I bet that each of you reading this blog post is aware that today is a special day in Duranland! It is a big anniversary or birthday or however you want to call it! Forty years ago today, Duran Duran’s first album was released worldwide. This is album that started it all. For many fans, it was their introduction to Duran and the beginning of their fan stories. For others, like me, it wasn’t necessarily the first but definitely was a significant part to understanding Duran and what they envisioned themselves to be, musically and artistically. Therefore, on this date, this anniversary, I thought it might be good to share some copies of the first album that I’m lucky enough to own. Then, I would love for others to share their first album collections!
The U.S. Version:
My first copy of the self-titled debut was a vinyl record featuring Is There Something I Should Know as opposed to To the Shore, like many/most American fans. It also showcased a different logo and group photo than the original one as seen here:
The copy of this version that I own is not my original one. My parents moved when I was in college and got rid of their entire vinyl collection. My records were located within that collection for some weird reason. Anyway, it gave me great joy to be able to buy one to replace it.
Compact Disc:
Of course, I also have the album on CD, too. Again, the copy of the CD I own is definitely not the original one I own as I copy I now possess has the original tracklist, which includes To the Shore and the album cover that we all know and love as seen below.
Original Vinyl:
During the reunion, I worked really hard to ensure that I had a (relatively) complete collection of any and all Duran Duran. This, of course, included getting my hands not on just the U.S. version of the first album but the one that the rest of the world had. This is the one with the Harvest Record label as opposed to Capitol Records. For some reason, I have multiple copies of this version.
Re-mastered Compact Disc:
Back in 2010, which does not seem that long ago, re-mastered versions of the first few Duran records were released. I could not wait to get my hands on that! What was super cool about the re-mastered edition were the extras. Yes, there was a CD of the original songs, but it also included the b-sides of Late Bar, Khanada, Fame and Faster Than Light. If that was not enough, there was a CD of extras, including:
- Air Studios versions of Girls on Film and Tel Aviv
- Manchester Square Demos of Anyone Out There, Planet Earth, Friends of Mine and Late Bar
- BBC Radio 1 Session that included Night Boat, Girls on Film, Anyone Out There, Like an Angel
- The Night Versions of Planet Earth (Night Version and Night Mix) and Girls on Film (Extended Night Version and Night Mix)
Then, a DVD was included, too! This included the videos of Planet Earth, Planet Earth (Club Version), Careless Memories, Girls on Film (Long Uncensored Version), Girls on Film (Short Censored Version), Night Boat. It also had other extras like:
- A Day in the Life Featurette
- Tops of the Pops performances of Planet Earth, Careless Memories, Girls on Film
- Old Grey Whistle Test performance of Night Boat and Anyone Out There
- Get Set for Summer performance of Girls on Film
- Multi-coloured Swap Shop performance of Friends of Mine and Girls on Film
Needless to say, this was WELL worth the cost and I’m so glad that I grabbed this when I could. I think now these re-mastered editions are hard to find and cost a LOT.
Limited Edition Double Vinyl:
At the same time as the re-mastered CD, a limited edition double vinyl was released. This contains the original tracks and the night versions included on the CD.
So, Duranies, I ask you. What is missing from my collection, as far as this ever-important, ever-amazing first album goes? What should I look for next?
-A
