‘Preaching the Blues’ is a limited deluxe 7 x 7′ singles box set featuring the phenomenal original run of singles with two bonus singles exclusive to this set. All housed inside a lift-off lid box with a booklet featuring an essay by Clinton Heylin, reminisces from Thurston Moore, Henry Rollins, Mark Lanegan, X and Dan Stuart, rare photographs and flyers, new exclusive issue of the ‘Fire of Love’ fanzine, Ruby Records postcard and a ‘Gun’ button badge.

It’s a no brainer for fans of JLP or The Gun Club, seven 7″ singles for a start with reproductions of their artwork and the liner notes and added narrative from some of the most knowledgable people who were there at the time is a wonderful artifact to now be able to own.

To source, worn copies of these singles would cost a small fortune so owning brand new mint copies is a no-brainer for a fraction of the cost. But as far as well-researched sleeve notes go this is exceptional and the input from people like Dan Stuart and Thurston Moore is a bonus. Some of the pictures are so cool as well having never before been released. I often think to myself what kind of output artists who’ve passed on would be delivered in 2022 in both quality and frequency. When I started reading and spinning this set that was the first thing that leaped to my mind. Just what would Jeffrey Lee Pierce sound like now what kind of music would the guy be making? I’d like to think he would deliver songs of the quality of ‘Sex Beat and ‘The Lie’ or hell, even a ‘Crabdance’. I love the pictures housed in the accompanying literature many of which are being released for the first time here. JLP was one cool dude no doubt about it, it’s such a shame he flew too close to the sun for it is our loss musically that such a talent was taken too soon, way too soon. He had so much to give and all we’re left with is a few albums and some great live recordings so it is nice to see items like this set getting released with something different that we’ve not seen before even if the music is all out there already.

The first single is raw but houses boundless energy, that sound and delivery of JLP was picked up on by the likes of an out-of-control Green On Red and can be heard throughout their music. ‘Ghost On The Highway’ is exciting and still to this day gives me a rush when it all kicks off from the sloppy slide to the hanging on by a thread drumming but it’s all so well held together by the ringmaster supreme that was Lee Pierce. compared to the final single ‘Cry To Me’ which is a much smoother production for sure as is the b side of ‘Give Up The Sun’. C’mon there are no duff tracks here the music is pretty much faultless much like this overall package the postcards and pin are a nice touch but the music is timeless.

Sixteen slices of classic Gun Club spread over seven singles is a beautiful thing to own at the start of 2022. God bless Jeffrey Lee Pierce and all who sailed the choppy waters of the Gun Club. Your music was magical and still is and lovingly preserved in packages like this. Buy it!

Cover art by Ed Cover

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley