2 Originals Of Sparks 1975 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Earle Mankey - guitar Harley Feinstein - drums Jim Mankey - bass

A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing - Demo LP 1968 Russell Mael - vocals & bass (!) Ron Mael - keyboards Earle Mankey - guitar (and lead vocals on Big Rock Candy Mountain) John Mendelsohn - drums Surly Ralph Oswald - bass (?) Produced by ???

Review:
Ever since I got involved in Sparks, somewhere in the second half of 1974, I have been fascinated by their very first American period. I'm not referring to the early 80's, during which Sparks was moderately successful in the States, with songs like I Predict and Cool Places, but I'm talking about the time that the Maels' first cautious steps were made into the music industry.

The first official albums Halfnelson (later re-released as Sparks) and A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing are surrounded with an atmosphere that the Maels never have seemed to capture on any of the later albums. It's mystical, it's warm, it's weird, it's expecting the unexpected, it's serene and it's magical. There, I said it.

In 1975, I found out that Halfnelson apparently had recorded a demo album prior to the official Halfnelson album. I was hooked! Dozens of questions came to my mind. Was it actually a proper album, how many songs were on it, were there any songs later used for the official album, how did it sound like, if it was released, by which record company, was it actually released or had it never surpassed the tape format, who had written the songs, what was the cover like.

Being a massive admirer of the Maels' talents, I must have tormented my poor parents, brother and sisters for the better part of the 70's, until I moved out of my parents' house. Sparks were played every day, record shops were visited regularly, radio stations called, music magazines bought and little by little I got involved in the Dutch Fan Club, which I finally took over in 1979, just on the eve of Sparks' comeback with No. 1 In Heaven. I had a magazine to make and members to write to so I was very much involved in the daily activities of Sparks, be it from a distance. Nevertheless, the thought of an unknown album, somewhere in America never lost its grip on me and I decided to make it my personal Quest for the Holy Grail of Mael to find this album and to be able to listen to it. It would take 22 years before this Quest was actually fulfilled.

In 1968, Ron and Russell Mael met Earle Mankey. Before that, they had been in a band called Urban Renewal Project, which included a female drummer and an even earlier incarnation of Sparks was supposedly called Moonbaker Abbey.

There are various stories of how the Maels met Earle Mankey. In the official Bearsville Biography from December 1972, it is claimed that the Maels followed an ad in which Earle had advertised for a recording studio and when they came over there, Earle also convinced the Maels to hire him as a guitar player (at $ 2.50 an hour).

According to other sources, it were the Maels who actually put a "guitarist wanted" ad and Earle Mankey responded to that. I realise these are all pointless details but what is important is the fact, that this meeting resulted in the creation and making of music. It was obvious, that the Maels and Earle Mankey were a perfect combination. Ron and Russell, who was also quite active as a composer in these days supplied the perfect melodies and lyrics for Earle to put into weird arrangements and several over-dubs, speed-up guitars and more refreshing recording gimmicks.

It was decided that a demo album should be recorded and for that reason, they badly needed a rhythm section. A drummer was found in the person of John Mendelsohn and a bass player was added, named Surly Ralph Oswald. It is however, very likely that this bass player was found after the recordings for this demo had already begun and that most of the bass lines were actually played by Russell, who, even nowadays claims that he started off as a bass player.

All the songs for the demo, which was to be called "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing" were written by the Maels and Ron designed a sleeve, depicting someone flying pas the Eiffel Tower on a surfboard in front of a bright moon.

Halfnelson's main inspirations were English, or English-sounding bands of the mid-60's like The Kinks, The Move, John's Children, The Who, Tomorrow and Pink Floyd, sounds that are easily traceable on Halfnelson's official first album. However, the songs recorded for the demo album clearly indicated that the Maels had not listened to the above-mentioned bands only.

Music much closer to them, both geographically and culturally, had influenced them much more than they'd probably care to realise themselves. Traces of The Doors, The Mamas & The Papas, Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Beach Boys and even Jimi Hendrix could easily be found on the twelve songs that were recorded for "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing".

The original Bearsville biography speaks of two songs that were recorded but which cannot be found on the original demo album, unless the titles have been changed. For one, that's very likely as where Bearsville is mentioning a song called Do The Factory, there actually is a song on the album called The Factory. Another song; Spider Run is probably never released. Furthermore, Bearsville also does mention the song Johnny's Adventure, which is, indeed featuring on the demo album.

Joseph Fleury, one of Sparks' earliest fans ever, who later ran the British Fan Club and even became their personal manager for a few years, described the demo album as follows:

"The Halfnelson demo LP consisted of twelve tracks, all very interesting, if a bit dated. Russell played bass on many of the tracks, as Oswald joined in later on in the recordings, while Ron's use of organ as a key instrument was much more prominent. After this, Oswald and Mendelsohn were kicked out of the band."

Oswald and Mendelsohn later formed a band called Christopher Milk and I still have an EP with four songs by John Mendelsohn's The Pitt, which sounds, in retrospect very much like the original Halfnelson demo.

Rumour is, that about one hundred copies of the demo were hand pressed onto vinyl (financed by the band) and the album was sent out to record companies. None of them reacted positively.

Ron Mael about this: "We still thought that what we were doing at the time was really regular stuff. It wasn't until we sent it out that we discovered we'd been deceiving ourselves."

Joseph Fleury: "The album turned up on bootleg some time later, called "California Folk Songs" and it was really psychodelic. Tomorrow meets Syd Barret meets Frank Zappa."

In 1997, I was given the opportunity to get a copy of the album on cd and couldn't believe it. Before I actually received it, the person who gave it to me described it as "exactly the music that you should expect from an album recorded before the Halfnelson album."

And it is. "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing" is an amazing album, much better and more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. It actually does sound exactly the way you would have expected it to sound, only better. There are two songs on it, which are early versions of songs that we all know: Roger and Saccharin And The War, both penned by Russell. All the other songs have never been released before or after, for that matter.

It is still not quite clear to me, how the recordings of this album turned up all of a sudden but it was suggested recently, that they were taken from the original acetate. American fan Tim Sewell was able to find out the official titles of the songs and Madeline Bocardo was able and patient enough to sit down and write down most of the lyrics, as she heard them.

If you have become a Sparks follower during the Moroder years, during the American success in the first part of the 80's or an even as recent as during their come back with Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, the Halfnelson demo album might not be all that interesting to you.

If you are a Sparks fan however since the early 70's and you are fascinated by the Bearsville releases, then you would simply adore this album, like I do. Someone recently said to me: "Do you ever see the Maels bettering this?" Quite frankly, I've got my doubts.

Chile Farm Farney (1:27)
The album opens with a very cheerful song in which Ron's piano playing is very much like he'd later do on the Island albums. Russell's (?) bass lines are very much present and also Earle's guitar's clearly there. The keyboard does not sound as an organ in this song, where it does in most other tracks of the album. The voice of Russell is very recognisable in his falsetto and any Sparks fan would immediately pick out this song as typically Sparks. If there should be made a comparison to other bands, I would have to say that this song probably sounds the most like what Sparks would do during their Island years.

Johnny's Adventure (2:52)
This song I instantly liked very much. It starts off with Ron's organ only after which Russell joins him. For about 11 seconds, it's only Ron's organ and Russell's voice. A heavy bass line and a clearly speed-up guitar are added, the latter also appearing later in the song as a solo instrument. The song is built up by variations in tempo and ends in a cacophony of sounds with a prominent role for the guitar which sounds like a bomb exploding. The very last seconds of the song contain Russell's multiple serene voices slowly fading out. There are no drums on this songs.

Roger (2:28)
Roger is the first song that we all (at least most of us) should know. The version is not all that different from the later album version, although it is very easy to hear how Early has played with his tape recorder to speed up his guitar to create funny sounds. The rhythm is, like on the official version, done by cymbals and the sounds of drum sticks on half-empty (or half-full, if you're that kind of person) bottles. The bass guitar is quite unnoticeable. With this original only being 2 seconds shorter than the official version, it is clear that Todd Rundgren did not change too much on this song. It kind of makes you wonder why they needed Rundgren in the first place and whether he was just the name they needed rather than a producer as their own production doesn't differ that much from the ones apparently done later by Todd Rundgren.

Arts & Crafts Spectacular (2:33)
When I first heard this song, I was convinced the title was "Lovely Claudine Jones". It wasn't. The first song of the album that actually contains drums, although I'm not so sure what kind of drums were used. The Maels later always claimed that they used cardboard boxes for drum kits and I'm inclined to believe them after having heard this song. This song is an absolute gem and it includes Russell's multi-vocals in such a way that it almost makes this song mystical. Again, they change regularly from up-tempo to a more modest tempo, and Ron's organ is very prominent indeed.

What strikes me most on this album is the fact that they never ever play the rhythm guitar as it is done nowadays. All instruments, with the exception of the keyboards are almost used fragmentally and although on quite a regular basis, nearly always in a different form. You hear a guitar when you least expect it and you're waiting for the bass line to join in, in vain.

Russell's vocals all over the album are remarkable and immediately recognisable. No other person could have sung the way he sang these lines.

Landlady (2:41)
Landlady starts off with a vocal cacophony in which probably even Ron Mael joined in. The whole song is very atmospheric and mystical and it somehow reminds me of something that could have been played at the house of the Adams Family. Sinister and fascinating at the same time, with beautiful guitar riffs from Earle and a heavy bass line. And there's always Ron's organ, very, very noticeable. Beautiful song.

The Animals At Jason's Bar & Grill (2:36)
If one song should be mentioned as being influenced by The Kinks, it's probably this one. Cheerful, up-tempo with very funny lyrics. Again, hardly any drums but a lot of harmony vocals, probably all by Russell. Fragmental guitar riffs by Earle and Ron using his keyboard as piano again, for a change. Very good.

Big Rock Candy Mountain (1:29)
Amazing song, this one. Didn't sound like Sparks at all at first, except for Russell's vocals. Reminded me very much of the Strawberry Alarm Clock and the Mamas & Papas. The main instruments are actually Ron's keyboard and the bass line while it contains Russell's first attempt to match the sound of an opera singer, which he masters quite well. Modest applause has been included for that. One of my favourites.

Millie (2:07)
Catchy, up-tempo tune but tends to get a bit boring after having heard it a number of times. This is probably also due to the fact that the recording is kind of shrill. The melody is lovely though and apart from all the regular instruments that were used for this album, I think I can hear marimbas as well. Not my favourite song from the album but I'm glad I can listen to it now and then.

Saccharine And The War (2:36)
This version of the songs which also appears on the Halfnelson album is much more laid back than the later recording. It has a funny guitar riff and the bass guitar is also more noticeable. Again, Todd, did not change all that much from the original version, except for speeding it up a little and making it sound a bit more professional. Liked the song when I heard the official version and still like it now. Don't ask me which version I'd prefer however, as I genuinely would not know.

Join The Firm (3:53)
Now this one really sounds a lot like some of the psychedelic Doors songs. Very prominent organ, heavy bass lines, some guitar riffs and a lot of multiple vocals. Mystical, atmospheric again. What the hell were they trying to prove? Great song though, one of my favourites. Hard to describe really, it should be listened to instead.

Jane Church (3:27)
Ron really gets the chance to try out whether his piano lessons were any good to him. Although he's using the keyboard as an organ again, this was probably the most difficult song for him to play. Beautiful ensemble playing between him and Earle.

When I first heard the actual title of the song, I thought it might be about Andy Warhol's Factory but unfortunately, I have been unable to find out more of the lyrics so I'm not sure what it is about. Never mind, I really do like this one a lot.

The Factory (2:32)
Despite its beautiful title, this song is hard to swallow and it's probably Sparks' (or Halfnelson, if you like) least accessible song ever recorded. The song seems to lack structure and if you hear it for the first time, you might consider it as just a bunch of noise.

This song however, as the whole album is very typical for that specific time and place. It's ultimately dated and that's what probably makes it so beautiful as Sparks never did sound dated and they probably didn't when they were recording this.

Whether it was consciously or unconsciously, Halfnelson has captured the spirit of the late Sixties perfectly with the recording of this demo. It includes both chaos and harmony (Vietnam vs Flower Power), conventional and renewing sounds (influences by the above-mentioned bands vs Ron's refreshing piano techniques (mind you; not the organ)) and Russell's theatrical approach) and then there's the lyrics.

The lyrics already hesitatingly indicate the true genius of Ron Mael that would clearly come out after his career as a composer/musician finally started properly.

For real Sparks collectors, this album is indispensable. If you're not too fond of any pre-Moroder recordings, you shouldn't bother. How and when this album has ever been rediscovered, I do not know. I just would like to thank whoever made it possible to enable us to listen to it nowadays, not including the musicians obviously as for me, it has been the most important album for the last ten years by any artist.

Ruud Swart

Halfnelson / Sparks 1971/1972 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Earle Mankey - guitar Harley Feinstein - drums Jim Mankey - bass Produced by Todd Rundgren

A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing 1973 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Earle Mankey - guitar Harley Feinstein - drums Jim Mankey - bass Produced by Thaddeus James Lowe

Kimono My House 1974 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Adrian Fisher - guitar Dinky Diamond - drums Martin Gordon - bass Produced by Muff Winwood

Propaganda 1974 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Adrian Fisher - guitar Dinky Diamond - drums Ian Hampton - bass Trevor White - guitar Produced by Muff Winwood

Indiscreet 1975 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Dinky Diamond- drums Ian Hampton - bass Trevor White - guitar Produced by Tony Visconti

Big Beat 1976 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Hilly Boy Michaels - drums Jeffrey Salen - guitar Sal Maida - bass Produced by Rupert Holmes

Introducing 1977 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Lots of studio musicians: Ben Benay Alan Broadbent David Foster Ed Greene David Paich Mike Porcaro Reinie Press Lee Ritenour Thom Rotella Background vocals: Tom Bahler Al Capps Stan Farber Jimmy Haas Ron Hicklin Mark Piscitelli Nick Uhrig Produced by Terry Powell, Ron Mael and Russell Mael Engineered by Lenny Roberts

No. 1 In Heaven 1979 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Keith Forsey - drums Produced by Giorgio Moroder

Terminal Jive 1980 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Produced by Giorgio Morodor and Harold Faltermeyer

Whomp That Sucker 1981 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Bob Haag - guitar David Kendrick - drums Leslie Bohem - bass Produced by Mack

Angst In My Pants 1982 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Bob Haag - guitar David Kendrick - drums James Goodwin - keyboards Leslie Bohem - bass Produced by Mack

In Outer Space 1983 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Bob Haag - guitar David Kendrick - drums James Goodwin - keyboards Leslie Bohem - bass Produced by Ron Mael and Russell Mael

Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat 1984 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Bob Haag - guitar David Kendrick - drums John Thomas - keyboards Leslie Bohem - bass Produced by Ian Little

Music That You Can Dance To 1986 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Bob Haag - guitar David Kendrick - drums John Thomas - keyboards Leslie Bohem - bass Robert Mache - guitar on 'Fingertips' Produced by Ron Mael and Russell Mael

The CD is released by Curb Records as The Best Of Sparks - Music That You Can Dance To, with Armies Of The Night replaced by Change

Interior Design 1988 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards John Thomas - keyboards Spencer Sircombe - guitars Pamela Stonebrook - backing vocals on Just Got Back From Heaven Photography: Christi Haydon Produced by Ron Mael and Russell Mael

Rough Design (bootleg) 1998 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Demo and alternate versions for the 'Interior Design' album.

Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins 1995 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Special thanks to (a.o.) Christi Haydon Produced by Ron Mael and Russell Mael

Plagiarism 1997 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Multiple guests musicians Orchestral and choral arrangements by Tony Visconti Produced by Tony Visconti, Ron Mael and Russell Mael

One And A Halfnelson (bootleg) 1975 (LP) 1995 (CD) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Adrian Fisher - guitar Dinky Diamond - drums Ian Hampton - bass Trevor White - guitar

Get Crazy 1983 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

Splashdance 1983 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

Where The Boys Are 1984 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

Gunther Koch Revisited 2001 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

One Word One Sound 2002 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Tamera Glover - drums/vocals

Sparks had the cool idea to let Tammy (?) recite the letter sent by the record label with all the details about the project and contract details, even the info on the payment of 2500 deutschmarks is included :-) The whole is accompanied by piano- and string sounds plus striking backing vocals (reminiscent of the "La la la la" in "It´s Educational") which gives "Kakadu" a rather dramatic-melancholic feel.

Heavenly Bodies 1984 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

The Best Of Sparks (compilation) 1979/1981 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

HTV Music History (compilation) 2001 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

Sparks Greatest - Music Gallery (compilation) 2001 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

Mael Intuition (compilation) 1990

Amateur Hour (CD & Video-CD) (compilation) 1995 Live recordings from German TV program Musikladen 1974, the first 4 tracks have also been put on a separate video-CD.

The 12 Inch Mixes (compilation - BUD/Oasis) 1996 Compilation of some of the 12 Inch mixes

Sparks 12" Mixes (compilation - Oglio Records) 1999 Compilation of some of the 12 Inch mixes

The Ultimate Hits Of Sparks - No. 1 In Heaven (compilation) 1995 Compilation

Profile - Disk 1 (compilation) 1991 Compilation

Profile - Disk 2 (compilation) 1991 Compilation

Sparks Oglio Catalog Sampler (compilation) 1998 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

The Hell Collection (compilation and rare tracks) 1993 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

The Heaven Collection (compilation) 1993 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

The History Of Sparks (compilation) 1981 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

In The Swing (compilation) 1993 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us (compilation) 2000 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

This album is a re-release of the "In The Swing" compilation, with different artwork.

KBFH Live concert (live concert 11.07.1982) 1982 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

If you can supply us the tracklist, please email us.

BBC Rock Hour (live at "The Whiskey", Hollywood, CA, USA - 13.06.1982) 1982 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

BBC Rock Hour (live concert 05.06.1983) 1983 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

In Concert (live concert 18.07.1983) 1983 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

If you can supply us the tracklist, please email us.

Westwood One In Concert (live concert 22.07.1983) 1983 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

If you can supply us the tracklist, please email us.

French Pineapple (home made) 1997 / 2000 (updated version) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

The 2000 (remastered) release also contains: Pink Panda
The Great Leap Forwards
Hey Skinny

Instant Darlings Live (home made) 1997 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards This CD contains 7 speed-corrected/noise-reduced songs from the One And A Halfnelson LP (bootleg with live recordings from 1974), as well as 9 songs recorded live at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon U.K., 1975.

Halfnelson Demos (home made) 1998 Russell Mael - vocals & bass (!) Ron Mael - keyboards Earle Mankey - guitar John Mendelsohn - drums Surly Ralph Oswald - bass (?) From an acetate of demo songs that Halfnelson recorded. First 12 tracks as the A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing Demo LP, last 6 tracks from a live audience tape recorded at the First Annual Beach Scene Festival, Los Angeles 08/03/86.

Live At The Key Club 11/14/98 (home made) 1998 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Tamera Glover - drums Highlights from the L.A. Key Club concert, live audience recording.

Balls 2000 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Tamera Glover - drums Aksinja Berger - Aeroflot hostess Amelia Cone - narration on Scheherazade

The Japanese edition also contains:
The Calm Before The Opera
The Calm Before The Storm - full length instrumental

Lil' Beethoven 2002 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Tamera Glover - drums / vocals Dean Menta - guitars John Thomas- Mixing and additional engineering Sparks live technician-Robert Garnham Sparks live sound-Cristiano Avigni Design by Dave Park Photography by Aaron Rapoport Video production by Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Deygas Feature films by Don Murphy and Susan Montford UK Charge d'affaires- Sue Harris, Republic Media German public relations-Mike Koehler All songs published by Avenue Louise Music/BMG/Ufa Publishing

Live At The Bottom Line 12/21/76 (home made) 1998 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards David Swanson Hilly Boy Michaels Jim McAllister Luke Zamperini Live audience recording

Bad Indiscretion (home made) 1997 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Songs from the unreleased soundtrack of "Bad Manners", outtakes from Indiscreet, demos for Arista Records, 1993 outtakes and a 1994 BBC Radio recording.

1994 BBC Radio recording:
Little Drummer Boy

Noel - Is There More To Life Than Dancing 1988 Noel - vocals All songs written and produced by Ron and Russell Mael.

Lio - Suite Sixtine 1982 Lio - vocals The last 6 songs have lyrics by Ron and Russell Mael.

Telex - Sex (Birds And Bees) 1981 Telex was Dan Lacksman, Michel Moers and Marc Moulin. Most of the songs have lyrics written by Ron and Russell Mael. (these songs have a link)

Les Rita Mitsouko - Marc & Robert 1988 Les Rita Mitsouko is Catherine Ringer and Fred Chichin. Three songs recorded with Ron and Russell Mael. (these songs have a link) Album produced by Tony Visconti.

Les Rita Mitsouko - Re 1990 Les Rita Mitsouko is Catherine Ringer and Fred Chichin. Two songs recorded with Ron and Russell Mael. (these songs have a link) All songs are remixes

Monitor Mixes: Kimono My House (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Monitor Mixes: Propaganda (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Monitor Mixes: Indiscreet (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Monitor Mixes: Big Beat (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Monitor Mixes: No. 1 In Heaven (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Monitor Mixes: Angst In My Pants (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Monitor Mixes: Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Logic Promo Cassette: Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins (home made) 1999 (Source unknown, promo cassette put on CD)

bonus tracks:
Lill Lindfors - Albert ar begavad Little Drummer Boy
Cigarettes And Politics

Live at The Greek (bootleg) 1999 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Tamera Glover - drums

Sparks Alabama Concert (bootleg) 2000 (Source unknown - recording of German TV show 1995) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Christi Haydon - drums

Rare Tracks (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Growing Pains / Bad Manners / Covers (home made) 1999 (Source unknown)

Balls But No Tits Nov. 1999 Shephards Bush Concert 1999 (Source unknown)

Live at Mile End Stadium BBC-1 radio broadcast 2000 (Source unknown)

Best Of 2000 Contains a 10 page booklet containing rare pics and a write-up by Chris Welch

Sparks Movie Music Sampler 2000 The cover has track listing on front with info panel at bottom with contact details for Imke Janiesch @REMOVETHISPART2REDUCESPAM DEF Ltd. Inside cover has full written details titled - Sparks scores which gives details of scores / songs that Sparks have contributed to, along with full album discography. The cover and inner are of paper and red in colour. The back cover in blue has has full written Sparks biography with again info panel at the bottom with DEF Ltd contact details. One thing to note is that the full discography on the inner cover does not mention "Balls". We believe this item was done by DEF before Sparks signed to WEA etc. as a sort of marketing / promotional tool to get them recognised again. The item is not a bootleg and is genuine. A number of items were found in California (just in a store), Esprit mail order sold them in the UK for 75 pounds each. (info from Andy Haskins)

Live at the Sun Theatre 08-26-2000 2000 (Source unknown)

Ron and Russell Mael at "Radio Cité" Brussels 23 dec 1984 in French about their favourite songs (bootleg) 2000 (Source unknown - recording of 1984 Radio Program)

Bonus track: Computer Girl (1967)

Radio One Live - 1994/1995 BBC acoustic sessions (bootleg) 2000 (Source unknown - recording of BBC Radio programs) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Christi Haydon - drums

Special cover:
Little Drummer Boy (acoustic live 1994)

Sparks Live At Shephards Bush Empire 20-12-1995 (bootleg) 2000 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Christi Haydon - drums

Sparks Live in Brighton - Dome Theatre 19-03-1995 (bootleg) 2001 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Christi Haydon - drums

Sparks Live in London - Astoria Theatre 06-12-1997 (bootleg) 2001 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Christi Haydon - drums

Bonus: My Way (The Sinatra version - MTV fragment)

Sparks Live in Paris - Olympia Theatre Oct 1975 / BBC Session 1974 (bootleg) 2001 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Adrian Fisher - guitar Dinky Diamond - drums Ian Hampton - bass Trevor White - guitar

BBC session - repetitions - 1974:
Here In Heaven (live 1974)
This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us (live 1974)
B.C. (live 1974)
Hasta Manana Monsieur (live 1974)
Something For The Girl With Everything (live 1974)
Talent Is An Asset (live 1974)
Thank God It's Not Christmas (live 1974)

Royal Festival Hall - London, 19 Oct 2002 (bootleg) 2002 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Tamera Glover - drums/vocals Dean Menta - guitar

cd2:
Hasta Manana Monsieur
Something For The Girl With Everything
Don't Leave Me Alone With Her
The Number One Song In Heaven / Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
Balls
Wonder Girl
Hospitality On Parade
(When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing
This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us
Amateur Hour

Misc. interviews 1 (bootleg) 2002 (Source unknown) Russell Mael Ron Mael Joseph Fleury - former Sparks manager

1-7: Joseph Fleury interviewed by Hamish Ironside by phone 1990
8: Dutch radio interview 1979
9: Dutch magazine interview 1979

Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 23/3/95 + misc. interviews (bootleg) 2002 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Christi Haydon - drums

Mark Radcliffe show 4/11/94 incl. This Town live
IQ interview 22/11/94
Kultkomplex interview 10/6/97

Quattro Club, Tokyo, 24/01/01 + Sparks as Radio Luxembourg DJs 1986 (bootleg) 2002 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Tamera Glover - drums

Bonus:
Sparks DJ'ing for Radio Luxembourg 1986

Rarities 2 (bootleg) 2002 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

Trisco - Muzak (lots of Sparks samples) - vinyl version
Trisco - Muzak (lots of Sparks samples) - Mr D.J.'s Audio Drive Remix

Mark Radcliffe Show 11-11-1994 + Parkpop Den Haag 25-6-1995 (bootleg) 2002 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Christi Haydon - drums

Parkpop Den Haag:
...Intro
The Number One Song In Heaven / Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
Something For The Girl With Everything
Beat The Clock
Let's Go Surfing
...Ron
When I'm With You
Do Re Mi
Angst In My Pants
Get In The Swing
When Do I Get To Sing "My Way"
Amateur Hour
(When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing
This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us

Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 23/3/95 + misc. interviews (bootleg) 2002 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards Christi Haydon - drums

cd2:
What Would Katherine Hepburn Say (Christi Haydon)
Amateur Hour
Now That I Own The BBC
When Do I Get To Sing "My Way"

B-sides on 12" (bootleg) 2002 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

Noel - Au Revoir

Leftovers (bootleg) 2003 (Source unknown) Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards

Sex Clark Five - Talent Is An Asset

Whomp That Sucker 2002 Russell Mael - vocals Ron Mael - keyboards