Sun Records is celebrating Record Store Day with the release of gorgeously-packaged, colored vinyl from three iconic artists: America, Ian Hunter, and Chris Isaak. These highly-collectible platters are exclusive releases, brimming with never-before-heard recordings, special guest appearances, and revelatory performances all available at a participating store starting April 20 as part of Record Store Day. Get more information and find stores at recordstoreday.com.
America Live From The Hollywood Bowl 1975 serves as a vivid retrospective, showcasing the the trio at the height of its powers, performing live backed by a symphony conducted by their producer, the legendary “fifth Beatle,” George Martin. These never-before-heard tapes were recorded live in August 1975 in a mobile truck outside the Hollywood Bowl and returned to the band’s archive — until they were restored and remastered specifically for this release. The tapes remain the only live recording of band members Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, and Dan Peek together (Peek passed away in 2011). The 2-LP colored vinyl package features 20 live tracks, including live renditions of hits such as “Sister Golden Hair,” “Horse With No Name,” “Ventura Highway,” and more.
Ian Hunter has assembled a legendary lineup of musicians for his new album of rock and roll reflections on our wild world, Defiance Part 2: Fiction. The clear-yellow vinyl pressing features all newly-penned originals, including three bonus tracks exclusive to the Record Store Day version of the album. It’s the highly-anticipated sequel to Defiance Part 1, and both of these releases are late-in-the-game career masterworks. Part 2 continues the all-star musician casting of its predecessor, and it boasts contributions from fellow rock royalty like Brian May, Lucinda Williams, Cheap Trick, and Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers), plus members of Def Leppard, Pearl Jam, The Black Crowes, Stone Temple Pilots, and more, as well as some of the final recordings of Taylor Hawkins and Jeff Beck.
Chris Isaak’s translucent-ruby vinyl double LP, Beyond The Sun (Complete Collection), is a treasure trove of music on which the legendary rocker and Sun Records superfan pays tribute to the label legacy he loves. Here, he revisits the music that inspired him to become a musician in the room where it all happened — the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Originally released in 2011, this newly-expanded edition totals 29 tracks featuring Chris’s versions of classic Sun hits from artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and more. The tracks are recorded live, featuring original Sun artist and engineer Cowboy Jack Clement, legendary guitarist Waddy Wachtel (Keith Richards, Don Henley, Linda Ronstadt), along with guest vocals by Ashley Monroe and Michelle Branch.
Pivotal in launching the careers of legendary artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, Sun Records has always been at the forefront of capturing and sharing groundbreaking music. Each of these releases encapsulates a unique aspect of Sun’s heritage: America’s live performance, recorded during their prime and carefully restored, is a testament to the label’s commitment to preserving musical history. Isaak’s tribute album reflects the deep impact Sun Records has had on artists across generations, highlighting the timeless appeal of its catalog. Hunter’s star-studded project showcases the label’s ongoing relevance in the contemporary music scene, collaborating with a roster of renowned artists.
For a list of independent record stores participating in Record Store Day, visit https://recordstoreday.com/Stores.
