According to the New Order Gigography TBTHOG was debuted live on 28 Jan 1987 so it was obviously written or finalised in 1986.

My money would be on True Faith being the later track.

Touched was the second song they recorded in Japan - the first having been State of the Nation in 1985. Touched was written and recorded in the studio in Japan between 20-27 Jan 1987, and debuted at the Tokyo gigs at the end of that week.

Is that really the released version, though? In the "Collector's Edition" liner notes for Brotherhood disc 2 it says that it was recorded at Pluto Studios Mcr (like the rest of the Salvation! tracks) and Shakedown Studios New York (probably where some additional elements were recorded for the Arthur Baker mix).. Not sure I believe the "Collector's Editions", though, given the various other errors on those.

Isn't it strange how little is known about NO's recording sessions, while most of JD's are well documented? Obviously technology's got something to do with it, since JD recorded several songs more or less live in a short space of time, while NO could spend months recording parts in their own rehearsal room or at home... But still, most of NO's recording sessions remain a mystery.

Isn't the Salvation version just the original band mix, before Baker's additional production & mix at Shakedown?
They sound like the same recording to me, except for the drum programming, and the other bits (harp, orchestral hits etc) that were added by Baker.



There is a demo that circulated as early as the late 80's/early 90's, often paired with the "Let's Go" vocal demo.
The circulated version of this AIIWIW demo has no acoustic or Hooky bass intro, it kicks into the drums straight away.
So, was this one definitely recorded in Japan, during the "State of the nation" session?

I don't know anything for sure, their sessions are mysterious as you say. The Salvation Touched sounds really different to the single, like a different recording rather than just a remix. Who knows if any parts were carried over from one session to the next.

Regarding AIIWIW, I do know they recorded a version in Japan, it's a guess that it was the demo as that would be the first recording and it was debuted on that tour (or just in advance of that).

The version of Touched on the Salvation soundtrack is pretty good IMHO ( yep , Debaser, that YouTube link is the version on the CD) It's pretty much how they did it live in 1987.

The bonus remix is ,from memory, more or less Touched By The Hand Of Dub as found on the UK 12 " I think. Maybe slightly different , can't remember for sure now , sorry . Don't have the cd to hand and haven't played it in years.

The CD is worth having if you can find it anywhere these days. Well I mean worth it for the NO tracks. Salvation theme and Sputnick are not unpleasant little pieces, and you get the instrumental Let's Go ( some good Hooky bass and the synths take off towards the end) , Touched and Skullcrusher . There's 2 great Cabaret Voltaire tracks on it also - Swanky Party and Jesus Saves.

Though be aware all of the other artists on the CD are absolutely fucking dire. And that's putting it mildly .

Thanks chaps.
So £26 for the German version, £75 for the Japanese version, and Aussie version not currently on sale.
I may not be rushing to add this to my collection. Oh well...
Btw can I assume that the 7.03 version on the Canadian CD is the standard 12" version?

Edited by user 11 November 2013 13:45:36(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

i'll post a copy of that track, if anyone wants to hear it.

it's by far, the best mix of it.

although that biff and memphis remix on the rest of, wasn't too bad either.

there was a touched by the hand of bias remix too, but it wasn't that good.

later
-1

Edited by user 11 November 2013 17:32:18(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I prefer the Salvation Mix myself. Sounds harder and more upfront.

^ cheers. It does indeed sound like a longer version of "...hand of dub" to these ears.

i can post this as well for anyone interested.

later
-1

THANKS FOR THAT!!! It was the last song on the tape I had called NEW ORDER RARITIES (1986; it started with instrumental 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', then 'Angel Dust', 'Let's Go (Waiting for so Long)', Lonesome Tonight, Shellshock, instrumental Sooner Than You Think, Sputnik, Skullcrusher and this). The tape was thrown away long time ago and ever since I could not find this particular version for years. Was this version ever released officially anywhere?

Edited by user 16 November 2013 20:42:29(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified