Durutti Column, The - Short Stories for Pauline

Re-press of 500 x 180gm LP expected 5/26/2026
2xCD Short Stories for Pauline + Live in Bruxelles 13.8.1981 is in stock now.

LP description:

Factory Benelux presents a 180gm black vinyl edition of Short Stories for Pauline, the ‘lost’ fourth album by cult Manchester group The Durutti Column.

Originally recorded by Vini Reilly in Brussels in December 1983, the 14 track album features several key Durutti works including College, A Room in Southport and - best of all - Duet. Recorded with Tuxedomoon viola player Blaine L. Reininger, this poignant instrumental proved - ironically – to be the downfall of the album, after Factory founder (and Durutti manager) Tony Wilson insisted that Duet form the basis of an entire neo-classical album. As a result, Duet became Without Mercy in 1984, and Short Stories for Pauline was shelved.

Other guest musicians on the album include drummer Alain Lefebvre, harpist Anne van den Troost and sax player Eric Sleichim.

Just 500 copies of the 180gm vinyl edition have been pressed. Purchasers can also redeem a free digital version.

LP tracklist:

A1. At First Sight
A2. Duet
A3. College
A4. Invitations
A5. Destroy, She Said
A6. Model
A7. Journeys By Vespa
B1. Take Some Time Out
B2. A Silence
B3. Mirror A
B4. Cocktail
B5. Telephone Call
B6. Mirror B
B7. A Room in Southport

2xCD description:

Factory Benelux is pleased to announce a 2xCD edition of Short Stories for Pauline, the legendary ‘lost’ fourth album by cult Manchester group The Durutti Column.

Originally recorded by Vini Reilly in Brussels for Factory Benelux in 1983, the 14 track album features several exquisite pieces including College, A Room in Southport and (most notably) Duet. Recorded with Tuxedomoon viola player Blaine L. Reininger, this poignant instrumental proved - ironically – to be the downfall of the album, after Factory director (and Durutti manager) Tony Wilson insisted that Duet form the basis of an entire neo-classical album. As a result, Duet became Without Mercy in 1984, and Short Stories for Pauline was shelved.

Although individual tracks from Short Stories for Pauline have appeared on several compilations, notably highbrow Crépuscule collection Hommage à Marguerite Duras, this is the first time the original album has appeared in its entirety. The 2012 remastered edition is a must for Vini Reilly and Factory collectors alike, and a priceless addition to the Durutti canon.

The CD edition comes with a bonus disc, comprising 10 tracks recorded live in Brussels on 13 August 1981 together with a Vini Reilly radio interview.

CD1: Short Stories For Pauline

1. At First Sight
2. Duet
3. College
4. Invitations
5. Destroy, She Said
6. Model
7. Journeys by Vespa

8. Take Some Time Out
9. A Silence
10. Mirror A
11. Cocktail
12. Telephone Call
13. Mirror B
14. A Room in Southport

CD2: Live in Bruxelles 13.8.1981

1. Sketch for Dawn
2. Messidor
3. Jacqueline
4. Conduct
5. Sketch for Summer
6. Danny
7. Stains (Useless Body)
8. The Missing Boy
9. Self Portrait (version)
10. For Belgian Friends
11. Interview