For the past 3-4 weeks I’ve been listening to all the BN stuff released over his entire career (yes I know!) and am currently on the albums and oddities released in 2008. It’s revealing some great material that lies below the surface that I may have played just a few times when released before moving on. I recall when SF, IAD and MK came out not fully connecting with at least 2 of them that much. IAD was my favourite of the three. But listening again (on shuffle with the likes of Clocks and Dials and Golden Melodies of Tomorrow) they have all made a bigger impression. I think I prefer Bill’s music when it’s a mixture of various styles and moods rather than full albums of one type of style.

It is now but it wasn’t always the case. It started to change in 1982 with some labels changing to Monday but some labels stuck with Friday (Cocteau being one of them). By late 1984 most labels had moved to Mondays and it remained that way until Fairly recently (I forget when but sometime in the last 10 years) when all of the industry moved their release dates to Fridays.

I am currently reviewing the release dates for the Discography section on here (although I have much work yet to do) but my research on Axe Victim says that it arrived on 7 June 1974 the same date that Jet Silver and the Dolls was released on 7". The evidence for this is a news piece from Record Mirror. Most records in the UK back then were released on Fridays so to me that almost certainly rules out 17th (a Monday). I hope that helps.

Got my first chacne to listen to the album yesterday and I agree with those that have posted. This is a really great listen with a number of tracks that I can choose from my 2023 'Filtered' CD that I am looking forward to compiling over the forthcoming festive break. It dawned on me yesterday how 2023 has seen new material released by The Beatles and The Stones. "And though I know the time is almost 2024, it feels like 1965." 😀

My copy arrived the day before its official release date and I did wonder quite how long it would take me to get through it all. I buy a lot of music and have precious time to really absorb each purchase but despite being busy as ever this past week I have managed to get to Disc 5 (playing now) and I might even get through Disc 6 tonight, or tomorrow at the latest. First impressions are this set is a very special release - and Discs 4 and 5 in particular are exceptionally strong. I am really looking forward to repeat plays over the coming months and getting to know all of it in fine detail. Thank you Bill for getting this music off your chest and out to the public - it isn't always easy for me to keep track and feedback meaningful comments but your work has given me a lifetime of pleasure (alongside a few other artists of course) and My Private Cosmos is firm evidence that you are far from done in terms of creating special music. Bill, have a safe and pleasant Christmas and enjoy a break (if that's what you intend having) and here's to whatever you create in 2022! My Private Cosmos is a truly remarkable work. Anyone still waiting for their copy to land is in for a real treat. Mic.

I'll be getting a copy over the weekend assuming it's on sale at my local Sainsbury's. Looking forward to reading Bill's recollections of the Live in the Air Age album, days I remember fondly.

The last five are new to anyone outside of the Nelsonica team as they are previously unreleased.

Yes mine arrived this afternoon. Just playing Transcorder - nice to have these tracks gathered on an official release. Thanks to all involved.

Great news! Ordered both just now.

I remember seeing that Be Bop clip at the time, in fact I watched Pop Quest every week as they often featured music that you would rarely get to see on TV. I remember the did a feature with Godley and Crème highlighting the Gizmo plus they showed a clip from the Zeppelin movie The Song Remains the Same that was recently out (Black Dog) and also a segment of the Genesis In Concert movie (I Know What I Like) when that was out. These were all important artists to me at the time and was a must see show in that hour and a half of TV you would catch having got home from school and before the 5.45 news bulletin when command of the TV passed to my dad. Thanks for putting this up - it has stirred quite a few memories.

My deepest condolences to you and your family Bill for the loss of your mum. Having read so many heartfelt tributes from those that knew her or met her it‘s very clear that she was a special lady. May she Rest in Peace. Take care as best you can during these worrying times. Mic

Hopefully the Sound on Sound SDE will finally see an official live CD included. Also the OGWT footage would be nice.

It's been ages since I played the vinyl but from my memory its the studio verison isn't it?

Good to hear! Looking forward to getting hold of it soon. Will it be reported how many copies BS decide to press?

Thanks Jon. Just preordered.... this seems like the way to go to me.

So possibly I need to compile a 6 track EP from vinyl to get it all digital. I’ll PM you regarding the other stuff. Yes you are right they did have another side to their work which I always liked As well as liking the more typical synth pop stuff.

Been meaning to check what’s missing. I recall the original Hired History was a mixture of 7” and 12” mixes. But that only covered their 2nd 3rd and 4th singles and they issued 2 more after that. I’m definitely getting this as I was a big fan of Fiat Lux back in the day although when I listen back these days some of what I liked back then isn’t obvious to me now. But I feel that I should have this collection nevertheless. I recently sorted through a collection of CDRs and was pleasantly surprised to find a live recording of the band from Glasgow and a compilation of BBC recordings.

Yes I agree that Disc 3 is arguably the strongest of the set. One of the best things of this release is the tone that Bill gets from his guitars. Just so rich and really draws you in. Given Bill’s health issues for the first time I worried about his technique but the album betrays all such worries. His playing is as strong as ever, and actually I struggle to understand quite how he achieves this.

I’m still digesting it to be honest John but plenty on it to warrant repeated plays. On its release I realised I had barely touched most of the new music I bought in 2018 so spent the end of that year and the first month of this making amends. So Auditoria is still awaiting its second play here. I’ll dig it out again soon and report fully but the stand out track on that first listen for me is Whirlaway, which featured as 1 of 3 Bill tracks on my personal best of 2018 CD.

No the Futurama sleeve was standard design. Not even a gatefold if I recall correctly. Lyrics were on an inner sleeve.