Another World

Alternate Versions

This song has also been known as "Hard Business" and "The Business".

Original Version
As used as the theme for "Frank Stubbs Promotes", a UK television programme which Brian wrote incidental and title music for. Originally titled "Hard Business", this early version has most of the song elements there but is frustratingly short. If you have access to the full series though, and some good editing equipment, you can put together a reasonably full version as there are occasions where different pieces of the song have been played. The mix is nowhere near as powerful as the album version, and it is a weaker, less full arrangement, but its always interesting to see what a song is like in its early stages. Depending on your editing skills you can get anything from 30 seconds to 4 minutes worth of material from the TV version. It was only used for the first series, as for the second series Brian wrote another theme song - "On My Way Up".

Fan Club Version
There was/is a Fan Club version of this song, based on the "Frank Stubbs" version, which is about three minutes long and was played at some fan club events prior to the album being released. It is not available anywhere and is just a looped recording of the original TV theme version. It wasn't very good and has presumably been scrapped now the full version is available.

"Rock On Cozy" Mix
Released as a special tribute to Cozy Powell, and so far only available on the UK CD single and 7" (at least two promo CDs also list it, but not all have the full version - see later). This mix is basically a plain edit with some extra drumming from Cozy tacked onto the beginning and end. The new intro is a ten second drum solo, which leads into a four minute edit of the album version (which would have made an acceptable "single edit" on its own). The last 27 seconds are taken up by an extended drum solo from Cozy, sounding awfully like it was edited from the "Resurrection Medley" released on "Live At Brixton Academy". Very different. Time 4:41

"Rock On Cozy" Mix Promo Edit
An unlisted edit on a 3-mix US promo CD (cat no PRCD-10828-2). The same disc also has the "Radio Edit" mix, and is in a unique ps. Though listed as the "Rock On Cozy" mix on the sleeve, instead of the extended drum solo at the end it simply fades out. It's quite possible that other promos with the "Rock On Cozy" mix also have this edit. Time 4:14

Enhanced Multimedia Version
Only available on the UK CD single of "The Business", and you need a PC or Macintosh to run it. Musicallly its a combination of the album mix of "Business" intercut with a spoken interview with Brian (the same speech as on the audio "Brian Talks" track on the same disc). The accompanying video (AVI/Quicktime format) is rather fuzzy, but is footage of Cozy from "Live At Brixton Academy" again intercut with Brian talking in a studio. A nice idea, and while it won't be something you play again and again it's very good the first time. Time approx 5:00

Radio Edit
Available only on a 3-mix US promo CD, PRCD-10828-2 (so far). This is just what it says it is - a straightforward edit of the 5:08 album mix. Time 4:29

Radio Mix / US Radio Mix / Rock Radio Remix
Quite possibly just different names for the same mix, these titles have all been spotted on promo CDs. The "US Radio Mix" is also on the Japan-only "Red Special" CD mini-album. I haven’t heard them yet so can't comment.

Promo Edit
An unlisted edit on a one-track promo picture CD (serial number CDRDJ 6504), and possibly on other promos. It seems to be just instrumental that has been cut, and with over a minute edited out its very noticeable. Definitely one to go for while its still cheap, i.e. before the dealers realise it's not just a boring one-track promo disc. Time 4:08

Original Version
Originally written as the theme song for the second series of the UK "Frank Stubbs Promotes" TV show. Though not much of this track was ever played at one time in the series, some versions up to 3 minutes have been edited together from different episodes, although these tend to include repeated sections. Very close to the finished version from the album, though obviously the album version is properly edited and mixed. The most common format of this version is a watered-down version of the first verse, and like "Business" it pales next to the finished version. Again, some incidental music for this series was recorded too.

Originally recorded for the "Rise Of The Robots" computer game, but not released until the advent of "Rise 2 - Resurrection". To complicate things, there are two versions of "Rise 2" available - the standard release, and a special "Director's Cut" edition which has an extra CD-ROM disc. Needless to say, the Director's Cut has some extra bits... The standard CD (disc one in the Director's Cut) has two tracks by Brian, track 8 and track 10. There are a further 7 instrumentals on the disc, but none seem to have anything to do with Brian and are just standard "in-game" synthesised tunes, with tinny instruments. The second disc in the Director's Cut has another two tracks by Brian, both of which are quite similar to what appears on disc one. It also has approximately 70 WAV files of Brian's voice (heavily distorted) saying various words from the game. As for the game itself, well..

The track was later remixed for inclusion on "Another World", so if you were wondering about the strange lyrics, now you know.

Album Version
Mentioned as it is a remix of the original "Rise" versions (see later). The "cyborg vocals" have been mixed down and the sound seems clearer and brighter, although there aren't any major changes. Still, it's a powerful piece for Brian to show off in, and unless you really need every version this one will probably do you. Opinion is rather divided on this track, and out of context it can seem a little strange, but it does get better with repeated listenings, so don't give up if it doesn't grab you at first. Time 3:54

Rise II - Main Version
In both editions, and track 8 on the first CD. The main track is a fairly heavy rock song, with some distinctive guitar from Brian. There is a proper vocal, although Brian's voice is distorted electronically for parts of it. The lyrics are obviously based around the game, but even so its a reasonable song and certainly not just standard "computer game" music. In fact it's actually very similar to the later album version. But I do think someone should have told Brian how silly that laugh near the beginning is, and it's no surprise it was mixed right down in the album version.

Rise II - Solo Instrumental Version
In both editions, track 10 on the first CD. No vocals, or indeed much backing - this is pretty much just an extended solo from Brian, who is using a guitar technique known as "tapping". That's not to say it doesn't deserve a listen though, as it's an accomplished instrumental. Its the "twiddly bit" from the album version, just in case you were wondering.

Rise II - Main Version Remix
Director's Cut only, track 4 on the second CD. A remix of the main version from disc one, quite similar but with a few different bits. But the differences are just in the mixing, there are no new parts to the song.

Rise II - Main Version Instrumental Remix
Director's Cut only, track 5 on the second CD. Haven't heard this yet I'm afraid, so I don't know what it sounds like. Supposed to be very good though, much more significant than the other remix.

Original Version
As it appears on the Jimi Hendrix tribute album "In From The Storm" (all tracks are Hendrix covers by other artists). On CD and a promo sampler CD for the album. Brian's admiration for Hendrix is well-known, and it's no surprise this track also appeared on "Another World". However this earlier version is mixed differently, and in some places very differently. The ending is the most obvious change (no spoken outro) but there are others. Worth seeking out before it disappears for good - tribute albums, even good ones, don't usually have a long shelf life - and you may well find you prefer this to the album mix.

Album Version
As it appears on "Another World". Remixed for no good reason that I can think of, as mentioned before it has a particularly different ending. Though still an accomplished cover, the original mix is often regarded as superior by fans (at least, the ones I've talked to). Time 4:04

Album Version
Originally only available on the "Mott The Hoople" tribute CD "Moth Poet Hotel", released in Japan only. Unlike the other tracks from this album that were previously available, this one was not remixed in any way for "Another World". So that's one import you won't have to buy! Time 5:17

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.

B-side Cover Version
B-side to "The Business" (UK, all formats), and on the Dutch "On My Way Up" 3-track CD single. Also available on the special mail-in offer single in the US. A superb re-make, this perfectly captures the backing harmonies and feel of the original without sounding like a straight copy. The fifties sound is spot on, and while it may be throwaway its still short and sweet. Time 2:14.

Interview B-side
One of the B-sides to "Business" in the UK, on CD single and 7". A short speech from Brian about the sad death of his friend Cozy Powell, preceded by about ten seconds or so of acoustic guitar. Not to be confused with the promo CD "Brian Talks", which runs for much longer (30-40 mins) and is about the release of "Queen Rocks". Time 1:14.

B-side Cover Version
B-side to "Why Don't We Try Again" (UK, all formats) and "On My Way Up" (Holland, all formats). Also available on the US mail-in offer CD single. First performed by Brian in disguise as "Twitty Conway" at a Fan Club party, this official version is now the definitive recording and remarkably close to that live version in sound (just much better quality - don't even bother looking for bootlegs). It's another nostalgic cover that lets Brian show off his all-new singing voice to great effect, being a great song in it's own right. You'll either love it or hate it, depending how you feel about the original, but like "FBI" it's a faithful yet updated cover version and you really should try to get hold of it. Great stuff. Time 2:29.

Cover Version
Instrumental. Originally released on the tribute album "Twang: A Tribute To Hank Marvin", but also released as a B-side to "Why Don't We Try Again" (UK, all formats) and "On My Way Up" (Dutch 3-track CD). Included on the Japanese version of the album too, as a bonus track, and soon to be available in the US from a special mail-in offer with the album. Although its hard to imagine the Red Special going "twang", this is a very fun cover version that manages to both update and remain faithful to the original, which is no mean feat. That Shadows sound is still there, but the guitars have a very modern sound too and the whole thing rips along splendidly. Excellent stuff. Time 3:12.

Cover Version
Also known as "Hot Patootie". From a soundtrack CD to "The Rocky Horror Show", released in the US and UK (with different sleeves and titles, so check for Brian's name in the credits before buying). Written by Richard O'Brien, this is a homage to 50s rock'n'roll and is a fast-paced rocker, made famous by Meatloaf in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" film. Brian is well-suited to this song, and it is a good rendition. But to be honest, I don't think anyone could really better Meatloaf's version. If ever a singer was suited to a song, it was Meatloaf and this. Sorry! This track will also be appearing on the Japanese CD of Brian's new album, as a bonus track.