The Fall’s first studio album, reissued as a limited edition red coloured vinyl LP (Also available as a 3CD clamshell boxset).
Founded by its only constant member, Mark E. Smith, The Fall formed in
Manchester in 1976 and were one of the most prominent post-punk groups in the
world. Musically, there
may have been several stylistic changes over the years, but it was often
characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition,
always underpinned by
Smith's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.
“They are always different; they are always the same.” – JOHN PEEL
“Live At The Witch Trials” is the debut studio album – released 16th March 1979 – these editions celebrate the fortieth anniversary of this seminal album. Originally released through record label Step-Forward, it was recorded in a single day and mixed by producer Bob Sargeant. Mark E. Smith’s lyrics include his unique commentary on the music business (‘Music Scene’), poorly paid jobs (‘Industrial Estate’) and drugs (‘No Xmas For John Quays’, ‘Like To Blow’, ‘Frightened’, ‘Underground Medecin’) Sounds magazine reviewer Dave McCullough gave it five stars at the time of release, writing: "an album of staggeringly rich, mature music, inner questioning hand in hand with rock and roll at its fiercest, its finest, its most honest, rock and roll at its naked, most stimulating”
Featuring the one and only Mark E. Smith alongside Martin Bramah, Marc Riley, Karl Burns and Yvonne Pawlett.
The 3CD version comes housed in a clamshell boxset. Alongside the full album
is a disc
of b-sides and session tracks and a live show from Mr Pickwick’s in Liverpool
1978. The
boxset also features a booklet of new sleeve notes by Daryl Easlea and has
been
remastered by long-term Fall engineer Andy Pearce.