***BIG KRAFTWERK NEWS - "Tour De France 2003"***

[~ElektroFunk]

Courtesy of www.side-line.com/indexnew.htm:

"[12 June 2003]
EXCLUSIVE: Kraftwerk return with brand new single and album.
EMI Records have just informed us of the rush-release of the new single and album from Kraftwerk. The single, 'Tour De France 03' will be released on 7th July to coincide with the centenary of the Tour de France bicycle race which this year starts on 5th July and will be available on CD and 12" vinyl. The album, "Tour De France" features the all-new recordings of "Tour De France 03" alongside brand new compositions and a new version of their seminal, electro masterpiece "Tour De France" from 1983. Kraftwerk are currently working on the final album mix at their Kling Klang studio in Düsseldorf, with the release scheduled for 21st July, 2003. Kraftwerk's music on "Tour De France" acts as a soundtrack to the race and inspires similar feelings of drama, excitement and intensity. We'll soon announce this release in pre-order!"

[~si_w]

Is it just me or is all that's coming a load of more re-workings? Tour De France wasn't included in The Mix, so maybe that's why it's getting it's chance now...

[~Eldritch]

Well, the news story includes the sweet words "alongside brand new compositions", but I'm not going to believe anything before I hold the cd in my hands...

[~ilvisintetic]

Originally posted by Eldritch
Well, the news story includes the sweet words "alongside brand new compositions", but I'm not going to believe anything before I hold the cd in my hands...

Brand new compositions..... I wish should be better than 'Expo 2000'.

:)

[~Eldritch]

"Brand new compositions..... I wish should be better than 'Expo 2000'."

That shouldn't be too hard...

[~si_w]

Yes, you're right Eldritch, but that is the worrying thing...

[~side-line]

this info was leaked to us one day before it was sent to major press, we did an almost 100% cut and paste to avoid misunderstandings... There's at the moment no EMI extra news on this as they received it like that from the headquarters without extra info...

[~arronc]

I loved Expo 2000 : you have to be up with the subtly in the backing to enjoy it though.

All the interest comes in the backing textures, with repeating foreground changes.

I thought it was breathtaking !

[~ilvisintetic]

Originally posted by arronc
I loved Expo 2000 : you have to be up with the subtly in the backing to enjoy it though.

All the interest comes in the backing textures, with repeating foreground changes.

I thought it was breathtaking !


It´s a bit boring for me, Kraftwerk made better tracks even 20 years before, the worst track from 'Computer World' is a thousand times better than 'Expo 2000'.

[~epsilon minus]

As much as I love Kraftwerk, I have no expectations of greatness in new material. They're great for what they did as pioneers, but at this point they've sort of said their piece, and I'd rather hear them tweak their old stuff than try to return and be current. And that's a few steps more positive than you'd hear from anyone over 40 who would be laughing and saying "the autobahn guys are back?!"

[~fen]

what is it with bands that do the 'revised' edition of a song? remastering/remixing is one thing. cash in? surely. then again, this isnt the first time Kraftwerk's updated a track.
Police (horrible re version), Nephilim (horrible re version), Kraftwerk (theirs arent too bad), who else?

and for some good fun...
http://www.kraftwerk.com

aside from that...i'd rather hear old pioneers still putting out 'new' material than some dimwit new kid taking the cake on his new electroclash release.

not quite forty, almost there.

[NoirTech]

I will not get excited until I have it in my hands. Been teased with new Kraftwerk news for way too long (years). Come on Kraftwerk! Make with the goods!

[~si_w]

The album, "Tour De France" features the all-new recordings of "Tour De France 03"

and

and a new version of their seminal, electro masterpiece "Tour De France" from 1983.

Is it just me confused here? Aren't these two the same thing?

[~Eldritch]

si_w: I thought about it too and came to the conclusion, that Tour De France 03 is actually a brand new track with a different melody – and not a re-working on the twenty-year-old song. The title of Tour De France 03 refers to the race and not to the old track. That's how I see it.

But then I came across this post that sort of contradicts it. Here's some more detailed info I picked up from a Pet Shop Boys discussion site. Don't know where this originally came from:


Overview
*
This year marks the centenary of the Tour de France and also the 20th anniversary of the Kraftwerk single of the same name. (It is also Kraftwerk's 33rd anniversary)
*
To tie-in with this event Kraftwerk have recorded several brand new versions of their classic track 'Tour de France' which will be rush-released as a new single in July to be followed by a 'Tour de France' album.
*
The album has a cycling theme / concept running throughout and should be seen as a 'special project' as much as a new Kraftwerk album and almost as the 'soundtrack' to the Tour de France.
*
Kraftwerk have also supplied Eurosport with three 'jingles' featuring excerpts of the new versions running at 20, 30 and 60 seconds which will be featured throughout all coverage of the race on TV. Great exposure.
*
*
*
Release plans
*
Single - Tour de France 2003 - Release date - July 7
Promo formats
1-track CD for radio featuring Tour De France 2003 (Etape 2) - we might have to use CDRs for speed of turnaround.
*
We're going to do a 12" white label (but the labels will be artworked) to try to speed the manufacturing time up a little so we can get them out to Club as soon as possible. Tracks will be the same as commercial vinyl (see below).
*
Commercial formats
Three track CD and 12" vinyl, plus second CD format* in a card wallet with only two tracks (again below).
*
CD single (two-track version to feature Etape 1 & 2)
1. Tour de France 2003 (Etape 1)* 3:30
2. Tour de France 2003 (Etape 2)* 3:34
3. Tour de France 2003 (Etape 3)* 3:40
*
12" vinyl
A. *Tour de France 2003 (Etape 2)* 7:30 - Ralf to confirm timing
B1. Tour de France 2003 (Etape 1)* 3:30
B2. Tour de France 2003 (Etape 3)* 3:40
*
Album - Tour de France - Release date - July 21
Commercial formats - CD and 12" vinyl LP
Track details - to be confirmed, but will include full length versions of Tour de France - Etape 1, 2 and 3, plus a brand new recording of the original single (similar in style to the recent live version) and 3 or 4 completely new tracks.
*
Music
We will be servicing 'Tour De France 2003 (Etape 2)' as our lead radio track, with* the video edited to this mix. However the songs will remain in the original Etape 1,2 and 3 sequence for all commercial CD formats.
*
*
*
*
Tour de France - the race
This year's race starts on Saturday 5 July and runs through to Sunday 27 July. There is a TV programme in France about the centenary on Thursday July 3 which will see the Kraftwerk Robots perform the single with the video shown on a big screen behind them.
*
Launch event
We discussed setting up a special launch event in Paris on Saturday July 5 which could include watching the start of the race, followed by a playback of the album then a press conference TBC.

[~Endicott]

The album release date has been pushed to August 19; you can here a stream of "Version 2" of the single on Astralwerks' site at http://www.astralwerks.com/kraftwerk/default.html and part of "Version 1" via a net card at http://www.astralwerks.com/kraftwerk/tour_de_france.html


Originally posted by ElektroFunk
Courtesy of www.side-line.com/indexnew.htm:

"[12 June 2003]
EXCLUSIVE: Kraftwerk return with brand new single and album.
EMI Records have just informed us of the rush-release of the new single and album from Kraftwerk. The single, 'Tour De France 03' will be released on 7th July to coincide with the centenary of the Tour de France bicycle race which this year starts on 5th July and will be available on CD and 12" vinyl. The album, "Tour De France" features the all-new recordings of "Tour De France 03" alongside brand new compositions and a new version of their seminal, electro masterpiece "Tour De France" from 1983. Kraftwerk are currently working on the final album mix at their Kling Klang studio in Düsseldorf, with the release scheduled for 21st July, 2003. Kraftwerk's music on "Tour De France" acts as a soundtrack to the race and inspires similar feelings of drama, excitement and intensity. We'll soon announce this release in pre-order!"

[~arronc]

the video is now up on kraftwerk.com

[~NullDevice]

Oooh. I like the version on the Netcard. It sounds like Kratwerk, yes, but...moreso.

I'm very excited. w00t!

[~rivetbadtz]

Well my fave band VNV is doing the ol remake release single...242 did it not too long ago...heck I think the innovators of the damn genre should be allowed to do it;)

It doesnt sound very modern or cutting edge...but there is enough KW back catalog to remedy that. I mean Trans Europe, sounds like early Covenant: 20 years prior!