My Life in the Bush of Ghosts

by

David Byrne and Brian Eno

Edit

Reissues don't get much better than this.

First, the sound quality is much improved over the first CD reissue, warmer and more balanced, with slightly better definition.

Second, three of the tracks are actually longer than on the original release. "Mea culpa" is almost a minute and a half longer. "Regiment" is about 15 seconds longer, thanks to an extended intro. "The carrier" is 43 seconds longer, including an extra vocal in the middle that, upon comparison, was clearly excised from the original version. (In addition, "Moonlight in glory" takes a bit longer to fade out, though it does not otherwise seem to differ from the original.)

Third, the rather thick booklet actually has liner notes, with essays by David Byrne and Brian Eno (though theirs seem to be mostly David Byrne) and David Toop. You don't see liner notes much anymore, so this is a real treat.

Fourth, the new cover art on the slipcase perfectly illustrates the nature of the contents of the package. The image is actually that of the original album cover, only updated using current technology.

Fifth, according to the official web site created for this reissue, "David Byrne has personally overseen the tracklisting and remastering". I have seen too many artist catalogs remastered and reissued without the participation of the artists themselves, and the results are usually lacking in some respect. This is not the case here.

Finally, the video for "Mea culpa" is included. And at a decent resolution, too.

I have only two real complaints about this remastered edition. One is the omission of the track "Qu'ran", though I realize that particular choice was made back in the late eighties, when the first UK edition of the CD was released. It also would have been nice if the liner notes had included a mention of this track and the reasons for its absence, even if only in passing. In any event, if this track is a must-have for you, I recommend tracking down a used copy of the first US CD edition (Sire Records, 6093-2). The other is the omission of the credits identifying the voices used. David Toop mentions one of the sources in his essay, but none of the others are specifically mentioned anywhere.

Highly recommended.

I'm being charitable about giving this three stars, when it deserves only one. I own the original album copy, and the first CD release of "My Life...." and it remains one of my favorite 80s experimental/avant garde recordings. It was an era when artists weren't afraid to push the limits of expression, and peoples' skins were perhaps a little thicker. Those times sadly, have passed with this re-master.

How else can I characterize the cowardly omission by the record company (or Byrne and Eno) of the song "Qu'ran"? Heaven forbid they offend a minority of rabid fundamentalists, and deprive the majority of sane and non-violent believers a great song. Once again, it is weak willed corporations and cowardly artists bowing to political correctness, and making life just a little less rich and multi-faceted. It seems the only targets that are still acceptable are Christians and white males. I'm sure Eno and Byrne would have no problem bashing the Pope, but having a beautiful, fascinating song like Qu'ran-one that truly glorifies Islam, is wrong. Life just got a little less tolerable, thanks to some religious fundamentalist nuts.

Thankfully, I STILL have my original copies of "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" with "Qu'ran" on them....and I plan to play it LOUD.