Complete recordings of Big Star co-founder Chris Bell, most of the material making its vinyl debut. Includes previously unheard 1975 interview from London—exclusive to this set!

After co-founding and subsequently leaving Big Star, the world only received two tracks of new music from Chris Bell during his lifetime—a 1978 single on the Car Records label run by Chris Stamey (dB’s, Sneakers) titled “I Am The Cosmos” b/w “You And Your Sister.” Before co-founding Big Star, Bell played with several bands in Memphis, and though much music was recorded, nothing was released.

The early Chris Bell-related recordings were compiled by Omnivore in a CD/Digital release titled Looking Forward: The Roots Of Big Star, released in July 2017. Those recordings now make their vinyl debut in the first two LPs of The Complete Chris Bell as Looking Forward: The Roots Of Big Star and Rock City – See Seven States.

Bell’s post-Big Star recordings have long been well-known as an album first compiled by Rykodisc in 1992, and titled I Am The Cosmos. In September 2017, Omnivore issued the original I Am The Cosmos tracks on LP, newly remastered and cut at Ardent Studios. Also released at the same time was a comprehensive 2-CD/Digital deluxe edition of the album, including all known post-Big Star recordings. The freshly remastered I Am The Cosmos vinyl is included in The Complete Chris Bell as the third LP with the additional recordings from the 2-CD deluxe edition making up the two volumes of Outtakes & Alternates as LPs 4 & 5 with all the material making its vinyl debut.

Rounding out The Complete Chris Bell is an exclusive sixth LP that will only be available in the boxed set. It includes a never-before heard 1975 interview with Barry Ballard. Ballard interviewed Bell in London, and has graciously allowed the use of his original tape for the transfer and restoration so it could be included in this set. Bell’s remarks on everything from his solo recordings to Big Star are revelatory!

The Complete Chris Bell was produced and compiled by Grammy®-Award winner, Cheryl Pawelski, Ardent Studios’ Adam Hill and Grammy®-nominated producer, Alec Palao. It was freshly remastered by Grammy®-Award winning engineer, Michael Graves, and the vinyl cut on the original lathe at Ardent Studios in Memphis by Chris Jackson and Adam Hill.

Liner notes are by co-producer, Alec Palao, and Bob Mehr (music critic for the daily Memphis newspaper The Commercial Appeal, and author of the New York Times Best Seller Trouble Boys: The True Story Of The Replacements. The booklet also features previously unseen photos and memorabilia, plus a special excerpt from the forthcoming HoZac Books release There Was A Light: The Cosmic History Of Chris Bell And The Rise Of Big Star by Rich Tupica.

The Complete Chris Bell boxed set will be a one-time pressing with individual volumes potentially broken out in the future as demand warrants (excluding the 1975 London Interview LP which will be exclusive to the boxed set).

The entire project was developed with the oversight of the Estate of Chris Bell and should serve as the definitive collection of the massively influential Chris Bell!

 

---

6-LP Boxed Set Track List:

Looking Forward: The Roots Of Big Star – Side 1:

1. All I See Is You – Icewater
2. Looking Forward – Icewater
3. The Reason – The Wallabys
4. Oh My Soul (Backing Track) – Icewater
5. Feeling High (Alternate Backing Track) – The Wallabys

Looking Forward: The Roots Of Big Star – Side 2:

1. Feeling High – The Wallabys
2. Sunshine – Icewater
3. Psychedelic Stuff – Chris Bell
4. A Chance To Live – Icewater
5. Germany (Backing Track) – Icewater
6. All I See Is You (Alternate Backing Track) – Icewater

 

Rock City See Seven States – Side 1:

1. Think It’s Time To Say Goodbye
2. I Lost A Love
3. The Wind Will Cry For Me
4. My Life Is Right
5. Lovely Lady

Rock City See Seven States – Side 2:

1. The Answer
2. Introduction
3. Sunday Organ
4. The Preacher
5. Shine On Me
6. Try Again (Original Mix)*

 

I Am The Cosmos – Side 1:

1. I Am The Cosmos (Original Single Version)
2. Better Save Yourself
3. Speed Of Sound
4. Get Away
5. Make A Scene

I Am The Cosmos – Side 2:

1. Look Up
2. I Got Kinda Lost
3. There Was A Light
4. Fight At The Table
5. I Don’t Know
6. Though I Know She Lies
7. You And Your Sister (Original Single Version)

 

Outtakes & Alternates, Volume 1 – Side 1:

1. I Am The Cosmos Extended Alternate Version)
2. Better Save Yourself (Alternate Mix)
3. Speed Of Sound (Alternate Version)
4. Get Away (Alternate Version)
5. You And Your Sister (Alternate Version)

Outtakes & Alternates, Volume 1 – Side 2:

1. Make A Scene (Alternate Mix)
2. Look Up (Alternate Movie Mix)
3. Fight At The Table (Alternate Mix)
4. I Don’t Know (Alternate Version)
5. Speed Of Sound (Alternate Version Backing Track)

 

Outtakes & Alternates, Volume 2 – Side 1:

1. You And Your Sister (Acoustic Version)
2. Untitled Acoustic Instrumental (Movie Mix)
3. Stay With Me – with Keith Sykes
4. In My Darkest Hour – with Nancy Bryan
5. So Long Baby (aka Clacton Rag)
6. Fight At The Table (Outtake With Partial Vocal)

Outtakes & Alternates, Volume 2 – Side 2:

1. You And Your Sister (Country Underdub Mix)
2. Get Away (Outtake Track)
3. Better Save Yourself (Outtake Track)
4. I Am The Cosmos (Alternate Backing Track With Piano)
5. Untitled Electric Instrumental (Movie Mix)

 

Interview With Barry Ballard, London 1975 – Side 1:

1. Interview, Part 1*

Interview With Barry Ballard, London 1975 – Side 2:

1. Interview, Part 2*
2. Though I Know She Lies(Movie Mix)
3. I Am The Cosmos (Acoustic Mix)

* Previously unissued.