Curtiss A – A Scarlet Letter on vinyl LP. 1987 Minneapolis roots rock, produced by NRBQ's Al Anderson. Ships from Germany.
About A Scarlet Letter
A near mint vinyl pressing of the widely acclaimed final Twin/Tone album from Minneapolis rock legend Curtiss A, produced by NRBQ's Al Anderson.
A Scarlet Letter is the third and final Twin/Tone Records album from Curtiss A (Curt Almsted), released in 1987 and produced by Al Anderson of NRBQ. A foundational figure of the Minneapolis music scene and one of Twin/Tone’s original artists, Curtiss A built the album around themes of love, adultery and jealousy, named for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel. This listing is a near mint vinyl pressing from a Berlin based eBay seller.
- Who is Curtiss A
- About A Scarlet Letter
- The Minneapolis scene connection
- Pressing details and buying advice
At A Glance
- Artist Curtiss A (Curt Almsted) is a Minneapolis musician and one of the original artists on the influential Twin/Tone Records label.
- Release A Scarlet Letter came out in 1987, produced by Al Anderson of NRBQ, Curtiss A’s third and final Twin/Tone album.
- Sound Energetic, raw roots rock compared by Trouser Press to a rawer, less predictable mix of Marshall Crenshaw, Bruce Springsteen and George Thorogood.
- Minneapolis connections Longtime bandmate Slim Dunlap left in 1987 to join The Replacements; Curtiss A is credited by some as an early inspiration for the band.
- Reception Widely regarded by Trouser Press as his best record, praised for its deep, resonant feeling.
Curtiss A – A Scarlet Letter (LP, Album)
Vinyl LP, Twin/Tone Records
Vinyl LP pressing of A Scarlet Letter, sold by a Berlin based eBay seller with 100% positive feedback.
Pressing Specifications
Who Is Curtiss A?
Curtiss A, born Curt Almsted in 1951, is a Minneapolis musician and visual artist who formed his first Twin Cities band, Wire, in 1969. He built a reputation across the 1970s through various band permutations, culminating in an early band called Spooks alongside future Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap. As one of Twin/Tone Records' original artists, Curtiss A released the acclaimed Courtesy in 1980, which received four stars in Rolling Stone, before following with The Damage Is Done and finally A Scarlet Letter. Beyond his own recordings, Curtiss A remains a beloved fixture of the Minneapolis scene, known for a long-running annual John Lennon tribute show at First Avenue and for opening Prince's very first concert at the venue.
About A Scarlet Letter
Produced by Al Anderson of celebrated roots-rock band NRBQ, A Scarlet Letter arrived in 1987 as Curtiss A's collection of songs exploring love, adultery and jealousy, taking its title from Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel of the same name. The album was released the same year longtime bandmate Slim Dunlap departed to join The Replacements, cementing Curtiss A's place within the tightly interconnected Minneapolis music scene of the era; some accounts credit Curtiss A as a direct inspiration behind The Replacements' notorious incident of throwing their own master tapes into a river during a label dispute. Trouser Press singled out A Scarlet Letter as easily Curtiss A's best record, praising its ability to avoid hysteria in favour of deep, resonant feeling.
Critical Reception
- Widely regarded by Trouser Press as Curtiss A’s best record
- Produced by Al Anderson of celebrated roots-rock band NRBQ
- Deep connections to the Minneapolis scene and The Replacements
- Raw, energetic roots rock songwriting
- A used copy; condition should be checked in the listing
- Niche appeal outside fans of the Minneapolis rock scene
- Fixed shipping cost from Germany
What is A Scarlet Letter by Curtiss A?
It is his third and final Twin/Tone Records album, released in 1987, produced by Al Anderson of NRBQ and widely regarded as his best record.
Who is Curtiss A?
Curt Almsted, a Minneapolis musician and visual artist, one of Twin/Tone Records’ original artists and a beloved fixture of the Minneapolis scene.
What is the connection to The Replacements?
Curtiss A’s longtime bandmate Slim Dunlap left to join The Replacements the same year this album was released, and Curtiss A is credited by some as an inspiration behind the band’s infamous master tape incident.
What is the album about?
The record explores themes of love, adultery and jealousy, taking its title from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter.
Does this listing ship outside Germany?
The seller is based in Berlin and lists a fixed shipping cost; check the current listing for up to date international shipping options and rates.
Where To Buy This Pressing
Should You Buy This Copy?
- Widely regarded as Curtiss A's best and most complete album
- Produced by NRBQ's Al Anderson, deeply connected to the Minneapolis scene
- Best suited to fans of The Replacements and Twin/Tone Records history
A Scarlet Letter stands as a genuine high point of the Minneapolis rock scene, and this listing offers a vinyl pressing from a highly rated German seller.