When you’ve had a career as long and prolific as Blondie, you’re bound to come across a few forgotten songs. Such is the case with “Mr. Sightseer,” a previously unreleased track the band just unveiled for the first time.
Blondie recorded “Mr. Sightseer” in 1978, shortly after Chris Stein and Debbie Harry added a TEAC TCA-43 four track reel-to-reel to their home collection. The demo has a bit of an Eastern feel, with slow, psychedelic-sounding guitar soundtracking Harry’s request for Mr. Sightseer to take her for a ride. Grammy Award-winning engineer Michael Graves remastered the song for its release.
“Mr. Sightseer” appears on Blondie: Against the Odds 1974-1982, the band’s first-ever box set. At 124 tracks, the package includes remastered versions of Blondie’s first six albums with track-by-track commentary from the band, as well as their first studio session, alternate versions, outtakes, and demos. 36 of the songs have never been heard before — including the band’s recently released cover of The Doors’ 1967 single “Moonlight Drive.” Out August 26th via UMe and The Numero Group, the box set is available as 10xLP and 8xCD super deluxe collectors’ edition or 4xLP or 3xCD deluxe, and pre-orders are ongoing.
Blondie drummer Clem Burke joined Melvins’ Dale Crover, director Bob Hannam, and Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock for a recent cover of the Small Faces’ “Song of a Baker.” Blondie also have a few more shows with The Damned scheduled for this month; remaining tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
