[caedmonscall.net]

It might be a little disappointing that Christianity Today only had Overdressed second on their list of the best albums of 2007, but they have nice things to say about it:

It was to the point where some people were murmuring that the best days of Caedmon’s Call were behind them. It seems a change of record label was just what this band needed to set them back on track. Overdressed reminds us why we fell in love with this band in the first place. And no, it’s not the return of Derek Webb to the fold—though it’s interesting that he’s found a way to make it on our list twice in one year, he’s not the only reason this album recaptures the glory days of Caedmon’s Call. With four lead vocalists now, not to mention a revolving door of contributing songwriters inside and outside the group, it only further drives home the point that this isn’t as much a set-in-stone band as it is a fluid acoustic pop collective. The album itself strikes the perfect blend of the band’s high points—melodic hooks (40 Acres), eclecticism (Long Line of Leavers), and social consciousness (Share the Well)—without repeating them. Familiar as it all may seem, few Christian bands are this consistently engaging in song topics and sound. They seem only stronger now that they’ve regained their artistic focus. Hey, Caedmon’s Call, we didn’t know you left, but welcome back all the same.

Has anyone here heard their #1? I demand a recount. ;)

Kirby Trapolino—yeah, that Kirby—has a crazy amount of CC memorabilia up together in one lot on eBay:

EXTREMELY RARE CAEDMON’S CALL MEMORABILIA LOT

Hello, my name is Kirby Trapolino. I’m the original manager of Caedmon’s Call, and creator of their fan club, (“The Guild”). I ran across a few old boxes of my early Caedmon’s Call memorabilia and figured I’d make them available here for collectors more avid than myself. Many of the promo items you see in this auction I drafted and laid out myself, like the early Guild pieces you’ll see. If you’d like, I can sign certain pieces at your request if you feel it would lend to authenticity.

What you’re bidding on…

Early Guild Rarities:
1) Original copy of Issue One of Thirsty Plants, Winter 1997
2) Original copy of Issue Two of Thirsty Plants, Spring 1998
3) Original copy of Issue Three of Thirsty Plants, Winter 1998
Thirsty Plants was the original Guild Fan Club Publication with several essays, journal entries, photography and artwork from the band members, along with contributions from Guild Members themselves. I was the editor. All 3 of these will show some signs of wear and tear, fading, coffee stains, etc. as they are 9 to 10 years old.
4) Original copy of a blank Guild Membership ID card from the 1st year it was created, expiration date marked as “8/31/98.”
5) Original copy of “Welcome to the Guild” intro pack overview insert.
6) “Join Today” insert with overview of Guild membership benefits, in promotion of The 1998-1999 Guild Year Membership, otherwise known as Guild Vol. 2.
7) Original Guild Vol. 2 Backstage Pass, marked with expiration date “Dec. 31, 1999.”
8) Guild Vol. 3 CD, Released in 2000. Contains 22 Demos, Soundchecks and Rarities.

Posters, Stickers & Rare Concert Ticket:
8) An unused copy of the 1st sticker ever released by Caedmon’s Call, in conjunction with the 3rd version of My Calm//Your Storm CD in 1996.
9) House of Blues, Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, April 23, 1998 Concert Poster. Bebo Norman and Andrew Peterson were the two opening acts as noted on the poster. Poster does show some signs of wear and tear, and has been stored in a rolled up position for several years.
10) House of Blues, Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, April 23, 1998 UNREDEEMED Concert Ticket. Faded due to its age.
11) In the Company of Angels promo sticker, Summer 2001.
12) 10-Year Anniversary Poster: “Celebrating 10 Years” with various photos and album covers from their archives. Note this is a folded poster.

Rare Compilation CDs on which Caedmon’s Call appears:
13) CCM Magazine Insert, from the February 1997 Issue which featured Caedmon’s Call on the cover. The CD includes the song “Hope to Carry On” and 9 other songs from artists popular at the time such as All Star United, Plumb and Smalltown Poets.
14) Propska One, a compilation with 17 tracks from artists either on the Essential Records label or somehow associated with Essential.

Crazy Rare Bonus Items:
Yes, I’m crazy, or I’m just getting in the Christmas mood… I’m throwing in these 9 items from my personal collection as a free gift for the winner…
1) Super-rare cover artwork, booklet and jewel case from the 2nd version of My Calm//Your Storm, released in 1995 with only 5000 copies printed. Unfortunately, the CD itself is missing. But if you’re bidding on this, you probably already own it.
2) Very rare 40 Acres promo cassette. Random 40 Acres trivia… I selected the photo you see on the 40 Acres album cover. It was about the closest thing I could find to what I thought might actually be 40 acres of land.
3) Coming Home Radio Single CD. From the 1997 Self-Titled Album. Only 200 of these were pressed- they were mailed to top radio stations. This single became a #1 Christian AC radio hit. Jewel case is cracked but the CD and actual artwork is fine.
4) “Back Home” promotional pre-release CD in special packaging, 1999.
5) “Austin Sessions” CD featuring 3 bonus songs from their 40 Acres recording sessions at Willie Nelson’s “Pedernales” studio in Austin, Texas.
6) Caedmon’s Call & Jars of Clay promotional music sampler, with 3 songs from Caedmon’s Call and 3 from Jars of Clay. This was bundled on a limited basis with Back Home, early 2003. Still sealed.
7) Three bootleg CD recordings of concerts from the 1997 – 1998 time period. Locations: Kanakuk, Houston and College Station. Sorry I cannot provide any further details on these.
8) 40 Acres Press Kit containing several copies of articles, various press photos and official notes on the lyrics from songwriters, etc. This would have been circa early 1999.
9) Promotional pre-release CD of Derek Webb’s She Must and Shall Go Free. Special packaging, circa early 2003.

I will ship this via trackable delivery insured.

Thanks for your interest. If you’re an experienced collector and wish to inquire of other rare items I still have in my possession, please contact me through eBay email and based on the interest, I might list other auctions.

If you’re looking for photos of the whole lot, Kirby’s posted a gallery on his .Mac account.

Better than someone auctioning off Derek’s high school yearbook so you could see a photo of him with a mullet any day…