Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Various Artists - Athens, GA, Inside/Out: Music From The Movie



The soundtrack to the 1987 documentary film about the burgeoning mid-80s music scene in Athens, Georgia, released by the late, lamented I.R.S. Records. At the time, I had been a long-time B-52s fan, and I knew about R.E.M., although I wouldn't really get into them for a couple more years. So I was semi-aware of what was going on down in Athens. But the film and this soundtrack were eye-openers, detailing both the major and minor acts playing in that town.

As luck would have it, later that year I would find myself living in Athens for a time. My house was a tiny, ramshackle shitbox down past the University of Georgia sorority houses, on an extension of Milledge Avenue. But I didn't care - I was young, wild and free, and in the midst of some cutting-edge music. I discovered that the documentary only scratched the surface of what was going on there. I visited the main spots (Uptown Lounge and the 40 Watt) numerous times during my short stay there, and saw some awesome bands: X, The Beat Farmers, The Red Hot Chili Peppers (one of the best live shows I ever saw anywhere). Michael Stipe used to hang out at the bar across the street from the Georgia Theater; most people were cool enough to leave him alone. All in all, Athens was a really great place to live.

I've had this album on cassette for forever; to the best of my knowledge, it's never been released on CD. So this burn won't be 100% high fidelity . . . but it's not too bad, so enjoy.

[20 Feb 2014:  Since this post was written, the powers-that-be have finally seen fit to release this soundtrack on CD, with bonus tracks; I've upgraded my links accordingly, with the updated file - enjoy!]

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9 comments:

  1. Thank you thank you thank you thank you for this! I've been looking all over the place for this album.

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  2. Thanks so much for sharing, been wanting to hear this one for a long, long time!

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  3. thanks! very cool! have this on vinyl

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  4. thanks for sharing - awesome blog - great stuff

    beatles
    the who
    the clash
    athens,ga

    finally got my squalls and flat duo jets fix thanks to you

    peace - seattle !

    kexp.org

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  5. thanks for the squalls and flat duo jets

    great blog !

    peace-kexp.org-seattle

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  6. Had this on vinyl many many many years ago. Had no idea that it finally got re-issued on CD (only a Wal-Mart selling CDs where I live now) so thanks very much for posting this!

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  7. Thank you SO much for this!

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