SONY LEGACY PRESS RELEASE


Phil Spector's entire Philles Records recordings will be reissued through Sony's Legacy Recordings label under an agreement between Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music Publishing announced Wednesday. The first release will be Phil Spector's "A Christmas Gift for You" on October 27. (Note: This is a corrected release date from the initial press release. The correction was issued the next day after the initial press release.)

"A Christmas Gift for You" was one of only 12 full-length albums to be released during the history of the Philles Records label. Originally released in 1963 with its original title, the album was later repackaged and retitled as "Phil Spector's Christmas Album" for the Beatles' Apple Records. It charted at #6 on the Billboard 200 in 1972 and has been out of print since 2007. Songs include the Ronettes' "Sleigh Ride" and "Frosty the Snow Man" and 2010 Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame nominee Darlene Love's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," written for the album by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry and Phil Spector.

Artists whose recordings will be reissued under the agreement include the Ronettes, the Crystals, Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans and Lenny Bruce. The new deal covers the United States with an international roll-out to follow. Reissues planned include digital and physical releases, including CDs and vinyl 12" and 7" with replica artwork, plus releases of titles drawn from the original albums and singles and b-sides from the Philles Records catalog. New compilations, including best of collections and rarities compilations, plus reproductions of original singles and albums are also planned. Many of these original Philles Records releases were exceedingly rare on vinyl. All releases in the new project will be newly remastered.

Philles Records was launched in 1961 by producer/songwriter/recording artist Phil Spector and veteran music business executive Lester Sill and took its name from the first names of its founders. By 1967, 18 Philles Records had charted on America's Top 40, including "Uptown" (#13), "He's A Rebel," (#1), "Da Doo Ron Ron" (#3), and "Then He Kissed Me" (#6) by the Crystals and "Be My Baby" (#2) and "Baby I Love You" (#24) by the Ronettes.

"There may be no pop music more iconic than 'Be My Baby' or 'Da Do Ron Ron'," said Adam Block, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Legacy Recordings, in a statement. "The Philles 'Wall of Sound' is embedded in our musical DNA, the craft of these recordings, the quality of the songwriting and the power of the productions have established a standard that continues to inspire artists and musicians. The style, attitude and voices of great artists like Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love remain a presence in pop culture. We are delighted to be bringing these records to a whole new generation."

Thanks for the heads up, V. The Ronettes album with "So Young" on it would make an admirable addition to my collection. And maybe more...

Interesting timing...