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Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today!

Dionne Warwick, The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973 (Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)

The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973 is a set for which Dionne Warwick fans have long been waiting: a complete collection featuring the A- and B-sides of every one of her classic Scepter Records singles (plus two bonus sides originally issued on the Musicor label).  A total of 74 songs are featured including all of the classic original Bacharach/David productions as well as deep cuts, for a total of more than 30 entries on the Hot 100, seven of which hit the Top 10 (not to mention plentiful AC and R&B smashes).  Every track on this anthology is presented in its original mono single mix, except for a few later titles originally issued as stereo singles.  Mike Milchner at SonicVision has remastered the singles from original tape sources while veteran music journalist Paul Grein has provided liner notes.  John Sellards has designed the package which includes rare photos of Warwick in the 28-page booklet. The collection is limited to 3,000 units. Read more here!

Neil Young and The Santa Monica Flyers, Somewhere Under the Rainbow (Reprise/NYA)

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Somewhere Under the Rainbow, No. 2 in Neil Young’s Original Bootleg Series, was recorded live at London’s Rainbow Theatre on November 5, 1973. Young was joined by The Santa Monica Flyers, a.k.a. Nils Lofgren (lead and rhythm guitar, piano, accordion, vocals), Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar, vocals), Billy Talbot (bass, vocals), and Ralph Molina (drums, vocals). (Talbot and Molina, of course, have been the only two consistent members of Crazy Horse since the band’s inception; Lofgren played in the band in 1970-1971, 1973, and from 2018 to the present day.  Ben Keith first worked with Young on 1971’s Harvest, beginning a 40-year collaboration.)  The Flyers all played on the sessions for Young’s Tonight’s the Night album, much of which was played at the Rainbow.  They were in a particularly improvisational frame of mind that night, leading to some of the most spontaneous, intense, and charged performances of the artist’s career.  It arrives on two CDs or two LPs.

The Ducks, High Flyin’ (Reprise/NYA)

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

High Flyin’, Neil Young’s Original Bootleg Series No. 6, captures the short-lived band known as The Ducks, a.k.a. Young, Moby Grape’s Bob Mosley (bass/vocals), Jeff Blackburn (guitar/vocals), and Johnny Craviotto (drums/vocals).  The band played a mere 22 shows in summer 1977, most unannounced, around the Santa Cruz area.  The Ducks evolved from The Jeff Blackburn Band, and setlists would typically feature material sung by all four members.  This release has been drawn from various shows and is the first official release by The Ducks.  Five Young songs are featured: “Mr. Soul,” “Are You Ready for the Country,” “Little Wing,” “Sail Away,” and “Human Highway.” High Flyin’ will be issued on two CDs or three LPs.  Read more about both Neil Young Archives titles here!

Natalie Merchant, Keep Your Courage (Nonesuch) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

The ex-10,000 Maniacs vocalist releases her ninth solo studio album and first of new material since 2014.  Available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.

Metallica, 72 Seasons (Blackened Recordings) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Metallica’s twelfth studio album and first collection of new material since 2016, 72 Seasons has been produced by Greg Fidelman with Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield.  The “72 Seasons” in the title refers to one’s first eighteen years of life – the period that has inspired the songs on the album.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally, as well as on Target-exclusive “red smoke” vinyl.