Expanded reissue of The Connells' 'Ring' out next week

Craft Recordings is marking the 30th anniversary of The Connells’ breakthrough album, Ring, with its first widely available vinyl reissue and a bonus-filled CD. The group has also shared a previously unheard live acoustic version of “Running Mary” which is featured along with other recently discovered versions of tracks from Ring on this release.

The track is currently streaming via Popdose. 

Listen - The Connells: “Running Mary” (Live Acoustic Version)

"For me the songwriting process can be somewhat accidental..." writes guitarist and songwriter Mike Connell. "And often times, it's only long after the fact that I realize that I really like a song. That was the case with 'Running Mary.' It's become one of my favorite songs to perform live."

“Running Mary” (live acoustic version) follows the release of previously unheard demos for “Carry My Picture” which premiered with BrooklynVegan, and the album’s hit single “‘74-’75.”

In stores August 11, and available for pre-order now, the album includes the North Carolina band’s Top Ten international hit, “‘74-’75,” plus such favorites as “Slackjawed” and “New Boy.” Both formats of the album have been newly remastered by Brent Lambert at Carrboro, NC’s The Kitchen, and include 21 bonus tracks, including rare B-sides and 12 previously unreleased demos. Rounding out the packages are new liner notes by the Raleigh-based journalist and author David Menconi, featuring new interviews with the band. A very limited run of yellow LP pressings of the album are also available to pre-order exclusively through the band’s store.

Click here to pre-order Ring.

Tracklist (Vinyl)

Side A

1. Slackjawed
2. Carry My Picture
3. ’74-‘75
4. Doin’ You
5. Find Out
6. Eyes on the Ground
7. Spiral

Side B

1. Hey You
2. New Boy
3. Disappointed
4. Burden
5. Any Day Now
6. Running Mary

Ring Tracklist (30th-Anniversary Deluxe CD)

Disc One
1. Slackjawed
2. Carry My Picture
3. ’74-’75
4. Doin’ You
5. Find Out
6. Eyes on the Ground
7. Spiral
8. Hey You
9. New Boy
10. Disappointed
11. Burden
12. Any Day Now
13. Running Mary
14. ’74-’75 (Radio Edit)
15. Slackjawed (Radio Edit)
16. Logan Street
17. Wonder Why
18. Living in the Past

Disc Two

1. ’74-’75 (Demo)*
2. Carry My Picture (Demo)*
3. Disappointed (Demo)*
4. Doin’ You (Demo)*
5. Eyes on the Ground (Demo)*
6. Hey You (Demo)*
7. Logan Street (Demo)*
8. New Boy (Demo)*
9. Running Mary (Demo)*
10. Slackjawed (Demo)*
11. Spiral (Demo)*
12. Wonder Why (Demo)*
13. New Boy (Live Acoustic Version)
14. Doin’ You (Live Acoustic Version)
15. Running Mary (Live Acoustic Version)
16. ’74-’75 (Live Acoustic Version)
*Previously Unreleased