THE WHITE STRIPES' ICKY THUMP,
A-SQUARE (OF COURSE) MICHIGAN GARAGE COMPILATION,
TWO EARLY JOHN LEE HOOKER COMPILATIONS
AND THREE CHESS RECORDS 7" REISSUES
ALL AVAILABLE AT THIRD MAN'S
NASHVILLE AND DETROIT STOREFRONTS ON NOVEMBER 23

 

 

We are pleased to announced our slate of vinyl releases for Black Friday, including The White Stripes' Icky Thump, the A-Square (Of Course) Michigan garage compilation, John Lee Hooker's Early Recordings: Detroit and Beyond Vols. 1 & 2, and three Chess Records 7" reissues -- Chuck Berry's "Back in the USA" b/w "Memphis, Tennessee," Howlin' Wolf's "How Many More Years" b/w "Moanin' At Midnight," and Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats's "Rocket 88" b/w "Come Back Where You Belong." Black vinyl editions will be available everywhere unless otherwise noted, and limited editions will be available at Third Man's Nashville and Detroit storefronts on Friday, November 23. 

TMR-500 The White Stripes - Icky Thump
Nigh on ten years ago, the White Stripes unveiled the most ambitious record of their career. Taking its name from the misappropriation of the British exhortation "Ecky thump", the Stripes' Icky Thump would prove to be the final full-length studio album from the beloved Detroit duo. Now officially a member of the Third Man catalog, they are delighted to announce the standard black vinyl release of Icky Thump. Black vinyl available everywhere.

TMR-496 A-Square (Of Course) Compilation
A-Square (Of Course) is an essential compilation of the Michigan garage revolution in the late '60s, all revolving around the catalyst for the revolution, Hugh "Jeep" Holland. In 1966, Holland advanced from operating hip record store Discount Records in Ann Arbor to running his own label, booking and management companies for many of these fledgling groups. Named after the booking arm, A-Square (Of Course) showcases the absolute best cuts on the highly-collectible label, including rare recordings from the likes of the MC5, the Rationals, and the Scot Richard Case. Previously unreleased material from the likes of the proto-Sabbath Half Life and the Stooges' competitors Stoney and the Jagged Edge help expand this collection beyond its original 2008 CD release. Updated liner notes by celebrated 60's rock historian Alec Palao beautifully tell the story of the unique time and place that these songs came from. A must-have for garage fans of any era. Black vinyl available everywhere. Limited edition white vinyl available at Third Man Records' Nashville and Detroit storefronts.

TMR-511 John Lee Hooker - Early Recordings: Detroit and Beyond Vol. 1
Third Man is ecstatic to present the first re-issue of John Lee Hooker's seminal and rare Detroit and Beyond recordings on vinyl since their initial release in 1973. These tracks have been heralded by many fans as his best overall collection of recordings as well as his some of his earliest, apart from the 6 recorded by Bernie Besman in 1961. Split between two double-LP volumes and remastered using original master recordings from Detroit's legendary United Sound Systems (not even 2 miles from Third Man Detroit!), these collections are a must for blues and music lovers. Volume 1 includes the killer track "Johnny Lee's Original Boogie (Boogie Chillen)." Black vinyl available everywhere. Limited edition available at Third Man Records' Nashville and Detroit storefronts. 

TMR-512 John Lee Hooker - Early Recordings: Detroit and Beyond Vol. 2
Third Man is ecstatic to present the first re-issue of John Lee Hooker's seminal and rare Detroit and Beyond recordings on vinyl since their initial release in 1973. These tracks have been heralded by many fans as his best overall collection of recordings as well as his some of his earliest, apart from the 6 recorded by Bernie Besman in 1961. Split between two double-LP volumes and remastered using original master recordings from Detroit's legendary United Sound Systems (not even 2 miles from Third Man Detroit!), these collections are a must for blues and music lovers. Volume 2 includes the amazing "Baby Please Don't Go" as well as "Two Voice Original Mood (I'm In The Mood)." Black vinyl available everywhere. Limited edition available at Third Man Records' Nashville and Detroit storefronts.

TMR-527 Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats "Rocket 88" b/w "Come Back Where You Belong" 7" (Chess Records reissue)
This is undoubtedly the first distorted rock and roll single ever. It is even sometimes claimed, most prominently by Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, as the first rock and roll single ever. This song's story is a roller coaster, being recorded by Ike Turner and his band, of which Brenston was a member, in March 1951 at Memphis Recording Service. Because Sun Records was yet in operation, the recording then sold to Chess Records in Chicago and was wildly popular, selling over 500,000 copies. Unfortunately, the success and fame of the single caused tense clashes in the band, eventually leading to Ike and Jackie splitting ways to pursue their own solo careers. Black vinyl available everywhere. Limited edition "Chess-Nut Vinyl" available at Third Man Records' Nashville and Detroit storefronts.

TMR-528 Howlin' Wolf "How Many More Years" b/w "Moanin' at Midnight" 7" (Chess Records reissue)
Recorded at Sam Phillips' Memphis Recording Service at the recommendation of Ike Turner in July 1951, this incredibly influential single is the first ever 7" from legendary bluesman Howlin' Wolf. Interestingly enough, the A-side "How Many More Years" was cited by T. Bone Burnett as "in some ways...the first rock and roll song". The single was later referenced by British blues pioneers Led Zeppelin, both in the title and in Plant's vocals, on their debut album track "How Many More Years." The B-side "Moaning at Midnight" is as heavy as it gets, described by Phillips as "the most different record I ever heard." Black vinyl available everywhere. Limited edition "Chess-Nut Vinyl" available at Third Man Records' Nashville and Detroit storefronts.

TMR-529 Chuck Berry "Back in the U.S.A." b/w "Memphis, Tennessee" 7" (Chess Records reissue)
Released in June 1959, Chuck Berry dropped an absolutely classic hit single. The A-side "Back in the U.S.A." was reportedly recorded after an Australian tour where Berry and his bandmates saw firsthand the dismal living conditions of Aboriginal Australians. Of course, it was later parodied by the Beatles with their White Album smash "Back in the U.S.S.R.". The B-side, "Memphis, Tennessee," hit #5 on the Billboard Pop chart and #4 on the R&B chart upon it's release, and is one of Berry's most covered tunes of his catalog, including diverse renditions by Bo Diddley, John Cale, Al Green, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Ernest Tubb, and Silicon Teens. Limited edition "Chess-Nut Vinyl" available at Third Man Records' Nashville and Detroit storefronts.