Big Star, The Kids Love ‘Em

June 5, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
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Alex Chilton, Chris Bell, Andy Hummel, and Jody Stephens,you may not know their names but if you’ve listened to any rock music in the past three decades you’ve undoubtedly heard their influence. Much like the Velvet Underground, Big Star records have become required listening for anyone looking to start a band.

It’s been over 35 years since Big Star initially released their influential first two records, #1 Record and Radio City. This June 16th marks the beginning of a treasure trove of releases for the band as Ardent/Stax Records reissues completely remastered versions of those two records on one cd, including a never before released single mix of  In The Street, a song which Cheap Trick brought new life to as the theme to “That 70’s Show” and a single edit of O My Soul form Radio City. Wholly underappreciated in their day, Big Star’s quirky and unique take on jangly guitar power pop is still influencing bands today from REM to Teenage Fanclub to Wilco to countless others.

But thats just the beginning, in September, Rhino records releases Keep An Eye On The Sky, an amazing 98 track box set spanning from 1968 to 1975 and including pre Big Star recordings,unreleased demos,and many live and alternate takes. It also promises extensive liner notes and rare and never before seen photos of the band.  I for one, can’t wait, this looks amazing.

Never one to rest easy, Rhino completes the trifecta by also releasing the same week a special Rhino Handmade Deluxe Edition of Chris Bell’s exquisite solo album I Am The Cosmos.

Buy Big Star – #1 Record/Radio City (Remastered)
Buy Big Star – Keep An Eye On The Sky
Buy Chris Bell – I Am The Cosmos

In celebration of their influence, an array of videos today of various Big Star / Chris Bell covers for you, plus one original by the man himself, Mr Alex Chilton.

Feel

The Ballad Of El Goodo

In The Street

Thirteen

Don’t Lie To Me

Alex Chilton – When My Baby’s Beside Me

Give Me Another Chance

Watch The Sunrise

Way Out West (with a bizarre Styx song intro)

Back Of A Car

September Gurls

I’m In Love With A Girl

You and Your Sister(Chris Bell)

This last one’s not a Big Star cover but I though it ws a fitting way to close out this post.

Citizen Helene – The Alex Chilton Song

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Cool New Reissue : Histoire De Melody Nelson

March 24, 2009 by · 1 Comment
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Named one of the “1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die” by music writer Tom Moon in his book of the same name, Serge Gainsbourg‘s 1971 classic,Histoire De Melody Nelson receives a  deluxe CD/LP Remaster this week marking it’s first official US release via Light In The Attic Records.
Influencing a wide range of artists from Air to Beck to Stereolab, it’s a sultry simmering mix of orchestral sounds and jazzy-bluesy-psychedelic guitar that serve as the perfect backdrop for Serge’s French sung spoken vocals, which almost seem a seductive whisper as the story of Melody Nelson unfolds.

Serge Gainsbourg – Melody
Buy Histoire De Melody Nelson

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