Alex Chilton, the lead guitarist/vocalist who was so cool The Replacements made a song for him, fronted for Big Star back in 1972, when the foursome released #1 Record and in 1973 when they followed up with Radio City.
These are two of the most influential albums you may never have heard, and now you’ve got the chance to get ‘em both, on one CD, as a high quality reissue from Ardent/Stax records.
Here’s how you win: Tell me your favorite Big Star or Alex Chilton song (drop a comment). It can be an original, a cover, or even a tribute like the afore-mentioned ‘Mats tune. (Naturally, that’s my fave.) Winner will be chosen at random on June 17, and I’ll be contacting the winner by e-mail so make sure you provide me that e-mail address, and make sure you check your e-mail on 6/17 or 6/18, ’cause if I ask you for your address and you don’t provide it, I’ll move on to the next winner . . . . Good luck!
And here’s a lil’ sumpin’ to startcha off . . .
Thirteen (Big Star) Alejandro Escovedo w/Lorrie Fountain (YSI)
Give Me Another Chance – Whiskeytown (YSI)
CLOSED--WINNER CONTACTED VIA E-MAIL, SO CHECK YOUR IN-BOXES!
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Easy. Favorite Big Star song is “Watch the Sunrise.” Though I believe mostly a Chris Bell song, that 12-string guitar is just gorgeous. Second place might be “When My Baby’s Beside Me.” Such a simple song, but damn near perfect and highly undervalued. Third would be “Mod Lang.” Can’t help but crank the volume when the guitar strings start to bend and the band kicks in.
Comment by Chris — June 12, 2009 @ 5:09 am
Gotta be that crows el goodo cover you posted. fucking awesome.
Comment by elvis1445 — June 13, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
“Watch the Sunrise”
Isaac245 at gmail dot com
Comment by issacdog — June 14, 2009 @ 7:34 am
I’m going to have to go with September Gurls as my favorite song, its just a great song.
Comment by Luke — June 14, 2009 @ 11:31 am
Jeff Buckley doing Kanga Roo
Comment by Ian — June 14, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
For YEARS it’s been “September Gurls”
Well before the Bangles covered it.
But “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine” and “You Get What You Deserve” sneak get into rotation.
Comment by ron — June 14, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
Back of a Car
Comment by jeff — June 14, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
i’ll have to go with Kizza me. rogventure@ gmail.com thank you
Comment by bobby — June 14, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
It’s gotta be September Gurls.
Comment by Chester — June 14, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
When My Baby’s Beside Me – It sounded like an old favorite the very first time I heard it.
Comment by William — June 14, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
I loved the Ballad of El Goodo on the Empire Records soundtrack and was so excited when I found out it was Big Star.
Comment by Jennifer — June 14, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
wilco doing thirteen or elliott smith or how about the original why not
Comment by jamie — June 14, 2009 @ 11:19 pm
umh . . . alex chilton by the replacements. i went to school in st paul for a couple of years, and remember this song coming out.
Comment by kawika — June 15, 2009 @ 12:46 am
13! 13! 13! JasonDehn(at)comcast(d0t)net
Comment by JD — June 15, 2009 @ 4:42 am
Mine is the Teenage Fanclub cover of “Free Again”. TFC are totally under Chilton’s spell, even naming their third/fourth album “Thirteen” in homage to Big Star. Not to mention their version of “Jesus Christ”…
Comment by biopunk — June 15, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
My fave has to be “Back Of A Car”. It takes me back to my high school days of fun and mild debauchery. When did we grow up so fast…?
Comment by Brian — June 15, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
I don’t even have to think about this – the live version of “Holocaust” from that “One Day in New York” record. It’s audacious and beautiful in the studio, but a revelation live. He pulls it off, scale intact, but creepier for it’s intimacy. Do I even have to mention his guitar playing on this one?
Comment by Robert — June 16, 2009 @ 8:32 am