Johnny Marr shares previously unheard recording

Delving into the Boomslang-era archive, Johnny Marr shares previously unheard recording of The Way That It Was with his band the Healers.

The previously unreleased song, taken from the upcoming special edition release of the Johnny Marr + the Healers’ album Boomslang (Deluxe), follows the release of All Out Attack.

Listen The Way That It Was below:

Exciting Period

First released in 2003, Boomslang will now be available in its entirety for the first time from 20 September.

In addition to the album’s 11 original songs, Boomslang (Deluxe) offers fans more new and unheard music. Seven previously unreleased archive recordings from the Healers era, titled All Out Attack, You Are The Magic (Union Mix), Get Me Wrong, A Woman Like You, a cover of Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right, plus the extended mix of original album track Get Me Wrong’(Instrumental Version), and The Way That It Was will all feature on the album for the first time.

After becoming a member of The Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Neil Finn’s 7 Worlds Collide, and writing and performing with Pet Shop Boys, Bryan Ferry, Kirsty MacColl, Talking Heads, Beck and countless others, Johnny Marr + the Healers formed by chance.

The guitarist first met drummer Zak Starkey following a Who concert at Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1999. Former Kula Shaker bassist Alonza Bevan joined the pair later. Percussionist Liz Bonney emerged from Byron Bay with Lee Spencer’s synth wizardry in tow. Adam Gray summoned his slide guitar for the ‘Electro-Cosmic-Blues’ and, united by chemistry and cosmic energy, the Healers came into existence.

Cosmic Energy

Boomslang was inspired by the far-reaching sounds of Faust, Boards Of Canada, Neu, Bert Jansch, and literature by Madame Blavatsky, Ouspensky and Gurdjieff. The ethos was to create an interesting rock record to space out to. A six piece band seeking an alternative to the 1990s British indie zeitgeist.

Reflecting on Boomslang, Johnny Marr said:  “Everything was about discovery. Twenty years on, I’m pleased we created the music and this new release of Boomslang has given me the opportunity to revisit it and present some songs that we weren’t able to include the first time around. The Healers was something special that happened to me and I’m grateful that it did. A special group of people in a special moment in time.”

Revisit A Special Moment In Time

Boomslang will be released on formats including 2LP 180g vinyl, 2CD and HD streaming/download. The 2LP edition includes five additional tracks, The Way That It Was, All Out Attack, Get Me Wrong, Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right and A Woman Like You.

The 2CD and digital versions also include You Are The Magic (Union Mix) and Get Me Wrong (Instrumental Version). The album is newly mastered by original Boomslang engineer, Frank Arkwright.

To pre-order Boomslang click here

Read more: The Smiths – the complete guide