“No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” 40th Anniversary Edition
Motorhead
BMG
4 Discs
Our score 4 out of 5 stars
Continuing on from 2020’s year-long celebration of Motorheads iconic “Ace Of Spades” album comes the undisputed definitive live record of all time: “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith”. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this number one album, it is being presented in a brand new deluxe four CD box set featuring a new remaster of the original album, bonus tracks and the previously unreleased – in its entirety – concert from Newcastle City Hall, March 30, 1981. If that was not enough the set also include the story of the album, previously unseen photos, reproduction poster, ticket, backstage pass and more.
If you are a Motorhead fan, then you undoubtably have crossed paths with “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” at some point during your fandom. From the iconic cover photo featuring the band on stage with a lighted airplane looming overhead to the bombastic nature of tracks like “Ace of Spades”, “Overkill” and, “Motorhead”. It is only fitting that this album was next to get the special “Anniversary” treatment. Packed in a heavy duty black and gold box are the sets four audio discs which include the newly remastered “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” (which sounds great!) the complete Newcastle City Hall (available for first time in its entirety) and a number of unreleased live versions of songs like “Stay Clean”, “Iron Horse” and “Limb From Limb”. A 28-page book complete with a bunch of unseen photos and stories detailing the events leading up to the recording accompanies the discs as well. Now some collections would stop there but not this one as like previous anniversary releases the Motorhead camp take things one louder including a reproduction all access pass, Europe 81’pin, Double sided poster, guitar pick and a Newcastle City Hall ticket which could almost pass for an original. No detail was spared as this is truly a collector’s piece and one fans of live performances will want to add to their collections.
The “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” 40th Anniversary Edition follows in the footsteps of both the “Motorhead 79” and “Ace of Spades” collections as not only does it provide fans with an enjoyable listening experience the added packaging and period correct collectibles provide an added level of immersion which only helps add to the music over all appeal. Though it would have been nice to also have included some video footage from this period the added unreleased audio tracks certainly made up for this small, short coming. Even if you already own a copy of the original do your self a favor and check out the anniversary edition as there will certainly be something in there warranting the purchase of another copy.
The No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith CD box set contains:
- The No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith album, remastered from the original master tapes, featuring extra bonus tracks and newly unearthed, previously unreleased sound check recordings.
- The three full recordings of the concerts that made up No Sleep, never before released in their entirety.
- The story of No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith told through previously unpublished and new interviews with the people that were on the road at the time.
- Never before seen photos and rare memorabilia.
- Double sided, A3 concert posters from 1981.
- Reproduction USA ’81 tour pass.
- MOTÖRHEAD ‘England’ plectrum.
- 1981 European tour badge.
- Reproduction Newcastle City Hall ticket.
- Port Vale gig flyer post card.
Track Listing:
Disc 1
1.) Ace of Spades
2.) Stay Clean
3.) Metropolis
4.) The Hammer
5.) Iron Horse
6.) No Class
7.) Overkill
8.) (We Are) The Road Crew
9.) Capricorn
10.) Bomber
11.) Motorhead
12.) Over The Top
13.) Train Kept A-Rollin’
Soundcheck: Newcastle 30th March 1981
14.) Stay Clean
15.) Limb From Limb
16.) Iron Horse
Disc 2: Live at Newcastle City Hall, 30th March 1981
1.) Ace of Spades
2.) Stay Clean
3.) Over The Top
4.) Metropolis
5.) Shoot You In The Back
6.) The Hammer
7.) Jailbait
8.) Leaving Here
9.) Iron Horse
10.) Fire Fire
11.) Capricorn
12.) Too Late Too Late
13.) No Class
14.) (We Are) The Road Crew
15.) Bite The Bullet
16.) The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
17.) Overkill
18.) Bomber
19.) Motorhead
Disc 3: Live at Newcastle City Hall, 29th March 1981
1.) Ace of Spades
2.) Stay Clean
3.) Over The Top
4.) Metropolis
5.) Shoot You In The Back
6.) The Hammer
7.) Jailbait
8.) Leaving Here
9.) Fire Fire
10.) Capricorn
11.) Too Late Too Late
12.) No Class
13.) (We Are) The Road Crew
14.) Bite The Bullet
15.) The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
16.) Overkill
17.) Bomber
18.) Motorhead
Disc 4: Live at Leeds Queens, Hall, 28th March 1981
1.) Ace of Spades
2.) Stay Clean
3.) Over The Top
4.) Metropolis
5.) Shoot You In The Back
6.) The Hammer
7.) Jailbait
8.) Leaving Here
9.) Fire Fire
10.) Capricorn
11.) Too Late Too Late
12.) No Class
13.) (We Are) The Road Crew
14.) Bite The Bullet
15.) The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
16.) Overkill
17.) Bomber
18.) Motorhead