10 Record Store Day 2019 Picks from the No Depression Staff

The best day of the year for every physical format music lover is almost upon us: The 11th annual Record Store Day takes place on April 13, 2019. Although the international holiday continues to grow in size each year, demanding long lines and crowded spaces, many record stores curate a daylong festival atmosphere to celebrate its live music community in addition to the hundreds of limited edition vinyl releases.

We polled our staff here at No Depression for 10 exclusive Record Store Day releases we’re most excited about.

1. Woody Guthrie – I Don’t Like The Way This World’s A-Treatin’ Me 10-inch

Omnivore Records

Woody Guthrie used his music to tell the stories of life in America and many of his songs still resonate for the times we are living in today. This release includes a two versions of “I Don’t Like The Way This World’s A-Treatin’ Me,” a 1952 home demo and a new one with accompaniment from Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. Additionally, this 10-inch features two versions of “Beech Haven Ain’t My Home” (a.k.a. “Old Man Trump”), the lyrics for which were discovered in the Woody Guthrie Archives and tell the story of Guthrie’s father renting from Fred Trump (yes that Trump). — Sonja Nelson

2. Steve Earle – El Coyote / Don’t Let The Sunshine Fool You 7-inch single

New West Records

Steve Earle just released his full-length tribute to Guy Clark with his band The Dukes, but recorded these two songs after those sessions ended. The forthcoming Summer 2019 issue of No Depression features a profile on Earle and his relationship with Clark (so subscribe today!). As he told writer Chuck Armstrong, “I believe in always having a piece for Record Store Day, and it’s got to be exclusive, so I went to Electric Lady Studios and recorded ‘Don’t Let the Sunshine Fool You,’ which was one of Guy’s first songs, and ‘El Coyote,’ just solo. It turned out really good.”

Additionally, Earle did the artwork for the single with a mix of mediums. He says, “It’s wash mainly, but the background is oil crayon because I didn’t have enough colors in the wash. … The gold tooth? That’s a gold Sharpie because nothing else worked.” — Hilary Saunders

3. John Hiatt & Lilly Hiatt – You Must Go / All Kinds of People 7-inch

New West Records

Last fall, this talented father and daughter decided to pay tribute to each other’s work by each picking a song by the other to perform. John chose “All Kinds of People,” from Lilly’s 2017 album Trinity Lane, and Lilly chose her dad’s song “You Must Go,” from Walk On. Now they’re presented together for the first time on this special single. — Stacy Chandler

4. 6 String Drag – The Jag Sessions (Rare & Unreleased 1996-1998) red 12-inch

Schoolkids Records

North Carolina’s Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag made a big splash in the ’90s alt-country scene with High Hat and have in more recent years re-formed and made something of a comeback. But this Record Store Day, they’re taking a look back to that heyday with The Jag Sessions, demos and recordings from 1996-1998 that haven’t previously been available on vinyl. — Stacy Chandler

5. Mark Lanegan Band – Stitch It Up 7-inch    

Heavenly/PIAS

Having lived in Seattle during the grunge era, I believe you can’t go wrong with anything Mark Lanegan puts out, musically. This single includes two never-before-released songs, the single “Stitch It Up” and its exclusive B-side “Song to Manset.” It’s definitely one of my tops picks of day. — Sonja Nelson

6. Stax Does The Beatles 2 x LP

Craft Recordings

The Beatles are one my favorites bands. (ICYMI, you can read up here.) Stax Records is one of my favorite record labels, having released some of the best soul, funk, and blues music ever recorded. On this double-LP, the label culls 15 covers from Stax artists of Fab Four songs. Previously unreleased cuts include “Got To Get You Into My Life” by Booker T & The MGs, an alternate take of “Day Tripper” by Otis Redding, and a live version of “Yesterday” by Carla Thomas. Also included are Isaac Hayes’ nearly-12-minute-long version of “Something” and The Bar-Kay’s nearly instrumental version of “Hey Jude.” — Hilary Saunders

7. The Warfield, San Francisco, CA 10/9/80 & 10/10/80 2 x LP – Grateful Dead

Grateful Dead

Have to give some love to the godfathers of jam and to a band that influenced countless artists across all genres. Grateful Dead were no better representation of a band for the people and by the people, due to the countless live recordings made and traded by fans that helped spread the band’s popularity. These two complete acoustic sets were in honor of the band’s 15^th anniversary and include cuts from across their career, each night closing with the classic “Ripple.” — Adam Kirr

8. Lightnin’ Hopkins – Strum The Blues LP

Third Man Records 

With so many Lightnin’ Hopkins releases, it can be hard to get excited about yet another one. But this collection, although a reissue, makes some of the legendary Texas bluesman’s rare 78 RPM recordings more accessible. All 10 tracks were remastered specifically for this release and pressed to hefty 180-gram vinyl at Third Man Records in Detroit. Since my record player doesn’t have a setting for 78s (and so naturally, I don’t go hunting for them) this LP will let others like me hear Hopkins’ legendary folk-blues in the style in which they were originally recorded. — Hilary Saunders

9. Robert Plant – Fate of Nations LP

Es Paranza

Personally, Robert Plant was larger than life. As a kid in a classic rock cover band, trying to learn how to sing like Robert Plant was both a challenge and a thrill. While obviously, you can’t mimic his exact sound, his passion, energy, and improvisational nature was a huge inspiration. During a time when the environment is such an important focus, I thought this 1993 album of his was an important one to feature; It also hasn’t been available in vinyl for 30 years! Plus, all profits from the sale of this reissue will be donated to an environmental charity. — Adam Kirr

10. Courtney Barnett – Everybody Here Hates You 12-inch

Mom + Pop

Everybody here loves when Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett comes out with something new, and this song is brand new especially for Record Store Day. The sleeve art features an illustration with lyrics drawn by Barnett herself, and the B-side is “Small Talk,” an outtake she released last fall from her last album, Tell Me How You Really Feel. — Stacy Chandler