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Beck’s Record Club

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

A couple of months ago, I’m sure you recall, Beck released his One Foot In The Grave Deluxe album. He self-released it for the most part, and sold different packages on beck.com. One such superpack was the vinyl version of the Deluxe, as well as some other goodies (a totebag, t-shirt, etc.). The site said the vinyl would be shipped at the end of May.

A few weeks ago then, people started to get their packs. Included with all the listed stuff was a little black vinyl 7″ record, labelled “Record Club – Sunday Morning.” This had been unlisted and was a surprise addition.

Turns out, the song is a new studio recording of the Velvet Underground’s “Sunday Morning” (a song Beck had played live a fair amount over the years; mostly in 2002 or so). Beck recorded it in March or April of this year, and it was immediately pressed and then sent out with the superpacks.

I am told that there WILL be more Record Club vinyls, and probably soon! I am not sure how or when or where they will be available to purchase; this first one was basically a secret until it arrived. So keep an eye out and let us know if you see or find anything: computergirls@whiskeyclone.net

Also, one question–did anyone order the One Foot Deluxe vinyl + download set from beck.com? Did that package have a Record Club vinyl in it too?

UPDATE: The band on “Sunday Morning” was Beck, Nigel Godrich, Brian LeBarton, Chris Holmes, and an Icelandic singer named Thorunn. Well, from Chris’ own blog, he mentions here that they did the ENTIRE Velvet Underground & Nico album!

Charlotte Gainsbourg album

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

So, I cannot remember if I’ve ever mentioned this on here or not. But we had known for a little while that Beck was working on Charlotte Gainsbourg’s upcoming record, producing and writing it with her. He said once that he was supposed to help out on her previous album, 5:55 but was unable to (she did that album with Air and Nigel Godrich).

Of course, Charlotte’s parents are Serge Gainsbourg (a big influence on Beck) and Jane Birkin (who sang a song with Beck once!).

Recently while in Japan, Beck played the song “Paradisco” live, which I was told was a song likely for Charlotte’s album. Well today, Charlotte posted a short update on her myspace page which says the following:

Recording with Beck, new album due for release late 2009
Following Air, Jarvis Cocker, Neil Hannon & Nigel Godrich for 2006’s successful “5.55”, Charlotte Gainsbourg is currently working with Beck on the composition & production of her new album.

The album is scheduled for November 2009. It will feature at least 11 songs, titles including “In The End”, “Heaven Can Wait” and “Master Hand”.

This to be the first sort of official announcement about the record, previously it’s only been mentioned in some Japanese interviews, I believe. Here is her website and her myspace.

Phenomenal Truckdrivin Neighbors video

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Excellent job!

One Foot In The Grave Week

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Tomorrow, April 14, is One Foot In The Grave Day!

Hell, let’s make it the whole week.

How much do you love One Foot In The Grave? Are you listening to it now (and why not?)? When did you first hear it? What do you think of the 16 (SIXTEEN!) bonus tracks on the new Deluxe version, out tomorrow, go buy it ASAP? What’s your favorite song on the album? Any old things you wish were on the Deluxe, but aren’t? (I’d die if there was a “Curses.” And what about that old “Static”?) If you could marry One Foot In The Grave, would you? Has a girl ever dangled carrots and made you feel embarrassed to be the fool you know you are?

Share your One Foot stories in the comments!

More One Foot In Deluxe Notes

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

So a few of the music news sites are catching up to this release finally (Pitchfork, NME, etc.). I put the press release below.

NME had a slightly different tracklist, the title “Axe Ex” is now “Burning Boyfriend.” Sounds like the same song to me, just a new (better) title.

Also, some are now reporting that the release will be on Interscope, when initial reports were that it’s on Beck’s new personal label, Illiad Records. Beck’s deal with Interscope was reportedly finished in the US after the last album. So not sure contractually how things are working here. If anyone knows anything, I’m quite interested in this side of things, please share.

The album, needless to remind you, is out on Tuesday. EXCITEMENT LEVEL: not zero.

PRESS RELEASE:

BECK
ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE DELUXE REISSUE OUT APRIL 14

“One Foot in the Grave presents our hero as an earnest young student of vernacular American music, knocking off Guthrie-esque sing-alongs, loose-stringed slide blues, and originals that come off as the alternative-rock equivalent to folklorist field recordings…a loving tribute”. -ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Released barely four months after Beck’s 1994 debut Mellow Gold, the minimalist mutant folk collection One Foot in the Grave was a curveball that temporarily threw casual “Loser” fans off Beck’s scent while presaging myriad musical adventures to come in the form of 1996’s multi-platinum breakthrough Odelay. On April 14, One Foot in the Grave will be reissued in a deluxe format including 13 previously unreleased tracks from the original sessions and three more from an out of print 7″ only release, including an early version of “It’s All In Your Mind” from 2002’s Sea Change.

One Foot in the Grave was released in June 1994 on K Records, and was recorded by Calvin Johnson, founder of the label and proprietor of Dub Narcotic Studios. Sessions began in the fall of 1993, a few months into the existence of Calvin’s Olympia, Wa basement studio on a reel to reel 8 track. Musicians from local bands such as Built to Spill, Spinanes and Love As Laughter made appearances backing up Beck on half of the original album’s 16 tracks. Released with little to no initial promotion or fanfare, the record has grown from a cult favorite to one of the most highly regarded releases of the extensive Beck oeuvre, with tracks like “Hollow Log,” “He’s A Mighty Good Leader” and “Asshole,” which was covered by Tom Petty on his She’s The One album.

“I’d never worked with anyone so focused, or whose creativity flowed so freely,” Johnson recently recalled. “Songs altered structure and lyrics take to take, a fascinating process to witness.” The the deluxe reissue of One Foot in the Grave yields additional insight into the process by including the above-mentioned never before released originals and alternate mixes from these sessions.

The complete track listing is as follows:

ORIGINAL ALBUM:

1. He’s A Mighty Good Leader
2. Sleeping Bag
3. I Get Lonesome
4. Burnt Orange Peel
5. Cyanide Breath Mint
6. See Water
7. Ziplock Bag
8. Hollow Log
9. Forcefield
10. Fourteen Rivers Fourteen Floods
11. Asshole
12. I’ve Seen The Land Beyond
13. Outcome
14. Girl Dreams
15. Painted Eyelids
16. Atmospheric Conditions

BONUS TRACKS:

17. It’s All In Your Mind (K Records 7″)
18. Whiskey Can Can (K Records 7″)
19. Mattress*
20. Woe On Me*
21. Teenage Wastebasket*
22. Your Love Is Weird*
23. Favorite Nerve*
24. Piss On The Door*
25. Close To God*
26. Sweet Satan*
27. Burning Boyfriend*
28. Black Lake Morning*
29. Feather In Your Cap (K Records 7″)
30. One Foot In the Grave*
31. Teenage Wastebasket*
32. I Get Lonesome*

* never before released

One Foot In Deluxe notes

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Thanks for the shout-out Rolling Stone, much appreciated. TWO MORE WEEKS! New old school Beck tracks!

If anyone is wondering or looking for them, we have not added the One Foot In DeLuxe tracklist to the site yet, because of the chance they’re songs we already knew, but under an old name. Once we can hear the stuff, and know for certain, we’ll add them.

OneFooteluxe Track Listing

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

1 He’s A Mighty Good Leader
2 Sleeping Bag
3 I Get Lonesome
4 Burnt Orange Peel
5 Cyanide Breath Mint
6 See Water
7 Ziplock Bag
8 Hollow Log
9 Forcefield
10 Fourteen Rivers Fourteen Floods
11 Asshole
12 I’ve Seen The Land Beyond
13 Outcome
14 Girl Dreams
15 Painted Eyelids
16 Atmospheric Conditions
17 It’s All In Your Mind (Bonus Track)
18 Whiskey Can Can (Bonus Track)
19 Mattress (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
20 Woe Unto Me (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
21 Teenage Wastebasket (Acoustic) (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
22 Favorite Nerve (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
23 Piss On The Floor (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
24 Your Love Is Weird (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
25 Close To God (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
26 Sweet Satan (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
27 Blake Lake Morning (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
28 Axe Ex (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
29 Teenage Wastebasket (Electric) (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
30 One Foot In The Grave (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
31 Feather In Your Cap (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)
32 I Get Lonesome (Previously Unreleased) (Bonus Track)

Don’t quite know what to make of this as yet… new version of “One Foot” the song? “Close To God” was previously released… “Teenage Wastebasket”! This is gonna rock!

Japan Tour

Monday, March 16th, 2009

So Beck is off to Japan, and starting a short tour there this week. For anyone in Japan, please let us know of setlists or interviews or if OneFoot Deluxe has been released yet or what. Or even better, if you record a show, let us know: computergirls@whiskeyclone.net

Thanks! Japan tours are always so great, Beck’s inspired and the concerts are topnotch. Help us follow what he’s doing over there.

UPDATE: Thanks to Ham’s Japan Beck Blog, there’s news of this. Beck’s band has their own gig lined up! Wounded Cougar Part 2, perhaps?

Beck Warm-Up Show/Benefit on March 11

Friday, March 6th, 2009

Beck is playing a benefit show at The Echo on March 11, benefitting Educating Children International.   I assume it is also to warm-up for the upcoming Japanese tour. Tickets at ticketweb.com if you’re in the Los Angeles area.

Beck covers Sonic Youth’s EVOL in its entirety

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

Last November, Beck and his band covered on stage, “Star Power.” This is a Sonic Youth song from their album EVOL. A few months later, it was announced that Beck was releasing a cover of “Green Light,” which is also from EVOL. That release was a single, the b-side being a Sonic Youth cover of “Pay No Mind” no less!

What does all this EVOLness mean? We learned today, thanks to our friends in Japan, that Beck has covered the whole album. He said this in an interview/article with a Japanese magazine. I’m told it will be part of some Sonic Youth box set. I know SY has been releasing Deluxe versions of their albums, so maybe EVOL Deluxe? Or maybe some greater box set project?

Regardless, this is super interesting and really a fun thing for Beck to have done!