FRIDAY ON MY MIND

Your Black Friday wish lists have been perused and processed. Discrepancy has been ordering frantically and many titles are confirmed. Here are some of the items we are confident will be available on the day.

*

We’ll start with a legend of popular music, BOB DYLAN. The re-issue of 1963’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan is historically interesting and inspired our feature image for this bulletin. The recording sessions for Freewheelin’ took place in 1962 after which Dylan spent time in England, a sojourn that had a catalysing effect on his songwriting. When he returned to the US he decided to replace four songs—"Let me die in my footsteps," "Ramblin’ gamblin’ Willie," "Rocks and gravel," and the contentious "Talkin’ John Birch Society Blues"—with newer songs he’d written in the UK. These included "Masters of war" and "Bob Dylan’s dream." The 1962 tracks were not so much withdrawn as replaced by newer ones. This release restores the older songs, giving us a clearer snapshot of what Dylan circa 1962 was about. One wonders why they didn’t just add the four substituted songs onto the album for 2025, but perhaps the reason is that, unlike many 'pop' albums of the time, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan as originally released was fifty minutes long!

*

Dedicated fans love those small-run special items like unique singles or unusual pressings. Two hugely popular contemporary artists have items on offer for Black Friday.

The BILLIE EILISH release is neat. A 10" vinyl E.P. limited to 20k copies world wide, it has four live recordings from Amazon’s Songline series, none of which have previously been issued on physical format. Track list:

• Skinny (Live)

• Wildflower (Live)

• Birds of a Feather (Live)

• L’Amour de Ma Vie (Live)

CHAPPELL ROAN, still glowing from her 2025 Best New Artist Grammy, is releasing a lavender-coloured 7″ single featuring the songs “The Subway” and “The Giver”. Her tens of millions of Spotify listeners are seriously excited about grabbing this physical object.

*

Listen Like Thieves was a high point in the career of INXS. Not surprisingly, a lavish three CD set was released for its 40th Anniversary in May 2025. The set included the Royal Albert Hall concert, sourced from a BBC desk recording and mixed by Giles Martin. The 2LP set—Live from Royal Albert Hall:London, 1986—is the first vinyl release of this high energy June 1986 performance and will be eagerly sought by INXS fans, especially as it ticks all the boxes: rare recording, high quality source, new mix, coloured vinyl.

Pink Floyd guitarist (and singer) DAVID GILMOUR hasn’t collaborated a lot, but when he has joined with other artists the results have always been interesting. A favourite of your correspondent is the album Gilmour made with UK ambient house pioneers THE ORG. Metallic Spheres is a spacious 2010 ambient-electronica album that blends dub, krautrock influences and subtle psychedelia as Gilmour’s atmospheric guitar weaves through the Orb’s cosmic soundscapes. This mesmerising album has not been available on vinyl since its original release and has been pressed for Black Friday on "pearlescent Metallic Sunrise colour vinyl." Wow.

*

It wouldn’t be a Record Store Day without something Beatles related. For this year’s Black Friday it is a zoetrope vinyl edition of GEORGE HARRISON’s Living In The Material World. This is a polished, well-produced George album that features the single "Give me love."

BILLY JOEL’s homecoming concert at Nassau Coliseum on December 29, 1982 was originally a video release. In 1983 it came out on VHS tape, Betamax and Laserdisc… but not on vinyl (or even CD, at the time). It’s appearance as a 3 LP set for Black Friday 2025 is thrilling a lot of Billy Joel fans. Live From Long Island has been newly mixed and expanded beyond the original track listing, making for a substantial concert experience in your own lounge room. Only 1,500 copies worldwide, so don’t dally.

*

Soundtracks for films and musicals are always popular, especially if there is something special on offer, and WICKED FOR GOOD—THE SOUNDTRACK ticks that box. The eleven tracks on this 2 LP set include new songs “No Place Like Home” (Cynthia Erivo) and “The Girl in the Bubble” (Ariana Grande), plus “The Wicked Witch of the East” (which wasn’t on the Broadway cast recording). In addition to musical delights the new packaging is impressive: alternate cover art, printed inner sleeves, plus a 12″×14″ poster. Put on your silver shoes and zoom in for a copy.

Here’s some Christmas news to bring good cheer. A special collector's edition of the VINCE GUARALDI TRIO’s A Charlie Brown Christmas is on its way. Housed in a special pop-up gatefold sleeve and released to celebrate the 75th anniversary of PEANUTS—and the 60th anniversary of the iconic album and TV special—it is a perennial yuletide favourite. If you have some young ones you’d like to introduce to the joys of jazz, this is a fabulous place to start. Same applies to adults!

*

BLACK FRIDAY RSD 2025: Friday 28 November from 8:00am

DISCREPANCY RECORDS: 301 Rossmoyne Street, Thornbury VIC 3071