Author Archive / Mike Duquette

Grow Some Funk: Elton John’s ‘Rock of the Westies’ Gets a (Wide) Deluxe Release

October 8, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 4 Comments
Elton John Rock of the Westies 50th packshot

Elton John’s classic discography has been reissued in style of late, even if some of the methodology is confusing. Following deluxe editions of his self-titled sophomore album and Tumbleweed Connection (both 1970 releases) in 2008 and a belated 40th anniversary box set for 1973’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road in 2014, just about every album he put out in the ’70s got a 50th anniversary issue relatively on time. But confusingly, while Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy were all wide releases, the expansions of Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano…

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Use Me: Legacy Offers Rare, Unreleased Live Sets and More for Record Store Day Black Friday 2026

October 8, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 3 Comments
Billy Joel Tonight

While Legacy Recordings’ regular release schedule has been feast or famine in recent months, Sony Music’s catalogue label has got some great picks for Record Store Day Black Friday. Its seven titles include five rare or unreleased concert presentations from some of the roster’s biggest legends (three of which will be available on CD as well as vinyl), a strong showing in jazz and R&B, and a key connection to Legacy’s biggest-ticket item this box set season. Here’s a closer look at all the titles that’ll be available at participating retailers on…

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In a New York State of Mind: Billy Joel Archive Sets ‘Turnstiles’ Box for 50th Anniversary

September 29, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 18 Comments
Turnstiles box set

For the first time, a box set will take a deep dive into the creation of a Billy Joel album – in this case, one of his most pivotal: 1976’s Turnstiles, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Coming from Legacy Recordings on December 11, this 4CD/Blu-ray set will offer a thorough look at the album’s pivotal production, from early demos to live shows. In total, the collection boasts more than 50 previously unreleased tracks, including unheard demos, rarely heard songs and selections from the album’s mythic early sessions. The set also features…

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Just When You Thought It Was Safe…Intrada Delivers ‘JAWS 2,’ ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Reissues

September 29, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 2 Comments
JAWS 2 Intrada

Intrada (hopefully) kicks off a robust fall for soundtrack collectors with the recent unveiling of two projects from the Universal Studios library released in 1978: one offering a box set of beloved sci-fi TV music, the other presenting a new release of a legendary composer’s first score for a sequel (the predecessor of which earned him an Oscar). Up first is that pretty fracking cool box set: Battlestar Galactica (The Classic Series Soundtrack Collection), an 8CD anthology featuring new presentations of the best of Stu Phillips’ long-unavailable music from the heroic outer space…

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Trane Schedule: Multiple Reissues, Unreleased Delights Planned for Saxophonist’s Centennial

September 23, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 5 Comments
Coltrane Tiberi Tapes

Today, September 23, marks the 100th birthday of John Coltrane – and every label is getting in on the celebration. We’ve already shared news of a career-spanning compilation and vinyl box set due soon, but even more titles have hit the release schedule, from CD to vinyl – including what may be the most anticipated unreleased recordings of them all from the legendary jazz saxophonist. Tiberi’s Trane Pulls In On November 6, Impulse! will finally release The Tiberi Tapes, a legendary collection of the near-mythic amateur recordings of Coltrane experimenting on stage in…

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Drastic Symphonies: Fourth Def Leppard Albums Box is Packed with Rarities

September 22, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 4 Comments
Def Leppard Volume 4

Def Leppard are surprising fans not only by starting up their ongoing box set series, but widening the scope of the latest release, too. Volume 4, available as a 6CD or 11LP set on November 13, continues the thread of albums plus the rarities that these sets have been known for since the first volume in 2018, collecting the group’s studio output between 1978’s The Def Leppard E.P. and 1987’s Hysteria (plus one rarities set and a Pyromania-era live set). Subsequent volumes covered the British group’s ’90s output (2019’s Volume Two) and covers-heavy ’00s (2021’s Volume…

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Kajagogoo Box from Cherry Red (with Amazing Title) Will Leave You Tongue Tied, Short of Breath

September 14, 2026 by Mike Duquette | No Comments
Box of Goo

A new box from Cherry Red will be the final word on a band whose name sounds like a first word – and wait ’til you see the title of the box, which we can’t stop thinking about. Box of Goo: The Complete Anthology is an 8CD set devoted to Bedfordshire synth-pop act Kajagoogoo. It includes just about everything the band ever released: the EMI-distributed albums White Feathers (1982), Islands (1984) and Crazy Peoples Right to Speak (1985), the latter released under the name Kaja; a self-released live album from the ’80s, two reunion projects with varying line-ups,…

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Reissue Theory: 50 Years of ‘Muppet Show’ Memories (and More!)

September 8, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 16 Comments
Muppets

Welcome to another installment of The Second Disc’s long-unused column Reissue Theory, where we reflect on well-known albums of the past and the reissues they could someday see. As a classic force of television scores big at the Emmys this year – 50 years after their most significant series first started – it’s time to play the music, light the lights, and dream of a wider availability for the music of Jim Henson’s Muppets! There’s a major diva looming over the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards this coming weekend. Hacks, HBO Max’s delightful…

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Total Freedom: Two George Michael Live Releases – One with Wham! – Due This Year

September 2, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 1 Comment
The Faith Tour

If you’ve never caught George Michael in concert, this year will see the release of not one but two peak-era releases showcasing his live skills – an EP of unreleased live cuts with Wham!, and a full concert album from 1988’s tour in support of solo debut Faith. Both projects are tied to recent or forthcoming film releases. 10 Days in China – The Live EP follows the recent release of Wham! 10 Days in China, unbelievably the third documentary on the duo in the last four years. (The first, a self-titled, career-spanning documentary, bowed…

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This is Not a Review of Prince’s ‘Timeless.’ Here’s Why

September 2, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 15 Comments
Prince tongue

Until yesterday, this was going to be a pretty standard review of Timeless (NPG/Paisley Park 19958 44929-2), the newest posthumous Prince project, arriving just over a decade after his tragic passing. You would read about how unusual it is at this juncture to release a short compilation of unrelated outtakes from the Minneapolis icon’s storied vault, one not curated by him or guided by his examples, one that reminds you of projects we’d love to have on our shelves – a pre-1999 deep dive, a complete presentation of his final concerts (or any…

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Favorite Things: John Coltrane’s Centennial Celebrated with New Compilations

August 26, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 1 Comment
Coltrane 100 vinyl box

A heavy-duty vinyl collection from Rhino Records will tell the story of John Coltrane in honor of his centennial – one of several forthcoming titles set to honor the legendary saxophonist. John Coltrane 100 – Selections from 1951-1967 assembles 37 tracks across six 180-gram vinyl LPs showcasing Coltrane as both a bandleader and a sideman who logged time with Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and others. Licensed from multiple labels including Atlantic, Impulse!, Columbia, Blue Note and Prestige, it’s one of the most definitive musical portraits of Trane ever…

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In Memoriam: Dolly Parton (1946-2026)

August 26, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 4 Comments
Parton Gahr

The Second Disc joins the myriad voices of musical enthusiasts stunned by the news of Dolly Parton’s passing on August 25, 2026. Mike remembers an enduring icon who may have been the most universally beloved person on the planet. Joe’s tribute will run later this week. Ten years removed from a year when it felt like a shocking amount of musical luminaries passed away – and knowing full well that time only moves forward to make us bid others farewell – Dolly Parton’s passing at the age of 80 still stuns. In…

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She Was Trouble: UMe Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black’ with Deluxe Edition

August 25, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 2 Comments
Back to Black 20 packshot

Twenty years after it became a worldwide blockbuster – and more than 15 years since her passing broke the hearts of fans everywhere – Amy Winehouse’s final album will be reissued with a host of bonus material, including unheard demos and an unreleased live set. UMe will reissue 2006’s Back to Black on October 23 (the Friday before its official anniversary on October 27) in a variety of formats, most notably 3CD and 3LP sets packed with more than two dozen bonus tracks. (In a coup for CD buyers, five B-sides and three…

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Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen’s Final Filmed Concert Set for Multi-Format Remix, Reissue

July 29, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 5 Comments
Queen Budapest CD

The last concert Queen recorded with original frontman Freddie Mercury is getting dramatically restored for its 40th anniversary this fall, with presentations on multiple audio and video formats. Queen Budapest – recorded at the Hungarian capital’s Népstadion in the summer of 1986 – will offer the legendary show with newly remastered footage (digitized by the country’s National Film Institute and restored at 4K high-definition by Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post team) and remixed audio from the original multitracks. The complete concert audio will be released on triple vinyl for the first time,…

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New Revelations: Genesis’ Debut Gets New Remix, Expansion from Cherry Red

July 28, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 3 Comments
From Genesis to Revelation packshot

From Genesis to Revelation, the debut album from prog-rock legends Genesis, is no stranger to reissues due to its complicated ownership history. But this year, on the eve of the group’s 60th anniversary, Cherry Red’s Esoteric label will prepare the most expansive editions of the album ever pressed – versions approved by the group’s original founding members, including original vocalist Peter Gabriel and longtime members Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. Available as a 4CD/Blu-ray box set or smaller 2CD and 2LP offerings, the centerpiece of all sets is a set of new…

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They Got It All: John Du Prez’s Score for “Weird Al” Yankovic’s ‘UHF’ to Get Premiere Release

July 28, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 2 Comments
UHF score vinyl

For as long as it’s been since “Weird Al” Yankovic achieved the unlikely feat of topping the Billboard 200 with his 14th album Mandatory Fun in 2014, fans have wondered what’ll inspire him to start making more music. The generationally-beloved parodist indicated at the time that he wasn’t planning on focusing on full-length albums – indeed, he let his longtime contract, starting at Scotti Bros. in 1983 and ending at Sony Music’s RCA Records, lapse – and subsequent works were few and far between. Most notably, he recorded two polka medleys – one of songs from…

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Just a Sweet, Sweet Fantasy: Mariah Carey Celebrates 30 Years of ‘Daydream’ with Expanded Editions

July 27, 2026 by Mike Duquette | No Comments
Mariah Carey Daydream 30

Mariah Carey surprised fans earlier this month with a generous digital expansion of her 1995 smash album Daydream. Physical versions of the 30th anniversary set are forthcoming – but, to quote one of the album’s biggest hits, the variations in track list might have you feeling kinda hectic inside. Legacy Recordings’ 2CD-equivalent digital offering, issued on July 17, added 21 rare and unreleased bonus tracks to the original 12-track album: vintage remixes, B-sides and outtakes, writing session demos, a cappella versions and excerpts from three concerts recorded across 1995 and 1996. The physical…

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I Get So Emotional: ‘WH1TNEY’ Puts Houston’s Chart-Toppers Together on LP

July 27, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 6 Comments
WH1TNEY

Whitney Houston’s most enduring contributions to pop music history – her 11 chart-topping singles – will be celebrated on a new LP this summer. The appropriately-titled WH1TNEY, pressed on grape-colored purple vinyl, will bring together every hit that topped the Billboard Hot 100 between 1985 and 1996. From her self-titled debut in 1985, there’s “Saving All My Love,” “How Will I Know” and “Greatest Love of All”; 1987 follow-up Whitney yields “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” (these collective album…

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Baby Loves That Way: David Bowie’s Early Singles, Unreleased Material with Shel Talmy Gathered for New Album

July 15, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 3 Comments
Bowie Shel Talmy CD

The David Bowie estate is going back toward the beginning of the late singer’s career, focusing on his early days as a blues interpreter with a famous British producer. The Shel Talmy Recordings, to be released September 18, collects 21 recordings the then-unknown musician recorded with producer Talmy during 1965, when he was a member of bands The Manish Boys and The Lower Third. Only four of these tracks were released at the time as singles, with another seven alternate and outtake versions turning up on compilations over the years; that of…

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About ‘Face’: Phil Collins’ Debut Expanded on Vinyl, Remixed for Blu-ray for 45th Anniversary

July 15, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 1 Comment
Face Value Full Value boxset 3D packshot

Did he miss again? Hardly. To celebrate the 45th anniversary of his debut album, Phil Collins will release a new deluxe vinyl version of 1981’s Face Value featuring all the material from the original 2016 deluxe edition and more – including some long unavailable and previously unreleased material. Available September 18 and following the example of similar box sets for No Jacket Required (1985) and Both Sides (1993), Face Value (Full Value) offers a half-speed pressing of the original album’s 2015 remaster cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, plus three additional LPs including the 12…

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Everything’s Heavy Underground: Ben Folds Five to Reissue Debut with ‘Shelved First Attempt’ Bonus Disc

July 7, 2026 by Mike Duquette | No Comments
BFF 2CD Packshot

Piano-pounding alternative trio Ben Folds Five will revisit their first album this fall – both versions of their first album. The group’s self-titled debut will be remastered and expanded on September 4, a year after its 30th anniversary mark. This 2CD or 180-gram 2LP release pairs that original album, featuring seminal tracks like “Underground” and “Philosophy,” with a mostly unreleased “Shelved First Attempt” featuring many of the same tracks (and a few others) recorded in an earlier session. Both sets will offer expanded liner notes featuring rare photos and commentary by Folds. It…

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The Force is with Him: New John Williams Addresses His Film Music ‘Legacy’

June 25, 2026 by Mike Duquette | No Comments
John Williams Legacy

John Williams’ place in the canon of film music, Hollywood history and American popular culture is well solidified. The 94-year-old composer just saw the release of Disclosure Day, his 30th soundtrack for director Steven Spielberg – a collaboration that’s yielded three Oscar-winning scores in JAWS, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Schindler’s List plus memorable themes to classic films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the Indiana Jones film series and Jurassic Park. Next year, his Oscar-winning work on 1977’s Star Wars – a musical odyssey that’s yielded a trio of film trilogies and multiple spin-off streaming shows and theme park…

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Never Get Away from the Sound: Fleetwood Mac Expands Quintet-Era ‘Greatest Hits’ Set

June 15, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 20 Comments
Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits deluxe packshot

Rhino is revisiting the first compilation of Fleetwood Mac’s “classic” quintet era – a push, it appears, ahead of a long-awaited, as-yet unreleased documentary on the band. 1988’s Greatest Hits will be reissued on July 31 in a new double-disc edition on CD and vinyl. In addition to the plethora of smash hits like “Rhiannon,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” “Don’t Stop,” “Tusk,” “Gypsy,” “Little Lies” and “Everywhere” – as well as the then-new tracks “As Long As You Follow” and “No Questions Asked” – the set now includes a bonus disc of…

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Nothing Left But Stone: ‘Timeless’ Collects 10 Unreleased Prince Recordings

June 4, 2026 by Mike Duquette | 6 Comments
Prince Timeless

The faithful fans hoping for more music from Prince’s vault have something to look forward to. Timeless, a new collection from NPG Records and Legacy Recordings, offers 10 previously unreleased recordings spanning the breadth of the Minneapolis legend’s career, from a 1978 home recording to a live take of a favorite B-side from one of his final concerts. The album will be available on CD and vinyl on August 28. Prince’s version of “With This Tear,” an early ’90s ballad given to Celine Dion and released to mark the 10th anniversary of…

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Return of a ‘Hero’: Maren Morris’ Breakthrough Gets Expanded for Its 10th Anniversary

June 4, 2026 by Mike Duquette | No Comments
Maren Morris HERO A Second Wind

Almost exactly a decade after catapulting into the upper tier of country music, Maren Morris will celebrate the album that put her there with a new deluxe edition. HERO: A Second Wind expands Morris’ major-label debut HERO for its 10th anniversary with a generous nine tracks – nearly double the length of the original record. In addition to three previously available tracks on a Target-exclusive deluxe edition, the set (available on CD, 2LP and digitally) offers two previously unheard songs, “We Can’t Be Friends” and “Hard Liquor and Soft Rock,” and demo versions…

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Upcoming Releases
From Genesis to Revelation packshot
From Genesis to Revelation (Deluxe Edition)
Genesis
October 9, 2026
US UK CA
Paul Simon The Quiet Celebration Concert
The Quiet Celebration Concert
Paul Simon
October 9, 2026
US UK CA
Flesh For Lulu Long Live The New Flesh
Long Live The New Flesh: Expanded Edition
Flesh For Lulu
October 16, 2026
US UK CA
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