Grateful when you´re dead/Jerry was there” cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD2 – April 22.96)

8.Listen To The Promise Of My Heart.

(A.k.A: “Troubled In Mind“).

(B-.side: “Hey dude”  cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD4– August 26.1996)

9.Hush.

(single version.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD6k – February 24.1997)

10.Waiting for Tomorrow (Raagy One).

(B-.side: “Hush” cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD6k – February 24.1997)

11.Drop In The Sea.

(B-.side: “Govinda”  cdsgl.

 Catalogue number CD: KulaCD5K – November 11.96) 

However in America, “K”  was not so successful, stalled at #200 in the Billboard charts. So that publish another worldwide album, It caused distrust in Kula Shaker, because the story could repeat one more time specially in U.S Bit.ly/KLs98 So the group decided to edit and leave it in a simple ep of six songss.With new name:”Summer Sun” ; a simple  work doesn't represent all of the band's British B-sides and rarities .

Even their cover of Deep Purple´s "Hush," their biggest U.K. hit is missing -- but it is a good sampling of their non-LP songs, even if these songs illustrate how predictable the band is. The standout cut is "Gokula," a trancy, Indian-influenced song based on Georhe Harrison´s "Skiing," which Harrison himself approved, but the roaring "Troubled Mind" and the acoustic "Dance in Your Shadow" also capture the band at their best. The remaining cuts are rather nondescript, but  "Summer sun" is worthwhile for any dedicated American fan who doesn't already own the British singles. 

Released July 29 to coincide with Kula Shaker´s  appearance on the 1997 American summer festival H.O.R.D.E., Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere . A Festival was a touring summer rock music festival originated by the musical group Blues Traveler in 1992. In addition to travelling headliners, the festival gave exposure to bands, charities, and organizations from the local area of the concert. 

The original "Summet Sun" EP collects six tracks previously unreleased in the U.S:  

1.Govinda '97, Hari & St. George.

2.Gokula. 

3.Dance  In Your Shadow. 

4.Raggy One (Waiting For Tomorrow). 

5.Moonshine. 

6.Troubled Mind.