Category: Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys – Paninaro (Italy 12″ Ltd. Edition)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986

Originally posted September 25, 2012

Limited Edition Italy-only 12″. 5000 copies exist.

“Paninaro” is a song by English synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys. Originally a B-side to the 1986 single “Suburbia”, it was released as a limited-edition single in Italy during the same year. “Paninaro” was produced by the band themselves, and is the first track which features Chris Lowe on lead vocals, although he speaks the lyrics, rather than sings them.

While all 7″ and 12″ releases of “Suburbia” contained only the 7″ version of “Paninaro”, the 12″ version was featured on “Disco: The Remix Album”. Another remix by Ian Levine was done, but only appears as the second track from the Italian 12″ single.

“Paninaro” was written entirely by Chris Lowe, and was originally based on an idea brought forth by Tom Watkins, who later removed himself from the project. The Paninari is the name of a 1980s Italian youth subculture known as the paninari; derived from the word panino, Italian for sandwich, they were known for congregating in restaurants serving sandwiches and in the first US-style fast food restaurants, as well as their preference for designer clothing and 1980s pop music such as the New Romantic music of Duran Duran. Neil Tennant has said that they were drawn to the concept due to having shared those preferences.

The band wanted to remove Versace from the lyrics because Vercase was not really a designer favoured by the Paninari, but it was edited out of every version except the 12″

There was in fact a video shot for ‘Paninaro’, even though it wasn’t a bonafide single. It featured shots taken around Milan and fed through a digital imaging processor to give it a pixelated feel. It was released originally on the “Television” video compilation and again on the “Pop Art” DVD.

“Paninaro” was remixed and released a second time in 1995 as “Paninaro 95” in conjunction with the b-sides compilation “Alternative”.

SIDE A:
Paninaro (Italian Remix) 8:36
Remix – David Jacobs*, Pet Shop Boys

SIDE B:
Paninaro (Ian Levine Mix) 9:54
Remix –  Ian Levine

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone ‎– 14 2015626
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Limited Edition
Country: Italy
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Producer – Pet Shop Boys
Written-By – Tennant/Lowe*

NOTES:
Italy-only single. 5000 copies exist.
Track 1 Listed as “The Pet Shop Boys Mix” on sleeve.

Made in Italy by EMI Italiana S.p.A.

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard:
ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Pet Shop Boys – It’s Alright (The Alternatives) (UK 10″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1989

A. Front

C. Poster

“It’s Alright” is the 13th single from Pet Shop Boys and was released in the UK by Parlophone Records on 26 June 1989. It reached number 5 in the UK and, as of February 2009, it is the Pet Shop Boys’ 8th best-selling single. The song was originally written and performed by Sterling Void & Paris Brightledge and came to the attention of Pet Shop Boys on a house compilation.

The lyrics list a wide variety of serious political issues in the headlines at the time (“Dictation enforced in Afghanistan, revolution in South Africa taking a stand…”), and then offers the positive message of the title—that on its “timeless wavelength”, “music is our life’s foundation”, it “shall last” and ultimately “succeed all the nations to come”.

On the 10″ single there are additional lyrics with Neil Tennant speaking: “there’s a boy standing by a river, there’s a girl lying with her lover, there’s a statesman standing at a crossroads, there’s a soldier polishing his gun”.

SIDE A:
It’s Alright 4:44

SIDE B:
It’s Alright (Extended Dance Mix) 10:30

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone ‎– 10R 6220
Format: Vinyl, 10″, Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: Jun 1989
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Design [Sleeve Designed By] – Mark Farrow
Engineer – Julian Mendelsohn, Stephen Lipson
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn
Percussion – Danny Cummings
Producer – Pet Shop Boys, Stephen Lipson, Trevor Horn
Vocals [Additional] – Tessa Niles
Written-By – Sterling Void

NOTES:
“Limited edition contains free poster”

“These two alternative versions of It’s Alright were recorded in January, 1989 and are available only on this limited edition ten-inch disc.”

Designed at 3a.

Find the 10″ on DISCOGS

B. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard:
ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Pet Shop Boys – Suburbia (Special Arthur Baker Mix) (US 12″ Promo)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986

Sticker

Side 1 Label

“Suburbia” is a song by UK synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys. It was remixed and released as the fourth single from the album Please in 1986 and became the band’s second UK Top 10 hit, peaking at #8.

In the United States Arthur Baker was commissioned to do remixes for the 12″ promo with edits by Junior Vasquez. These remixes are exclusive to this release and have never appeared on any official Pet Shop Boys CD.

SIDE A:
Suburbia (Club Vocal Mix) 7:10

SIDE B:
Suburbia (Dub Version) 7:58

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1986 Suburbia U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #70
1986 Suburbia U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play #46
1986 Suburbia U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales #37

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI America ‎– SPRO9925/9926
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 22 Sep 1986
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Electro, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Edited By – Junior Vasquez
Engineer – Don Wershba
Remix – Arthur Baker
Written-By – Tennant – Lowe*

NOTES:
Promotional Copy Only Not For Sale

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

Side 2 Label

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Pet Shop Boys – The Menagerie Mixes (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1991

In 1991 the ON-USound labe released Pet Shop Boys “The Menagerie Mixes” which included two Mega-Mixes. “The New Mega-Mix” which focused mainly on tracks from the “Introspective” and Behaviour” albums. “The Classic Mega-Mix” which contained tracks from Pet Shop Boys debut album “Please” and the follow up “Actually”.

Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards. One of the world’s best-selling music artists, Pet Shop Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide, and are listed as the most successful duo in UK music history by The Guinness Book of Records. Three-time Brit Award winners and six-time Grammy nominees, since 1986 they have achieved 42 Top 30 singles and 22 Top 10 hits in the UK Singles Chart, including four number ones: “West End Girls”, “It’s a Sin”, “Always on My Mind” and “Heart”.

At the 2009 BRIT Awards, Pet Shop Boys received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

*Please Note: This is not an officially released single therefore the vinyl mastering may not be perfect. However I have made every attempt to restore this rare 12″.

SIDE A:
The New Mega-Mix: 15:42
Left To My Own Devices
So Hard
The End Of The World
Heart
Being Boring
It´s Alright
Always On My Mind/In My House
Left To My Own Devices

SIDE B:
The Classic Mega Mix: 13:03
Love Comes Quickly
West End Girls
What Have I Done To Deserve This
Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money)
In The Night
Suburbia
Always On My Mind
It’s A Sin

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ON-USound – PSB 012
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Unofficial Release, 33 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi