- 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.
Just opened this up with my 3 girls aged 5,3, and 7 months. The 5 and 3 will dance themselves to sleep. My wife is holding the 7 month old shaking her head. I compare this package to a big budget movie that will more than likely last me a year to get through. Love it. Well done.
I want this so bad, but I can’t afford it:( I’m hoping I’ll win it through the contest
Kudos on the shipping. Looks great.
Got it Today and its beautiful Great Job TMR
Are there any plans to release this material on regular LPs that don’t have all the fancy extras?
I couldn’t pass this up mine is on its way!
The “Crying for the Carolines” video is brilliant! By God or whatever else is above, Third Man and Revenant and NYRL and Alex van der Tuuk, I love you all so much for this. Apologies for all my babbling. And to think I get to be this excited and enchanted all over again this time next year…
And the field manual! There are hours and hours and hours of listening, reading, and learning in this set. Much as I’m looking forward to the rest of this week in Nashborough, I can’t wait to get home and play those gorgeous mahogany-brown records. Oh, and the record folio! The mechanics of it are one of my favorite things in the whole cabinet.
The Jobber-Luxe is blowing my mind. Opening the mp3 folder and finding 8-freaking-hundred songs made me about fall out of my chair. I knew they were going to be there, but seeing the whole list is jaw-dropping. Listening to the Its Whatness collection now and grinning like a little kid on Christmas Day.
The detail and creativity of what is put out at TMR is always amazing but THIS is truly something special. There are no words. God Bless the visionaries that execute their dreams for the rest of us to have and hold.