"VISIONS OF THE COUNTRY" by ROBBIE BASHO (LP reissue + Mp3 & FLAC)

Recorded in the height of Robbie Basho's creative career, "Visions of the Country" was originally released in 1978, and has been out of print for nearly 35 years. The album is comprised of technically superb instrumentation (6 & 12 string guitars and piano); majestic compositions; transcendent singing and whistling; and astonishing lyrical, emotional, and spiritual depths.

It is with a feeling of tremendous honor and joy that we offer this re-issue, which we hope will please existing Basho devotees, and create new acolytes, in equal measure. The feeling is akin to re-introducing an endangered species back into its native habitat, for this album is a precious, mighty, and wild thing. "Visions of the Country" should not stay couped up in expensive e-bay auctions and low quality vinyl-to-Mp3 rips, it needs to soar gloriously in high fidelity through our culture once more!

"Visions of the Country" is most simply a depiction of the expansive American West, and an ecstatic journey into Basho's equally expansive imagination and mystical approach to creativity... In Basho's own words: "My philosophy is quite simple: soul first, technique later, or 'Better to drink wine from the hands than water from a pretty cup'; of course the ultimate is wine from a pretty cup. Amen."

"Visions of the Country" is an shining example of what artistic heights can be attained when soul and technique meet on a deep level – in our opinion it is one of the finest albums ever recorded, wine from a very beautiful and magical cup indeed.

ABOUT THIS RELEASE PRESSING We have sought to re-issue "Visions" with the highest level of intention & integrity, seeking out analog sources for both the music and the artwork. Artwork is presented in very much the same fashion as the original release with a few minimal changes made to include new information. Paper stock (heavy reverse-board) and pressing weight (140 gram) have been upgraded. New vinyl masters were cut by the excellent John Golden. The original insert is also included in the package, along with a download for high quality Mp3's and FLAC. 

PRESS FOR THIS RELEASE

8.7 rating and named BEST NEW REISSUE –– "...a blunderbuss of feeling, tied to unstoppable technique...Basho’s sound is dramatic and yearning and very personal, altogether unapologetic for the way he saw the world. What’s most remarkable about Basho is how busy and emphatic but absolutely effortless his songs could feel, especially when he touches the guitar. At once, Basho could appear to be laying it all on the line and simply breezing through the notes. After more than three decades out of print, ["Visions of the Country"] is finally back in circulation; on its 35th anniversary, it serves as an ecstatic testimonial for a guitarist in need of a popular resurrection." – PITCHFORK

"Robbie Basho's essential LP" – THE FADER