On November 6th, a new deluxe edition of my favorite Wilco record and one of my favorite records of the last 25 years, "Summerteeth" gets released through the almost always reliable Rhino Records. As our friend Troy says over in the chatbox on the left, "Yowza!"
Troy also says, "Sal, I know you're not a fan of deluxe editions that make you buy the same music again."
Well, that's not completely true.
I am not a fan of exorbitantly priced boxed sets that include pointless objects, patches, memorabilia and used concert jock straps with an additional 15 minutes of unreleased music. In recent years, both Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones have released multiple configurations of their catalogue, each more elaborate and more expensive than the other, with the most offensive feature being slightly different music.
This Wilco set is incredibly appealing to me for a number of reasons.
•It's the first time it has been remastered.
•The remastering is being done by the one and only Bob Ludwig.
•A vinyl version of "Summerteeth" has not been in print since 2009.
•There are 24 bonus tracks including demos, alternates and unreleased songs.
•The price is currently $99.99, which is $20 an LP, and that will most likely come down a bit before it's actually released. (That "Egypt Station" box was almost $300 for six extra songs and a whole lotta crap.)
The only twist is that a different live concert will be including with each format. The CD set gives you a longer show from Boulder, recorded 11/1/99, while the LP gives you a shorter set recorded at Tower Records and broadcast on WXRT-FM. I can live with that as the remastering of the album proper and the unreleased studio material is really the appeal.
If you're going to do it, this is the way to do it.
In related news, I mentioned on last week's post about getting burned occasionally by the artist.
Well, I have been very excited by the Jaded Hearts Club and was quick to pre-order the upcoming album through the band's website, which is being handled by Townsend Music. One single vinyl LP, with no perks other than an instant grat MP3 of songs already on YouTube, cost me $45 with shipping from the U.K., with an expected ship date of 10/9. That same record is available for pre-order, with a 10/2 release date on Amazon for $23.99. That's half the price with an earlier ship date and I wouldn't have been charged until it shipped.
That kinda sucks.
4 comments:
Glad to hear that you are excited about the Wilco box set. I understand your point about worthwhile deluxe editions vs cash grabs. The Summerteeth set looks to be the former. It's my favorite Wilco record, just slightly ahead of Being There and light years ahead of the rest of their catalogue (but that's just me). I'm hoping to find a reasonably priced version, as I will likely be disposable cash poor after the Tom Petty Wildflowers & All The Rest comes out. I'm all in on that.
Will look forward to your thoughts on the Summerteeth package once it is out.
Happy Anniversary to Burning Wood, born on Sept 3, 2008. Looking 12 years young and the rebellious teens just on the horizon!
@Michael Giltz.
Really? I thought it was in a few days.
Thanks!
Happy 12th Birthday, and here's to 12 more and 12 after that!!
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