Formed in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickolt in the former’s St. John’s College dorm room, Elektra Records — initially known as Elektra-Stratford Record Corp. — went on to become one of the most important record labels in music history.
To mark its 75th anniversary, the label Rhino Entertainment spent the better part of July releasing an extensive collection of 20 iconic titles from the label on vinyl.
Originally set up as a way to distribute records by folk and protest singers, among them Judy Collins and Phil Ochs, Elektra would eventually be home to a diverse lineup of artists from all different genres: Over the years, the Eagles, Metallica, The Doors, The Cure, Queen, The Stooges, Roy Orbison, The Cars, Huey Lewis & The News, and dozens upon dozens of others.
The Elektra Records 75th anniversary celebration series encompasses acclaimed albums released from the ’60s through the ’90s that underline the label’s era-defining, genre-defiant greatness.
Titles include groundbreaking, timeless works by trailblazers like Love, The Doors, Anita Baker, Television and more.
They’re available at participating brick-and-mortar stores across the country, with select titles also available at Rhino.com.
As a highlight of the Elektra 75 collection, the 93-year-old Holzman has assembled an album featuring Bob Dylan alongside other influential folk artists such as Fred Neil, Tom Paxton and Judy Collins entitled “Dylan’s Circle.”
It’s presented as a one LP/ one CD set that highlights the collaboration and competition between these legendary musicians while honoring the Greenwich Village music scene of the early 1960s.
Below are some highlights of the additional releases, some of which have never been issued before on vinyl.
The Doors: “Golden Doors 2”
A single LP set of The Doors’ original 1970 Japanese compilation. This is the first time outside of Japan it’s been made available and comes pressed limited-edition purple vinyl. Featuring classics like “Touch Me” and “Five to One,” it’s notable for deeper cuts such as “Horse Latitudes” and “Land Ho!” If purchased through The Doors’ official online store, it comes with a bonus 7-inch, five-track Japanese EP.
Third Eye Blind: “Third Eye Blind”
This 1997 debut record remains the highest selling from 3EB with smash singles including “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper,” “How’s It Gonna Be,” “Graduate” and “Losing a Whole Year.” A two-LP set, it’s pressed on grape vinyl.
The Cars: “Shake It Up” and “The Cars”
Fusing new wave cool with rock energy, evident in the infectious title track, 1981’s “Shake It Up” is also part of the Rhino Reserve line, is cut from the original tapes, and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Also pressed on 180-gram vinyl is The Cars eponymous debut, coming in a heavyweight glossy gatefold jacket and featuring a new interview with band member Elliot Easton and containing producer Roy Thomas Baker’s tracking notes for “Good Times Roll.” It’s part of the vaunted Rhino High Fidelity Series as well,represented in the pinnacle of sound and packaging.
Tim Buckley: “Happy Sad”
This 1969 Elektra collection was the first of all-Buckley originals and showcases in full bloom his talent as one of the most adventurous singer-songwriters. Predominantly acoustic, the relaxed arrangements include guitar work by Lee Underwood and vibraphone playing by David Friedman, but the most impressive instrument here is Buckley’s highly elastic voice. Cut from the original tapes, it’s pressed on 180-gram vinyl.
The Afghan Whigs: “Gentlemen”
Drugs, drink, and a relationship gone bad are the catalysts that make this 1993 major label debut from Cincinnati’s The Afghan Whigs a masterpiece of soul and rock shaken and stirred to the point where the dysfunction is spilled everywhere. It is pressed on canary yellow vinyl.
Vinyl of the Week
Keep an eye on this spot as each week we’ll be looking at new or soon-to-be-released vinyl from a variety of artists. It might be a repressing of a landmark recording, special edition, or new collection from a legendary act.
This week, it’s a celebration of four decades since a goth rock outfit’s debut album.
The Sisters of Mercy: “First and Last and Always: 40th Anniversary”
Despite the recording sessions being fraught with so much tension that the band inexplicably embarked on essentially a farewell tour following its March 1985 release, the debut full-length from The Sisters of Mercy turned out to be a milestone effort in the annals of gothic rock.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of “First and Last and Always” — and as part of the Elektra 75th anniversary — it’s been reissued as both a single LP and four-LP set.
Formed by Andrew Eldritch and Gary Marx in Leeds, England, during the height of the post-punk movement, The Sisters of Mercy’s first LP was the culmination of five years of independent releases that saw them build up a large cult following.
Marx left amid much acrimony with Eldritch during the tour in support of the record, leading the latter to call it a day when the run came to an end.
Two years later, he revived the group, and they continue as a live act to this day.
The 40th anniversary of “First and Last and Always,” which features the goth rock classics “Marian,” “Black Planet,” and “Walk Away,” is pressed on black and red marble vinyl.
The four-LP collection includes the original album alongside the three EPs preceding its release: “Body & Soul,” “Walk Away,” and “No Time to Cry.”
Each EP features non-album bonus tracks, with the main album available as a standalone LP in its original gatefold jacket with printed inner bag on black and red vinyl.
The release was The Sisters of Mercy’s first with Warner Bros. and reached No. 14 on the UK Album Charts by which time the band featured Wayne Hussey on guitar and Craig Adams on bass, both of whom would later leave the band to form The Mission.
“First Last and Always: 40th Anniversary” can be found online and from all respectable retailers who carry vinyl.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to rockmusicmenu@gmail.com. Also, check out his website at thechroniclesofmc.com.
Source: Berkshire mont
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