Last Saturday was a busy day starting with lining up for the tenth annual Record Store Day which is held on the third Saturday every April. For those that don't know Record Store Day is a day to celebrate independent record shops, a day that many exclusive and limited edition records come out. A day to go hang out at the local record shop and buy music and talk with fellow music fans that actually purchase music. One of my favourite days of the year, something I start saving for right after Xmas is done. And the list for this years releases looked impressive to me. I had a long list of records I wanted to pick up which meant I was going to have to line up early at my local record shop Blackbyrd Myoozik. While this line up was nothing like the days of lining up for hours to buy concert tickets back in the day, it was still worth it, as I got pretty much everything I was looking for except one record, that being the Chris Robinson Brother Hood release Raven's Reels. Can anyone help me get this by chance?
Here is a list of my purchases for this years Record Store Day. There was a plethora of live releases this year, which is fine by me as I love live recordings.
Grateful Dead - Live at the Fillmore West February 27th 1969. A four record box set limited to 9000 copies worldwide. This recording is from the first night of a four night stand at the Fillmore. A great sounding recording.
Stompin' Tom Connors - Live at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, June 30th 1971. I already have an original copy of this album, but had to get this limited edition vinyl copy, limited pressing of 500. This was a must have for me this year, and lucky me got one!
Neil Young - Roxy - Tonight's The Night Live. The RSD release of this is limited to 9000 copies and contains an exclusive photo print of Neil Young and The Santa Monica Flyers. This recording was the first live performance of Tonight's the Night from the Roxy in Los Angeles in 1973. The studio album Tonight's The Night was released two years later in 1975. This is a great sounding live record.
Blitzen Trapper - Kid's Album. This is a band I have been a big fan of for years now. And it seems that Blitzen always have a special release for RSD. And this year was no different, with a 10 inch EP vinyl release recorded in Portland at the Lavender Compound in 2005. The band uses Casio keyboards and various kid's musical gear. Of course all the songs are kid oriented, with titles such as "New Shoes", "Spelling Bee" and "Honeybear" and a couple others. Limited pressing of 1250. This is kind of a silly album that only a completest really needs.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Live At Twist & Shout 11.16.07
Again another artist I have been following for years now. More live music, this one recorded in 2007 just like the title says. Limited to 3000 copies. Apparently Isbell has asked his fans not to purchase this release as it is on his old record label. Jason says it's not really good. Well, I happen to enjoy the record myself. Two of the songs on this recording from Denver, Colorado are old Drive-By Truckers songs ("Danko/Manuel" and "Outfit"), in which he was a member of between 2001-2007. Also on this EP is a Van Morrison cover of "Into The Mystic" which sounds great too.
Rage Against The Machine - Live at The Democratic National Convention 2000. I was really hoping I could score a copy of this one, and lucky for me, I did. A live recording of RATM performing an outdoor show across the street from the Staples Center in Los Angeles in 2000 where the Democratic National Convention was happening, a great protest album. Recording isn't the best, but it does kind of make you feel like you are there. Pressing of 5000.
Wilco - Live At The Troubadour L.A. 1996. Wow, this is probably my favourite RSD release that I got this year. A great sounding live set from Wilco at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Being from 1996 all the songs are from their first two albums A.M. and Being There as well as couple songs from their Uncle Tupelo days. Wilco perform two versions of the song "Passenger Side", one is a punk version which is so fucking good, and then they do a regular version of the song. This is an amazing and awesome sounding live album. Limited pressing of 8500 worldwide.
Lou Reed - Animal Serenade. A triple live album recorded in Los Angeles at the Wiltern Theatre in 2003. This is the first time this has been pressed on vinyl. Limited edition of 7500. A very clean sounding recording.
Dylan & The Dead. I already have an original copy of this album, but had to pick up this 30th Anniversary Reissue just for the awesome looking red and blue tie dye vinyl. Recorded live in July of 1987. It's not the best sounding album. But being such a fan of both Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, this was a must have for me. Limited to 5000 copies.
The rest of these records have yet to be listened to. Nice to have a bunch of stuff lined up for the next little while to spin.
Steve Earle & The Dukes - Live At The Continental Club in Austin, Texas. This double live album was recorded in Austin on December 15th 2016. Limited pressing of 2000.
The Allman Brothers Band - Live At The Atlanta International Pop Festival. This 4 LP set was recorded at the Atlanta International Pop Festival on July 3rd and 5th 1970 featuring the Allmans Bros. Band lineup with Duane Allman on guitar. This is the first time this recording has been pressed on vinyl and is limited to 3000 copies, each copy is numbered and comes with an 8 page booklet containing photos and essay by ABB archivist Kirk West. My album is number 2959/3000.
Uncle Tupelo - No Depression Demos. Uncle Tupelo was a band that Jeff Tweedy had before Wilco. This album is made up from rare demos from the legendary tapes Not Forever, Just For Now and Live & Otherwise from 1989. Available for the first time on vinyl and limited pressing of 3000.
Johnny Cash - Early Singles. A cool compilation album of early Johnny Cash singles (1956-1962). This album was only available through certain record stores across Canada. Blackbyrd Myoozik being one of them. The album was free with a purchase. Some stores gave copies away in the line up.
The Flaming Lips - The story of Yum Yum And Dragon. Another band that I am a huge fan of, and who always seem to have a special release of some sort for Record Store Day. This 7 inch on limited edition pink opaque vinyl contains two new songs, the title song and one called "Pouring Beer In Your Ear (The Beer Song)". Can't wait to listen to that one. I really wish I could have got one of the 100 copies that was clear vinyl with beer inside. But no such luck. The pink vinyl is a limited pressing of 5000.
Led Zeppelin - Rock And Roll (Sunset Sound Mix) and Friends (Olympic Studios Mix). The first Record Store Day release from Led Zeppelin. This seven inch single on limited edition yellow vinyl contains the two songs I mentioned above with alternate mixes, both songs are previously unreleased. Both singles were produced by guitarist Jimmy Page.
Sadly this year I had to miss the Blackbyrd after party in which a couple of bands and a DJ performed in a secret location as I was off to the Peter Frampton and Steve Miller concert. From what I heard, it was a good time.
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