Late last year, Capitol Records finally repressed the IRS run of Concrete Blonde albums. This was pretty exciting news. I missed out on the 2017 pressings (because I just wasn’t paying attention, dammit). Those are now selling for about two times more than their original retail price.
Years ago, I found an original pressing of their self-titled debut in Charleston for a reasonable price. And, I got a 2024 pressing of Bloodletting at the Asheville FM Record Fair. I have been on the hunt for an original pressing of Free and the 2017 versions of their last three albums (which were never released on vinyl in the States before), but never found any of these at a price point I was willing to accept.
My only gripe is that I wish these 2025 versions were black vinyl like the 2017 pressings. Concrete Blonde is not the kind of band or music that screams out for color vinyl treatment. Someone once said that colored vinyl had become the Funko Pop of record collecting … and I can’t say that I totally disagree.
Anyhoo. Maybe I should dip into the tip money and order all these. *Drools*
Concrete Blonde are an amazing and underrated band. Their music has kept my head above water at some pretty dark times.
Concrete Blonde are an amazing and under rated band. Their music has help keep my head above water during some pretty dark times. Just listen to Johnette wail on “Heal It Up” for catharsis. It’s a vocal performance for the ages.
I was fortunate enough to see them live three times (two of those in a small venue). Such an absolutely AMAZING live band.