In 1998, Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair was in its second year as a national festival celebrating women in music. Phair joined the diverse roster of artists performing at least ten different venues that year, along with others including Natalie Merchant, Missy Elliott, and Paula Cole.
1998 was also the year that Lilith Fair broadened its marketing efforts in promoting the music from the artists performing. The first release was an exclusive compilation titled Lilith Fair 98: A Starbucks Blend. As the title suggests, this was made available through participating Starbucks locations in the summer of 1998.
While many of the songs featured were taken from the artists’ respective albums, this compilation is noteworthy for Phair fans, as it was the first official appearance of a track (“Uncle Alvarez”) from her then, upcoming third album, whitechocolatespaceegg, which wouldn’t see release for another two months.
After a five-year wait, this was definitely a sought-after release for many die-hard fans for what was to come next from Phair.
Lilith Fair 98: A Starbucks Blend
Released: June 1998
Label: EMI-Capitol Special Markets (72438-18860-27)
Format: CD
Country: US
Availability: Rare
Compilation artwork by Daniel R. Smith, Suzanne Haddon
Compilation producer: Timothy Jones
Design: Starbucks Design
Liner Notes: Carla DeSantis
Interior photography: Daniel R. Smith
CD & Cover photography: Sean Bolan
“Uncle Alvarez” written by Liz Phair
Vocals, guitar: Liz Phair
Drums, keyboards, engineering: Brad Wood
Acoustic bass: Leroy Bach
Piano, keyboards, loops, engineering: John Hiler
Guitar, engineering: Ed Tinley
Produced by Brad Wood
Mixed by Tom Lord-Alge
Recorded at Velvet Shirt Studios
Mixed at South Beach Studios
| No. | Artist | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | Lisa Loeb | This | 3:29 |
| 02. | Catie Curtis | Soulfully | 4:32 |
| 03. | Sam Phillips | I Need Love | 3:40 |
| 04. | Mary Lou Lord | Seven Sisters | 3:36 |
| 05. | Liz Phair | Uncle Alvarez | 3:55 |
| 06. | Lucinda Williams | Lake Charles | 5:28 |
| 07. | Jonatha Brooke | Secrets & Lies | 4:29 |
| 08. | Aimee Mann | Amateur | 4:53 |
| 09. | Morcheeba | Part of the Process | 4:26 |
| 10. | Patty Griffin | One Big Love | 4:16 |
| 11. | Victoria Williams | Train Song (Demise of the Caboose) | 3:15 |
| 12. | Tara MacLean | Evidence (Chris Lord-Alge Mix) | 4:03 |
| 13. | Luscious Jackson | Why Do I Lie? | 3:21 |
| 14. | Jen Trynin | Getaway (February) | 4:10 |
| 15. | Wild Strawberries | Trampoline | 4:42 |
| 16. | Bic Runga | Sway | 4:24 |
| 17. | Kristin Hersh | Gazebo Tree | 3:38 |
| 18. | Bettie Serveert | The Link | 3:09 |
Liner Notes
As a harbinger of the “women in music” era, Chicago resident Liz Phair instantly became a critic’s darling with her 1993 ground-breaking double album Exile in Guyville. However, Phair seemed to virtually disappear after her 1994 follow-up Whip-Smart. This tune, from her long-awaited album whitechocolatespaceegg, will surely please her old fan and garner brand new ones as well.
Reception
From those java pushers at Starbucks comes a set of terrific, non-mainstream Lilith performers such as Patty Griffin, Morcheeba, Jonatha Brooke, and Wild Strawberries. With 18 prime cuts from the artists’ current or upcoming albums, Fair 98 (available wherever Frappuccinos are whipped) is far more consistent than the recent Lilith live set, and mellow enough to promote another round of caffeine. A-
— Beth Johnson, Entertainment Weekly, August 14, 1998
Lyrics
Uncle Alvarez
There’s a portrait of Uncle Alvarez
Hangin’ in the hall
Nobody wants to look at it
But Uncle Alvarez sees us all
Oh, oh, oh, imaginary accomplishments
Hey, hey, hey, you visionary guy
You might even shake the hands of presidents
Better send a postcard and keep the family quiet
He’s not really a part Cherokee Indian
He didn’t fight in the Civil War
He’s just Eugene Isaac Alvarez
We feel sorry for the wall
Oh, oh, oh, imaginary accomplishments
Hey, hey, hey, you visionary guy
You might even shake the hands of presidents
You’re gonna make ’em sorry when you die
And it’s a long way down
You’re hoping for a heart attack
Runnin’ around
Investing in this and that
And your beautiful wife keeps your life on a shelf for you
Safe in the bedroom
Where there’s no dust or mildew
And it’s hard to believe you were once a beautiful dancer
Better just to shake it off
As you write your resume
Don’t think of Uncle Alvarez
And the price he had to pay
Oh, oh, oh, imaginary accomplishments
Hey, hey, hey, you visionary guy
You might even shake the hands of presidents
You’re gonna make ’em sorry when you die
Oh, oh, oh, imaginary accomplishments
Hey, hey, hey, you visionary guy
You might even shake the hands of presidents
Better send some money to the alma mater
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