Pitchfork: Run-D.M.C. Reissues Due in September

The music industry have been overly kind to many artists by re-releasing/packaging albums that arguably should have languished eternally in rest-stop cassette bargain bins. Everyone should rejoice when a "lost classic" gets unearthed and released, or when a essential album reissue adds a bunch of mixes, demos and unreleased gems, or when the Fall's entire Peel Session output gets a 6xCD box treatment (well, maybe only hardcore Fall fans will triumph that one). However, it's tough to stomach the unnecessary and ridiculous. Is it only time before consumers will be able to snap up the "platinum edition" of "Songs Inspired by the Dream Sequences from 'Sweet Valley High'" or the entire remastered Frozen Ghost catalogue, with bonus radio edits, A&R; exec commentary, a fold-out board game, collectable hologram pogs, a sports bra, and housed in a deluxe box featuring a "real cascading waterfall" (it could happen!)? Bah, who needs it?

Finally, and appropriate for such a far-reaching and barrier breaking band, parts of Run-D.M.C.'s brash back catalogue will start to get the once-over it deserves. Billboard reports that the corporate triptych of Arista, Profile, and Legacy will be issuing expanded CD versions of King of Rock, Raising Hell and Tougher Than Leather on September 5. All new versions will feature rare and unreleased tracks. Additionally, praise and plaudits will be provided by Public Enemy's Chuck D, who has penned the liner notes which, incidentally, can already be viewed on PE's official website.

As far as extras go, the refurbished CD of King of Rock (1985) will include the original version of the Beastie Boys-covered "Slow and Low", an unreleased long version of "Jam-Master Jammin'", the B-side "Together Forever", and a Live Aid version of "King of Rock". 1986's mainstream breakthrough Raising Hell adds an a cappella version of "My Adidas", the original "Walk This Way" demo, "Lord of Lyrics", and two radio spots, a "Raising Hell" tour promo and a commercial for "Live at the Apollo". Lastly, Tougher Than Leather (1988) will be enhanced with some goodies on it's CD as well, including an instrumental version of "Beats to the Rhyme", a demo of "How'd Ya Do it Dee", the unreleased track "Crack", the hometown yule tidings of "Christmas in Hollis", and an April 1987 commercial for Penthouse magazine.

And finally, reality TV hounds and fanatics alike will be thrilled to know that the D.M.C.'s Reverend Run is making his way to MTV quite soon with his show "Run's House". You be illin'?

* Run-D.M.C. (Unofficial): http://pages.sbcglobal.net/tmoren/rundmc/
* Arista Records: http://www.arista.com
* Public Enemy: http://www.publicenemy.com

Posted by David Nadelle in on Fri: 07-01-05: 12:00 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Mon: 04-07-08: 05:30 PM CDT
Bob Dylan Awarded Special Music Pulitzer Prize