#lp reissues

“History Speaks” is a 2 LP set of recordings of influential figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Poets and politicians, composers and technologists, a pope and a capitalist, there’s a little something for everyone, and it’s tied together by concise narratives by James Harbur. I’m seeing various publication dates around, but all in the mid/late 60′s. I think they must not have been published together, since the narratives of each volume are similar and overlapping rather than complementary. If you are already interested in historical recordings you’ve probably heard many of these, but I guarantee you wouldn’t have when these came out! The blessing and curse of the internet.

One small error to note - the fourth track of disc 1 side 1 is not Henry Morton Stanley, but Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley. A common mistake, but a historical recording nonetheless. More on this here.

Download “History Speaks” (105 MB)

KING DIAMOND LP Reissues: ‘Deadly Lullabyes’, ‘Give Me Your Soul’, ‘The Puppet Master’ Now At Metal Blade!

The venerable legend KING DIAMOND is back on LP with three of his classic albums reissued by Metal Blade Records. Look for Deadly Lullabyes, Give Me Your Soul, and The Puppet Master on September 14th. Get all the details below.

From The Press Release

On September 14th, King Diamond will release LP re-issues of the classic albums Deadly Lullabyes, Give Me Your Soul, and The Puppet Master via Metal…

This is the first of three Texas reissue LPs published by Roots Records. I don't think 'country' is the word I'd have used to describe the selection, but it features a really fun variety of rural Texan music - songster, country blues, barrelhouse, string band and gospel. About the only style it omits is what we traditionally call country.

Some perennial favorites are included (Thomas, Johnson) as well as some I'd never heard of (Bernice Edwards, Billiken Johnson). I don't understand why editor Evelyn Parth chose to begin the set with this hissy transfer of Henry Thomas' 'Arkansas', but I suspect it was the first time the deserving track was reissued on LP and this is the best copy they had.

Download 'Texas Country Music' (78mb)