{"title":"Suzanne Vega","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmerican singer-songwriter, born July 11, 1959 in Santa Monica, California, US.\r\nNew York City-based since 1962.\r\n\r\nShe is also referred to as the \"Mother of MP3\" as the original acapella version of [m=449592] was used to develop the fine-tuning of the compression codec.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"close-up-extras","title":"Close-Up Extras","description":"\u003cp\u003eBack in 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the “Close-Up” Series. She thought that her fans might like to hear the songs of her past stripped of their original productions, to hear them in an intimate setting, something more personal, that felt like she was singing to them alone. The series was a critical and financial success with fans unanimous in their praise of the new versions. A number of tracks were only released digitally and as a bonus CD on a Close Up series box set. These have now been compiled into the \u003ci\u003eClose Up Extras\u003c\/i\u003e release for RSD 2022.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cooking Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"Clear | LP","offer_id":50412031705419,"sku":"1145682","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/13abad36-00cb-42b3-9f2b-701b5dad337e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726664575"},{"product_id":"close-up-vol-2-people-and-places","title":"Close-Up Vol 2, People and Places","description":"\u003ctable width=\"71\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol width=\"71\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr height=\"20\"\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"71\" height=\"20\"\u003eWidely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognisable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBack in 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the “Close-Up” Series. She thought that her fans might like to hear the songs of her past stripped of their original productions, to hear them in an intimate setting, something more personal, that felt like she was singing to them alone. During the recording process for these four albums, Suzanne also decided to rearrange the songs by theme, so people could rediscover them out of their original contexts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cooking Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50454751510859,"sku":"1169517","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/6128fcec-3d22-4019-9260-096306566d9e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727185967"},{"product_id":"close-up-vol-3-states-of-being","title":"Close-Up Vol 3, States Of Being","description":"\u003cp\u003eWidely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognisable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBack in 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the “Close-Up” Series. She thought that her fans might like to hear the songs of her past stripped of their original productions, to hear them in an intimate setting, something more personal, that felt like she was singing to them alone. During the recording process for these four albums, Suzanne also decided to rearrange the songs by theme, so people could rediscover them out of their original contexts \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Close Up Series, originally released over a decade ago, is now available as stand alone releases.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cooking Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50454755901771,"sku":"1169518","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ac1e65ac-c805-405d-9a8a-6a4eb45713de_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727185991"},{"product_id":"close-up-volume-3-states-of-being","title":"Close Up Volume 3 - States Of Being","description":"\u003cp\u003esuzanne vega is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation. now vega is reinterpreting a majority of her catalog in a closr and personal manner, creating 4 new thematic albums. volume 3 documents what vega used to call her 'mental health' songs, songs that express a state of mind, 'descriptions of a place deep inside. anyone can feel like the narrator in 'penitent,' or 'cracking,' depending on your mood.' volume 3 also features a brand new suzanne vega song.'\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50470602801483,"sku":"341165","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/69c5ac98-185b-44a7-b5be-53b1a951bd8e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727378874"},{"product_id":"vol-4-songs-of-family","title":"Vol. 4 Songs Of Family","description":"\u003cp\u003ein 1985, singer\/songwriter suzanne vega released her stunning self-titled debut album. 25 years and 7 million albums sold later, suzanne is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation. now suzanne is reinterpreting a majority of her catalogue in a close and personal manner, creating 4 new thematic albums that will be released over 2010-2012.songs of family is the final volume of suzanne%u2019s close-up series. vol 4 is comprised of songs about suzanne%u2019s family and the people closest to her. these are some of suzanne%u2019s most intimate works and this collection includes two of her earliest compositions. %u201cthe silver lady%u201d is one of the first songs suzanne ever wrote, when she was just 14 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50470799901003,"sku":"355310","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c1b33f9c-0985-4b6b-9e11-10d65874648d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727383171"},{"product_id":"close-up-volume-2-people-and-places","title":"Close Up Volume 2, People and Places","description":"\u003cp\u003evolume 2 of suzanne vega's close up series finds the singer continuing her journey back into her illustrious songbook. with her native new york city serving as a constant inspiration throughout her work, vega acoustically reimagines twelve gems including 'luka' and 'tom's diner.'\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50470981665099,"sku":"332198","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"lover-beloved-songs-from-an-evening-with-carson-mccullers","title":"Lover, Beloved - Songs From an Evening With Carson Mccullers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eLover, Beloved: Songs from an Evening with Carson McCullers\u003c\/i\u003e is the ninth studio album by Suzanne Vega. The album is based on a play Carson McCullers Talks About Love about the life of the writer Carson McCullers, written and performed by Vega, which premiered in 2011. Suzanne Vega wrote 8 songs in collaboration with Duncan Sheik and 2 with Michael Jefry Stevens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cooking Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50471223689547,"sku":"1000868","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471224082763,"sku":"1000867","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e21647dc-2f9f-443d-99bd-dee741b7430e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727395974"},{"product_id":"an-evening-of-new-york-songs-and-stories","title":"An Evening of New York Songs and Stories","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn \u003ci\u003eAn Evening of New York Songs and Stories\u003c\/i\u003e, Vega revisits some of the most iconic songs in her repertoire as well as more hidden gems in a stunning live recording on which she is backed by longtime guitarist, Gerry Leonard, bassist Jeff Allen and keyboardist Jamie Edwards. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecorded at New York City’s famed Café Carlyle in early 2019,\u003ci\u003e An Evening of New York Songs and Stories\u003c\/i\u003e includes both familiar songs like \u003ci\u003eLuka \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eTom’s Diner\u003c\/i\u003e and deep cuts from her catalogue like \u003ci\u003eFrank and Ava\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLudlow Street\u003c\/i\u003e. The mix of repertoire also features \u003ci\u003eNew York Is My Destination\u003c\/i\u003e from \u003ci\u003eLover, Beloved: Songs from an Evening with Carson McCullers,\u003c\/i\u003e Vega’s one woman play about the Southern gothic novelist Carson McCullers, and a cover of her late friend Lou Reed’s \u003ci\u003eWalk on the Wild Side\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cooking Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50472237171019,"sku":"1092171","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2LP - Clear","offer_id":57935229256011,"sku":"R1761-9215","price":42.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3ccf87c2-6d7a-438b-a726-4edd0b21b68b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727420573"},{"product_id":"close-up-vol-4-songs-of-family","title":"Close-Up Vol 4, Songs Of Family","description":"\u003ctable width=\"71\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol width=\"71\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr height=\"20\"\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"71\" height=\"20\"\u003eWidely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognisable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBack in 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the “Close-Up” Series. She thought that her fans might like to hear the songs of her past stripped of their original productions, to hear them in an intimate setting, something more personal, that felt like she was singing to them alone. During the recording process for these four albums, Suzanne also decided to rearrange the songs by theme, so people could rediscover them out of their original contexts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cooking Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50477248282955,"sku":"1169520","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0ec2376b-825f-43ff-b6c4-fafef9f7f476_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727467379"},{"product_id":"close-up-vol-1-love-songs","title":"Close-Up Vol 1, Love Songs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuzanne Vega\u003c\/strong\u003e is widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation. She emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar and singing contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSince the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, \u003cem\u003eSuzanne Vega\u003c\/em\u003e has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues. Her songs bear the stamp of a masterful storyteller who observes the world with a clinically poetic eye, focusing on city life, ordinary people, and real-world subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNotably succinct and understated, Suzanne Vega's work is immediately recognizable and as thoughtful as it was over 30 years ago when her voice was first heard on the radio. In 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the Close-Up Series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShe wanted her fans to hear stripped-down versions of her past songs in an intimate setting, creating a more personal experience as if she was singing to them alone. During the recording process for these four albums, Suzanne also decided to rearrange the songs by theme, allowing people to rediscover them out of their original contexts. The Close-Up Series, originally released over a decade ago, is now available as stand-alone releases.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cooking Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50477249495371,"sku":"1169515","price":20.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/de4e13e5-2107-46bf-a143-6c0dd99ad45f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727467401"},{"product_id":"flying-with-angels","title":"Flying With Angels","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuzanne Vega\u003c\/strong\u003e, widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation or any other, releases her first studio album of new songs in eleven years. \u003cem\u003eFlying With Angels\u003c\/em\u003e features songs that take place in an atmosphere of struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Vega notes, \"\u003cem\u003estruggle to survive, to speak, to dominate, to win, to escape, to help someone else, or just live\u003c\/em\u003e\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cooking Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"LP - White","offer_id":51385215746379,"sku":"R4710-4147","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Grey","offer_id":51385215779147,"sku":"R4710-4163","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51385215713611,"sku":"R4710-8042","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2CD","offer_id":51707568554315,"sku":"R4710-3217","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/VEGACDCOVERARTWORK_3a390770-bac6-4eae-be91-1c0dd580198e.jpg?v=1752234976"},{"product_id":"tales-from-the-realm-of-the-queen-of-pentacles","title":"Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginally released in 2014, \u003ci\u003eTales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles\u003c\/i\u003e returns on limited-edition gold vinyl. A rich, searching record, it moves between the material world and the spiritual one, carrying fan favourites \u003ci\u003eI Never Wear White\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCrack in the Wall\u003c\/i\u003e, alongside \u003ci\u003eSong of the Stoic\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eDon't Uncork What You Can’t Contain\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eHorizon\u003c\/i\u003e, written for Vaclav Havel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProduced and arranged by \u003cb\u003eGerry Leonard\u003c\/b\u003e, the album brings together \u003cb\u003eMike Visceglia\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eDoug Yowell\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eGail Ann Dorsey\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eZachary Alford\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eTony Levin\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eJay Bellerose\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eLarry Campbell\u003c\/b\u003e, who plays banjo, mandolin, and cymbal throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere are also contributions from \u003cb\u003eSterling Campbell\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eAlison Balsom\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eCatherine Russell\u003c\/b\u003e. 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