The live audio and videos have been presented in the best possible condition; in as complete a form as is (now) known to exist. Let’s not forget the new Holidays In The Sun video, another indication of Universal’s commitment. The surprising thing is that the recordings are good enough to release as the Pistols debut LP. Most bands would have settled for this. Not the Pistols. Funny that. For a group not supposed to care – they did when it came to creating a musical legacy built to last. Forward thinking from the boys. Also nice to see the original song titles from the time of the demos retained: Unlimited Edition, No Future and Body – nice attention to detail. remastered from the recently found original album master tapes by Tim Young under the guidance of original producer Chris Thomas. CD2 – 1977 Studio Rarities & B-Sides: Previously unreleased 1977 recordings including the legendary Belsen Was A Gas with John on vocals plus the original single b-sides, again all remastered from the original master tapes.

Disc Four – the DVD. First up: the Riverboat Party footage in perfect condition. If it was an event taking place in recent times, the full show would have been recorded from multiple angles and so forth. But the filming we do have captures the spirit of the day, from the paranoia, the blistering performances in cramped confines, through to the Police bringing it all to an end. Doesn’t it just show how loathed the band were at this time? Don’t the Police overreact to a band playing music on a river? Perhaps that is what makes it all so encapsulating and poignant. Everything the Pistols stood for, and the threat they posed, is here in this film. The fold out NMTB poster is lovely as well, as is the replica A&M God Save The Queen. Just think, Universal own A&M these days, so surely this is a GSTQ A&M original?! The LP was re-issued in its original form as part of the limited edition 2007 UK vinyl re-issue series by Virgin Records.The original US version was also re-issued on vinyl by Rhino on October 21st 2008. these 6 demo’s would make up the legendary ‘Spunk’ album but are heard here for the very first time in their original, untouched form following the very recent discovery of the original master tapes. While many fans will undoubtedly be of the opinion that there can be very little left in the Sex Pistols vaults that hasn’t already been seen and heard, followers of the band will be thrilled by the treasure trove of music, footage, interviews, pictures and artifacts confirmed to be included.The newly compiled Holidays In The Sun video is expertly edited together from late ’77 footage, making it an authentic addition to the established videos for GSTQ and Pretty Vacant. Watching this on TV with the sound turned up makes your hair stand on end. Another triumph. DVD – 1977: Live 1977 DVD produced by Julien Temple and featuring many previously unseen performances plus DVD extras of promo videos and radio interviews.

This is the legendary original demo featuring John Lydon on vocals and is taken from the recently recovered original master tapes.

Reviews

Disc Two promised much, and proves the jewel in the crown. The 1977 B-sides start proceedings and have been given the same treatment as NMTB. No Feeling, the flip side of the junked A&M GSTQ does, at last, sounds like it should – it’s never before been quite right on any outing – other than on the original A&M. It is important to remember that this is not a re-recording, nothing has been tampered with. What we have here is the best possible sound gleaned from the master tapes. It still sounds like NMTB should – and it is essential that it does. It’s tempting to say it sounds “fresh, like it was recorded in 2012”, but it has always sounded fresh. What is certain is that it will never sound better than it does here. This mastering will ensure it still sounds fresh in 3012. Thank God, Universal have not taken the easy route, they’ve taken the hard one. The Pistols don’t come cheap, and UMC have wisely invested a lot of resources into this project. Basically Disc Two is a fan’s dream. It’s been in my CD player/iPod constantly and I love it. If you don’t, I’m so sorry, nothing will be good enough. It’s magical. Thank you Universal!