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Last Train to Trancentral

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For the Blue Man Group cover and EP, seeLast Train to Trancentral (EP).
"Last Train to Trancentral"
Pure Trance Original cover
SinglebyThe KLF
ReleasedMarch 1990 (Pure Trance 5)
22 April 1991 (Live from the Lost Continent)
RecordedTrancentral
GenreElectronic
Length6:42
LabelKLF Communications(UK)
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Bill Drummond & Jimmy Cauty
The KLFsingles chronology
"Kylie Said to Jason"
(1989) 		"Last Train to Trancentral"
(1990) 		"What Time Is Love? (Live at Trancentral)"
(1990)
Drummond and Cauty singles chronology
"3 a.m. Eternal (Live at the S.S.L.)"
(1991) 		"Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)"
(1991) 		"America: What Time Is Love?"
(1991)
Alternative covers
Live from the Lost Continent cover

"Last Train to Trancentral"is a song released, in differentmixes,as a series of singles by British electronic bandThe KLF,including "Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)". A commercially successful single of April 1991, it reached number two on theUK Singles Chart,number one on theUK Dance Singles Chartand achieved internationaltop tenplacings. It is a central song within The KLF's work, and is distinctive for an uplifting string-synthesiserbreak.

Origins and versions

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"Last Train to Trancentral" is related to The KLF's unreleased earlier tracks "E-Train to Trancentral" and, from the 1989 soundtrack to their filmThe White Room,"Go to Sleep". Both the film and the soundtrack were abandoned in 1989, due to spiralling costs and the commercial failure of the soundtrack single "Kylie Said to Jason". However, much of the musical material was salvaged and substantially remodelled to form the basis of their later, commercially successful work. In particular,bootleggedcopies of "Go to Sleep" reveal manychord sequencesand melodies later used in "Last Train to Trancentral".

One month prior to the "Pure Trance" single release, many of the same core elements were also used in ambient form during the tracks "Wichita Linemanwas a Song I Once Heard "and" Trancentral Lost in My Mind "on the KLF's third album,Chill Out(1990).

Pure Trance version

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The original March 199012 "singleconstituted the third of The KLF's "Pure Trance" series. The sleeve, emblazoned with the number 5, reflects The KLF's prior intention that this be the fifth contribution to the series, but two titles ( "Love Trance" and "Turn up the Strobe" ) were never released despite the sleeves having been printed.[1]

The "Pure Trance" version of "Last Train to Trancentral" is aminimalistambient housereworking of "Go to Sleep", stripped of the female vocals and all but one line ( "And from somewhere, I hear" ) of The KLF co-founderBill Drummond's narration. It features a strained, chordless synthesiser melody and a progressive instrumental build-up into a string-orchestratedbreak.Some parts of the track are purely percussive, punctuated by the bleats ofsheep.The track was incorporated into The KLF's February 1990 album,Chill Out(most prominently on the track "Wichita Lineman Was a Song I Once Heard" ), an album for which they have been credited as pioneers of the ambient house genre.[2][3]Indeed, upon its release, "Last Train to Trancentral (Pure Trance version)" was not easily categorised, withRecord Mirrorclaiming that "it isn't a dance track".[4]

"Last Train to Trancentral (Pure Trance version)"
A more upbeat section of the track, leading into percussive ambience.
"Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)"
The same chord sequence, given the full-on "Stadium House" treatment.
"Last Train to Trancentral (LP version)"
The distinctive string-orchestrated break.
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LP version

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In March 1991, a version of "Last Train to Trancentral" appeared on The KLFLPThe White Room.Featuring vocals byreggaemusician Black Steel and a rap byRicardo Da Force,thishousereworking follows a conventionalsong structure,with a rhythm that mimics the sound of a train in motion along its tracks. It uses the theme of a journey to bridge the two sides of the LP, from uptempo pop-house music to adowntempocollection of songs.

Stadium House version

[edit]

In April 1991, some elements of the "LP Version" were further reworked into a commercially minded single release. Entitled "Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)", this was the third and final instalment of The KLF's so-called "Stadium House Trilogy" of singles, following up "What Time Is Love?"and"3 a.m. Eternal"during the peak of the band's mainstream popularity. This version reached number two on theUK Singles Chart,and found top ten chart success internationally. The track preserves thechord progressionand string break of previous versions, placed in the context of a relentless,sample-filledravearrangement.Unlike the prior Stadium House offerings,Ricardo Da Force'srapwas removed, except for "This is what The KLF is about, also known as The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, furthermore known as The JAMs...", but the trilogy is consolidated by the presence of distinctive samples from both "What Time Is Love?" and "3 a.m. Eternal". As with much of The KLF's output, the track is jubilant and highlyself-referential,purporting that it has a message to deliver yet proceeding with deliberate ambiguity. Also typical of The KLF, it refers toThe Illuminatus! Trilogynovels and theLost Continent of Mu.The song features on The KLF's videoThe Stadium House Trilogy.

A remix 12 "credited toThe Moody Boyswas released alongside the Stadium House arrangement. Entitled "The KLF Meets The Moody Boys Uptown", The Moody Boys' remixes bear little resemblance to the released song, drawing on parts of "Go to Sleep" that are not common to other versions of "Last Train to Trancentral", and a sample of "Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity" fromThe Planetssuite byGustav Holst,which was allegedly meant to be used as an intro in "E-Train to Trancentral".

The song opens with a sampled American-accented voice saying "Okay, everybody, lie down on the floor and keep calm," reportedly spoken by KLF publicistScott Piering.

Reaction and influence

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Larry FlickfromBillboardcommented, "Matching the brilliantly kooky,Tammy Wynette-fronted "Justified & Ancient"is a tall order, but the mysterious production team succeeds by sticking to an enticing combo of odd samples, funky beats, and anthemic chorus chants."[5]

A reviewer fromRecord Mirrornoted the "ethereal atmospherics" of the "Pure Trance" version,[6]but the single was poorly received byMelody Maker,who interpreted it as a joke: "'Look how mischievous we are', the fatheads giggle!"[7]In 1991, the magazine'sEverett Truewrote, "'Last Train' completes the triumvirate of singles which started with 'What Time Is Love?' and continued with '3am Eternal'. It's in pretty much the same vein — loads of samples cheering, chanting, mentions of The Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu and sequenced vocals. It's awesome, no mistaking that — and different enough to be another smasheroonie."[8]In comparing "Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)" to the KLF single "Justified and Ancient", Simon Williams fromNMEcalled the former a "sheer frantic rush".[9]NMEalso named the single as 15th best of 1991.[10]

Caroline Sullivan fromSmash Hitswrote about the song, "" Last Train "follows the" 3am Eternal "formula: a live feel, huge, swirlaway beat and insanely catchy chorus." All aboard, all aboard, woh-oh, "barks the singer, and you immediately want to put your hands in the air and shake them like you just don't care."[11]

Allan Harrison fromSplendidMagazine said of the LP version, "The cries of" Mu Mu! Mu Mu! Mu Mu! Mu Mu! "take on a strangely liberating, mantra-like feel. It's the essence of great pop music, of great dance music, wholly compressed."[12]

In 1999, Tom Ewing ofFreaky Triggerranked the song at number 42 in his list of the "Top 100 Singles of the 90s", saying "No band understood the possibilities for mass lunacy contained in the new music as well as did the KLF. [...] Read a copy ofThe Manual,Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty’s pricelessly cynical dissection of the process needed to have a No.1 hit, and the depth of their understanding begins to show through. For novelty scam-mongers and pranksters, they knew the public well, particularly that strain in British pop listening which likes an occasional brush with the gigantic. The KLF did to house whatJim Steinmandid to rock – they turned it into a thing of tottering grand opera absurdity, pushed the excitement in the music to hysteria, traded content for ever-huger gesture. The difference being that the KLF never lost track of what made the music special in the first place. Maybe because there’s less inherent ‘meaning’ in the KLF’s music, or maybe just because the ‘meaning’ in house music is less fragile, I don’t know, but no matter how vast “Last Train To Trancentral” sounds, it never loses its happy grip on your feet and heart. "[13]

"Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)" is used in the finale forBlue Man Group's theatrical show. Blue Man Group produced a special 5.1 version of the song utilizing some of their invented instruments for their newer performance venues. Blue Man Group'sThe Complexfeatures pieces from the so-called "Rock Concert Instruction Manual", a tongue-in-cheek deconstruction of pop music and the rock concert experience; this alludes to the KLF Communications publicationThe Manual.Theircover versionwas released as a single in 2006.

Trancentral

[edit]

Trancentral was described as "the spiritual home of The KLF".[14]This concept is reinforced by the "LP Version" of "Last Train to Trancentral", which describes the journey to Trancentral as a spiritual awakening, and the place itself a forum for spiritual realisation. Describing his journey, rapper Ricardo Da Force says "A brand new day is dawning, a light that will anoint me, a sign from the subconscious, an angel sent to guide me, the searchin' will be over, the call will now be gentle...". He also says, "Relax - there's only one place I'm headed now: I'm going into Trancentral where I can, you understand, liberate and free thepsyche,balance my mind and my body... ".[15]The KLF's later output implied that Trancentral was analogous to "Mu Mu Land" - the Lost Continent ofMu[16]- and that The KLF's journey "home" was ultimately unsuccessful.[17]

In reality, Trancentral was the name of The KLF'srecording studioinStockwell,that was also The KLF co-founderJimmy Cauty'ssquat.Cauty lived at Trancentral for approximately 12 years until Autumn 1991, claiming on one occasion, "I hate the place. I've no alternative but to live here".[18][19]Trancentral was described in February 1991 by a visitingMelody Makerjournalist, who noted:

The KLF's 'Trancentral' logo: speakers arranged in a 'T' shape.

There's little evidence of fame or fortune. The kitchen is heated by means of leaving the three functioninggas ringson at full blast until the fumes make us all feelstoned,there's a bag of litter in the hallway that everybody trips over going in and out of the place, as well as a very old motorbike... And, pinned just above a working top cluttered with chipped mugs is a letter from a five-year-old fan, featuring a crayon drawing of the band.[19]

Trancentral circa 1989 was described retrospectively as:

...a hugeVictorianterraced house.In the basement were theersatz'Trancentral Studios', where [The KLF's] finest moments were recorded. The upper floors were home to Cauty and wife Cressida, herself an artist, and several others. Friends recall the good times, at the height of the acid-rave scene, when the KLF would throw 'really brilliant fuck-off parties', sometimes lasting all weekend, with a fairly relaxed attitude to uninvited house guests ".[20]

Trancentral is often mentioned in The KLF's work, and is the likely motivation behind a motif of The KLF, in whichspeakersare arranged to form a capital T. Thislogoappeared onKLF Communicationsrecordings andmerchandise.

The name "Trancentral" lived on throughout the mid to late 90s, giving its name to a series ofpsychedelic tranceandacid technonights at the Tyssen Street studios inHackney.

Cover versions

[edit]
  • In 1999,Blue Man Groupcovered this song for the finale of their theatrical performances.
  • AniTunesexclusive 102 compilation released by Suite 102 calledThe Ultimate Rave Partyfeatured a cover of the song by Tokyo Soul.
  • In 2006, Slusnik Luna vs. Lowland released a remake of Last Train To Trancentral.

Personnel

[edit]

"Last Train to Trancentral (Pure Trance version)" was written and performed by The KLF (Bill DrummondandJimmy Cauty). For other versions of the song, credit is given to Drummond and Cauty forproduction,performance andprogramming.Additional contributors on these versions include:

  • Ricardo da Force- rap and narration
  • Black Steel - vocals (except Moody Boys versions)
  • Wanda Dee- vocals (the sample "Come on boy, d'ya wanna ride?" ) ( "Live from the Lost Continent" )
  • Maxine Harvey- vocals ( "LP version", Moody Boys versions)
  • Nick Coler- keyboards
  • Tony Thorpe- 'groove consultant' ( "Live from the Lost Continent" ), remixing (Moody Boys versions)

Formats and track listings

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"Last Train to Trancentral (Pure Trance remix)" was aired as a UK12 "singlein March 1990, in an issue limited to 2000 copies.[21]"Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)" was given an international release as a single on 22 April 1991.[22]A single ofremixesbyThe Moody Boyswas given a limited release on 6 May 1991.

Format (and countries) Track number
1 2 3
Pure Trance 5
12 "(UK) PR PO
Live from the Lost Continent
7 "single, cassette single lc H
12 "single (US) H LC V
12 "single (Denmark) LC lc H
12 "single (elsewhere) LC H
CD single (Austria) LC H PO
CD single (elsewhere) lc H PO
KLF Meets The Moody Boys Uptown
12 "single, CD single B R V

Key

  • PO - "Last Train to Trancentral (Pure Trance Original)" (6:44)
  • PR - "Last Train to Trancentral (Pure Trance Remix)" (5:50)
  • lc - "Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)" (radio edit) (3:37)
  • LC - "Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)" (5:36)
  • H - "Last Train to Trancentral (The Iron Horse)" (4:12)
  • V - "Last Train to Trancentral (Mu D. Vari-Speed Version)" (6:50)
  • B - "Last Train to Trancentral (808Bass Mix)" (6:15)
  • R - "Last Train to Trancentral (120 Rock Steady)" (6:09)

Charts and certifications

[edit]

References

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  1. ^Longmire, Ernie; et al. (2020) [1998]."Discography: The KLF (including The JAMS, The Timelords, 2K etc.)".Archivedfrom the original on 29 February 2020.
  2. ^Bush, John.Chill OutatAllMusic.Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  3. ^Sherburne, Philip(16 February 2020)."The KLF: Chill Out".Pitchfork.Retrieved25 March2020.
  4. ^"Last Train from Transylvania (sic)".Record Mirror(Review). 16 December 1989.Archived (via the Library of Mu) on 15 January 2018.Wikipedia:WikiProject The KLF/LibraryOfMu/110
  5. ^Flick, Larry(23 May 1992)."Single Reviews"(PDF).Billboard.p. 68.Retrieved24 October2020.
  6. ^"Last Train to Trancentral".Record Mirror(Review). 6 January 1990.
  7. ^"Last Train to Trancentral".Melody Maker(Review). 20 January 1990.
  8. ^True, Everett (4 May 1991)."Singles".Melody Maker.p. 33.Retrieved29 April2023.
  9. ^Williams, Simon (7 December 1991)."Justified & Ancient".New Musical Express(Review).Archived (via the Library of Mu) on September 16, 2016.Wikipedia:WikiProject The KLF/LibraryOfMu/267
  10. ^New Musical Express,chart of theNMEs favourite singles of 1991, 21 December 1991.
  11. ^Sullivan, Caroline (1 May 1991)."Last Train to Trancentral".Smash Hits(Review). p. 43. Archived fromthe originalon 24 March 2020.
  12. ^Harrison, Allan."The White Room".Splendid(review). Archived fromthe originalon 12 November 2006.
  13. ^Ewing, Tom (28 October 1999)."42. KLF –" Last Train To Transcentral "".Freaky Trigger.Retrieved8 January2017.
  14. ^Cauty, Cressida(December 1989)."KLF Communications Info Sheet 7".KLF Communications.Archived (via the Library of Mu) on 16 September 2016.Wikipedia:WikiProject The KLF/LibraryOfMu/507
  15. ^"Last Train to Trancentral (LP Version)".The White Room.The KLF.KLF Communications.1991. JAMS LP6.{{cite AV media}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^The KLF's December 1991 single, "Justified & Ancient (Stand by The JAMs)"includes the lyrics:" The last train left an hour ago, they were singing 'all aboard', all bound for Mu Mu Land... ". ("Justified & Ancient (Stand by the JAMs)".Justified & Ancient.The KLF.KLF Communications.1991. KLF 99CD.{{cite AV media}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link))
  17. ^"KLF Communications - Information Sheet 23".KLF Communications.May 1992.Archived (via the Library of Mu) on 5 October 2007.Wikipedia:WikiProject The KLF/LibraryOfMu/514
  18. ^Kelly, Danny(29 February 1992)."Welcome To The Sheep Seats".NME.Archived (via the Library of Mu) on 16 September 2016.Wikipedia:WikiProject The KLF/LibraryOfMu/297
  19. ^abStubbs, David (16 February 1991)."Pranks for the Memory".Melody Maker.Archived (via the Library of Mu) on 16 September 2016.Wikipedia:WikiProject The KLF/LibraryOfMu/202
  20. ^Sharkey, Alix (21 May 1994)."Trash Art & Kreation".The Guardian Weekend.Archived (via the Library of Mu) on 16 September 2016.Wikipedia:WikiProject The KLF/LibraryOfMu/384
  21. ^"The White Room - Information Sheet Eight".KLF Communications.August 1990.Archived (via the Library of Mu) on 5 October 2007.Wikipedia:WikiProject The KLF/LibraryOfMu/508
  22. ^"New Releases: Singles".Music Week.20 April 1991. p. 23.
  23. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral ".ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  24. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral "(in German).Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  25. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral "(in Dutch).Ultratop 50.Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  26. ^ab"Top 10 Sales in Europe"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 8, no. 22. 1 June 1991. p. 24.Retrieved21 March2018.
  27. ^"Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 8, no. 22. 1 June 1991. p. 27.Retrieved7 April2020.
  28. ^Pennanen, Timo (2006).Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972(in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi.ISBN978-951-1-21053-5.
  29. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral "(in French).Les classement single.
  30. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral "(in German).GfK Entertainment charts.
  31. ^"Nederlandse Top 40 – The KLF "(in Dutch).Dutch Top 40.
  32. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral "(in Dutch).Single Top 100.Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  33. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral ".Top 40 Singles.
  34. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral ".VG-lista.
  35. ^Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005).Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002(1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE.ISBN84-8048-639-2.
  36. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral ".Singles Top 100.
  37. ^"The KLF – Last Train to Trancentral ".Swiss Singles Chart.
  38. ^"Official Singles Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  39. ^"Top 60 Dance Singles"(PDF).Music Week.4 May 1991. p. 32.Retrieved27 September2020.
  40. ^"The KLF Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)".Billboard.Retrieved7 April2020.
  41. ^ab"1991 ARIA Singles Chart".ARIA.Retrieved7 April2020.
  42. ^"Jaaroverzichten 1991"(in Dutch).Ultratop.Retrieved7 April2020.
  43. ^"Eurochart Hot 100 1991"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1991. p. 21.Retrieved17 January2020– via American Radio History.
  44. ^"Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991"(in German).GfK Entertainment.Retrieved7 April2020.
  45. ^"Single top 100 over 1991"(PDF)(in Dutch). Top40.Retrieved13 April2010.
  46. ^"Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991"(in Dutch).MegaCharts.Retrieved7 April2020.
  47. ^"End of Year Charts 1991".Recorded Music NZ.Retrieved7 April2020.
  48. ^"Swiss Year-End Charts 1991"(in German).Retrieved7 April2020.
  49. ^"1991 Top 100 Singles".Music Week.London, England: Spotlight Publications. 11 January 1992. p. 20.
  • Author unknown (1991). "The KLF: Enigmatic dance duo" (feature and discography up to that time),Record CollectorMagazine, April 1991.
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