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2010 marks the 25th anniversary of Valley Of Rain - the debut album by Giant Sand, the ever-shifting alternative rock band overseen by "the Godfather of Alt. Country" Howe Gelb. With that in mind, the band are celebrating in the only way they know how: with a flurry of great music. This year will see a special one-off show at The Barbican in London on July 22 and a new Giant Sand album, Blurry Blue Mountain, released in October.Visit product page →
Fire Records is also proud to announce the start of a Giant Sand/ Howe Gelb series of rolling reissues from September 2010, which will see the re-release of roughly 30 albums starting with the re-release of Valley Of Rain on the 6th of September and culminating in two box sets to be released next year. Each re-issue will be lovingly re-issued in red and silver limited edition digipacks.
"Giant Sand is a mood", says Howe of Giant Sand, as if trying to offer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970's, it wasn't until he moved to Tucson, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptacek. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howe's equally prolific output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
Howe, though, is definitely not content to rest on his laurels. Giant Sand's 2000 album Chore Of Enchantment has been declared one of the Best 1000 Records Ever Made and scooped up plaudits from NME and The Guardian amongst others, with the former insisting the record cemented his reputation as "a founding father of modern Americana". His most recent solo project, meanwhile - 2006's "Sno Angel Like You" - earned a 5 star review in Mojo and was described by Q as "showcasing an immense generosity of spirit and poetic warmth".
Rather than retrospect, then, this is a time for celebration. Howe and his band will be marking the 25th anniversary of the release of Valley Of Rain by hosting a very special evening of brand new collaborations and performances. As they play some of their choicest cuts from their back catalogue, they'll be joined by Kristin Hersch, guitarist and founder of the seminal art-rock band Throwing Muses. "I'll jump at any chance to be on stage with the wild and wacky, kooky and cozy Howe" says Hersch."With Howe, I never know exactly what will happen, but it's always great to be a part of it."
As well as The Barbican show, Giant Sand played three other UK dates in July at Winchester, Brighton and Gateshead, before the release of the new album Blurry Blue Mountain in October. And with the re-issues and Giant Sand box set still to come from Fire Records, 2010 will certainly be a celebration to remember for Howe and all of his fans.
1. Valley Of Rain2. Tumble & Tear3. October Anywhere4. Barrio5. Death, Dying & Channel 56. Torture Of Love7. Down On Town / Love's No Answer8. Black Venitian Blind9. Curse Of A Thousand Flames10. Artists11. Man Of Want12. Valley Of Rain - Remixed Instrumental (Bonus)13. Tumble And Tear - Repaired (Bonus) -
Swerve was originally released in 1990 and is the sixth reissue from Fire Records.Visit product page →
Giant Sand is a mood, says Howes of Giant Sands, as if trying to offer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970s, it wasnt until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howes equally prolific output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
1. Can't Find Love2. Swerver3. Sisters And Brothers4. Swerving5. Some Kind Of6. Trickle Down System7. Dream Stay8. Former Version Of Ourselves9. Angels At Night10. Every Grain Of Sand11. Swervette12. Final Swerve13. Sisters And Brothers (Bonus)14. Former Version Of Ourselves (Bonus)15. Angels At Night (Bonus)16. Some Kind Of (Bonus) -
"Storm" was originally released in 1988 is the third reissue from Fire Records. It features the popular single 'Uneven Light Of Day' and a cover of Robbie Robertson's 'The Weight'.Visit product page →
"Giant Sands is a mood," says Howe's of Giant Sands, as if trying to offer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970's, it wasn't until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howe's equally prolific output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
Howe, though, is definitely not content to rest on his laurels. Giant Sand's 2000 album Chore Of Enchantment has been declared one of the Best 1000 Records Ever Made and scooped up plaudits from NME and The Guardian amongst others, with the former insisting the record cemented his reputation as "a founding father of modern Americana". His most recent solo project, meanwhile - 2006's 'Sno Angel Like You - earned a 5 star review in Mojo and was described by Q as "showcasing an immense generosity of spirit and poetic warmth".
Rather than retrospect, then, this is a time for celebration. Howe and his band marked the 25th anniversary of the release of Valley Of Rain by hosting a very special evening of brand new collaborations and performances. They played some of their choice cuts from their back catalogue, and were joined by Kristin Hersch, guitarist and founder of the seminal art-rock band Throwing Muses. "I'll jump at any chance to be on stage with the wild and wacky, kooky and cozy Howe," says Hersch. "With Howe, I never know exactly what will happen, but it's always great to be a part of it."
1. Uneven Light Of Day2. Town Where No Town Belongs3. Back To Black And Grey4. Bigger Than That5. Right Makes Right6. Three 6ixes7. Big Rock8. The Replacement9. Storm10. Was Is A Big Word11. Town With Little Or No Pity12. The Weight13. Uneven Light of Day - Alt Take (Bonus) -
Visit product page →"Ramp" was originally released in 1991 and is the seventh Giant Sand reissue in the series from Fire Records.For 'Ramp', Giant Sand ushered in several new members to the fold, "including young bassist Joey burns, the stunning voice of 74 year old Pappy Allen, and our sweet, sweet friend Victoria Williams .. we had begun recording in Tucson and finished it back in Venice, CA at mad dog studio again .. the first track was produced by Dusty Wakeman and featured the late great Duane Jarvis".
Howe describes that the experiment with 'Ramp' was "to record an electric song live in the studio and have the pre-recorded acoustic bridge be slotted in by DAT machine while then starting up again with the electric part live at the same pace as before the DAT take was applied with its different beat. What made this tricky was the mechanical delay of the play button on the state of the art day machine...you can hear the result in "warm storm".
"Giant Sand is a mood," says Howe' of Giant Sand, as if trying to offer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970's, it wasn't until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howe's equally prolific output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
1. Warm Storm2. Romance Of Falling3. Wonder4. Welcome To My World5. Anti-Shadow6. Jazzer Snipe7. Z. Z. Quicker Foot8. Neon Filler9. Seldom Matters10. Resolver11. Nowhere12. Always Horses Coming13. Patsy's Blues14. Shadow To You (Bonus) -
"Purge & Slouch" was originally released in 1993 and is the ninth Giant Sand reissue in the series from Fire Records and follow up to the successful 'Center Of The Universe'.Visit product page →
After the commercial and critical success of 'Center Of The Universe', Giant Sand looked to lay down the instinctive and impulsive spark of the band onto record, "Believing in recording in "the moment of impact" to result in a "perfect harvest" where a song gets captured the first time it ever gets played, and this record marks the moment where 98.5 % of it was done like this". Howe was planning on it being his "metal machine music" album, but instead, "some real songs happened too many times in the process ... songs I have never learned".
Recorded at a house on the outskirts of Tucson, 'Ramp' features some local guest guitarists on a couple of tracks with the aim to "fully realize an album without working up any of it before arriving at the studio".
"Giant Sand is a mood," says Howe' of Giant Sand, as if trying to offer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970's, it wasn't until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howe's equally prolific output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
1. Slander2. Bender3. Swamp Thing4. Santana, Castanada & You5. Blue Lit Rope6. Overture (Part 1)7. Rice Road Rumba8. Slice & Dice Blues9. High Lonesome Curl10. New Carjack City Blues11. Owed Ode12. Overture (Part 2)13. Here On The Planet14. Elevator Music15. Song For The Accountants16. Dock Of The Bay17. Tripping Moon18. Dance Of The Cicadas19. Disclaimer20. Smokey Joe's Deep Blue Pancakes21. Thin Lizzy Tribute-Personality Flaws-Last.. -
The Love Songs was originally released in 1988 and is the fourth reissue from Fire Records.Visit product page →
Giant Sand is a mood, says Howes of Giant Sands, as if trying to offer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970s, it wasnt until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howes equally prolific output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
1. Wearing The Robes Of Bible Black2. One Man's Woman / No Man's Land3. Mad Dog A Man4. Fingernail Moon, Barracuda And Me5. Mountain Of Love Harold Dorman6. Almost The Politician's Wife7. The Doors8. Love Like A Train9. Is That All There Is?10. Clump11. Get Ready12. Murky Red Dew13. Major Glorious Ending Theme14. Hammer Toe (Bonus)15. Almost The Politician's Wife - OutTake (Bonus) -
Long Stem Rant was originally released in 1989 and is the fifth reissue from Fire Records.Visit product page →
Giant Sands is a mood, says Howes of Giant Sands, as if trying to offer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970s, it wasnt until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howes equally prolific output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
1. Unfinished Love2. Sandman3. Bloodstone4. Searchlight5. Smash Jazz6. Sucker In A Cage7. Patsy Does Dylan8. Its Long 'Bout Now9. Lag Craw10. Loving Cup11. Paved Road To Berlin12. Anthem13. Picture Shows14. Drum & Guitar15. Get to Leave16. Searchlight Cha Cha17. Return Of The Big Red Guitar18. Stuck Dog19. Real Gone Blue Guitar20. The Jig "Zup21. Hardly A Day (Bonus)22. It's Longer Now (Bonus)23. Hammer Toe (Bonus) -
In 2004 Giant Sand had changed beyond recognition. The revolving door of band members that so invaluably contributed to a prolific and gifted past was now, literally, all over the map, and so were Giant Sand. Bassist Joey Burns and drummer John Convertino had now moved to pastures new with Calexico, in their place were a new Scandinavian backline which would enable Howe and Giant Sand to release the first original material since 2000's 'Chore of Enchantment'.Visit product page →
The reaction produced a record which at points harked back to the more rowdy and aggressive tones of Giant Sand of old, seemingly in search for the familiarity of earlier times, stretching in to new surroundings, distortion being the tool.
The songs of course are great, Gelb's often whispered and crackly in-ear vocals, pretty piano, acoustic guitar (and with peppering of that distortion) all play their part to continue the Giant Sand train moving, ...um, all over the map.
1. Classico2. NYC Of Time3. Remote4. Flying Around The Sun With Remarkable Speed5. Cracklin Water6. Rag7. Muss8. Drab9. Fool10. Les Forcats Innocents11. Napoli12. Hood (View From A Heidelberg Hotel)13. A Classico Reprise14. Anarchistic Bolshevistic Cowboy Bundle15. Ploy16. A Quiet Remote (Bonus) -
1995's 'Goods And Services' was another for German ears only. It's re-issue will bring it toVisit product page →
the attention of new fans as part of the series. Once not remembered fondly by Giant
Sand's Howe Gelb, time has been kind and his perception has softened with the memories
of Vic Chesnutt's contrbution.
"Another live record. but this sound was bloated from euro touring and was supposed to
be a reection of only how it was sounding then. Later, that made less sense to me since
every tour the band sound would change anyway. So i am not in love with this record
and thusly never made it available for the states. but now, looking back on it, it brings a
smile. . . . and also moistens the eye with the missingness of Pappy and Vic Chesnutt."
"Giant Sand is a mood," says Howe' of Giant Sand, as if trying to oer a low-key explanation
for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some
40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in
the 1970's, it wasn't until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate,
the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful
of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24
albums - an impressive haul when considering Howe's equally prolic output under
other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his
solo releases.
1. Back To The Black And Grey2. Opus - Solomon's Ride - Opus3. Good And Gone4. Bender5. Occupied6. Warm Storm7. You're So Vain8. Welcome To My World9. Surfin' Lean10. Trickle Down System11. Faithful (Bonus) -
Visit product page →1994's 'Glum' was to be Giant Sand's largest record and in order to make it so, Howe Gelb invited everyone along to the party. This carnival helped create Giant Sand's best record to date and 'Glum' is now proudly re-issued by Fire.
Howe Gelb explains Glum's story, "This was our best record for a long time. It had Malcolm Burn producing it with me and it was done up at Daniel Lanois' studio in New Orleans.
Since it was our rst big budget session, I tried to get everyone who ever took part on a Giant Sand record to come to Dan's mansion and stay and be on the record somewhere. This made the atmosphere in the house more entangled then it had to be, but seemed like the way it should be.
For some reason I began singing like an old man on this record, or maybe was inspired too much from my new talking distortion pedal on my guitar. At the moment this record was due to be released, the label shut down its operations and it got lost.
But these things have a life of their own. (I wrote 'faithful' for Marianne, whom I just met through our label rep, kate Hyman. When she heard it she said: "but Howe, where is the melody ?")... and that's the story of my life."
Tracklisting:
1. Glum2. Yer Ropes3. Happenstance4. Frontage Road5. 1 Helvakowboy Song6. Painted Bird7. Spun8. Left9. Faithful10. Bird Song11. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry12. Body's A Boat (Bonus)13. Remain Distorted (Bonus)14. Water Fuels The Fire (Bonus)15. Occupy (Bonus)16. Between The Time It Takes (Bonus)17. The Professor (Bonus) -
Visit product page →2002's 'Cover Magazine' is a much less cryptic, typically literal title for one of Giant Sand's lighter alternative offerings. A collection of covers which says as much about Howe Gelb's personal musical taste as it does the friends he has made on his musical journey. Being in the fortunate position of looking back on Giant Sand's output with the 25th Anniversary reissue series, we are able to see the influences which have shaped the existence of the band at each turn and chapter. Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave and of course Rainer Ptacek have all made an impression and the tables are turned as Giant Sand give thanks with renditions of Young's' Out on The Weekend', Cash's 'I'm leaving now' and Rainer's touching 'The Inner Flame'. More contemporary takes on PJ Harvey and Goldfrapp show Giant Sand are forever keen and willing to listen.
With Giant Sand's clattering percussion and Howe's meandering vocals, nothing should be assumed before listening. Each track is taken from a new (alternative, strange, weird, interesting, unexpected, intriguing) angle, so surprises are aplenty. A Black Sabbath lounge ballad anyone?
This 25th Anniversary edition features two bonus tracks, 'Summertime' and 'The Pilgrim (Chapter 33)'
Tracklisting:
1. El Paso / Out On The Weekend2. Johnny Hit And Run Pauline3. Iron Man4. Human / Lovely Head5. The Beat Goes On6. Plants And Rags7. Wayfaring Stranger / Fly Me To The Moon8. Red Right Hand9. King Of The Road10. I'm Leaving Now11. Blue Marble Girl12. The Inner Flame13. The Beat Goes On (Alternative)14. Summertime (Bonus)15. The Pilgrim (Chapter 33) (Bonus) -
Realised through tragic circumstances, the passing of Rainer Ptacek and the birth of Calexico, it all came together at the end for Giant Sand. Arguably Giant Sand's finest album, the fruits of an astounding story and the mesmerising high point of the 25th anniversary reissue series.Visit product page →
'Chore of Enchantment' is released with a second disc of recordings from the time which was to be become 'The Rock Opera Years (Chore Bonus CD)', with all tracks except 'Music Arcade' produced by John Parish.
1. Overture2. (Well) Dusted (For The Millenium)3. Punishing Sun4. X-Tra Wide5. 19726. Temptation Of Egg7. Raw8. Wolfy9. Shiver10. Dirty From The Rain11. Astonished (In Memphis)12. No Reply13. Satellite14. Bottom Line Man15. Way To End The Day16. Shrine17. Shiver - John Parish Remix (Bonus) -
'Center Of The Universe', originally released in 1992, is the eighth Giant Sand reissue in the series from Fire Records.Visit product page →
Howe holds 'Center Of The Universe' close to his heart, explaining the record ,"Could be my favourite. .. written in a one room cabin at the end of the road in the high desert around Joshua tree where I lived for a few years ... recorded back in Venice, California with the same slant as was instilled in the writing ... adorned with the 'psycho sisters' who show where the melodies in these songs were hiding ... now through the miracle of remastering, these tracks sound more vibrant and alluring".
What was a common approach to record making for Howe and Giant Sand, 'Center Of The Universe' would be the last of a kind, "it marks the last time I could work like this, before the advent of family life was to take over and populate the day .. this record marks the final time of isolation with a happy careless abandon and an immediate urgency delivered by a wired up acoustic guitar with stomp box distortion ready and willing".
"The experiment: to record a vocal in fragments while intentionally singing differently each time on the same song, then combining the takes instantaneously . The result was "loretta and the insect world".
"Giant Sand is a mood", says Howe of Giant Sand, as if trying to offer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970s, it wasnt until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howes equally prolific output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
Tracklisting:
1. Seeded (`Tween Bone And Bark)2. Pathfinder3. Center Of The Universe4. Off Ramp Man5. Year Of The Dog6. Live To Tell7. Thrust8. Loretta And The Insect World9. Sonic Drive In10. Milkshake Girl11. Stuck12. Thing Like That13. Return To Fodder14. Unwed And Well Sped15. Solomon's Ride16. Slip Slice Suite (Bonus)17. Goin' To New Mexico (Bonus) -
Fire Records re-issues the rare and regarded 'Black Out' recording from 1993. Forged from the embers of the recording session which was 'Purge & Slouch' , and wholly acoustic, this collection of takes was originally released only in Germany. 'Black Out' sits proudly amidst the Giant Sand re-issue project.Visit product page →
"When we gathered for the grand experiment of 'purge & slouch" Howe Gelb recalls, "the idea of which was to record without having written anything prior for it . Some actual songs did pop out , perhaps for the sake of warm-up or while mics were being wired .. maybe just for the sake of vigorous deployment .. re-living some old songs there and then, we bundled em up after the fact for what would become "stromausfall" instead."
"This was a limited batch release on a small german label who took my original title "black out" and translated it .. the idea being that this is the sound that would happen during one .. songs without electricity attached". Since then, most of that original pressing made in germany has mysteriously self destructed so it is with pleasure we have
the opportunity to release the album again, including a bonus piano track for when the city goes dark.
"Giant Sand is a mood," says Howe' of Giant Sand, as if trying to oer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970's, it wasn't until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate, the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howe's equally prolic output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
1. October Anywhere2. The Y Stop Jumble3. Steadfast4. Robes Of Bible Black5. Mt. Of Love6. The Replacement7. Severely Altered On The Hill8. Dreamville, New Mexico9. Seldom Matters10. Approximation Of Joy (Bonus) -
Recorded and broadcast way back when, an actual back yard barbeque Nick Hill had set up live on air at the radio station, WFMU. watermelon and everything...Visit product page →
This BBQ record nicely captures the sweetness of the season when Giant Sand were turning into something else. Nick Hill, An old buddy from Brooklyn, had an important radio show there as well as harbouring tremendously good taste. Once when the odds were tremendously against Howe making a plane outa NY on time, he turned the car around and fetched a 2 man kayak. They went kayaking in the Hudson river instead. "Have you ever seen New York city from a kayak? nothing but stunning. And wonderfully spooky, zipping under those giant rotting piers too. That was Nick Hill." He was the fellow responsible for presenting this record and getting it recorded and broadcasted way back when.
This collection of songs was recorded by WFMU over two live sessions for 'The Music Faucet' show in the summer of 1994 and 1995. This 25th anniversary reissue CD also features two bonus tracks, 'Yer Ropes' and 'Rolling Stones I Am' which featured originally as a not so 'secret track'.
"Giant Sand is a mood," says Howe' of Giant Sand, as if trying to oer a low-key explanation for his dizzying array of artistic exploration that includes a back-catalogue of some 40 albums as a singer, band-leader and producer. After growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970's, it wasn't until he moved to Tuscon, Arizona that he met his musical soul mate,
the guitarist Rainer Ptaceck. The two formed Giant Sandworms and issued only a handful of recordings before the worms were put to rest: since then, Giant Sand have released 24 albums - an impressive haul when considering Howe's equally prolic output under other projects including Black Ranchette and Arizona Amp & Alternator as well as his solo releases.
1. BBQ Suite2. World Stands Still (BBQ Suite part i)3. Good & Gone (BBQ Suite part ii)4. I Wish You Love (BBQ Suite part iii)5. Romance Of Falling (BBQ Suite part iv)6. Seashells (BBQ Suite part v)7. Mope-A-Long8. Lean9. Get To Leave10. Lester Lampshade11. Blue Waltz Reprise12. Yer Ropes (Bonus)13. Rolling Stones I Am (Bonus)