The late singer’s acclaimed second solo album released on deluxe double vinyl and 2CD
Terry Hall’s Laugh is being reissued on 19 September as a deluxe double vinyl edition as well as a 2CD 7″ Gatefold deluxe set.
The double vinyl set will be available exclusively via DINKED, while a single LP black vinyl version, in the original sleeve, will be widely available.
Originally released on 6 October 1997 on the Southsea Bubble Company label, Laugh was the follow up to Terry’s debut (Home) and once again showcased the unique blend of wit, melancholy, and melody that marked Hall out as one of Britain’s most distinctive voices.
Much of Laugh was co-written with former Smiths guitarist Craig Gannon, with further collaborations from a stellar cast including Stephen Duffy, Sean O’Hagan (The High Llamas), and Damon Albarn of Blur – who had previously worked with Hall on his 1995 Rainbows EP. The album was produced by Hall himself, alongside Gannon and Cenzo Townshend, and has since gained cult status for its sharp songwriting, luminous melodies and intimate, understated arrangements.
This new version will be available as a Deluxe 2LP Red Vinyl edition and a 2CD Edition in Deluxe 7″ Gatefold packaging and includes the singles Ballad Of A Landlord and I Saw The Light. The new package features an alternate sleeve, and inside imagery, using recently discovered photographs from the original album shoot, taken by award-winning photographer Elaine Constantine.
Both sets also feature new liner notes by journalist and author Pete Paphides, who interviewed Terry on several occasions across his career and includes reflections from Damon Albarn, lan Broudie and Stephen Duffy among others.
Love Love Love
Terry Hall first came to prominence as the frontman, voice and co-songwriter of one of the UK’s most important groups The Specials. The Specials founded and spearheaded the legendary 2 Tone label and movement and are rightfully regarded as a major cultural and unifying force in Britain and beyond.
Together with Lynval Golding and Neville Staples, Terry left the Specials at the height of their fame and success and formed the Fun Boy Three who introduced the world to Bananarama, had a slew of hit singles and two much lauded hit albums, the second produced by David Byrne.
His subsequent career saw Terry start radically new ventures and collaborate with an astonishing array of musical talents including Tricky (Nearly God), Dave Stewart (Vegas), The Colourfield, Sinead O’Connor (All Kinds Of Everything), The Lightning Seeds (Sense) Andy Partidge (XTC), Mushtaq (The Hour Of Two lights) Toots & The Maytals and many others.
The Specials reformed and released two new albums, Encore (2019), their first ever No.1 album and 2021’s Protest Songs which saw Terry and the band continue to promote peace and unity, fight injustice and make thrilling timeless music while doing so.
Working Class Hero
These special editions expand Laugh across two discs: Disc One: The original studio album, newly mastered by Phil Kinrade at AIR Studios. Disc Two: B-sides, live recordings, and acoustic versions, includes exclusive LP of B-sides available on vinyl for the first time, including John Lennon’s Working Class Hero (Live), Bacharach & David’s Close To You and Terry’s version of the classic Music To Watch Girls By.
CD One
Love To See You
Sonny And His Sister
Ballad Of A Landlord
Take It Forever
Misty Water
A Room Full Of Nothing
Happy Go Lucky
For The Girl
Summer Follows Spring
The Light
CD Two
Ballad Of A Landlord (Acoustic Version)
Working Class Hero (Live)
Close To You
Music To Watch Girls By
Bang Went Forever
Love To See You (Acoustic Version)
Misty Water (Acoustic Version)
Terry Hall’s Laugh is available to pre-order here
Read More: The Story of 2 Tone Records
Classic Pop may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we think you will enjoy.
