Chris Bell was a member of Big Star during their short but influential run before recording numerous solo tracks leading up to his death in 1978 in a car accident.
A number of those tracks made their way onto the 1992 album I Am the Cosmos which is being rereleased and expanded by Omnivore Recordings on September 15.
In 1974-1975, Bell worked in the famed Château D’Hérouville near Paris, France, and later recorded at both Shoe Studios and Ardent Studios in Memphis. The original 1992 release of Cosmos included a number of these tracks but the total was almost doubled on a 2009 rerelease that included alternate mixes, as well as some of Bell’s pre-Big Star recordings.
In addition to the bonus material found on the 1992 release and 2009 reissue, this new two-CD/Digital set adds 10 more tracks, eight of which are previously unissued; two make their CD debut. The packaging contains updated liner notes from set co-producer Alec Palao as well as Memphis author and journalist Bob Mehr and features previously unseen photographs. Also available the same day, the original 12 track “album” — first pressing on clear vinyl (with download card for the album tracks). All Chris Bell projects are being approved and overseen by Chris’ estate run by his brother, David.
The track list:
Disc 1
I Am The Cosmos
Better Save Yourself
Speed Of Sound
Get Away
You And Your Sister
I Got Kinda Lost
Look Up
Make A Scene
There Was A Light
I Don’t Know
Fight At The Table
Though I Know She Lies
I Am The Cosmos
You And Your Sister
Look Up
Untitled Acoustic Instrumental
Disc 2
I Am The Cosmos
Better Save Yourself
Speed Of Sound
Get Away
You And Your Sister
Make A Scene
Fight At The Table
I Don?t Know
Speed Of Sound
Stay With Me
In My Darkest Hour
So Long Baby (aka Clacton Rag)
Fight At The Table
You And Your Sister
Get Away
Better Save Yourself
I Am The Cosmos
Untitled Electric Instrumental
Then, on November 24, Omnivore will release the new 6-LP box set The Complete Chris Bell which includes the vinyl debut of Looking Forward: the Roots of Big Star, which was released earlier in the year on CD, along with the new I Am the Cosmos expanded edition and an exclusive sixth disc with a never-before heard 1975 interview with Barry Ballard. Ballard interviewed Bell in London, and has graciously allowed the use of his original tape for the transfer and restoration so it could be included in this set. Bell’s remarks on everything from his solo recordings to Big Star are revelatory!
The Complete Chris Bell was produced and compiled by Grammy Award winner Cheryl Pawelski, Ardent Studios’ Adam Hill, and Grammy-nominated producer Alec Palao. It was freshly remastered by Grammy-Award winning engineer Michael Graves, and the vinyl cut on the original lathe at Ardent Studios in Memphis by Chris Jackson and Adam Hill.
Liner notes are by co-producer Alec Palao and Bob Mehr (music critic for the daily Memphis newspaper The Commercial Appeal, and author of The New York Times bestseller Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements. The booklet also features previously unseen photos and memorabilia, plus a special excerpt from the forthcoming HoZac Books release There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star by Rich Tupica.
The Complete Chris Bell boxed set will be a one-time pressing with individual volumes potentially broken out in the future as demand warrants (excluding the 1975 London Interview LP which will be exclusive to the boxed set).
The entire project was developed with the oversight of the Estate of Chris Bell and should serve as the definitive collection of the massively influential Chris Bell!
Disc 1
Side 1
All I See Is You
Looking Forward
The Reason
Oh My Soul (Backing Track)
Feeling High (Alternate Backing Track)
Side 2
Feeling High
Sunshine
Psychedelic Stuff
A Chance To Live
Germany (Backing Track)
All I See Is You (Alternate Backing Track)
Disc 2
Side 1
Think It’s Time To Say Goodbye
I Lost A Love
My Life Is Right
Lovely Lady
Side 2
The Answer
Introduction
The Wind Will Cry For Me
Sunday Organ
The Preacher
Shine On Me
Try Again (Alternate Mix)
Disc 3
Side 1
I Am The Cosmos
Better Save Yourself
Speed Of Sound
Get Away
Make A Scene
Side 2
Look Up
I Kinda Got Lost
There Was A Light
Fight At The Table
I Don’t Know
Though I Know She Lies
You And Your Sister
Disc 4
Side 1
I Am The Cosmos (Extended Alternate Version)
Better Save Yourself (Alternate Mix)
Speed Of Sound (Alternate Version)
Get Away (Alternate Version)
You And Your Sister (Alternate Version)
Side 2
Look Up (Acoustic Move Mix)
Make A Scene (Alternate Mix)
Fight At The Table (Alternate Mix)
I Don’t Know (Alternate Version)
Speed Of Sound (Alternate Version Backing Track)
Disc 5
Side 1
You And Your Sister (Acoustic Versoin)
Untitled Acoustic Instrumental (Movie MIx)
Stay With Me
In My Darkest Hour
So Long Baby (aka Clacton Rag)
Fight At The Table (Outtake With Partial Vocal)
Side 2
You And Your Sister (Country Underdub Mix)
Get Away (Outtake Track)
Better Save Yourself (Outtake Track)
I Am The Cosmos (Alternate Backing Track With Piano)
Untitled Electric Instrumental (Movie Mix)
Disc 6
Side 1
Interview With Barry Ballard, London 1975 Part 1
Side 2
Interview With Barry Ballard, London 2975 Part 2
Though I Know She Lies (Movie Mix)
I Am The Cosmos (Acoustic Mix)
