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The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Ep374: Elephant Memories & Third Man Rarities w Ben Blackwell

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Nate Goyer

Music, Music History, Music Interviews

4.7579 Ratings

🗓️ 16 January 2023

⏱️ 74 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Third Man Records co-founder & Official Archivist of The White Stripes Ben Blackwell shares insight on the making and impact of the album 'Elephant', the new MONO mix for TMR Vault #55, rare records in the Third Man universe and much more.

Topics include:

  • What was the impact of Elephant on The White Stripes?
  • Early impressions first hearing Elephant
  • Memories of Seven Nation Army
  • Original sequencing of Elephant
  • What's in TMR Vault 55?
  • First recordings of Elephant / John Peel
  • Vault DVD contents / Shooting video for The Hardest Button to Button
  • The various global covers of Elephant
  • The Australian LP is the hardest to find
  • More activities for Elephant in 2023
  • The White Stripes eligible for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023
  • The Elvis "My Happiness" acetate
  • The Upholsterers "Your Furniture Was Always Dead…" single
  • How many Upholsterers singles have been found?
  • The "Freedom at 21" Flexi-disc helium balloon stunt
  • 3" pressing of "The Denial Twist"
  • Meg White "Icky Thump" picture disc
  • What can be shared about Meg in recent years?
  • Third Man Pressing and expansion of other pressing plants
  • What percentage is Third Man Pressing focused on Third Man projects?
  • Trends of the recent growth of the vinyl industry
  • Third Man reissuing materials from major labels
  • Numbers of TMR Vault subscribers
  • Looking up MONO "Icky Thump" on Discogs
  • The Jack White singles cover art tapestry
  • Strange requests for song licensing
  • Ben's personal record collecting hobby
  • Temptation while at TMR Pressing
  • Interview wrap up

Sign up for the Third Man Records Vault #55 here

Extended, high-resolution & Commercial Free version of this interview available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode is brought to you by Groove Washer, the best record cleaners and protective sleeves for your vinyl collection.

0:05.6

Ask for the Groove washer from your local shop or go to groove washer.com.

0:09.7

Discount code, Vinyl Guide 10.

0:12.4

And now, on with the show.

0:16.2

Well, hello, everyone.

0:18.0

Welcome to episode 374 of The Vinyl Guide, the podcast for record collectors and music nerds.

0:23.8

And guess what, people? Today we feature a conversation with a guy who's truly a hero of mine, Mr. Ben Blackwell,

0:32.3

co-founder of and one of the three men of third man records.

0:36.5

He's the official archivist of the white stripes.

0:39.3

He's a kick-ass drummer of the dirt bombs and an all-around funny dude.

0:43.9

Ben is also a record nerd with an amazing collection of rare records and knowledge and appreciation for our dorky little hobby.

0:53.2

Now today, we talk to Ben all about the upcoming third man records vault number 55,

0:59.7

which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the landmark White Stripes album, Elephant.

1:05.8

We talked today about the story of the album, the memories of the time, what exactly is in Vault No. 55? We talk about the

1:14.0

rare pressings of elephant from around the world. We talk about some of the rare records of

1:18.5

Cass and Third Man Records, and we share lots of record nerd questions with Ben and more.

1:24.9

Now, to his credit, Ben shows great patience and humor and generosity of

1:29.7

information, which I think you'll all enjoy. Oh, and looky-looky, I reckon this is as good a time

1:37.0

as ever to ensure each of you knows about the Third Man Records Vault number 55, which you can

1:43.0

sign up for right now at third man records.com.

1:47.6

And it's available between now and January 31st, 2023.

1:52.6

So head up there now, sign up for the vault package.

...

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