Big Star Nobody Can Dance CD

Studio rehearsal tracks recorded at Ultra-Sonic Studios, Hempstead, New York in March 1974. Live tracks recorded at the Overton Park Shell, Memphis, Tennessee in May 1974.

NOBODY CAN DANCE is an accidentally discovered batch of previously unreleased Big Star performances that are the equivalent of a power pop Rosetta Stone. Recorded in 1974, DANCE is split between rehearsals at a Hempstead, New York studio and a live benefit at a park bandshell in Memphis. This incarnation of Big Star was a trio comprised of founding members Alex Chilton and Jody Stephens along with bass player John Lightman, making his first appearance on an officially sanctioned release. Among the highlights of the studio segment is the white-boy soul of Chilton's "O My Soul" and rockers such as "Don't Lie To Me" and "In The Street."

The live segment of DANCE features Big Star playing to a handful of people during a radio station benefit. Although songs such as "September Gurls" and "Mod Lang" are repeated, the band's casual approach makes for a different feel this time out. Big Star's garage-band approach worked especially well on covers of T.Rex's "Baby Strange" and "The Letter," a pop classic originally done by Chilton's former group The Boxtops.

Personnel: Alex Chilton (vocals, guitar); John Lightman (vocals, bass guitar); Jody Stephens (vocals, drums).

Recording information: Memphis, TN (03/1974-05/1974); Overton Park Shell, Memphis, TN (03/1974-05/1974); Ultra-sonic Studios, Hempstead, NY (03/1974-05/1974).

Big Star: Alex Chilton (vocals, guitar); John Lightman (vocals, bass); Jody Stephens (vocals, drums).

Engineers include: Kenny Smith.

Mojo (Publisher) (12/99, p.126) - "...Tracks from the RADIO ONE album dominate, with live and studio takes....The clincher, though, is the cover of T.Rex's 'Baby Strange' which opens the live set..."