Old Music Becomes New Again and Again
Music news from Kelly Willis, Butthole Surfers, Talking Heads and more
In the past few days, I received a bunch of press releases about records I could get excited about—reissues with special extras from some of the Twentieth Century’s best and expanded releases from acts as adventurous as they come. Let’s get this party started.
First comes Kelly Willis who’s set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of What I Deserve with an expanded version on CD and for the first time it will be issued on vinyl. To be released on October 25, this set features 5 previously unreleased live songs from her appearance on the radio show Mountain Stage in 1999 plus new liner notes from Peter Blackstock (No Depression, Austin American-Statesman). What I Deserve was Kelly’s highest charting release to date. It featured her own originals along with co-writes with the Jayhawks’ Gary Louris and adventurous covers of tunes written by Paul Westerberg, Paul Kelly, Nick Drake, Dan Penn, and more.
Starting with the name the Butthole Surfers are not for everyone. But the at-one-time Austin-based psych/punk auteurs are reissuing three of their releases from the mid-80s, Locust Abortion Technician, Hairway To Steven, and Cream Corn From Socket Of Davis on vinyl. It’s their second set of reissues from Matador Records with mastering done by the band’s Paul Leary. These three are considered to be prime examples of the Surfers’ psychedelic period or as the folks from Matador put it: at the time these records were released they were the only band of hallucinogen-soaked punk rock freaks. Heh.
Renowned indie rock critic Byron Coley adds liner notes. And this week the band has shared a live version of their song “Gary Floyd” from Peel Session recorded in 1987, a tribute to a recently deceased friend of the band, Dicks frontman Gary Floyd. They ask you to consider contributing to the Gary Floyd Memorial Fund, which will aid the singer’s longtime partner and caregiver Thom Longino with memorial expenses. Also, on Thursday at 5 pm CT, band members Paul Leary and King Coffey will be on hand to sign records at Austin’s End of An Ear.
Talking Heads are never ever getting back together, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t above releasing a Super Deluxe Edition of their debut Talking Heads 77 on November 8. It will come in 4 different configurations. A 4 LP black vinyl set, plus 4 7” singles, containing some rarities, unreleased outtakes, and exclusive to this box, two LPs containing the previously unreleased Live at CBGB’s, Oct. 10, 1977, their last appearance at downtown’s home of punk. It will also be available at cheaper price points as a 2 LP black vinyl set, 2 LP neon green vinyl set, and a 3 CD + 1 Blu-Ray set. The Big 4 LP set will also contain an 80-page hardcover book containing never-before-seen photos, fliers, artwork, and liner notes personally written by each member–Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison, as well as notes by recording engineer Ed Stasium. The book is also contained in the 3CD/Blu-Ray set with the Blu-Ray featuring a brand new Atmos Mix, 5.1 Mix DTS-HD MA, 5.1 Mix LPCM, all overseen by Harrison, and a 2024 Stereo remaster. I’m not sure what all of that means, but I’m sure one of these configurations will look nice under someone’s Christmas tree.
Other notable releases on the way:
John Cale with a Deluxe Edition of Paris 1919 and The Academy in Peril Reissues, Out Nov. 15th
Bob Dylan – The 1974 Live Recordings, Every professionally recorded show of Dylan’s 1974 tour backed by The Band. 27 CDs!
Jackson Browne – For Everyman, his second album in remastered form with carefully reproduced original packaging.
Iris Dement – My Life, 30th anniversary for vinyl and CD. The first time it’s widely available as an LP. Limited to 2,000 copies worldwide.
Frank Zappa – Apostrophe (‘). 50th Anniversary. 75-track, six-disc re-release of his most successful strictly commercial album.
Gang Of Four – Songs of the Free. Their third album has been remastered from the original tapes by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road with supervision by the band’s Jon King. Digitally available now, new vinyl on October 25.
Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots & American Head. ATMOS mixes are available now on digital platforms. Yoshimi (Blu-Ray Edition) will be available on November 1
.