[2020-10-30] Van Duren "Are You Serious?" and "Idiot Optimism" remasters (Omnivore)

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Aug 10, 2020 7:48 pm

Are You Serious?

Description
A Memphis pop icon, Van Duren was not only a contemporary of Big Star, he played with both Chris Bell and Jody Stephens in The Baker Street Regulars. Managed by Andrew Loog Oldham (The Rolling Stones), his 1978 debut album, Are You Serious?, found folks comparing him to artists like Todd Rundgren and Paul McCartney. He recorded a second album, which was shelved, then eventually released in Japan without his involvement.

Now, four decades later, thanks to the acclaimed documentary Waiting: The Van Duren Story, and its soundtrack, many discovered Van Duren for the first time, while those who knew about him found out what really happened. Finally, Are You Serious? Returns, remastered from the original analog tapes on CD, LP, and—for the first time—Digital.

Thirteen originals written by Duren (with Jody Stephens being the only co-writer on one track), and packaging featuring new liner notes from Van and previously unseen photos, it’s time to get serious about the album that has had collectors searching high and low for a copy for years. Looking and sounding better than ever, it’s time for Are You Serious?

Tracklist
1. Chemical Fire
2. This Love Inside
3. Oh Babe
4. Waiting
5. Grow Yourself Up
6. Guaranteed
7. Positive (Wedding Song)
8. New Year’s Eve
9. So Good To Me (For The Time Being)
10. Yellow Light
11. For A While
12. Stupid Enough
13. The Love That I Love

CD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F6JZ44M/?tag=imwan-20

Vinyl
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F6YCZH3/?tag=imwan-20

Idiot Optimism

Description
After the release of Are You Serious?, Van Duren immediately returned to the studio—recording 14 tracks (one being a medley of two songs) that rivaled his tremendous debut. But, the album was shelved and didn’t see the light of day for two decades, when inexplicably, it was released in Japan without any input from the artist.

The story is chronicled in the acclaimed documentary Waiting: The Van Duren Story. Now, at long last—Idiot Optimism returns on CD as Van originally intended it to look and sound. Plus, it makes its first-ever appearance on (double) LP and Digital.

With full creative control from Duren, this reissue of Idiot Optimism is packaged with new art, liners from Van outlining the story of the album, and many previously unseen photos. Featuring 14 originals and a cover of Chris Bell’s (Big Star) “Make A Scene,” this new edition is remastered from the original analog tapes. Idiot Optimism has never looked nor sounded better.

Tracklist
1. Bear With Me All The Way
2. Make A Scene
3. Tennessee, I’m Trying
4. Convincing Convictions
5. That
6. Life In Layers
7. What’s Keeping You?
8. Torn In Half
9. Hand Over Hand
10. Andy, Please
11. Woman Needs Man Needs Woman
12. Mabel (I’m Amazed)
13. Reminds Me Of Me
14. Medley: Love At The Heart Of It / Mad At The Moon

CD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F65S3ZP/?tag=imwan-20

Vinyl
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F719DS1/?tag=imwan-20

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:54 pm

The trailer:

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:57 pm

And a full-length sample from each album:

[2020-10-30] Van Duren "Are You Serious?" and "Idiot Optimism" remasters (Omnivore)

Who is WANline