I posted about the leak of “Crimson/Red” some time ago. It was certainly the first time I’ve ever been involved from front to back of a Prefab Sprout release, and instead of picking things up retrospectively I was delighted to be following the sequence of releases and promotional work as events unfolded. And it was a great year: the promotional campaign of interviews appeared to pick up momentum as Paddy seemed even to be enjoying the acclaim, and I found the band becoming cool for once.
Here are some of the things that turned up over the year. Mouse over for commentary.
The Leaked Version
The original fileset from the leak was in alphabetical order. I still prefer it like this. This was variously known as "Trapdoor Melancholy" or "The Devil Came A Calling" depending on what theory people subscribed to regarding the origin of the files.
Preorder Website
The website appeared for pre-ordering on September 4th Within 48 hours or so the signed box sets had sold out
The Playback
The Playback event was held in the "Eight Members Club" in Central London. The enthusiasm of the Icebreaker team was obvious, and we all pretended to be hearing the album for the first time...
Promotional Postcards
These were distributed at the launch event in London. I picked up loads of them. Unlike the box set postcards, they're printed both sides
Promotional Activities
Two of the Icebreaker staff dressed as Jewel Thieves and distributed fliers on the day of the release
Promotional CD-R
Promotional CD-R copies were made available pre-launch and very successfully kept out of the hands of fans prior to the release date. I know, because I was looking very hard! They're relatively common now.
The CD Release
The release was October 7th, and for once happened bang on time. The physical CDs were in a nice record facsimile format. A few turned up signed in a Newcastle record shop, and this is one of them.
The Signed Box Set
Very much sought after now, the box set with a signed photo and interview CD. Fair to say there was disappointment not to have music on the extra CD, but it's a nice item
The Standard Box Set
This box set differed only in the omission of the signed photo and a printed barcode...
Signed Boxset Label
...where the signed boxset had this stick on label covering the printed one
UK Vinyl Release
The UK vinyl release was a beautiful package and came with a CD in a card envelope.
European Boxset
The European "Ministry of Sound" Boxset was a slightly more rattly affair, with the contents loose in the box instead of neatly packaged
European Vinyl Release
The album was also released on vinyl in Europe, on the Ministry of Sound label
Japanese Promotional CD-R
The Japanese release followed later in October, and all albums were reissued as part of that in "Blu-Spec" format. This is the promotional CD-R
Japanese Release
This is the Japanese release, complete with translated booklet, inserts and Obi strip. I think the nicest non-box set release format. I happened to be in Japan at the time, but sadly couldn't find any promotional activities beyond a few magazine articles.
European and US CDs
Here are a few alternate releases. The Embassy of Sound CD is similar to the UK release, but a black backed CD, strange looking but it works. Then the "Go!" version for Benelux, and the US release on Red River, which came out on April 29th 2014
Really interesting insights. I missed out on the original signed versions (had I known about it I would have been all over it), but have seen some pop up on eBay from reasonably priced to outrageous asking prices. I figure I’ll eventually hunt one down –it’d be the crown jewel in my Prefab collection– but it’s good to know about the different versions and CD-R promotional releases. I really wish something had come of that video competition for Billy, but given that the single release was canceled I’m not surprised. Still one of the highlights of this beautiful album.