The Beckies are back! Following Omnivore Recordings' 2022 expansion of The Left Banke's Strangers on a Train, the label is exploring another chapter of the Michael Brown story with the February 28 release of Good to Know: The Beckies Story on 2 CDs. Michael Brown (also known for his work with Montage and "Brother Louie" band Stories) was known for fusing baroque and classical sounds with rock and roll, but The Beckies emphasized the latter. The band was anchored by Brown and vocalist Scott
In Memoriam: Garth Hudson (1937-2025)
This morning, it was announced that Garth Hudson, 87, had died in a Woodstock, New York nursing home. Hudson was the last surviving member of The Band, and with his passing, an era has come to a close. Though best known for his virtuosic organ playing, Hudson was a multi-instrumentalist who brought various colors to The Band's rootsy, organic brand of Americana. Hudson's sound tapped into the many veins of American popular music and could, by turns, conjure a raucous revival, a whimsical
Soundtrack Watch: Intrada, La-La Land Kick Off 2025 with a Bang
The last few months were positively packed with soundtrack reissues - not one, but two Black Friday-sized batches from La-La Land, and a generous array of in-demand titles from Intrada, as well. Well, if you can believe it, those roll-outs could have been even bigger - and La-La Land and Intrada are proving it with their first releases of 2025 (for LLL, all titles that were meant to release last year). There's something for everyone: music from a Jim Henson cult classic, an action-packed sequel
What's It All About: Verve to Release Long-Lost 1967 Concert from Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald ushered in 1967 with a new label affiliation; she had decamped Verve for the Capitol label where she would release two albums - one of hymns, and the other of traditional Christmas carols - that year. In concert, Ella was in a period of transition. While rewarding her audiences with the classic standards they expected, she was also experimenting with newer material from the pop-rock songbook. On February 28, Ella's once and future home of Verve will release The Moment of
The Weekend Stream: January 18, 2025
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts! This week, we're heavy on the classic rock plus a vintage soundtrack, a dash of modern classical, and more! Fleetwood Mac, Live from the Record Plant (December 15, 1974) (Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) Coinciding with its standalone vinyl debut as part of Rhino's Start Your Ear Off Right, this vintage pre-Buckingham/Nicks Fleetwood Mac concert hit digital
Release Round-Up: Week of January 17
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Vince Guaraldi, Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording (Lee Mendelson Productions) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) The Lee Mendelson family continues its series of debut releases from the Peanuts animation library with this premiere audio release of the score for 1975's Be My Valentine, Charlie
The Village (Snap To It): JAY Records, Cherry Red Celebrate "Folk City" with New Concept Album
The name of Gerdes Folk City has long been synonymous with the halcyon era of the Greenwich Village music scene. Bob Dylan made his New York debut on its tiny stage and later debuted "Blowin' in the Wind" there. Peter, Paul, and Mary played their first official gig together at Gerdes. Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Doc Watson were the among the dozens of major artists who made Gerdes a home in the club's early days. Its later years saw a wide variety of artists including
Sex Pistols' American Epitaph Chronicled in New Box Set
The story of the Sex Pistols' final tour - and ultimate undoing - will be told in new releases coming from UMC in March. Live in the U.S.A. 1978 will mark the first complete and official releases of three of the punk quartet's seven American concerts in January 1978. Presented for the first time in sequence are the tour's opener at the South East Music Hall in Atlanta, Georgia on January 5, a particularly raucous performance at Dallas, Texas' Longhorns Ballroom five days later, and the
Ain't Nobody: Rufus' Final Albums Reissued in New Robinsongs Set
A forthcoming two-for-one set from Robinsongs will chronicle the last works of funk legends Rufus - including their powerful final bow with singer Chaka Khan. The label will release the 1983 studio album Seal in Red and live/studio hybrid Stompin' At The Savoy - Live as a 2CD set on March 14. The set will feature new liner notes by Lois Wilson of MOJO as well as three bonus tracks, including single versions of "Take It to the Top" and the smash hit "Ain't Nobody," as well as a rare remix of the
Dead or Alive's 'Youthquake' Spins Around Into New Deluxe Edition
This winter, Edsel will continue its long association with the Dead or Alive catalogue with a new deluxe edition of the band's 1985 breakthrough Youthquake, to be reissued February 21 for its 40th anniversary. The 4CD set (in double gatefold packaging with an O-ring joining the two) collects a new remaster of the album, 18 remixes (including a whole disc devoted to period and latter-day versions of hit single "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" and a live set taken from two nights at London's
Total Mass Retain: Rhino Reissues Yes' "Close to the Edge" in Super Deluxe Set
Yes' fifth album, Close to the Edge, continued the band's early winning streak. The 1972 release - their final album of the decade to feature drummer Bill Bruford and first to feature the band's now-famous "bubble" logo type - featured just three songs (two of which had multiple movements). But they were sufficiently power-packed as to propel the LP to top five berths in both the U.K. and U.S. and eventual Platinum sales status. On March 7, Rhino will revisit Close to the Edge as a
Love Changes (Everything): Cherry Pop Expands Climie Fisher Discography
Two reissues by Cherry Red, separated by nearly a year, collect the brief but intriguing discography of late-'80s U.K. duo Climie Fisher - including a raft of rare and unreleased bonus material totaling seven discs between them. The wait is finally over for fans of the group when Climie Fisher's 1987 debut Everything gets a major expansion from the Cherry Pop imprint on March 21. The set features the remastered album and a whopping 51 bonus tracks: versions and remixes of singles "Love
A "Souvenir" from Sony Music Japan: An Expansion of Billy Joel's 'Streetlife Serenade'
Here's a belated 50th anniversary present for Billy Joel fans: a new, Japan-exclusive collector's edition of his third studio album, 1974's Streetlife Serenade. Available February 19, this lavish deluxe version - which follows a similar package for its predecessor Piano Man last year - includes many similar extras. The 7" cardboard packaging includes lyrics and liner notes in English and Japanese (including a CD-sized replica of the original booklet that came with the Japanese LP), replicas
The Weekend Stream: January 11, 2025
Welcome to 2025's first edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts! We're catching up on some of our favorite artists adding albums to stream and download, plus country soul and remixes aplenty - as well as a list of resources to help our friends and family in the music business affected by the California wildfires. The Damnwells, One Last Century / No One Listens to the Band Anymore (Poor
Release Round-Up: Week of January 10
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Rosanne Cash, The Essential Rosanne Cash (Rumble Strip) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) After a website-exclusive release, The Essential Rosanne Cash hits retail today. This newly-curated set brings together 40 of Cash's most treasured recordings - half from her tenure on Columbia Records and the other from mostly
Just Like Paradise: David Lee Roth's Solo Works Remastered for New Box Set
Diamond Dave's got a whole new shine, thanks to a forthcoming box set from Rhino. David Lee Roth's The Warner Recordings 1985-1994, coming February 21, will include the four LPs (and one EP) the iconoclastic singer released outside of his concluding tenure as the vocalist for Van Halen. All of the albums have been newly remastered, and will be available at general retailers as a 5CD set. (Rhino's official store will exclusively carry a vinyl version.) Roth's solo career began four decades ago
Like a Beast: W.A.S.P. Box Set Coming to CD from Madfish
After not one but two pressings on vinyl over the last two years, Madfish Music will release their collection of heavy metal band W.A.S.P.'s major label material on CD this month. The 7 Savage 1984-1992 collects all six of the L.A. shock rockers' studio and live releases for Capitol Records, along with a newly-compiled assortment of 15 non-LP tracks (three more than the equivalent disc in the vinyl box). The slipcased set also features a CD-sized version of the 60-page hardcover book that
Hold On to What We've Got: Bon Jovi Expands 'Slippery When Wet'
After celebrating their debut album with a deluxe edition last year, Bon Jovi will offer similar treatment to their biggest album: 1986's Slippery When Wet. The New Jersey rockers' third LP will be reissued February 28 in a variety of formats including a 2CD expansion with seven bonus tracks (nearly all of which are previously unreleased) as well as a picture disc, cassette and - novelty alert! - a clear vinyl pressing filled with liquid. Everything aside from the 2CD is limited in quantities
In Memoriam: Peter Yarrow (1938-2025)
When Bob Dylan famously took the stage at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival and "plugged in" - an event dramatized at the climax of the Golden Globe-nominated film A Complete Unknown - the friendly face serving as emcee tried mightily to calm the fiercely divided crowd. Though his screen time in director James Mangold's film is minimal, Nick Pupo makes an impression as that beleaguered host: one Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul, and Mary. The folk trio was part of the same managerial stable as Dylan
Quartet's First Film Music Release of 2025 is Barry, Barry Good
As if the feast of John Barry expanded film scores, from James Bond to Out of Africa, hasn't been exciting enough, Quartet Records kicked off the new year with the announcement of more rarities from the celebrated British composer. The label has issued The Polydor Years, a 3CD collection that brings together re-recordings of classic themes, unique arrangements and original music released on albums, singles and compilations in the mid-'70s in Europe. 1972's The Concert John Barry, 1974's Play
It Might Have Been: Neil Young Premieres Lost Album "Oceanside Countryside" in February
Last September, Neil Young unveiled his biggest Archives collection yet. The third volume encompassed 17 CDs and five Blu-rays, boasting 15 previously unreleased songs, 121 previously unreleased tracks, and 11 full-length films (four of which were also previously unissued). On February 14, the musical iconoclast dips into Archives Vol. III - with a twist, naturally - for the premiere vinyl release of his once-lost album, Oceanside Countryside. Oceanside Countryside was recorded from May to
Rhino's 2025 Start Your Ear Off Right Campaign Features Fleetwood Mac, Ramones, Rush, More
We've already filled you in on details of Rhino's upcoming live release from WAR, but that's not all coming from the label. Rhino's annual Start Your Ear Off Right vinyl campaign has already commenced at independent retailers and select Barnes and Noble locations. This year's slate encompasses releases from Dream Theater, Ramones, Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, Grateful Dead, Rush, and others. Below, you'll find the complete list of SYEOR titles due this month, including those which arrived last
Southern Part of Japan: Archival Live Album from War Due Soon
Following some heavy-duty offerings from West Coast funk masters War, including an expansion of The World is a Ghetto and a box set of latter-day studio work for last year's Record Store Day Black Friday - Rhino kicks off 2025 with a release of previously unheard live material from the band's tour of Japan, more than half a century ago and featuring the band's classic line-up. Live in Japan 1974 will be available worldwide as a 2CD or 2LP set on February 5. The set includes 14 tracks (three
The Weekend Stream: December 21, 2024 - and a Merry Discmas to All!
Welcome to 2024's final edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts! With no Release Round-Up this Friday and a few weeks of peace and quite from (and for!) us until 2025, we've got a few more treats for you under the tree from Wham!, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Miles Davis, Archie Bell & The Drells and so much more! Wham!, Last Christmas (Epic/Legacy/Sony Music U.K.) (iTunes / Amazon) For
Holiday Gift Guide Review: Joni Mitchell, "Archives: Volume Four (1976-1980)" and "The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)"
Earlier this year, Joni Mitchell brought her now-famous Joni Jam shows to the Hollywood Bowl for two sold-out evenings. A little more than 45 years ago, Mitchell closed out her North American tour with a series of shows some fifteen minutes away from the Bowl at the Greek Theatre; a selection from that concert closes the fourth volume of the Joni Mitchell Archives series of box sets. The Bowl shows proved another triumph for the artist who's now widely recognized for the innovations that
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