NASHVILLE, TN. (Koch Records) - Three classic albums from Robert Earl Keen will be reissued by Koch Records on August 24. Two of the three albums – No Kinda Dancer and A Bigger Piece of the Sky – will be made available in Super Audio (SADC) format. A third CD, No. 2 Live Diner, is the biggest selling album of Keen's career yet had been out of print for a year. No Kinda Dancer is Keen's debut album, the one that first brought the wit and wisdom of Robert Earl Keen to the world's attention. The album features stark arrangements and dark lyrics in a basically acoustic performance. It shows a young singer/songwriter who is on his way to writing some classic songs, including 'The Front Porch Song,' co-written by Lyle Lovett. The album also features appearances by Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely and Nanci Griffith. The new Koch SACD reissue of No Kinda Dancer features 14 tracks including three songs not on the original American release and on song ('The Vacuum Cleaner Has No name') never before released in any form. A Bigger Piece of Sky was originally released in 1993 and is considered by many to be one of his best. Recorded in Nashville, the album features contributions from Marty Stuart among other notables. Keen's songs begin to explore the themes and paint the images that he would become known for. This SACD-remastered album is re-sequenced the way that Keen had originally envisioned for the recording. The live album No. 2 Live Diner was released in 1996 on Sugarhill Records and has become the best selling album of Keen's career. Recorded at the Flores County Store and the Cactus Café Ballroom in 1995. It captures REK and his band at their best, playing before an enthusiastic crowd. The album, which features 17 live tracks, features a guest appearance by Lloyd Maines on pedal steel guitar. The three reissues follow Keen's artistically and commercially triumphant 2003 album, Farm Fresh Onions. Performing Songwriter magazine proclaimed it 'a compelling collection of songs stamped with Keen's trademark mix of lyricism, breezy humor and intelligence.' Billboard added: ''Keen has delivered one of the best records of his career.' According to Keen, 'These are three of my favorite records. We worked very hard to bring more to the party. Hope you enjoy the music. Thanks to the fans that keep this going.'
|