It is the great forgotten Bobby Bare album. Recorded at a time of intense fracture with RCA Victor (Bare would indeed leave the label and sign with Mercury before these recordings saw release) ‘The Real Thing’ limped briefly onto the market in 1970 before vanishing for decades. It shouldn’t have been that way. Album highlights “ The Chicago Story”, “Barbara Joy” and “Maggie (I Wish We’d Never Met)” are the equal of any of Bare’s greatest moments, poignant, passionate and surprising – further journeys into Bare’s unique suburban gothic symphony. Also included is Bare’s solid 1973 LP ‘I Hate Goodbyes/Ride Me Down Easy’ (with contributions from Shel Silverstein and Billy Joe Shaver) and a clutch of excellent (and relevant) extra tracks. This deluxe edition is remastered from the original master tapes and presented with exclusive liner notes and rare photos. Both albums are reissued for the very first time. 20 page full colour booklet with exclusive liner notes and rare photos.