Discussion Records Interview - 12" Picture Disc

Another unofficial picture disc release, but it's a nice one. It even comes in a full colour picture sleeve, which isn't always common for these things.

The Interview runs about 45 minutes total, and it appears to have been recorded just as Never For Ever was released or about to be released. The only shame about this interview is that it was recorded in a pretty public place, so there is a lot of background noise throughout. Apart from that, it’s still a nice one. Kate talks about the press in general, and her appreciation of them being nice towards her while becoming more established as an artist. She talks about the songs on the album being more emotional, stronger and moving into a different direction from her previous work and loads of other things. It’s another really enthusiastic interview with Kate, so if you can get past the noise factor in the background, it’s worth listening to.

This was also pressed on coloured vinyl. I can’t remember if they did several different colours or not, but I do know it was pressed in yellow with only 300 copies made. Personally, I think the picture disc version looks nicer.

I believe this one also got a CD release if I remember correctly, which was even issued with a so called limited edition number.

Interview 85 - Uncut Picture Disc

Uncut 7" picture disc prior to being die-cut. The finished version can be viewed HERE.

In its raw form it has the same dimensions as a 12" record. The surrounding plastic is clear. It only appears off white here because I needed to cover it with paper while scanning it so it wouldn't look so horrendous. I think I failed miserably in the attempt.

Some people refer to the uncut version as a test pressing. To some degree that's true, but since this is an unofficial release, it really isn't a legitimate test pressing to the same degree that true test pressings are.

Both the cut and uncut versions contain the same interview.

Baktabak Records: Hounds of Love - 12" Interview Picture Disc

This is one of the nicer Hounds of Love era interviews with Kate, and it's pretty clear from the beginning that it's being conducted in her studio. I will say that the interviewer does come off as a blithering idiot at times, almost like he's unsure what to ask her, but overall a really great interview with a very talkative Kate. It's worth a listen.

Tell Tales Records: Hounds of Love - 12" Interview Picture Disc

Another unofficial picture disc release - this time through the Tell Tales series. I don't remember a whole lot about the original packaging of this record. I only recall a card sleeve similar to the Baktobak ones with a microphone or something on it.

Although the copyright listed on the vinyl is 1987, the interview is Hounds of Love era. It's a very general interview, with lots of questions and answers about the press media, promotion, the record company, life... plus the album. It's also pre-recorded and not a live interview. While pre-recorded interviews were a saving grace for many artists back in the day, they also tended to sound odd if the "interviewer" didn't match with the pre-recorded bits. It's not particularly the best interview for this reason. Kate's pre-recorded bits are good, but the "interviewer" brings the whole thing down with his lack of enthusiasm.

There are better examples of interview discs out there, but this just isn't one of them.

Baktabak Records: The Dreaming - 12" Interview Picture Disc

I bought this one brand new many years ago, and it's the only reason why it still has its original die-cut card sleeve. Often times you'll find these picture sleeves in thick pvc sleeves because the original die-cut sleeve has been lost or destroyed. The sleeve is very thin and flimsy, so it doesn't take much to mangle it.

Baktabak created many of these picture discs you see for Kate and many other artists. The back of the sleeve has a catalogue of other interviews in the series, including the various formats.

This is easily my favourite interview picture disc. I haven't listened to this one in a long time, but it's a fantastic interview... and a little noisy. You do hear people in the background chatting, but also lots of dishes clanging about. I'm assuming this interview took place in some restaurant. If you can get past all the noise, it's a very nice interview for The Dreaming. Kate is very at ease during this interview, even chomping away on food during it. The interviewer's questions are good, and he actually seems interested - but Kate's answers are even better, and she really gets in depth with her answers. This is probably the best full interview for The Dreaming out there that you can find.

This interview takes place around the time There Goes a Tenner is released as Kate mentions it's the new single and talks about the ideas behind it. I highly recommend this one.

The Abbey Road Studios Interview - 12" Picture Disc.

The Abbey Road Studios Interview is not from Abbey Road, and neither is it official. Many of these bootleg interview records tended to have the words "Limited Edition" written on them, and in some cases a limited edition number to give it a more authentic feel and entice people into buying them. I can't remember offhand if 2,000 copies were made or 2,500.

If I remember correctly, I believe the interview was actually conducted and recorded at Capital Radio Studios in '85, but I might not be 100% right about that. The interview is Hounds of Love era, running at 47 minutes total, and admittedly it's also a great one. This one has excellent sound quality and it's worth picking up if you can find it.

Discussion Records Interview "Just Saying It..." 12" Coloured Vinyl

Another unofficial interview disc put out by Discussion Records, but this time on coloured vinyl. It also comes in a very nice picture sleeve.

The vinyl is a mauve colour, and although you probably can't see it very well, when it's held up to the light it has a slight marbled effect to it.

The paper record labels are different on each side: One side lists the interview year, catalogue number and where it was made, and the other side features a b/w photo of Kate. I've only ever listened to this once, and that was years ago, so I can't honestly recall if it's all repeated material or not. In all likelihood it is.