Review: “Robin Trower Live! 50th Anniversary Edition”
Robin Trower’s 1974 album Bridge of Sighs sent the English guitarist and ex-Procol Harum member into the stratosphere on both sides of the Atlantic. His next four albums, including 1976’s fiery Robin Trower Live!, all followed Bridge up the charts to a Gold sales certification. Now, that landmark LP has returned from Chrysalis Records in a new 50th anniversary edition (on both CD and vinyl) which pairs the original album with a new remix of the complete concert in proper sequence. Having been with Procol Harum from just after the 1967 release…
A More Perfect Way: Remastered Breakthrough Album by Scritti Politti Gets Expansion with Rare Remixes
After remastering and reissuing newly-acquired classic albums from ’80s pop duo Scritti Politti in 2021, Rough Trade will go back and revisit their signature album with bonus tracks – and have also recently given a third of the group’s albums a re-release. Scritti’s sophomore album Cupid & Psyche 85 will be reissued on July 10 in a new CD or double LP deluxe edition, featuring the classic original album (featuring the U.K. hits “Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)” and “The Word Girl” as well as the U.S. stunner “Perfect Way”) alongside seven…
Sound the Bells! Two Rare John Williams Concerts Coming to CD in June
A pair of unique concerts conducted by the legendary John Williams are making their way in print on CD for their widest release yet. Prolific classical label Naxos will issue John Williams and “The President’s Own” Vol. 1 & 2 on June 19, consisting primarily of two sets where Williams led the United States Marine Band, endeavors quite different in makeup to the usual philharmonic and symphony orchestras he’d conduct for the screen and (until recently) in concert. The first took place at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C….
Gimme Fuel: Metallica’s ‘Reload’ Lives Up to Its Name in Massive Box Set
Yet another heavy–duty deluxe reissue in Metallica’s discography is due this summer: an appropriately loaded version of Reload. Spread over 15 CDs, five LPs, a 7″ single and four DVDs, the Reload box set features everything you’ve come to expect from Metallica’s ongoing reissue campaign: a remaster of the original album, a cache of demos, outtakes and rough mixes outlining the recording process of the album, and – primarily – a host of live recordings: nine full sets across all formats, plus a host of promotional sets, TV appearances and soundboard recordings….
The Weekend Stream Extra: A Second Disc Interview with David Beard, Author of “All Summer Long: Conversations with The Beach Boys From ‘Surfin” to ‘SMiLE'”
Sixty years ago today – May 16, 1966 – The Beach Boys released Pet Sounds on Capitol Records. Though the album wasn’t commercially successful upon its original release, it came to be regarded as a high watermark not just for The Beach Boys, but for American popular music itself. The Beach Boys have just celebrated 60 years of Pet Sounds (as well as its timeless songs including “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows,” and “Sloop John B”) with a Capitol Tower reunion of Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston; a…
The Weekend Stream: May 16, 2026
Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. This week has a collection of outtakes from one of the greatest albums ever made, a breezy theme song to a popular web series, fantastic new film scores, an unheard recording from Peggy Lee and a frankly stunning amount of songs about horses. Plus our tributes to those we lost recently, and a cool arts-related documentary project worthy of your…
Just A Little Lovin’: Rhino Hi-Fi Reissues Dusty Springfield, Cher, Joni Mitchell In New Audiophile Pressings
Rhino High Fidelity, the label’s series of deluxe audiophile reissues, has announced a new trio of titles available today from three legendary women of song: Joni Mitchell, Cher, and the late Dusty Springfield. Each album has been cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Optimal, and packaged in sturdy, numbered “tip-on” gatefold jackets with new liner notes. The releases are limited to 5,000 copies each and available today, exclusively through Rhino’s webstore. Joni Mitchell embraced pop on her sixth studio album, 1974’s Court and Spark,…
Release Round-Up: Week of May 15
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. The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds 60 [Various Formats] (Capitol/UMe) Pet Sounds: 1LP Zoetrope Vinyl: uDiscoverMusic.com / TheBeachBoys.com 1LP Definitive Sound Series: Capitol Records Store 2LP Mono/Stereo Vinylphyle: uDiscoverMusic.com / TheBeachBoys.com The Pet Sounds Sessions [Highlights]: 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscoverMusic.com / TheBeachBoys.com 2LP (Green and White Splatter Vinyl): uDiscoverMusic.com / TheBeachBoys.com 2LP (Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscoverMusic.com / TheBeachBoys.com 2LP (Yellow Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD Today – nearly 60 years to the day the original album first reached stores in…
The Way I Always Heard It Should Be: Rhino’s Quadio Line Reissues Carly Simon, Randy Newman, Mongo Santamaria, Seals and Crofts
Earlier today, Rhino announced its newest batch of Quadio titles, re-presenting vintage quadraphonic surround mixes on Blu-ray Audio Discs. This time out, the label has turned its attention to four ‘70s classics from three artists returning to the series (Carly Simon, Randy Newman, Seals & Crofts) and one making his Quadio Blu-ray debut (Mongo Santamaria). All four titles, also containing high-resolution stereo mixes of the original album, are shipping now exclusively from Rhino.com. Carly Simon’s self-titled debut album arrived on Elektra Records in the spring of 1971, nestled in the label’s discography…
Beautiful River: Unreleased Tracks by Honky-Tonk Legend Gary Stewart Feature on New Album ‘One Track Mind’
Fans of country legend Gary Stewart, known as “The King of the Honky-Tonks,” are in for a real treat in the form of 20 unheard recordings from his vault, on a new album releasing this summer. One Track Mind, available July 17 from Delmore Recording Society, assembles a cache of restored home recordings, publishing demos and more, telling the story of Stewart’s early years as a songwriter, recently relocated from Fort Pierce, Florida to Nashville. A handful of these songs were cut by signed acts – most notably, one recorded by Johnny…
What’cha Taking Me For: Sheena Easton Singles Box Set Includes More Unreleased Tracks
“But The Second Disc,” you may have thought, “what more is there to discover after Cherry Red’s thorough re-eleases of Sheena Easton’s beloved discography?” The label, in partnership with her RT Industries, has a new answer for you: a 25CD box set chronicling her singles from the EMI years in the ’80s – and yes, this set has unreleased material as well. The Singles 1980-1987 follows two recent boxes following Easton’s EMI recordings in full (not strictly the original albums, but plenty of unreleased and alternate material in the mix). While this…
In a White Room: Cream’s ‘Wheels of Fire’ Spins Back Into Print As Box Set
Cream’s penultimate album – the 1968 studio/live set Wheels of Fire – will be expanded this summer, offering four unique mixes of the studio disc on two CDs, an expanded concert offering on another two, and a selection of rare and unreleased cuts on a fifth CD. The Wheels of Fire (Super Deluxe Edition) will also be matched by Wheels of Fire: In the Studio, a triple LP set that, true to its name, features the studio material from the 5CD collection. (Wheels of Fire: Live At The Fillmore and Winterland, a triple album collecting the…
Flavour of the Old School: Cherry Red Reissues, Expands Beverley Knight’s Debut “The B-Funk”
This Friday, Cherry Red’s 90/9 imprint is bringing the funk…The B-Funk, to be precise, with a new 2CD deluxe reissue of Beverley Knight’s electrifying debut album. Originally released on Dome Records – which Cherry Red acquired last year – The B-Funk launched the career of the vocalist who went on to soar in not just music but television (mentoring on BBC One’s reality show Just the Two of Us), radio (Beverley’s Gospel Nights on Radio 2), and stage (The Bodyguard, Memphis, The Drifters Girl, Marie and Rosetta, and her Olivier Award-winning turn…
‘Round Midnight: Craft Plans ‘Miles ’56’ Box Commemorating Davis’ Banner Year
Following the previously released collections Miles ’54 and Miles ’55, Craft Recordings is continuing its survey of the early Miles Davis discography for a new installment. The sensibly-titled Miles ’56 is another archival dive into the Prestige Records catalogue as it chronicles a pivotal year in Davis’ musical history. It’s due on June 19 in 3CD, limited-edition 4LP, and digital formats (including hi-res audio) with all audio sourced from the original analog masters and restored using Plangent Processes. Davis’ First Great Quintet – including tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, pianist Red Garland, bassist…
The Weekend Stream: May 9, 2026
Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. It may not get more eclectic than this one, folks! We’ve got catalogue classics from jazz immortals, country icons and ’80s hitmakers; new songs from legends of classic rock, R&B, adult contemporary and hip-hop; new sounds from MUNA, The Waterboys, and Crack the Sky’s John Palumbo; and a sampler of international works, from Spanish chorale to Austrian pop that won…
Release Round-Up: Week of May 8
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. Neil Diamond, Wild at Heart (Capitol/UMe) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD: Walmart (with exclusive lithograph) / Target (with exclusive lithograph) / Amazon U.K. LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada LP (Bronze Elegance Edition): NeilDiamond.com LP (Copper Nugget Edition): Barnes and Noble A new album from Neil Diamond is out today…and it’s so good, so good, so good! The superstar singer-songwriter’s Wild at Heart is composed of nine previously unheard outtakes recorded with producer Rick Rubin in…
A Second Disc Interview: Talking “The Sherman Brothers Album” and “Richard and Me” with Kritzerland’s Bruce Kimmel
Writer, director, composer, lyricist, producer, and Kritzerland head honcho Bruce Kimmel had a long and beautiful friendship with Richard M. Sherman, one-half of the legendary Sherman Brothers songwriting team. Last year, Bruce unveiled Richard and Me, a new memoir chronicling their friendship. Now, he’s ready to unveil The Sherman Brothers Album as it was meant to be heard. Bruce produced the original sessions for the album 25 years ago but didn’t get the opportunity to see the album to fruition – leading to an unfortunately missed opportunity for fans of the duo…
Around and Around: Grateful Dead’s “Steal Your Face” Turns 50, Gets Remastered
Grateful Dead’s series of 50th anniversary reissues rolls on with today’s announcement of a remastered vinyl edition of the 1976 live album Steal Your Face. Featuring Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Keith Godchaux, and Donna Jean Godchaux, the double album was culled from the same October 1974 Winterland shows which yielded The Grateful Dead Movie – the expanded soundtrack of which was recently reissued on vinyl by Mondo as a 10LP box set. For this vinyl edition, Steal Your Face has been newly remastered by David Glasser and sourced…
This Is The Way: Edsel Chronicles “The Complete Ian Gillan Band Story”
After leaving Deep Purple in June 1973, lead singer Ian Gillan began to pursue other avenues for his creativity. He purchased a hotel, built motorcycle engines, and opened a recording studio. But the siren song of singing was too difficult to resist, and in 1975, he founded The Ian Gillan Band. Though ostensibly a jazz-rock outfit – with keyboards, but no brass or winds in the core lineup – Gillan didn’t ignore the rock part of the equation. Now, Edsel has collected the group’s recorded output on the comprehensive 7CD box Down…
The Weekend Stream: May 2, 2026
Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. You know you’re in for a treat when the most recognizable digital catalogue here is a country-rock record by Jimi Jamison – plus new singles from Madonna and Peter Gabriel, for good measure. Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter, “Bring Your Love” (Warner) (Apple / Amazon) The official lead single from Madonna’s anticipated Confessions II – a sequel to her 2005 blockbuster Confessions on a…
Release Round-Up: Week of May 1
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. Eagles, One of These Nights: Deluxe Edition (Rhino/Asylum) 3CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Rhino is revisiting Eagles’ 1975 chart-topper (featuring hit singles “One of These Nights,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” and ‘Take It to the Limit”) in a deluxe edition built around a new mix of the original album. The set adds the band’s previously unreleased show of September 28, 1975 near the end of the album’s…
You Bring the Summer: The Monkees’ ‘Good Times!’ Revisited for 10th Anniversary
Back in 2016, The Monkees celebrated their 50th anniversary with their first album of new material since 1996’s Justus. The appropriately-titled Good Times!, produced by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger, was a true return to form. As TSD noted in its original review, “The Monkees have just released their first new album in twenty years, and all is right with the world…Good Times makes no concession to the sound of modern pop. Rather, it’s most often the classic Monkees style refracted through a muscular, power-pop prism…Don’t hesitate. Listen to the band!” The…
Soundtrack Watch: New Bond from La-La Land, A ‘Rocky II’ Knockout, More ‘Mario,’ Plus Intrada, Varese & Quartet
Spring is in the air, making now the perfect time to check out some killer recent archival soundtracks released by our friends at La-La Land Records, Intrada, Quartet and Varese Sarabande – plus a great recent score with some deep musical history that felt worth sharing, too. La-La Land shone brightly with new releases in March and April, most notably their latest restoration of a James Bond film score! This time, it’s John Barry’s music to Diamonds Are Forever, the seventh film in the long-running spy series based on Ian Fleming’s novels. For…
Review: The Beach Boys, “We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years” Part 2 – “Adult/Child”
Few long-running groups can claim one mythical “lost album.” But for decades, The Beach Boys were able to claim two. The first, of course, was SMiLE – the late Brian Wilson’s masterwork in the wake of Pet Sounds that pushed the envelope of popular music and conventional song structure. The second was a very different album from a very different Brian Wilson. It’s finally seen its first near-complete release from Capitol/UMe as part of The Beach Boys’ 3CD/3LP box set We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years which also chronicles the making…
Love to See You: Calling All Fans of The Roches!
Here at Second Disc HQ, we’re big fans of Maggie, Suzzy, and Terre Roche – a.k.a. The Roches! The trailblazing trio from Park Ridge, New Jersey, once described as “punk folk,” smashed genre barriers with their rich original songbook: alternately witty and wrenching, wise and wry, joyful and melancholy. After Maggie and Terre made their debut on Columbia Records with Seductive Reasoning (including a production by Paul Simon, with whom they had sung on There Goes Rhymin’ Simon‘s “Was a Sunny Day”), they joined with youngest sister Suzzy as a trio. The…