Do you know Carmaig de Forest?  You should…

“From the moment I first heard Carmaig’s songs when he opened up for us – during our very first tour around the whole country – he’s always been one of my favorite songwriters.”
—Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes)

“Who the hell is this guy singing smart & funny songs playing a damn ukulele?”
—John Doe (X)

“I Shall Be Released truly deserves designated ‘classic’ status.”
—Scott McCaughey (R.E.M./Minus Five)

“Before I even made an album I’d opened up as a solo acoustic act for Gang Of Four, Wall Of Voodoo, The Cure, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, The Boomtown Rats, and the Ramones twice!”
—Carmaig deForrest

Carmaig’s 1987 Alex Chilton-produced album I Shall Be Released was one in a long line of albums subjected to the whims of the record business. Slated to be released on a larger label with some marketing muscle, it eventually wound up on a small, San Francisco indie and never got the exposure it deserved. It’s follow up live EP didn’t even see a release in the US.

Fast forward a few decades to today.  Now for its 30th Anniversary, it’s time to relish in de Forrest’s wit, passion and talent by combining the original album, live EP and unissued material and reintroduce an artist many missed the first time around.

I Shall Be Re-Released combines de Forest’s original album and live EP with four previously unissued tracks from the original album sessions. Packaging contains new liners from set co-producer Pat Thomas with new interviews with Carmaig and his contemporaries, as well photos and ephemera.

It was released, but it’s time for an official re-release.  Be Re-Released.