Night Versions: The Essential Duran Duran
Encyclopedia
Night Versions: The Essential Duran Duran is a compilation album of remix
es by Duran Duran
. From the very beginning of their career, the band had dubbed the extended dance remixes of their songs "night versions", as they were intended for play in nightclub
s.
Unlike many of their contemporaries, Duran Duran didn't just extend the intro or loop the bridge
section of a song to pad out a dance track for a 12-inch single
. As Allmusic explained, "According to Nick Rhodes' liner notes, they recorded extended versions of their singles to be used in night clubs. Rather than have the master tapes cut and taped into remixes, Duran Duran went back into the studio and recorded longer versions of the songs with more instrumental breaks."
The collection had been in the works for some time, but it was released by Capitol/EMI in April 1998, about the same time that Duran Duran was dismissed from the record label after an eighteen year history. EMI was quick to start mining the band's back catalogue; Night Versions was followed seven months later by the greatest hits
collection Greatest
, and by another remix collection Strange Behaviour
four months after that.
Similar to other releases in Capitol's "Essential" range, this disc was commercially available for only six months from the time of release. This may account for the inflated aftermarket value of the disc, considering all the material and more was released on the latter Strange Behaviour
collection. It has given influence not only in title but also to its concept to the album Nite Versions
by Soulwax
.
, and two album tracks. The majority of the songs are on the main audio disc.
Also included is a separate enhanced CD
containing a bonus mix of "New Moon on Monday". To unlock the disc and enjoy the enhanced content, users were required to visit the DuranDuran.com official website. The process was difficult and error-prone, and did not function at all with many Apple Macintosh computers, and the reward was minimal: the audio quality of "New Moon On Monday" wasn't exceptional, and the promised video content turned out to be a slow-moving collage of album and single covers.
CD Two:
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es by Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
. From the very beginning of their career, the band had dubbed the extended dance remixes of their songs "night versions", as they were intended for play in nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s.
Unlike many of their contemporaries, Duran Duran didn't just extend the intro or loop the bridge
Bridge (music)
In music, especially western popular music, a bridge is a contrasting section which also prepares for the return of the original material section...
section of a song to pad out a dance track for a 12-inch single
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
. As Allmusic explained, "According to Nick Rhodes' liner notes, they recorded extended versions of their singles to be used in night clubs. Rather than have the master tapes cut and taped into remixes, Duran Duran went back into the studio and recorded longer versions of the songs with more instrumental breaks."
The collection had been in the works for some time, but it was released by Capitol/EMI in April 1998, about the same time that Duran Duran was dismissed from the record label after an eighteen year history. EMI was quick to start mining the band's back catalogue; Night Versions was followed seven months later by the greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
collection Greatest
Greatest (Duran Duran album)
In November 2003, the videotape compilation was released in DVD format, titled Duran Duran: Greatest — The DVD, with hidden extra materials, including alternative versions of some of the videos and interviews of the band, however, this version is much criticised for its extensive use of easter egg...
, and by another remix collection Strange Behaviour
Strange Behaviour
Strange Behaviour is a remix album of remixes by Duran Duran. It was released by EMI in March 1999.The title comes from a line in the song "Skin Trade": "would someone please explain, the reason for this strange behaviour". The band had previously used "Strange Behaviour" as the name of their 1987...
four months after that.
Similar to other releases in Capitol's "Essential" range, this disc was commercially available for only six months from the time of release. This may account for the inflated aftermarket value of the disc, considering all the material and more was released on the latter Strange Behaviour
Strange Behaviour
Strange Behaviour is a remix album of remixes by Duran Duran. It was released by EMI in March 1999.The title comes from a line in the song "Skin Trade": "would someone please explain, the reason for this strange behaviour". The band had previously used "Strange Behaviour" as the name of their 1987...
collection. It has given influence not only in title but also to its concept to the album Nite Versions
Nite Versions
Nite Versions is an electronic album by Soulwax. It was released on September 26, 2005 on the PIAS record label. The album contains reworkings and remixes of tracks from earlier Soulwax album Any Minute Now....
by Soulwax
Soulwax
Soulwax, headed by David and Stephen Dewaele, are an alternative rock/electronic band from Ghent, Belgium. Next to the Dewaele brothers, Soulwax consists of bassist Stefaan Van Leuven and drummer Steve Slingeneyer. They were first noticed after the release of their album Much Against Everyone's...
.
The Music
The collection includes all of the singles released between 1981 and 1985, with the exception of their second single Careless MemoriesCareless Memories
"Careless Memories" is the second single by Duran Duran, released on 20 April 1981.The band's debut single "Planet Earth" had been a Top 20 hit, so it was regarded as a major setback when "Careless Memories" stalled at #37 in the UK charts, particularly as it was to herald the June release of the...
, and two album tracks. The majority of the songs are on the main audio disc.
Also included is a separate enhanced CD
Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD, also known as CD Extra and CD Plus, is a certification mark of the Recording Industry Association of America for various technologies that combine audio and computer data for use in both Compact Disc and CD-ROM players....
containing a bonus mix of "New Moon on Monday". To unlock the disc and enjoy the enhanced content, users were required to visit the DuranDuran.com official website. The process was difficult and error-prone, and did not function at all with many Apple Macintosh computers, and the reward was minimal: the audio quality of "New Moon On Monday" wasn't exceptional, and the promised video content turned out to be a slow-moving collage of album and single covers.
Track listing
CD One:- "Planet EarthPlanet Earth (song)"Planet Earth" is the debut single by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 2 February 1981.It was an immediate hit in the band's native UK, reaching #12 on the UK Singles Chart on 21 February, and did even better in Australia, hitting #8 to become Duran Duran's first Top 10 hit...
(Night Version)" – 6:16 - "Girls on FilmGirls on Film"Girls on Film" is the third single by Duran Duran, released on 13 July 1981.The single became Duran Duran's Top 10 breakthrough in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at Number 5 in August 1981...
(Night Version)" – 5:27 - "My Own Way (Night Version)" – 6:34
- "Hungry Like the WolfHungry Like the Wolf"Hungry Like the Wolf" is a song by the British New Wave band Duran Duran. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Colin Thurston for the group's second studio album Rio . The song was released in May 1982 as the band's fifth single in the United Kingdom...
(Night Version)" – 5:14 - "RioRio (song)"Rio" is the seventh single by Duran Duran, released on 1 November 1982.The song was the fourth, final, and title single lifted from the band's album of the same name, and was edited for its release...
(12" Dance Version)" – 6:42 - "New Religion (Night Version)" – 5:14
- "Hold Back the Rain (Remix)" [CarnivalCarnival (EP)Carnival is a dance music EP by Duran Duran, originally released in various markets around the world in September 1982 by EMI.-Background:...
version] – 7:00 - "Is There Something I Should Know?Is There Something I Should Know?"Is There Something I Should Know?" is the eighth single by Duran Duran, released on 19 March 1983.The song was released as a stand-alone single and became the band's first UK number one record. It debuted in the #1 position on the UK Singles Chart on 26 March 1983...
(Monster Mix)" – 6:40 - "Union of the SnakeUnion of the Snake"Union of the Snake" is the ninth single by Duran Duran, released on 17 October 1983."Union of the Snake" was the lead single from the band's third album Seven and the Ragged Tiger and preceded its release by one month...
(Monkey Mix)" – 6:23 - "The ReflexThe Reflex"The Reflex" is the eleventh single by Duran Duran, released worldwide on 16 April 1984.The song was heavily remixed for single release and was the third and last to be taken from their third album Seven and the Ragged Tiger.-Song history:...
(Dance Mix)" – 6:34 - "The Wild BoysThe Wild Boys (song)"The Wild Boys" is the twelfth single by Duran Duran, released in October 1984.The song was the only studio track on the live album Arena, and was produced by Nile Rodgers, who had previously remixed the single "The Reflex"...
(Wilder Than Wild Boys Extended Mix)" – 8:00
CD Two:
- "New Moon on MondayNew Moon on Monday"New Moon on Monday" is a song by Duran Duran, released as the band's tenth single in January 1984.The second single to be lifted from the band's 1983 album Seven and the Ragged Tiger, the song was another success, reaching the Top 10 on both the British and American music charts...
(Extended Mix)" – 6:00