From talking-heads.net:

THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS TALKING HEADS And BEST OF TALKING HEADS Available August 17



LOS ANGELES - Rhino Records is pleased to offer two kinds of overviews of the career of one of the best-loved bands of the 1980s with the release of THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS TALKING HEADS and THE BEST OF TALKING HEADS on August 17. Both packages, assembled with the members' full involvement, are firsts for the band--THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS TALKING HEADS has never been available on CD before and THE BEST OF TALKING HEADS is the first single-disc collection of the band's most popular songs.

THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS TALKING HEADS offers an unusual take on the concert album--rather than a "souvenir of a single night's show," it captures the band's live evolution from 1977 to 1981. Originally released in 1982 as a double album, fans have waited nearly two decades for the CD release of THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS TALKING HEADS. This two-disc version doubles the original's contents by offering 13 previously unreleased tracks and a trio of rarities from a 1979 promotional only disc ("The Girls Want To Be With The Girls," an early version of "Drugs" called "Electricity," and "Found A Job"). In its expanded version, THE NAME OF THIS BAND provides a comprehensive portrait of Talking Heads as a live band, since it now includes a substantial number of songs from each of the band's first four studio albums.

THE BEST OF TALKING HEADS collects 18 of the group's most popular songs on a single disc for the first time ever. Compiled by the band, THE BEST OF TALKING HEADS includes all the favorites ("Psycho Killer," "Once In A Lifetime," "Burning Down The House," "And She Was), as well as some unexpected selections like "Heaven" and "Memories Can't Wait." This collection provides new listeners with a perfect introduction to this ground-breaking band's work.

David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth formed Talking Heads (note: no "The") after meeting at Rhode Island School Of Design in the early 1970s. Jerry Harrison, formerly of The Modern Lovers, joined in 1976 and Talking Heads quickly became one of the most important bands to emerge from the New York punk scene. Over the course of their 11-year recording career they released ten albums (including five gold records, one platinum, and two double-platinum), earned critical raves, and racked up more than a few
hits.

I've never heard this album - I'll likely pick it up.

I've been watching my Stop Making Sense DVD quite regularly, and I've been struck most of all by how much I enjoyed David Byrne's guitar solos on Making Flippy Floppy and Cross-Eyed... They have a raw, exciting feel that you generally don't hear in more accomplished players - kinda like Lou Reed, I guess. I wonder if there's more of that to be found on this album.

I remember listening to a copy of this on vinyl that I checked out from the Indianapolis Public Library when I was in high school...I was really only into the "hits" of the time (Burning Down the House, etc.) so a live album of the old skool stuff didn't really impress me at the time...of course, NOW I'm chomping at the bit to hear this stuff....and 13 extra tracks?!

Talking Heads fans have been trying to get this released on CD for years - there have been petitions circulated and everything. This is a great moment in music geek history!

This is great! I cannot wait. As much as I love Stop Making Sense, I'd love to hear these live tracks.

RipHer2Shreds said:

If I remember correctly, the 1980 and 81 tours used (mostly?) the same musicians that were featured on Stop Making Sense. I'm very curious to hear how that band sounds on that album as, while I obviously love the movie, I do think the tracks are a little overproduced. I'm looking forward to hearing a rawer, less polished sound.

Edit - I was wrong. the band on the 80/81 tour bore little similarity to the Stop Making Sense group. It was a similarly expanded band, but the only extra musician common to both groups was Bernie Worrell.
[This message was edited Wed Jul 14 19:52:20 2004 by flipwilson]

THANKS, Anxiety! Great news!

God, I haven't listened to this album in YEARS but I've got it on tape somewhere

It's quite funny hearing the 'evolution' of the band as you'd swear they're playing to about 3 people in their backyard on the first few tracks! (There's hardly any applause - must've been quite a small crowd). I'll have to dig it out!

If I remember correctly, I'm sure there's a version of 'Houses In Motion' on the original. AMAZING song!

Masturbatory kind of stuff, this!

All good news!

So, I'll admit, I've only ever owned a collection of the Talking Heads material. But I've always been interested in getting to know them better. Would this live CD be a good place to start? Or where do people recommend I begin?

endorphin74 said:

I guess I'd recommend Fear of Music - it's where they first really started to branch out musically, though there's still the element of their CBGB art-punk days. It contains many of their greatest songs - I Zimbra, Memories Can't Wait, Cities... There are a few slightly ordinary tracks on it, mind you.

But you really could buy any one of their first five studio albums. They're all fairly classic.

flipwilson said:

alright, I'll see which I can find used or as a 'super saver' and start there

thanks for the tips though, I'll prolly honestly search out Fear of Music

endorphin74 said:

Hey, I know you. You should listen to me. I'd start with either Speaking in Tongues or the special edition of Stop Making Sense. Both are excellent choices and safe, for lack of a better term, introductions to their catalogue.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I do LOVE special editions.....

maybs I'll just pick up a few of 'em heh heh heh.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Actually I can't argue with the expanded Stop Making Sense - that's a solid introduction.

flipwilson said:

alright then, SOLD!