- 800 newly-remastered digital tracks
- 200+ fully-restored original ads and images
- 6 x 180g LPs w/ hand-engraved metal leaf center labels
- Deluxe large-format hardcover art book: 250 pages, narrative w. full-color plates
- Encyclopedia-style reference manual: 360 pages, field guide to artists & repertoire
- Handcrafted elements: rich woods, lush upholstery, and custom-forged metal hardware
- Track & Image App: First-of-its-kind music and image player app, allows user management of 800 tracks and 200+ original ads; housed on custom-designed USB drive
The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records, Volume One (1917-27), part one of a two-volume omnibus of art, words and music in a limited-edition cabinet-of-wonder format, is a joint release from John Fahey's Revenant and Jack White's Third Man Records, co-produced by the leading researcher/writer on Paramount, Alex van der Tuuk. The set is available today from Third Man Records with a full release slated for November 19th.
The Rise & Fall cabinet chronicles in words, images and sound the curious tale of Paramount, an early American record label which, despite being run out of a Wisconsin chair factory, with bargain-basement recording and production methods, by men with few connections to and little idea of what black (or rural white) audiences were interested in, nevertheless managed to create a repository of American art that can stand with any this country has produced.
Volume One focuses on the label’s improbable rise from also-ran (known for its “tin pan tone”) to Race Records powerhouse, exploring how its fortunes were tied to the Great Migration as well as to its unconventional strategies, “open door” recording policy, opportunism, sleight-of-hand, and incredible luck. Learm more about the set and purchase yours here.
Third Man is also offering fans the opportunity to win this incomparable set by entering The Paramount Records Wonder-Cabinet Giveaway.
@Ryan Grosvenor…I finally got mine yesterday and I can tell you it’s Apple Friendly…the recommendation is to use Google Chrome or Safari…I’m still drooling, this cabinet is amazing.
I’m wanting to make this purchase with haste, but I’d like to know if there have been any issues with the Jobber-Luxe USB, is it Apple Friendly?
Picked one up from the store in Nashville…WOW, not only is it beautiful, but its hours of musical enjoyment and education. Can’t wait to get started. :)
Ah, but the Spooney Melodies came first. Damned shame none of the rest exist any longer, I’d love to see the animation for some of those other songs. This one’s a nice little treat from TMR & Revenant.
Haha, thanks. Found it. Good call, great video. Too bad it’s the only one. I was surprised to see that it is a Leon Schlesinger production. He produced the Looney Tunes. Great stuff.
BruceDickinson: It’s an easter egg. I would tell you where it is, but I’m afraid that if I were to leak the secret, Jack might not let me buy Paramount volume 2 next year ;)
@ Kali Durga. Where is the “Crying for Carolines” video you mention in one of your previous posts?
Thanks for the link to the NPR article.
Just went through most of a 50 foot roll of bubble-wrap wrapping up my Precioussssss for its plane-ride home tomorrow, while listening to Paramount Radio. Felt like wrapping up a little, well, actually damned big, gift that I’ll get to open all over again when I get home. Great write-up at NPR today, by the way- http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/11/02/242428973/paramount-records-the-label-inadvertently-crucial-to-the-blues?ft=1&f=1039
18in long, 5 1/2 in wide, 15 3/4 in height
I’d love this thing, but I’m not sure if I have space for it or not. Would someone who has it already mind giving the approximate dimensions? (Length, Width, Height)