BOB DYLAN Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs

'Twas in another lifetime...

I don't think we have ever taken preorders this far upfront but this is a pretty special item and a very special price. This latest entry in the Bob Dylan Bootleg Series is scheduled to be released October 7. However, if you preorder at the website before September 10 you will get the sale price of $124.99 for the DELUXE 3 CD version. (We will not charge your card until we actually ship.) This is scheduled to be a limited pressing and we want anyone on our list who wants one to be assured of getting one. Preordering at this time will secure you a copy to be shipped the day we take delivery.

THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOLUME 8

INCLUDED WITH BOTH STANDARD AND DELUXE:
2 CD set with 27 songs PLUS 60 page booklet with rare photos, essay, credits.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS ONLY FOUND WITH THE DELUXE EDITION:
Exclusive bonus CD with 12 extra tracks. 150 page, 8" x 8" hardcover book of Bob's singles artwork.

All packaged in a hardcover solid slipcase. LISTEN ORDER

SPECIAL PRE-ORDER SALE PRICE GOOD THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10th. ACT NOW!!
PLEASE ORDER THIS ITEM BY ITSELF. IT WILL SHIP SEPARATELY AND HAVE THE USUAL SHIPPING CHARGES.

Disc: 1
1. Mississippi 6:04 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind)
2. Most of the Time 3:46 (Alternate version, Oh Mercy)
3. Dignity 2:09 (Piano demo, Oh Mercy)
4. Someday Baby 5:56 (Alternate version, Modern Times)
5. Red River Shore 7:36 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind)
6. Tell Ol' Bill 5:31 (Alternate version, North Country soundtrack)
7. Born in Time 4:10 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy)
8. Can't Wait 5:45 (Alternate version, Time Out of Mind)
9. Everything is Broken 3:27 (Alternate version, Oh Mercy)
10. Dreamin' of You 6:23 (Unreleased, Time Out Of Mind)
11. Huck's Tune 4:09 (From Lucky You soundtrack)
12. Marchin' to the City 6:36 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind)
13. High Water (For Charley Patton) 6:40 (Live, August 23, 2003, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)

Disc: 2
1. Mississippi 6:24 (Unreleased version #2, Time Out of Mind)
2. 32-20 Blues 4:22 (Unreleased, World Gone Wrong)
3. Series of Dreams 6:27 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy)
4. God Knows 3:12 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy)
5. Can't Escape from You 5:22 (Unreleased, December 2005)
6. Dignity 5:25 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy)
7. Ring Them Bells 4:59 (Live at The Supper Club, November 17, 1993, New York, NY)
8. Cocaine Blues 5:30 (Live, August 24, 1997, Vienna, VA)
9. Ain't Talkin' 6:13 (Alternate version, Modern Times)
10. The Girl on the Greenbriar Shore 2:51 (Live, June 30, 1992,Dunkerque, France)
11. Lonesome Day Blues 7:37 (Live, February 1, 2002, Sunrise, FL)
12. Miss the Mississippi 3:20 (Unreleased, 1992)
13. The Lonesome River 3:04 (With Ralph Stanley, from the album Clinch Mountain Country)
14. 'Cross the Green Mountain 8:15 (From Gods and Generals Soundtrack)

Disc: 3
1. Duncan & Brady 3:47 (Unreleased, 1992)
2. Cold Irons Bound 5:57 (Live at Bonnaroo, 2004)
3. Mississippi 6:24 (Unreleased version #3, Time Out of Mind)
4. Most of the Time 5:10 (Alternate version #2, Oh Mercy)
5. Ring Them Bells 3:18 (Alternate version, Oh Mercy)
6. Things Have Changed 5:32 (Live, June 15, 2000, Portland, OR)
7. Red River Shore 7:08 (Unreleased version #2, Time Out of Mind)
8. Born in Time 4:19 (Unreleased version #2, Oh Mercy)
9. Tryin' to Get to Heaven 5:10 (Live, October 5, 2000, London, England)
10. Marchin' to the City 3:39 (Unreleased version #2, Time Out of Mind)
11. Can't Wait 7:24 (Alternate version #2, Time Out of Mind)
12. Mary and the Soldier 4:23 (Unreleased, World Gone Wrong)

"All my powers of expression and thoughts so sublime

Could never do you justice in reason or rhyme

Only one thing I did wrong

Stayed in Mississippi a day too long"

Stock Tips

We just learned that a couple of releases scheduled for this week will not be on time. First, Todd Snider's "Peace Queer" has been pulled from release for the time being with no hard date announced yet. We are canceling all credit card orders for the Snider, check and Paypal orders will be back ordered for the time being. We will re-solicit this when we get more information.

The other delayed release is Chris Knight's Heart of Stone CD. It has been bumped two weeks to September 2nd release date. We will ship those as soon as possible. If you have a large order we may ship the bulk of it now and the Knight will come along later.

On the other side of the coin we have received a few new items for our 'Hard To Find' category. For various reasons these are those CDs that will never make it to your local store and you either get them at the artists' shows or at Village Records.

We have a new seven song CD from Jim Henry, 'King Of Hearts', continuing in the back and forth series with Tracy Grammer. They are now even with two apiece. Check out his cover of Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning".

Also, the MIA Sammy Walker emerges from twelve years without a new release with 'Misfit Scarecrow'. Check it out.

We finally took delivery on the latest from Hans Theessink and it is worth the wait. This time he teams up with Terry Evans (of Ry Cooder fame) and the results are phenomenal as expected. A semi-acoustic set of covers that includes an aching soulful take on "Dark End Of The Street." The CD is called 'Visions'. We're offering this great import at domestic prices.

Operators are standing by...

Jerry Wexler : RIP

Legendary producer dies at 91

There is no way, no matter what the size of your music collection is that you don't own a CD, album or a single without this man's name on it. Many recordings while not bearing his name, carry his indelible stamp if an artist ever worked with him. Music has lost a vital link in the chain that cannot be replaced or welded back in place, it is simply gone.

There will be many tributes and commentaries on his life and work the rest of the year. I urge you to take the time and acquaint yourself with this man's incredible contributions to music that we take for granted every day. After doing that you can ask yourself, who working today will leave a footprint even close to the one that he's left.

This news release covers the basics, check out a few more in the days and weeks to come or run your own searches.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080815/BREAKING/707797567

Hightone Records Is Back

As many of you know the Hightone Records catalog has been hard to come by in the last few years. But today we are happy to announce that we have most of their great titles back and at new lower prices on top of it. What an incredible roster!! Dave Alvin, Joe Ely, Buddy Miller, and of course, Tom Russell, among many others.

So be frustrated no longer and see what you are missing and missing out on.

Browse HIGHTONE RECORDS at Village Records

Irma Thomas: Stepping Out From The Shadow Of The Rolling Stones

From telegraph.co.uk

Blues legend Irma Thomas tells Helen Brown how she is winning over a new generation
"So there we were, in a hotel in Austin, Texas, watching the footage of hurricane Katrina on CNN," recalls Irma Thomas.

Irma Thomas: "The secret's in the story of the song"
"And the reporter says: 'We are concerned about the whereabouts of Fats Domino and Irma Thomas.' Well, I knew where I was. But I could see why they were concerned: I'd just seen the helicopter fly over my house and it was under water."
Thomas, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans", lost almost everything.... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Dog & Pony Show (A Letter From Dave Alvin)

Dave Alvin, John Doe, Peter Case, Big Sandy and more perform at the Dog & Pony Show benefit festival, Aug 30, 31 and Sept 1

Dear friends, fans and everyone else:

I’d like to let you know about a 3 day benefit called the

Dog & Pony Show that some close friends and I have put together for this coming Labor Day weekend, Aug 30, 31 and Sept 1.

The past year has been very hard health wise for many members of the California music scene. Four friends/musicians of ours (western soul singer Chris Gaffney, superb guitarist Duane Jarvis, blues diva Candye Kane, psycho-billy hot-rodder Drac Conley) were all diagnosed with different forms of cancer and need our help to deal the expense of their various treatments. Instead of putting on four different benefits, I thought it might make more sense to do one BIG one featuring many of the bands and musicians that have played with Chris, Duane, Candye and Drac through the years. Thus, the Dog And Pony Show was born.

Seeing how my late friend (and spiritual advisor), Chris Gaffney, always referred our gigs together as “dog and pony shows,” I thought that his descriptive phrase would be a perfect name for the benefit (though he never did tell me which one of us was the dog and which one was the pony).

Sadly, as many of you may know, Chris passed away recently but the good news is that Duane, Candye and Drac are doing fine and hanging tough through this rough time. Without going into a long dissertation on the state of health care in our country, I would like to point out that they still need financial help with their treatments and recoveries. All the money we raise at the Dog And Pony Show will be going directly to them (or in Chris’s case, to his survivors) to cover their medical expenses.

If you are in California this Labor Day weekend, or even remotely nearby, I’d like to personally invite you to come to the shows. There will be great music, drinks, dancing, barbeque, some memories, some laughs, a couple of tears and a roomful of love. I’ll see you there.

Dave Alvin

For more information, visit musicmenagerie.net and myspace.com/musicmenageriedogandponyshow.

Jon Dee Graham : On The Mend

Looks like a happy ending is in the cards for this near tragedy

Jon Dee Graham is recovering at University Medical Center at Brackenridge after a car wreck Friday night. He was listed in fair condition, according to Seton Hospital officials. Graham was driving home from Dallas when he fell asleep at the wheel, his family said Sunday. Here is the full statement posted on his MySpace page Sunday.

“Hello. We are surprised how quickly news travels. News of Jon Dee’s
accident has aready even been on the radio. A lot of people are really
wanting to know what happened. Jon Dee was on his way home from a gig in
Dallas late Friday night and sadly, fell asleep at the wheel. His oldest
son had just arrived from New York, and Jon Dee wanted to make it home
before breakfast.

Over the decades, he’s driven thousands of miles after
a gig,and to and from gigs, so, it was a surprise for him to suddenly
have his car spinning and derailing. Somehow, even as busy as I-35 can
be he was the only person and car involved in the accident. He was in
intensive care and is improving. He will be in the hospital for several
more days, at least.

Thank you for concerns from all friends and fans.
Jon Dee is happiest when is playing live and he will be on with the
shows when he recovers. He is pretty banged up, with broken bones,
injured insides, etc. Evidently, driving a Volvo really did save his
life. The Volvo died, thank God Jon Dee didn’t. Thank you for your
blessings, prayers, support and good thoughts of healing.

Warmly,

Jon Dee’s family”

TOM RUSSELL : New Website Announcement

Our friend, and traveling troubadour Tom Russell, has launched his new web site. It's new, improved, and ready for the world at large. This will be the best way for you to see if he's on his way to your town with his guitar and guitarist Michael Martin. You can now access his blog, Facebook and MySpace pages from here to. Pretty much one stop shopping for all things Tom.

Also, get ready for a new two CD career spanning compilation from Shout Factory coming this fall. Final tracks are still being discussed, but there is talk of a few rare tracks that none of us have heard.

Along Comes Mary

Random musings on a Summer Day….

Songs about women were first written within minutes of the first instruments being tooled. Women named Mary have been the beneficiary of some great ones since that time. With no proof I would offer up that it is the most common woman’s name in history. My cousin who’s been married a few times even has two ex’s named Mary. Like I said, this is unscientific, but I stand by it.

Anyway, below is a selective, but compelling list of five songs that use the name of Mary in the title and a few that use a variation of the name. Feel free to submit yours to us. Titles are alphabetical for simplicity’s sake.

Arms Of Mary - Sutherland Brothers If you’ve never heard this, then you’ve never experienced what a girl named Mary could mean to one person. This is perfection from first note to last. The only other song that comes close in this department is “Walk Away Renee.” This one just stops time and allows you to search your psyche for your own “Mary.”

Hello, Mary Lou - Rick Nelson An ode to teenage love that while sounding quaint, never seems overwrought. Rick gives us a gentle reading that recalls the girl a few houses down who seems to notice everyone but our narrator.

Mary In The Morning - Al Martino In his pre “Godfather” days Al offered a credible version of this one for the masses. Elvis Presley though did one for the ages. Check out his soulful reading of it on “That’s The Way It Is.”

Mary, Mary - Monkees Although Mike Nesmith wrote it, Mickey does the vocal honors on this one. It’s a nice slab of pop from the late sixties. Also check out the Paul Butterfield Band’s version for a different perspective.

The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix Experience This one arrives like some drugged induced dream with its imagery and stop and start musical passages, then it seems to just float around the room long after it ends.

Some Variations…

Maria - (West Side Story) This one has had its share of covers over the years, but Johnny Mathis delivers its most soulful version. After all of these years seeing the names of Sondheim and Bernstein under the title brings thoughts of seeing McCartney and Dylan together as co-writers.

Marie, Marie - Blasters Early eighties rockabilly that smolders from start to finish. Vocalist Phil Alvin uses the words of brother Dave to woo a local girl for a night on the town. It pulls together all of the urgency of living for the moment, not the times. This is one of those songs that you just can’t play loud enough.

So Long, Marianne - Leonard Cohen With a parable known only to Cohen he weaves his spell around yet another lost love.

Stock Tip

CAPPital Idea

One of our favorite retro country rockers, Brian Capps is offering easily the best deal currently in music. For a limited time you can purchase his three discs of all country covers in one package. All thirty tracks were produced by Lou Whitney and play like a roadhouse jukebox that never takes a break. One disc is entirely covers of Johnny Cash no less. These may not last until our next mailer so we wanted to make sure that our blog subscribers get first shot at them. Not sold in stores and not sold separately.

I Dreamed I Was Flying...

American Tune

Many's the time I've been mistaken And many times confused
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken And certainly misused
Oh, but I'm all right, I'm all right I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be Bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away from home

And I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered or driven to its knees
but it's all right, it's all right for we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the road we're traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hours and sing an American tune
Oh, and it's alright, it's all right, it's all right
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest
That's all I'm trying to get some rest

(Paul Simon)

Happy Fourth Of July from Village Records

THE PILGRIM: CHAPTER 72

BIRTHDAY BOY, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON

Today our favorite pilgrim turns seventy two. That's right, seventy two. Hard to believe that he's been around this long considering the hard living and loving of those early days. He must be related to Jerry Lee Lewis. He's left his mark just about anywhere that music is played and has written some of the most enduring modern day standards. Standards about life on the road, wasted days and wasted nights, lovers and friends, pretty much everything but a classic car song when you get right down to it.

Unlike a lot of songwriters you always got the impression that he was the protagonist in nearly all of his songs. While others wrote in the abstract he stuck to everyday life and the struggles from getting out of bed on a Sunday morning to drinking it all away on a Saturday evening. What he lacked in vocal prowess he more than made up for by telling a story that you would never forget. Reminds me of a young kid from Hibbing Minnesota with a limited vocal range that managed to get his point across a few times.

Anyway Kris, it's your day. We'll have a round for you tonight because when it's all said and done "the going up is worth the coming down."