Dust Boat – The Merciful Release Recordings 1986 – 1989

James Ray & The Performance originally formed in Newcastle in the mid-1980s, around the duo of James Ray on vocals and Carl Harrison on various electronic instrumentation.

Prior to the release of their debut single 'Mexico Sundown Blues', produced by Andrew Eldritch from The Sisters Of Mercy in 1986, Ray had offered his vocals for the indie chart topping single 'Giving Ground' by The Sisterhood. This led directly to The Performance signing to The Sisters Of Mercy's own "Merciful Release" label, immediately making The Performance a cult smash, and 'Mexico Sundown Blues' an indie dance
floor filler.

This release kicks off with the 9 minute, 12" epic version of 'Mexico Sundown Blues', as well as the radio edit of the song, plus the brooding B-side 'Edie Sedgwick', also produced by
Andrew Eldritch, all aided and abetted by the Sister's trusty drum machine, Doktor Avalanche.

A year later, and also on Merciful Release, The Performance released their second single 'Texas', which follows a similar dance-rock-industrial groove as the debut. The original version of
'Mountain Voices' from the b-side of 'Texas' is included here on CD for the first time, as well as the song 'Johnny Goodbye'.

Third and last single from The Performance, 'Dust Boat' from 1989, also featured a live version of 'Southern White Knight', and what could almost be considered their theme song, 'A New Kind Of Assassin', with the latter two included here on CD for the first time.

This collection from their Merciful Release output also includes some rare and never before heard demos recorded prior to signing to the label, plus plenty of rare memorabilia and extensive liner notes based on new interviews with James Ray.

FOR FANS OF: THE SISTERS OF MERCY, MINISTRY, SUICIDE.