Post by Bob on Sept 25, 2005 11:49:32 GMT -5
One of my favourite records is "I am the cosmos" by Chris Bell. Bell was one of the founders of the American pop band Big Star, together with Alex Chilton. Big Star's debut album, 1972's #1 Record, eventually earned mythic status as an underground classic, but, sabotaged by poor distribution, was deemed a commercial failure at the time of release.
Bell left the group and continued as a singer/songwriter.
"I am the Cosmos" should have been the debut album to launch the accolades that singer songwriter Chris Bell yearned for, when in fact it is merely a compilation of unreleased work from a life tragically cut short. That serves to add an even more solemn edge to a record that already revels in melancholy.
Chris Bell died instantly when his car plunged into a telephone pole on December 27th, 1978 at a time when things were initially beginning to look up after years of commercial failure and personal troubles. The album that would likely have made him famous was never released in his lifetime.
Recorded largely at the '70s recording hotspot of the Chateau D'Heurville in France, this album today stands as a treasure of pop gems that nearly got lost altogether, if not for the fact that those who'd heard it had sung its praises for 20 years.
Finally released by Rykodisc in 1992, the album was assembled by brother David Bell and features all the tracks intended for the original album; plus alternate takes that were previously thought to be lost.
BUY THIS ALBUM! It is one of the most beautiful albums ever made. If you like artists like Nick Drake, this will appeal to you.
Listen to song samples here: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000009OD/ref=pm_dp_ln_m_2/104-7338447-2491167?v=glance&s=music&vi=samples
Article about Chris Bell: www.frontlinearts.com/bigstar/cache/00000032/view_article.html
Bell left the group and continued as a singer/songwriter.
"I am the Cosmos" should have been the debut album to launch the accolades that singer songwriter Chris Bell yearned for, when in fact it is merely a compilation of unreleased work from a life tragically cut short. That serves to add an even more solemn edge to a record that already revels in melancholy.
Chris Bell died instantly when his car plunged into a telephone pole on December 27th, 1978 at a time when things were initially beginning to look up after years of commercial failure and personal troubles. The album that would likely have made him famous was never released in his lifetime.
Recorded largely at the '70s recording hotspot of the Chateau D'Heurville in France, this album today stands as a treasure of pop gems that nearly got lost altogether, if not for the fact that those who'd heard it had sung its praises for 20 years.
Finally released by Rykodisc in 1992, the album was assembled by brother David Bell and features all the tracks intended for the original album; plus alternate takes that were previously thought to be lost.
BUY THIS ALBUM! It is one of the most beautiful albums ever made. If you like artists like Nick Drake, this will appeal to you.
Listen to song samples here: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000009OD/ref=pm_dp_ln_m_2/104-7338447-2491167?v=glance&s=music&vi=samples
Article about Chris Bell: www.frontlinearts.com/bigstar/cache/00000032/view_article.html