It ain't every day an obscure artist gets their due. Even when notable artists cite a relative unknown as a major influence, those relative unknowns normally remain just that.
Which is why when we caught wind that home recording pioneer R. Stevie Moore's 1976 vinyl debut Phonography (originally pressed to a mere 100 copies) was being reissued, our faith in the world was restored. Despite Rolling Stone hailing Phonography as "one of the most significant indie records" of the last 50 years, Moore's resurgence has been something of a long, slow burn.
Though with the venerable reissue label Sundazed now backing him, Moore seems poised to be brought into a much wider spotlight. For years, Sundazed has given equal creedence to both the behemoths and the all-but-buried. Long out-of-print records from the likes of Velvet Underground, Otis Redding and Bob Dylan have shared catalog space with rock's lost relics, rare soul pressings and otherwise totally unknown pop gems. If legendary rock critic Lester Bangs were alive, Sundazed would be his go-to. Starting next week, when Phonography's unearthed, R. Stevie Moore joins the ranks.
"Yeah, but what makes this R. Stevie fella so special?"
Ya know that 4-track recorder under your bed, next to the old mike collecting dust? R. Stevie would grab 'em from you and record three records in a day.
"That's kinda creepy, right?"
You call it creepy, we call it prolific.
Ya know that Ariel Pink guy we're always hootin' and hollerin' about?
"Yeah, yeah. He's like the godfather of DIY recording or whatever."
Get your facts straight, man! He cites R. Stevie Moore as his chief influence, with Moore being named "one of Mr. Pink's personal heroes."
(Stunned silence.)
That's right. It's our job to give you the facts. You sit there, look pretty and start listening to R. Stevie Moore.
So, for your educational enlightenment, here's the delightfully lo-fi "I Want You In My Life"--not unlike something from Ween's Pure Guava era--recorded way back in the mid-70's:
And here's the kind of magical, Mickey Mouse-appropriating video for Phonography cut "Goodbye Piano":
R. Stevie 4-Eva.
