Calexico has announced the 20th Anniversary Edition of their seminal LP The Black Light set for release 11/23/18. Originally released in May of 1998, this second studio album from Tucson’s most admired, will be available for pre-order now and out November 23 from Touch and Go Records (US) and City Slang (EU):
For the 20th Anniversary Edition of this album, this limited edition includes 11 bonus tracks, extensive liner notes (+ insightful commentary from ourselves), and incredible, alternative artwork by Victor Gastelum. including a special deluxe edition with new gatefold artwork, 180g clear double vinyl, expanded liner notes by Joey Burns and John Convertino.
From Joey:
I’ve enjoyed revisiting “The Black Light” and finding old sketchbooks from 20 years ago. The room sound and space in the performances remind me of the wide open feeling I had when first arriving to Tucson in the early 90’s. It’s a beautiful snapshot in time and place, and filled with heart. I always wanted to build a thrift store orchestra and this is the closest John and I ever got. A lot of it was made up along the way by assembling an assortment of sounds that turned into songs; some of which we exchanged over short but sweet phone machine messages. We couldn’t have done it without both record labels who are still close friends of ours to this day or without the immense help from the extremely talented Victor Gastelum. The community that was so small back then still has that close connection and small-town vibe today. We couldn’t have made it all this way without the listeners and supporters of independent music. Thank you.
From John:
“The Black Light” is one of my favorites, maybe even my most favorite of all our records. It was the first one we did in the studio, and coming out of the band ‘The Friends of Dean Martinez,’ it was a time of experimentation with a lot of new instruments and what we could do with more than just four or eight tracks. Listening back now, I hear a lot of patience in the mixing and structuring of the songs. We put in long nights in the studio trying lots of different things out. I’m very excited that it has a re-release moment, a chance to show Victor’s amazing art in a different color, new bonus tracks, Joey’s notes – which are a fascinating read – and commentary written by our long time friend Wyndham Wallace. I’m super grateful that there is still so much interest in the record, and the band after 20+ years.
