Description
Bootlevel is a multi-artist compilation released through Stunt and Alternative Records in March 1993. Featuring Alternative Records associated artists like The 77’s, Daniel Amos, Steve Scott, Robert Vaughn, and Two Pound Planet. “Beauty Of Innocence”, “All The Changes”, “Writing On The Wall”, and “Flower In A Hurricane” were written by Robert Vaughn.
The same year Alternative Records released two more compilations, Shirley, Goodness & Misery and No Sense Of History, featuring rarites from the Alternative Records and Stunt Records labels.
Excerpt from the Liner Notes:
Bootlevel is a collection of songs by artists who have been associated with Alternative Records over the years – the DA tracks are courtesy of Stunt.
The 77’s tracks are all demos from the All Fall Down album. That is Mike Roe on all lead vocals…also of interest is that Steve Griffith is playing drums. Mark Proctor was still official drummer at the time, but was not present for these sessions. «Trust» is a very rough, four track demo that was never remade, but has always been a favorite of mine. Always loved this “dub mix” of «Emotional Tourist» by Steve Scott. The interview bit that precedes it was from an interview with Steve about the upcoming Rice project for Island Records, which never came out.
The RV songs included show that during the Exit period a lot of good material was winding up on the shelf, a trend the prolific artist continues today. «Beauty of Innocence» predates the Exit era, and was one of the songs that brought him to the attention of Exit and Mike Roe in particular. The two DA songs were recorded around 1979/1980. «I Get Around» sounds more like Cheap Trick than DA, but it’s a lot of fun. «As Long As I Live» is a Brian-influenced ballad. A 24 track version also exists somewhere and perhaps that will be used on a future Stunt project.
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. The 77’s – “Mercy Mercy”
A2. Two Pound Planet – “Trust”
A3. Daniel Amos – “I Get Around”
A4. Gloryhouse – “Beauty Of Innocence”
A5. The 77’s – “Smokescreen”
A6. Daniel Amos – “As Long As I Live”
Side Two
B1. The 77’s – “Good Directions”
B2. Electric Cowboy – “All The Changes”
B3. Steve Scott – “Emotional Tourist”
B4. Son Of Luke – “Writing On The Wall”
B5. Robert Vaughn – “Flower In A Hurricane”
Note: Later released on CD by Alternative Records/Hanging Dog Records featuring a quite different tracklist (obs, includes two pre-track-1 songs): The 77’s – “Mercy Mercy” (demo) / Two Pound Planet – “Wash This Mountain Down” (demo) / The 77’s – “Locked Inside This Moment” (demo) / Hi Rob / Robert Vaughn – “Writing On The Wall” (demo) / The 77’s – “Smokescreen” (first demo) / Two Pound Planet – “Hard To Believe” (demo) / The 77’s – “Good Directions” (demo) / Steve Scott – “Emotional Tourist” (alt mix) / You’re Going To … / The 77’s – “What Was In That Letter” (demo) / The 77’s – “Locked #2” (demo) / Robert Vaughn – “Open Your Window” (demo) / Steve Scott – “Touch” (alt mix) / The Dreary Days / Robert Vaughn – “Across The Nation” (demo) / Sister Hook / The 77’s – “Don’t This Way” (single edit).
Excerpt from the Liner Notes of the CD version:
Bootlevel is a collection of songs by artists who have been associated with Alternative Records over the years. The main theme running through the original LP release of 1992 was that with a few exceptions, the songs had the original masters meet various, tragic ends. Tracks like «Writing on the Wall» or DA’s «I Get Around» suffered the fate of having the original masters vanish into oblivion. A decision was made that these songs wouldn’t hold up well in the digital format, and that perhaps a vinyl release was the best archival method. (It was also a great excuse to make a record.)
400 copies were pressed and sent forth – the entire run was sold out before the records had even arrived to Alternative Records. We had given these songs a home despite the technical imperfections. Then, the complaints…Most who purchased the record loved the concept and the music, but there were those who complained of not owning a turntable and had no way to listen to the project. A couple of writers took it as a personal slap against CD owners. Missed the point, I think, but the idea was born.
I wanted to keep this CD in limited circulation so that the artists involved wouldn’t have to live with some of these demos and tragic masters forever! This is also intended for the enjoyment of all you who have been such dedicated fans of the artists and Alternative Records in particular over the years. So many of you wrote letters of encouragement and praise to Alternative Records and telling us how much you’ve enjoyed each and every release. Of course, I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with The 77’s, Steve Scott, Robert Vaughn, Two Pound Planet, DA, John Nau, and others.
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