Name: It Isn’t Always That Easy
Brand: Alex Chilton

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

BEWITH004SEVEN

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2019-08-09

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Forced Exposure

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

4251648412571

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Total Cap

1 / 7" / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Alex Chilton

Genre US

60s & 70s

Label US

Be With Records

Alex Chilton (December 28, 1950 - March 17, 2010) was an American songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer. He gained popularity as a teen vocalist for the Box Tops in the 1960s. Although his commercial success declined later on, Chilton remained influential in the indie and alternative music scenes.
Chilton's talent shone through his work with bands like the Box Tops and Big Star. His contributions as a songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer left a lasting impact on pop music.
Despite not achieving the same level of commercial success as he did in his early years, Chilton developed a devoted following within the indie and alternative music communities. His unique style and artistic vision continue to inspire musicians today.

First time on vinyl. Here are two of Alex’s staggeringly beautiful demos on vinyl for the first time (on a cute picture sleeve 7", no less) is an absolute honour for Be With. It Isn’t Always That Easy and If You Would Marry Me both sound like templates for some of Alex’s best-known Big Star numbers. These demos come from the transitional recording sessions he made with Terry Manning at the Ardent studio in 1969, but were missing from the vinyl version of the wonderful Free Again compilation that was released in 2012. Caught between the end of the Box Tops and the birth of Big Star Alex’s song-craft was already remarkable - as these demos prove - and this release represents a fascinating, exploratory period in the career of one of pop’s most enigmatic talents.

It Isn’t Always That Easy is the real knockout. A tender, acoustic ballad that, stylistically, could have appeared Big Star’s #1 Record. Yes, it really is that good. A deeply affecting, ruminative lament that explores the ravages of Alex’s short career to date, it is also one of the sweetest and most delicate melodies he ever wrote. A song this stunning shouldn’t just be kept for the Big Star completists.

Over on the flip, If You Would Marry Me finds Alex in earnestly romantic mode. It’s just him and a piano, albeit one that is played in a poppy, uplifting fashion to complement the optimistic mood: “I could make you feel so glad inside and so alive” he confidently declares. It’s quite the gem. It really should be mandatory for this to be played at every wedding.

Unfortunately there seem to be no photographs of Alex from around the time he was making these recordings. But luckily we were put in touch with Pat Rainer who was photographing the Memphis music scene that Alex was still part of a few years later.

It Isn’t Always That Easy

Music US