On August 20, 2002, “SpinART” label released “Black Letter Days”, the first of two albums by Frank Black and the Catholics  simultaneously released in 2002. It was recorded from October 2001 – January 2002, and was produced by Nick Vincent. The title implies the opposite of the term “Red Letter Days” which are holidays – a “black letter day” being all the ordinary days in a given month.

Personnel:

• Frank Black – vocals, guitar
• Rich Gilbert – vocals, guitar, pedal steel guitar, keyboards, saxophone
• David McCaffery – vocals, bass
• Eric Drew Feldman – vocals, keyboard, synthesizer
• Scott Boutier – vocals, drums
• Dave Phillips – vocals, guitar, pedal steel guitar
• Moris Tepper – vocals, guitar
• Nick Vincent – maracas
• Ben Mumphrey – engineer

Track listing:

All tracks by Black Francis; except where noted.

1. The Black Rider – Tom Waits
2. California Bound
3. Chip Away Boy
4. Cold Heart of Stone
5. Black Letter Day
6. Valentine and Garuda
7. How You Went So Far
8. End of Miles
9. 1826
10. The Farewell Bend
11. Southbound Bevy
12. I Will Run After You
13. True Blue
14. Jane the Queen of Love
15. Jet Black River
16. 21 Reasons
17. Whispering Weeds
18. The Black Rider – Tom Waits