This year marks the 20th anniversary of Elbow’s debut album, ‘Asleep In The Black’. In celebration of this landmark, the group have released a series of rare tracks to streaming services.
The band took to their Instagram to share the news with fans, other posts made by the group also announced that the ‘Asleep In The Black‘ movie is now available on YouTube. The movie, made by the band’s long term creative partners, Soup Collective, documented the album’s release and campaign and was originally released in 2009 as part of a deluxe CD edition of the album.
The special collection will not only include a reissue of the album itself but also various b-sides, two of their releases for Manchester Independent Uglyman Records, tracks from ‘The Newborn EP‘ and ‘The Any Day Now EP’, an original recording of ‘Power Blue’ which was the band’s debut album’s second single and songs from the band’s very first EP ‘The Noisebox EP’. The band’s first EP was released on 1st January 1999 under the label Soft Records and also featured a recording of ‘Powder Blue’ on its tracklist.
Also featured in the special anniversary collection are tracks recorded at the band’s show at London Astoria, as well as further recordings made from the same tour. The band have also released three tracks performed in April 2001 for Steve Lamacq’s Evening session, the music show which is aired on BBC Radio One. The releases also include remixes of the debut’s album tracks, included in the remixes is English producer Andy Votel’s version of ‘Powder Blue’.
The indie veterans formed in Manchester consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Guy Garvey, Craig Potter on keyboard/piano and backing vocals., Mark Potter on guitar and backing vocals and on bass and backing vocals, Pete Turner. The members have been banded together since 1990 when Garvey and Potter met in college.
Elbow have enjoyed long-standing success since their first release, the debut album, ‘Asleep In the Black’ was not only a commercial success but won the band a Brit award for Best New British Band as well as a Mercury Prize nomination and was named in the list of the best 50 albums of 2001. Released on 7th May 2001, the album put out four singles, the first single titled ‘Red’ was released on 23rd April 2001 with its second single, ‘Powder Blue’ released on 9th July 2001. ‘Newborn’, released on 8th October 2001 was made available in four formats including a 12’’ Vinyl Remix promo and 12’’ Vinyl. The album’s last single, ‘Asleep In The Back/Coming Second’ was released on 4th February 2002 as a double A-side charting at number 19 in the UK Singles Chart.
Fans will be glad to hear that this is not the only exciting news to come from Elbow, the band have announced the date for their ‘Passport: Back To Our Roots’ show, which will be held at Manchester’s Night and Day Café on 23rd November 2021. The very special one-off show is in aid of the UK’S Independent grassroots music venues in conjunction with the Music Venue Trusts campaign #SaveOurVenues. Also, in support of this year’s record store day, the band will release exclusive 10’’ Vinyl editions of ‘The Newborn EP’ and ‘The Any Day Now EP’.
Click here to stream the new collection.
Elbow UK Tour Dates
28/08/2021 – 3Arena – Dublin
29/08 – Waterfront Hall – Belfast
01/09 – Pavilions – Plymouth
02/09 – Bonus Arena – Hull
05/09 – O2 Academy – Leeds
06/09 – O2 Academy – Leeds
08/09 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh
09/09 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh
10/09 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
12/09 – Eventim Olympia – Liverpool
13/09 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
14/09 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
16/09 – De Montfort Hall – Leicester
17/09 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
18/09 – Centre – Brighton
20/09 – Eventim Apollo – London
21/09 – Eventim Apollo – London
22/09 – Eventim Apollo – London
24/09 – Guildhall – Portsmouth
26/09 – International Centre – Portsmouth
28/09 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
29/09 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
30/09 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
