The Beckies are back!  Following Omnivore Recordings' 2022 expansion of The Left Banke's Strangers on a Train, the label is exploring another chapter of the Michael Brown story with the February 28 release of Good to Know: The Beckies Story on 2 CDs.

Michael Brown (also known for his work with Montage and "Brother Louie" band Stories) was known for fusing baroque and classical sounds with rock and roll, but The Beckies emphasized the latter.  The band was anchored by Brown and vocalist Scott Trusty, with whom he had collaborated on a Trusty solo single in 1970 on the Big Tree label.  Post-Stories, Trusty introduced Brown to some friends of his from Kansas City who had recently made the move to New York City.  With these friends - Jimmy McAllister and Gary Hodgden (a.k.a. Gary West) - they began recording the demos that earned them a deal with Sire Records' Seymour Stein.

The Beckies (named for Gary's wife) fit comfortably within the power pop scene of the day, and their lone, self-titled 1976 studio album recalls the best of The Raspberries, Badfinger, and Todd Rundgren. Though the LP failed to make waves upon its initial release, it wasn't long before it became a cult favorite.  CD release eluded The Beckies until a 2015 edition arrive via the Real Gone label.  Now, ten years later, Omnivore is fleshing out the band's discography with Good to Know.  The first disc presents a remastered edition of the 1976 LP.  The second disc, The Demos, presents 13 of the original recordings that garnered The Beckies their deal with Sire (all of which are previously unreleased), including demos of "River Bayou" and "Song Called Love" and a number of tunes that didn't make the album.

Good to Know: The Beckies Story has been freshly mastered by Michael Graves.  The new liner notes by compilation co-producer Daniel Coston features interviews with surviving band members.  This crackling set is due from Omnivore Recordings on February 28. (The Demos is also available as a standalone digital album.)  You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

A final word: Our hearts go out to our good friends at Omnivore who have been affected by the devastating Southern California wildfires.  If you might be able to help (and hear some great music in the process), please visit here for more information.

The Beckies, Good to Know: The Beckies Story (Omnivore OV-569, 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Omnivore)

CD 1: The Original Album (Sire LP SASD-7519, 1976)

1. Right by My Side (Etude)
2. River Bayou
3. Midnight and You
4. Fran
5. Other Side of Town
6. Song Called Love
7. Can't Be Alone
8. River Song
9. On the Morning That She Came
10. One of These Days
11. Run Jenny Run

CD 2: The Demos

1. Blue Monday (Demo)
2. She Wrote a Song (Demo)
3. Song Called Love (Demo)
4. Day Break (Demo)
5. Do I (Demo)
6. Baby Oh Baby (Demo)
7. Lonely Times (Demo)
8. Good to Know (Demo)
9. Caroline (Demo)
10. River Song (Demo)
11. River Bayou (Demo)
12. She Wrote a Song (Demo Version 2)
13. Blue Monday (Demo Version 2)