Keep an Eye on the Sky

While there may all ready be a new series of spiffy Big Star reissues on the way, news has emerged that fans of the seminal Memphis outfit can expect a whole lot more Big Star in the late summer. Come September 15th the fine people at Rhino will be releasing a four-disc box set from the group, which gathers up material recorded between 1968 and 1975.

A true treat this time for fans as a number pre-Big Star outfits from members Alex Chilton, Andy Hummel, Jody Stephens and the late Chris Bell will be included in the set, titled Keep an Eye on the Sky. The actual Big Star material, will be made up of rarities and previously unreleased material. Tracklist follows.

To cap it all off, a number of live recordings are featured as well, including unreleased highlights from three sets Big Star performed at Lafayette's Music Room in Memphis in January 1973. It is the best live recording ever of the band recorded shortly after Chris Bell left the band. As well a comprehensive tome will come with the release. Included in that, extensive liner notes, rare and never-before-seen photos, and insightful essays about the cult of Big Star and the band's history.

Now if that were not enough, the Rhino imprint Handmade will reissue a limited edition, expanded reissue of Bell’s classic solo album, I Am the Cosmos (last released via Rykodisc in 1992). The new Cosmos reissue will come as a two-CD collection and feature various outtakes and alternate versions. That one is due September 14th.

Track Listing - Keep an Eye on the Sky

Psychedelic Stuff - Chris Bell
All I See Is You - Icewater
Every Day As We Grow Closer (Original Mix) - Alex Chilton
Try Again (Early Version) - Rock City
The Preacher - Rock City
Feel
The Ballad Of El Goodo - Alternate Mix*
In The Street
Thirteen - Alternate Mix*
Don't Lie To Me
The India Song
When My Baby's Beside Me - Alternate Mix*
My Life Is Right - Alternate Mix*
Give Me Another Chance - Alternate Mix*
Try Again
Gone With The Light* - Chris Bell
Watch The Sunrise
ST 100/6 - Alternate Mix*
In The Street - Second Recorded Version
Feel - Early Mix*
The Ballad Of El Goodo (Alternate Lyrics)
The India Song - Alternate Version*
Country Morn
I Got Kinda Lost - Demo
Motel Blues - Demo*
There Was A Light - Demo*
Life Is White - Demo*
What's Going Ahn - Demo*
O My Soul
Life Is White
Way Out West - Alternate Mix*
What's Going Ahn
You Get What You Deserve - Alternate Mix*
Mod Lang - Alternate Mix
Back Of A Car - Alternate Mix*
Daisy Glaze
She's A Mover
September Gurls
Morpha Too - Alternate Mix*
I'm In Love With A Girl
O My Soul - Alternate Version*
Back Of A Car - Demo
Daisy Glaze - Alternate Take*
She's A Mover - Alternate Version
I Am The Cosmos - Chris Bell
You And Your Sister - Chris Bell
Blue Moon - Demo* - Alex Chilton
Femme Fatale - Demo* - Alex Chilton
Thank You Friends - Demo* - Alex Chilton
You Get What You Deserve - Demo* - Alex Chilton
Lovely Day (aka Stroke It Noel) - Demo - Alex Chilton
Downs - Demo - Alex Chilton
Nightime - Demo* - Alex Chilton
Jesus Christ - Demo* - Alex Chilton
Holocaust - Demo* - Alex Chilton
Take Care - Demo* - Alex Chilton
Big Black Car - Alternate Demo* - Alex Chilton
Manana*
Jesus Christ
Femme Fatale
O, Dana
Kizza Me
You Can't Have Me
Nightime
Dream Lover
Blue Moon
Take Care
Stroke It Noel
For You
Downs
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
Big Black Car
Holocaust
Kanga Roo
Thank You Friends
Till The End Of The Day
Lovely Day*
Nature Boy
When My Baby's Beside Me*
My Life Is Right*
She's A Mover*
Way Out West*
The Ballad Of El Goodo*
In The Street*
Back Of A Car*
Thirteen*
The India Song*
Try Again*
Watch The Sunrise*
Don't Lie To Me*
Hot Burrito #2*
I Got Kinda Lost*
Baby Strange*
Slut*
There Was A Light*
ST 100/6*
Come On Now*
O My Soul*

*previously unreleased

"Children by the Millions, Sing for Alex Chilton"

Big Star Reissues Due

Paul Westerberg once triumphantly exclaimed in song, “(he) never traveled far without a little Big Star” and now circumstance will dictate the same for music fans everywhere. Pitchfork is reporting that Big Star, one of the greatest bands ever in the known universe and the pride of west Tennessee, will have their first two albums re-issued by Ardent/Stax on June 16th. 'Ardent' fans will note that both albums, #1 Record and Radio City, are currently available on a single disc collection, and yes I’ve railed about these reissue opportunities previously. But this time, its different. What's really cool about this news item is that the label will also be releasing both sets individually on vinyl once again. As a music fan I must wholeheartedly endorse this format for the discerning listener. These are perfect pop records that should be in everyone’s collection. Vinyl the perfect medium for this very perfect pop music.

Be first in line for these people. You will not be disappointed.

PLAYLIST 6 - Leaves Do Fall

In honour of my favourite season, a playlist to commemorate the arrival of Autumn. A single disc this time, as brief as the season will no doubt feel.

Leaves Do Fall

Autumn Acid - Aphex Twin
Scatterbrain (As Dead As Leaves) - Radiohead
Spring And By Summer Fall - Blonde Redhead
If You Were Coming In The Fall - Carla Bruni
All the Fallen Leaves - Jim Bryson
Winter Spring Summer Fall - The Postmarks
Rose Hip November - Vashti Bunyan
Maple Leaves [7" Version] - Jens Lekman
Leaves Do Fall - The Rosebuds
Fallen Leaves - Teenage Fanclub
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground - White Stripes
September Gurls – Big Star
Autumn Almanac - The Kinks
Autumn Sweater - Yo La Tengo
Grey Sky Eyes - Carbon Leaf
September - Earth Wind and Fire
September Song - Frank Sinatra