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Bloodlines [LP]

Bloodlines [LP]

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Since 1970, when they met in Allen’s studio in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, one of songwriter and visual artist Terry Allen’s great foils and friends was the sometimes cantankerous but always brilliant art critic and writer Dave Hickey, with whom he sparred on topics musical, visual, and beyond (and to whom this reissue is dedicated in memoriam, in the wake of his passing in 2021.) Hickey, a fellow Texan paddling against the currents of the hermetic New York-centric art world, was an accomplished songwriter in his own right, and he and Terry pushed each other to refine their respective practices. In 1983, the two were thick as thieves—brothers in blood—and Hickey’s wry but big-hearted presence haunts the history and periphery of Bloodlines, the album Terry released in June of that year. Dave stood among the chorus of singers on the reprise of the title track that ends the record. Terry reprised the album cover concept, a detail of a painting of Jesus carrying a lamb that he found in the gutter outside a Lubbock botánica and manipulated, for Dave’s 1989 collection of youthful short stories, Prior Convictions—but with Jacques-Louis David’s 1793 bloody-bathtub painting “The Death of Marat” as a replacement savior. Hickey wrote the tour de force catalog essay for Allen’s 1983 solo exhibition Rooms and Stories, which featured, two months before the release of Bloodlines, the premiere of his theater piece Bleeder. Finally, there’s Hickey’s sardonic quip about the dim commercial prospects of Bloodlines. Buckets of blood and ink were spilled.

Hickey’s commercial doubts notwithstanding, critical recognition was not in short demand. In a 1984 review of Bloodlines, the L.A. Herald Examiner called Allen “one of the most compelling American songwriters working today ... making the most unique art-pop of our time,” elsewhere comparing him not only to Moon Mullican and Jerry Lee Lewis, but also to the Velvet Underground and Philip Glass (probably the first time that unlikely quartet ever appeared together in one sentence). In 1983, against all odds, such sentiments were growing in underground prominence, as Allen’s records gained a fanatical word-of-mouth following—they weren’t easy to find in those days, so sometimes they existed only as a words-in-mouth—that began among fellow artists and within the rarefied air of the art world, and then, following the 1979 release of Lubbock (on everything), circulated farther afield, among musicians and fans of “outlaw country,” a loose (in all ways) sub genre and scene named in part for Hickey’s 1974 essay “In Defense of the Telecaster Cowboy Outlaws.” Allen’s early audiences included an outsized contingent of potters and bikers, due, respectively, to enthusiastic ceramicist friends and an unexpected endorsement of Smokin the Dummy (1980) in Easy riders magazine. The Rooms and Stories opening reception at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art was packed with leather-clad bikers.

On his manifold fourth album, Allen contemplates kinship—the ways sex and violence stitch and sever the ties of family, faith, and society—with skewering satire and affection alike. Bloodlines, which compiles thematically related but disparate recordings from miscellaneous sources both theatrical and historical, is itself kin to its predecessor Smokin the Dummy (chronologically and in terms of its Panhandle Mystery Band personnel and its wide-ranging subjects) and to its descendant, 1993’s The Silent Majority (Terry Allen’s Greatest Missed Hits) (which similarly anthologizes stray and orphan songs). Recorded piecemeal at Caldwell Studios in Lubbock, in sessions spanning August 1982 through January 1983, Terry self-released it, like all his previous records, on his own Fate Records imprint. Despite his frustration with the protracted timeline and some anxiety about the correspondingly higher budget, the production onBloodlines—courtesy, once again, of master guitarist Lloyd Maines—is slicker, cleaner, and more dynamic than prior efforts, and it reached a broader audience than ever before. UK label Making Waves reissued it in 1985, facilitating semi-reliable European distribution for the first time as well as a 1986 UK tour, on which the great BJ Cole filled in for Lloyd on pedal steel.

Allen wrote two songs as themes for plays: the Pasadena idyll “Oh What a Dangerous Life” for Joan Hotchkiss’s 1982 play Bissie at the Baths and the gospel-coughing hymn “Hally Lou” for his wife and collaborator Jo Harvey Allen’s 1983 performance piece of the same name, in which she plays the titular revival preacher. Bloodlines is the first of several albums to revisit selections from Terry’s 1975 debutJuarez with full-band arrangements: a comic take on “Cantina Carlotta” that inhabits the tone-deaf tourist’s perspective of the hapless narrator, and a terrifying road-rage, burnt-rubber rendition of “There Oughta Be a Law About Sunny Southern California ”featuring Jesse Taylor, in his final Panhandle Mystery Band recording, on “asphalt vendetta guitar” (Maines Brothers guitarist Cary Banks deftly handles lead guitar elsewhere). The irreverent hellfire-hitchhiker-on-highway ballad “Gimme a Ride to Heaven Boy” (featuring Joe Ely), in which Jesus steals the narrator’s car and beer for a joyride to the hereafter, remains a fan favorite.Terry wrote the final verses in a Texas Tech practice room the day they recorded it. “Manhattan Bluebird,” a surprisingly earnest (and unexpectedly moving) lament for the cultural insularity and provincialism of a New Yorker deluded by her own alleged cosmopolitanism, boasts one of Allen’s most beautiful minor-key melodies. On tour in Belfast in 1996, Allen’s tour mates feared “Our land,” a thinly veiled satire of the IRA’s hypocrisy amid the Troubles in Northern Ireland, would incite a riot and urged him not to play it. Of course, he didn’t listen.

Lloyd Maines wept when Terry first played him the poignant eponymous ode to the arteries of ancestry and landscape, which sounds as ancient and eternal as a psalm. But that didn’t stop Lloyd from complaining about having too large a chorus on the album-closing extended version (he’s a notorious stickler for tuning and pitch). Twenty-five friends and family members packed the studio that day, including Dave Hickey, Joe and Sharon Ely, and Stubb of BBQ fame. “Bloodlines II” represents the recorded debuts of the Allens’ sons Bukka and Bale as well as Lloyd’s eight-year-old daughter Natalie Maines, later of the (Dixie) Chicks—a true testament to the power of blood. In 1998 Lucinda Williams covered it in a spookily spare version on Allen’s soundtrack for Jane Anderson’s film Baby Dance, starring Laura Dern and Stockard Channing. As the credits roll, the river runs through the mountains, under the moonlight. Hear the song.

Tracklist:

  1. Bloodlines (I)
  2. Gimme a Ride to Heaven Boy
  3. Cantina Carlotta
  4. Ourland
  5. Oh Hally Lou
  6. Oh What a Dangerous Life
  7. Manhattan Bluebird
  8. There Oughta Be a Law Against Sunny Southern California
  9. Bloodlines (II)

UPC: 843563140260
Label: Paradise Bachelors
Release Date: 5.6.22
Format: Vinyl

Comic Book Preorder Policy

Golden Apple Comics Comic Book Preorder Info

What is a preorder?

A preorder is an order placed for an item that has not yet been released. For comic books and collectibles, we offer preorders to allow customers to reserve their copies in advance. This ensures they will receive the item they want and eliminates the worry of it selling out before they have a chance to buy it.

What is the difference between a pull list or subscription and a preorder?

A comic book pull list is similar to preordering books in advance, but with a few key differences. Preorders offer more flexibility, whereas a pull list can be harder to adjust. Since pull lists are typically set months in advance, adding or removing titles can be tricky. On the other hand, preorders can be placed closer to the release date— even the week of release— as long as stock is available. While there are differences, preorders can still function much like a traditional subscription pull, allowing you to secure the books you want ahead of time.

Do I pay up front for my preorder?

This process helps us verify that payment is valid and ensures you are committed to your order. Since we need to place preorders months in advance, we base our orders on the demand from our customers. By securing payment up front, we're able to reserve the books specifically for you, guaranteeing you get what you've requested.

What is “FOC” or Final Order Cut  Off?

This is the final deadline for retailers to place book orders before they go to print. We cap our orders at the Final Order Cutoff (FOC). This date usually falls 1–2 months before the release date, though for hardcovers, trade paperbacks, manga, and specialty items, the timeline may be even longer. Certain items require orders to be placed at least six months in advance.

What can I find current preorders?

On the homepage of www.goldenapplecomics.com, we offer a dropdown menu organized by release date for both current and past preorders. A new catalog is uploaded around the 3rd or 4th weekend of each month once it becomes available. Cover sets and CGC offerings are typically added within a few days of the catalog’s release.

Does Golden Apple Comics offer discounts on preorders?

Yes, comic books are discounted for approximately the 1st 1 - 2 months when we list the catalog.  As it gets closer to the time we need to order, the discounts will be removed.  We encourage you to place your orders sooner so that we can get our ordering locked in and receive the discount.

How does shipping work?

If you place a preorder containing items with multiple release dates, your order will ship after the latest release date in the order. We typically ship new preorders within 5–10 business days of their release. However, delays can occur due to late arrivals, damages, or other unforeseen issues. We make every effort to secure replacements for damaged books, but this process can extend the turnaround time by several weeks.

Can I combine multiple orders into a single shipment?

Yes, Golden Apple Comics offers a combined shipping option for buyers with multiple orders. This allows you to add additional orders at discounted shipping rates. You’ll pay our standard shipping rate on your first order, and for subsequent orders, you can select the combined shipping option to reduce costs.

Please note that when choosing combined shipping, delivery times will vary depending on the number of books, the latest release date in your order, and how frequently you place orders.

HOW TO USE GOLDEN APPLE COMICS COMBINED SHIPPING

What grade is guaranteed on preorder books?

For preorder books, we strive to ship copies that are Near Mint (NM) 9.4 or better. While we understand collectors seek the highest grades, we cannot guarantee 9.8s on every book, as this is not always realistic. Printing imperfections and production variances make it impossible for every book to achieve a 9.8 grade.

What cover is gauranteed on preorder books?

Our listings use stock photos provided by publishers. These images may display unfinished artwork—such as sketches or virgin covers (without trade dress or logos). If a cover is a virgin variant, it will be clearly stated in the title.
If the title does not mention a virgin cover, the final product will include logos and trade dress.

It is industry standard for publishers to provide preview images to retailers before release. These previews often do not include logos, but the final printed product will.

Do you ship preorder books bagged and boarded?

Yes, all standard-sized comic books are shipped bagged and boarded. However, exceptions include items such as hardcovers, trade paperbacks, manga, and large-format or oversized books.

What if my preorder book is damaged?

We take great care in screening all books for damage and packing them securely to ensure they arrive in the best possible condition. However, despite our best efforts, a small number of books may still sustain damage during transit. If you encounter any issues, please email us at gappleorders@gmail.com, and we will be happy to assist you.

Can I cancel or return my preorder? 

We do not accept cancellations, returns, or refunds on presale items. Any item sold before its official release date is considered a presale. All sales are final.

 

Hardcover (HC), Trade Paperback (TP), Softcover, Manga and Book Preorder Policy

Items including but not limited to Hardcovers (HC), Trade Paperbacks (TPB/TP), Softcover (SC), Manga, Graphic Novels (GN), box sets are ordered at the time when a customer places an order. They will be shipped after they arrive from the publisher. We do not guarantee ship dates on HC, TPB, SC, GN, Manga or Box Sets.  Typical turnaround time on these books is 1 - 3 weeks after the order is placed on nonpreorder items.  On preorder items the release date is stated in the title and items will ship after that stated date.

Orders for these items are not refundable.

Refunds Policy

If you have a problem with your item that is damaged or missing please email us.  We can offer a refund or exchange if we have stock.  Refunds will be issued within 5 business days back to the account you paid with Paypal, Credit Cards, Bank Account etc.  Refunds cannot be sent to alternate accounts.

We do not accept returns for any of the following:

No cancellations, returns or refunds on PRESALE items.  Any items sold BEFORE the release dates are considered PRESALE.  We will not refund ratios (IE 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500 or any other type of ratio) for any reason.  We will not refund any other PRESALE books. We place orders based on your orders. If you are ordering presale books we are paying for your books months in advance to secure copies specifically for you and we cannot return them for a refund.  If you are ordering signed books, CGC/CBCS graded items that are preorder, please do allow plenty of time for delivery. 

No Cancellations or refunds if you select our combined shipping option and do not qualify for a free shipment.  Please review our SHIPPING POLICY for more details.  Minimum purchase for free shipping is $100.  Combined shipping orders must total over $100 to qualify for a free shipment. If your order is less than $100 you will be billed for our flat rate shipping - $6.99.

No cancellations on in stock books.  Any in stock books that cannot be shipped immediately due to them being in orders with PRESALE items will not be refunded.  In stock books with no PRESALE items in the order will ship ASAP when the order is ready to fill. 

No refunds or returns on accurately described items.  Books without a stated grade will be offered as NM 9.4 or better with no guarantee of 9.8s.  We use industry standards to grade including Overstreet, CGC and CBCS standards.  Not familiar with grading check out the following references:

CBCS Comic Grading Scale

Overstreet Comic Grading Standards

We will not accept returns or exchanges any book with out a stated grade where they would be NM 9.4 or better books.  We cannot promise 9.8s on every book, that's not realistic.  Printing is imperfect and does not allow for every book to be 9.8. 

If the entire print run has similar defects like minor spine dings, bindery issues etc then you will be shipped what we receive unless there is a reprint announced in a timely manner by the publisher.  Then you will be given the option to receive the reprint.  In the cases where the entire print run has defects we only promise 9.2 or better.  

Please note that the following defects may be allowed in NM 9.4 as long as there is not an accumulation of defects.  

bindery defects like minor to moderate corner tears, white along the edge of the spine, covers that are offset from the pages (common on cardstock covers) - bindery defects may not affect the grade much if at all

printing defects like a slight color rubs on the back covers, small wrinkles in the paper that were present on the paper rolls prior to the books being printed, paper that is "wavy" from the printing process

printer lines or grooves, they some times run the entire length of the cover or just part of the length.  These are from print rollers.  Usually on cardstock or foil covers.  

Printer Line On Comic
Printer Line On Comic

2 - 3 small color breaking spine dings or minor non color breaking spine dings

This specific photo example was also a line wide issue, every copy had the same problem. 

Spine Ding Color Break On Comic
Spine Ding On Comic
another example of a printing defect, this time its a white line on the edge of each book, this was on every issue of this specific book as well:
printing defect on comic book

Shipping Policy

PRESALE ITEMS - All PRESALE items have release dates stated in the title of the listing.  These items will only be available to ship AFTER the item has been released and is in hand.  Presale release dates are subject to change without notice.  We do not guarantee release dates set by publishers or manufacturers.  If you purchase multiple presale items your order will not ship until after the last item is in stock.  Presale items will ship within 5 - 10 days of us receiving them if your entire order is ready to fill.

IN STOCK ITEMS - All in stock items will ship with in 5 - 10 business days of the order being placed in most cases.  If you place an order for a presale item that is going to be released or the release of the presale items has been delayed that will delay your shipment.  If your order contains both PRESALE and IN STOCK items, your order will not ship until after the last item is in stock.

PREORDER BOOKS INCLUDING TPB, HC, SC, GN, Manga and Box Sets - Items including but not limited to Hardcovers (HC), Trade Paperbacks (TPB/TP), Softcover (SC), Manga, Graphic Novels (GN), box sets are ordered at the time when a customer places an order. They will be shipped after they arrive from the publisher. We do not guarantee ship dates on HC, TPB, SC, GN, Manga or Box Sets. Preorders for these items are not refundable.

COMBINED SHIPPING - Golden Apple Comics offers buyers a combined shipping cost option across multiple orders.  Our combined shipping option allows you to add additional orders with free shipping. There is a 30 book, montly minimum for combined orders. This amounts to approx $120 - 150 minimum to get a free shipping. Please only use this option if you plan to place multiple orders.  

You pay our standard shipping on your first order.  On orders after that you can select our combined shipping option to combine your orders and get free shipping. 

When you select combined shipping, shipping times will vary based on the number of books, the final release date for an order, and frequency of orders. 

HOW TO USE GOLDEN APPLE COMICS COMBINED SHIPPING

SPLIT SHIPMENTS - Split shipments are done as a courtesy or as part of our combined shipping system. If you do not qualify for a split shipment you will be subject to shipping charges.  Please email us to request a split shipment.

IN STORE PICK UPS - Local pick ups will be filled as the items are available.  We will email customers when the pick ups are filled, and let them know the items are being sent to the shop.  We will partially fulfill your in-store pick-ups so you do not need to wait for the entire order to be available to receive items from your order.  Please allow 48 hrs from the fulfillment email for your order to arrive at the shop for pick up.

INSURANCE - Orders are shipped with insurance for both parties protection.

SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION - Orders may be shipped with signature confirmation at our discretion based on both our insurance and payment processors requirements to be covered and insure delivery to the customer.

Please see our RETURNS AND REFUNDS policy for more details.

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