NIRVANA – THE SHOW MUST GO ON: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

NIRVANA – THE SHOW MUST GO ON: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

 12-CD BOX SET FROM THE PIONEERS OF BRITISH PSYCHEDELIA - INCLUDES ALL

OF THE BAND’S STUDIO ALBUMS NEWLY REMASTERED, 3 BONUS DISCS OF OUTTAKES, DEMOS AND RARITIES + 90-PAGE HARDBACK BOOK

RELEASED BY MADFISH ON 12^TH SEPTEMBER 2025

PRE ORDER THE SHOW MUST GO ON HERE

Nirvana were essentially the duo of Irishman Patrick Campbell-Lyons and Greek Alex Spyropoulos – two immigrants who, following a chance meeting during the summer of 1966, became an integral part of the very fabric that was Swinging London. Crafting a visionary sound that moved beyond the confines of 1960s pop into baroque, psych and proto-Prog territory, Nirvana’s story remains a wonderful tale of artistic ambition. The Show Must Go On: The Complete Collection is a definitive 12-CD compendium that encompasses the complete studio recordings of Nirvana across 8 studio albums, all with newly remastered audio, as well as 3 additional discs of rare outtakes, demos and rarities. Some of the gems located on the bonus discs include the 1971 Vertigo label single ‘The Saddest Day of My Life’ and an alternative version of a 1973 Patrick Campbell-Lyons single ‘Everyone Should Fly A Kite’.

As well as the 12 CDs, The Show Must Go On: The Complete Collection also includes a beautiful 90-page hardback book that offers an intimate and detailed exploration of Nirvana's history, their creative evolution, and their indelible cultural footprint. Within its pages are interwoven with exclusive interviews featuring founding members Patrick Campbell-Lyons and Alex Spyropoulos, revealing their personal narratives, inspirations, and experiences crafting music during an era of profound experimentation and change. The book is further enriched by previously unseen photographs by Gered Mankowitz and archival materials that vividly capture the essence and atmosphere of the band's creative zenith.

This limited edition, one-time pressing presents the CDs in mini-LP sleeves featuring original artwork, all elegantly contained within a deluxe heavy lift-off lid box.

www.madfishmusic.com

DISC 1 – The Story Of Simon Simopath (Stereo)DISC 2 – The Story Of Simon Simopath (Mono)DISC 3 – All Of Us (Stereo)DISC 4 – Dedicated To Markos IIIDISC 5 – Local AnaestheticDISC 6 – Songs Of Love And PraiseDISC 7 – Orange And BlueDISC 8 – Me And My FriendDISC 9 – SecretsDISC 10 – Bonus Material (1) A collection of rare B-sides, alternate takes, and early versions, including collaborations with Spooky Tooth.DISC 11 – Bonus Material (2) Demos, instrumentals, and alternate mixes.DISC 12 – Bonus Material (3) Later-era rarities

The Show Must Go On Full Track listing here: 

Nirvana’s debut LP 1967’s ‘The Story Of Simon Simopath’ (released on iconic pink label Island Records) announced their arrival in spectacular fashion. Arguably one of the very first ‘concept’ albums that pre-dated the Who’s ‘Tommy’ and the Pretty Things’ ‘S.F. Sorrow’, it sounds as mint today as it did back in ’67. This was Nirvana getting started and a year later came another classic LP – ‘All Of Us’ featuring the chart hit ‘Rainbow Chaser’ and ‘Tiny Goddess’ which become a global smash for French singing and fashion icon Francoise Hardy. ‘All Of Us’ is now regarded as a psychedelic baroque pop tour de force akin to the Zombies equally brilliant ‘Odessey And Oracle’ which was released in the same year.

The title track from ‘All Of Us’ was then deployed as the theme tune to one of the cult movies of the era – 1968’s The Touchables directed by Beatles photographer Robert Freeman who had shot the iconic cover of ‘Rubber Soul’. The story followed four uber hip girls who kidnap a popstar and decide to keep him in a giant bubble until they decide what to do with him, and is a BFI endorsed super curio which is still very much spoken about in 60s culture fix circles.

Nirvana’s modus operandi was such that when in the studio, Patrick and Alex insisted on recruiting the best players and voices in the business. With arrangements under the guidance of conductor Syd Dale accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra, many of Nirvana’s recordings featured legendary UK session stalwarts Clem Cattini on drums, Alan Parker (guitar), Big Jim Sullivan (guitar), Herbie Flowers (bass), Alan Hawkshaw on organ plus the immeasurable vocal talents of Sunny and Sue Wheetman (who also appeared on Joe Cocker's With A Little Help From My Friends), Lesley Duncan, Kay Garner and Madeline Bell.  The prolific Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones/Traffic/Spooky Tooth) contributed, working alongside Island Records founder Chris Blackwell on production duties and playing drums on ‘Tiny Goddess’. Furthermore, studio wizards Tony Visconti (Bowie/T.Rex) and Muff Winwood (Spencer Davis Group/Sparks) also brought some of their own magic to the party, adding sonic flourishes to Nirvana’s already enchanting music.

Crafting a visionary sound that moved beyond the confines of the 1960s and into the early 70s, Nirvana recorded several more sonically adventurous albums particularly ‘Dedicated To Markos III’ and ‘Local Anaesthetic’. Their influence has echoed through the generations and continues to inspire artists to this day.

As for the name Nirvana, Patrick Campbell-Lyons and Alex Spyropoulos agreed to an out of court settlement in the 1990s with Kurt Cobain’s band that both acts could use the name simultaneously.

For further information: stuartkirkham@mac.com