Lovich,Lene Toy Box: The Stiff Years 1978-1983 CD

4CD box set compiling everything Lene Lovich released for Stiff Records between 1978 and 1983 for the first time. 81 tracks in total, over 20 tracks making their debut on CD, including B-sides, early versions, 12-inch versions. Freshly mastered, with sleeve notes from Scott Davies and Michael Robson, with extensive words from 'the first lady of Stiff' herself. 'Toy Box' is the ultimate compilation of Lene's years with Stiff; her name so synonymous with the label. With a striking appearance and sound to match, Lene Lovich arrived at Stiff Records in the summer of 1978, surfing the new wave and the subsequent 'Be Stiff' UK tour. Travelling by train together with labelmates Mickey Jupp, Jona Lewie, Rachel Sweet and Wreckless Eric, Lene proved to be the hit of the tour, both on record and on stage, and so began a productive five- year spell with the label. 'Stateless' (Original Mix) is the debut album released in October 1978 to coincide with the 'Be Stiff' tour. Including 'Lucky Number', 'Say When' and a gloriously retro cover of Tommy James & The Shondells hit, 'I Think We're Alone Now'. Bonus tracks include various versions of 'Lucky Number' in development (early B-Side version, Instrumental and rare US Slavic Dance 12" version), together with a Japanese version of 'I Think We're Alone Now'. 'Stateless' (US/UK Remix) - released in 1979 to accompany a remixed 'Lucky Number' became a surprise Top 3 UK hit and it's subsequent release in the States, the 'Stateless' US/UK remix includes the familiar 'Lucky Number' and 'Say When' hit versions. Bonus tracks include several live recordings from Lene's UK and USA tours in early 1980, captured at the Lyceum in London and the Paradise Theater in Boston, USA. 'Flex' - the eagerly awaited follow up to 'Stateless' released at the dawning of the 80s and featuring singles 'Bird Song', 'Angels' and 'What Will I Do Without You' together with an inspired cover of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons' Northern Soul favourite, 'The Night'. Bonus tracks include 1981's dancefloor friendly 'New Toy' penned by keyboard wunderkind Thomas Dolby (playing in Lene's touring band at the time) plus tracks from the US only 'New Toy' mini-album. 'No Man's Land' - Lene's final album for Stiff Records in 1982 features her definitive version of Dutch band The Meteors' 'It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz)'. Bonus tracks include the original Sanremo Music Festival single version of 'Blue Hotel' and a plethora of UK and US dance remixes of 'It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz)' and 'Blue Hotel' maintaining Lene's cult status, particularly in the States, both on college radio and an MTV in it's infancy.

1. Lucky Number 2. Sleeping Beauty 3. Home 4. Too Tender (To Touch) 5. Say When 6. Tonight 7. Writing on the Wall 8. Telepathy 9. Momentary Breakdown 10. 1 in a 1,000,000 11. I Think We're Alone Now 12. Lucky Number (Early Version) 13. I Think We're Alone Now (Japanese Version) 14. Monkey Talk (Early Version) 15. Be Stiff 16. Be Stiff (The Entire Ensemble Recorded Live at Leeds University) 17. Lene Lovich Speaks 1 18. Lucky Number (Instrumental Version) 19. One Lonely Heart 20. Big Bird 21. Lene Lovich Speaks 2 22. Lucky Number (Slavic Dance Version) 23. Home 24. Sleeping Beauty 25. Lucky Number 26. Too Tender (To Touch) 27. Say When 28. Writing on the Wall 29. Telepathy 30. Momentary Breakdown 31. I Think We're Alone Now 32. One in a 1,000,000 33. Tonight 34. Trixi 35. The Fly 36. The Fall 37. Live at the Lyceum, London 03.02.80: 38. Monkey Talk 39. The Night 40. Too Tender (To Touch) 41. You Can't Kill Me 42. Live at Paradise Theater, Boston 15.03.80: 43. Angels 44. Lucky Number 45. Home 46. Bird Song 47. What Will I Do Without You 48. Angels 49. The Night 50. You Can't Kill Me 51. Egghead 52. Wonderful One 53. Monkey Talk 54. Joan 55. The Freeze 56. The Night (Us Remix) 57. What Will I Do Without You (Single Version) 58. Bird Song (Edit) 59. Details (Original Version) 60. New Toy 61. Cats Away 62. New Toy (Extended Version) 63. Cats Away 64. Details 65. Never Never Land 66. It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz) 67. Blue Hotel 68. Faces 69. Walking Low 70. Special Star 71. Sister Video 72. Maria 73. Savages 74. Rocky Road 75. Savages 76. Special Star 77. Blue Hotel (Single Version) 78. It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz) (Remixed Extended Version) 79. Blue 80. It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz) (Instrumental Version) 81. It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz) (Us Extended Dance Mix) 82. Blue Hotel (Us Dance Mix) 83. O Seasons O Castles