Jack White | Acoustic in AK

Now that he's performed in every state, Jack White has decided to share that experience with members of The Vault. Mr. White quips, "how Ya feel Alaska, I just thought I'd ask ya?" When Jack decided to embark on a mini-acoustic tour, covering the final five states he'd yet to please, I wonder if he decided instantly to put (some) these shows on wax? The final destination-states were North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Alaska. Tickets were sold at each venue's box office for a whopping price of $3—only one ticker per patron. You had to be a cool customer.

Vault package #28 features a double LP, pressed on icy blue vinyl, of the band's performance at Boise's Egyptian Theater. Third Man then filmed their performance in Anchorage, offered now as a DVD. Additional treats for the senses include a 52 page picture book and two Risograph photo prints. Third Man always hooks it up proper. Subscriptions to The Vault are always available and the additional perks are awesome.

Sugar Never Tasted So Good | Jack White

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Third Man Records | Vault Package #26

The White Stripes

The first White Stripes record accessible to the masses came in 1999. Third Man Records has released the bait to their latest limited package. This Vault only release is titled, The Cass Corridor Collection: Live at the Gold Dollar Vol. III. This early show at Detroit's Gold Dollar is a vital piece to The White Stripes raw beginnings. Volumes I and II from this same Motor City bar were previously released on Vault #13.

Highlights from this February night include covers, "Stop Breaking Down" and "One More Cup of Coffee." Other songs showed up for the first time such as, "Suzy Lee" and "Astro." A medley near the end consisting of, "Cannon/John the Revelator/Grinnin' in Your Face," have me eagerly awaiting this vinyl. Sign up for your very own Vault membership and enjoy a plethora of audiophile goodies each quarter. Vault Package #26 includes a blood-red 180 gram record, a 7" Dead Weather single, a recreation of Jack's original flyer for the show, two glossy photos of the band and a hand-written set list, plus a Third Man Records enamel pin. I can't wait to get this Vault Package. Enjoy.

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Dodge & Burn

The Dead Weather are capable of many things, rocking out happens to stand at the front of the line. Their music blasts harder than anything this side of metal, without diluting the talented musicianship that creates said sound scape. Also, why would anyone want to stifle Alison's voice? Dodge & Burn, their latest release, features 12 tracks and is available September 25th. They recently gave us a look-see at one of the upcoming tracks. This visual component is a reminder of just how visceral this band can get. With no tour yet planned, one can only hope they take this show on the road. Until then, check out Third Man Records.

The Dead Weather | "I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)" | Dodge & Burn



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Forecast: Dead Weather

Third Man Records | Vault 25

They're back— Jack White, Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence are set to release a new Dead Weather record, Dodge & Burn. Lucky subscribers to The Vault, Third Man's one-of-a-kind mail-order service, will be treated to a limited edition copy of the LP. Multi colored vinyl, exclusive alternate cover art and a limited bonus poster are what set this release apart from the worldwide arrival in September.  Recorded in Nashville, Dodge & Burn will showcase eight brand new songs, along with four other remastered tracks that were released as 7" singles (Vault #18 & #21). Vault package #25 also includes another 7" single and a deck of custom playing cards! Below are some clips from the upcoming album. Enjoy and subscribe. 

The Dead Weather | Dodge & Burn sampler



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American Epic

American music is an art form, and perhaps, our greatest contribution to culture. Creativity has always been the most beautiful mark left on any era. A partnership between PBS and the BBC will spotlight the history of America's rich harmonic landscape. Producers of this three-part documentary have replicated the machinery used in the 1920's—the same equipment that captured the bedrock sounds that would later deliver us into rock n roll, pop, R&B, and hip hop. This project marks the first time in nearly 80 years that recording artists will have the opportunity to work with such primitive technologies. The list of contemporary musicians involved is staggering. Third Man Records is reportedly releasing a vinyl box set as well. Both the film and the music are set for release this fall. The teaser below is enough to pique my interest. Enjoy.

American Epic



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Under Amazonian Lights

Live Under Amazonian Lights | The White Stripes

Third Man Records is currently delivering Vault package number 23, Live Under Amazonian Lights. This 2005 White Stripes performance marked the first ever rock show at the Grand Teatro Amazonas Opera House in Manaus, Brazil. Locally described as, "deliciously irresponsible," history has favored this night as one of The White Stripe's most celebrated live achievements. 

Also included is a DVD. Hopefully captured on film is Jack and Meg wandering outside the Opera House. They played a song for the masses who had assembled outdoors. There's a 7 inch single as well—"Let You Down," is the A side and, "Aint No Sweeter Than Rita Blues," an outtake, is the B side. Newly designed postcards, from award-winning artist Rob Jones, are joined by an enamel pin and a silk-screen printed White Stripes poster. All of these goodies can be stashed inside of the custom telescoping vinyl box. Holy F, this is going to be awesome. Long live Third Man Records. 

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Jack-Pot

Third Man Records Telescoping Box & 3 LP's | Vault #22

Third Man Records will be delivering perhaps its most epic vault release to date, number 22. Jack White absolutely destroyed the Bonnaroo Festival this past summer. So guess what? He's reminding us all with an absolutely insane vault-only treasure. This memorable performance will be brought to audiophile life on three LP's. Mixed by in-house engineering guru Vance Powell, the white, blue, and black vinyl will transport us into this two hour and forty-five minute bender.

Third Man has decided to include a full-length DVD of the concert as edited by Brad Holland. Four high-end, collectible 8x10 photographs will also be tucked in carefully. In addition, there will be a Jack White patch, tour poster, and replica backstage sticker. Last but not least, the custom USB with super-secret extras. Not bad for a subscription to The Vault. The deadline to subscribe and still receive this bounty is October 31st.

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Third Man Records | Vault #21

Third Man Records | Vault #21

Next up in the pipe-line of Third Man Records are choice cuts from The White Stripes. The Vault is a yearlong gift that keeps me eagerly waiting for each quarter's treasure. Vault #21 is titled, Live Under the Lights of the Rising Sun. This double LP will tell the story of The Stripes' first-ever overseas journey. Not only will there be 31 stunning tracks from two complete live shows, but a collection of photos from the performances that have gone unseen for nearly 14 years will accompany the vinyl. An additional treat in the form of a 7" record will be our first exposure to new songs from Dead Weather. And just in case Mr. White hasn't given Vault members enough, there will be a Third Man Records flag added for good measure. Thanks be to Nashville—long live Third Man Records. Below is a small sample.



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Jack White, Lazaretto & the Future of Storytelling?

Jack White | Lazaretto

Jack's back with an ultra new solo record. On June 10th White will release Lazaretto via his Third Man label. For those of us who love to hear someone rocking out, there aren't too many shredding harder than this hyper-talented innovator. The first offering from the album is, "High Ball Stepper." This latest LP is the result of Jack digging even deeper into his bag of tricks. The "Ultra" version will be pressed on 180 gram vinyl and will include two hidden tracks beneath the center labels. No need to peel away in order to listen — genius. One of the hidden gems will play at 78 rpm, while the other will perform at 45rpm, creating a three-speed record. There will be dual-groove technology implemented on the track, "Just One Drink", allowing for the dichotomy of an acoustic and electric track, depending on where the needle is dropped. As it continues to spin the grooves eventually meet, thus meshing the two sounds into one for the duration of the song. Both sides are pressed in a flat-edge format and will end in locked grooves for continual play. Side A will offer up the first ever Dead Wax area, which will house a hand-etched hologram by artist Tristan Duke. The vinyl addition also has a varied running order and implements some different mixes. As a Vault member I am over the moon excited to unearth this treasure. Jack White is the man, thanks for taking care of the music and the listener. Long live Third Man.

High Ball Stepper | Jack White | Lazaretto



The Lazaretto Ultra LP | Third Man Records | Jack White



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Waiting 'Round to Die

One of the more powerful and honest songs in all of folk/country is, Waiting 'Round to Die, written by Townes Van Zandt. I was absolutely captured by the song when first exposed to it. This painful tale was originally released in 1967 on, For the Sake of the Song, his debut album. It also appeared on the documentary, Be Here to Love Me, and on the double LP, Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas. Townes plays extremely attentive versions on both of the latter recordings. Van Zandt is an otherworldly talent, while also being vastly under-known and underrated as a singer song writer.

Recently Michael Kiwanuka laid down an homage to this track with Third Man Records. Jack White's hub out of Nashville released the title as a B side, via the Blue Series. Back in 2013 Kiwanuka played Waiting 'Round to Die at Floyd Fest in Virginia. I encourage any and all to further investigate this song, as well as, Townes Van Zandt.

Michael Kiwanuka performing, Waiting 'Round to Die, written by: Townes Van Zandt.



A little something to ignite the vinyl-fire, record store day is around the corner.

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Vault into the Holidays

Welcome to the holiday season. Sometime in the near future, if you haven't started already, we will begin to assemble the lists of goodies that loved ones long for. With that in mind I offer you the Vault, as curated by Jack White, via his Third Man Records. The Vault is a record club subscription that allows its members the opportunity to receive live and rare vinyl, along with limited edition collectibles. This could be quite the surprise for that special someone who's an audiophile, assuming they dig the plethora of records Third Man is compiling. Special guests, collaborations, rare tracks & live performances are what's waiting, should you chose to indulge.

The Vault is currently offering package #18. A deluxe cornucopia of Jack White's other bands, The Raconteurs & The Dead Weather. In it are two 12" LP's re-visiting the Raconteurs 2011 performance at the Ryman. One is on rawhide & tobacco colored vinyl while the other is pressed onto gold & oil. The next gem is a studio recording of the Dead Weather, on yellow jacket vinyl. This 7" houses two new tracks. Last up in this treat pack is a DVD of the previously mentioned Raconteurs show at the Ryman.



Each Vault subscription is quarterly, with no added pressure to renew. There are two options, the platinum subscription ($60) and the gold ($20). I recommend the platinum, it gives you far more bang for the buck. If your curiosity gets the best of you, you may also want to check out the new Paramount Records set, volume 1 (1917-1932). It's quite possibly the most aesthetically pleasing compilation of vinyl ever.

Subsequently, Third Man is teaming with the Nashville Rescue Mission in an effort to help those less fortunate during the holidays. No good deed goes unnoticed. Enjoy the festive times of fall and winter.

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