Third/Sister Lovers

by Big Star

Overview

A shambling wreck of an album, Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers ranks among the most harrowing experiences in pop music; impassioned, erratic, and stark, it's the slow, sinking sound of a band falling apart. Recorded with their label, Stax, poised on the verge of bankruptcy, the album finds Alex Chilton at the end of his rope, sabotaging his own music long before it can ever reach the wrecking crew of poor distribution, indifferent marketing, and disinterested pop radio. His songs are haphazardly brilliant, a head-on collision between inspiration and frustration, and the album is a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy, each song smacking of utter defeat and desperation. The result is either one of the most vividly emotional experiences in pop music or a completely wasted opportunity. While the truth probably lies somewhere in between, there's no denying Third's magnetic pull -- it's like an undertow. Originally appearing under the name 3rd on PVC Records in 1978, Rykodisc's 1992 release is the initially definitive edition of this unfinished masterpiece, its 19 tracks most closely approximating the original planned running order while restoring the music's intended impact. In addition to unearthing a blistering cover of the Kinks' "Till the End of the Day" and a haunting rendition of Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy," it also appends the disturbing "Dream Lover," which distills the album's messiest themes into less than four minutes of psychic torment. ~ Jason Ankeny

Product Details

Release Date:	07/29/2022
Label:	Omnivore
UPC:	0810075112245
Rank:	38756

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Big Star   Primary Artist
Noel Gilbert   Violin,Strings
Tommy McClure   Guitar (Bass),Bowed Bass,Bass
William Murphey   Guitar (Bass)
Tommy Cathey   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Tarp Tarrant   Drums
William Eggleston   Piano
Steve Cooper   Guitar
Jimmy Stephens   Guitar (Bass)
Lee Baker   Guitar,Guest Artist
Lesa Aldridge   Vocals
Carl Marsh   Strings,Synthesizer,Woodwind,Reeds
Steve Cropper   Guest Artist,Guitar
Jody Stephens   Drums,Vocals
Alex Chilton   Vocals,Guitar,Keyboards
Jim Dickinson   Various Instruments,Mellotron,Keyboards,Guitar,Drums,Bass
Richard Rosebrough   Drums
Willie Murphy   Bass
Lesa Aldredge   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jim Stephens   Bass
Morris "Tarp" Tarrant   Drums
Tommy Roseborough   Drums

Technical Credits

Richard Rosebrough   Audio Engineer,Engineer
John Fry   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Jim Dickinson   Producer,Engineer
Dave Williams   Composer
David "Curly" Williams   Composer
Alex Chilton   Composer,Engineer
Mike O'Brien   Photography
Steven Jurgensmeyer   Cover Design
Rick Clark   Liner Notes
Ray Davies   Composer
Lou Reed   Composer
Toby Mountain   Digital Mastering
Carl Marsh   String Arrangements,Arranger
Jody Stephens   Composer
Eden Ahbez   Composer
Slim Cessna's Auto Club   Composer
Sunny David   Composer