Fall 2022 Preview
It has been a busy summer here at Iconoclassic Records as we prepare a great slate of CDs for release this fall.
First out the gate will be John Cafferty And The Beaver Brown Band’s Greatest Hits. Believe it or not, this is the first-ever compilation album by JCBBB, the well-loved Rhode Island roots rockers who are celebrating the band's 50th anniversary in 2023. Best known as the real-life artists behind the Eddie And The Cruisers soundtrack, Greatest Hits features their hits from the Eddie movie (including “On the Dark Side,”“Tender Years” and “Wild Summer Nights”), plus Cafferty’s contributions to the soundtracks to Rocky IV, Cobra, and Eddie And The Cruisers II, plus the biggies from the band’s own albums like “Tough All Over” and “C-I-T-Y” – all in their original recordings. This is the kind of album that you’ll keep in your car stereo for months on end: a great, feel-good rock and roll record with depth. Remastered by Vic Anesini with liner notes by Matt Wardlaw (Ultimate Classic Rock) and designed by major John Cafferty fan John Sellards. As with our recent Jimi Jamison release Rock Hard, John Cafferty And The Beaver Brown Band’s Greatest Hits ideally would have been released by Scotti Bros. Records in 1990! But better late than never, and Iconoclassic’s quality orientation ensures that this CD is better now than it would have been then. Greatest Hits is out September 30, 2022.
Speaking of Jimi Jamison, his longtime friends John Cafferty, Jim Peterik and Iconoclassic’s Jeremy Holiday were all on hand at the Hard Rock Café in Memphis, TN on August 21 for an event honoring Jimi’s life and legacy. In addition to serving as a release party for the new Iconoclassic Records release Rock Hard, the event also celebrated Jimi’s birthdate and the unveiling of a bronze bust of Jamison that is now displayed on the main floor of the Hard Rock Café. Rock Hard has been one of Iconoclassic’s fastest selling albums ever! Not even a month out from street date and it’s already on a second pressing. We expect to have more CDs in stock before the end of September. Supply chain woes affect not only vinyl at this point but are also slowing down CD production, too. But not to fear – you didn’t miss out on Rock Hard and it IS worth waiting for!
We’ve recently announced several new releases. We are super excited about these titles, which are a mix of first time on CD albums (we LOVE doing those!) and the first “Reissues Done Right” for the others. The albums are (in projected order of release):
The Damned – Strawberries – 40th Anniversary 2 CD Definitive Edition – FINALLY all the right tracks in the right place in the right versions (we’re looking at you, “Bad Time for Bonzo” and “Citadel Zombies”), with quality artwork and new liner notes by Jack Rabid (editor/publisher, The Big Takeover). Remastered by Mark Wilder. Although The Damned are still regarded in some quarters as a mere punk band (they were the first to release a single, issue an album and tour the U.S., after all), by 1982's deeply psychedelic Strawberries the group had become so much more. With 15 bonus tracks, now Strawberries is that much more, too.
Rocky Burnette – The Son of Rock and Roll – First time on CD worldwide! Includes the great Top 10 hit “Tired of Toein’ the Line” and 2 bonus tracks (1 previously unreleased!). Remastered by Nick Robbins, with liner notes by Bill Dahl inside a memorabilia-packed booklet. Fans of our recent Dwight Twilley release Wild Dogs will love The Son of Rock and Roll (Dwight and Rocky are close friends, too). This album is pure fun.
Slave – Show Time – Unbelievably, this mind-funk masterpiece featuring Steve Arrington has only ever been reissued once before on CD, as part of a 2-fer. Now remastered by Vic Anesini with liner notes by A. Scott Galloway and 2 bonus tracks including the essential and highly sought-after 12” version of “Snap Shot.” One of the greatest Dayton Funk albums ever finally gets its due. If you don't know this album yet, it's...Show Time.
Steve Arrington – Dancin’ in the Key of Life – First time on CD worldwide for the inspirational solo debut by the multi-hyphenate former Slave member known to those who know as The Invade. 5 bonus tracks including remixes of the singles “Feel So Real” (a UK top 10 hit) and the title track (a US R&B top 10 hit). Remastered by Donald Cleveland with liner notes by A Scott Galloway.
Peter Green – In the Skies – The Fleetwood Mac founder’s classic comeback album from 1979, now with bonus tracks for the first time. Remastered by Vic Anesini with liner notes by Ralph Chapman (The Guess Who reissue series). If you enjoyed Iconoclassic's past Robin Trower and Mick Taylor releases, you’re going to love this. It's the perfect soundtrack for your fall and winter.