Re-release of 1983’s Almanac

Dillon Bustin’s Almanac was recorded in 1983 at Audio Village in Bloomington, Indiana. The phonograph album had every good thing going for it: an enthusiastic label executive (Pat Martin at June Appal Recordings), a talented studio ensemble (Grey Larsen, Malcolm Dalglish, Pete Sutherland (www.epactmusic.com), Bob Lucas (www.boblucasmusic.com), Willy Schwarz (www.willyschwarz.com), Saaku Saar), and an insightful graphic artist (Mary Azarian)—all of them near the beginning of illustrious careers.

The songs carried much sincerity, being an account of going back to the land during the severe recession of 1974-1976, learning music as well as survival skills from old-timers nearby, and setting out to earn a modest living with my first band, the Indiana Rain-Crows. During 1984 the press reviews were favorable, the radio play was extensive, and the first pressing sold out quickly.

Early in 1985 I stopped touring as a singer and moved east to take a job with the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities. The Almanac did not go into a second printing, and was never released as an audiocassette, not to mention as a compact disk.

During the intervening years, however, the LP has continued to appear on the playlists of college and community radio stations, the songs have been covered by dozens of other musicians, and hundreds of listeners have persisted in seeking me out to request a digitized copy.

I feel badly for these prospective customers, since in my past shyness I have ignored the Internet and done nothing to promote my performances or advertise my back catalog. (I understand I’m included in an online listing of living songwriters, with the note, “No known contact information.” I regret being so elusive in an analog sort of a way, and so I’m delighted that June Appal Recordings is planning to re-release Dillon Bustin’s Almanac, not only as CDs but also as MP3 files! Watch www.appalshop.org for an announcement.

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