"The Replacement" is a four-part suite by The Residents, originally released as part of the Ralph Records compilation album Subterranean Modern in 1979.
The suite tells the story of a man whose death is near, and is slowly being replaced by another man.
History[]
"The Replacement" was The Residents' contribution to Subterranean Modern, a various artists compilation album released by Ralph Records in August 1979. It was recorded by the group in 1979, during a "break" near the end of the recording sessions for their "audio documentary" album Eskimo.
For this project, Ralph invited four different groups (Chrome, Tuxedomoon, MX-80 Sound and The Residents) to submit ten minutes of material, themed around the city of San Francisco. All the groups involved had to include a rendition of Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" in their respective submission.
Release[]
After the release of Subterranean Modern, the whole suite was featured in the Classic Series CD reissue of Eskimo in 1987. The suite was also included in the pREServed reissue of the album in 2019. And while not present in the original edition of the 1983 compilation Residue of the Residents, the entire piece was added to its 1998 expanded CD reissue Residue Deux.
Tracks of the suite have also made a few appearances separately. "In San Francisco" was included in 80 Aching Orphans. And the 2014 tour Shadowland featured "Is He Really Bringing Roses?" as part of the final segment of the show. However, the song was dropped after Charles Bobuck's retirement from live performance. Nevertheless, the song is still featured on the live album of the show.
"The Replacement" received a stand-alone release as a digital EP in 2009, through the Robot Selling Device online store. It used a slightly modified version of Subterranean Modern's cover art by alternative comix artist Gary Panter.
Track listing[]
- (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco (Cross/Cory) (2:02)
- Dumbo The Clown (Who Loved Christmas) (Residents) (2:07)
- Is He Really Bringing Roses? (Residents) (2:34)
- Time's Up (Residents) (2:54)
Liner notes[]
The Replacement (1987 Eskimo Classic Series CD edition)[]
While nearing completion of their epic Eskimo album in 1979, The Residents were asked to contribute to a compilation project that Ralph Records was planning called Subterranean Modern. The concept called for four bands to contribute one-fourth of an album each based loosely on "San Francisco". The Residents gleefully took to the idea of a "break" of the tightly defined Eskimo music and quickly produced a four song story of a man who is feeling his life slowly being drained away, while another man just as slowly replaces him. Sand drips through the hour glass, Big Ben strikes a final note, the king is dead...long live the king. Does anybody want some roses?
In San Francisco (80 Aching Orphans)[]
In August 1979, The Residents' label, Ralph Records, issued the Subterrranean Modern compilation album, consisting of material by our heroes, Chrome, MX-80 Sound and Tuxedomoon. "Do anything you like," seemed to be the remit, "as long as that includes recording a version of I Left My Heart In San Francisco." Everybody duly obliged and the album was released to serve as a sampler, of sorts, for both Ralph and the artists it contained.
Credits[]
- Written and produced by: The Residents
- Guitar on "Dumbo The Clown" and "Time's Up": Fred Frith
See also[]
External links and references[]
- Subterranean Modern at The Residents Historical
- "The Replacement" at The Residents Historical (Archived)
- "The Replacement" at Discogs
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Eskimo (1979) Side A: |