Act quick before they’re gone
Highly collectible LPs up for grabs on Record Store Day
The “vinyl revival” is nothing new. But if you haven’t swiped mom and dad’s antique turntable just yet, maybe now’s the time to act.
April 22 marks the 10th anniversary of the annual Record Store Day. Held on the third Saturday every April, the event celebrates vinyl from sun up to sun down.
There are hundreds of titles bring released — reissued classics, limited-edition coloured pressings, box sets and never-before-heard offerings from A-listers — available at your local independent record store. As always, it’s first-come, first-served and when they’re gone, they’re gone.
And if you think rare albums are a dime a dozen, just consider this tidbit: A double 12-inch version of Prince’s Black Album, which the singer ordered recalled a week before it was to be released in 1987, fetched $15,000 shortly after his death last April.
This year’s RSD ambassador is St. Vincent who said in a statement, “Rest assured I do not take my duties lightly.” Neither do we. Herewith is our highly subjective list of the 13 most collectible LPs you should try and get your hot little hands on.
Andre 3000 — All Together Now
Andre 3000’s cover of the Beatles’ All Together makes its vinyl debut. The single is backed with a previously unreleased instrumental version of the track.
David Bowie — Cracked Actor; BOW PROMO
The Thin White Duke gets two special releases this year — Cracked Actor (Live in Los Angeles ‘74), and the ultrarare Hunky Doryera promo album BOWPROMO. The former marks the first official release of Bowie’s Philly Dogs Tour show and comes with brandnew artwork and unseen pics. BOWPROMO features alternate versions of songs that appeared on Hunky Dory.
Until this Saturday, there have been less than 500 of these in existence.
Johnny Cash — The Johnny Cash Children’s Album
Put the earphones on and hear another side of The Man in Black. Originally released in 1975, the lighthearted listen features Old
Shep, famously recorded by Elvis Presley in 1956.
Elton John — 17.11.70
The Rocket Man has picked his favourite live concert for release. A six-track version of 17-11-70 was originally available in 1971, but the 2-LP Record Store Day edition is the first time the entire 13-song show has got an official pressing. The concert featured an 18-minute medley that mixes Burn Down
the Mission and the Beatles’ Get Back.
“I think it’s one of the greatest live albums ever made,” John recently told Rolling Stone.
Dave Matthews Band — Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95
DMB is one of the most successful touring acts around. Live at Red
Rocks is the group’s most successful live album to date and is coming to vinyl for the first time.
I’m ecstatic ... my wife? Not so much.
The Notorious B.I.G. — Born Again
Biggie Smalls’ first posthumously released album hasn’t been available on vinyl since the late ’90s. It makes a comeback this year thanks (sadly), to the fact that 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the rapper’s death.
Pink Floyd — Interstellar Overdrive
The iconic prog-rockers will unveil the previously unreleased 15-minute 1966 instrumental. If you need added incentive, the single comes with a poster and a postcard featuring a classic image of the band snapped during the recording sessions for Arnold Layne.
Prince
His Purpleness has several 12-inch singles hitting stores, including Sign O’ the Times,I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man and Batdance. Also up for grabs is a seven-inch picture disc featuring
Little Red Corvette and 1999.
Santana — Live at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, August 16, 1969
Santana was a relative unknown when they took the stage at the iconic music festival. Their blistering set put them on the map and prepared the world for their debut album, which was released a few weeks later. This LP captures the live set on vinyl for the first time.
The Smiths — The Boy with the Thorn in His Side
In case you’re still working out any unresolved teenage angst, the Mozzer and friends will drop two previously unreleased recordings — a demo mix of The Queen is Dead’s The Boy with the Thorn in His Side and an early version of Rubber Ring. mdaniell@postmedia.com