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Run Out Groove has announced its next limited-edition vinyl release, and it’s a star-studded classic rock affair.  Pre-orders are open now through October 4 at the label’s website for the 2-LP vinyl debut of Delaney and Bonnie’s Motel Shot: Expanded.

Husband-and-wife musical duo Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett got their first recording contract for Stax Records in 1969.  The soulful pair then briefly moved to Elektra (and were offered a contract at The Beatles’ Apple Records) before arriving at Atco in 1970 for their longest sustained recording contract.  Though Delaney and Bonnie’s albums never achieved much in the way of commercial success, they remain some of the most beloved and influential records of the rock era and are fondly remembered for the assemblage of “Friends” on each LP.  Among those famous friends were such talents as Leon Russell, Isaac Hayes, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge, and Duane & Gregg Allman, just to name a few.

Motel Shot, released in 1971, was the duo’s fourth studio album and third overall album on Atco.  It was originally slated as an Elektra album, with sessions having taken place for that label with engineer Bruce Botnick.  However, when the artists clashed with the Elektra brass over their planned move to Apple, they were shifted to Elektra’s sister label Atco and released two albums (one studio, one live) before circling back to the earlier material.  The songs were re-recorded for Atco, and the eventual LP gave Delaney and Bonnie their biggest chart success with “Never Ending Song of Love.”  Guests on Motel Shot include Joe Cocker, Bobby Whitlock, and Dave Mason, plus appearances by Duane Allman, Gram Parsons, and John Hartford.

Earlier this year, Real Gone Music expanded the raw, rootsy rock of Motel Shot on CD by premiering eight tracks from the original Elektra sessions.  Now, Run Out Groove is bringing that expanded edition to 180-gram vinyl, pressed at Record Industry.   Audio has been sourced from the original analog master tapes, and lacquers were cut at Sam Phillips Recording Service. Motel Shot: Expanded will feature rare album cover art (released only in France) on a lavish Stoughton gatefold tip-on sleeve.

Motel Shot Expanded is available to order exclusively via the Run Out Groove website until October 4.  It will be limited and numbered based on total orders taken at the end of the pre-order period. After the pre-order period closes, the only way to purchase a copy will be via participating music retailers across the U.S. (including Amazon.com and independent retailers).

As ROG followers know, once one title is announced, another is put to a fan vote!  What would you like to see the label press next?  Here are your choices:

Dr. John – Professor Bizarre’s Funknology: A brand new collection of the Doctor’s formative years on Atco Records, the 2LP set would include a second disc of unreleased rarities from 1968-1974 pressed on 180g vinyl and to come with new art and liner notes.

Band of Susans – Here Comes Success: Out of print since 1994 and never released on vinyl in the U.S., the band’s swan song would be pressed on 180g color vinyl and come in a deluxe tip-on Stoughton gatefold sleeve.

Lou Johnson – Sweet Southern Soul: Out of print self-titled 1969 soul rarity on Cotillion Records produced by Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd could see its first re-press.

Don’t forget to vote now!  Pre-orders are open for Motel Shot: Expanded at the link below!

Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, Motel Shot: Expanded (Atco LP SD 33-358, 1971- reissued Run Out Groove ROGV-016, 2017)

Side A

1. Where the Soul Never Dies
2. Will the Circle Be Unbroken
3. Rock of Ages
4. Long Road Ahead
5. Faded Love
6. Talkin’ About Jesus

Side B

1. Come on in My Kitchen
2. Don’t Deceive Me
3. Never-Ending Song of Love
4. Sing My Way Home
5. Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
6. Lonesome and Long Way from Home

Side C

1. I’ve Told You for the Last Time
2. Long Road Ahead (Alternate Take)
3. Gift of Love
4. Come on in My Kitchen (Alternate Take)

Side D

1. Blues
2. Lonesome and a Long Way from Home (Alternate Take)
3. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
4. Farther Along

Tracks 13-20 from Real Gone Music CD RGM 0516, 2017