Gift (album)
The one and only album by The Sisterhood. For the test pressing of the original LP see here.
Release Notes
| Label | Catalogue# | Released | Country | Format | Notes |
| Merciful Release | SIS 020 | 28 July 1986 | UK | 12" vinyl LP | |
| Merciful Release | SIS 020C | 28 July 1986 | UK | Cassette | |
| Merciful Release | SIS 020 | 1 August 1989 | UK | CD | |
| Merciful Release Rough Trade Records GmbH |
SIS 020-LP, RTD 133.1684.1, RTD 1331.684.1 30 |
1993 | Germany | 12" vinyl LP | Official re-release |
| Merciful Release Rough Trade Records GmbH |
SIS 020-CD, RTD 133-1684-2, RTD133.1684.2 |
16 May 1994 | Germany | CD | Official re-release |
| No label | SIS 020-CD | 2009 | Austria | CD | Unofficial re-release (bootleg) |
- NOTE: More and more detailled information about all known releases of GIFT can be found @discogs here and here.
Remarks
- Released in two official editions. The original artwork differs slightly, mostly inasfar as the print on the cover
is smaller. The labels and the disc, respectively, look different as well, see the pictures down below.
The tracks are the same for all releases. The original issue was released on vinyl, on CD and on cassette,
while the re-release comprises versions on CD and vinyl only.
- The back covers of the Rough Trade re-releases state:
"Merciful Release is exclusively marketed and distributed by ROUGH TRADE RECORDS GmbH, Germany".
Alan Vega is credited as "Alan Vela".
- Since 2009, an Austrian bootleg CD-issue has been offered in online auctions as well.
This one comes in a digipack with faked Merciful Release logo and catalogue number.
The last track is noted wrongly as "Rain Form Heaven" instead of Rain From Heaven.
- Music Written and Produced by Andrew Eldritch Featuring Doktor Avalanche and The Chorus Of Vengeance
- It is important to note that due to Eldritch's recording contract he could not sing on this album.
See more about this fact here ...
- For some further and comprehensive information on The Sisterhood as well as on the releases
of the Giving Ground single and of Gift we strongly recommend this article in another Wiki...
Tracks
| Title | Duration | Remarks |
| A1 Jihad | 8:16 | The "Two-Five-Zero-Zero-Zero" bit of the track refers to the £25,000 advance payable by RCA for one studio album for the year of 1986 from their original contract with The Sisters of Mercy. |
| A2 Colours | 8:02 | |
| B1 Giving Ground | 7:30 | This is none of the versions on the Giving Ground single but an extended remix. |
| B2 Finland Red, Egypt White | 8:16 | The text of this song comes from an arms dealer's catalogue for the AK-47 rifle, while the title cites the country code for blank cartridges. |
| B3 Rain From Heaven | 6:43 | Background vocals by The Chorus Of Vengeance |
Cultural References
The final episode of BBC drama Spooks' seventh series references this album. The Russian code broadcast on a Cold War number station is "2.5.0.0.2.5. Finland Red Egypt White. It is twice blest. It is twice blest. Rain from Heaven". This code activates a Russian sleeper agent in Faversham, Kent to collect a hidden portable nuclear weapon to be taken to Grosvenor Square in London and detonated at 1500hrs. Also, while trying to get to London Bridge through an unused tube tunnel, Lucas says the sentence "What is lost can never be found"; a line from the "Giving Ground" track.
Band - Recording Personnel
- Andrew Eldritch - Music, Lyrics and Production
- Lucas Fox - Vocals on Colours, Finland Red, Egypt White and Rain From Heaven and Production
- James Ray - Vocals on Giving Ground
- Patricia Morrison - Vocals on Jihad
- Alan Vega - Vocals on Rain From Heaven within the Chorus Of Vengeance not 100% confirmed
- Doktor Avalanche - Drums
The Chorus Of Vengeance
It is not 100% clear who exactly The Chorus Of Vengeance were.
For sure it consisted of some of the above mentioned ...
As to the involvement of Alan Vega in this album, Andrew Eldritch replied in an interview with The Quietus by Ben Graham of November 12th, 2011:
Alan Vega is credited on the sleeve of Gift, but what was his actual involvement with the record?
AE: Andrew went back to Vega's apartment with a DAT recorder, played him the tracks
and explained the scenario. Andrew has a permanent visa to Planet Vega, because the
two of them get on very well. Nobody else talks to Vega like Eldritch talks to Vega.
Additional Pictures
- Please click into files for larger views -
12" LP Versions
CD Versions
Cassettes
