The iconic New Orleans venue Tipitina’s has announced Tipitina’s Record Club, its latest venture aimed at amplifying the music of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Beginning in February 2021, members of the club will receive exclusive releases on a bi-monthly basis.
Owned and operated by the band Galactic, Tipitina’s has fallen on hard times as a result of the pandemic like virtually every other live music venue. The iconic location has since launched its own Tipitina’s TV streaming series and hosted the Save Tip’s virtual fundraiser earlier this month featuring Galactic, Willie Nelson, Widespread Panic, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and many more.
Starting in February, Tipitina’s Record Club will deliver high-quality, 180-gram pressings of previously-unheard or long out-of-print vinyl six times a year to subscribers. First up is the first-ever release of Professor Longhair‘s Fess At Home ’73 which showcases the singer-pianist in a unique and intimate setting. Also set for release through the club is The Radiators’ Kung Pow!! Live At Tipitina’s – 05/01/97, James Booker’s Live At Tipitina’s, and the 25th-anniversary Deluxe Edition of Galactic’s landmark 1996 debut album, Coolin’ Off.
“Being a musician and playing at Tipitina’s, one feels the history and the greatness that has blessed that stage,” Galactic saxophonist Ben Ellman said in a statement. “Professor Longhair, Clifton Chenier, James Booker, The Meters, The Neville Brothers and so many more local and national treasures. When Galactic took over ownership, it became our mission to preserve the important role Tipitina’s has played in the culture of New Orleans music and the Gulf South. Creating Tipitina’s Record Club, we get to dig into archives to present never-before-heard recordings, rare reissues, and some amazing new music we know you’ll love. We’re presenting this to everyone on a limited edition piece of art in the form of vinyl. This will make the product and the music something special…just like Tipitina’s.”
“Our band has been on both sides of the stage at Tipitina’s,” adds bassist Robert Mercurio. “We all started going there as fans, then our band started playing there often, to now we are the stewards of the ship. We know there is a deep well of musical history associated with the club and thought that this Record Club would be a great way to share part of this history with everyone – and what more fitting then for it to be on vinyl. We have been digging deep into our chest of treasures and have some great performances and super rare reissues planned. ”
Click here to sign up for Tipitina’s Record Club on a bi-monthly or annual basis.
