Today, Third Man Records announces Images of Life, a career-spanning, 3xLP retrospective boxset illuminating the staggering breadth and depth of Lucas’ work, out May 22nd.
In conjunction, they digitally release disc two, Rainy Days (1970-1974), available to stream in its entirety today. Disc one, Strange Mysterious Sounds (1965-1970), highlights Lucas’ flirtation with psychedelic major label clout via his bands the Spike Drivers, the Misty Wizards and the Horny Toads. Disc two, Rainy Days (1970-1974) contains the solo acoustic warmth and charm most similar to the music found on his self-titled album. Finally, disc three, Impossible Love (1979), is Lucas’ lost second album. The album, produced by the legendary Don Was, highlights Lucas’ smooth songwriting and near-"yacht rock," while never betraying the true artistry and craft of a once-in-a-generation talent.
Rainy Days (1970-1974) captures Lucas’ early ’70s period, the most consequential of his career. It was at this time that a rejected Warner Bros. songwriter demo was transformed into one of the most significant (and overlooked) private-press folk albums ever made. The compositions Lucas created between 1970 and 1974 represent the peak of his creative work, and the decisions he made about when and how this music saw release (if it was released at all) sealed his fate to be largely unappreciated in his lifetime. Rainy Days features stunning live performances, unreleased studio tracks, and intimate home recordings that reveal a musician at peak expressive power.
