Regal Zonophone 2
Thanks again Mark! It will be interesting to see what is actually on here in due course. Wirtz had quite a well dispersed range of songs both as a writer for other artists and a singer. It reminds us how old RZ is given the Wirtz mania of its early days and all those gems Mark Frumento managed to alert us to.
PM:slightly_smiling_face:
Awesome stuff Mark! 👍
YES!!! Its about time a box of sorts collecting the works of Mark Wirtz was collated,i wonder if this will be covering certain years,or if it covers his whole musical career as he certainly covered much ground musically from the 60s onwards
I loved the Mark Wirtz Pop Works comps Mark Frumento gave away over 20 Years ago, he also did a alternative Teenage Opera cd, which again was bloody marvellous, they featured unreleased recordings too,as i think Mark Frumento was in contact with Mark Wirtz.
Mark Frumento also did a John Pantry collection as a companion to the double CD of John Pantry recordings, including the Wolfe album songs,an album that has NEVER been reissued as far as i know
I felt very lucky that Mr Frumento sent me those goodies,as there ARE recordings that have never been made available on anything else since their original release or indeed recording.
Anyone know what Mark Frumento is up to these days? Does he have a social media presence or anything internet wise? He was a beacon of information on 60s and early 70s pop music, and must have had some neat record collection!!
I've been in contact with Steve Wilson and he has kindly supplied the back story and some updates on the project:
I saw your discussion on the UK Psychedelia Discussion Forum about the planned Mark Wirtz box set - I am not a member of that site or forum, but as a massive aficionado of Psych and 60s music generally I occasionally read such sites and forums to gain knowledge and updates and news etc. It was gratifying to see interest already developing with regard to this planned set. I thought, since you and others on there expressed interest in it you might like to know a bit more about the plans although obviously there is a limit to how much I can say currently.
So, I am Stephen C Wilson (not to be confused with the famous Porcupine Tree 'Steven Wilson'. I was a close friend of Mark's for several decades, and of course remain a close friend to Amanda. Last year I was made formal representative for the Estate by Amanda and that has led indirectly to this box set as part of the work I am doing in this regard.
The set will comprise of at least 80 tracks overall - there is a preliminary track list but I cannot divulge this yet, but suffice to say it contains all the most important works by Mark alongside some surprises, some tracks previously unavailable on CD (certainly beyond bootlegs anyway) and spans, one way or another, the periods between the early 60s and 2017 and takes in the full range of Mark's work. The bulk of the main three discs will be tracks from 1963 to late 70s but there are some slightly more recent tracks than this on the bonus disc. Originally Cherry Red wanted only 60s related material but I strived to go beyond that time frame as frankly it is important to the Estate and to myself, and was important to Mark, to show that he did not simply stop in 1970. Originally the set was intended to be only three discs but I persuaded CR to implement a fourth disc for inclusion of demo recordings, outtakes, curios and works in progress etc as well as several selected mono to stereo remixes and instrumental remixes that I have undertaken myself based on conversations I had over the years with Mark himself and indeed Amanda more recently. These remixes will be included by way of being on the bonus disc by way of emphasising they are by no means intended to replace or supercede the original mono versions or suchlike but offer an alternative listening experience etc.
I am compiling the track list - I am sure you understand that several tracks that are mooted are subject to clearances and suchlike and indeed availability so in that regard the contents of the track list cannot be divulged yet (and indeed the list will be slightly in flux anyway until finalised) but they will be divulged on the new website at www.markwirtz.co.uk and the new Facebook page and similar over coming weeks and months along with more info such as artwork and release date etc.
Please feel free to share some of these details if you would like to - I am sorry I cannot currently give more details than the above but do feel free to ask any questions or suchlike at any time and I will do my best to reply.
If anyone, yourself or anyone else, has any questions or suchlike let me know and I will do my best to answer. Mark ((Wirtz) always embraced his fans, and as I am involved in these things now I feel a degree of responsibility to follow that sentiment.
I will resolve to give you regular updates if of interest.
There is something else I can tell you as an exclusive which is that there will be a repress, likely in expanded form, of The Matchmakers album on vinyl (possibly double) and accompanying CD set coming either late 2024 or 2025. Not on Cherry Red, but while I cannot divulge the label involved yet, it won't be Cherry Red or RPM etc.
It may be possible there could be a repress of Philwit and Pegasus at some stage also but that is by no means guaranteed yet.
Anyway thanks again. And do stay in touch.
Best wishes
Steve
Thank you Mark and Steve for the update will be looking out for this. website duly noted. d:slightly_smiling_face:
Paul
UPDATE:
Cherry Red has been persuaded to add a fourth and fifth disc to the set. , bringing this box from 3 discs and around 66 tracks to the now definite 5 discs and over 125 tracks.
There are over 37 tracks that have not been issued on CD and over 35 that have never been reissued on any format for over 50 years. Over 20 tracks that have never previously been released officially - including 7 home demo recordings, and three works in progress from the Teenage Opera period.
Promotion starts properly in about 3 to 4 weeks and not to give too much away currently here's a specific exclusive update - one track from four of the five discs:
Disc One - 'Caroline Munro - Tar & Cement' first official reissue and first time on official CD
Disc Two - 'Zion De Gallier - Winter Will Be Cold' first official reissue and first time on official CD
Disc Four - 'Mark Wirtz Orchestra & Chorus - Hey Jude' first reissue and first time on CD
Disc Five - ''Mark Rogers & The Marksmen - Spanish Scramble' first official release in any format
Scheduled to be released in November with promotion starting in mid August. Some tracks have been submitted for an UNCUT freebie CD as promotion including one or two 'exclusive' tracks.
Steve Wilson is a fan first and foremost and it is important to him that Mark Wirtz fans feel included in the plans and that they know the set is being compiled with a 'fan mentality' in mind. He is hoping there will be something for everyone on the set and it will tick all boxes... original mixes, MONO mixes where there have only generally been stereo (with the MONO being considered superior by Mark himself), a full album of material not reissued for over 50 years and outtakes and demos. Also, for those who are interested in such things, a handful of remixes.
There will be more associated news relating to a digital version of the box set eventually.
I jumped the gun on mentioning the possibility of a track being included on an upcoming issue of Uncut magazine. A few have been submitted, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
I apologize for my mistake...
UPDATE:
The official announcement will come on Mark Wirtz's Birthday (3rd September) via Cherry Red and across related sites.
There will also be some additional elements in the box set besides the customary CD's and booklet...
I know I'll be visiting https://www.cherryred.co.uk/ first thing Tuesday morning to get my order in!
It's Here, everything you need to know (and then some!)
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/blog/mark-wirtz-november-5cd
MARK WIRTZ | Dream Dream Dream The Anthology 5CD box set coming soon!
MARK WIRTZ'S CAREER CELEBRATED IN COMPREHENSIVE 5CD ANTHOLOGY BOX SET "DREAM DREAM DREAM"
The Mark Wirtz Estate, in conjunction with Cherry Red Records is thrilled to announce the release of "Dream Dream Dream: The Anthology," a definitive 5CD box set celebrating the illustrious career of the legendary Mark Wirtz. This collection, set to be released on 15th November 2024, offers an unparalleled deep dive into the works of one of the most innovative and influential figures in pop music.
PLEASE NOTE: Any orders for this product will also include a FREE digital download link containing an exclusive additional 35 tracks not featured on the physical set – the download link will be sent automatically to the email address attached to the order on the release date of 15th November 2024.
"Dream Dream Dream: The Anthology" spans Wirtz's entire career, providing both a perfect introduction to new listeners and a treasure trove for long-time fans. The collection features a staggering 131 recordings, meticulously compiled and curated by Stephen C Wilson on behalf of the Estate of Mark Wirtz to showcase Wirtz’s multi-faceted talents as a composer, producer, and performer. This anthology includes not only his most iconic works but also rare and previously unreleased material that will excite collectors and music enthusiasts alike. Alongside this any orders of the box set made directly from Cherry Red Records will include access to a free download of the digital edition of the boxset (featuring an additional 35 tracks).
The 5CD collection spans from 1963 through the 1970s. It highlights his collaborative work with a diverse range of artists, including Caroline Munro, Sheila And Jenny, The Soul Brothers, Miki Antony, The Matchmakers, Tomorrow, and many others as well as a plethora of Mark's solo works as a singer/songwriter in his own right. This set serves as both a retrospective and a detailed look into Wirtz's prolific output during these formative years and beyond.
Included is a 40 page booklet featuring recollections and tributes from several artists, friends and family that knew, worked with and/or loved Mark over the decades including Caroline Munro, Keith West, John Carter, Sheelagh Regan, Mark's daughter Nicole and his widow Amanda. Also included in the booklet are many photographs, several never previously published, plus a short Biog of Mark and detailed track notes by Stephen C Wilson.
As an added bonus, the box set includes exclusive content, such as a free collectible badge designed by Stewart Harris who also designed the Box set's distinctive artwork, and a collectible double-sided facsimile of the handwritten lyrics for Wirtz’s iconic 1967 hit ‘Grocer Jack’. This extra material provides fans with a tangible connection to Wirtz's creative process.
The anthology also features a wealth of unreleased material, offering listeners out-takes, rare tracks, work tapes, home demos and works in progress. Additionally, several tracks are presented in stereo for the first time ever, providing a fresh auditory experience even for long-time fans.
Many of the recordings in this set are being reissued for the first time in over five decades. Among these are two complete LPs: 'Come Back And Shake Me' from 1968 and 'Fantastic Teenage Fair' from 1970. These albums have long been sought after by collectors and are now available to a new generation of listeners and include Mark's own takes on three classic Beatles tracks – 'Hey Jude', 'Fool On The Hill, and 'Ob La Di Ob La Da'.
For the first time in many years, tracks like 'Grocer Jack', 'Sam', and four classic Tomorrow tracks are included in their original highly sought after Mono mixes. These versions offer a nostalgic listening experience, preserving the sound as it was originally intended.
The box set also introduces several tracks that have been newly remixed by Stephen C Wilson for the Estate and this collection. These remixes provide fresh perspectives on classic hits, enhancing the listening experience with modern audio techniques while maintaining the integrity of the original recordings.
To add a personal touch, the fifth disc commences and concludes with intimate piano renditions of ‘Grocer Jack’ and ‘He's Our Dear Old Weatherman,’ performed by Mark in 2017 for an audience that included only his wife, Amanda. These recordings offer a deeply personal and emotional close to this extensive collection.
Mark Wirtz’s influence on the music industry is immeasurable, and this box set is a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy. Mark’s daughter Nicole says of her father’s legacy: “Dad didn’t do art; he WAS art. He conceived just about everything he engaged in as an expression of creativity. Though he was talented in all areas of the arts, he even made such mundane tasks as making dinner an artistic event. There was a drive within him: a fizzy cocktail of wild genius, exultant sensuality as well as profound trauma. He had a thirst that was perhaps never quenched, for the limits of this world fell short of what his inner universe yearned to express. Although he often embodied the tortured artist archetype, he never lost his smile or wit. Needless to say, being raised by him was quite an experience!”
"Dream Dream Dream: The Anthology" not only celebrates his past works but also reintroduces them to a new generation of listeners, ensuring that his musical genius continues to inspire and captivate.
PRE-ORDER 5CD EDITION
DISC ONE
1. Mark Rogers And The Marksmen – Bubble Pop
2. Mark Rogers And The Marksmen – Hold It!
3. Sheila And Jenny – When The Boy's Happy
4. Sheila And Jenny – But Please Don't Break Her Heart
5. Jan Panter – Scratch My Back 6. Peanut – I'm Waiting For The Day
7. Peanut – Someone's Gonna Be Sorry
8. Peanut – I Didn't Love Him Anyway
9. Peanut – Come Tomorrow
10. The Soul Brothers – Gotta Get A Good Thing Goin'
11. The Mood Mosaic – A Touch Of Velvet - A Sting Of Brass (stereo mix)
12. Caroline Munro – Tar And Cement (Il Ragazzo Della Via Gluck) 13. Caroline Munro – This Sporting Life
14. Mark Wirtz Orchestra And Chorus – Adventure
15. Mark Wirtz Orchestra And Chorus – Yesterday's Laughter, Today's Tears
16. The Mood Mosaic – The Yellow Spotted Capricorn
17. Mark Wirtz Orchestra And Chorus – Riviera Carnival
18. Mark Wirtz Orchestra And Chorus – Comin' Home, Baby
19. Steve Flynn – Come Tomorrow 20. Steve Flynn – Let's Live For Tomorrow
21. Steve Flynn – Your Life And My Life
22. Steve Flynn – Mr. Rainbow
23. Keith West – On A Saturday
24. Tomorrow – The Incredible
25. Journey Of Timothy Chase (mono mix)
25. Tomorrow – Strawberry Fields Forever (mono mix)
26. Tomorrow – My White Bicycle (mono mix)
27. Tomorrow – Revolution (mono mix)
28. Keith West And Mark Wirtz – Shy Boy
29. Keith West And Mark Wirtz – Engel Fallen Nicht Vom Himmel 30. Interview – Mark talks about Tomorrow
DISC TWO
1. Mark Wirtz – (He's Our Dear Old) Weatherman
2. Keith West – Excerpt From "A Teenage Opera" (alias Grocer Jack)
3. Keith West – Sam (from "A Teenage Opera")
4. The Aquarian Age – 10,000 Words In A Cardboard Box
5. The Sweetshop – Barefoot And Tiptoe
6. The Sweetshop – Lead The Way
7. Kippington Lodge – And She Cried
8. Kippington Lodge – Rumours
9. Kippington Lodge – Shy Boy
10. Mark Wirtz – What's Good For The Goose
11. Mark Wirtz – Mrs. Raven
12. Miki (Antony) – Dear Auntie Mary
13. Samantha Jones – Go Ahead And Love Me
14. Samantha Jones – Go Ahead
15. Zion De Gallier – Winter Will BeCold
16. Zion De Gallier – Dream Dream Dream
17. Zion De Gallier – Me
18. Zion De Gallier – Geraldine
19. Mark Wirtz – Goody, Goody, Goody
20. Astronaut Alan And The Planets (alias Fickle Finger) – Cellophane Mary-Jane
21. Cellophane Mop – What Goes Up Must Come Down
22. Cellophane Mop – Slowly, Slowly, Quick, Quick, Slowly
23. (Bonus track) Pat And Penny – Jelly Bean (stereo mix)
24. (Bonus track) Pat And Penny – Here We Come (stereo mix)
25. (Bonus track) Zion De Gallier – Me (from session tape RM5)
26. (Bonus track) Zion De Gallier – Me (from session tape RM7)
DISC THREE
1. The Matchmakers – Baby Make Me Happy
2. The Matchmakers – Goody Goody Goody
3. The Matchmakers – This Time It Must Be Love
4. The Matchmakers – Thank You Baby (For Coming)
5. The Matchmakers – Wooly Wooly Watsgong (Ging Gang Go)
6. The Matchmakers – Droopy Loopy
7. Philwit And Pegasus – The Elephant Song
8. Philwit And Pegasus – Pseudo Phoney Mixed Up Croney
9. Philwit And Pegasus – Happiness
10. Philwit And Pegasus – Pauper’s Son
11. Philwit And Pegasus – Spinning Carousel
12. Mark Wirtz – Long Long Way From Home
13. Mark Wirtz – Am I Me
14. Mark Wirtz – The Song I Sing 15. Mark Wirtz – Trambouline
16. Mark Wirtz – Everybody Needs Someone, Somebody
17. Mark Wirtz – Mellow Man
18. Mark Wirtz – Hasn't It Been A Heavy Day
19. Mark Wirtz – Swan (Ballerina)
20. Mark Wirtz – Farewell Lullaby
21. (Bonus track) Mark Wirtz – Avalon (demo)
22. (Bonus track) Mark Wirtz – Mr Sun King (demo)
DISC FOUR
Mark Wirtz Orchestra
1) Fantastic Fair
2) Ob La Di Ob La Da
3) Never My Love
4) Come Down Little Bird
5) Mrs Robinson
6) Sha La La La Lee
7) Black Is Black
8) Fool On The Hill
9) The Real Mr Smith
10) Girl Friday
11) Music To Watch Girls By
12) Hey Jude
Mark Wirtz Orchestra And Chorus
13) Dizzy
14) Aquarius
15) Come Back And Shake Me
16) Love And Occasional Rain
17) Ragamuffin Man
18) Theme From A Teenage Opera
19) Festival Of Kings
20) Snake In The Grass
21) A Touch Of Velvet, A Sting Of Brass
22) I Can Hear Music
23) Farewell To A Broken Doll
24) Good Times
25) My Way
26) Poem
DISC FIVE
Outtakes, Demos, Curios and Remixes
1. Mark Wirtz – Intro - Grocer Jack (solo piano recital)
2. Mark Rogers And The Marksmen – Spanish Scramble
3. Interview – “Grocer Jack”
4. Mark Wirtz – Grocer Jack (work in progress from acetate)
5. Mark Wirtz – Sam (work in progress)
6. Interview – !Number one in seventeen Countries”
7. Mark Wirtz – (He's Our Dear Old) Weatherman (work in progress)
8. Interview – “Don't ever be the first”
9. Zion De Gallier – Me (from session tape RM8)
10. Zion De Gallier – Me (2024 remix)
11. Mark Wirtz Orchestra And Chorus – Dizzy (2024 instrumental remix)
12. The Sweetshop – Barefoot And Tiptoe (2024 Stereo remix)
13. Aquarian Age – 10,000 Words In A Cardboard Box (2024 remix)
14. Philwit And Pegasus – Pseudo Phoney Mixed Up Croney (2024 stereo remix)
15. The Matchmakers - Droopy Loopy (2024 remix)
16. Zion De Gallier – Dream Dream Dream (2024 Stereo remix)
17. Philwit And Pegasus – The Elephant Song (2024 stereo remix)
18. The Soul Brothers – Gotta Get A Good Thing Goin' (2024 stereo remix)
19. Mark Wirtz – Knickerbocker Glory (2024 stereo remix)
20. Mark Wirtz – Feelin' Better (home demo)
21. Mark Wirtz – When The Left Hand Don't Know What The Right Hand Is Doing (demo)
22. Mark Wirtz – Let (home demo)
23. Mark Wirtz – I Need To Fall In Love (home demo)
24. Mark Wirtz – Eye To Eye (home demo)
25. Mark Wirtz – Forgimme (home demo 2024 mix and restoration)
26. Mark Wirtz – Miss Demeanour (home demo 2024 mix and restoration)
27. Mark Wirtz – Outro - Weatherman (solo piano recital)