With 2019 Releases Record Store Day Outdoes Itself

On April 13, Record Store Day is back for its 12th year with over 500 releases only available at independent record stores. This year’s list is arguably the best one since I’ve been attending RSD starting in 2014 (at age 8!), with fewer picture disc and colored vinyl re-hashings of common material and seemingly more unique items. Here are some highlights from the list:

Hot off the heels of the 14th “Bootleg Series” installment More Blood, More Tracks, Columbia/Legacy will release 7500 replica copies of the original 1974 test pressing of Bob Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks. The original test pressing features material from the mostly acoustic sessions at New York’s A&R Studios before Dylan re-recorded half of the album with a full band at Minneapolis’ Sound 80. Only five copies of the original test pressing are known to exist. This replica will feature the same mixes as the test pressing, which are unique to this release.

Archival jazz label Resonance Records has two offerings for this year’s RSD. Bill Evans’ Evans In England captures his trio with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Marty Morell live at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in 1969. These recently discovered London recordings are being released for the first time as a 2LP and booklet set limited to 2,000 copies, with CD and high resolution digital releases set to follow on April 19.

Resonance’s other RSD 2019 offering is Wes Montgomery Back On Indiana Avenue: The Carroll Decamp Recordings recorded in Montgomery’s hometown of Indianapolis in the mid to late 1950s. Previously unissued, these recordings captured by arranger/pianist Carroll Decamp will be available with an extensive booklet in a run of 1500 copies. Like the Bill Evans album, CD and high-resolution digital releases will follow shortly after Record Store Day. Both LP sets from Resonance are mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed at RTI.

Craft Recordings, the Concord subsidiary who now controls the rights over R.E.M.’s catalog, announced a 2LP release of a 1991 London concert in which the band played under the pseudonym “Bingo Hand Job.” Bingo Hand Job Live At The Borderline 1991 marks the first official release of the mostly acoustic, sold-out concert on March 15, a week after the release of Out of Time. However, the live album doesn’t feature the entire concert as the songs with Billy Bragg and Robyn Hitchcock are mysteriously missing (licensing issues?).

The 50th anniversary of Woodstock is coming up in August, so it’s no surprise that Record Store Day 2019 features a smattering of Woodstock performances. Legacy is releasing the shows of Sly & The Family Stone and Janis Joplin for the first time on vinyl (they were previously released as CD sets paired with Stand! and I Got Dem ‘Ol Kozmic Blues Again, Mama!, respectively). Atlantic is putting out the “mono PA mix” of the 3LP Woodstock concert film soundtrack. According to the RSD UK website listing, this mix is “exactly what you would have heard coming out of the loudspeakers” had you attended Woodstock. Interestingly, actual Woodstock performances of Arlo Guthrie’s “Coming Into Los Angeles” and Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young’s “Wooden Ships” and “Sea of Madness” will appear on the Woodstock album for the first time. The original album used other performances yet billed them as “live at Woodstock” like the rest of the recordings on the album. The CSNY cuts here are being released for the first time.

At CES in January Crosley unveiled the limited edition RSD3 turntable, which exclusively plays 3” records like the 8ban ones popularized in Japan. Stylized after the Technics SL-1200, the RSD3 utilizes a standard-size Audio-Technica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge and has a 3.5mm AUX/headphone output. It can be either battery powered or plugged in, and also features a pitch control slider. A copy of Foo Fighters’ “Big Me” 3” comes with every Crosley RSD3 turntable, which will retail for about $70.

8ban records gained exposure among American record collectors after the White Stripes released several 3” singles and marketed a player known as the “Triple Inchophone” in 2005. Jack White’s Third Man Records is releasing 3” singles from the White Stripes, the Raconteurs, the Dead Weather, and Jack White, with most White Stripes 3” singles available at Third Man storefronts only. Third Man storefronts will also carry a special Third Man-branded edition of the RSD3 turntable.

Following the success of last year’s mono reissue of The Piper At The Gates of Dawn, Pink Floyd Records/Legacy will follow it up with a mono reissue of A Saucerful Of Secrets. While the Piper mono came in an Aubrey Powell-designed envelope with a poster, Saucerful will come in a bare-bones sleeve like the standard stereo reissue. Digitally remastered by Joel Plante and James Guthrie and cut by Bernie Grundman, this reissue of the rare mono mix is limited to 6500 copies for the United States (more for the rest of the world).

UMe announced a standalone vinyl release of the “raw studio mixes” from John Lennon’s Imagine super deluxe CD/Blu-ray box set released last year. For more information about the box set and these mixes you can watch the Imagine unboxing on the AnalogPlanet YouTube channel or read the review posted here by Michael Fremer. For around $35 (prices from Bull Moose and other indie retailers with online price listings) the content of the box set’s third CD will be on 2LP 180g vinyl packaged in a hideously bad jacket that most bootleg covers can beat. Don’t freak out with worry over snagging it on RSD though; Imagine (Raw Studio Mixes) is listed as an “RSD First” release that will be available on a normal basis in the near future.

ABKCO will reissue the Rolling Stones’ Big Hits (High Tides & Green Grass) UK and Through the Past, Darkly compilations with restored artwork (the “fish-eye” cover on the former and the color-coded stereo inner sleeve on the latter’s octogonal jacket) on green and orange vinyl, respectively. Both records are cut by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studios, pressed in the United States, and limited to 7000 copies.

In addition to the 3” records, Third Man Records will release a standard black vinyl reissue of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band’s Trout Mask Replica following last year’s “Vault” subscription-only colored vinyl reissue of the album. It’s cut by Chris Bellman from Bob Ludwig-mastered 96/24 files sourced from safeties (except “Frownland” and “Hair Pie: Bake 2” which are DSD transfers from the original damaged master tapes), pressed at Third Man Pressing in Detroit, and comes in a heavyweight Stoughton tip-on gatefold. No need to panic over it on RSD as it’s listed as an “RSD First” release but I can attest that the “Vault” reissue (now going for $100 on third-party marketplaces) sounds excellent given the original recording quality, and the jacket is beautifully done.

Industrial hip-hop group Death Grips announced the first physical release of their 22 minute “Steroids (Crouching Tiger Hidden Gabber)” megamix EP, now backed by “electronic drum solo dub mix” and the Les Claypool-featuring “More Than The Fairy.” For those who aren’t familiar, the “Steroids” megamix is a handful of song ideas patched together in one long wonderful assault on your eardrums. Not everybody enjoys it but I’ll be lining up for it!

Following last year’s autobiography Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc. and the closely released solo album Warm, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy will unleash another album of new compositions, Warmer. Recorded in the same sessions as Warm, Warmer will be limited to 5000 vinyl copies for RSD (others will be available at Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival in North Adams, Massachusetts).

Rhino/Atlantic announced a 3LP expanded edition of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young’s 1971 live album 4 Way Street. Originally a double LP, this expanded edition contains four bonus songs - “King Midas In Reverse,” “Laughing,” “Black Queen,” and “Medley: The Loner/Cinnamon Girl/Down On The River” - previously only available on the 1992 CD edition. The 3LP set is cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering and limited to 9000 copies.

Modern Harmonic will release a special 7”/DVD set John Cage Meets Sun Ra with unreleased footage of the time the avant-garde composer and the space-jazz musician met each other at the Coney Island boardwalk for a concert together in June 1986. The 7” contains two selections from that concert while the DVD features a documentary combining VHS footage with the original audio master, warts and all. This is an RSD Exclusive limited to 1350 copies. (Modern Harmonic previously released the full concert on CD, available on their website.)

4AD is coming out with the first vinyl reissues of Pixies lead singer Black Francis/Frank Black’s first two solo albums since their original release back in the 1990’s. Frank Black and Teenager of the Year will be pressed on orange and white vinyl respectively, and are the first official US pressings of these albums. Original UK and European pressings of both albums (especially Teenager of the Year) command high prices on the used market, and these reissues are limited to only 4500 copies each so act quick on RSD if you want them!

Rhino has a smattering of records from many genres, but one that will be of interest to early hip-hop enthusiasts is a 6 12” box set of Sugar Hill Records singles and EPs. The Sugar Hill 40th Anniversary DJ Box Set features monumental tracks from the Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, and more in a slipcase with liner notes and a digital download of the tracks. The box set is limited to 2000 copies worldwide.

Lou Reed’s 2000 studio album Ecstasy will receive its first-ever vinyl reissue on 2LP 180g vinyl courtesy of Rhino. Limited to 7500 copies, Reed’s last solo rock album will finally be available on vinyl outside of original pressings (only available in the US via import) which are extremely rare and cost hundreds of dollars.

I will definitely be lining up early this year at Portland’s Everyday Music on West Burnside St with a couple hundred bucks in my hand, ready to buy many of the records mentioned above. Last year, I lined up outside EM forty-five minutes before opening and had a great, lengthy conversation with the guy in front of me about Kanye West and Frank Ocean records. At 8AM, we all rushed into the store with most people crowding around the dedicated RSD bins, but I found the three albums I wanted within the individual artist bins in the store (where they also stocked the RSD albums). The main difference between last year and what I predict for this year is that last year, I walked out with leftover money. This year, I’ll be broke by the time I walk out but insanely happy! As they say, “steal a man’s wallet and he’ll be broke for a week. Teach a man how to use a turntable and play records and he’ll be broke for life.”

COMMENTS
tparker14's picture

"As they say, 'steal a man’s wallet and he’ll be broke for a week. Teach a man how to use a turntable and play records and he’ll be broke for life.'”

You've arrived at this wisdom earlier in life than most of us. Problem is, that leaves you with so many more years of being broke.

MalachiLui's picture

Many more years of being broke but much happier! And records have used up most of my money for the last five years, so I've gotten used to it!

Glotz's picture

You are a great asset to this site, man! I am stunned how much knowledge in writing and music you have... It's a good thing yr getting all of Mikey's lps when he hangs up his tonearm for good!

Best wishes man

Michael Fremer's picture
You and me both are stunned! He never disappoints or lets me down. And he knows so much. People say I am mentoring him and in some ways I am, but in other ways just the opposite!
Glotz's picture

mentor! Much mazel all around.

RSD 2019 look outstanding (and financially crippling)!

AnalogJ's picture
AnalogJ's picture
Roy Martin's picture

...I will definitely be lining up early this year at Portland’s Everyday Music

Roy Martin's picture

What I meant to say was :

"I will definitely be lining up early this year at Portland’s Everyday Music..." with a pink box of Voodoo Doughnuts in hand!"

MalachiLui's picture

I'll actually have my dad pick up some Blue Star donuts while I stand in line... it's my payment to him for waking up early and also keeps me going in the early morning.

fetuso's picture

I love the Resonance Records releases. I hope I don't offend anyone, but They sound fantastic on cd.

MalachiLui's picture

I'm sure! They probably sound even better in 92/24 and/or DSD! But you get the physical booklets with the CDs, so...

AcidTest's picture

Hear, hear! I've become a fan of Resonance in the last year with their amazing archival jazz releases. The sound, packaging, info, photos - everything is top notch and shows they truly care about the music and artists.

bdp24's picture

Malachai, do you know if Music Millennium (also on Burnside, for you out-of-towners ;-) will also be celebrating Record Store Day? Do you prefer Everyday Music to MM? Thanks---Eric (across the river in Vancouver, WA).

MalachiLui's picture

I haven't been to Music Millennium yet but they will also be celebrating Record Store Day. They're on the east side of Portland and I live in the SW, so I go to the closest record store which is EM (W Burnside is 10 minutes away from my house). I don't know what the line is like at MM but last year I went to EM at 7:15AM (45 minutes before opening) and got everything I wanted as the line wasn't bad. I plan on lining up at 7am, if not earlier this year. Honestly, I'd recommend that you call both stores, ask about the line, ask if they'll have what you want, and if both are the same, then go to the closest store.

bdp24's picture

Thanks Malachai. Yup, I called both EM on Burnside and MM (also on Burnside, at 32nd), and both would not definitely confirm they would have the Test Pressing LP version of Blood On The Tracks. Odd. Do you like Steve Earle? He's going to be at MM on March 31st at 6 PM, doing a live solo set to promote his new album Guy. See ya there!---Eric.

MalachiLui's picture

I've never really listened to Steve Earle although I do have the Steve Earle/Robert Johnson "Terraplane Blues" split 10" from RSD2015. Bought it mainly for Robert Johnson.

Most stores don't know how much they'll get of something (or if they'll get it) until a few days before RSD as their orders often get cut. I'll be calling EM soon to make sure they have what I want, and I'll report back if they say anything about the Dylan.

bdp24's picture

I looked on the RSD website, and discovered there is an Everybody's Music right here in Vancouver. I haven't been here that long (moved up from SoCal), and didn't know it was here. Can't wait to check it out, that a collectables record store in Vancouver I also hadn't yet become aware of. RSD is a great thing!

MalachiLui's picture

Everyday Music in Portland and Everybody's Music in Vancouver are two different stores (hence the different names). It's easy to be confused, though. I agree that RSD is indeed a great thing for small stores! I actually once advertised RSD for my then-local record store in NJ.

bdp24's picture

Damn, I didn't notice! I'm surprised the Vancouver store would pick a name so close to the small EM chain in Oregon. I've been in the Everyday Music on Burnside a couple of times, and though it was large, after having Amoeba Music on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood as my main store for so long, was rather unimpressed. I need to try it again. Thanks mate. Everyone with an interest in Americana (or just artistic music) should try and make it to Steve Earle's appearance at Music Millennium on the 31st. He's a real no BS guy. Very political and unapologetically opinionated though

pchristian's picture

I read this without looking at who wrote it, and assumed it was written by someone with many, many years of experience...as I said...the kid never fails to impress me with his writing style, and deep musical knowledge.

2_channel_ears's picture

A bit about the origins of RSD claimed in this interview of Terry Courier from Portland's Music Millenium (great store). Cue up about 5:00 and listen through to 8:00 on the second track:

https://www.opb.org/radio/programs/thinkoutloud/segment/hate-crime-trial...

dbp's picture

Malachi,

Nice running into you and talking to you today at Everyday Music. I did wind up heading over to 2nd Ave Records around 9:20 and I think next year I'll just do that first. You should do the same, particularly if you're willing to line up early. They put ALL their records out at once, unlike Everyday who puts some out every hour. So if you get there early, you'll definitely get what you want. At Everyday I saw one of the Price albums I got and 2nd Ave probably had 15 out. Same with the Janis Joplin at Woodstock. It's a much smaller store and slower checkout, but I definitely think they have more of everything to offer. Prices were also sometimes $7 less on the same double LP (like the Prince).

I just listened to the Albert King Born Under a Bad Sign in Mono that we both bought, then put on my Sundazed 5031 stereo to compare. I MUCH prefer the presentation of the stereo... more forward vocals, more alive sound, more dynamic and most certainly more engaging. I see Speakers Corner has a stereo version out too that may be even better. I very much appreciate the AAA of the mono mastered by Kevin Gray, but perhaps there's a reason it hasn't appeared in mono since 1967... Looks like the RSD Mono from today is already going for $60-75 on ebay... I'll probably keep mine for historical reference, though.

I'll be curious how that Dylan sounds! I believe MFSL is doing that as a One-Step, which I'll be all over...

David

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