Tunnelvision – Guessing The Way – 1997 v2.0 – 2005

Label: LTM Recordings
Cat No.: LTMCD2313
Format: CD – 1997 (Black Box Series Limited 500 copies), 2005 (Not limited)
Matrix/Stampers: 1997 – C8676 LTMCD2313 02 Technicolor, 2005 – deluxe LTMCD2313 01 Made In The UK.

The gig the nascent New Order played at Scamps in Blackpool on 5th September 1980, has attained almost as much gravitas as the Sex Pistols gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester in 1976. About 10,000 people claim to have been present at the later even though only about 40 attended.
While not being one of the 1976 attendees, I was most definitely present at the Scamps gig. Notable for being organised by Section 25 and moved from the Tivoli Cinema due to the owner fearing punk carnage, the Scamps gig featured ‘New Orders’ sic, supporting Tunnelvision and Section 25.
My memories of the gig are sketchy aside from it being poorly attended. Tony Wilson was his gregarious self working the room in his long overcoat. The nasal Peter Hook attempting vocals on ‘Dreams Never End’ and the excellent Tunnelvision whom I had seen several times before.

Wilson was Impressed enough to invite them to produce a demo for Factory. Shortly afterwards they recorded a 4 track demo at Cargo Studios, Rochdale engineered by John Brierley. Wilson was impressed enough to suggest a 7″ single release with sleeve designed by Peter Saville and produced by Martin Hannet. Watching The Hydroplanes b/w Morbid Fear was released by Factory on 20th July 1981.
Although the band were fairly short lived, the Factory single, 2 sessions at Cargo and a couple of soundboard recordings of live gigs remain. (The Scamps gig and one at Bristol Trinity Hall on March 21st 1981 supporting New Order).

3 CD’s and one vinyl album have been released by LTM in the ensuing years. Much of the material is duplicated although each release contains subtle differences. Watching The Hydroplanes (CD – LTMCD2409 and LP – Factory Benelux FBN 38) feature the Factory Single and Cargo Sessions with additional remixes of the 2nd session by Peter Hook.
Confusingly the CD’s reviewed here ‘Guessing The Way’ (1997) and ‘Guessing The Way v2.0’ (2005) both have the catalogue number LTMCD2313. The live tracks have been remastered for the 2005 edition and feature the full sets rather than the abbreviated selections on the 1997 version.

The 1997 release has 2nd gen tape transfer artifacts for the two cargo sessions, the master tapes having been lost (in the case of session 2) or oxidised (first session). They are still very listenable however. Morbid Fear, Hydroplanes and Glenn Miller from the first session and Guessing The Way, The Man Who Would Be King from the second session are the standouts.

The Bristol show is an excellent soundboard recording and is the highlight of both these releases. From a tentative band finding their feet on the first cargo session to the live version of Man Who Would Be King at Bristol is quite a transformation. The Scamps gig is also solid quality wise but suffers from the Bass being a little low in the mix. There’s also a Portastudio version of Hydroplanes included featuring a drum machine as a result of the departure of drummer Tony Ashworth.

The Mastering improvements on v2.0 are marginal but it is nice to have the full sets and although suffering from pops and clicks here and there they are solid soundboard recordings that would grace a good bootleg. Don’t expect high fidelity. The version of Whitened Sepulchre at Bristol is slightly better than the Cargo version as the flute isn’t as far out of tune. Guessing The Way and (Despite the guitar cutting out at the start) Hydroplanes are the stand out Bristol tracks along with the encore The Man Who Would Be King.
Scamps is a rather more inferior recording although the remaster has tried to introduce more bass which has the effect of making it sound dull.

Guessing The Way at LTM Store

3.8 out of 5.0 stars3.8