Gigantic- The Pixies
Jacksons, Monk & Rowe- Elvis Costello & The Brodsky Quartet
Nightingale- Brinsley Schwarz
I Don't Work That Cheap- Bill Kirchen w/Commander Cody
Monkey Man- The Rolling Stones
Nowhere Is My Home- The Replacements
Sweet Head- David Bowie
Gigantic- The Pixies
Back when CDs were all the rage, the UK release of The Pixies "Surfer Rosa," included their first E.P., "Come On Pilgrim" as a bonus. At $25 a pop, we sold that thing all day long. We also played it all day long. A discussion with a friend about the retail days stirred up a few memories and so we begin with The Pixies.
Jacksons, Monk & Rowe- Elvis Costello & The Brodsky Quartet
I loved this album when it was released, and after seeing it performed live at Town Hall, WB released a four track promo CD featuring the live covers from that show. Only a few ever came through the shop, but when they did, they'd sell for as much as $75. Now, that promo can be had for less than $10. Another memory, another song, this one the obvious single from the album.
Nightingale- Brinsley Schwarz
A Nick Lowe beauty from the underappreciated Brinsley Schwarz.
I Don't Work That Cheap- Bill Kirchen w/Commander Cody
Nick Lowe took me to Bill Kirchen, who acted as Lowe's guitarist for a few years. "You can't pay me what I'm worth, I don't work that cheap." Genius.
Monkey Man- The Rolling Stones
Well, we all know why this track is here. It's only a few hits on the snare and toms, but man, what an intro.
Nowhere Is My Home- The Replacements
It was only after reading Bob Mehr's book on the The Replacements, "Trouble Boys" that I realized A) Nowhere Is My Home was produced by Alex Chilton and B)the song wasn't part of an official album. It can only be found on compilations. A classic Westerberg cut.
Sweet Head- David Bowie
Last retail memory- the original Rykodisc Bowie reissue campaign was a big deal. Every CD had bonus tracks that most never knew existed. Springsteen covers, outtakes and the one track that Bowie fans anticipated most, a Ziggy outtake called "Sweet Head." At the time, reading about these unreleased tracks was incredibly exciting. How could an album as iconic as "Ziggy Stardust" have unheard tracks? Well, this CD reissue was the talk of the shop. In the end, "Sweet Head" was a fine track, maybe not quite as exciting as the hype, but a cool one nonetheless. But even now, 30 years later, "Sweet Head" has never been released again, not on any of the umpteen Bowie reissues since his death.
3 comments:
I think back on those Rykodisc reissues often - wishing I'd just gobbled them all up at the time for normal price. I've since gone back and bought a few at record stores or on ebay.
They were just so generous with the actual good stuff (the bonus tracks) and all at a moderate price. The one that sticks in my head most that I still want to get is the Ryko version of "Pin Ups."
Re:Monkey Man
I’ve been having a Watts Wake since the sad announcement. Stones, ABC&D, “My Baby..”, Rocket 88, Earl Bostic, Gerry Mulligan and, tight now, Charlie Parker.
In my vigil, I’ve been re-reading “Sympathy For the Drummer.” And by doing so, discovered a primer for Charlie Watts style, impact and art.
It’s an album I never thought of as such, but “Love you, Live” is a Charlie Watts tour de force.h
Thanks for doing the zipped up SOTW thing and for the nice Charlie Watts mentions the past couple of days. Good to see Brinsley Schwarz making an appearance too. As for the Bowie/Ziggy track, I always wondered where takes 1 to 3 (or perhaps 5 onwards) were as my 30th anniversary 2 disc edition (on EMI over here) also included the take 4 version. I was hoping the one you've zipped was one of those. On well. Cheers!
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