ARCHIE'S ALBUM COVER GALLERY: THE LEGACY ERA, Part ONE
THE LEGACY ERA:
ARCHIE'S ALBUM COVER GALLERY
Part One
In early 2027, The Archies will begin recording again after a hiatus of twelve years. From then until the year 2033 when they officially disband, they will complete over 250 masters: Brand new studio tracks, live tracks and overdubs of older material. The years 2029 to 2033 will be the most productive period of their entire career, as well as the most lucrative and critically-acclaimed Part One of THE LEGACY ERA covers Archie album releases in the 2030s.
THE GOFFIN-KING DEMOS
Recorded @ Sun Studio in Memphis
Republic USA, 2030
The Archies will be in litigation with the Republic label for fifteen years. Republic acquired their master tapes in 2014, fully expecting to receive new ones under a still-active contract. However, the group objected and chose to go on indefinite hiatus. Since that time, they've been enjoined from cutting new masters except for a brief period when they're signed to Atlantic Records. A settlement is finally reached in 2030 - the group agrees to deliver eight albums to Republic USA, after which their legal obligations will be satisfied. Demos for a never-completed album of Carole King songs make up the first package. The Archies will also offer Republic a newly-recorded King tribute, but CEO Alexandra Cabot opts for the demos. The new album will replace the demo album on the shelf and gather dust there until the 22nd century! A grave injustice for sure, but Alexandra can't be faulted for her choice - the song demos are excellent!
THE BARRY-GREENWICH DEMOS
Recorded @ Chapel Of Rock in Santa Barbara
Republic USA, 2030
This is the second contractual album delivered to Republic USA. THE BARRY-GREENWICH DEMOS date back to the 2004 recording of JEFF + ELLIE SONGBOOK, an album better known to fans as HITS OF THE SIXTIES, Volume TWO.
DISQUE D'OR
HOUSE OF GOLD
Discos Fuentes, 2031
(Europe only)
The Archies enter their Legacy era signed to Colombia-based Disco Fuentes, which was the South-American distributor of Archie Records. The first proper Fuentes release is a collection of previously-unreleased sides that was originally meant to follow up 2006's GET IT ON TODAY LP. DISQUE D'OR makes a big splash in European dance clubs, but despite this success the group doesn't regard it as the right kind of comeback album. They undertake to create one.
THE GRASS WILL SING FOR YOU
SALUTE TO JAY + THE AMERICANS
Discos Fuentes, 2031
(reissued as a box set on the Vox label in 2077)
Since at least 2005, Betty Cooper will have wanted the group to cut a ballad album. THE GRASS WILL SING FOR YOU isn't the album that she envisioned, but ballads do dominate its three-record length. A tribute to Sixties supergroup Jay + The Americans, it breaks for a smash hit, even though no million-selling singles will be spun off. With Reggie Mantle pursuing a solo career and Archie suffering from vocal problems, the rich voices of Jughead and Kevin Keller are dominant - Betty has star turns as well - and they turn out to be exactly what fans want to hear. This comeback album is also intended as a farewell album, but its degree of success gives Fuentes executives other ideas.
THE MISS BEEHIVE SESSIONS
Produced by WILLIAM ORBIT
Recorded @ Xanadu Recordings in Atlantic City
Republic USA, 2031
(deluxe version issued on the Vox label in 2100)
The third contract album delivered to Republic is reported to be a reissue of the soundtrack to BUTT NAKED BEACH PARTY - a 1989 musical comedy that was The Archies' only cinematic vehicle. What emerges instead is a cache of recordings that the group tracked in 1992 under an assumed name. Tracked in order to promote a failed Broadway bio of British diva Dusty Springfield, it was the first Archies project to showcase Betty and Veronica's lead voices from beginning to end. With previously-unreleased sides added to sweeten the package, fans can't resist MISS BEEHIVE - it becomes the first contract album to turn a profit!
THE NOSSA COSTRA SESSIONS
THE ARCHIES as THE JUGGZ
Produced by MARGYE + MIMOSA VANHORNERecorded @ Musicland Studios in Münich
Philips Records, 2032
During their first year of existence as a performing band, The Archies were known as The Juggz. Under that name, they traveled to Germany and were contracted to create music for a rom-com movie featuring Beatles songs. The film failed at the box office and a soundtrack album was never issued, but after The Archies became famous, the music for Ringo, I Love You surfaced on an inferior European compilation. Veronica reportedly had an attack of the vapors when she spied a copy of HALF-ASSED BEATLES for sale in an specialty record shop! The group's stellar comeback in the 2030s prompts Nossa Costra Productions (owners of the soundtrack recordings) to issue this new, improved and much less provocatively-titled collection. It will be a hot import item!
ARCHIE SUPERSTAR
Produced by BARCLAY SINGH
Recorded @ Empress Audio in Mumbai
Republic International, 2032
(Asia only)
The Archies' fourth contract album kills two birds with one stone - it helps them fulfill their legal obligation and revives their long-dormant fan base in South Asia. The only contract release to contain newly-recorded material, ARCHIE SUPERSTAR features versions of the group's biggest hits as well as classic Rock standards sung in various Indian dialects. A double-sided hit single emerges from the Mumbai recording sessions: "Girl", a track from THE GRASS WILL SING FOR YOU redone in Bengali, backed with a medley of Rascals songs sung in Hindi. ARCHIE SUPERSTAR will prove to be a winner with coattails when its runaway success pulls several catalog Archies albums back onto the Pan-Asian charts for the first time in decades!
GOD BLESS ROCK 'N' ROLL
Republic USA, 2032
Eager to capitalize on The Archies' mega-successful 2032 Farewell World Tour, Republic executives commission a remix album from the band's longtime sound engineer Alan Mayberry. GOD BLESS ROCK 'N' ROLL is a two-record set that pairs the GET IT ON TODAY LP with tracks from JUMP BACK, HONEY. While several selections do log positions on the Dance music charts, Alan M's remixes fail to deliver the smash hit that Republic expects. Nonetheless, GOD BLESS ROCK 'N' ROLL qualifies as a contract album and the band is happy to check another item off of their to-do list.
FURY IN MY SOUL
THE SONGS OF LAURA NYRO
ORIGINAL TELEVISION SOUNDTRACK
Produced by FOX PRINTEMPS
Recorded live @ The Moody Theater in Austin
Discos Fuentes, 2032
(PBS-TV fundraising premium,
reissued on the Vox label in 2060)
Salivating over the prospect of big sales after observing the success of THE GRASS WILL SING FOR YOU and ARCHIE SUPERSTAR, Discos Fuentes invokes a clause in The Archies' contract. It requires a follow-up to what was meant to be their farewell album. In November of 2032, the band records WHOLE WORLD SHAKIN', a tribute to danceable Rock 'n' Roll that both critics and fans will rave over - when they finally get to hear it! Expecting another ballad album, Fuentes balks at releasing the new LP. Their reticence infuriates Archie + Veronica, and the shelved album sours subsequent relations. While this stand-off is occurring, The Archies tape FURY IN MY SOUL, a PBS-TV special that pays tribute to songwriter Laura Nyro. When they hear the stellar soundtrack, Fuentes executives declare it the follow-up album that they want. The Archies say: "Not so fast, you mothers!" The group invokes a contractual clause that lets them give the soundtrack to PBS as a fundraising premium. Clearly in revenge for having rejected WHOLE WORLD SHAKIN', they force Discos Fuentes to wait indefinitely for the right to commercially issue FURY IN MY SOUL. It ends up being one of the most popular public broadcasting premiums ever, so "indefinitely" turns out to be almost 30 years!
¡ADIÓS AMIGOS!
THE FAREWELL WORLD TOUR
Discos Fuentes, 2033
This three-record set is Fuentes executives' consolation prize for having their access to FURY IN MY SOUL blocked. Recorded live-in-concert at venues all over the world, it documents The Archies' Farewell World Tour. Former group members Reggie Mantle and Trevor Smith feature as special guests. In addition, new group member Toni Topaz (Jughead's wife) is introduced on this album - while she'll have also contributed to ARCHIE SUPERSTAR, Toni won't join the band until the tour is underway. By the end of 2033, ¡ADIÓS AMIGOS! will have become an international chart-topper as well as the teaser for a hit documentary of the same name.
CAÑONAZOS EN VIVO box set
BOMBAZOS EN VIVO box set
Discos Fuentes, 2033
(limited editions)
Fans are delighted by this pair of 45 RPM sets containing song excerpts from The Archies' Farewell World Tour.
SOMEBODY'S GONNA CRY!
Discos Fuentes, 2034
(Asia + Australia only)
Discos Fuentes can't legally demand a second follow-up album from The Archies, but the label does have the right to market a compilation of unreleased material. When he hears the hodgepodge they intend to release, Archie is not pleased! He and Veronica demand input into the final track listing and, as a gesture of good faith, they go back into the studio to cut some brand new sides. (By the time SOMEBODY'S GONNA CRY! is in its planning stages, The Archies have retired so Arch + Roni are the only members available to record.) Despite this gesture, interactions with Fuentes executives remain fraught - they're unhappy with the new track sequence and refuse to market it worldwide. They're left with egg on their faces when the compilation breaks for a smash in both Asia and Australia! The Archies are fed up with Fuentes and ready to wash their hands of the label - but due to a binding contract, it will have a hand in marketing Archies product for decades to come.
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM
ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK
Produced by BREE SPELLMAN
Recorded @ Witch Queen Recordings in Boston
Atlantic Records, 2034
(Europe only)
In late 2033, Archie, Betty and Kevin Keller will assemble at Boston's Witch Queen Recording Studio to satisfy another contract, this time a soundtrack commitment that the group made back in 2031. It has taken two years for the movie to be made! Both the indie film Philadelphia Freedom and the music recorded for it will become enduring cult hits, and thanks to remix producer Yvonne Remy (the daughter of Alan Mayberry), a medley of songs from the film will rock dance clubs all over Europe in the summer of 2034.
ARCHIE SINGS JEFF BARRY,
BARRY MANN + CYNTHIA WEIL
Republic USA, 2034
(streaming only)
This is the sixth contract album owed to Discos Fuentes.
THE PHIL SPECTOR SESSIONS
A PHIL SPECTOR Production
Vocal Arrangements by DARLENE LOVE
Arranged by PERRY BOTKIN, JR
Produced by AKI ALEONG
Recorded @ Radio Recorders in Hollywood
Republic USA, 2034
The Archies' penultimate contract album markets material recorded for their 1989 movie BUTT NAKED BEACH PARTY - but it isn't the soundtrack music. Instead, Archie has salvaged demo versions of the soundtrack songs, some of which are sung by Darlene Love, vocal arranger for the movie. She and other associates of Phil Spector produced all of the music under his auspices - Spector had little to no involvement with the project, but his production company still got the credit. While the very collectible soundtrack LP will wait several more decades to be reissued, this fly-on-the-wall listening experience is the next best thing! Fan interest is high and sales are brisk, making THE SPECTOR SESSIONS another profitable contract release. Darlene Love reunited with The Archies for their 2013 holiday concert at The Hollywood Bowl.
DISCO de ORO, Vol III
THE GOLDEN RECORD, VOL III
Discos Fuentes, 2035
(South America only)
It will have taken a quarter of a century for the Fuentes label to market a follow-up to their two successful volumes of Archies hits, released in 2007 and 2012, respectively. It may be true that absence makes the heart grow fonder, because Volume Three will be Latin music's top catalog album for the year 2035!
DISCOS de ORO box set
GOLDEN RECORDS
Discos Fuentes, 2035
(South America only)
Sales figures for the third volume of DISCO de ORO, as well as the enduring popularity of the first two volumes will justify packaging all three of them together. Fans consider Archies compilations on the Fuentes label superior to those marketed by other imprints, so there'll be considerable demand for this triple-album treasure outside of South America.
ARCHIE'S GREATEST
COUNTRY HITS
Republic USA, 2035
This is the final contract album owed to the Republic label. The Archies (who will have retired from performance in 2033) are free of legal obligations for the first time since 2015.
COLLECTION FRANÇAISE box set
THE FRENCH ALBUMS
Disques Pathé, 2036
(Europe only)
During the run of Archie Records (2000 - 2015), the label pacted with Capitol/EMI to distribute its releases in Europe. Albums were marketed on Disques Pathé, EMI's European affiliate. Arrogant Pathé executives proceeded to re-sequence Archies albums to conform to their idea of what continental fans wanted to hear! Veronica wasn't happy about that, but when she found out they also intended to choose different album artwork and then saw what they intended to substitute, she hit the roof! At her insistence, Pathé used photos of Archie taken from her private collection. While these European albums have several unique features, it's the pin-up quality cover photos that really distinguish them. Bree Spellman, who will soon recruit a new generation of Archies, approaches Republic USA with a concept for reissuing the Pathé LPs. COLLECTION FRANÇAISE is the realization of her concept, and she supervises its production. Fans will consistently name this box set as the most collectible one of all.
GRANDES ÉXITOS LATINOS box set
GRANDES ÉXITOS LATINOS LP
GREATEST LATIN HITS
Discos Fuentes, 2037
Ironically, right after The Archies finish delivering their contract albums to Discos Fuentes, the label commissions its own blockbuster catalog release. Targeting Latin audiences around the world, former Fuentes A & R rep Ralfi Chingas pulls together a compilation of Archies rarities sung in Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese. It's the last thing you'd expect to top the catalog album charts, much less the Pop charts but it nearly does both! The warm reception that fans give GRANDES ÉXITOS LATINOS (in both its box set and single disc configurations) convinces Archie that there's still plenty of commercial potential left in his brand. The following year, he, Veronica and Bree Spellman will reboot the group.
50 AÑOS de LOS ARCHIES
THE 50th ANNIVERSARY ALBUM
Discos Fuentes, 2038
(South America only)
While there are and will continue to be pockets of rabid Archies fandom all over the world, the group's biggest fan base is in Latin America. Accordingly, it makes sense that a 50th Anniversary album would be marketed there exclusively. Half of it contains studio tracks meant for SPEAK YOUR MIND, an aborted Soul album attempted during the Kirshner era. The other half is live performances taken from a legendary 2007 tribute concert to songwriter Jeff Barry. On the same day this compilation hits the streets in México City, Bree Spellman introduces a group of second generation of Archies in Boston. The legend continues!
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