BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988
“Don’t Fear The Reaper” is a song originally recorded by American band Blue Oyster Cult in 1976.
Rose McDowall from the Scottish female new wave duo Strawberry Switchblade covered the song in 1988. “Don’t Fear the Reaper” was her first aborted solo release following the break up of Strawberry Switchblade. Originally rush-released in 1988 by a collaborator and without her consent, Reaper quickly vanished and has become a highly sought after item.
Track B1 is wrongly called “Crystal Days” instead of “Crystal Nights”.
SIDE A:
Don’t Fear The Reaper (Extended Version) 3:31
SIDE B:
Crystal Days 3:09
Written-By – Rose McDowall
Don’t Fear The Reaper (Instrumental) 3:02
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Rio Digital – 12RDS3
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, New Wave
CREDITS:
Executive-Producer – Brian Adams, Van Kaiser
Photography By [Uncredited] – Mike Morton (3)
Producer – Ray Hedges
Written-By – Blue Oyster Cult*
NOTES:
“Rose McDowall is the former lead singer of the highly successful “Strawberry Switchblade”.
Recorded Padded Cell Colnbrook Slough Berks 1988
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: Sovtek 12AX7LPS Vacuum 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
Thanks for this Paul!
WOW One exciting rare choice – keep up the great Halloween work 🙂 THANXXXXX FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO
Another great post to celebrate Halloween, around this time I find Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells (Exorcist Theme)to be very creepy, Ozzy Osbourne’s No More Tears is cool for this time of year, The Sisters Of Mercy’s Dominion, Ray Parker Jr – Ghostbusters, Siouxsie and the Banshees – Cities in Dust, the list goes on and on. Always watch either a Chucky film (love them all), Salem’s Lot with David Soul or the first Halloween film with Jamie Lee Curtis, when the new IT is out on Blu-Ray, that will be a definite choice. Loved Strawberry Switchblad, so it was great… Read more »
I am sorry, I do not get the halloween-vibe. Celebration of death and horror, is it?
But a month, isn’t that very long? Isn’t that getting in the way of celebrating life and love? Even without the candy-part, it’s not making me smile. Strange, no?
Dirk sorry you are not enjoying it. The Halloween theme will be over soon. Halloween is in five more days, two of which there will not be a post (Saturday/Sunday). I would just listen to the music you may end up liking some of the songs if you give them a chance. It’s really all about the music anyway. I have tried to mix it up this month with really putting more emphasis on Halloween this last week. 🙂
Dirk,that’s what February 14th is for. Y’know,Valentine’s and the like (and of course,candy. lol)
Can’t begin to imagine the look on faces, when the present for the beloved, is a homegrown oversized pumpkin, for a change. How to carry that to the cinema’s. 🙂
Nice song , I hear many influences of Madonna on this production.
May I request Pepsi & Shirlie – Someday maxi for all the George Michael produced remixes ?
Its going to be a year now 🙁
I hear Papa Don’t Preach in the drum machine. I will see what I can do for your request 🙂
BTW Paul, have you ever heard Straberry Seitvhblade’s cover of the Velvet’s Sunday Morning? I swear to god it’s the sweeetest thing ever recorded.
Never heard it Jermajesty but will give it a listen 🙂
OMG Paul, this is my first visit to BTG this week, and I’m slapped round the face with Sisters, Cell, and now one half os Switchblade – I didn’t even know this existed!! Thank you so much.
I’m having a vacation in Glasgow next week – you’ve inspired me to research, eek out and visit some old Strawberry Switchblade haunts!
OMG OMG Paul – I’ve just found out Rose McDowell is doing a gig whilst I’m in Glasgow! Am definitely gonna be going to that. Thank you for being the catalyst to what will hopefully be a great night out. 🙂
Good on you mate. Have fun 🙂
NEEDS MORE COWBELL !!!
Well,someone had to say it!
Thanks Paul. I would love some Strawberry Switchblade 12″ mixes if you have any?
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Incredible Paul!! I never knew this even existed, but that’s what makes stopping by daily a must for anyone interested in music from the 1980’s. I love the original version from Blue Oyster Cult, however, I’ve always looked for an alternative spin for making Halloween music compilations. I can’t thank you enough for keeping a watchful eye and ear out for the unexpected and the surprising. Paul, I am loving this week for these spooky gems of music. It’s so much better than candy!! No cavities and no calories too. I can now burn the calories by dancing to this… Read more »
I really hope you end up liking this record Jeff. One of the lost gems of the 80s with a nice flamenco vibe 🙂
Paul, I really like this record. As a fan of flamenco music myself, I thought the guitar in the piece was excellent. It gave it an almost Mexican Day of the Dead feel. I can say that I actually prefer this version to the original. I really like female vocalists and this one really made me take notice. Thanks for dusting this one off and giving it a spin so we can all enjoy it. I love how you are presenting “new music” in a way because there is so much I haven’t heard before and I LOVE being introduced… Read more »