Live at The Witch Trials

Written by:

Mark E Smith

Initial release:

Live at the Witch Trials, Step Forward Records LP: SFLP1

Date:

16 March 1979

Subsequent reissues:
Live at the Witch Trials, IRS Records.LP: IRS SP-003; 17th September 1979 (US edition of album)
Live at the Witch Trials, IRS Records.LP:SFAL1; Cassette: SFLPC1; CD: SFLPCD1; 1989
Live at the Witch Trials, Cog Sinister/Voiceprint. CD: COGVP103CD; January 1997
Live at the Witch Trials, Turning Point (Italy) LP: TPM02208 August 2002; August 2002
Live at the Witch Trials, Cog Sinister/Voiceprint.CD: COGVP138CD; 11th November 2002
Live at the Witch Trials, Castle/Sanctuary CD: CMQDD847; 26th January 2004
Live at the Witch Trials, Earmark (Italy) EAR40035LP; 5th July 2004
Live at The Witch Trials, Sanctuary BMGRM066LP; 21 August 2015 (vinyl)

Group on initial release:

Mark E Smith – vocals (and guitar and this track); Martin Bramah – guitar: Yvonne Pawlett – keyboards; Marc Riley – guitar; Karl Burns – drums

Commentary:

The steps theme (the previous track on the album is Two Steps Back).. “We’re still one step ahead of you”. While others fall behind, MES is ahead of the game. Another statement of intent and belief…he still has dreams and illusions which can be fulfilled. Self-belief in himself is very much present. But despite this, “still a lonely bastard”…does this reveal isolation, an occasional ebbing of confidence? In any case, an atmospheric and most unusual track.