Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up!

Bob Dylan, Live 1962-1966: Rare Performances from the Copyright Collections (Columbia/Legacy)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

The new 2-CD set Live 1962-1966: Rare Performances from the Copyright Collections draws on Dylan’s previously issued limited edition “copyright extension” collections to offer a sampler of Dylan onstage, from a pair of songs recorded on April 16, 1962 at Gerdes Folk City in New York (“Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Corrina, Corrina”) to “Ballad of a Thin Man” from May 20, 1966 at Edinburgh’s ABC Theatre.  Many of his most famous songs are heard here including “Mr. Tambourine Man.” “It Ain’t Me, Babe,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” and “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.”  The set has a total of 29 tracks (with a 30th, a previously issued take of “Like a Rolling Stone” from Manchester, 1966 added for the Japanese edition).  Read more, including the track listing, here!

Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux, Live at The Troubadour (7a Records) (Amazon U.S. / Deep Discount (U.S.) / Amazon U.K.)

Mike Nesmith reformed his pioneering country-rock outfit The First National Band for five performances only at L.A.’s fabled Troubadour in January 2018; now, everybody who couldn’t squeeze into the club will get a chance to hear what they missed.  (It’s also been recently announced that Papa Nez, recuperating from heart surgery, will take the band to the road again this September.)  Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux Live at the Troubadour is available on both single CD and double vinyl, with the vinyl edition boasting one bonus track (“Rio”).  It’s drawn from the band’s performance at that Hollywood nightspot on January 25.  Christian Nesmith has recorded, mixed and produced this album.  Get more details here, and watch for our full review soon!

Thomas Dolby, Hyperactive (BMG)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)T

This new retrospective from Thomas Dolby, part of BMG’s Masters Collection, features 28 tracks on two CDs spanning the period of 1981-1994 – a total of approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes of music from the “She Blinded Me with Science” musical renaissance man.  Get the full tracklisting and more here!

Various Artists, Lost West End Vintage 2 (Stage Door) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

This 2-CD set of 50 rare songs from lost West End musicals spans the period of 1943-1962 and samples scores by Lionel Bart, Noel Coward, Sandy Wilson, Julian Slade, Leslie Bricusse, Ivor Novello, and others.  Performers from original casts and pop recordings featured here include Julie Andrews, Mary Martin, Cleo Laine, Elizabeth Seal, Jeremy Brett, Sally Ann Howes, Millicent Martin. and Frank Sinatra.  Over 20 tracks make their first appearance on CD here.

Boz Scaggs, Out of the Blues (Concord) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

The legendary troubadour returns to his blues roots with this set of both classics and original songs.  He’s joined by such illustrious musicians as Charlie Sexton, Ray Parker, Jr., Doyle Bramhall II, Willie Weeks, Jim Keltner, Jim Cox, and Jack Walroth.  Target has an exclusive CD with three bonus tracks.  Also available on vinyl.