Ikey Owens
self-titled
scum stats: there's a lot of variants here, salsa verde, orange habanero, purple haze and, surprisingly, an exclusive specific for Third Man on yellow vinyl.
In short, for nearly ten years Third Man put a lot of time and money and effort into trying to release this album. The verbiage shared with its release, finally accomplished by Unit E Records, dances around the specifics. Since they don't mention those exact details, I find no reason to air them here. But find me in person, get me on a roll, bend my ear, flatter me even and I'll be sure to tell you all the insight.
Regardless, Ikey Owens, he of many musical endeavors and best known to me as keyboardist magnificent for Jack White solo, had this album in the can when he passed away ten years ago. And we were happy, proud even, to take up the yoke to bring it to the masses. We put a 7" single in the limited edition version of our "The Magic Of We" book. We worked. Hard.
Alas, the challenges were insurmountable. So it's a tad bittersweet to see this thing come out and not have been the engine behind it. I think this would've bothered me way more ten years ago. So if this journey has helped give me anything, it is perspective.
As for the sounds...I don't smoke weed, but I imagine someone who does could very much zone out to this one. Lots of space. Lots of extended songs. Explorations. Ain't nothing wrong with that.
Completely slept on this, December was a crazy month. Soo cool that Unit E just sent you these without instructions. I received my box set last week and the pedal is absolutely worth it. Ikey was such an inspiration we lost him way too soon. I’m actually ok with that this album took 10 years to see the public. Sooner would have been better, but like this Ikey is remembered in such a positive way and so many people are discovering him for the first time. If there is any copy still available I’d love one!
I’m late to this comment section. My last show with him was in Cleveland. I looked forward to so much more. Now I got that habanero salsa variant ordered cuz I totally slept on this and was going to order it last month. And I guess when it arrives I’ll take your advice and slap it on the platter and Spark one up. 🌟
I received my copy today. Can’t wait to give it a spin. Thank you, Ben!! Happy New Year!
Thank you for the album, Ben!! Just picked it up from the P.O. since I had a hold mail for the Christmas break. I will enjoy it tonight. Hoping you, your family and all the TMR folks had a wonderful Christmas and hope everyone has a very safe and Happy New Year. Looking forward to another year following you and TMR for all the goodies you have in store for us.
Thanks for the album Ben! Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the album Ben! I’ll be listening to it very soon!
It’s taken me not ten years but a mere ten(ish) days to read this post, and in the meantime I’ve streamed the album several times, and my response was exactly the same. I thought “I’m really enjoying this, and if I smoked weed I can imagine thinking it was the best thing I’ve ever heard.” And who’s to say it’s not? RIP, Ikey.
Can’t believe it’s been 10 years. Had the pleasure of meeting him before one of Jack’s shows in Chicago in 2012. His talent was undeniable- would love a copy of this! RIP Ikey.
My daughter was born 12 years ago, close enough!
I don’t have anything to add except as I get older, I apprecate perspective more than anything else. I’m glad you found yours.