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Ghost Canyon

Title - 'Select: Expanded Edition' [2CD/DVD]
Artist - Kim Wilde

For those not in the know, Kim Wilde became an overnight sensation back in 1981 courtesy of the worldwide success of her single ‘Kids In America’, which offered a very British twist on the new wave energy and glamour of Blondie.

In due course, Kim would enjoy numerous hits throughout the 1980s, first on RAK Records (with help from father Marty and brother Ricky) and then later on MCA (when she took up songwriting herself and toured with Michael Jackson and David Bowie).

On the back of Kim’s acclaimed recent studio set Here Come The Aliens (and companion live collection), her first three albums, namely Kim Wilde, Select and Catch As Catch Can are being treated to deluxe 2CD+DVD and vinyl reissues.

Collectively, this represents the entirety of her output for RAK.

Each album is being presented as a plush 2-CD plus DVD expanded gatefold wallet boasting a raft of previously unissued tracks and new remixes, as well as new colored vinyl editions.

All of the tracks have been remastered from fresh transfers of the original analogue tapes.

All of the new and previously unheard material has been given the blessing of Kim herself. Additionally, each package includes lyrics, rare photos and memorabilia plus new sleeve notes written by Kim Wilde expert Marcel Rijs.

Kim’s second album Select was a UK Top 20 hit when originally released in 1982. It includes the hit singles ‘Cambodia’ (UK #12, Australia #2) and ‘View From A Bridge’ (UK #16, Australia #2).

Bonus tracks include the previously unreleased out-take ‘He Will Be There’, the non-album single ‘Child Come Away’ (UK #43), the Japanese single ‘Bitter Is Better,’ and two B-sides (‘Watching For Shapes’ and ‘Just Another Guy’).

Also included are a host of brand new ‘19:82’ remixes, which are rather well titled, if I say so myself.

Interestingly enough, none of the singles from Select were ever originally issued as 12” mixes but, exclusively for this release, new mixes of ‘Cambodia’, ‘View From A Bridge’ and ‘Child Come Away’ have been created from the original multi track reels.

These include faithful 80s-style extended versions and more radical reinterpretations of these classic hits.

The bonus DVD includes promo videos for ‘Cambodia’, ‘View From A Bridge’ and ‘Child Come Away’, plus two performances from Top Of The Pops and one on the BBC’s Nationwide Special: The British Rock & Pop Awards.

Disc 1: Select
1. 'Ego'
2. 'Words Fell Down'
3. 'Action City'
4. 'View from a Bridge'
5. 'Just a Feeling'
6. 'Chaos at the Airport'
7. 'Take Me Tonight'
8. 'Can You Come Over'
9. 'Wendy Sadd'
10. 'Cambodia-Reprise'

Disc 1: Select: Bonus Tracks
11. 'Child Come Away'
12. 'Bitter Is Better'
13. 'He Will Be There'+
14. 'Watching for Shapes'
15. 'Just Another Guy'
16. 'Bitter Is Better' [Instrumental]+

+ Previously unreleased

We begin with the fast synth explosion 'Ego' which is backed seamlessly by the adamant angst of 'Words Fell Down,' the pacey guitar synth, poptastic brilliance of 'Action City,' the atmospheric hit single 'View from a Bridge,' and then the swirling 'Just a Feeling.'

The frenetic poplicious chords of 'Chaos at the Airport' has always been my favorite non-single track off the album, and one that I have always wished had been a single with a great video, and that's followed by the lush synth waves of 'Take Me Tonight.'

The old-fashioned swing-formatted love song 'Can You Come Over' is next and then the original album rounds out with the smooth 'Wendy Sadd,' and then the foot-tappin' storytelling brilliance of the hit single 'Cambodia-Reprise' (and then a rather rad 'Reprise' version too).

Added as bonus tracks on this first disc we then get the non-album single 'Child Come Away' (which until today I didn't even know was a thing), the Japan-exclusive rarity 'Bitter Is Better' (an advertisement for the B&L Bitter Lemon company), and then the previously unreleased pop ditty 'He Will Be There.'

This expanded first disc then rounds out with he guitar-pop of 'Watching for Shapes,' the pacey pop bounce of 'Just Another Guy,' and then an instrumental version of 'Bitter Is Better.'

Disc 2: Select: Session Selections
1. 'Ego [Rough Mix]+ 2. 'Words Fell Down [Original Mix]+ 3. 'Action City [Instrumental Demo]+ 4. 'Just a Feeling[Rough Mix]+ 5. 'Chaos at the Airport [Rough Mix]+ 6. 'Take Me Tonight [Original Mix]+

Disc 2: Select: The 19:82 Mixes
7. 'Cambodia' [Matt Pop Extended Version]*
8. 'View from a Bridge' [Luke Mornay Remix]*
9. 'Child Come Away' [Matt Pop Remix]*
10. 'Cambodia' [Luke Mornay Urbantronik Mix]*
11. 'View from a Bridge' [Raw Remix]
12. 'Child Come Away' [Matt Pop Instrumental]*
13. 'Cambodia' [Matt Pop Instrumental]*
14. 'View from a Bridge' [Luke Mornay Instrumental]*
15. 'Cambodia' [Luke Mornay Urbantronik Instrumental]*

+ Previously unreleased
* Exclusive new remixes for 2020

As for this second disc of remixes, the first six tracks are rough versions and demos of what the songs would eventually become. In truth, save for some quieter moments where synth or guitar would eventually fill it, they aren't overly exciting, sadly.

That said, the stand out highlight is an accelerated 'Action City (Instrumental Demo)' that simply rocks the whole non-vocal genre from back in the day, that's for damn sure!

The remaining nine tracks are now termed as 19:82 mixes and actually only feature three (3) tracks - 'Cambodia,' 'View from a Bridge,' and Child Come Away - that have all been given x3 new leases of remixed life (inclusive of four instrumentals).

The best of these is the 100% brilliant, and so stand out it hurts, reggae-esque hipsway of 'View from a Bridge (Luke Mornay Remix).' Wow, what a quite excellent remix and also too the last cut, 'Cambodia' (Luke Mornay Urbantronik Instrumental)', which is a brand new, and relatively smooth bass beater.

So, well, being a diehard fan I can accept them with open arms, but if you were only a passing fan of Kim's down the years, and moreover maybe just one of the '80s and early '90s, in general, the repetitive thumping beats, digitally zapped enhancement moments, and the aforementioned instrumentals will most likely be too much for you.

Disc 3: Select: The Videos
1. 'Cambodia'
2. 'View from a Bridge'
3. 'Child Come Away'

Disc 3: Select: Kim At The BBC Videos
4. 'Cambodia' [On Top of the Pops]
5. 'View from a Bridge' [On Top of the Pops]
6. 'View from a Bridge' [On Nationwide Special: The British Rock & Pop Awards]

Kim Wilde remains a perennial icon of British pop with an adoring global fanbase and next year she will continue to enjoy a high profile as she embarks on her lengthy 2020 The Greatest Hits Tour!

Official 2CD/DVD Purchase Link

www.KimWilde.com

Kim Wilde @ Facebook

www.CherryRed.co.uk





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