From: "ozymandias G desiderata"
Newsgroups: vox.gate.new-music
Subject: A Tentative Swans Discography For Your Scrutiny...
Message-ID: <9301190427.AA08685@selway.umt.edu>
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 93 21:27:21 -0700
Okay, kids, considering that I have more Swans CDs than most
folks think exist (15 Swan and Swan-related CDs), and realizing that
no such beasty existed as of yet, I decided to take it upon myself to
make an initial stab.
So here it is. I know the bastard is incomplete, and some of
the info in here is just plain made up (like the track listing for the
original version of _Holy Money_, which I don't have). If y'all would
look it over and report the errors to me and help me fill in my blind
spots, I'd be most appreciative. Things I need to know are:
a) The _real_ track listing for _Holy Money_.
b) The track listing for the "Love Will Tear Us Apart" 12".
c) The track listing for _Public Castration Is A Good Idea_.
d) The track listing for any 12"s I don't have listed here,
like the "New Mind" 12". Also, can somebody tell me if the version of
"Blackmail" on there is the same as any of the other mixes of that
song?
e) The track listing for the original versions of skin's
"Shame, humility, revenge" and "Blood, women, roses" LPs.
f) The identity of the little snippet on the _Anonymous Bodies
In An Empty Room_ bootleg.
g) Catalog numbers for all of the original LPs and cassettes.
h) Information (catalog numbers, track listings, anecdotes,
facetiae, satire, etc.) regarding Swans videos.
If anybody has strong feelings regarding the inclusion of
offshoots like Of Cabbages and Kings, Prong, etc. lemme know. My
inclination is to leave them out. I do plan to mention, eventually,
the involvement of Kizys, Parsons, Crosby, et al with Foetus's live
efforts.
By the way, if anybody out there has any CD copies of "Feel
Good Now" in good condition that they wouldn't mind parting with,
lemme know. It is my most beloved of CDs, and most unfortunately, my
copy has some rather severe scratches, which are causing it to skip
badly. Information on where I might be able to track this down would
also be appreciated.
With no more blather, here is:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$ $
$ H O L Y M O N E Y , H O L Y L O V E $
$ $
$ A SWANS Discography, v 0.5 $
$ January 18, 1993 $
$ $
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Compiled and maintained by
ozymandias G desiderata
(ogd@selway.umt.edu)
The Swans are one of the most influential and prolific bands
to come out of the New York "Noise Rock" scene of the early '80s.
They feature slow, heavy rhythms and churning, atonal guitars with
Michael Gira's haunted vocals hollowly mouthing such lyrics as
"somebody weaker than you should rape you."
Their lyrics (written by egomaniacal maniac / twisted genius /
lonely little boy / Paganini of his age Michael Gira) explore
domination, brutality, rape, mutilation, alienation, and an almost
overwhelming sense of gloom and desperation. Each album explores a
different facet of these themes. "Cop" - the abuse of power, and
about the willingness of people to be dominated. "Greed" - money,
lust, commodification, and their intersection. "Children of God"
preaches an extremely apocalyptic brand of evangelical Christianity.
"White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity" - failure and
loneliness.
Over time, their music has evolved from amelodic, brutal
harshness to a much more reflective, softer sound. "The Burning
World," in particular has a very gentle country feeling to it. The two
most recent releases, "White Light..." and "Love of Life" have a very
lush, orchestrated feel to them.
Many luminaries of the New York scene, such as Sonic Youth's
Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo, and JG Thirlwell (of Foetus fame) have
aparticipated in the Swans machine, which centers around Gira.
The core members of the group are Gira, female vocalist
Jarboe, and guitarist Norman Westberg (whose role in the group has
diminished recently). A revolving (and quite large) cadre fill out the
band for albums. Roli Mosimann, a noted producer (of such bands as
Young Gods and Wiseblood, which was his collaboration with Thirlwell)
got his start working with Gira in Swans.
In 1986 Jarboe and Gira formed skin, which was/is a project
for them to explore more melodic and reflective musical ideas. They
have produced three albums (which are available on two CDs), which
many find to be more accessible than the Swans' songs.
This discography has been split into three parts. The first is
the work produced by the Swans, including LPs, EPs, singles, and
videos (eventually!). The second comprises the work done by skin, and
the third includes works by notable Swans members (simply Jarboe for
the moment).
NOTATION:
Some songs have notations after them, in the form
(letter.number). The letter/number pair refers the album and track of
the original version of the song.
Swans and skin have done a few covers. The original authors of
these songs are included in square brackets next to them.
As Swans:
A. Untitled EP (1982)
1. Speak
2. Laugh
3. Sensitive Skin
4. Take Advantage
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jonathan Kane, Bob Pezzola, Daniel Galli-Duani
B. Filth LP (1983)
1. Stay Here
2. Big Strong Boss
3. Blackout
4. Power For Power
5. Freak
6. Right Wrong
7. Thank You
8. Weakling
9. Gang
Personnel: Michael Gira, Norman Westberg, Roli Mosimann, Harry Crosby,
Jonathan Kane
C. Cop LP (1984)
1. Half Life
2. Job
3. Why Hide
4. Clay Man
5. Your Property
6. Cop
7. Butcher
8. Thug
Personnel: Michael Gira, Norman Westberg, Roli Mosimann, Harry Crosby
D. Young God EP (1984)
1. I Crawled
2. Raping A Slave
3. Young God
4. This is Mine
Personnel: Michael Gira, Norman Westberg, Roli Mosimann, Harry Crosby
E. Time Is Money 12" (1985)
1. Time Is Money (Bastard)
2. Sealed In Skin
3. Time Is Money (Bastard) Mix
Personnel: Michael Gira, Norman Westberg, Harry Crosby, Ronaldo Gonzalez
F. Greed LP (1985)
1. Fool
2. Anything For You
3. Nobody
4. Stupid Child
5. Greed
6. Heaven
7. Money Is Flesh
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Norman Westberg, Harry Crosby, Ronaldo
Gonzalez, Roli Mosimann
G. Holy Money LP (1985/1986)
1. Money Is Flesh
2. Another You
3. Fool
4. Coward
5. A Hanging
6. You Need Me
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Norman Westberg, Algis Kizys, Ted Parsons,
Ivan Nehem, Roli Mosimann
H. A Screw 12" (1986)
1. A Screw
2. Blackmail
3. A Screw (Holy Money)
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Norman Westberg, Algis Kizys, Ted Parsons,
Roli Mosimann
I. Real Love LP - Live bootleg (1986)
1. Coward (G.4)
2. Stupid Child (F.4)
3. Anything For You (F.2)
4. Money Is Flesh (F.7)
5. A Hanging (G.5)
6. Sealed In Skin (E.2)
Personnel: Unknown, presumed same as F and G.
J. Children Of God LP (1987)
1. New Mind
2. In My Garden
3. Our Love Lies
4. Sex, God, Sex
5. Blood And Honey
6. Like A Drug (Sha La La La)
7. You're Not Real, Girl
8. Beautiful Child
9. Blackmail
10. Trust Me
11. Real Love
12. Blind Love
13. Children Of God
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Norman Westberg, Algis Kizys, Ted Parsons
K. Feel Good Now 2LP - Live bootleg (1987)
1. Intro
2. New Mind (J.1)
3. Blood And Honey (J.5)
4. Trust Me (J.10)
5. Willy In Ravensburg
6. Sex God Sex (J.4)
7. Various Audience Tricks
8. Like A Drug (J.6)
9. Beautiful Child (J.8)
10. Blackmail (J.9, H.2)
11. Children Of God (J.13)
12. Beautiful Reprise - The Town And Country Club (J.8)
13. Thank You
14. Various Audience Tricks
15. Blind Love (J.12)
16. Hello To All Our Friends
17. Thank You, Goodbye. Good Luck.
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Norman Westberg, Algis Kizys, Ted Parsons
NOTE: Tracks 1, 5, 13, 14, 16, and 17 are little bits from the
audience. Some of them feature (unintentionally) hilarious haranguing
of the audience and band members by Gira. He's quite the puckish lad.
L. The Burning World LP (1989)
1. The River That Runs With Love Won't Run Dry
2. Let It Come Down
3. Can't Find My Way Home [Blind Faith/S. Winwood]
4. Mona Lisa, Mother Earth
5. (She's A) Universal Emptiness
6. Saved
7. I Remember Who You Are
8. Jane Mary, Cry One Tear
9. See No More
10. God Damn The Sun
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Norman Westberg, Bill Laswell, Jason Asnes,
Virgil Moorefield, Nicky Skopelitis, Shankar, Fred Frith, Jeff Bova,
Aiyb Deng, Trilok Gurtu, Bernard Fowler, Fred Fowler, Karl Berger,
Mark Felder, Larry Packer, John Kass, Richard Carr, Garo Yellin.
M. Anonymous Bodies In An Empty Room LP - Live Bootleg (1990?)
1. Let It Come Down (L.2)
2. Blood On Your Hands (Q.5)
3. Untitled Excerpt
4. Will We Survive (N.5)
5. See No More (L.9)
6. Still A Child (Q.15)
7. (She's A) Universal Emptiness (L.5)
8. Miracle Of Love (N.9)
Personnel: Unknown, presumed to be a subset of L.
N. White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity 2LP (1991)
1. Better Than You
2. Power And Sacrifice
3. You Know Nothing
4. Song For Dead Time
5. Will We Survive
6. Love Will Save You
7. Failure
8. Song For The Sun
9. Miracle Of Love
10. When She Breathes
11. Why Are We Alive?
12. The Most Unfortunate Lie
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Norman Westberg, Christoph Hahn,
Clinton Steele, Jenny Wade, Anton Fier, Nicky Skopelitis,
Vincent Signorelli, Hahn Rowe, Steve Burgh
O. Body To Body, Job To Job LP (1991)
1. I'll Cry For You
2. Red Sheet
3. Loop 33
4. Your Game
5. Seal It Over
6. Whore (Modified version of C.2)
7. We'll Hang For That
8. Half Life (C.1)
9. Loop 21
10. Get Out
11. Job (C.2)
12. Loop 1
13. Mother, My Body Disgusts Me
14. Cop (C.6)
15. Only I Can Hear, Only I Can Touch
16. Thug (C.8)
Personnel: Michael Gira, Norman Westberg, Harry Crosby, Sue Hanel,
Roli Mosimann, Mojo, Dan Braun, Thurston Moore, Craig Cafton,
Johnathan Kane, Ted Parsons, Ronaldo Gonzales, Ivan Nahem, Algis Kizys,
Jarboe, Bob Pezzola, Jonathan Prosser
P. Love Of Life LP (1992)
1. Untitled
2. Love Of Life
3. The Golden Boy That Was Swallowed By The Sea
4. Untitled
5. Untitled
6. The Other Side Of The World
7. Her
8. The Sound Of Freedom
9. Untitled
10. Amnesia
11. Identity
12. Untitled
13. In The Eyes Of Nature
14. She Cries (For Spider)
15. God Loves America
16. Untitled
17. No Cure For The Lonely
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Clinton Steele, Algis Kizys,
Vincent Signorelli, Jenny Wade, Ted Parsons, Troy Gregory, Larry Seven,
Adam Jankowski
As skin/The World Of Skin:
Q. The World Of Skin CD (1986)
1. 1000 Years
2. Everything At Once
3. Cry Me A River [Arthur Hamilton]
4. Breathing Water
5. Blood On Your Hands
6. Intro/Nothing Without You
7. We'll Fall Apart
8. I Want To Be Your Dog [Iggy & The Stooges/Iggy Pop]
9. My Own Hands
10. Turn To Stone
11. Cold Bed
12. 24 Hours
13. Red Rose
14. One Small Sacrifice
15. Still A Child
16. The Center Of Your Heart
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, William Barnhardt, Linda Miller,
Chris Tombling, Gini Ball, Chris Pitzaldi, Martin McCarrick, Bill McGee
A. Kadir Dorvesh, Paul Kendall
R. Ten Songs For Another World LP (1990)
1. Please Remember Me
2. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes [Traditional]
3. The Child's Right
4. Everything For Maria
5. I'll Go There, Take Me Home
6. Black Eyed Dog [Nick Drake]
7. A Parasite And Other Memories
8. Dream Dream
9. You'll Never Forget
10. Mystery Of Faith
Personnel: Michael Gira, Jarboe, Clinton Steele, Steve McAllister
Roli Mosimann, Tony Maimone, Andrea Pennisi, Hans Blatter
Jarboe, solo:
S. Thirteen Masks CD (1992)
1. Listen
2. Red
3. A Man Of Hate (Lord Misery Version)
4. The Believers
5. The Lonely Voyeur
6. The Never-Deserting Shadow
7. Wooden Idols
8. In An Open Sea
9. Shotgun Road (Redemption)
10. I Got A Gun
11. Of Ancient Memory (The Oblivion Seekers)
12. A Man Of Hate
13. Yo!
14. Freedom
15. Cries (For Spider) (P.14)
Personnel: Jarboe, JG Thirlwell, Roli Mosimann, Clinton Steele, Michael Gira,
Norman Westberg
CDs:
The Filth CD contained A and B.
The Cop/Young God CD contained C and D.
The original Greed CD (on K.422 records) contained E and F.
The original Holy Money CD (also on K.422 records) contained G and H.
The Time Is Money/A Screw Maxi-CD contained E and H.
The new Greed/Holy Money CD comprises portions of E, F, G, and H, remastered
and re-equalized by Gira.
All other CDs are same as listed.
