Pure Cult

Background

Released on 1 February 1993, the compilation was not expected by singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy to perform strongly; they thought it would appeal only to collectors and die hard fans. In its first week, however, it reached number one on the British charts and went double platinum, selling over 200,000 copies. This success led to releases in several other European countries, where it reportedly reached number one in Portugal, and in Asia.

The album appeared in many forms: a single CD compilation of all work up to 1993, a double CD set with a live disc recorded at the Marquee Club in November 1991, a four-album box set that included the greatest hits and the live set (omitting the amplification breakdown portion), and a double album containing only the greatest hits. In Poland it was issued as a two-cassette tape set with slightly different artwork, titled Pure Cult - For Rockers, Ravers, Lovers, and Sinners, Volumes One and Two.

Various pressings included a UK two-LP set of the greatest hits, a UK four-LP box set with the full seven-minute version of The Witch and the two-LP Marquee show minus the amplification breakdown, and a UK two-CD set with the four-minute version of The Witch on disc one and the first half of the Marquee show on disc two. In Portugal and Brazil it was released as a two-LP set of the greatest hits. In Italy and the Netherlands it appeared as a single CD greatest hits compilation, with some copies including the second Live at the Marquee Club disc; both versions use the four-minute version of The Witch.

In the Philippines it was issued as a single cassette tape with the entire greatest hits and the four-minute version of The Witch, and was later reissued on cassette again.

Live Cult

Live Cult was recorded live at the Marquee Club, London on 27 November 1991. It was originally released in 1993 with the purchase of Pure Cult: For Rockers, Ravers, Lovers and Sinners, but only disc one of the two-disc set was included, along with an order form to purchase disc two. In 2000 the album was re-released with both CDs. The liner notes state the recording was completely live with no overdubs or edits.

All tracks were written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy. The setlist includes Part One: Nirvana, Lil' Devil, Spiritwalker, Horse Nation, Zap City, Brother Wolf, Sister Moon, Revolution, Love, Rain. Part Two: The Phoenix, Wild Flower, She Sells Sanctuary, Full Tilt, an amplification breakdown (an unplanned break when Billy Duffy's amp stopped working and Ian spoke with the audience), Peace Dog, Love Removal Machine, Earth Mofo, Fire Woman. The band consisted of Ian Astbury on vocals, Billy Duffy on guitar, Kinley Wolfe on bass, Michael Lee on drums, and John Sinclair on keyboards. Mixing was by Chris Sheldon, engineering by Gary Stewart.