Recently I came across some videos on YouTube (with thanks to YT user Gerald Tomoculus) of needle-drops of tracks from Trevor's debut solo album Beginnings - the original version released in South Africa - and combined with those uploaded by Duck Chowles, allows fans who are not familiar with the original version perhaps to have a better understanding of why it was such a great record (in my estimation, at least), and I was glad to be able to express that sentiment to him directly. Trevor has noted in at least one prior interview that he wishes he never would have remixed/remastered the album (for international release) because in retrospect he believes the original version had a better sound to it.
There are obvious differences, for example, when you compare the original track "I Love You" to the reworked version "Finding Me A Way Back Home."
And I believe the original version of "Live A Bit" is also superior; the lead vocal is a bit drier and further upfront, the bottom end has more depth and the strings at the beginning are much sharper, the outro runs just slightly longer.
I think the differences between the mixes for "Love Life" are perhaps less obvious except, again, the vocal is more prominent.
There's some difference in the mix of "Fantasy" but more on the subtle side; I think the biggest difference is Trevor's voice is much higher on the original throughout.
Of the tracks which were omitted, it's a shame about "Could There Be" because I think it's one of Trevor's best moments of social commentary from that era.
The other track was "Love Alone."
Given that reissues are often bundled with a needle-drop of the original recording these days, I believe that would be a fine idea for Varese Sarabande to consider, and thus we could have another chance to experience Trevor's original vision for his solo debut directly - especially for those who do not collect vinyl. There is much to discover in Trevor's legacy, and here's hoping the new year brings another opportunity in that realm.
