The Fourth Tower of Inverness
By popular demand, the 4
th Tower is back on CDs!
Over the holidays, we heard from so many disappointed Jack Flanders fans saying had wanted to give the 4
th Tower as a gift. We explained we had stopped selling CDs, since most people had moved on to downloads. But still, we did feel a little guilty.
And then, with Robert Lorick’s passing, that nudged us over the edge. We are re-releasing the original 4
th Tower as a limited edition. We don’t know how long we’ll have it, so if you’d like a copy, for yourself, or for a gift, or to pass on to your great-grandchildren, now is the time to seize one! Or two. This historic recording, the very first Jack Flanders adventure, may never be re-released on CD.
The Story
Arriving at Inverness, young Jack Flanders encounters strange happenings at the old Victorian mansion. Jack counts only three towers in Inverness, even though he is certain he has seen a fourth. An old jukebox, which he cannot locate, plays a haunting 50s tune just before an accident happens. Jack pursues the hidden jukebox, searching through sliding panels, hollow walls, and underground passageways until finally, he discovers the entrance to the Fourth Tower that only he can see. In all these years, eight people have ventured into the Tower, never to be seen again. Jack is the ninth …
Upon entering the tower, Jack discovers steps that spiral endlessly upward. On each level there is a door, and as our hero opens each door he steps into different dimensions: strange worlds of myth and mystical fantasy.
The Fourth Tower of Inverness is classic radio, a humorous adventure, with many levels of meaning behind the mystery. It is a beautiful allegory of illusion and reality.
There are 6 CDs, 7.5 hours in total. You will
find it here.
If you are not familiar with the 4
th Tower, you can hear audio samples on our website.
A Brief History
Back in 1972, Augie Blume, promotions man for RCA Records and Jefferson Airplane (
White Rabbit) stopped by the ZBS radio commune, asked what we were up to, we took him to the studio and played him a couple episodes (then in production), and Augie said, “Maybe we can do something together?”
Jefferson Airplane’s label, Grunt Records, sponsored the 4
th Tower. It was sent to 400 radio stations. This was back in the days of reel-to-reel tape. There were 65, daily, 7-minute episodes. And also 13 half hours (the dailies edited into half-hour programs for weekend plays). So each station received 26 reels of tape!
The stations also received 20 posters to promote the series. The posters were big and beautiful, 21” X 31”. The artwork was done by a friend of Robert Lorick’s, David Bryd. What you see (above) is a somewhat serious looking Lorick, with his hand on the glowing Lotus Jukebox.
Ah, those were the days, when the world was fresh and filled with magic. Or so it seemed. So long, Jack.
