Oasis share previously unheard version of classic track
As Oasis gear up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Definitely Maybe, the former group have shared a previously unheard version of ‘Columbia’.
The new release has been labelled the ‘Sawmills Outtake’ as it was recorded at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall, and has a running time of over seven minutes, over a minute longer than the adored version that appeared on the band’s seminal 1994 album.
Oasis decamped to Cornwall after previous recording sessions took place at Monnow Valley Studio in Wales. The aim with the first set of sessions was to recreate the madcap chaos of their live shows, but it was a remit they felt like they missed, and therefore, they went down to Sawmills in order to capture the rawness they craved.
The newly shared version has been restored and mixed by Noel Gallagher along with engineer Callum Marinho as Gallagher looks to celebrate the landmark birthday with Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary Deluxe Editions, set for release on August 30th.
‘Columbia (Sawmills Outtake)’ is the first taster of what’s to come on the pending release, which is set to arrive complete with all tracks recorded during a session at Monnow Valley Studios, as well as outtakes from the final version made at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall.
Notably, it’s also set to include a previously unreleased demo version of ‘Sad Song’. While Noel sang on the original track, which was a bonus track on early Definitely Maybe issues, the demo features vocals by Liam.
The Definitely Maybe reissue is set to be released as a limited edition Deluxe 4LP, Deluxe 2CD, and an exclusive coloured vinyl edition. The coloured vinyl editions include a blue and white marble 2LP inspired by ‘Up In The Sky’ and a pink and white marble 2LP inspired by the ‘Digsy’s Dinner’ lyric, “Strawberries and cream.”
Currently, the United Kingdom is getting swept up with Definitely Maybe fever as Liam takes to arenas across the land to perform the album in full, delivering dosages of nostalgia through the veins of Oasis fans.
The opening night of the tour began in Sheffield at the Utilita Arena on June 1st, with Liam giving live debuts to rarities such as ‘Cloudburst’ and ‘I Will Believe’. Additionally, ahead of performing ‘Half The World Away’, originally sang by his brother Noel, Liam addressed the crowd to say: “I’m gonna dedicate this next tune to my brother”.
Furthermore, he also provided an unexpected live debut to the Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds track, ‘Lock All The Doors’, which was first recorded by Oasis as a demo in 1992 before Noel revived the creation two decades later.
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