Mandatory: The Best of The Blasters

by The Blasters

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
packed in a digi package with an 8-page booklet with extensive liner notes from Chris Morris with rare memorabilia images. PLEASE NOTE-CD ships in the US only! Sorry for any inconvenience.

Includes unlimited streaming of Mandatory: The Best of The Blasters via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Full Digital Discography

Get all 3 The Blasters releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Mandatory: The Best of The Blasters, Dark Night: Live in Philly, and Live 1986. , and , .

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1.	American Music 02:12	buy track
2.	Real Rock Drive 02:07	buy track
3.	Flat Top Joint 02:31	buy track
4.	Marie Marie 02:09	buy track
5.	No Other Girl 02:31	buy track
6.	I'm Shakin' 02:25	buy track
7.	Border Radio 02:49	buy track
8.	So Long Baby Goodbye 02:26	buy track
9.	Hollwood Bed 03:35	buy track
10.	Blue Shadows 03:17	buy track
11.	One Bad Stud 02:32	buy track
12.	Red Rose 02:34	buy track
13.	Jubilee Train 03:06	buy track
14.	Long White Cadillac 02:57	buy track
15.	Trouble Bound 03:50	buy track
16.	Dark Night 03:53	buy track
17.	Little Honey 03:37	buy track
18.	Samson And Delilah 03:49	buy track
19.	Help You Dream 03:42	buy track
20.	Common Man 03:45	buy track
21.	Kathleen 04:57	buy track

about

The 21-song set includes the band’s best-known tracks from their first four albums, alongside deep cuts and two songs originally featured on the soundtrack to director Walter Hill’s 1984 cult film, Streets of Fire. From the outset of their career, with such songs as "Marie Marie" to "Border Radio," it was clear Grammy® winner Dave Alvin would be a songwriter to be reckoned with, and brother Phil brings an unparalleled knowledge of American roots music, giving the band a rock-solid musical foundation. Mandatory’s track list was chosen with the full cooperation of the band and will be available on CD and digital. Renowned music journalist Chris Morris has contributed new liner notes, calling Mandatory “a definitive sampling of the Blasters’ recorded work from their 1980-1985 heyday.”

credits

released November 3, 2023

The Blasters:
Phil Alvin-Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Dave Alvin-Lead Guitar
John Bazz-Bass
Bill Bateman-Drums
Gene Taylor-Piano
Lee Allen-Tenor Saxophone
Steve Berlin-Baritone Saxophone

With special guests:
The Jordanaires-Background Vocals (Track 15)
Stan Lynch-Percussion (Track 16)
David Hidalgo-Mandolin (Track 17)
Larry Taylor-Stand Up Bass (Track 17)
Richard Greene-Violin (Track 17)
Herman Johnson & Bobby King-Background Vocals (Track 18)

Tracks 1-3 originally appeared on American Music (Rollin’ Rock Records, 1980)
Tracks 4-9 originally appeared on The Blasters (Slash Records, 1981)
Tracks 10-11 originally appeared on Streets of Fire: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (MCA Records, 1984)
Tracks 11-14 originally appeared on Non-Fiction (Slash/Warner Bros., 1983)
Tracks 15-20 originally appeared on Hard Line (Slash/Warner Bros., 1985)
Track 21 Hard Line outtake, originally appeared on The Blasters Collection (Slash/Warner Bros., 1991)

license

about

The Blasters Los Angeles, California

The Blasters are one of the bedrock acts that formed the template for the “Americana” music movement. Since their inception in 1979 the core members of the Blasters have been Phil Alvin, his younger brother and the group’s principal songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin, drummer Bill Bateman, and bassist John Bazz. Dave Alvin is also an accomplished solo artist with two GRAMMY Awards® to his credit. ... more

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