Talking Heads share plans to celebrate ‘Stop Making Sense’ 40th anniversary
Talking Heads are set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their landmark concert film and live album, Stop Making Sense, by re-releasing the project.
Arriving on July 26th, Stop Making Sense is set to be available to purchase as a 2LP as well as a 2CD/Blu-ray set. Last year, it was released as a deluxe edition which sold out, but now will once again be sold, this time on black vinyl and crystal vinyl, from Rhino Records and Barnes and Noble respectively.
The two different variations of the album are set to be released alongside an exclusive 12-page booklet boasting liner notes courtesy of David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison. It also features photos of the four-piece.
Reflecting on the legacy of the release, Byrne explained how it helped Talking Heads become bigger than ever, noting, “We had done a live album before this, but coupled with the film, and with the improved mixes and sound quality, this record reached a whole new audience. As often happens, the songs got an added energy when we performed them live and were inspired by having an audience.”
The eccentric star continued: “In many ways, these versions are more exciting than the studio recordings, so maybe that’s why a lot of folks discovered us via this record.”
In addition to the re-release, Talking Heads recently returned to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, the location where they originally filmed Stop Making Sense over four nights in 1984. Upon their latest visit to the venue, the band showed a screening of the iconic movie, and also participated in a Q&A.
Furthermore, later this week on June 13th, Talking Heads will be sharing a stage with one another again for another screening and Q&A at the King’s Theater in New York.
Over the last few months, there have been plentiful celebrations of Stop Making Sense, including a tribute album featuring a selection of contemporary artists, such as The National, Paramore and Lorde, putting a new spin on Talking Heads classics.
While Talking Heads are now happy to be in a room together again, which is progress, a full-blown reunion still seems unlikely.
Earlier this year, it was reported that promoter Live Nation were willing to make Talking Heads an offer of $80million to reunite for six to eight festival and headline shows, which was refused by the group.
Last year, when asked about a potential reunion, Weymouth played down the speculation: “We’re just savouring the moment. We’re so happy that it’s resulted in this wonderful thing that’s lasted 40 years. And we’re not really looking too far into the future.”
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