Grass-Tops Recording have announced the release of a two-part book/record on Robbie Basho titled ‘Portrait Of Basho As A Young Dragoon’. The book which will take the form of a hardcover coffee table publication will feature never before seen photos of the guitarist and composer along with memories from the photographer, and a selection of Robbie’s poetry.
According to their website they came across the photos last year, the quality and clarity of them is stunning as you can see in the video below:
https://youtu.be/TaesFLDmL54
Last year, while conducting Basho related research, we followed a lead to an archive that held a box of previously un-published photos and press material from Robbie’s early days in Berkeley, CA. We didn’t know all that the archive held but were told that there could potentially be up to 30 unpublished photos of him that existed only as the original negatives. Upon traveling to the archive to see the materials in person, we soon realized just how amazing these images were …
The trip resulted in the discovery of over 30 never before seen photos of Robbie in stunning clarity. These are some of the only honest-to-goodness portraits of the man known to exist. Not only are they well composed and close-up, but Robbie’s radiance is on full display! His gentleness, power, vision, and humor can all be seen in vivid clarity.
The book will be published late this year and will be offered via their mail-order. An accompanying musical record of early and previously unpublished live material from this same era of Basho’s career will follow. Musical release includes :
– Multi-page insert with detailed liner notes
– Four previously unissued compositions
– Six live performances in total (’67-’69)
– Digitally restored and enhanced audio
– Digital bonus track with each purchase