On June 7 of this year, High Moon Records will release two albums. They will be the label’s first releases, and it will be an auspicious debut to say the least.
In 1970, Arthur Lee disbanded the legendary ’60s psychedelic band Love. Three years later, he was back with a brand new Love lineup. Together with producer Paul Rothschild, famous for his work with the Doors, they recorded an album called Black Beauty, to be released by Lee’s own label.
Sadly, Lee’s label went bankrupt, and the album was never released. Low quality bootlegs have circulated for years, but the High Moon release will be the first ever official release of Black Beauty. It is an important occasion in the history of rock and roll.
Gene Clark was best known as an original member of the Byrds, but after his departure from that seminal band, he made a series of highly regarded solo albums. Clark’s 1977 album Two Sides To Every Story was created at a difficult time in his life.
His son Kai Clark describes the album as “a personal diary during this trying time in his life.” The June 7 High Moon reissue will make the album widely available for the first time in many years.
The Love album will available on vinyl, CD, and digitally, and the Gene Clark album will be available on vinyl and CD. Both releases will include bonus tracks, never-before-seen photographs, and new liner notes.
Here’s the big news. There is going to be a launch party for High Moon Records at the Roxy in LA on April 29. That is one week from Friday. One lucky Popdose reader is going to win two tickets to the event, and what an event it’s going to be.
In anticipation of the release, Gene Clark’s son Kai Clark and the Kai Clark Band will perform a rare tribute set that will include the Two Sides album in its entirety as well as other songs from Gene Clark’s outstanding catalog.
Additionally, to celebrate the monumental occasion of the Black Beauty release, the surviving members of the LOVE Black Beauty Band will perform together for the first time in over thirty years, playing never-before-heard live versions of songs from the legendary album, as well as a selection of songs from the Arthur Lee/Love catalog, during a rare set in honor of the late Arthur Lee.
Special guests will make appearances throughout the night. The evening is sponsored by LA Weekly and Music Connection, and will be hosted by Jim Ladd of KLOS.
The winner will get two tickets to the show. Your name will be at Will Call, so bring your ID. Enter the giveaway only if you’re sure you can go. You don’t have to live in the LA area, but if you don’t, you have to be willing to get there on your own dime.
I’m not even going to pose a question this time. All you have to do to enter is to send an email to ken@popdose.com with the word ‘Love’ in the subject line, and the words ‘Black Beauty’ in the body. The deadline for entries is Monday night at 5:00 p.m. EDT. At that time I will choose one winner from all of the entries.
In case you don’t win, and you still want to go (who wouldn’t?), here are the Launch Party details:
WHAT: High Moon Records Official Label Launch Party
WHO: LOVE Black Beauty Band, The Kai Clark Band and special guests
WHEN: April 29, Doors – 7 pm, Show – 8 pm
WHERE: The Roxy
9009 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
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