This week sees the music world observing a big anniversary – the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album from 1983, which is still the largest selling album in the history of large selling albums. The number of units sold aside, it is also important to observe another significant anniversary in music; 1983 also saw the release or a relatively poor selling album, Proof Through The Night by T Bone Burnett. Most T Bone fans agree that it is his masterpiece. Oddly enough, the album and it’s other Warner Bros. counterpart, the Trap Door EP from 1982, had never seen release on CD, until 2007, when both were combined with the second U.K. Trap Door EP onto a 2 CD set issued as a limited edition on Rhino Handmade Records.
Even if one were not a T Bone fan, you can enjoy the guitar playing of Richard Thompson and Pete Townshend, both of whom were guest stars on the record. The lyrics are amazing and the sound is that of a Big Rock Record.
Sadly, the Rhino Handmade edition of 5,000 quickly sold out, and these magnificent recordings are yet again not currently available on CD, other than used copies on Ebay or Amazon. Seek them out, they are amazing records, and deserve a permanent home with a caring record company, if there is such a thing at this point. Ideally. Mr. Burnett should oversee the issue of a special 25th anniversary edition of Proof Through The Night in 2008, perhaps with a second disc of bonus tracks (demos, outtakes, live recordings) from that era. It is utterly mystifying that an album so great should suffer this fate. Oh, Warner Bros. Where Art Thou?
Tags: 1983, 25th Anniversary, Michael Jackson, Pete Townshend, Proof Through The Night, Rhino Records, Richard Thompson, T Bone Burnett, Thriller, Warner Bros. Records
February 14, 2008 at 12:24 pm |
I love it too and so did my kitty Dinsdale. Proof Through The Night is one of my fave LPs ever and I’d be happy if T-Bone produced EVERYTHING!