[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OBogYK_40U]
It's like NFL draft day for music geeks*!
Today's the big announcement of the full Record Store Day 2014 exclusives list, to kick off with a press conference at Los Angeles' Amoeba Music later today. While we're positive there are some great surprises in store, a number of our favorite labels have already spilled the beans on their spreads for April 19. Sundazed Music, purveyors of great vintage rock on CD and vinyl, have five 45 RPM singles releasing on the big day, including big hits and rare rockin' sides from Link Wray, The Standells, Ray Lanham and more!
First up, guitar master Wray's third single for Epic Records, "Slinky" b/w "Rendezvous," features the six-string innovator in full-on badass mode on one side, all stinging riffs and hot solos, while exploring a more nuanced (but no less swagger-heavy) sound on the other. Sundazed faithfully reproduces the single's original labels and ultra-rare picture sleeve for your collecting pleasure.
The Standells foresaw punk rock a good two decades ahead of schedule with the raucous Top 20 hit "Dirty Water." Sundazed's new single features an unearthed live concert version of this classic, recorded at the University of Michigan in 1966 (where the group was opening for The Beach Boys). It's backed with a previously unheard 1963 instrumental, "Twitchin'" and the single features new liner notes by band member Larry Tamblyn.
Speaking of The Beach Boys, Hawthorne, California's favorite sons were something of an inspiration for the next singles act, The Sunrays, in more ways than one. The band's manager was none other than Murry Wilson, father to Brian, Dennis and Carl. After The Beach Boys fired Wilson as manager, he took on this teenage act; while none of their singles ever became more than regional hits, the two tracks making their vinyl debut here - "Our Leader," a paean to the band's manager, and "Won't You Tell Me," a Murry-penned track featuring contributions from Dennis Wilson and the legendary Wrecking Crew - are interesting curios in the ever-sprawling story of The Beach Boys and their endless summer. Band member Rick Henn supplies liner notes for the single.
Sundazed then turns its attention to The Litter, a Minneapolis garage rock group on the Scotty Records label. Two of their fuzzed-out sides, "Action Woman" and a cover of The Who's "A Legal Matter," are pressed on blue vinyl with a replica Scotty label; the new picture sleeve (featuring a rarely-seen photo of the band) features liner notes from Mike Markesich, author of the book Teen Beat Mayhem!
Finally, Sundazed releases four recordings from acclaimed guitarist Ray Lanham. Recorded in 1959 and released only for the first time on this red-vinyl EP, this set features three standards ("My Adobe Hacienda," "Song of India," "Carnival in Paris") and an original, "Lanham Boogie."
All titles will be available in limited quantities at fine participating indie retailers on Record Store Day, April 19!
* Speculative - writer does not understand sports
bob says
Roy Lanham, not RAy.
Like a lot of country pickers he possessed an amazing set of jazz chops. I could listen to this on an endless loop, his group The Rovers and "Passport to Summer:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpRcBOoUEkc