Arthur Russell: Iowa Dream Vinyl 2LP

Arthur Russell continues to beguile and inspire, his music more known now than perhaps at any other point in history. While he achieved some notoriety in the hedonistic discos of the mid-eighties via a series of banging 12” singles under various aliases, he left a huge swath of sublime and uniquely touching music, most unfinished. Russell’s partner Tom Lee and Audika Records have spent the last couple decades or so constructing records from endless hours-long sessions, improvisations, and home-recorded cassettes. Iowa Dream is nineteen new Russell compositions, his distinct songwriting embellished by downtown NYC legends including Ernie Brooks, Rhys Chatham, Peter Gordon, and David Van Tieghem. Contemporary avant-garde composer Peter Broderick also contributes audio restoration and mixing to several nearly finished songs. This collection includes demos originally recorded for Mercury Records, folk-style songs written in California in the early 70’s, and pop songs that hint at Russell’s devotion to the discos of NYC. Also includes the long-awaited “You Did It Yourself”, previously only heard in a brief clip in the 2008 documentary Wild Combination. Includes a printed insert with liner notes and rare photographs. Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• includes printed insert
• limited edition
• music label: Audika 2019

reviewed by RETURN TO CORN 12/2019