The dB's Repercussion: Big Star's Third Live

The recent release of
Thank You, Friends - Big Star's Third Live

on CD / DVD / Bluray is a very big deal.
Here's our coverage in photos & videos.
(see also our earlier BS3rd live posts)

If you don't already have it, GO GET IT: Amazon U.S. Amazon UK

Chris Stamey - musical director, guiding light

If it weren't for Chris Stamey's steadfast dedication to the project, there likely would be no Big Star's Third Live. A Big Star fan who became a musical colleague of Alex Chilton's, Chris has a Big Star lineage up there with drummer Jody Stephens — sole survivor of the original Big Star lineup. Chris has been musical director of the project for all seven years of its existence. He also did a stunning job mixing the finished product, creating a sonic landscape worthy of the songs.

Mitch Easter - guitar-chitect

Chris' long-time friend & collaborator, Mitch Easter managed to figure out the key guitar parts & effects that made Big Star sound the way it did. Guests came and went, but Mitch was nearly always there for BS3rd live shows.

'The Fellow Travellers'

The ad hoc group Chris Stamey dubbed "The Fellow Travellers" are, vocally speaking, the heart of the Big Star's Third Live experience. Hailing from North Carolina's Triangle area, (l-r) Brett Harris, Skylar Gudasz and Django Haskins provide stunning vocalizations throughout the evening.

Jody Stephens - the drummer & soul of BS3rd live

When fellow musicians talk about Jody Stephens for long, there's usually an aside along the lines of "what a beautiful man" he is. The genuine graciousness of Big Star's drummer struck me as the necessary counterpoint to Alex Chilton's willful obstinacy. In the Thank You, Friends release, Stephens tells the audience what joy he feels when playing Big Star's music with musical friends such as Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Robyn Hitchcock, Pat Sansone (Wilco), Dan Wilson (Semisonic) and many others.

Many Collaborators

Mike Mills (R.E.M.)