WAIST HIGH: Collector's Editions Of The Golden Age Of Wireless And The Flat Earth Out Today.

7/13/2009

**Collector's Editions Of The Golden Age Of Wireless And The Flat Earth Out Today.**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LONDON, UK July 13th 2009 - Thomas Dolby, iconic synthesist/songwriter and tech entrepreneur, has remastered his first two albums The Golden Age Of Wireless (1982) and The Flat Earth (1984). The new Collectors Editions are released today on CD and as digital downloads, complete with special bonus tracks, personal sleeve notes, live recordings, original demos, and rare video footage from the period. The five-time Grammy nominee oversaw the Abbey Rd remastering sessions himself, and sorted through studio outtakes and cassette tapes to put together definitive versions of these groundbreaking LPs.

The albums are widely regarded by critics as two of the definitive moments in the history of 1980s music. Thomas Dolby's fresh sonic approach blended layers of electronic sound over a conventional guitar, piano, bass and drums backing. Dolby's music heavily featured synths, samplers, sequencers and drum machines, but displayed none of the chilly alienation that many of his contemporaries were so adept at. His quirky uptempo singles lit up radio, MTV and the dance clubs; yet his deeper album cuts revealed him as a classic songwriter in the mould of some of his early influences such as Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell. The lyrics were warm and personal, and the melodies unforgettable, while many of his sonic soundscapes had an ethereal, almost cinematic quality.

Both The Golden Age Of Wireless and The Flat Earth achieved Gold status in the USA and yielded Top 20 singles around the world. GAOW was released in several formats due to the success of the breakthrough songs "She Blinded Me With Science," and "One Of Our Submarines," which were not on the original LP but were added by Capitol Records following Dolby's sudden emergence in 1982 as a star of the nascent MTV. Presented here in full, the re-released GAOW combines all variations of the album, and is accompanied by a DVD of the full-length 1983 live concert performance Live Wireless, originally available only on laser disc.

In a recent edition of Wired magazine, JJ Abrams said: "Dolby's The Golden Age of Wireless remains one of the greatest albums ever recorded. And his follow-up records were a brilliant mix of heart, soul, and electronics. He's a genius."

His sophomore album The Flat Earth, regarded by some as Dolby's masterpiece, originally featured only seven songs. The Collector's Edition of TFE is enhanced by five additional tracks, including the previously unreleased "Marseille" and a pair of Dolby songs written for films. Owners of the Collectors Editions will have access to a special area of the thomasdolby.com web site to download free additional rare songs, lyrics and other goodies.

He is currently hard at work in his renewable energy-powered 1930s lifeboat studio on a brand new album of songs, his first new music since taking a 12-year sabbatical in Silicon Valley where his company Beatnik Inc created the ringtone technology currently embedded in approximately two-thirds of the world's mobile phones. The Collectors Editions of these first two albums will pave the way for a whole new chapter of Thomas Dolby's remarkable musical journey.

Photo: Richard Skidmore via Thomas Dolby Official Facebook
Material: thomasdolby.com

CAST OF CHARACTERS

THE KERN COUNTY DRUNKARD
Everything at Waist High is a long story, and the story of The KCD is no exception. After this individual told Waist High in December of 2003 that she was going to kill her, "Waist High" the blog was born. Please do not tell Waist High the person that you are going to kill her or she will create "Waist High" the blog and write nasty things about you! Including the time you stunk up the bathroom at The Alley Cat. The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" detailed the drunken comings and goings of the live-in love interest of one of Waist High's most cherished male friends. Never has Waist High met anyone who drank as much as or as often as The KCD. The KCD, because she was an insecure drunk, hated Waist High for most of her decade long relationship with Waist High's most cherished male friend. She hated Waist High for the obvious reason: Waist High is hot. A one time source of much of the material for Waist High the blog, The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" was permanently retired in March 2005 when Waist High's most cherished male friend finally came to his senses and kicked her ass to the curb.

RAMPART
Rampart is the first ex-husband of Waist High. She refers to him as her first ex-husband because she knows there will eventually be a second. Rampart grew up on the mean streets of Bakersfield and claims to have been the co-discoverer of the well known 1980s dirt field party spot known as "The Place." Rampart's 1987 directive to Waist High, "Drink this six pack before I get back!" made both Waist High and Rampart parents at age 20. Rampart currently resides 4.5 miles from Waist High in the wilds of Oregon and is an enduring fixture at their local Cigs For Less shop. Once a Bakersfield Del Taco associate, Sail Thru Hamburgers drive up dude, and Wible Road AM/PM graveyard worker, Rampart claims to now net $49,000 per month. But only to impress people, not when required.

(THE FORMER) LOVELY TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Not your average 35 year old. Born to Waist High as a "Miracle on 34th Street" in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on 34th Street, LTD is on the board of MAC cosmetics. Not really, but she swears allegiance only to them. When LTD's mother once purchased LTD some eye shadow from Target, LTD threatened to call the police. Sweeter than Tupelo Honey, with the attitude of a feral cat, LTD is disgusted with most things. Including being forced to live with Waist High from 1988-2005. The child at one time even had her own blog, "Living With Waist High," which detailed her misery. A graduate of the oldest institution in the Oregon University System, LTD kept her promise of not getting knocked up at age 20 like Waist High did.

THE STRANGER
Oh God bless The Stranger. The Stranger was one of Waist High's most loyal confidants during some of the darker periods of the blog. Although his fierce allegiance to really bad music was a great source of aggravation for Waist High, The Stranger gave her a much needed look at life. Through the eyes of someone not yet bitter. The Stranger was almost pushed out of a moving vehicle when he revealed to Waist High that not only did he not know who Barry Manilow, Captain & Tenille, or Spandau Ballet were, but that he literally had no clue what Trail Mix was.

"TRI-TIP"
Special Correspondent to Waist High, and one of Waist High's most cherished friends. Used to live with The Kern County Drunkard. Was a Special Correspondent to Waist High for 9 months before knowing it. Long story. This individual coined the ultimate mid '80s Bakersfield drinking phrase, "Lock hubs. Party!"

DESI
Waist High's former work spouse. Cares about Waist High so much that he once took Waist High with him on a smoke break the very next day after she spent $250 for hypnotherapy TO QUIT SMOKING. Was the first person in conversation to introduce Waist High to concepts like "The Dirty Sanchez," "Dog In A Bathtub," "Tea Bagging," and "The Shocker." Reminds Waist High as often as possible that if women "neglect the balls," their men will leave them.