Red House Painters - Songs For A Blue Guitar

Songs For A Blue Guitar is the fourth studio album by American alternative rock band Red House Painters, originally released in July 1996 via Supreme Recordings.

Red House Painters formed in San Francisco, in 1989, fronted by primary songwriter Mark Kozelek (vocals, guitar), the band also included drummer Anthony Koutsos and bass guitarist Jerry Vessel. Guitarists Gorden Mack and Phil Carney both performed with the band during separate six-year tenures.

In 2001, Red House Painters quietly dissolved, with Koutsos, Vessel and Carney continuing to record and perform with Kozelek under his new guise Sun Kil Moon until 2010.

This album was effectively a Mark Kozelek solo album as no other band members are credited as having played on the album. The album introduced heavier, electric guitar driven rock to their sound in songs like "Make Like Paper", and Kozelek's cover of Paul McCartney & Wings' "Silly Love Songs".

The album also includes a cover of the Yes song “Long Distance Runaround”, which is different to a version that appeared on their 1995 album Ocean Beach.

The album was released through independent record label Supreme Recordings after the band parted ways with 4AD Records.

Check out the tracks:  “All Mixed Up”; “Make Like Paper”; “Long Distance Runaround” and “Silly Love Songs”.

This double album 2LP record set is a 2015 reissue on black vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve, pressed in the US via Island Records.