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Two little bits of information that I would like any information on. 1. Was the video edit of "Steam" (ie with the last verse edited out) ever released on CD? 2. WHEN was "Lovetown" recorded? Thanks!

Actually - it should be 3 questions, as I've got 1 more! Were the extra verses in the Rich E mix of "Digging in the Dirt" and the Robbie Robertson version of "I Have the Touch" taken from original demos, or newly recorded?

"Lovetown" was recorded during the "US"-sessions, produced like "US" by Gabriel and Lanois. In that one interview "All about US" from 1992 the song was already mentioned (also other working titles like "Slim Jim" - my fading memories.) I always wished to find a shorter "edit" of "Steam" somewhere on CD - but there is only the album edit. The "radio edit" on "HIT" is actually the album edit ! The "extra verses" sound interesting and cool - I believe or I´m even sure (99%), that they were taken from the original demos - just listen carefully to Peter`s voice and the way he sings in "Dirt" and "Touch". "Shaking the Tree" also has an extra verse ! On youtube I recently discovered a long version from 1989 - longer ! as the version on Youssou`s album "The Lion" from 1989" including the extra verse, that can be heard on the "From Jungle to Jungle OST" from 1997. But Peter did new vocals of the song for his "Shaking the Tree - album in the first half of the song. Last : "Blood of Eden" and "More Than This" have shorter edits on "HIT" - not like "Steam".

"Lovetown" is actually an "US"-song - it even features art-work from "US" by Yayoi Kusama (Japan) on the single-cover and even in the music video. It`s probably like "Across the River" and "IV/Security" from 1982 - the song actually belongs to that album, but with one big difference - "River" was not recorded during the "IV"-sessions. (anybody correct me,if I am wrong)

I would say that the extra verses in Digging and Touch are from the original recording sessions, as the voice sounds the same. It's strange how the "radio edit" of Steam is just the album version. I remember (I think!) hearing the 'video edit' played on the radio at the time of the single's release. yet on the single, it was the full version, as was the song's appearance on the UK chart compilation album, "Now 24". (This has inspired me to start another topic, which I'll dare to do shortly.) I think 'River' was recorded for the first WOMAD album back in 82, but not part of the fourth album sessions. Speaking of the fourth album, we have two tracks - "I Go Swimming"m which we know was eventually released as the instrumental "Ga Ga", and the bizarrely titled "John Has A Headache" was was only played live on tour a few times. I quite like "John Has A Headache". it's a shame it wasn't recorded. or was it.?!

I never heard of "Headache" ? - interesting ! "I go swimming" was already mentioned in a PG-interview, shortly before the release of "Games" and "III/Melt". "Ga Ga" must be a b-side of the "Red Rain"-single - great cover/art-work (red! ) another "b-side" is "Soft Dog" from "Shock the Monkey" - not a 2nd "Jacinto" or "Heat", but showing once again Peter exploring new sounds and vibes. "Soft Dog" can be found on youtube, the 1st time I got to hear it.

I have a couple of versions of "John Has A Headache" though both are from bootlegs and not great quality. It was played a few times (probably not very many) on the Playtime tour. It's a bizarre song and although Album 4 in style, I think it's something that would have been more fitting on the second album.

Just been listening to "John Has A Headache" again - thanks once more for introducing me to this track. The songs reminds me more of an up-tempo "Family And The Fishing Net" with "Intruder" and "Exposure" elements, but it is a very nice track - yeah another rare and almost "missing link" in Peter`s song-catalogue. There is another live-version from the "Playtime"-tour on : "www.lunapendium.com"

It's really annoying when the tracks listed are not the correct versions on the CD - I think it's usually a mistake during mastering or track compilation. however, the radio edit of steam can be found on the promo CD single. have a look on ebay or at record fairs. I prefer this version - I think the album version goes on a bit.