Nicely Out Of Tune - The US version

by Chris Groom and Reinhard Groll (idea and images) - August 1999


NICELY OUT OF TUNE - The US version Elektra EKS-74099

Although the label states that it is a ‘Radio Station Copy’ there is probably no other difference between this and the regular US record release. But what a difference between the UK and US sleeves! One description might well be ‘extravagant’. Another might be ‘over-elaborate and unpractical’! Whatever your opinion, this is certainly no ordinary album cover - consisting of what is basically a large open-topped envelope with a card insert.

The front of the sleeve has a cut-away top that follows the edge of of the trees and clouds - all part of a muted colour illustration of the five band members. Behind this cut-out, you can slide in a square card insert which contains the album title and what we’ll call the ‘American Lindisfarne logo’, both visible above the clouds. When you slide this out, a colour photograph of the band is revealed - a shot I had not seen before, of the group looning about on the shore in front of Holy Island. On the back of the insert are the lyrics - American releases always try to have lyric sheets enclosed somewhere, it seems. The record itself comes in a printed brown paper inner sleeve with a small white band logo in the centre.

As for the record itself, there are a few differences. Track one, side one is ‘Lady Eleanor’, but unlike the Charisma release I think the Americans got a different version. Whereas the UK track is bright and crisp and far more ‘punchy’, the US album track is more laid-back, especially on the chorus where the characteristic harmonies are well down in the mix leaving Alan’s vocal clear on top. Ray’s drums are mixed right down, too. In the UK, ‘Lady E’ was released twice before it became a chart hit and it was always rumoured that the track was remixed before being re-released. My guess is that the American album got the original single take, before it was amended/improved for the UK singles chart.

Side two has a completely different version of ‘We Can Swing Together’, although approx. two minutes shorter and ‘Alan In The River with Flowers’ is renamed ‘Float Me Down the River’. However, ‘We Can Swing Together’ deserves to get some extra space for a more detailed description:

The American version is quite different to the original U.K. release, but it is not the solo Alan Single version that was released on Transatlantic. The big T. single is faster, ic covered in electric guitar fills and has no harmonica whatsoever. The original Charisma album version is quite 'heavy' and Alan's vocal is almost aggressive. The track found here is lighter & more melodic, with less guitar and more piano. During Jacka's harmonica break in the middle, the sounds of a 'party' going on can be heard. There is also a lyric change - and this is the true clue to why it was changed; this copy of the Elektra album says 'Radio Station Copy' on the label and I believe that the Americans wanted the line "some were smoking roll your own's" changed in case it was thought to be a reference to drug use (which it undoubtedly was !) and this made it suitable for play opn the U.S. radio. Alan sings "some were smoking, choking, smoking, while others they had none" and you can hear one of the band cough, too. The Elektra version must be a 'N.O.O.T' out-take and overall I prefer it to the Charisma version.

Rod’s ‘The Things I Should Have Said’ and Woody Guthries ‘Jackhammer Blues’ are both left out, in favour of ‘Nothing But The Marvellous’ (the Americans even shorten this title, leaving off the ‘...Is Beautiful’ that completed the track on the B-side of ‘Lady Eleanor’). Finally, ‘Scarecrow Song’ is a whole 45 seconds longer, allowing for some fine extra piano from Alan. The ‘Thanks to...’ credits are dropped from the sleeve, but the men responsible for the US version are named - US Production Supervisor Jac Holzman, Enginnering: Robin Cable, Photography: Angus McDonald, Cover Art: Peter Schaumann and Art Direction & Design: Robert L. Heimall. Overall, there are so many differences from the UK Charisma release that it is well worth seeking out an American copy - and yes, I think the sleeve is terrific!