It’s a crazy world out there, so why shouldn’t we take some time to stand on line, converse with fellow music lovers, and purchase some beautifully recorded and manufactured vinyl records? Record Store Day is just the opportunity to do such a thing and while many record labels have something interesting to offer, Craft Recordings continues to make an enduring name for themselves when it comes to catalog choices and excellent vinyl manufacturing quality.
To tell us all about it, Craft head of A&R, Mark Piro, joins me this week to explore Craft’s RSD releases and explain their backstories and the sonic chain of custody for each one. Craft’s offerings this year are certainly an eclectic bunch, we’ll discuss the following: A compilation from Craft’s Jazz Dispensary sublabel; the Go Ahead Punk…Make My Day West Coast punk compilation making its first appearance on vinyl; the 30th anniversary reissue of The Brand New Heavies’ Heavy Rhyme Experience: Vol. 1; the 25th anniversary of Conor Oberst’s early project, Commander Venus, The Uneventful Vacation; Vince Guaraldi’s Trio’s “Baseball Theme” which is available as a 7-inch single for the first time, Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section is here but this pressing is in all analog and in mono; Collective Soul’s 25th anniversary of their Disciplined Breakdown album, Esther Marrow’s 1972 under the radar gem, Sister Woman; and an all-analog 35th anniversary reissue of Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers’ final album, Modern Lovers 88.
You’ll hear us discuss all of these albums, and more: including some of the records found behind us on our competing record shelves. So, join Mark and I as we sort through Craft’s offerings for Record Store Day 2022 and enjoy the luxury of discussing the art of collecting and listening to great records.
Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.
