BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1980
So Xanadu week has finally come to a close and I have saved the best for last. The origins of this 7″ promo are unclear. A friend of mine who lives in Australia sent me this record a few months back he told me that it was an Australian test promo. However the record label and sleeve do not mention the country of release. The front cover is similar to the Spain 7″ but there is no Spanish text anywhere. This promo does contain an interesting version of “Xanadu” on it’s b-side. I think this version is the sampler version found on a rare Japanese promo. Either way I am just very lucky to have it to share with you.
“Xanadu” is the title song from the album Xanadu, the soundtrack to the 1980 film of the same name.
The song is performed by the Electric Light Orchestra and Olivia Newton-John. Newton-John sings the primary vocals, with ELO adding “parenthetic” vocals in the style of their other songs on the “Xanadu” soundtrack, along with providing the instrumentation. A rare collaboration for ELO, the single reached no.1 in several countries and was the band’s only UK #1 single when it peaked there for two weeks in July 1980. The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
SIDE A:
Xanadu 3:30
SIDE B:
Xanadu (Special Disco Version) 4:48
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Xanadu | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #8 |
| 1980 | Xanadu | U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | #2 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: JET Records– JET 181
Format: Vinyl, 7″ Promo, 45 RPM
Country: Australia
Released: 1980
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Jeff Lynne
NOTES:
Special Dj Copy From “XANADU”
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
Oh, so sorry I missed this. Very interested of the b-side. Will it have a new remaster/recording?
Hi Paul,
I’m a long-time collector of Electric Light Orchestra rarities, but the B-side of this single eludes me! I know it’s been about 5.5 years since you posted this needle-drop (and it’s since been removed), but is there any chance of getting a copy of your WAV or FLAC please?
Kind regards,
Jason Paris
Great rare post! Didn’t know of this disco version. Thanks Paul.
I appreciate all the Xanadu goodness, DJ Paul. This week has almost turned into the lost soundtrack for Xanadu!
For those interested, I did some research a long time ago on my blog on the missing songs on the Xanadu soundtrack (several of which are on this week-long Xanadu-Xtravaganza).
Check it out here on Promoguy dot Net.
I even had a mention of the More Than Physical blog, not-then realizing that it was related to this site.
Thanks again for all you do!
Thank you!
Amazing that this is quite the same as the thing i did on my cassetteplayer in the 80’s. I hoped for a different mix, or an extended recording. Does anybody know of original mixes different from the one 3m25 radiomix? Great song, great vibe, but it still is the same one version with cut’n’paste intro’s to it.
Every week should be Olivia week! Xanadu week! Grease week! Physical week! Ultra rare unknown Olivia gem week! Newton-John week!
Thank you Paul… for your passion, talent and impeccable taste! And for being as masterer extraordinaire and a wizard scanner!
🙂
And you definitely should do a Olivia only website with those many rare gems you’re talking about earlier you big tease!!!
🙂
3 out of 3! I’m so happy 🙂 BTW – i always thaught the 7″-s are sometimes alot more compact and punchy (not all..), so keep posting these mega-rare Japanese/European edits. My own list needs to be filled, sure there’s many similar fans waiting for a new miracle 🙂 THANKS!!!
This is a real treat, Paul.
Thanks 🙂
Excellent post, Paul. Thank you. I hadn’t heard this “Special Disco Version” of “Xanadu” previously. Thanks for sharing! Your transfer sounds incredible! Nice work!
How many times can I say this? You are an absolute legend! My wife is a HUGE Xanadu fan and you’ve made her (and therefore me) very happy 🙂
Disco version also available here http://www.discogs.com/Olivia-Newton-John-Electric-Light-Orchestra-Xanadu-Special-Disco-Sampler/release/4610294
Just like Conner posted, this version has so much punch!! I love it Paul. Thanks again for this week of tunes. I’m in ecstasy!!!!
Jeff
How incredibly awesome is this!!!!!!! Thanks so much. *waving*
Ok. This is like the radio edit of the German 12″ Version. Which makes it FANTASTIC. It has a lot more punch than the full 12″. Thanks again.
Many thanks Paul!!
O man as I commented before, if I could give points from one to 100 this is one of the songs of a very select group that I would give a fill 100 points. Probably, to extend the idea, I would give this 1000 out of 1000. Just the magic of ONJ and ELO makes this one of my favorite tunes. I remember when I was ten I saw this song with video the first time and the swelling warm synth tunes together with a glamorously looking ONJ welcoming us in a sort of dance hall will always stay with… Read more »
I couldn’t have said it better Martijn 🙂
Thank you so much Paul for sharin’ this rare gems. I love it when it was released and love it today.
Best wishes
Pat.
You’re welcome Patric 🙂
Since your first Xanadu-themed post, so have been playing the album nonstop – and I’m still not tired of it. Love the Special Disco Verion. Also very interesting and cool to see the back cover showing a different cover sleeve for the album. I quite like it! Thanks again, Paul! You rock!
Thank you André I have also been playing the soundtrack and I have watched the movie . I agree that photo is cool kinda wish they would have used it 🙂
Dear Paul, this has been a fantastic week of Xanadu awesomeness. Thank you so very much for presenting to us beautifully rendered vinyl rips of all the songs we love, plus those terrific surprises you keep pulling out from your (DJ)bag of tricks. I’m really jazzed about hearing this rarity from you. Sounds so intriguing!! Anyway, you have my intense gratitude. Please have a super-duper weekend.
Your friend,
Jeff
You’re welcome Jeff it has been an exciting week. Have had a chance to check out Olivia’s new vide? If not here is the links http://www.vevo.com/watch/dave-aude/You-Have-To-Believe/US3DF1533760
Thanks for sharing the video with us Paul. I really liked how they incorporated “Magic” into the song and there’s some HOT eye candy in this video. It seems that 90’s house music is back. I just don’t like the Robin S. drum sound in the song. I’ve never liked that particular sound, but I would welcome any other remixes to the single. This has potential to be very big and it’s so fabulous ONJ is featured throughout this one.
Thanks again,
Jeff
Olivia’s daughter Chloe is in the video she actually wrote the new verse. The video has already been to #1 on iTunes.
Thank You – I loved Xanadu week!! 🙂
Any rare Olivia recordings are always appreciated.
You’re welcome Tony. I have a lot of rare Olivia stuff. Gotta give the non ONJ fans a break though. However I cannot imagine not being a fan lol 🙂
I understand. I’ll wait for a re-up of the 12 Inch “Hopelessly Devoted To You (Victor Calderone Circuit Mix)” you posted awhile ago..
…Ah, I’ve listened to it now – it’s really a medley – standard ‘Xanadu’ with ‘Drum Dreams’ (see YouTube) edited onto the first minute of the record (and ends abruptly, the Xanadu starts). Like this release: https://www.discogs.com/Olivia-Newton-John-Electric-Light-Orchestra-Xanadu-Special-Disco-Sampler/release/4610294