Record Store Day 2018 is delivering quality and quantity, with a noticeable uptick in label participation. The psychedelic/underground genre gets its due, with featured vinyl from Pink Floyd, Jeff Beck, Arthur Lee, the Doors and the Grateful Dead.
Other acts mined for RSD gold include the Allman Brothers, Eric Burdon, the Rolling Stones, Tangerine Dream, Frank Zappa and Sun Ra.
Releases are all on vinyl and are “Record Store Day exclusives” unless noted. The big day is Saturday April 21. Arrive early for a full psychedelic breakfast menu.
Pink Floyd’s debut album, “Piper at the Gates of Dawn,” arises again on vinyl in a mono edition remastered by Bernie Grundman and Co. There’s a bold new psychedelic cover from Hipgnosis, left, with the old familiar group portrait artwork folded inside. The package includes a black-and-white poster with Syd Barrett front and center. The 1967 album uses the original U.K. track order, with the killer tracks “Astronomy Domine” and “Interstellar Overdrive” opening the two sides. Via Legacy.
Jeff Beck’s “Truth” recently enjoyed special treatment on an SACD. Now it’s back on LP. Friday Music’s new version has a gatefold jacket and blue vinyl. Rod Stewart on vocals, before he was a star. Highlights include the psychedelic swirl of “Shapes of Things” and “Beck’s Bolero.” Title is limited to 1,000 copies with a “regional focus.”
Eric Burdon & the Animals: “Nights in San Francisco” dates back to 1967, when singer Burdon put together his hip new band. Side 1 has familiar R&B workouts such as “C.C. Rider” and “Tobacco Road.” Side 2 is where the psychedelic action is: “Paint It Black,” “When I Was Young” and “San Franciscan Nights.” Side 1 recorded in Germany. Rhythm & Blues label. (RSD first)
The Doors: Rhino checks in with “Live at the Matrix: Let’s Feed Ice Cream to the Rats” (aka “Part II”), composed of more tracks from the band’s stand at the San Francisco club March 7-10 1967. “Newly mastered by Bruce Botnick.” Key perfs include “Moonlight Drive,” “People Are Strange” and “When the Music’s Over.” Follows up on 2017 RSD compilation from the Matrix shows. Sorry, no comprehensive Matrix set in sight.
Arthur Lee and Love: “Coming Through to You” is a double-LP “collection of rare live recordings” stretching from 1970 through 2004. The set, which surfaced on CD in late 2015, was put together by archivist David Skye, who had the blessing of Lee’s widow. It features a great cover illustration by William Stout. Almost all songs date back to the classic studio Love albums of the 1960s, but were recorded by Arthur Lee in concert after the original group disbanded. Audio quality varies. Includes cover of “Instant Karma.” RockBeat Records. (RSD first) > Read about the new “Forever Changes” box set.
The Allman Brothers Band: “Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival, July 3 & 5, 1970.” First time on vinyl for these electrifying sets from the second Atlanta fest. Listen for the part where the fences come down. Key tracks include “Statesboro Blues,” “Dreams” and “Stormy Monday.” With Duane Allman at his peak. Numbered, limited to 3,000 copies. Via Legacy. (RSD first)
Bob Dylan & the Grateful Dead: The 1987 tour highlights, back on vinyl. Tracks include “All Along the Watchtower” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Via Columbia. (RSD first)
The Grateful Dead: Previously released but almost impossible to find offline — “Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA 2/27/69.” Was part of the CD box set “The Complete Fillmore West 1969” of 2005. Four-LP set with one side an etching. From Rhino and the Dead.
Jerry Garcia: “Run for the Roses” was Garcia’s fourth and final solo studio album. Several Garcia/Robert Hunter originals plus covers of “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Limited, numbered on “black/orange marbled vinyl.” ATO/Round Records. (RSD first)
Mickey Hart: 2017’s “RAMU” rereleased on vinyl with orange discs. Tribal drums, electronic vocals, all that. Twelve tracks, including a few Hart/Hunter compositions. Double LP on Verve.
The Who’s “The Kids Are Alright” soundtrack reappears. Long out of print on vinyl. “Double LP on red and blue heavyweight colored vinyl with original LP packaging.” Includes “A Quick One” from “The Rock & Roll Circus.” (RSD first)
The Rolling Stones: The Stones’ controversial psychedelic effort “Their Satanic Majesties Request” gets another rerelease, following last year’s “Satanic Majesties” box set. This time on “colored splattered vinyl” with original gatefold artwork and restored 3D cover. ABKCO.
Andrew Oldham Orchestra: Longtime Stones producer strings up his charges with “The Rolling Stones Songbook.” 1967 album features “Time Is on My Side,” “Heart of Stone” and “As Tears Go By.” Listen for session men Nicky Hopkins and John McLaughlin. And that string bit that later surfaced on “Bitter Sweet Symphony.” Via Slow Down Sounds. (RSD first)
George Martin: Two Beatles suites highlight the instrumental “Beatles to Bond and Bach” — bits from “Sgt. Pepper” and “Yellow Submarine.” The James Bond suite incorporates “Live and Let Die.” Numbered and “on 180g blue vinyl.” Music On Vinyl.
Hot Tuna: “Live at the New Orleans House” features alternate performances from the 1970 shows that went wide on the duo’s self-titled debut album. Recorded in Berkeley, near their Airplane stomping grounds. All of the debut album’s songs in the same order. Just different: “Hesitation Blues,” “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” etc. Double LP on Legacy.
Cheech & Chong: Lighters high for this 7-inch picture disc from Rhino. In the shape of a marijuana leaf with some kind of scratch ‘n’ sniff element. Both sides have the title track from the movie. Side B is unreleased with an extra Spanish verse. “A great collectible for any marijuana enthusiast.”
Hawkwind: “Dark Matter (The Alternative Liberty/U.A. Years 1970-1974). Previously released as part of the CD set “Parallel Universe.” Double-LP collection is the collection’s first time on vinyl. Via Parlophone.
Various artists: Two LPs full of “Iconic Performances From the Monterey International Pop Festival.” The usual suspects, but this time packaged on “red and yellow marbled vinyl LPs.” Thirteen tracks showcase Jimi Hendrix, Big Brother, the Who and the Grateful Dead. Limited to 1,000 copies with a regional focus. Label listed as Monterey International Pop Festival.
Jimi Hendrix: Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy” b/w “Trash Men.” First track was early recording by Band of Gypsys and comes from the new “Both Sides of the Sky” Hendrix album. B-side is a late Experience outtake. 45 rpm on 7-inch vinyl. Columbia.
Frank Zappa: Back to the 1967 orchestral sessions. “Lumpy Gravy” b/w “Primordial.” “Limited edition 45 rpm burgundy vinyl with FZ’s original album design.” Listed then canceled from Black Friday RSD. Zappa label. (RSD first)
Tangerine Dream’s third album, “Zeit,” features the classic trio of Edgar Froese, Peter Baumann and Chris Franke. Four movements, each taking up a side of the rerelease of this double-LP album. Promised in tangerine orange. Via Varese Sarabande. 2,000 copies.
The Moody Blues: Live “Say It With Love” dates from last summer, when the band celebrated a half century of “Days of Future Passed.” Three tracks from Toronto: “Say It With Love,” “The Story in Your Eyes” and “Steppin’ in a Slide Zone.” Eagle Records. (RSD first)
Yes: Limited edition picture disc of “Tomato,” the last album recorded with Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. From Atlantic/Rhino with front and back cover of original album. Via Atlantic/Rhino. (RSD first)
Sun Ra: The RSD favorite is back with a quartet of albums. “Standards” (ORG Music label) features recordings from 1955 to 1963. Six tracks in a “psychedelic color pressing.” “The Cymbals/Symbols Sessions: New York City 1973” (Modern Harmonic) comes from sessions that were supposed to produce an album for Impulse! but got lost in the cosmos. Two LPs. “Astro Black” (Modern Harmonic) made it to Impulse! “Pressed on Astro Black/purple vinyl.” Four tracks. “Pine Street Theatre, Oct 18th, 1988” (Jackpot Records) from Portland. Double LP. “Audiophile pressing.”
Also of interest:
Neil Young: “Tonight’s the Night Live at the Roxy.” Double LP from Warner. (RSD first)
Nazz: “The Fungo Bat Acetates” from Todd Rundgren band’s doomed attempt at a sophomore double album. (RSD first)
Van Morrison: “Alternative Moondance” album. Double-LP picture disc from Rhino.
MC5: 7-inchers of singles “I Can Only Give You Everything”/”I Just Don’t Know” and “Looking at You”/”Borderline.” From Modern Harmonic.
The Beau Brummels: Critics’ fave “Bradley’s Barn” back as a double LP.
Eric Clapton: “Complete Clapton” ranges from 1968 to 2006. Four LPs. Bonus 45 rpm single of “The Shape You’re In” b/w “See What Love Can Do.”
Curved Air: New picture disc of the 1970 debut album “Air Conditioning.”
Led Zeppelin: Single of Friends”/”Rock and Roll.”
The Residents: “The W***** B*** Album.” Rejected by label and demos returned to “residents” of apartment. (RSD first)
Ornette Coleman: “An Evening With Ornette Coleman, Part 2,” follows up on 2017 disc. From ORG Music.
Question Mark and the Mysterians: 7 inches of “Doncha Want My Love/Hot n’ Groovin /Funky Lady.”
The Groundhogs: LP “Scratching the Surface.”
Small Faces: 7-inch of “Lazy Sunday” (stereo) b/w “Ogdens Nut Gone Flake” (alt mono) (RSD first)
The Rascals: “The Complete Singles A’s & B’s” on four LPs. Limited run of 1,000/regional.
The Kinks: “Phobia” on two LPs from Friday Music.
Tim Buckley: “Live at the Troubadour” from Real Gone and “I Can’t See You” from Manifesto.
Gene Clark: “Back Street Mirror” LP from Entree.
There’s much to get excited about in many genres — we mostly deal in psychedelics and ’60s stuff here — so check out the full Record Store Day 2018 list of titles.