This month marks a monumental celebration of one of the finest albums to have skimmed this planet that divides the right & the republicans - Guided By Voices epic Bee Thousand. To cause panic in the retail markets, Scat Records ( home of many an early GBV album - see: Vampire on Titus ) is unleashing 2000 vinyl-only copies of Bee Thousand - The Director's Cut.

Complete with fifty-five tracks total (6 unrealesed / alt. versions )- including some of the best stuff you are likely to ever hear ( 'The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory', 'Hot Freaks' .. .) - you need to own this stack of history.

Scat cat Robert Griffin clues us all in to the pageantry as we count down to the updated release date of September 21st.

"Robert - is it happening?"

Oh yes, it is definitely happening. Unless, of course it doesn't.. . .

+ Is this ALL of it, or are there a few little Bee-something's left over?

Robert: Pretty much. There are three or four songs that were considered for the album at one point or another that remain unreleased. Two of these were actually outtakes from earlier albums, one is by a guy who was never in the band, which leaves really just one song recorded specifically for Bee Thousand that is still unreleased: "Navy Girl Song" - which is a guitar/vocal version of "If We Wait."

+ So for GBV "completists", is there any reason to scour the internet's "file sharing" resources for "Navy Girl Song"? (that being has it ever been released on anything else).. .

R: Navy Girl Song is great, but I don't think it circulates even among hardcore GBV fans.

+ For those not 'in the know' about GBV ( it happens, but how? ), would you say 'The Director's Cut' is a good starting point to the depth that is GBV?

R: I'd have to say no. This release is for people already familiar with the album, really. New converts should start with the 'regular' Bee Thousand, which is superior as an 'album' and is eternally in print on cd. The Director's Cut is more like a party for the album's 10th birthday as well as a behind the scenes look at its genesis.

+ Are you planning to re-press after these initial 2000 are gone or / either making a CD-only version?

A repress would depend on demand, so it is possible that it will be more than 2000. Speaking of, the release date has just been pushed back to September 21st (2004) since my distributor didn't have enough stock and we're printing the second 1000 right away to meet that date. My goal is to get the record to the fans, not restrict it or make it expensive in the aftermarket.

But there is something that will distinguish this first 1000 from later pressings. The label printer screwed up and didn't trim the LP labels to the correct size, so they all have a thin white border. We're reprinting the labels so they'll have the full bleed and smaller size that I'd intended (ie - no white border).

There is a simple cd version available as a $5 add-on with purchase of the vinyl through the scat website. It won't be sold in stores or anywhere else online, or be reprinted as a regular release later on.

+ Are the copies numbered or any special-ness? If not, how many will the initial pressing be for?

The copies are not numbered, but the total run is 2000.

+ Tell us again how beautiful the vinyl is - we love to hear that story.. ..

R: Full color double gatefold jacket (6 panels), 3 LPs pressed on 100% virgin vinyl in poly-lined sleeves, new & improved mastering by John Golden, Bob's original cover collage, liner notes detailing the genesis of the album by yrs truly, photos, mind bending color labels....it is a thing of beauty!

+So who is the "director"?

(Robert) Pollard, though I directed side 5 with his song choices for the unreleased tracks.

 

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