Chris Bell

This new 22-track collection gathers Big Star co-founder Chris Bell's material from the late '60s and early '70s, before he recruited Alex Chilton, Andy Hummel and Jody Stephens to form the criminally overlooked power pop combo. This material, all of it issued long after Bell's passing, was recorded in Memphis with local musicians like drummers Stephens and Steve Rhea, bassist Thomas Dean Eubanks and keyboardist Terry Manning, under such eye-catching names as Rock City, The Wallabys and Icewater. Six tracks, including original compositions and backing tracks, are previously unreleased.Liner notes by writer/compilation producer Alec Palao feature quotes from the aforementioned artists, plus Ardent Studios founder John Fry and local songwriter/musician Alan Palmore.