Today's Release Round-Up features an array of titles including a box set from the one and only Chairman of the Board, a number of vintage albums in surround sound, a classic reissue from a new Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and more!
Frank Sinatra, Ultimate Sinatra (Capitol/UMe)
4-CD Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
1-CD Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2-CD Target Exclusive: Target.com
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Standard Edition DD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
The 100th birthday of Ol' Blue Eyes is celebrated with a variety of releases under the Ultimate Sinatra umbrella, including a 4-CD box set drawing on the RCA, Columbia, Capitol and Reprise eras, highlights on 2 LPs or 1 CD, and a digital download. Full track listings and details on bonus material can be found in our article! A Target-exclusive edition of the standard version features a second disc of highlights from a never-before-released Australian concert available in full on the Australian edition.
Paul Revere and the Raiders, Revolution! (Now Sounds) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Today's the date for the U.K. release of Now Sounds' Deluxe Expanded Mono Edition of Paul Revere and the Raiders' 1967 classic Revolution! This lavish and generously expanded reissue, which arrives in the U.S. next week, features the entirety of the mono and stereo album mixes plus other bonus cuts. Look for Joe's review soon!
Earth Wind and Fire, Open Our Eyes Hybrid SACD (Quadraphonic and Stereo Mixes) (Audio Fidelity) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Labelle, Nightbirds Hybrid SACD (Quadraphonic and Stereo Mixes) (Audio Fidelity) (Amazon U.S./ Amazon U.K. )
America, Homecoming Hybrid SACD (5.1 Surround and Stereo Mixes) (Audio Fidelity) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Audio Fidelity has a host of surround releases this week on hybrid SACD (with stereo mixes playable on both SACD and the standard CD layer): quadraphonic (4.0) versions of Labelle's Nightbirds and Earth Wind and Fire's Open Our Eyes; and the 5.1 mix of America's Homecoming. You can read full details here! The quad SACD of Billy Joel's Streetlife Serenade appears to have been delayed until May 12!
Rush, A Farewell to Kings Blu-ray Audio (Mercury/UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Rush's fifth studio album, originally issued in 1977, gets the Blu-ray Pure Audio treatment with 5.1 and stereo mixes in 96/24 high resolution sound.
Joan Jett, I Love Rock 'N Roll: 33-1/3 Anniversary Edition (Blackheart) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
This 2-CD or 2-LP set from the newly-inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer includes the I Love Rock 'N Roll album plus a second disc of previously unreleased live recordings from New York from 1981, the year of the album's original release.
Dick Hyman and Mary Mayo, Moon Gas: Expanded Edition (Omni) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Jazz pianist Dick Hyman teamed with vocalist Mary Mayo and producer Creed Taylor for this space-age classic, originally released in 1963. U.K. reissue label Omni describes it as "propulsive otherworldly swing...crafted from a sublime melange of Hammond organ, Ondes Martenot, prepared guitar, oscillators and re-purposed door buzzers and kitchen appliances. Bathe in the helium highs of 'Moon Gas', prepare for blast-off with 'Space Reflex' - the future was never such a.gas!" The label promises that the album has been remastered from the original tapes. Hyman's 1969 Moog album Moog - The Electric Eclectics is included in the bonus material along with two additional tracks. A 20-page booklet also boasts new liner notes.
Jim Peterik and Marc Sherer, Risk Everything (Frontiers) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
A true rock survivor returns! Ides of March and Survivor founder Jim Peterik (also recently represented by "Sail Away" on Brian Wilson's new album No Pier Pressure) has a brand new set of songs tailored to his collaborator, singer Marc Sherer!
Don't forget to visit our JUST-UPDATED Release Calendar - and keep checking back for the latest release dates for all of your catalogue favorites!
Look Out, Ol' Frankie's Back: Sinatra's Final Solo Album Gets Remixed and Expanded for 40th Anniversary
Release Round-Up: Week of September 6
Release Round-Up: Week of August 23
Release Round-Up: Week of August 9
There is also an Australian exclusive 2-CD set of Ultimate Sinatra with a bonus disc of a live show (I believe it has more songs than the Target exclusive).
Thanks, Tom - indeed, that is mentioned above in the text (though we didn't provide a link)!
Is it the same bonus material or different performances?? Target claims their extras are 'previously unreleased.' Might want to wait on the Target CD if that's the case.
The Target bonus disc features 15 tracks from the 27-track concert disc (Live at Sydney Stadium 12/2/61) being simultaneously released as the Australian-exclusive bonus disc. As such, Target's claim is accurate, but those wishing to get the full concert recording should seek out the Australian import.
I might want to do just that - Amazon doesn't list it yet. Target's CD is $13.99 U.S. - how much is the Australian one??
Being that Target didn't release all extras, I'll probably skip their version.
Depends on the retailer; the Australian edition appears to be selling on eBay for about $25 USD shipped to the States.
In Re: Moon Gas: Is Omni out of business? I really love their releases, but the website link has been dead for some time.
I couldn't find a direct page either, but this should help:
https://twitter.com/cityhallrecords/status/575703570550489088
Then go to FB and 'like' City Hall Records.
I'm not sure why Omni's website isn't being updated, but the company seems alive and well based on the Dick Hyman reissue.