Here's some notes on the Magic Demo CD.

SPOILER ALERT - there's a couple of surprises you might like to keep for your own first listen, if so, don't read on!

Disclaimer - all opinions are subjective, so no slagging off please

First off, I'd be very surprised if any of this made up the 'finished' album that got played to Sardy for his opinion and subsequent involvement. It's very much demo quality, although nicely mastered obviously, and mostly sounds like Noel on his own.

Having said that, there are a couple of surprises, although overall I don't think anyone apart from 'fans like us' will have much of interest here.


'Everybody's On The Run'
this is the stripped back acoustic version that many have been waiting for. Bare bones of a great song, simple as that.

'Dream On'
A simple bass and drums accompanies a pretty straight take on what ends up on the album, complete with harmonies and arrangements. Bit of a lyrical difference with a repeat of the line "not a lot to see" in place of a lot of the "shout it out for me" bits...

'If I Had A Gun…'
The second simple acoustic and vocal demo, quite like the radio promo sessions he did at the start of the campaign although there's one major difference and the first big surprise. The line "waiting for the moment" which makes up such a great poignant part of the song overall is totally absent, instead the words "I'm holding on before the night is gone" are in their place... a small thing that makes a big difference in the final song.

'(People Who Would Be) The Death Of You And Me'
This is a slightly slower take on the song again with a simple bass and drums completing the basic arrangement along with the first showing of Noel's wonderful 'mouth trumpet'! Overall much more of an authentic Kink-sy feel than the find version.

'Record Machine'
Here is the BIG surprise - This IS the Oasis demo many of us will already have. It sounded like it at first listen and a careful A/B listen confirms. A slightly different mix, with some playground crowd effects just before the solo, but this is it. Far, far better than the overblown MOR nonsense that ended up on the album. Wonder if Gem/Andy/Zac will get any performance royalties from this release?

'Ride The Tiger AKA What A Life!'
This is another very complete one which is essentially the same as the album version, but without Sardy's influence it is much less Dad-Dance and hints at what could have been a much more Doves-like take on it rather than the Charlatans-lite that it became.

'Soldier Boys And Jesus Freaks'
Again simple bass, drums and 'vocal horns', same speed as the album, all the backing vocals in place and overall sounds a little more Oasisy than the final version is some indistinguishable way.

'Fallen Angel AKA Broken Arrow'
The third acoustic and vocal solo stripped back demo, I think it works much better as it highlights the song more. On the album it tends to blend in too much with those around it, a version like this would have made it stand out in a 'White Album' kind of way.

'(Stranded On) The Wrong Beach'
Driven by the bassline and a drum machine along with a treated vocal it all adds up to a bit more menace and again hints at how an unSardyised version may have sounded, for the better.

'Stop The Clocks'
A really strong vocal on this one, sounds like Noel had really geared up to it. Another one with simply an acoustic and some vocal effected sounds, there's no drums to crash in at the end, nor guitar solo, and I think it really works and could have made a much more effective album closer, leaving a little more to the imagination and that suits the plaintive mood of the song.

The non album tracks

'The Good Rebel'
Very similar to the released 'b' side version. Doesn't seem to be liked by a lot of people on this board, I love it and I'd guess it's a favourite of Noel's too as he plays it all the time in the sets.

'I'd Pick You Every Time'
The quirkiness of the released version is a great little departure for Noel but here a simple acoustic and vocal take is really charming and sounds less self consciously gimmicky. A little gem.

'Freaky Teeth'
I'd held back from listening to the youtube leak so this is a nice surprise, very much the same recording quality as 'Beach' and 'Soldier Boys' and coming across as much less 'House Of The Rising Sun' than the live version.

So, a great release for fans and plenty of ammunition for hours of playlist creating fun for the more sad amongst us. As at least seven of the 13 are Oasis era tunes all we need now is demos of "The Roller", "Morning Son", "Millionaire" and "Four Letter Word" to have that actual last Oasis album eh?