1983–1991
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1983-1991 is a four-CD box set of material by goth supergroup This Mortal Coil, released in 1993 on the 4AD label. The box set was released only in the United States, and was distributed by Warner Bros. Records, with whom 4AD maintained a distribution deal at the time. This marked the first domestic USA release for most of the band's output, as only the debut, It'll End in Tears, had been released in the USA previously.
The box set contains all three of the band's LPs, presented in their original form, with no bonus tracks or extra material. The fourth CD is entitled "Original Versions," and features the original recordings of 21 of the many songs the band covered.
Featuring lavish packaging typical of 4AD and design associates V23, the box set has been out of print for many years, and is considered highly collectible amongst fans of the label. Used sets routinely fetch more than $100USD on eBay and other sites where used CDs are sold. On the other hand, some 4AD fans have been critical of the box set's shortcomings over the years. This includes the absence of the band's debut EP, Sixteen Days/Gathering Dust, the lack of any outtakes or other new material, and the fact that the "Original Versions" disc is missing several songs that had been covered by the band. Many fans were also upset that the set was not released in the UK, 4AD's home country, and where This Mortal Coil had experienced the most success.
The box set is dedicated to His Name Is Alive frontman Warren Defever.
The Original Versions track listing is:
- Another Day - Roy Harper
- Mr. Somewhere - The Apartments
- With Tomorrow - Gene Clark
- Holocaust - Big Star
- Kangaroo - Big Star
- Carolyn's Song - Rain Parade
- I Want to Live - Gary Ogan & Bill Lamb
- Alone - Colin Newman
- Drugs - Talking Heads
- Help Me Lift You Up - Mary Margaret O'Hara
- Song to the Siren - Tim Buckley
- Morning Glory - Tim Buckley
- I Must Have Been Blind - Tim Buckley
- Several Times - Pieter Nooten & Michael Brook
- The Jeweller - Pearls Before Swine
- I Come and Stand at Every Door - The Byrds
- I Am the Cosmos - Chris Bell
- You and Your Sister - Chris Bell
- 'Til I Gain Control Again - Emmylou Harris
- Nature's Way - Spirit
- Strength of Strings - Gene Clark