After taking a break from Record Store Day in 2017, Phish will return to the fray with a vinyl release of their 1996 album Billy Breathes in celebration of this year’s event. Slated for release on Saturday, April 21st (aka Record Store Day 2018), the special edition of the band’s sixth studio full-length album will be available as 180g 2-LP vinyl set.
Billy Breathes will be the latest Phish recording to get the vinyl treatment for Record Store Day. Past releases have included vinyl editions of Junta (2012), Lawn Boy (2013), New Year’s Eve 1995 Live at Madison Square Garden (2015), and Hoist (2016).
Billy Breathes was recorded and mixed by John Siket and Steve Lillywhite at Bearsville Studios during the first half of 1996. Phish and Lillywhite produced the album, while Bob Ludwig handled the mastering. Originally released on CD and cassette via Elektra Records, Billy Breathes featured 13 tracks, including Phish’s highest-charting single, “Free” (the tune peaked at #11 of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and was certified Gold in 1999).
The Record Store Day edition of Billy Breathes was created by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, who cut the lacquers from the digital audio tape flat master. Additionally, each LP includes an mp3 download of the album transferred from the vinyl.
Only 7,500 these special edition Billy Breathes vinyl sets will be released as part of Record Store Day. Fans can check out the event’s website for more information on where they can acquire this forthcoming Phish collectible and a variety of other special releases.
Billy Breathes Limited Edition 2-LP Vinyl tracklist:
Side A
Free (3:49)
Character Zero (4:00)
Waste (4:50)
Taste (4:07)
Side B
Cars Trucks Buses (2:25)
Talk (3:09)
Theme From The Bottom (6:22)
Side C
Train Song (2:33)
Bliss (2:03)
Billy Breathes (5:31)
Swept Away (1:16)
Steep (1:37)
Prince Caspian (5:19)