Vic Chesnutt's first four (and perhaps best and certainly most "authentic") records were originally released on the tiny Texas Hotel label. That label has long since gone belly-up making them pretty much impossible to find. New West, Vic's current label, is re-releasing them as expanded versions on June 15th. This is absurdly good news. One has to wonder, though, how many copies they'll really move. Vic is certainly an acquired taste and is far from a household name. Three cheers for a very heroic and brave move from New West.

You know what this means, don't you? Yep. I'm gonna have to insist that you buy all four. If you want to be cheap I'll allow you scrimp by on just "West of Rome" and "Is The Actor Happy?"