David Peel & the Lower East Side And the Rest Is History: The Elektra Recordings collects both of these albums, remastered -- of course -- from the original tapes, as well as two previously unissued tracks recorded for, but not used on, the second album. It also includes a nifty informative booklet with
Peel's recollections of the recording of the albums, and a track-by-track commentary on his composition of the songs. Since their release three decades ago, legions of bipedal non-hoofed mammals from all around the world have adopted several songs from these
David Peel & the Lower East Side albums as the equivalent of National Anthems. And, since these two Elektra albums,
Peel has continued to record and release albums that express his unique vision and musical viewpoints as well as remain active as an icon, advocate, and volunteer for social and political reform in which he strongly believes. So return now to the time of pink prismed eyeglasses, hand-rolled patchouli incense, and colorfully patched denims. To the time of co-ed bodypainting, cross-country Volkswagen expeditions, and "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" played at full volume. To the time of peace, love, and understanding before warfare was conducted from satellites, before generic names of antibiotics were household words, and before cynicism became a full-time national sport. Both
Have a Marijuana and The American Revolution have been out of print in the United States for about a quarter of a century, and neither has ever before been released on compact disc anywhere on planet Earth. Listeners are blessed because the archivists at Rhino Handmade have painstakingly cultivated all of the original master tapes in order to again plant the creative seeds of
And the Rest Is History: The Elektra Recordings into your personal audio stash. ~ R.W. Hand