Footnotes

Accompanying the tape is a copy of an article by Peter Doggett in Record Collector magazine, April 1998, and other background information, including a transcription of the lyrics. Peter Doggett's article is an in-depth look at the history of the tape and a review of the eight tracks. It details how the original recipient of the tape first met Noel in the summer of 1985; he subsequently used to visit her flat during lunch-breaks whilst working on a nearby building site and on some evenings, engaging in '...heavy philosophical conversations...' Apparently Noel was too embarrassed to play the songs that he was beginning to write but eventually put these eight tracks onto tape and gave it to his friend. Doggett wrote that the tracks ...show little trace of the familiar, Beatlesque chord changes which have become the Oasis trademark...the predominant influence is the Smiths, and more particularly the guitar work of Johnny Marr. Almost all the songs are constructed around circular sets of chord changes, played on acoustic, with distinctive electric guitar riffs laid over the top. Droning organ chords, plus an occasional burst of electric rhythm, complete the musical palette available to Noel in 1988...'

The other side of the tape contains music recorded from the radio that Noel was listening to at the time and there are news items referencing Manchester from early 1988. Noel's break into the music business came from meeting the Inspiral Carpets' Clint Boon at a Stone Roses gig. Noel was invited to audition for the Inspiral Carpets but, failing to be recruited into the band, he became their roadie instead. Two years of touring followed and, during a break back in Manchester, Noel went to see his brother Liam singing with a band called Oasis. In October 1991, after being sacked by the Inspirals, Noel made his first appearance on stage with Oasis.

Provenance: Ex-lot 87, Christie's South Kensington, 'Pop And Guitars' auction, 30th April 1998.