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File: BIG STAR Classic solo album from former member of Big Star. Issued by Rykodisc in 1992.
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The very first lines of Chris Bell's one and only album say it all: "Every night I tell myself I am the cosmos / I am the wind / That don't bring you back again." Recorded between his departure from the notoriously misbegotten power-pop group Big Star in 1972 and his 1978 death following an auto accident, Cosmos is the work of a man struggling to assuage his depression with spiritual succor. Musically, this collection (which was unheard by the general public prior to 1992) is reminiscent of John Lennon's '70s work. With the exception of Plastic Ono Band, however, Lennon never put out a solo album on a par with this one. The tragedy is that Bell never had a chance to try to match it. --Steven Stolder
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From the Label
Big Star co-founder Chris Bell was recording this solo album at the time of his death in 1978. Previously unreleased on any format, this "Great Lost Album" clarifies Bell's role in the band's sound and secures his own place in pop history. Bell died tragically in a car crash in 1978, and only one single ("I Am The Cosmos"/"You And Your Sister") was released in his lifetime, on Chris Stamey's tiny Car label. Both single sides are included here, along with newly-discovered alternate takes. The fifteen tracks highlight Bell's ethereal vocals, his uncanny sense of song structure and insightful, melancholy lyrics, all of which illuminate his often-overlooked contribution to Big Star. I AM THE COSMOS features rare photographs and liner notes by Chris's brother David Bell. Recorded all over the world (including sessions at the famed Chateau D'Heurville and Air studios), I AM THE COSMOS is a haunting pop masterpiece ripe for discovery.
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4.7
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J**7
The Bell estate has unfortunately been remixing....
The MP3 download here is not the original Rykodisc album that was released in 1992. (That apparently you can still purchase if you order the CD.) It's not just the fact there are 20 extra tracks available with the digital download. It's that many if not most of the 15 tracks from the original album have been remixed. Not remastered -- remixed. In some places it's subtle, in others obvious.I downloaded the original Rykodisc version from Amazon some 7 years ago. Noting recently that it was no longer included in my online Amazon Music Library, I inquired, and was told that this original version had been "removed by the content owners." I was invited to "purchase" (free, with a promo code) what they called "a newer Chris Bell Music album":
I Am The Cosmos (Deluxe Version)
.That "deluxe" version, available for digital download only, was released in May 2016, according to its page. It has only 12 extra tracks compared to the 20 extra on this version you are currently looking at -- which is an "ultra" deluxe version, I suppose, that was released just last week, in September 2017, only 16 months after the basic "deluxe" version. But the 15 tracks from the original are still the remixed ones. And, like the basic deluxe version, they are not in the same order as on the original version: "I Got Kinda Lost" and "Make a Scene" have switched places, as have "Fight at the Table" and "I Don't Know."If, like me, you have been used to hearing the original Rykodisc versions for ages (and its tracks in a certain order), you may find listening jarring and even a little disappointing. Admittedly, the original version was released 14 years after Chris's death, but still, it's been out for 25 years now. Who takes such a long-released classic record from one of America's greatest unsung artists and decides, nah, let's change it up a bit?No doubt Chris's estate -- the aforementioned "content owners" -- is responsible, and while I don't begrudge them trying to keep Chris's flame alive and maybe making some money, the extra tracks alone would have been sufficient, perhaps with a remastering of the original tracks. But not remixing.I'm giving this 5 stars because, remixing or no, it is still obviously I Am the Cosmos, the greatest album nobody ('cept us chickens) ever heard of, and as Robert Christgau said, it clearly shows that Big Star was his idea.
S**S
Once I Walked a Lonely Road
I initially wasn't going to buy this new edition of I Am The Cosmos,having finally picked up the original Rykodisc 1 CD release of the albumthat dates back to 1993 and this being a rather pricey Rhino Handmadeedition, but ended up not being able to resist, beingthe massive Big Star and Chris Bell fan that I am, and realizing howmuch extra material was included I realized it was well worth the investmentand so right was I!! This a simply gorgeous reissue, complete with a lovelybooklet with great rare photos and some nice essays on Chris byhis brother David and other folks, and a run-down of the origins anddifferences in the alternate and demo tracks on disc 2. Plus I think the wholething sounds even better than the original Ryko album edition,which already sounded fine but this sounds even cleaner and more powerfulof a remaster.I think the whole thing is essential and particularly if you'rea dedicated Big Star and Alex Chilton fan you'll likely want to add this to yourcollection. I haven't stopped playing it since it arrived and I was alreadyplaying the Ryko CD constantly so it just augments what was already available.I don't have a least favorite song, they're pretty much all great, and the wholething grows on you over time even the alternate versions of tracks like "Speed of Sound"or "Fight at the Table" or "Better Save Yourself."Also realized the price isn't that high considering all you're getting and the gorgeouspackaging and loving care with which this reissue was executed. Hats off to Rhino, Ardent,the Bell family, everyone involved in getting this masterpiece released! It's becomeone of my most prized possessions in a very short span of time, as with the Big Star box set which is alsoessential as far as I'm concerned. I also recommend reading Rob Jovanovic'sfantastic book on Big Star as accompaniment to both this and the Big Star catalog,it can only enrich the listening experience that much more.
G**E
I'm torn
As noted by other reviewers, many/most of the mixes on the 2017 Omnivore disc are subtly but noticeably different from the "original" (also posthumous) Rycodisc release. (I haven't heard the subsequent Rhino re-release.) Is that an intrinsically bad thing? Not as such, but why?I've been living, intimately if chastely, with the Rycodisc version for a couple decades. At this point, it's part of my musical DNA. There are arguably a couple of overly proselytizing duds (I'm not a huge fan of Look Up or There was a Light), but the rest. . . ? Amazing.The "new" mixes both add some interesting detail and distract somewhat from the simplicity of the "originals." I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm still tying to habituate. I will say that the copious extra mixes are both welcome and generally excellent.In sum, I'm not going to toss out my Rycodisc "original" anytime soon (and good luck trying to find an affordable copy), but the new Omnivore disc is a well welcome addition to my collection.
D**O
I Am The Cosmos 2 CD Set Review
I'm surprised it took over a decade after Chris Bell's passing to release this album. I consider it one of "the best albums never heard." The songs show his quest for meaning and purpose in life, something we all want. This is especially evident in the title track as well as Better Save Yourself. There are beautiful love songs as well, including You & Your Sister and Stay With Me. In my opinion, both of these tracks could have been released as singles. Chris Bell offers both pop and rock songs on his only solo effort. No matter what your preference, this album is worth a listen.
D**I
The other Half of Big Star
While the late Alex Chilton gets most all of the accolades when it comes to Big Star, Chris Bell was easily his equal & then some. It's nice to be able to hear these songs again and wonder what if he had not passed so young.
B**N
There was a light
Been meaning to buy this for ages...I was a fan of the title track but wasn't familiar with the rest of it. I wasn't disappointed....the title track and "You and Your Sister" are the stand out tracks, both having been released as a single back in the day.I was worried the remaining songs would be half finished demo-sounding efforts but on the whole they are great songs, well produced. This would appeal to fans of Big Star, no shock there. Its also reminiscent of the Beatles, Badfinger and the like. The liner notes written by Chris's brother were very informative, they tell the story of his journey from leaving Big Star, trying to make it on his own, his battles with personal demons and the eventual tragic end.
N**K
The other Big Star man
Chris Bell played a vital part in Big Star's first album. His solo album echoes his work on 'No. 1 Record'. Such a pity he died so young.
S**T
This cd is not available brand new on the high-so its a real find!
Arrived brand spanking new and sealed,could have not asked for better.
A**K
Me too
Wonderful work by an artist, who never could grow to reach his real potential.But what we have is worth 5 stars.The cosmos has millions so enough left for othersI could give a Big Star as well
M**K
Cosmic Pop
En solo ou en groupe (avec Big Star où il partage les compositions avec Alex Chilton lors de son trop court passage, sur un #1 Record toujours aussi recommandé), il y a de nombreuses raisons de regretter le décès ô combien prématuré de Chris Bell. En solo, justement, Chris Bell, c'est comme avec Big Star un unique album, I Am the Cosmos, qui, enregistré en 1974 et 1975, ne sortit que près de deux décennies plus tard, en 1992. Comme on dit, mieux vaut tard que jamais et, de fait, cette parfaite galette de power pop a largement de quoi contenter ceux qui pensaient bien que le petit gars de Memphis avait un énorme potentiel de merveilles que le vilain destin nous aura volé. Dès I Am the Cosmos, la chanson, c'est plus qu'une confirmation qui nous vient, une révélation, parce qu'on n'en savait pas trop sur l'implication de Bell dans Big Star (avec les crédits partagés, rien n'est jamais évident) et que ce qu'on entend présentement établit que le guitariste/chanteur était au moins l'égal de son complice, Chilton, parce que quelle chanson, une pop à la fois stellaire et saoule où plane l'ombre de George Harrison aussi, et quelle continuation logique du premier Big Star ! Et cette entrée en matière n'est pas un leurre comme le confirme immédiatement un Better Save Yourself du même divin tonneau, puis un Speed of Sound supercool qu'on imagine bien écouter sur une plage tropicale, un Get Away délicieusement rock'n'roll et entraînant où Bell feule comme un vrai beau disciple de Sir Paul, la merveille de petite ballade délicate et ciselée qu'est You & Your Sister, la fêlure à l'âme de Bell n'y étant pas pour rien, le groovy et over-classieux Make a Scene qui semble convoquer le meilleur des Kinks électriques des sixties, un délicat et bucolique Look Up aussi et on va s'arrêter là parce que, en vérité, si ce n'était pour une production parfois un peu étrange (on a souvent l'impression d'une démo de voix et de batterie boostée d'additions instrumentales tardives, pas que ça ne gâche en rien le plaisir), on se dit qu'on tiendrait là le parfait album de power pop originelle. Ce dont cet I Am the Cosmos sauvé des eaux, merci Rhino, n'est vraiment pas loin. Très chaudement recommandé.1. I Am the Cosmos 3:462. Better Save Yourself 4:253. Speed of Sound 5:114. Get Away 3:265. You and Your Sister 3:116. Make a Scene 4:097. Look Up 3:148. I Got Kinda Lost 2:429. There Was a Light 3:1910. Fight at the Table 3:4111. I Don't Know 3:2212. Though I Know She Lies 3:35Bonus13. I Am the Cosmos (slow version) 3:4014. You and Your Sister (country version) 2:5615. You and Your Sister (acoustic version) 2:53Chris Bell – guitar, vocalsKen Woodley – bass guitar, organRichard Rosebrough – drumsJody Stephens – drumsAlex Chilton – backing vocals on track 5, guitar on track 26Bill Cunningham – arrangement on track 5Jim Dickinson – piano on track 10
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Big Star co-founder Chris Bell was recording this solo album at the time of his death in 1978. Previously unreleased on any format, this \"Great Lost Album\" clarifies Bell's role in the band's sound and secures his own place in pop history.
Bell died tragically in a car crash in 1978, and only one single (\"I Am The Cosmos\"/\"You And Your Sister\") was released in his lifetime, on Chris Stamey's tiny Car label. Both single sides are included here, along with newly-discovered alternate takes. The fifteen tracks highlight Bell's ethereal vocals, his uncanny sense of song structure and insightful, melancholy lyrics, all of which illuminate his often-overlooked contribution to Big Star. I AM THE COSMOS features rare photographs and liner notes by Chris's brother David Bell. Recorded all over the world (including sessions at the famed Chateau D'Heurville and Air studios), I AM THE COSMOS is a haunting pop masterpiece ripe for discovery.\n\n
","image":["https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518QS4q54RL.jpg","https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41sRSTMe0kL.jpg"],"offers":{"@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"EUR","price":"12.80","itemCondition":"https://schema.org/NewCondition","availability":"https://schema.org/OutOfStock","shippingDetails":{"deliveryTime":{"@type":"ShippingDeliveryTime","minValue":14,"maxValue":14,"unitCode":"d"}}},"category":" pop","review":[{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"J***7"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2017","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n The Bell estate has unfortunately been remixing....\n \n","reviewBody":"The MP3 download here is not the original Rykodisc album that was released in 1992. (That apparently you can still purchase if you order the CD.) It's not just the fact there are 20 extra tracks available with the digital download. It's that many if not most of the 15 tracks from the original album have been remixed. Not remastered -- remixed. In some places it's subtle, in others obvious.I downloaded the original Rykodisc version from Amazon some 7 years ago. Noting recently that it was no longer included in my online Amazon Music Library, I inquired, and was told that this original version had been \"removed by the content owners.\" I was invited to \"purchase\" (free, with a promo code) what they called \"a newer Chris Bell Music album\": \n\n \nI Am The Cosmos (Deluxe Version)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n .That \"deluxe\" version, available for digital download only, was released in May 2016, according to its page. It has only 12 extra tracks compared to the 20 extra on this version you are currently looking at -- which is an \"ultra\" deluxe version, I suppose, that was released just last week, in September 2017, only 16 months after the basic \"deluxe\" version. But the 15 tracks from the original are still the remixed ones. And, like the basic deluxe version, they are not in the same order as on the original version: \"I Got Kinda Lost\" and \"Make a Scene\" have switched places, as have \"Fight at the Table\" and \"I Don't Know.\"If, like me, you have been used to hearing the original Rykodisc versions for ages (and its tracks in a certain order), you may find listening jarring and even a little disappointing. Admittedly, the original version was released 14 years after Chris's death, but still, it's been out for 25 years now. Who takes such a long-released classic record from one of America's greatest unsung artists and decides, nah, let's change it up a bit?No doubt Chris's estate -- the aforementioned \"content owners\" -- is responsible, and while I don't begrudge them trying to keep Chris's flame alive and maybe making some money, the extra tracks alone would have been sufficient, perhaps with a remastering of the original tracks. But not remixing.I'm giving this 5 stars because, remixing or no, it is still obviously I Am the Cosmos, the greatest album nobody ('cept us chickens) ever heard of, and as Robert Christgau said, it clearly shows that Big Star was his idea."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"S***S"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2013","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Once I Walked a Lonely Road\n \n","reviewBody":"I initially wasn't going to buy this new edition of I Am The Cosmos,having finally picked up the original Rykodisc 1 CD release of the albumthat dates back to 1993 and this being a rather pricey Rhino Handmadeedition, but ended up not being able to resist, beingthe massive Big Star and Chris Bell fan that I am, and realizing howmuch extra material was included I realized it was well worth the investmentand so right was I!! This a simply gorgeous reissue, complete with a lovelybooklet with great rare photos and some nice essays on Chris byhis brother David and other folks, and a run-down of the origins anddifferences in the alternate and demo tracks on disc 2. Plus I think the wholething sounds even better than the original Ryko album edition,which already sounded fine but this sounds even cleaner and more powerfulof a remaster.I think the whole thing is essential and particularly if you'rea dedicated Big Star and Alex Chilton fan you'll likely want to add this to yourcollection. I haven't stopped playing it since it arrived and I was alreadyplaying the Ryko CD constantly so it just augments what was already available.I don't have a least favorite song, they're pretty much all great, and the wholething grows on you over time even the alternate versions of tracks like \"Speed of Sound\"or \"Fight at the Table\" or \"Better Save Yourself.\"Also realized the price isn't that high considering all you're getting and the gorgeouspackaging and loving care with which this reissue was executed. Hats off to Rhino, Ardent,the Bell family, everyone involved in getting this masterpiece released! It's becomeone of my most prized possessions in a very short span of time, as with the Big Star box set which is alsoessential as far as I'm concerned. I also recommend reading Rob Jovanovic'sfantastic book on Big Star as accompaniment to both this and the Big Star catalog,it can only enrich the listening experience that much more."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"G***E"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2019","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n I'm torn\n \n","reviewBody":"As noted by other reviewers, many/most of the mixes on the 2017 Omnivore disc are subtly but noticeably different from the \"original\" (also posthumous) Rycodisc release. (I haven't heard the subsequent Rhino re-release.) Is that an intrinsically bad thing? Not as such, but why?I've been living, intimately if chastely, with the Rycodisc version for a couple decades. At this point, it's part of my musical DNA. There are arguably a couple of overly proselytizing duds (I'm not a huge fan of Look Up or There was a Light), but the rest. . . ? Amazing.The \"new\" mixes both add some interesting detail and distract somewhat from the simplicity of the \"originals.\" I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm still tying to habituate. I will say that the copious extra mixes are both welcome and generally excellent.In sum, I'm not going to toss out my Rycodisc \"original\" anytime soon (and good luck trying to find an affordable copy), but the new Omnivore disc is a well welcome addition to my collection."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"D***O"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2020","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n I Am The Cosmos 2 CD Set Review\n \n","reviewBody":"I'm surprised it took over a decade after Chris Bell's passing to release this album. I consider it one of \"the best albums never heard.\" The songs show his quest for meaning and purpose in life, something we all want. This is especially evident in the title track as well as Better Save Yourself. There are beautiful love songs as well, including You & Your Sister and Stay With Me. In my opinion, both of these tracks could have been released as singles. Chris Bell offers both pop and rock songs on his only solo effort. No matter what your preference, this album is worth a listen."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"D***I"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2020","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n The other Half of Big Star\n \n","reviewBody":"While the late Alex Chilton gets most all of the accolades when it comes to Big Star, Chris Bell was easily his equal & then some. It's nice to be able to hear these songs again and wonder what if he had not passed so young."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"4.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"B***N"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2014","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n There was a light\n \n","reviewBody":"Been meaning to buy this for ages...I was a fan of the title track but wasn't familiar with the rest of it. I wasn't disappointed....the title track and \"You and Your Sister\" are the stand out tracks, both having been released as a single back in the day.I was worried the remaining songs would be half finished demo-sounding efforts but on the whole they are great songs, well produced. This would appeal to fans of Big Star, no shock there. Its also reminiscent of the Beatles, Badfinger and the like. The liner notes written by Chris's brother were very informative, they tell the story of his journey from leaving Big Star, trying to make it on his own, his battles with personal demons and the eventual tragic end."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"4.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"N***K"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2016","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n The other Big Star man\n \n","reviewBody":"Chris Bell played a vital part in Big Star's first album. His solo album echoes his work on 'No. 1 Record'. Such a pity he died so young."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"S***T"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2017","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n This cd is not available brand new on the high-so its a real find!\n \n","reviewBody":"Arrived brand spanking new and sealed,could have not asked for better."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"A***K"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2013","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Me too\n \n","reviewBody":"Wonderful work by an artist, who never could grow to reach his real potential.But what we have is worth 5 stars.The cosmos has millions so enough left for othersI could give a Big Star as well"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"M***K"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in France on June 10, 2016","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n Cosmic Pop\n \n \n","reviewBody":"En solo ou en groupe (avec Big Star où il partage les compositions avec Alex Chilton lors de son trop court passage, sur un #1 Record toujours aussi recommandé), il y a de nombreuses raisons de regretter le décès ô combien prématuré de Chris Bell. En solo, justement, Chris Bell, c'est comme avec Big Star un unique album, I Am the Cosmos, qui, enregistré en 1974 et 1975, ne sortit que près de deux décennies plus tard, en 1992. Comme on dit, mieux vaut tard que jamais et, de fait, cette parfaite galette de power pop a largement de quoi contenter ceux qui pensaient bien que le petit gars de Memphis avait un énorme potentiel de merveilles que le vilain destin nous aura volé. Dès I Am the Cosmos, la chanson, c'est plus qu'une confirmation qui nous vient, une révélation, parce qu'on n'en savait pas trop sur l'implication de Bell dans Big Star (avec les crédits partagés, rien n'est jamais évident) et que ce qu'on entend présentement établit que le guitariste/chanteur était au moins l'égal de son complice, Chilton, parce que quelle chanson, une pop à la fois stellaire et saoule où plane l'ombre de George Harrison aussi, et quelle continuation logique du premier Big Star ! Et cette entrée en matière n'est pas un leurre comme le confirme immédiatement un Better Save Yourself du même divin tonneau, puis un Speed of Sound supercool qu'on imagine bien écouter sur une plage tropicale, un Get Away délicieusement rock'n'roll et entraînant où Bell feule comme un vrai beau disciple de Sir Paul, la merveille de petite ballade délicate et ciselée qu'est You & Your Sister, la fêlure à l'âme de Bell n'y étant pas pour rien, le groovy et over-classieux Make a Scene qui semble convoquer le meilleur des Kinks électriques des sixties, un délicat et bucolique Look Up aussi et on va s'arrêter là parce que, en vérité, si ce n'était pour une production parfois un peu étrange (on a souvent l'impression d'une démo de voix et de batterie boostée d'additions instrumentales tardives, pas que ça ne gâche en rien le plaisir), on se dit qu'on tiendrait là le parfait album de power pop originelle. Ce dont cet I Am the Cosmos sauvé des eaux, merci Rhino, n'est vraiment pas loin. Très chaudement recommandé.1. I Am the Cosmos 3:462. Better Save Yourself 4:253. Speed of Sound 5:114. Get Away 3:265. You and Your Sister 3:116. Make a Scene 4:097. Look Up 3:148. I Got Kinda Lost 2:429. There Was a Light 3:1910. Fight at the Table 3:4111. I Don't Know 3:2212. Though I Know She Lies 3:35Bonus13. I Am the Cosmos (slow version) 3:4014. You and Your Sister (country version) 2:5615. You and Your Sister (acoustic version) 2:53Chris Bell – guitar, vocalsKen Woodley – bass guitar, organRichard Rosebrough – drumsJody Stephens – drumsAlex Chilton – backing vocals on track 5, guitar on track 26Bill Cunningham – arrangement on track 5Jim Dickinson – piano on track 10"}],"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.8,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":10}}
