Lisa Loeb to release The Purple Tape 2-disc set January 22

Grammy-nominated and multi-talented singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb takes fans on a colorful journey back in time with the reissue on CD of the Purple Tape, Loeb’s first recording, made in 1992. The double disc features the original 10 tracks, including early recordings of some of Loeb’s most popular songs, as well as a new interview with Lisa and live acoustic versions of two tracks including her #1 hit song, “Stay (I Missed You)." The Purple Tape on CD is slated for release January 22, 2008 on her own Furious Rose Productions with national distribution through Redeye.

The collection, originally produced and recently re-mixed for digital audio by Juan Patiño, includes the earliest recordings of several Loeb favorites including “Do You Sleep,” “Snow Day,” “Train Songs,” “This,” “Airplanes” and “It’s Over.” In addition to the original tracks from the Purple Tape, the CD version includes a full second disc with live, acoustic performances of “Snow Day” and “Stay (I Missed You),” along with an in-depth new interview with Lisa, where she ruminates on the early days, talks about the songs and the songwriting process and offers up sage advice to the next generation of emerging artists. The package also includes rarely seen photos and extensive liner notes.

In 1994 when Loeb’s breakout song, “Stay (I Missed You),” landed at No. 1 on the charts it was a remarkable and unparalleled feat for an unsigned artist. Though perhaps not a surprising one for the recent Brown grad, who was already making her mark in New York’s burgeoning singer-songwriter scene. Loeb already had years of experience under her guitar strap, writing and performing solo acoustic, with her band Nine Stories, and as half of the duo Liz And Lisa, (with Brown pal Elizabeth Mitchell), when her friend and neighbor in New York, actor Ethan Hawke, starred in Reality Bites, and helped put “Stay” on the soundtrack to the now iconic film. That fortuitous placement and the much played, daring, one-take video that Hawke directed for the song catapulted Loeb from the heart of New York’s vibrant club scene into the national consciousness.

Before her breakout success, the ensuing record deal, Grammy nominations, gold records and extended tours, there was the aptly titled, violet-hued cassette that Loeb used as a sonic calling card to industry gatekeepers and that fans could buy at her local gigs. The Purple Tape, produced by Patiño and recorded simply at his apartment on 52nd Street in Manhattan, is a musical snapshot of a gifted, emerging artist on the brink.

That fans have been demanding the release of the Purple Tape on CD for much of the last decade is a testament to the timelessness and enduring appeal of the songs, Loeb’s charming and smart performances and the careful but subtle production.

On the second disc, Lisa talks to Andy Denemark about the time, her college years, living in New York and being part of a creative community, and about the business of music. Loeb offers up valuable advice for the developing artist and shares anecdotes on each of the songs included in the set.

Loeb has deftly parlayed her early success into a multi-dimensional career encompassing music, film, television, voice-over work and children’s recordings. She continues to grow as an artist and to push herself and her career forward with a creative zeal and an inner drive not often seen.

Like the original Purple Tape that preceded her groundbreaking success, the new Purple Tape kicks off what is sure to be a busy year for Loeb, with her second collection of children’s tunes, Camp Lisa, and her next studio CD also slated for 2008.

Source: NorthStar Entertainment