Record Store Day – the Americana UK guide to the releases

It’s that time again where the format fiends get excited about queueing at 5 am (or earlier) to be among the few to own this year’s exclusively released records. Record Store Day started in 2007 and is held twice a year. It brings together fans, artists, and thousands of independent record stores around the world. A number of records are pressed specifically for Record Store Day and are only distributed to shops participating in the event. So among the many records being proffered, what is worth getting up for? Here is our shortlist:

Billy Bragg – ‘Life’s a Riot With Spy Vs Spy‘ (30th Aniversary Edition)
A coloured vinyl version of the 30th-anniversary edition of Bragg’s debut album.

Buena Vista Social Club – ‘Ahora Me De Pena
1 x 180g black vinyl EP, continuing the celebrations of Buena Vista Social Club’s 25th Anniversary, featuring a previously unheard track plus 3 others never released on vinyl.

Christy Moore – ‘Ride On
A 12″ 140g coloured vinyl (white) of the original 1984 album.

Collective Soul – ‘Disciplined Breakdown
A 25th-anniversary reissue of Collective Soul’s platinum-selling third album, featuring singles ‘Precious Declaration‘ and ‘Listen‘. First vinyl reissue pressed on red vinyl.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – ‘Travellin’ Band
For years, rumours have circulated about a long-lost Creedence recording, captured in 1970 during the band’s appearance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Now, more than 50 years later, it has emerged as a collectable 7-inch. Mirroring the original double-sided 45 released in 1970, Side A features the Albert Hall performance of ‘Travelin’ Band‘ marking the debut release of this rare recording, while Side B offers ‘Who’ll Stop the Rain‘, live at Oakland Coliseum, CA.

Dana Gillespie – ‘Foolish Seasons
A VERY rare and sought-after 1968 debut album from the legendary British singer (still active mainly in the blues idiom), only ever issued in the USA. It includes two previously unavailable tracks that were included on a UK test pressing, which is as close as this album got to being issued outside the US.

Joni Mitchell – ‘Blue 50: Demos, Outtakes and Live Tracks From Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 2
An exclusive LP, featuring highlights from the second volume of the ongoing Joni Mitchell Archives series. The release consists of previously-unreleased, never-before-heard, extremely rare recordings from Mitchell’s archives and the historic release is created entirely with her insight, cooperation and creative input. Most notably Volume 2 follows her journey through the Reprise era – widely considered to be her most successful years – which saw her release albums; ‘Song To A Seagull‘, ‘Clouds‘, ‘Ladies of The Canyon‘ and ‘Blue‘ (which celebrated its 50th-Anniversary in 2021). This RSD exclusive highlights LP will be pressed on 180g black vinyl.

Karen Dalton – ‘Shuckin’ Sugar
Previously unreleased performance featuring seven never before heard songs. This release is limited to 3500 copies pressed at Third Man on transparent, natural vinyl. It includes an old-style, tip-on jacket, an 8pp heavy insert featuring a treasure trove of newly discovered photos, and a 6,000-word essay by Kris Needs.

Kathryn Williams – ‘Introduction
A brand new compilation featuring a track from each one of her studio albums so far.

Nick Lowe – ‘Wireless World
Now, for the first time ever, ‘Wireless World‘ is being issued on LP more than 40 years after first being reported. The album combines the tracklisting of ‘Jesus of Cool‘ and ‘Pure Pop for Now People‘ into one studio album on “dustbin green” vinyl.

Patti Smith – ‘Curated by Record Store Day
New 2-LP compilation of classic Patti Smith tracks from 1974–1996, curated by Record Store Day. Includes ‘Gloria‘ ‘Because the Night‘, ‘Dancing Barefoot‘ and ‘People Have the Power‘.

Ron Sexsmith – ‘Long Player Late Bloomer
First time ever coloured vinyl and first-ever RSD release for cult Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith’s most celebrated album.

Steve Earle – ‘Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother / Night Rider’s Lament
These two songs were recorded by Steve Earle in Nashville, TN. This recording is pressed on a clear vinyl 7” record at 45rpm. This pressing is limited to 4,000 copies worldwide.

Suzanne Vega – ‘Close-Up Extras
12 tracks originally recorded as part of the ‘Close Up’ series of acoustic reimaginings of her favourite songs in 2010-2014. Originally released digitally and as part of a CD box set but never on vinyl.

Trevor Lucas – ‘Overlander
Official reissue for this long lost 1966 LP, the very first to be endorsed by the Trevor Lucas estate. Pressed on orange vinyl for RSD 2022. Ultra-rare 1966 solo album by the singer-songwriter of Fairport Convention, Fotheringay, and Election. This Australian born folk legend recorded his own songs and a handful of covers – mostly solo acoustic, occasionally accompanied by bass, concertina, and fiddle. This is the first-ever authorized reissue (by his estate).

VA – ‘It’s A Rough Old Road To Travel – The Existential Psychodrama In Country Music (Volume II)
Strictly Limited Edition Deluxe Gatefold LP with exclusive scholarly liner notes by Alvin Lucia. Full dynamic range 2022 remasters direct from the first generation analogue master tapes. Limited Edition 500 LPs – 250 “Windswept Heartache” milky clear LPs / 250 “Soul Necrosis” black LPs (randomly inserted).

VA – ‘The Wanderer – A Tribute to Jackie Leven
The exclusive vinyl version of the 2021 release, a newly recorded, tribute compilation to mark the 10th-anniversary of the passing of the Scottish singer Jackie Leven.

Wild Willy Barrett – ‘Alien Talk (That’s What it’s All About
This is a coloured Vinyl, one-off pressing on LP. It includes brand new solo material from avant-garde folk legend Wild Willy Barrett. Recorded in Wild Willy Barrett’s home studio the LP features a host of homemade instruments including his “Electric Thumbless” guitar, the Wah Wah Wheelie Bin, and an old boot with a screwed on tambourine. Barrett will support the release with live performances at selected RSD stores, so check for details.

Willie Nelson – ‘Live at the Texas Opry House, 1974
This was recorded over the course of two nights in 1974, just a few months after ‘Phases and Stages‘ was released. The album was scrapped in the early 1970s and was only released in 2006 on ‘The Complete Atlantic Sessions‘. Pressed on double vinyl and will include a reproduction of the original poster.

A full list of titles released can be found on the official website. Check your local record store for titles that will be available on the day.

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Jonathan Aird

5AM? Way too late….for years my FLRS had people camping out from Friday afternoon and, if I recall correctly, at the last pre-pandemic RSD someone had actually started on Thursday. They don’t call them Vinyl Obsessives for nothing…..