Tompkins Square Records

Tompkins Square Records
Founded2005 (2005)
FounderJosh Rosenthal
Distributor(s)Fontana Distribution[1]
GenreJazz, American primitive, gospel, blues, country
Country of originU.S.
LocationSan Francisco, California
Official websitetompkinssquare.com

Tompkins Square Records is an independent record label producing new and archival releases of gospel, blues, jazz, and country music.[2]

History

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In 2005, Josh Rosenthal launched Tompkins Square Records in New York City after working 15 years in a variety of positions at Sony Music. Tompkins Square moved to San Francisco in 2011.[3] Rosenthal runs the label on his own with help from an art director and publishing company.[4]

Albums

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Tompkins Square's first album was Imaginational Anthem, an anthology of music by fingerstyle guitarists including Jack Rose, Sandy Bull, John Fahey, Max Ochs, and Kaki King The series has grown to seven volumes.[5][6]

Tompkins Square issued a previously-unreleased concert recording by Tim Buckley, Live at the Folklore Center, NYC — March 6, 1967.[3][7]

Tompkins Square has released several comprehensive gospel music compilations, including 2009's Fire In My Bones: Raw & Rare & Other-Worldly African American Gospel (1944–2007) and This May Be My Last Time Singing: Raw African-American Gospel On 45RPM (1957–1982).[8]

Rosenthal brought Charlie Louvin in to record a series of albums, introducing Louvin to a new generation of listeners.[4]

Tompkins Square released Remembering Mountains: Unheard Songs of Karen Dalton, an album of songs written by Dalton and performed by artists such as Lucinda Williams, Sharon Van Etten, Tara Jane O'Neil, and Diane Cluck.[9]

Tompkins Square released several 78 rpm Discs for Record Store Day. Artists involved included Luther Dickinson, Tyler Ramsey, and Ralph Stanley.[10]

In 2015, Rosenthal wrote and published the book The Record Store of the Mind, a memoir about being a record collector and owning a record company.[2][11][12]

Roster

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Martens, Peter (14 January 2006). Fontana, Tomkins Square Use Their "Imaginational". Nielsen Business Media. pp. 18–. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b Spice, Anton (October 27, 2015). "Only start a label if...A candid guide by Tompkins Square, the ultimate label of love". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Gilbert, Andrew (November 2, 2015). "Vinyl connoisseur on label's decade of revolutionary reissues". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Gokhman, Roman (January 13, 2016). "SF label Tompkins Square Records marks decade of crate-digging for lost masterpieces". The Bay Bridged. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  5. ^ Matos, Michaelangelo (February 14, 2012). "Reissue king Josh Rosenthal is mining for musical gold (with a gold record on his wall)". Politico New York. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  6. ^ Meyer, Bill (April 18, 2016). "Josh Rosenthal of Tompkins Square reads from his new crate-digging memoir". Chicago Reader. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  7. ^ Roberts, Randall (August 20, 2009). "Tompkins Square to Issue Previously Unreleased 1967 Tim Buckley Live Set". Los Angeles Weekly. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  8. ^ "Follow Up To Tompkins Square Gospel Comp Fire In My Bones Incoming". The Wire. August 24, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Steven P. Marsh (April 15, 2015). "Sharon Van Etten, Diane Cluck, Lucinda Williams and more record 'lost' Karen Dalton songs". Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone?. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  10. ^ Battan, Carrie (March 30, 2012). "Tompkins Square to Release Series of 78s". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  11. ^ "Dig Through Label Founder Josh Rosenthal's 'Record Store Of The Mind'". NPR Music. April 6, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  12. ^ Blum, Jordan (February 1, 2016). "'The Record Store of the Mind' Is a Memoir Worth Spinning". PopMatters. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  13. ^ Walters, Barry (November 1, 2010). "Prefab Sprout, 'Let's Change the World With Music' (Tompkins Square)". Spin. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
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