STEVE HIETT Down On The Road By The Beach
Description
For the first time since its inception 36 years ago, Steve Hiett’s elusive Down On The Road By The Beach is finally made available outside of Japan. Most recognized in the fashion sphere as an English photographer and graphic designer, Hiett‘s transportive audio portraits amplify his serpentine guitar to the infinite blue, recorded across Paris, Tokyo and New York with no coastline in sight. Now widely celebrated as a desert island disc, very little is actually known of its unfathomable genesis.
A career devotee of Brian Wilson’s ground breaking harmonies, Hiett shot The Beach Boys for Rolling Stone – as well as The Doors, Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix (in one of his final performances at the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival) – while establishing himself as a fashion photographer. Decamping to Paris in 1972, he began what would become 20-year collaborations with Vogue Paris and Marie Claire, printing his signature warm, saturated and vibrantly hued snapshots.
In 1982, representatives from Tokyo’s Galerie Watari visited him to propose a solo exhibition. Asking if he could insert a 7” of original music into the back of the exhibition catalogue, Hiett laid down ‘Blue Beach – Welcome To Your Beach’ in a Parisian radio station, playing all of the instruments himself, and two more cuts in New York with Yoko Ono, The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan hired-gun Elliot Randall. Once dispatched, the phone began ringing off the hook with requests for him to fly to Tokyo. Assuming these long-distance callers were wanting him to check proofs for the book, it wasn’t until he arrived that he discovered CBS/Sony had facilitated an entire album. Heitt hastily gripped some petty cash, bought a guitar and retreated to his hotel room to start writing.
Entering the studio the following day, he was further surprised by a waiting room of session players known as Moonriders – one of Japan’s most acclaimed rock bands of the 1980s. Intimidated by their indecipherable sheet music, Hiett suggested Randall join them and with money being no object for major labels at the time, his wingman was on the next plane out of New York to finalise the high production indulgence. Near-ambient arrangements that float in a space between The Durutti Column, Steve Cropper and Ashra, Down On The Road By The Beach also crowns Hiett the master of recontextualization with his zero-gravity blues visions of Roll Over Beethoven, Santo & Johnny’s Sleep Walk and the 1967 Eddie Floyd soul hit Never Found A Girl.
Produced in coordination between Be With, Efficient Space and the artist, this definitive reissue is restored from original masters with vivid reproductions of the Down On The Road By The Beach exhibition catalogue, intended to accompany its original release, and extensive liner notes penned by fellow Steve Hiett obsessive Mikey IQ Jones.
- 2024 repress
- First re-issue since its original release in Japan in 1983
- Remastered from the original masters
- 140g vinyl, gatefold sleeve, 16 page photography book with liner notes
BEWITH061LP -Artist-Steve Hiett
- Genre: Electronic
- Format Detail: LP Black
- Handling Note: **Please allow an additional 5 business days for this item's shipment.**
- Released: 8/16/19
- Internal ID: JIT
- Format: Vinyl
Shipping and Returns
Domestic U.S. Standard Shipping: Arrives within 5-7 business days.
International Shipping: We ship to many countries worldwide.
Delivery times and costs depend on the destination and the shipping method selected.
Please note, international customers are responsible for any customs, duties and taxes.
Upgraded Shipping services are available upon request.
Please email mark@musicrecordshop.com for more information.
Order Processing
Orders are ordinarily handled inside 1-2 business days. You will get a confirmation email upon shipment with a tracking number.
Shipping Rates
Shipping charges are based on the weight of your order and the selected shipping method at checkout. We strive to offer competitive shipping rates for the best value.
Free Shipping
We offer free standard shipping on domestic orders on selected packs and vinyl offerings.
Returns and Exchanges
Please contact us with any return or exchange requests.
Email: mark@musicrecordshop.com
Phone: 314.675.8675
Return Policy
Returns are accepted within 7 days of product delivery.
New vinyl must be unopened and unplayed, unless there is concealed damage.
Used vinyl is graded for vinyl and jacket condition. Please contact us directly if there is a problem.
Signed vinyl records cannot be returned unless they are damaged or defective.
Sleeves and LP Mailers can be returned within 7 days.
Please contact us with any return issue.
Email: mark@muscirecordshop.com
Phone: 314.675.8675
Return Process
Contact Us: To initiate a return, email us at mark@musicrecordshop.com or call us at 314.675.8675. Include your order number and product issue.
Ship the Item: Pack the item securely for return.
Refunds: A refund will be issued after we receive and inspect your returned item.
You will receive an email notification of the refund.
Exchanges: If you need to exchange an item, please contact us.
Email: mark@musicrecordshop.com
Phone: 314.675.8675.
Return Shipping
Customers are responsible for return delivery costs except if the item is damaged. Please contact us if you need a return label.
Email: mark@musicrecordshop.com
Phone: 314.675.8675