Very best of (2003)

Ray Laidlaw
Virgin/EMI have repackaged the 'Best of Lindisfarne' compilation and added four extra tracks. The re-vamped version will be released on the 1st September. The extra tracks are 'Dingly Dell', 'No Time To Lose' and two previously unreleased tracks, 'Love In A Cage' and 'Sleeping'. 

The two new tracks were recorded by the original line-up in the early eighties and have only recently been re-discovered. Both songs were written by Alan Hull. 

Ray Laidlaw commented, "Ray Jackson and I were chatting recently and he mentioned that he had an old 'reel to reel' tape of some tracks we recorded in Devon. The tape featured a whole bunch of songs amongst which were hidden a couple of lost gems. We have had the tape digitally remastered and the results can be heard on the re-packaged 'Best of Lindisfarne'."

Additional info by Jim Henderson
I can offer some background info regarding this release (I work for EMI in the Telesales department & became acquainted with Lindisfarne in 2001 when they called to order stock to sell on tour).

This new compilation was originally going to be a straight repackage of the existing Virgin label 'best of' (CDVIP 103) which came out back in 1989. EMI as a record company regularly repackage existing titles with new artwork -really just to smarten them up & repromote them to shops when sales have slowed down.

When I spotted LF on the release schedule I contacted the product manager & pointed out that the existing package was only about an hour long so there was room for extra tracks. I also put him in contact with Ray Laidlaw (when I'd spoken to Ray about it he was keen to get involved - the band do not have control over some of the sub-standard compilations on the market) - EMI had taken over Virgin some time ago & Ray no longer had a contact at the label.

The upshot of this is that Ray has written some sleevenotes & added 4 tracks to the current package (including 2 previously unreleased songs). The way I see it is that, yes, while this could be viewed as 'yet another best of', at least there's something for the completist fans (some of whom would probably buy this anyway even if it just had a new sleeve).

P.S.
EMI will also be reissuing "Dingly Dell" on CD in Spring 2004.