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Out of print on vinyl for over 30 years, the former Blasters frontman's solo debut is a soulful collection of blues, jazz, country, and pop songs originally written and recorded between 1925-1953. More than just an engaging document of pre-rock Americana, the album features avant-garde legend Sun Ra and his Arkestra, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and New Orleans saxman Lee Allen, whose session work with Little Richard and Fats Domino have earned him near-mythic status. Before there was any acknowledgement of what's now known as the Great American Songbook, a genre called Americana, Triple-A radio, or even an internet to aid in research, a dedicated band of crate-diggers sprang up around LA, discovering long-lost gems on 78s and 45s: Barret "Dr. Demento" Hansen, with his novelty records; Lux Interior of the Cramps, foraging for country and rockabilly; Billy Vera, amassing an R&B archive and perhaps the most eclectic of the lot, Phil Alvin. As renowned music journalist Chris Morris observes in the liner notes, "If you made a trip to the Alvins' family home in Downey, affectionately known as 'the Flop,' in the early '80s, it was almost inevitable that Phil would reach into a crate of 78s and pull out some gem you had never heard." That pioneering eclecticism was admired by critics and fans alike, although Alvin was perhaps just a step or two ahead of the general audience, which is why this album was a cult favorite and not a platinum smash. If anything, it has a better chance at reaching a broad fan base now than it did when it was new. Today, this brilliantly sung, stirringly performed, and deeply felt record is ready for a new embrace by contemporary listeners, who should be ready to catch up to its prophetic sound. The release comes on the heels of Liberation Hall's Mandatory: The Best of the Blasters, a definitive 20-song collection of the band's hits and deep cuts. The label plans further releases throughout 2024 in celebration of the Blasters' 45th anniversary.

Media

Track Listing

Bonus Materials

• New liner notes from noted author, and chronicler of the west coast independent music scene, Chris Morris

Sales Points

• For fans of Tom Waits, the Blasters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Townes Van Zandt, Ry Cooder, Dave Van Ronk.
• Out of print on vinyl in America for over 30 years.
• New liner notes from renowned author and journalist Chris Morris.
• Critically acclaimed Robert Christgau rated it an A-, AllMusic awarded it 4 of 5 stars).
• 2024 will see an extensive Blasters reissue program from Liberation Hall.
• Featuring some of Sun Ra’s last recorded performances with the Arkestra.
• Includes appearances by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and legendary New Orleans saxman Lee Allen.Includes appearances by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and legendary New Orleans saxman Lee Allen.
• Opening track “Someone Stole Gabriel’s Horn” (a cover of the 1932 Bing Crosby hit) available as a digital single.

Press Quotes

Un 'Sung Stories' 'a delightful solo album of blues, gospel and jazz

     —Trouser Press

Alvin 'loves a good lyric, and if he can't write them or order them up, he has only to ransack his record collection for oldies that are just strange enough goodies.

     —Robert Christgau, Village Voice

Short and sweet, Un 'Sung Stories' is a true gem that's richly felt in a way a collection of 'old standards' is not expected to be

     —All Music Guide

Alvin's forceful arrangements fuses the material with dark, funny, frightening and inspiring edges ... The result is an album that suggests a heroic grappling with the struggles involved in daily living

     —L.A. Times

an offbeat mix of musical Americana that includes gospel, country blues and pop anthems of the 1920s and '30s

     —Chicago Tribune

Alvin has trimmed some of the excessive stylization of some of his Blasters work, and deepened the bluesy feel in his voice

     —Sacramento Bee

This album is eclectic, masterful and well-performed.

     —Sid Griffin, Amazon

Phil Alvin is a 'West-Coast' Buster Poindexter

     —Spin Alternative Record Guide

Phil Alvin... is one of rock's most underrated vocalists.

     —Joe Sasfy, Washington Post