Talking Heads are set to release an extensive Super Deluxe Edition of their debut album.
‘Talking Heads: 77’ is set for release on 8th November 2024 via Rhino. A 4LP Black Vinyl + 4 7″ Singles boxed set will feature the remastered original album, rare and previously unreleased demos and outtakes, and a 2LP live recording from CBGB’s in New York on 10th October 1977.
Among the rarities is an acoustic version of ‘Psycho Killer’ featuring Arthur Russell. David Byrne says of the collaboration: “We knew cellist and singer/songwriter Arthur Russell from the downtown world. He died early from AIDS, and during his life, he released very disparate records—spacey tunes on the album ‘World of Echo’ and disco club tunes under the name Dinosaur L. He left a huge legacy of recordings, which are still filtering out 40 years after his passing.
“I remember seeing him play Philip Glass music for a Mabou Mines production of a Beckett play. I think Beckett’s folks hated it, as they didn’t want there to be music in his plays. So it wasn’t a huge stretch that we’d invite Arthur to arrange and play on an alternate version of “Psycho Killer.” Somewhat perversely, I always saw the song as being a slightly more intimate folk rock thing rather than the rock song that folks seemed to love. So I had a special attachment to this version.”
‘Talking Heads: 77’ was originally released on 16th September 1977, marking the debut of the band’s classic lineup. The album paved the way for their subsequent releases ‘More Songs About Buildings and Food’ (1978), ‘Fear of Music’ (1979), and ‘Remain In Light’ (1980).
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