Tears for Fears, The Hurting: Deluxe Edition (Mercury/UMe)
The landmark debut album from the U.K. hitmakers celebrates its 30th anniversary with a new double-disc deluxe edition stocked with rare single-only material and a deluxe box set version with a bonus disc of John Peel sessions and the In My Mind's Eye live concert film on DVD.
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
3CD/1DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Van Morrison, Moondance: Expanded Edition (Warner Bros./Rhino)
Though Van would rather you not buy this box, it features his classic 1970 album (newly remastered and in a new 5.1 surround sound mix on the Blu-Ray) plus three discs of session outtakes.
1CD remaster: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
4CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
The Waterboys, Fisherman's Box: The Complete Fisherman's Blues Sessions 1986-1988 (Parlophone)
This six-disc set features every take from the making of this celebrated album from Mike Scott's band. A deluxe version features the original album on vinyl and a further bonus disc of songs that influenced the album - all of which will be broken down in full in a post later today!
6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
7CD/1LP: Amazon U.K.
Ten Years After, Recorded Live: Expanded Edition / Robin Trower, State to State: Live Across America 1974-1980 / UFO, "Hot 'N' Live": The Chrysalis Live Anthology 1974-1983 (Chrysalis/Rhino)
These three hard-rockin' releases from the Chrysalis vaults are ready to purchase this week - or you can win them from us!
Ten Years After: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Robin Trower: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
UFO: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
XTC, Nonsuch: Expanded Edition (Panegyric)
The band's 1992 album, featuring modern rock hit "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead," features a new stereo and surround mix by Steven Wilson, plus a host of audiovisual extras.
CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
CD/BD: Amazon U.K.
Sparks, New Music for Amnesiacs: The Ultimate Collection (Universal U.K.)
One of the pioneering acts in quirk rock have a swag-filled five-disc career-spanning box set tangible object in the market. (Amazon U.K.)
Woody Guthrie, American Radical Patriot (Rounder)
A stunning 6CD/1DVD/1LP box set includes, for the first time, all of Guthrie's historic recordings for Alan Lomax, plus scores of rarities - including a rare early Bob Dylan recording, too. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Queen, The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert: Deluxe Edition (Eagle Rock)
The life of the late Queen frontman was celebrated in one of the greatest benefit concerts of all time - and this expanded version features, for the first time on DVD or Blu-Ray, tribute performances from the first half of the concert.
3DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Matt Monro, The Rarities Collection (Parlophone)
Three discs of rarities from the legendary crooner; most were originally released on The Rare Monro and/or Matt Uncovered: The Rarer Monro, but many have been sonically upgraded, with more rarities included herein! (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Laura Nyro, Smile: Expanded Edition (Iconoclassic)
Nyro's 1976 release, issued after a four-year absence, is expanded with three rare demos. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Donna Summer, Love to Love You Donna (Verve)
Classic Donna Summer tracks, newly remixed by modern dance acts and producers, plus an unreleased collaboration between Summer and longtime producer Giorgio Moroder.
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
TLC, 20 (Epic)
A new compilation from the acclaimed '90s R&B girl group features a new track, "Meant to Be," penned by R&B singer Ne-Yo. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Release Round-Up: Week of May 5
The Precious Moments: Cherry Red Collects Matt Monro's "Complete EMI Recordings 1971-1984"
Release Round-Up: Week of March 17
Release Round-Up: Week of March 10
I'm listening to the two-disc remaster of "Moondance" as I type, and I'm pretty bowled over. I can't begin to fully understand Van's objections to the reissue of his masterpiece--I only know a little about the issues between him and Warner Brothers--but, man, I can't imagine him objecting to the sound quality. It's probably as good as I've EVER heard the album sound in my room, and I've had the same system for quite a while, and I've had every format of the album one can imagine. I'm not a Van fanatic by any means, but I do love the "Moondance" record in particular ("Street Choir" is my second favorite.) The album sounds so very smooth and warm, with little compression or EQ applied (though I haven't measured it with any software, nor do I care to). It just sounds absolutely phenomenal. If you're interested in a digital version of this landamrk album, this remaster is amazing. Van, of course, should know what his creation should like better than anyone else, but I would seriously doubt his hearing if he didn't like this reissue. It's that good. IMHO, of course.