Like a living legacy to the shellac collectors of yore, Tompkins Square began a series of Limited Edition Record Store Day 78 rpm 10″ releases in 2012. At the time, label owner and founder Josh Rosenthal said: “A lot of new turntables play 78’s, and many 78 collectors listen to their records on modern equipment. Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe have all recently released 78’s. So I thought it would be fun to start a line of them.”
Josh decided to revisit this 78 release from Tyler Ramsey and release it digitally for the first time. He first met Tyler in NYC in 2005 at the long-lost Etherea Records – “This imposing Southern mountain man definitely stood out amongst the prevailing poseurdom of mid-90s East Village “indie sleaze.” Tyler handed us his excellent self-released CD, and we became instant fans.”
While the ten remaining physical copies held by Tompkins Square recently sold out, with this digital release, many more people will now hear these string creations. The two recordings are so well chosen, making quite a contrast in mood and feel. While Black Raven’s deep, resonating, echoing strings suggest American Primitive territory, it’s also achingly beautiful and lyrical. The b-side, Black Pines, is more spacious and open, lending it the feel of a desert ode that leans south of the border, hinting at Mexican folk melodies.
They are striking and poetic gems.
Word is that Tyler has a few 78s in his possession and will have some on his upcoming New Lost Ages Tour.
