The Changeling was placed fifth best reissue of the year from RetroPop
If there’s one thing we love more than new material from our favourite artists, it’s diving into the vaults and unearthing forgotten gems from their classic eras – the hallmark of a strong reissue.
This year, there have been plenty and in addition to revisiting iconic releases and sharing unreleased cuts, an increasing number of acts have taken to reworking and remixing their best-loved recordings for a new avenue of bonus material that bridges the gap between ‘then’ and ‘now’.
Looking back on highlights from the year, here are Retropop’s Top 10 Reissues Of 2023.
5. Toyah – The Changeling (Cherry Red)
The seminal 1982 album from Toyah was expanded across two audio discs – including 20 previously unreleased tracks – and a further three previously unavailable on any CD, for its latest reissue, which contains outtakes, B-sides, an alternate album sequence of ‘work in progress’ variations, and home demo recordings. Meanwhile, the accompanying DVD features a wealth of classic content, plus up-to-date commentary from the lady herself!
• See the full Top 10, plus more year end Best Of 2023 charts, at Retropop. The Changeling is available to buy from Cherry Red Records – a great Christmas gift for the music fan in your life.
Released: September 29
Cherry Red Records is delighted to announce the remastered release of Toyah’s 1982 Silver certified-selling album “The Changeling”. The Changeling is the darker, more grown-up sequel to the previous year’s Platinum-selling album Anthem. The Changeling entered the UK Top 40 in June 1982, peaking at No. 6.
Produced by the acclaimed Steve Lillywhite, the album features a line-up of Toyah Willcox (vocals), Joel Bogen (guitar), the late Phil Spalding (bass) and the revered Simon Phillips (drums). The album also features guest synthesizers/keyboards from Andy Clark (David Bowie’s Super Monster (And Super Creeps, member of Be Bop Deluxe) and Simon Darlow. The brass section from Haircut 100 also features on Street Creature.
For the tenth overall release of the Toyah Safari Records catalogue on Cherry Red, Toyah’s archivist Craig Astley has dug deep to expand the album with a treasure trove of previously unheard bonus tracks, previously unseen footage and unseen, previously thought-lost, imagery.
• Continue reading at Retropop.
Toyah unveils studio cover of Grace Jones’ ‘Slave To The Rhythm’
Toyah has released a cover of Grace Jones’ classic hit Slave To The Rhythm.
Having performed the track with husband Robert Fripp and songwriter Simon Darlow as part of ‘Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch’, the punk icon has recorded a studio version. In a blog post on her website, the hitmaker explained: “Fripp, Simon Darlow and I have been in the studio putting down the main parts of my June single release Slave To The Rhythm”.
• Continue reading at Retropop.
Toyah to join Billy Idol on the road for October 2022 UK tour
Toyah will join Billy Idol later this year as he brings ‘The Roadside’ tour to the UK throughout October 2022.
The punk icon will join the rocker for a string of dates, which were rescheduled from earlier this year. “We’re looking forward to having Toyah join us in the UK,” says Billy. “This is the final piece in what is going to be an epic show!“
• Continue reading at Retropop.
Toyah is interviewed in the new issue of Retropop magazine (August 2022) in a special eight-page feature. Retropop is on sale now. View the full feature here. NB: This interview was originally published on Retropop‘s website in 2021 around the time of the release of Posh Pop. (Thanks to Minna of The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive)
