Here in the 21st Century we’ve foolishly convinced ourselves that we are all knowing. This certainly applies to the canyons of music that is lazily available at our streaming fingertips. However, one of the reasons that record collectors collect records is because they know this misguided assumption of complete access isn’t true: countless amounts of music and media have yet to be digitized and released to the general public. Some of it – if it still exists at all – must be discovered, cleaned up and shared with the masses. Record collectors shed jealous tears when their secret favorites are “discovered” by all, but for the artists who’ve been stuck in the shadows, such releases spell a new lease on their creative life.
Van Duren grew up in the fertile 1970s Memphis, Tennessee music scene and rubbed elbows with another band who dealt with long-delayed critical acclaim, Big Star. Van Duren’s relationship with Big Star wasn’t cursory, in fact he even auditioned to join the band…twice! He also had performed with drummer Jody Stephens and Chris Bell in an attempt to create a new group after Big Star disbanded. Van Duren’s first two albums, Are You Serious? (1978) and Idiot Optimism (1980) have both become highly sought after and expensive items in the record collecting world. Now, they are finally seeing a new remaster and reissue by Omnivore Records thereby giving them the care and appreciation they rightfully deserve.
We join Van Duren, still in Memphis, and discuss these two fabled albums and the bumpy showbiz road that Van Duren traveled on the way to their creation. We talk about Emmitt Rhodes, secret cassette tapes, authentic American rock and roll, and private recordings that still remain undiscovered.
It’s hard to remember that feeling the first time you heard your favorite band, or song. The way the music surged through your veins in a way that was simultaneously new yet familiar. We play our favorite music over and over through the years, and while we still love it, that sensation of hearing those songs takes on an ever so slightly melancholic sheen, it’s just never the same as the first time you heard it. Well, if you’ve never heard Van Duren before, get ready because you might just become an instant fan. I know I did. Here comes that feeling again…you’re welcome.
Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Sharp Notes each Saturday evening at 6pm and TVD Radar on Sundays at 5AM on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.
