When my Americana UK colleague Paul Kerr posted on the dreaded socials about the 40th Anniversary edition of ‘The Days of Wine and Roses’ late in 2023, I needed no persuading to invest in my third copy of the album with its lovely book and intriguing extras. The hope was that a similar deluxe version of Medicine Show would not be far behind. And here it is.
That first box set rekindled a love of all things Paisley underground which started in summer 1983. The appearance of ‘Medicine Show’ the following year was a step forward, partly thanks to Sandy Pearlman’s production, but also to stronger songwriting across the whole album. ‘Burn’, ‘John Coltrane Stereo Blues’ and ‘Still Holding Me’ are among Steve Wynn’s best work ever. With Dave Provost replacing Kendra Smith on bass the playing with Tom Zvoncheck adding spikey piano and B3 organ at suitable moments.
The big drums of should have been a hit ‘Armed with an Empty Gun’ brings back the 80s like almost nothing else for me. Where ‘Days of Wine and Roses’ had the occasional slightly less than stellar moment there are none here. The steadying hand of Pearlman again maybe?
If you don’t know the original album, this is your chance to catch up and join in with some of the finest music of the mid-eighties. For those of us who drank the Dream Syndicate Kool-Aid long ago, what new delights does this offer? Disc one adds an 11 minute outtake and a thirteen minute live ‘John Coltrane Stereo Blues’ and an acoustic take on the title song which is almost as savage as the electric version we know and love.
Disc 2 is the live album ‘This Is Not The New Dream Syndicate Album… Live’ expanded to include the complete WXRT July 1984 Chicago concert for the first time. The piano opening to ‘Tell me When It’s Over’ is still one of the best track ones of a live album. The sections of the Aragon Ballroom show not previously released match the energy of the original and the disc is rounded out with ‘Bullet With My Name On It’ which finds the band in full Crazy Horse mode, and ‘Witness’ both from a show in San Francisco. The audio quality inevitably suffers a little but not enough to matter, it only feeds the energy.
Disc 3 is titled “The Road To Medicine Show.” Starting with a 1983 show where they were introduced as “Slash recording artists” from CBGBs in New York. This features Dave Provost still on bass where the disc 2 material has his successor in the revolving bass chair, Mark Walton. A brilliant and excellently recorded show. With a mix of first and second album material. Two rehearsal takes, Burn with Kendra Smith and yet another John Coltrane’s… which is more like the alternative version on disc one. Smith added a propulsive feel to the bass which was slightly missing later on.
Disc 4 – “What Is And What Should Never Be” is a ragbag of live and rehearsal cuts, featuring all 3 bass players. The pick are the Austin club date songs, with Kendra, ‘Born On The Bayou’ and ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper.’ Mostly audience tapes they still have the energy of the Dream Syndicate at their peak. Closing with a 1984 Japanese version of Witness, which shows the increasing maturity of their playing. Mark Walton adds a finger popping bass line.
With Rain Parade also on the anniversary album trail this is a great time for Paisley Underground fans. I know not all the bands tagged with that name love it, but there is a commonality of style which makes lumping them together inevitable. And it’s all just so good. But Medicine Show was maybe the peak of the “movement”. ‘Out Of The Grey’ was a more jangly affair in places, mainly down to Paul B Cutler’s presence.
This has been reviewed from the digital release but based on the Days of Wine and Roses box set, which was a thing of beauty with it’s 30 plus page book to go with the CDs I’ll be getting the box of this new release as well when funds allow. Having also discovered the existence of a 3CD version of ‘Out Of The Grey’ this could get pricey.
Dream Syndicate’s presence on Bandcamp is a little chaotic with at least 3 separate accounts offering variations of their catalogue. I’m not sure where CDs and vinyl ship from on Bandcamp, but the Fire Records shop in the UK served me well before and I’ll buy from there when I have saved the pennies for this essential release.With plenty of Dream Syndicate, and Steve Wynn solo releases in the Big Box of CDs we will return to the band soon…
Dream Syndicate website with more info on this release
