This one was still a work in progress at this demo stage, a lightweight tamer version of what became one of their grittier, rockier early 90s output. The lyrics are definitely less raunchy and Morten’s vocals don’t have the same grit, nor do the instrumentals especially the guitar, have the same impactful insistent edgy beat. However, we do know it does get beefed up later, and this demo is just an early more refined version of the eventual album track.
Even though this demo version has an 80s touch, you can clearly hear that the foundations for the 90s style had already been laid at that time. Even this demo version wouldn't have musically suited any 80s album. It fits exactly with the style of the East of the Sun West of the Moon album. I'm so happy that this song ended up being edgier and rougher and the lyrics were rewritten.
Amen Amen! Here here! I'm with you! Exactly! Same! Ditto! I hear you! Preach sister, preach! Hmmmm...I think I ran out of sayings, but you can see I agree with you here. 🙌👍😂
Oh my gosh, my comment is gone! Okay, I forgot to copy and save it. 🤦♀ Maybe I need to tweak it a bit anyways.... I am grateful for this version for the official one would not exist without it. However, that is the only thing about it I like. 😂 This is a sugar coated version to me compared to the official being hot. This version is very 80's (I get that because it's from the 80's). That drum machine and Morten's lighter "Polite voice" ....yikes....no no no....not for me. I will take the what some say "Raunchy" lyrics, that awesome drum (especially at the end), the guitar, the way they sing "River runs so deep" with a 60 band type vibe. (Not the Beattles, it reminds me kind of the Byrds "Turn Turn Turn), the rocking/bluesy flavor, and of course , Morten's raspy hot voice. ❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥 What can I say, I LOVE raspy voices. I love me some Terence Trent D'arby, Chris Stapleton, Alannah Myles from "Black Velvet", just for some examples. Of course I will be going nuts for Morten's rasp. 🤷♀ So yes, this demo is like that milk chocolate you get at the dollar store where the official one is like deep dark chocolate from places like Endangered Species, Equal Exchange, or in the Jo Jo's. (the really good stuff). 😋
What mostly struck me in this demo, in sonic terms, was the considerably faster-paced rhythm compared to the album version - and, naturally, as you mentioned, the percussion. 😉 I didn't check the length or if any section was later added to the album version, but I guess this one may be shorter simply because it is much faster. 🤔 I like the original song (though it isn't one of my favourites) but, as usual, I enjoyed hearing a different version when this one was released on the Deluxe edition of SOTR, so I enjoy both of them. The guitar riff in the beginning was taken from the very early demo of Train on Thought (named "The Sphinx", that you reacted to more than a year ago, in September 2023 😜) from 1982! The lyrics in the verses were completely redone for the album version, though the overall spirit seems to be the same. Fun fact (taken from Barry Page's book): the lines "Don't let me die in an automobile / I wanna lie in an open field" that we hear in this demo were taken from an elongated performance of "The End" by the Doors at the Hollywood Bowl in July 1968. The first glimpse that fans had of this demo was in a Norwegian TV show ("Hjerte for Livet" - A Heart for Life) in October 1987, which showed a short interview clip with the band at Paul's apartment in London, where they played bits of this song. I think it can easily be found on YT, for those who never saw it. And yes, it is a song credited to Paul. 😉😘
This is not too far away from the 'final' version. The lyrics to the verses are different, as I couldn't sing along to this one! The chorus is the same, I think. The album version of Cold River, is one of my favourite a-ha tracks. In my top 20, if not top 10.
I heard this first…..before the LP version and I much preferred it!
This one was still a work in progress at this demo stage, a lightweight tamer version of what became one of their grittier, rockier early 90s output. The lyrics are definitely less raunchy and Morten’s vocals don’t have the same grit, nor do the instrumentals especially the guitar, have the same impactful insistent edgy beat. However, we do know it does get beefed up later, and this demo is just an early more refined version of the eventual album track.
Even though this demo version has an 80s touch, you can clearly hear that the foundations for the 90s style had already been laid at that time. Even this demo version wouldn't have musically suited any 80s album. It fits exactly with the style of the East of the Sun West of the Moon album. I'm so happy that this song ended up being edgier and rougher and the lyrics were rewritten.
Amen Amen! Here here! I'm with you! Exactly! Same! Ditto! I hear you! Preach sister, preach! Hmmmm...I think I ran out of sayings, but you can see I agree with you here. 🙌👍😂
@@shelld1261😂👍
Oh my gosh, my comment is gone! Okay, I forgot to copy and save it. 🤦♀ Maybe I need to tweak it a bit anyways....
I am grateful for this version for the official one would not exist without it. However, that is the only thing about it I like. 😂 This is a sugar coated version to me compared to the official being hot. This version is very 80's (I get that because it's from the 80's). That drum machine and Morten's lighter "Polite voice" ....yikes....no no no....not for me. I will take the what some say "Raunchy" lyrics, that awesome drum (especially at the end), the guitar, the way they sing "River runs so deep" with a 60 band type vibe. (Not the Beattles, it reminds me kind of the Byrds "Turn Turn Turn), the rocking/bluesy flavor, and of course , Morten's raspy hot voice. ❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥 What can I say, I LOVE raspy voices. I love me some Terence Trent D'arby, Chris Stapleton, Alannah Myles from "Black Velvet", just for some examples. Of course I will be going nuts for Morten's rasp. 🤷♀ So yes, this demo is like that milk chocolate you get at the dollar store where the official one is like deep dark chocolate from places like Endangered Species, Equal Exchange, or in the Jo Jo's. (the really good stuff). 😋
What mostly struck me in this demo, in sonic terms, was the considerably faster-paced rhythm compared to the album version - and, naturally, as you mentioned, the percussion. 😉 I didn't check the length or if any section was later added to the album version, but I guess this one may be shorter simply because it is much faster. 🤔
I like the original song (though it isn't one of my favourites) but, as usual, I enjoyed hearing a different version when this one was released on the Deluxe edition of SOTR, so I enjoy both of them.
The guitar riff in the beginning was taken from the very early demo of Train on Thought (named "The Sphinx", that you reacted to more than a year ago, in September 2023 😜) from 1982!
The lyrics in the verses were completely redone for the album version, though the overall spirit seems to be the same. Fun fact (taken from Barry Page's book): the lines "Don't let me die in an automobile / I wanna lie in an open field" that we hear in this demo were taken from an elongated performance of "The End" by the Doors at the Hollywood Bowl in July 1968.
The first glimpse that fans had of this demo was in a Norwegian TV show ("Hjerte for Livet" - A Heart for Life) in October 1987, which showed a short interview clip with the band at Paul's apartment in London, where they played bits of this song. I think it can easily be found on YT, for those who never saw it.
And yes, it is a song credited to Paul. 😉😘
I believe I have seen that video. Pretty cool. Love the background history, Sofia. Thank you for that. 🙏
This is not too far away from the 'final' version. The lyrics to the verses are different, as I couldn't sing along to this one! The chorus is the same, I think.
The album version of Cold River, is one of my favourite a-ha tracks. In my top 20, if not top 10.
The album version is a favorite of mine too. 🙌