Sun Kil Moon's Kozelek publishes comprehensive lyrics book

photo by Torbjorn Persson

For the Mark Kozelek fan who owns everything from Down Colorful Hill to Tiny Cities (and has Sun Kil Moon’s April on pre-order), Caldo Verde Records offers yet another way to appreciate this modern-day bard—Nights of Passed Over, a hardcover book that will encompass Kozelek’s lyrics from the Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon and his solo work. Even for those who don’t possess the expanse of Kozelek’s musical catalog, this comprehensive book of his lyrics would make a fantastic introduction.

Nights of Passed Over was originally released in Portugal in 2002, and first-run editions are somewhat hard to come by. Even the re-released tome—256 pages in breadth and numbered at only 2,500—will see limited stateside release.

Pre-ordering for Nights of Passed Over begins March 17 on the Caldo Verde website. The book will be officially released on April 1, along with Sun Kil Moon’s latest, April (natch). Rob O’Connor glowingly reviews the album in the forthcoming issue of Paste.

“Kozelek’s work has proven over the years that it reveals itself slowly,” O’Connor writes about April. “What grabs you at first is the simple, gorgeous hook, which turns out to be a gateway drug to the deeper mysteries that power his music.”

The same could be said of the source material for Nights of Passed Over. Beyond the lyrics, the revamped version will feature a new introduction by Kozelek, exclusive glimpses at set lists, and a 12-track bonus disc, which will include rarities from 1996 through 2007. Most notably, the bonus disc offers a cut of “Carry Me Ohio” from the Ghost of the Great Highway sessions, a KCRW radio performance of “River,” one version of “Duk Koo Kim” that was originally released on vinyl, and a Peter Svensson-produced version of “Cruiser.”

This endeavor—not to be placed in the same category as, ahem, other attempts by musicians to publish a book of poetry—seems to be just another extension of Kozelek’s life work. Kaki King and Ben Gibbard are both cited as major fans of his heart-wrenching, coming-of-age ballads. Make like your 10th-grade self, pull out those old Red House Painters albums, and read along.

Don’t forget a shoulder to cry on as you peruse the Nights of Passed Over CD track listing:
1. "Michigan" (Live at Union Chapel) 2007*
2. "Drop" (Live at Union Chapel) 2007*
3. "Heron Blue" (Drum Version) 2007*
4. "Leo and Luna" (Only Version) 2006
5. "Carry Me Ohio" (Jam Version) 2002*
6. "Gentle Moon" (Live at Fnac) 2002*
7. "Duk Koo Kim" (10'' Version) 2001**
8. "Wop A Din Din" ( Live in Lisbon ) 2001*
9. "Metropol 47" (Demo Version) 1999*
10. "Cruiser" (Malmo Version) 1999*
11. "Smokey" (Demo Version) 1997
12. "River" ( KCRW version) 1996*

* = previously unreleased
** = previously unreleased on CD

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