The Uncirculated Rumours Project

[mikebise]

In Summer 1988, a 3-record (vinyl) set of Stevie rarities was released, with the titles:

Uncirculated Rumours
More Uncirculated Rumours
Last Of The Uncirculated Rumours

The original set of all 3 Uncirculated Rumours came on black vinyl, and the second release was on coloured vinyl (red, orange and green), and all front covers were of Stevie's Rhiannon painting with a different inset photo of Stevie on each one. Another batch of Stevie's demos and outtakes had previously been bootlegged ten years earlier on the Almanac album, which was released in November 1978. This set featured "Sorcerer", "Cathouse Blues", "Candlebright" and many more.

Uncirculated Rumours had a wide spectrum of sound quality for the songs, ranging from abysmal ("Blue Lamp", "Julia", "Battle Of The Dragon") to sublime ("Maker Of The Birds", "Leather And Lace", "Rhiannon"). Despite the disappointing sound on many songs, the collection was still an impressive selection of Stevie's unreleased work to that time.

Last week, Mathew (KarmaContestant) and I were talking about Uncirculated Rumours, and he mentioned his desire to have a complete set of Uncirculated Rumours in terrific sound quality. In the intervening 23 years since the vinyl release of Uncirculated Rumours, most of the songs have been massively upgraded in sound quality, whether through the Master Reels or other outlets.

I started this thread to see if we could make this dream a reality. I'm not at my DSL tonight, or I'd start posting links to upgrades or links of songs that need upgrading. There are several songs that I do not have on my computer, so I'd need to hear them again to determine if that version has been upgraded or not.

Some thoughts:

"Maker Of The Birds" - The version on Uncirculated Rumours sounds very good, and I still think it is the best. Maureen Loftus put out a "remastered" version in 1998, but I think it sounds muffled, whereas the Uncirculated Rumours version is loud and clear. There is also an audible gasp by Stevie after she sings, "He thought 'Maybe I'm going insane'..." that is not on Maureen's remastering. Does anyone have the Uncirculated Rumours vinyl version?

"Forest Of The Black Roses" - I do not have the second version, only on vinyl which I can't hear (no turntable).

"Think About It" - The Uncirculated Rumours version is on the Master Reels; However, on UR, there is an added electic guitar which kicks in about a minute into the song that is not on the Master Reels.

"Castaway" - This demo version is very different from Stevie's many takes on the Master Reels, incorporating a different second verse in this take (as well as in the piano demo). This is a great version, but the sound is terrible.

"Smile At You" - This take does exist on the Master Reels, but in an edited form, chopping out the second round of "What you did not need was a lady who was stronger..." part. The longer version on the Master Reels has Stevie singing the first verse twice! Is there a good sounding complete version of this take with the correct verses and vocals?

Uncirculated Rumours
Castaway - Demo Version - Not on any of the Master Reels; contains a different second verse
Silver Springs - Piano Demo 1976
Rhiannon - Piano Demo Version 1 (Where Stevie talks about the birds rising)
Forsaken Love - Piano Demo Version 1 (Listed here as "Mistaken Love", but copyrighted title is "Forsaken Love")
Rhiannon - Piano Demo Version 2 (Softer version)
Forsaken Love - Piano Demo Version 2 (Listed here as "Mistaken Love", but copyrighted title is "Forsaken Love")
Sleeping Angel - Demo
Sara - Piano Demo
Castaway - Piano Demo

More Uncirculated Rumours
Forest Of The Black Roses - Version 1
Forest Of The Black Roses - Version 2
Blue Water - Piano Demo March 1978; On Master Reels, flawless
Think About It - Outtake; Recorded/Mixed at Record Plant, Sausalito, California, February 4th, 1976-April 9th, 1976
If You Ever Did Believe - 1978
Smile At You - Tusk era studio recording, unedited (Master Reels versions are edited or have different vocals)
Leather And Lace - Early Demo with Don Henley
Julia (unlisted) - Version commonly believed to be from The Wild Heart (and confirmed to me by Gordon Perry in 1996 in Dallas)
Maker Of The Birds (listed here as "For You On The Three Birds Of Rhiannon")

Last Of The Uncirculated Rumours
Battle Of The Dragon - With Tom Petty 1984
After The Glitter Fades - Demo 1975
Crying In The Night - Electric Mix 1973 (Single Remix)
Kind Of Woman - Piano Demo 1975
I Sing For The Things - Demo 1984
Blue Lamp - Outtake 1981 (On the Master Reels)
Silver Springs - Live 1977 Kansas City
Violet And Blue - 1982; Soundtrack Version (released 1984)

I'll be posting links starting tomorrow, but anyone else can join in!!!