BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Johnny Thunders’ career-peak album ‘SO ALONE’ which Johnny years later acknowledged was “the best record I ever made”. To mark it’s 40th Anniversary Remarquable Records have restored the long neglected session tapes to compile a companion album called ‘SO ALONESOME’ containing previously unreleased alternative mixes of tracks originally released in 1978 plus new mixes of material to offer further insight into Johnny’s six months of recording time in London – an experience he had never had before and never would have again..

This EXCLUSIVE release serves as a companion album to the 40th Anniversary Remarquable Special Edition of Johnny’s ‘SO ALONE’ album, with it’s focus being solely ‘MORE Johnny!’ By that we mean versions of songs that feature Johnny on vocals and guitar throughout the song, where he may have been low in the mix or totally omitted on some tracks on ‘So Alone’. On ‘So Alonesome’ Johnny is upfront and centre stage throughout the entire record.

Rounding off the package is a 4-page insert featuring liner notes and credits on one side flipped with a poster of a painting of Johnny which used to reside in REAL RECORDS boss, Dave Hill’s, office. It was painted by one of Dave’s staff, Wendy Dancey.

Don’t miss this unique release. There is an extra special edition on pearlescent straw pearl vinyl which was selected to fit in with the ‘more Johnny’ theme of the record. Just like a cultured pearl removed from it’s shell, taking the pearl vinyl record out of it’s sleeve signifies how remarquable we feel it is – it’s a gem. The yellow colour reflects the theme of the album sleeve and Johnny’s trademark Les Paul TV Model which is a key feature of this record.

There is no CD version but the full album is available to download with the download code included.

It’s essential, it’s limited, it’s Johnny Thunders at the peak of his powers. It’s simply REMARQUABLE 20th Century rock’n’roll! Bumrush the scalpers and buy your copy from RECORD STORE DAY 2018 (April 21) until they are all gone!!

Erratum: On the LP artwork ‘London Boys’ is credited as being 2’45”, it should have been 2’55″

REMARQUABLE CREDITS :

Remarquable Research - Pedro Mercedes

Remarquable Tape transfers, restoration & 24bit/96K digitising – Rob Keyloch at Church Walk Studio

Mastering – Nick Robbins @ Sound Mastering

Photography - album sleeve by Peter Gravelle; inner sleeve – studio shot by Sarah Wyld / live shot by Paul Slattery

Graphic Build Bruce Brand / Arthole & Cara Sly-Platz / Remarquable Conception

Design – Remarquable Conception

(The REMARQUABLE RECORDS logo inspired by BILL SMITH designer of the original REAL RECORDS logo).

Manufacturer / Plant: MODO (a KEY Production Company) / Vinyl Factory (UK) Media gmbh

Distributor: Little Amber Fish [EUROPE] / Light In The Attic [USA / South East Asia]

Additional Notes

‘Pipeline’ : This is an unreleased alternate 1978 mix that highlights Johnny’s trademark guitar work and guitar solo. It differs significantly from the ‘So Alone’ album mix which featured prominently Steve Jones’ guitar work and guitar break.

‘Dead or Alive?’ : This is an early mix done straight after the session with a punchier, rawer throttle than the finished balanced mix of Johnny’s debut solo single. It’s a taste of how this band sounded live when Johnny kick-started his Speakeasy Club residency in the same month.

‘(Give Her A) Great Big Kiss’ : Here we have a special 40th anniversary mix which utilises virtually ALL the parts recorded at the session but left out of the final album mix, most notably Johnny and Steve Jones’ guitar contribution, and leaves in more BVs from Hynde ,Palladin & Kaolla Kakoula. We loved it so much we mixed a full length unedited instrumental mix which is available as the AA side (or B side) of the Remarquable picture disc 7” of ‘(Give Him A) Great Big Kiss’ (cat#RBL3)

‘Leave Me Alone’ (Hot Ones Version) : You may be reading this thinking ‘how many versions of this song do I need?’ or ‘what on earth could another version offer?’. Well, it’s a unique arrangement from ‘The Hot Ones’ – Peter Perrett and Mike Kellie from the Only Ones and Paul Gray from Eddie and the Hot Rods. It’s a Wham Bam in-the-Can gem which has finally been opened.

‘So Alone’ : from Johnny’s last – unfinished – session before he returned to New York. Alongside Walter lure, Billy Rath and Paul Cook he ran through two live takes of ‘So Alone’ but it was left unfinished, unmarked and then unheard for almost 40 years. It’s probably the very last time Johnny, Walter and Billy – the Heartbreakers – ever recorded together & it’s a stunning memorial for both Johnny and Billy.

‘Daddy Rollin’ Stone’ : Phil Lynott (bass/BVs), Mike Kellie (drums) and Henri-Paul (guitar) provide the rhythm engine for this spirited cover song. Johnny sings all the verses and Phil handles BVs. (It originally appeared on the our limited edition ‘Daddy Rollin’ Stone’ EP cat#RBL2).

‘London Boys’ : here is an alternate mix of his third version featuring Steve Jones Paul Cook, Phil Lynott with backing vocals from Patti Palladin, Chrissie Hynde and Kaolla Kakoula which packs in a bit more oomph!

‘(She’s So) Untouchable’ : this version is a 1978 mix before saxophone overdubs were commited to tape with an earlier lead vocal and features Johnny’s lead guitar break.

‘Subway Train’ : This is the basic band run through prior to overdubs later added by Henri-Paul, John ’Irish’ Earle, Chrissie Hynde, Patti Palladin and Koulla Kakouli. If you were unable to catch his Speakeasy Club shows in 1978 this basic track ‘live’ run through with Johnny’s guide vocal gives a fine illustration of how the band would have sounded at the venue.

‘The Wizard’ : Here we have a very special 40th Anniversary mix which offers up a Thunders track like no other. Nothing has been added, it is mixed from what was committed to tape – though iTunes might genre-ify it as a ‘Jazz-Folk-Dub’ track. Nice. At the end of the recording Johnny asks “should we hear what that sounds like?”. YES WE SHOULD!