Shimmy-Disc Share Hunter S. Thompson’s ‘In A Box Not Far From Ours’ LP

Today, Shimmy-Disc (through exclusive license with Paris Records) shares Hunter S. Thompson’s The Kentucky Derby is Decadent & Depraved on vinyl for the first time, along with a visual for the focus track “In A Box Far From Ours.” In this single, the words of Hunter S. Thompson dance atop the music of Bill Frisell. As described in this portion of the piece, Ralph Steadman, illustrator par-excellence and co-conspirator with Thompson on this fine Kentucky afternoon, is in trouble. Dr. John screams from the stands, as Tim Robbins perfectly embodies the twisted soul of the Gonzo spirit; “Steadman put his fiendish pen to work…”

For the first time ever released on vinyl, this brilliant 2012 LP features an all-star cast of musicians and actors lead by Tim Robbins, Dr. John, Bill Frisell, Ralph Steadman, Annie Ross, John Joyce III and Will Forte. Hunter S. Thompson’s classic Gonzo reportage on the 1970 Kentucky Derby is summoned brilliantly to life through spoken word and musical composition. Conceived by executive producer Michael Minzer for his Paris Records label, the project was produced by Hal Willner, who brought Bill Frisell in as composer/arranger/conductor. Bill then assembled a stellar group of musicians including Curtis Fowlkes (trombone), Ron Miles (trumpet), Eyvind Kang (viola), Doug Weiselman (woodwinds), Jenny Scheinman (violin), Hank Roberts (cello) and Kenny Wolleson (drums, percussion). Ralph Steadman does double duty portraying himself in the narration and contributing original artwork for the project. In 2021, Kramer re-Mastered the original audio for this historic re-release on limited-edition Horse-Shit Brown vinyl for his Shimmy-Disc label.