SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – CBGB – A NEW YORK CITY SOUNDTRACK 1975-1986

VARIOUS ARTISTS
CBGB – A NEW YORK CITY SOUNDTRACK 1975-1986
CHERRY RED RECORDS

This is a music collector’s perfect combination—an extensive compilation (box set, effectively) on one of the best labels around that can handle such a project, and an overview of a specific music scene that transcends just music or any specific genre but goes into cultural and social overview that is involved in the whole shebang.

Back in 1973, bar owner Hilly Kristal transformed his “Hilly’s” into CBGB, something that became a music and cultural icon, hosting initially some of the most forward-looking artists from the mid-70s and mid-80s NYC scene (if not all), and then also from all over. With it CBGB became something of a spearhead of all what is new and hip in modern music.

Now, with CBGB closed (2006), and Hilly Kristall gone (2007), this 4-CD box set (with a hefty dose of unreleased tracks) is a timely reminder of all the best CBGB had to offer in its prime, from the big ones, like The Talking Heads, Television, or Patti Smith, to the ones you may not even heard of, like the TV Toy or Nihilistics, but maybe should have, and is something any serious music fan should consider having in their collection.

Artist Links