The Rootin Tootin Luton Tapes is a collection of demos made by New Zealand band Split Enz in 1978. During their 2006 tour of Australia it was announced that these recordings would finally be released as an official album after lengthy pressure from the fan club Frenz of the Enz.
In 1978 Split Enz fired their record company, their manager, and co-founder Phil Judd had left for the final time. The band was in a slump, and the opportunity arose for them to record in a small studio in Luton. It was a cramped space with percussionist Noel Crombie having to set up his kit in the studio's toilet and Eddie Rayner in a position where he was almost constantly hitting Tim Finn in the head with his elbow. In spite of this, the band claims that this was a very passionate recording session, and was the beginning of a new era.
Some songs were re-recorded for the album Frenzy, but the band considered the original recordings to be far superior. This was partly due to the engineering and mixing on that album by producer Mallory Earl resulting in tracks described by Noel Crombie as "woolly and average", and also from subdued performances by the band.
In 2007, Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner remixed the available tapes; a limited edition 2-CD set was made available by the Frenz Of The Enz fan club to its members, while the commercial release is a single CD.
Recorded at Quest Studios, Luton, Bedfordshire, England, July 1978 (except those marked * - recorded on the Dave Lee Travis Show, BBC Studios, London, January 1978)
Produced by Dave Cook & Split Enz
Engineered & mixed by Dave Cook
Remixed & remastered by Eddie Rayner & Adrian Stuckey at Bignote Studios, Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia, 2006/07 (except those marked # - original 1978 mixes)
Original release of Rootin Tootin Luton tracks
Though largely unreleased prior the 2007 CD, ten songs from The Rootin' Tootin Luton Tapes were released in various artist albums or on the B-sides of singles.
"Hermit McDermitt"
B-side of "I See Red" (New Zealand/Australia), 1978
Frenzy album (A&M version), 1982
Spellbound album, 1997
"Message Boy"
B-side of "I See Red" (New Zealand/Australia), 1978
"Semi-Detached"
B-side of "Things", 1979
Frenzy album (A&M version), 1982
Spellbound album, 1997
Frenzy album remix/remaster, 2006
"Hypnotised"
B-side of "I Hope I Never" (Australia), 1980
"Carried Away"
B-side of "I Hope I Never" (Australia), 1980
Frenzy album (A&M version), 1982
Frenzy album remix/remaster, 2006
"Holy Smoke"
B-side of "History Never Repeats" (New Zealand/Australia), 1981
Frenzy album (A&M version), 1982
"Next Exit"
More Hits & Myths! NZ-only various artist album, 1981
"Livin' It Up"
B-side of "I See Red" (Canada), 1982
Frenzy album (A&M version), 1982
"Mind Over Matter"
Frenzy album (A&M version), 1982
"Evelyn"
I Like It Rare 4 Frenz Of The Enz fan club-only CD, 2007
Lost tracks
In a Frenz of the Enz newsletter, Eddie Rayner was interviewed regarding the release of the Luton tapes. He has confirmed that one tape containing approximately five songs is missing. One track that he assumes is on it is called "Sensational" (as this track is not on any of the other tapes he has).[full citation needed]
Personnel
Tim Finn - vocals, piano
Neil Finn - guitar, piano, vocals
Nigel Griggs - bass
Noel Crombie - percussion
Malcolm Green - drums
Eddie Rayner - keyboards
Phil Judd - guitar, vocals on "So This is Love" and "I'm So Up"
Split Enz were a New Zealand rock band formed in Auckland in 1972 by Tim Finn and Phil Judd. The band underwent many lineup changes during their twelve years together. Originally started as a folk-oriented group with quirky art rock stylings, the band built a strong regional following, noted for their outlandish costumes and makeup. After Tim Finn's brother Neil joined as co-lead vocalist and songwriter, the band came to embrace a more streamlined and pop-oriented approach and became pioneers of new wave. The band achieved worldwide indie stardom in the 1980s, with particular success in New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
Nigel Griggs is a musician who played bass guitar in Split Enz. He is the brother of Paul Griggs from the 1970s vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls. A professional musician since 1963, Nigel Griggs played in a number of bands, notably The Cortinas and Octopus, 1963–1971, with his brother Paul, Carmen and Steve Hillage's Khan.
Dizrythmia (1977) is the third studio album released by New Zealand new wave band Split Enz. It was the first Split Enz album without co-founding members Phil Judd and Mike Chunn. Neil Finn and Nigel Griggs, the first being the younger brother of band leader Tim Finn, replaced them respectively. Meanwhile, Nigel's old friend and former bandmate Malcolm Green took the place of Emlyn Crowther, who also left around this time. The album was released domestically by Mushroom Records, and overseas by Chrysalis Records.
Waiata is the seventh studio album by New Zealand new wave band Split Enz, released in March 1981. Its Australian release was titled Corroboree. Waiata is the Māori term for song and singing, while corroboree is an Aboriginal term. According to Noel Crombie the intention was to name the album using a word from the natives of every country it was released in. This did not go ahead and the only country to adopt this change was Australia. The rest of the world kept the New Zealand title Waiata.
Frenzy is the fourth studio album by New Zealand new wave band Split Enz. Frenzy ventured even further beyond the band's art rock roots to more of a pop sound.
Time and Tide is the eighth album by the New Zealand new wave band Split Enz, released in April 1982. It topped the album charts in New Zealand and Australia.
Conflicting Emotions is the ninth album by New Zealand band Split Enz.
See Ya 'Round is the tenth and final studio album by New Zealand's premier new wave band, Split Enz, and was released in 1984, following the departure of founding member Tim Finn, whose solo career had officially taken off the year before. Remaining songwriter Neil Finn, claiming to be a little daunted by the prospect of leading his older brother's band, subsequently announced that this would be the final Split Enz studio recording. Since he only had an EP's worth of material ready, the record was filled out by lightweight, experimental contributions from each of the other band members. In interviews, Neil has revealed that the original EP was to have been the first five tracks on the album.
Philip Raymond Judd is a New Zealand singer-songwriter known for being one of the founders of the bands Split Enz and The Swingers.
"I See Red" is a 1978 song by New Zealand art rock group Split Enz. It was released in December 1978 as the lead single from their studio album Frenzy.
"I Hope I Never" is a 1980 song by New Zealand art rock group Split Enz. It was released in May 1980 as the second single from their sixth studio album True Colours.
"Next Exit" is a song by New Zealand art rock group Split Enz. It was written by Tim Finn and released as a non-album single in Australia in March 1983.
Spellbound, very often subtitled on the cover as "The Very Best Of Split Enz", is a 1997 compilation album by New Zealand rock band Split Enz. Apparently intended to be the final word on Split Enz compilations, it is the band's most comprehensive career survey. Featured amongst the album's 39 tracks are all the hits, live favourites, choice album tracks and a few rarities, all selected by members of the band.
History Never Repeats – The Best of Split Enz is a compilation of hits by New Zealand rock band Split Enz. Initially released in the US in 1987, then in New Zealand and Australia in 1989, the album has been through many variations and reissues over the years.
Enz of an Era was a compilation by New Zealand rock band Split Enz. Released to mark the band's 10th anniversary, and composed of tracks selected by members of the band, the album was released in New Zealand and Australia only. The album was followed up by two "Enz Of An Era" 10th anniversary concerts in early 1983.
The Living Enz was the first live album released by New Zealand rock band Split Enz. Primarily recorded in Melbourne, Australia during the band's 1984 Enz with a Bang farewell tour, it also includes some material from the Auckland shows of that tour, plus recordings from the band's 1982 Time and Tide tour.
Extravagenza is a live album by New Zealand rock band Split Enz. Comprising recordings from the Palmerston North, New Plymouth and Auckland shows of the band's 1993 20th Anniversary Tour of New Zealand, the album is an expanded, remixed and remastered version of their 1994 live album Anniversary. The canned audience loop used on Anniversary was removed, giving the recordings a more natural feel.
One Out Of The Bag is a DVD/CD live release by New Zealand Rock music band Split Enz. It was recorded during their 2006 tour of Australia. This is also the first Split Enz release since Waiata/Corroboree to feature drummer Malcolm Green, who was sacked shortly before Waiata/Corroboree's release. Green shares drum duties with percussionist Noel Crombie.
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