Vinyl Icons

Solitude Standing makes for an intriguing discography because its 90 plus editions feature some unusual artefacts including a complete live album and a compilation of versions of 'Tom's Diner' by different artists.

Original LP (1987)
Although Vega has expressed reservations about how this album [A&M SP-5136] turned out, and despite the tracks having been recorded in several different studios, it didn't sound at all bad. It was mastered at Precision Lacquer in Hollywood, and pressed by Electrosound Group Midwest in Shelbyville, Indiana, neither of which now exist. The LP was joined by a cassette in the UK [SUZMC2].

Original CD (1987)
Most folks seem to consider this CD [A&M CD 5136] to be acceptable, although it has attracted some criticism for a sound quality described as 'thin and shrill'. Subsequent remastered CDs have certainly improved on the audio quality.

Tom's Album (1991)
Not, strictly speaking, a version of Solitude Standing, but any committed Vega Fan will find this [A&M 75021 5363 2] a fascinating artefact. Having realised that 'Tom's Diner' had taken on a life of its own as a song to cover and sample, it was decided to release a compilation featuring versions by DNA, Nikki D, Beth Watson, Peter Behrens, Michigan And Smiley, Bingo Hand Job and others, despite the fact that some of them had been recorded without permission.

By way of an at least partial explanation of the song's huge popularity with hip-hop artists, Vega has pointed out that she grew up in Harlem in the '70s when the hip-hop culture was emerging, so the rhythms of that music were part of her psyche. 'If you take any hip-hop rhythm and you sing "da-da-da-da" over it, it works,' she states.

Japanese CD (2010)
This Super High Material CD [A&M, UICY-94434] was the first remastered [96kHz/24-bit] edition, released in Japan and claiming 'greater clarity, depth and sound definition to bring the listener closer to the quality of the original master.' It featured a cardboard sleeve that was a mini-replica of the original LP artwork.

Solitude Standing, Live At The Barbican (2012)
Recorded in London at the last of four 25th Anniversary concerts, this 2CD limited edition [Concert Live CLCD440] offers one CD of the entire album plus a second disc of other songs performed at the show. It was available for purchase instantly after the event, and released throughout Europe about a year later.

180g Vinyl Edition (2017)
Fans have been asking for years why there was no 180g version and now there is [A&M 00602557279931]. Part of the Back To Black series, it includes an album download voucher.