BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“West End Girls” is a single by British duo Pet Shop Boys.
This edition is the original releases of “West End Girls” as produced by Bobby Orlando. It was a minor club hit when first released on indie labels in April 1984. The original production’s success was eclipsed by the fully re-recorded, Stephen Hague-produced version, first released in late 1985 on Parlophone and other EMI-related labels.
The b-side “Pet Shop Boys” is a mainly instrumental, hip-hoppish number that features barking dogs, howling coyotes, and other zoological sounds as well as repetitive “vocoderized” vocals that are largely unintelligible aside from the words “Pet Shop Boys.” The composers are listed as “Orlando/Tennant/Lowe,” Orlando of course being Bobby O himself.
SIDE A:
West End Girls (Extended Mix) 7:52
Producer – B. Orlando*
Written-By – M. Tennant-L. Lowe*
SIDE B:
Pet Shop Boys 5:19
Producer – B. Orlando*, Pet Shop Boys
Written-By – B. Orlando*, Tennant-Lowe*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ChanneL Records – CHAN. 12-19
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: Benelux
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Electro, Synth-pop
NOTES:
Prod. for Nunzio Brocheno Prod. Ltd.
Publ.: CBS Inc.
Made in Belgium
Channel Records distributed by ARS Records for Belgium
Exclusively distributed by Turning Point for the Netherlands
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
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: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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
Thank you Paul.
TY
Never heard this track. Thanks, Paul!
It’s obvious this is an early release. I almost didn’t recognize it. But the skeleton is there. At first I thought this was a poor mans B side remix done on an Amiga A500. I can understand why it was reproduced 😀
It’s an all-time synth-pop classic! I’m sure I found out about this version only after hearing the new single version hitting the charts. Unmistakenly the Bobby O. sound, what a surprise! Both versions are great, also Shep’s Mastermix and the Dance Mix by the PSB of the re-recorded version. Also, a great shorter 5 min version of the Bobby Orlando original mix is released by German ZYX Records. While researching I found I have this 5min version on two different CD compilations, which have the exact same 5min vinyl rip full of crackling noises!LOL, I’m hanging around BTG so long… Read more »
been digging through the pet shop boys tracks since
they are releasing many new further listening tracks.
although i don’t like the new ones as much as the older ones.
thanks for posting a classic.
later
-1
🙂 Thanks
Wow! This sounds amazing.
I had a copy of this version from Ben Liebrand’s Grand 12″s
Apparently the original master is not able to be located and they also did a vinyl rip.
Yours sounds far superior!
Do you have the follow up Bobby O produced single of ‘One more chance’?
Hi Carl yes I do have that one 🙂
I must agree with Carl that your rip sounds far superior than Mr. Liebrand. I had meant to say this myself. And although I am a major mega-fan of Razormaid! and their mixes, I love the way you master your vinyl Paul. You really boggle my mind with all of your “testaments in sound” that make me so aroused!! I am truly amazed at your talents.
Jeff
Just when I think you can’t do anything more amazing, you do something more amazing.
You, sir, are more than a legend.
Thank you Stephen you are very kind 🙂
These early recordings ended up in the ZYX archives and in 1988 they published more versions remixed by Fancy (under the pseudonym of Tess).
I have CD single somewhere that has these.
My first exposure to Pet Shop Boys and very much my preferred version of West End Girls. I could never get used to the slower and would I dare to say more boring version after hearing this gem.
Thank you for reminding me how good this is.
You’re welcome Sam Lowry 🙂
I know this version very much Paul, but NOW! it’s so cool having it done in your expertise and fidelity. I’m more excited about the flip-side though as it sounds something I would love. I really shake my head in disbelief sometimes when it comes to you because you are…..just…..INCREDIBLE!! You have introduced me to tons of stuff I’ve missed over the years and I am still shivering in humble gratitude. You’ve got the best tastes and so varied. We certainly can’t pigeonhole you one bit and for that I am so happy and excited. You are no music snob… Read more »
I do like all kinds of music Jeff and really enjoy sharing it with all of you guys. bTG is like the radio station I always wanted to hear 🙂
That flip-side is fantastic!! So early NY Hip Hop! Those sound effects and vocoders along with samples like “Fresh!” all scratched up. Thought I even heard a bit of Malcolm McLaren’s “Buffalo Gals” in the mix too. Ah, those were the days of wild experimentation. And of course, there was Bobby Orlando exploiting it all. You did a fantastic job on this rip Paul. Thank you again for all your hard work, and I so agree with another commenter: “You are a Legend!”
Jeff
And weren´t they cute? 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyBJVXos9mg
And THIS will be my favourite version until my dying days 🙂
Saw them live at Dortmund (GER) when they toured their marvellous Nightlife album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti8LEES5DVw
You are so right about this version, I think it is wonderful!! Thanks for sharing.
Jeff
Adorable! 🙂
So cool to see another PSB post on BTG! Bobby Orlando’s original production will be cool to hear again of this classic, and in 24bit.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
Oooh, exciting Paul! Have I heard this version before? I don’t know.
But you know I love hearing obscure original versions of really popular tunes. I’m still reeling from the Tell It To My Heart archeology from the other week.
Did I ever mention that the hit version of Down Under by Men At Work is a total reworking of what was originally a self released b-side? It’s on Youtube, give it a whirl, it’s almost a different song! 😀
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D2lhmqKLais
Thank you Jermajesty. I know this version of “Down Under” it is really hard to find b-side for “Keypunch Operator”.
Having just recently completed my PSB song list A-Z which included every version from around the world this comes as a welcome surprise! In fact where I’ve not got the duration as it’s from vinyl I’ve used your very accurate rips for the durations. Many thanks! Oh and my list is 55 pages on Word and took me many hours
Wow! Thank you Neil 🙂
Thank You very much Paul your Pet shop boys posts are always welcome.
I’m still looking for the 7 inch versions in good quality.
Yeah I don’t have the 7″ at the moment. Once more donations come in I will try to get a copy 🙂
Thanks Paul. I prefer the 1985 version although Bobby Orlando is very talented.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
He’s a Genius!