Honoring Elliott Smith’s would-be 43rd birthday on Monday, his former label Kill Rock Stars are sharing a number of alternate recordings from the late, great singer-songwriter. In addition to a series of previously unreleased tracks, which began today with Smith’s trumpet-backed take on “Needle in the Hay” and an early version of “Alameda” featuring lyrics different from the Either/Or release, KRS will re-release their integral portion of his catalog in the form of a 74-track digital box set. Comprised of 5 LPs — Roman Candle, Elliott Smith, and Either/Or, as well as posthumously released sets New Moon and From A Basement on the Hill — $49 will get you Elliott Smith: The Indie Years.
The complete Indie Years set can be purchased ahead of its August 6th release here, while “Alameda” (Alternate Version) is streaming below and “Needle in the Hay” (Trumpet Version) is available as a free download upon signing up for the KRS newsletter today here.