GUNS N' ROSES - THE VILLAGE SESSIONS -BEST SELECTION- (2CD)

In 2019, a series of outtake recordings from Chinese Democracy—commonly referred to as "The Village Sessions"—leaked from the locker of Geffen Records A&R executive Tom Zutaut, causing such a stir that it even made mainstream news. Now, a long-awaited 2CD pressed digest edition is finally here, featuring carefully selected best takes and alternate versions from the nearly eight-hour studio session archive.

Following the leak, the band quickly reacquired the recordings, making them inaccessible to all but a few hardcore collectors. As a result, the previously released The Village Sessions Vol. 1 (3CDR) and Vol. 2 (4CDR) sold out immediately and became nearly impossible to find. Those earlier volumes contained the entire raw studio sessions as they were found, with varying sound levels and uneven mixing, appealing mainly to collectors interested in the archival value.

In contrast, this new 2CD release focuses on listenability, compiling the best takes and versions with consistent audio mastering throughout. It’s a release designed not only for die-hard fans but for a broader audience looking to enjoy these sessions in high quality.

Disc 1 features demos and rough mixes from the Chinese Democracy album, along with songs like “Perhaps” and “Hard Skool” that were released as singles following the return of Slash and Duff. Disc 2 includes previously unreleased tracks, as well as rare rehearsal recordings of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and “Welcome to the Jungle” performed by the lineup at the time.

The cover illustration is also of note—originally intended for the Chinese Democracy album but reportedly rejected due to political concerns. Combined with thoughtful design and curation, this release stands as the definitive edition of the Chinese Democracy sessions, finally seeing the light of day.

DISC 1
1. CHINESE DEMOCRACY [11/05/00 (Ver.1)]
2. SHANKLERS REVENGE [09/14/00 CD (#1)]
3. 3 DOLLAR PYRAMID [04/03/01]
4. THE BLUES [10/23/00 (#6)]
5. IF THE WORLD [11/07/00 (Ver.1)]
6. T.W.A.T. [08/06/01 Old Beaven Mix]
7. CATCHER [3/27/00 (30)]
8. RHIAD & THE BEDIUNS [6/1/01]
9. I'M SORRY [10/26/00 B. Head CD (#1)]
10. I.R.S. [03/27/00 (21)]
11. MADAGASCAR [11/05/00 Drum Adds]
12. PROSTITUTE [06/01/01 Original Drums]
13. PERHAPS [3/27/00 (19)]
14. HARDSCHOOL [11/08/00 (12) NU AX]
15. SILKWORMS [11/07/00 (Ver.1)]
16. ATLAS SHRUGGED [08/20/01 Drums at Regular Level]
17. QUICK SONG [09/29/01 Full Take with Vocal]
18. BILLIONARE [10/15/00 Blk/Frg Dat (#2)]

DISC 2
1. STATE OF GRACE [03/27/00 (12)]
2. NOTHING [11/08/00 (Ver.1)]
3. EYE ON YOU [11/07/00 (Ver.1)]
4. PROM VIOLENCE [11/13/01 Take 3]
5. INSIDE OUT [04/03/01]
6. THE REBEL [11/15/01 Take 1]
7. MUSTACHE [11/07/00 (Ver.1)]
8. OKLAHAOMA [03/23/00 (10)]
9. DUB SUPLEX [10/05/00 Blk/Frg Dat (#5)]
10. DEVIOUS BASTARD [10/05/00 (#6)]
11. ZODIAC 13 [11/08/00 (Ver.4)]
12. TONTO [07/14/00 Blk/Frg Dat (#3)]
13. REAL DOLL.com [09/14/00 B. Head CD (#2)]
14. ME & MY ELVIS [03/23/00 (#10)]
15. CIRCUS MAXIMUS [11/07/00 (Ver.1)]
16. D TUNE [03/23/00 (11)]
17. CURLY SHUFFLE [03/23/00 (15)]
18. KNOCKIN' [09/29/01 Acoustic Version w. Axl Take 3]
19. WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE [09/29/01]

Demos and Rough Mixes from the Chinese Democracy Sessions 2000-2001