As we continue our look at the titles coming out on this year's Black Friday Record Store Day, we're turning our attention to Real Gone Music. The label has a quartet of titles coming to independent stores on November 25. The lineup includes a compilation from an acclaimed 1970s storyteller, two favorites from the 1990s, and one from the 2000s. The '90s and '00s releases are all vinyl debuts. We've got the details below with the descriptions coming directly from the label. For a list of stores participating in Record Store Day, visit recordstoreday.com.
Harry Chapin, Story of A Life - The Complete Hit Singles (Yellow "Taxi Vinyl - Limited to 2,000 copies)
It's the first Harry Chapin collection to come out on vinyl for the independent record store community in the "modern" reissue era--and it's got all the hits in their rare single versions, including the classic songs Harry cut for Elektra like "Taxi," "Cat's in the Cradle," and "WOLD," as well as the hard-to-find later hits (e.g. "Sequel") on Boardwalk! Issued with the full cooperation of the Harry Chapin Estate, Story of a Life--The Complete Hit Singles includes rare photos and liner notes by Ed Osborne on a printed inner sleeve. Limited to 2,000 copies, pressed in yellow "Taxi" vinyl! [Note from TSD: This will be the perfect companion to the recent Chapin box Story Book: The Elektra Albums 1972-1978.]
The Jesus Lizard, Shot (Fire Orange with Black Streaks Vinyl - Limited to 2,500 copies)
After Austin-based Scratch Acid disbanded, caterwauling vocalist David Yow and bassist David Wm. Sims moved to Chicago, where they formed The Jesus Lizard and proceed to make a glorious racket throughout the '90s and beyond. Shot was their first major label release (for Capitol in 1996) and their first one without famed underground producer Steve Albini; but GGGarth (Melvins, L7) ably filled Albini's large shoes behind the board, cleaning up the sound a bit while losing none of The Jesus Lizard's grungy, menacing mania (check out "Thumbscrews" and "Skull of a German"). For its first time on vinyl, RGM is releasing Shot with a printed inner sleeve featuring lyrics and a fire orange with black streaks pressing limited to 2,500 units!
Smash Mouth, Fush Yu Mang (Neon Green Vinyl - Limited to 4,500 copies)
San Jose-based ska pop-punkers Smash Mouth went double platinum with their 1997 debut record Fush Yu Mang (the title came from Al Pacino slurring "F*** you, man" in the film Scarface) on the strength of their huge hit "Walkin' on the Sun." But the rest of the album is pretty rad 'n' rockin', full of classic rock winks 'n' nods culminating in their skankin' cover of War's "Why Can't We Be Friends." And who hasn't looked at a crowded bar through a pair of Beer Goggles? RGM is going neon green wax on this, its vinyl debut, complete with inner sleeve featuring lyrics. Limited to 4,500 copies!
Fountains of Wayne, Traffic and Weather (Gold with Black Swirl Vinyl - Limited to 4,000 copies)
Not since Ray Davies has a songwriter been able to craft such sharply observed vignettes in the space of a three-minute pop song like the late Adam Schlesinger. And on 2007's Traffic and Weather, Fountains of Wayne's fourth album, Schlesinger took his art to a new level, singing short stories as varied as crushing on a DMV clerk ("Yolanda Hayes"), celebrating the sexiness of a car not generally considered sporting ("92 Subaru"), being broke ("Strapped for Cash"), and having luggage lost by an airline ("Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim"). And while it lacks a radio-friendly hit like "Stacy's Mom"--it should be mentioned that Chris Collingwood only contributed three songs to this record--there are still earworms aplenty, particularly on "I-95," Collingwood's "Seatbacks and Traytables," and the title tune. Finally out on vinyl, the Real Gone release comes with a printed inner sleeve featuring lyrics and in a gold with black swirl pressing limited to 4,000 copies, exclusive for RSD/Black Friday!
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I hope this is the beginning of Harry’s catalog getting a long overdue reissue campaign.
Well, there was the Elektra box set earlier this year. I would like some good reissues to, but I'm not holding my breath.
The Elektra Years was missing "Legends Of The Lost And Found" due to licensing problems, "The Singles Collection" from 2019 wasn't complete either. It could be a challenge to reissue all of Harry's back catalogue. He's lots of unissued material / live cuts to add as bonus material though.
Funny that they should include the last Fountains of Wayne album to make it to vinyl among this announcement - I was just listening to "Someone to Love" earlier today! You'd never know Chris Collingwood was struggling enough with depression and alcoholism that he only contributed three songs to the album just by listening to it.
i work in a record store and have a abundunce of harrys lps in minty condition. never once has anyone come in looking for his music. is there a fan base that would be interested in reissues of his work ?
Good point zally. Harry has got a decent sized fan base, but any reissue would need to be attractive enough to appeal to old and new fans. It's hard to believe that its now over forty years since his untimely death. His concerts were amazing and probably the most pleasurable experiences I've had at a music event.
I have a question about the Todd Rundgren RSD release. It is described as a 4 LP set. Seeing as how it was originally released as a 2 LP package, is the RSD version mastered at 45 rpm with 2 sides at 45 equalling 1 side at 33? Aside from the fact that each record is a different color, what else makes it special? Thanks.
I'm a little worried about "rare single versions" because most of Harry CHAPIN'S singles were the same length as the albums! Does that mean MONO versions? UGH! I've been waiting for a good Chapin vinyl compilation for so long, I hope they don't blow it.