Brokeback is the longstanding project of Douglas McCombs. McCombs is a member of Tortoise, Eleventh Dream Day, The Sea and Cake, and Pullman, and has worked with Tom Ze, Azita Youseffi, Will Oldham, Calexico and Yo La Tengo. Field Recordings From the Cook County Water Table is Brokebacks' debut album, originally released in 1999. Sold out on vinyl for over thirteen years, this re-issue is pressed on high quality virgin vinyl and packaged with an artworked inner sleeve and a free download card. The album features contributions from Noel Kupersmith (Chicago Underground) and Joshua Abrams (Natural Information Society). Rob Mazurek (Exploding Star Orchestra, Chicago Underground) plays cornet on opening track, "After the Internationals" and Mary Hansen (Stereolab) lends her angelic voice to the song, "The Great Banks". Both John Herndon and John McEntire of Tortoise contributed their percussive talents, while McEntire handled the recording duties by himself.