FEATURE:
Goldy Locks and Snowy White…
IMAGE CREDIT: The state51 Conspiracy/Kate Bush (Fish People)
With Her Studio Albums Being Reissued Exclusively for Indie Stores, Is This a Sign Kate Bush Is Clearing the Way for New Work?
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THIS week…
IMAGE CREDIT: The state51 Conspiracy/Kate Bush (Fish People)
we got a treat from Kate Bush. To be fair, she has been quite active when it comes to engagement with fans. Even though there has been no new music since 2011 – more on that soon -, we got news that she has reissued her ten studio albums exclusively for Indie music stores. The U.K. will not get the first three albums – The Kick Inside, Lionheart and Never for Ever -, due to ownership/rights issues (I think EMI still have ownership of those albums). Bush’s Fish People label has the rights to her remaining seven albums – though you can get a U.S. import easily enough. On 20th November, there will be the studio albums with new vinyl colour designs from Bush herself. There are different colour names. I am not sure about the first three albums though, among the pack, we have ‘Dracula’ (The Red Shoes), ‘Goldy Locks’ (Aerial) and ‘Snowy White’ (50 Words for Snow). There are popular culture references. From Disney and fairytales, to Prince (Hounds of Love is ‘Raspberry Beret’). There is also ‘Smoky’ (The Dreaming) and ‘Ash Grey’ (The Sensual World) that, to me, seems to just be about smoking! I do love the titles and the fact the albums have come out. You have options of where to pre-order from. I have put the pre-link to Rough Trade above. In February, Rough Trade did a ranking and exploration of Kate Bush’s albums on vinyl. I think there are some big positives to the new announcement and reissues. Released through the independent music house, The state51 Conspiracy, I am going to discuss the pros and cons of Bush announcing her reissues – so close to Christmas too!
IMAGE CREDIT: The state51 Conspiracy/Kate Bush (Fish People)
I am not sure whether there are official nicknames and titles for The Kick Inside, Lionheart and Never for Ever. The Kick Inside is in orange, so I think it should be ‘Satsuma Sun’. The official listing says the vinyl colour is ‘Mango Chutney’, so either or! Lionheart is listed as ‘Dirty Pink’, but the vinyl itself is more off-pink-slash-brown. I think ‘Mahogony Mane’ is more fitting. Finally, Never for Ever is ‘Blade Bullett’ on Rough Trade. I think that is a cool title! In any case, fans around the world can get a hold of these essential and classic very soon. You can also buy them on black vinyl and C.D. - so there are a range of lovely options available. I shall come to some of the debates. Given the fact Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) passed a billion streams on Spotify and was number one in many countries meant Bush made a lot of money. Millions indeed! Also, as her music is reaching new people, increased album sales and streams means her wealth has skyrocketed! That is great. I am pleased that she is earning a lot of money. At sixty-five, she is not someone who is going to buy flashy cars and big mansions. She can invest that money or use it to launch her music or do a project of some sort. I know there have been debates online as to whether the new reissues is a grab for cash. Bush did remaster and reissue her albums in 2018. Five years later, we get another set! For one, there is that added bonus of a new design. People who got her albums in 2018 might well splash out for the new editions. I think most of the sales for the 2023 releases are for newer fans and those who do not have the 2018 versions.
Kate Bush is at the stage of her career where she does not need the money and is not motivated by money purely. She allowed Stranger Things to use R.U.T.H. as it was used beautifully and was beneficial for the show – and she must turn down countless requests from filmmakers! Also, Bush could make a tonne of money by gong ever deeper and reissuing live albums and other bits and pieces. Even if the new vinyl albums are a little pricey, if you are a diehard or new fans, you can get this cool edition of The Red Shoes or Hounds of Love. U.S. fans might not know her first few albums, so grabbing The Kick Inside is a treat! Also, plenty of other artists and estates have raised the vaults and done anniversary reissues. Bush is not someone who has reissued her albums on their anniversaries, so three editions of an album is not that excessive. I do feel like the timing is perfect for the Christmas market. The downside is that many people feel that, as she has already reissued her studio albums, why not put out a DVD for Before the Dawn?! What about an album of The Tour of Life?! There will be rarities, demos and stuff people have not heard in the vaults. Documentaries that could be remastered. Many of her videos that deserve a 4K, HD remastering. Perhaps putting out something unique. Instead, we get the studio albums again…
IMAGE CREDIT: The state51 Conspiracy/Kate Bush (Fish People)
Prior to 1986, when her greatest hits album, The Whole Story, came out, Bush had not really dabbled in retrospection. 50 Words for Snow came out in 2011. Before that – earlier in 2011 – she released Director’s Cut. An album with reworked versions of songs originally on 1989’s The Sensual World and 1993’s The Red Shoes, she went on to bring Before the Dawn to stage in 2014 – Bush mainly performing songs from Hounds of Love and Aerial. In 2018, she released her albums back onto vinyl/C.D. remastered. A book of lyrics, How to Be Invisible, has been released twice now! There has been a lot of retrospection since her latest studio album. I also think that it would have been cool to reissue her studio albums to cassette. Even if the vinyl copies are expensive, you get something special and they range from £30 or so upwards. It is a lot of money but, if it is the only version of the album you have, it is worth the cost! Also, as people are gagging for a new album, perhaps some sign that there is new work coming. Many say Bush does not owe people any news or update. I do think that some sort of sign that this is not Bush clearing up and getting things out of the way before retirement would be okay. She does not need to give specifics. Instead, a hint that things are bubbling. That is what people want: a new album from the legendary Kate Bush! I have theories as to why Bush has been really into ‘looking back’ mode. Taking these well-known albums and really making the most of it. I am not cynical into thinking that The state51 Conspiracy reissue for the independent record stores is for fortune and cashing in. As I said, Bush has all the money and success she could want! Instead, using her new fanbase and popularity to get these albums bought. It means that independent stores get people in and they see the tills ringing loud!
IMAGE CREDIT: Kate Bush (Fish People)
The really good news is that people will get something unique. You can also hear an entire album. So many people still listen to individual tracks and stream albums. Bush said, when announcing the reissues: "It’s very exciting to see people appreciating the physical presence of an album released on vinyl. It’s how it’s always been for me, especially when I was a teenager. The whole buzz of the record store was part of the experience. Buying an album was an event”. She knows that so many new fans have discovered her work. This is a chance for them to own a vinyl and experience an album in its purest form. We all really need to do that if we want to understand Kate Bush and get a feel for her incredible talent and production skill. I also feel that Bush is clearing a path for new music. Many artists will use the break between albums to release older stuff and have a bit of retrospection. Even though it will be twelve years in November since Bush favoured us with an album, I feel all this activity in the past five years or so has been her engaging with her older work and making sure the fans have plenty of options. At Christmas, with these new albums out and reaching new and loyal ears, it gives her chance to look to the next chapter. It is inevitable that songs have been written. I do feel that an album will come soon enough.
IMAGE CREDIT: The state51 Conspiracy/Kate Bush (Fish People)
The fans admire Bush for engaging and putting out her albums. Many artists do not look back and feel that once an album is out then that is it! Bush understands the importance of ensuring her fans know about her albums. If you are someone who already owns these studio albums, you are unlikely to go and get the full ten! Instead, you can pick your favourites – maybe ask for one for Christmas and buy another yourself. As Lionheart is forty-five in November and The Red Shoes is thirty in November, it is a good time for these newly-pressed editions to arrive. It means that these underrated and under-appreciate albums get some new love and plays – one hopes anyway! Not to be a vinyl snob, but I always prefer coloured vinyl. They seem more interesting and collectable. There is plenty of black vinyl. When you get these new designs and colours, it looks a lot better on the turntable. The bottom line is that these new words and reissues from Kate Bush are important. The fact that she is active and engaging. Sure, it would be nice to get new work and some light that an eleventh studio album is on its way. Maybe Before the Dawn being made available on DVD. We live in hope that these independent store-only albums compels her to release another album and reward this dedication to her music. Who quite knows…
WHAT will come next year.