If you set your Wayback Machine to February 1, 2010, you'll find one of The Second Disc's earliest posts - the inaugural Reissue Theory column, dedicated to imagining a 25th anniversary multi-disc edition of a-ha's 1985 debut studio album Hunting High and Low. Well, good things do come to those who wait, because Warner Bros. and Rhino are revisiting the album - for a second time - on November 22. A 4-CD/1-DVD edition of the album arrived in 2015, handily besting the 2010 double-CD edition.
Rag, Mama Rag: The Band’s Self-Titled Album To Be Given 50th Anniversary Box Set Treatment
It's been fifty years since The Band released their self-title album, lovingly referred to by fans as "The Brown Album." To celebrate the anniversary of the pioneering release, The Band will be reissued in a variety of expanded editions on November 15. These follow last year's similar reissues of the group's debut, Music from Big Pink. While The Band was primarily recorded in Hollywood - in Sammy Davis, Jr.'s pool house, no less! - the feel was decidedly rustic. The sessions took on a
Release Round-Up: Week of September 27
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! The Beatles, Abbey Road: Anniversary Edition [Various Formats] (Apple/UMe) Super Deluxe 3CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Deluxe 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Abbey Road celebrates 50 with a variety of editions built around a new 2019 stereo mix by Giles Martin
The Wayfarer: Bruce Springsteen Announces Soundtrack Album “Western Stars: Songs From the Film”
Bruce Springsteen's feature-length directorial debut, Western Stars opens in movie theaters on October 25 (after limited early screenings on the 19th and 23rd). In the movie, Springsteen performs all the songs from his latest album in his hundred-year-old barn. Springsteen said that the point of the film, which also includes new interviews and archival footage, was to "to get some of the music live to an audience." "The [studio] album and the film are both about this fading Western movie
Castle In the Clouds: Gong’s ’70s Output Celebrated on 13-Disc “Love From Planet Gong” Box and 2-CD Sets
When it comes to all-encompassing mega-sets celebrating the oft-overlooked talents of British prog, UMC has delivered the goods. They're following up their already impressive lineup with a new, 12-CD/1-DVD box set that covers the legendary psychedelic surrealists Gong and their tenure at Virgin. Entitled Love From the Planet Gong: The Virgin Years, 1973-1975, the new box offers all their studio albums from the era, plus a wealth of rare, previously unreleased recordings. It's all set to hit
America’s Gerry Beckley Returns with New Solo Album “Five Mile Road”
Gerry Beckley has earned the right to call the opening track of his new solo album "Life Lessons." The singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and America co-founder is understandably in a reflective mood on Five Mile Road, out now from Blue Elan Records. The artist may be celebrating 50 years with America, but he still has plenty to say. For his first solo album since 2016's Carousel, Beckley has reunited with many of the same collaborators. Jeff Larson not only co-produced with Beckley but
Everybody’s Still Talkin’: Omnivore Preps Unreleased Harry Nilsson Album for November
Nilsson fans (and who isn't?), rejoice! On November 22, the late singer-songwriter's final recordings will at last see the light of day on CD, vinyl, and digital formats from Omnivore Recordings. Losst and Founnd is the first new album of original material from Harry Nilsson since 1980's Flash Harry. Nilsson was working on the album at the time of his death at the age of 52 in January 1994 with producer Mark Hudson (Ringo Starr, Aerosmith). Two of the songs, "U.C.L.A." and "Animal Farm," were
Soundtrack Watch: Intrada Delivers Two John Barry Classics, La-La Land Lights Fuse on “Mission: Impossible”
Fans of John Barry have double the delight coming their way this week, with two hugely expanded scores from the late British composer. First up is one of the weirdest films Barry's got his name on: the critically-maligned, George Lucas-produced adaptation of Marvel Comics' Howard The Duck. The film, co-starring Lea Thompson as Howard's...uh...human love interest, was scored by Barry and re-scored in part by composer Sylvester LeVay. Part of Barry's score ended up on the second side of a
A SECOND DISC INTERVIEW! Mike McCartney Talks “McGear” Deluxe Reissue
TSD's own Sam Stone recently had a chance to speak with the enduring artist behind the U.K.'s Christmas chart-topper of 1968, The Scaffold's "Lily the Pink," as well as the top ten smash "Thank U Very Much" and the solo hit "Leave It." Mike McCartney, a.k.a. Mike McGear just happens to be Paul McCartney's younger brother, but has a lifetime of his own musical history to share. In this wide-ranging conversation, he offers stories of the making of his classic album McGear, recently reissued by
Isn’t It Rich: Edsel Collects Nine Judy Collins Classics on “The Elektra Albums Volume Two”
Demon Music Group's Edsel label has followed up its July release of Judy Collins' The Elektra Albums Volume One (1961-1968) with a second volume available now. The Elektra Albums Volume Two (1970-1984) finishes up the artist's Elektra Records tenure, comprising these nine releases on CD in their original sequences: Whales and Nightingales (1970) Living (1971) True Stories and Other Dreams (1973) Judith (1975) Bread and Roses (1976) Hard Times for Lovers (1979) Running for
To The End of Love: Leonard Cohen’s Final Recordings Collected on “Thanks For the Dance”
When Leonard Cohen passed away in November 2016, he left behind fifty years of words and music, including his final album, You Want It Darker. Now, Columbia and Legacy have announced a new collection, "a continuation of the master's final work" called Thanks For The Dance. Due on November 22, Thanks For The Dance was produced by Cohen's son Adam, who followed Leonard's wished to complete the musical sketches that remained after You Want It Darker. Contributions came from many of Leonard's
Release Round-Up: Week of September 20
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Judy Collins, The Elektra Albums: Volume Two (1970-1984) (Edsel) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Demon Music Group's Edsel label is following up its July release of Judy Collins' The Elektra Albums Volume One (1961-1968) with a second volume out today. The Elektra Albums Volume Two (1970-1984) finishes up the artist's Elektra Records tenure, comprising these nine releases on CD in their original sequences: Whales and Nightingales
Rhythm of My Heart: Rod Stewart Joins Royal Philharmonic For New Album, Two New Songs
Following in the footsteps of artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to The Beach Boys, Rod Stewart has announced a collaboration with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. You're in My Heart: Rod Stewart with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, like those other projects, takes classic vocals and pairs them with lush, newly-orchestrated accompaniment. Stewart is sweetening the pot, however, by premiering two new vocals: a duet of Motown favorite "It Takes Two" with Robbie Williams and a new solo track,
Lay Lady Lay: Dylan’s Nashville Period Chronicled In New ‘Bootleg Series’ Volume
Bob Dylan has travelled to many locales, but few have inspired him as powerfully as Nashville, Tennessee. On November 1, Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings will chronicle Dylan's 1967-1969 recordings in Music City - including those made with a very special guest - on the latest volume of the artist's long-running Bootleg Series. Bob Dylan (featuring Johnny Cash) - Travelin' Thru: 1967-1969: The Bootleg Series Vol. 15 will be released in 3CD, 3LP, and digital configurations, all of which
Curse You Red Barrel: XTC’s Dukes Of Stratosphear Years Remixed by Steven Wilson For New Collection
XTC's next Steven Wilson remix project is coming soon...only it's not really XTC at all. The beloved surround engineer and Porcupine Tree frontman has worked his magic on several albums by the British rockers (Drums and Wires, Black Sea, Skylarking, Oranges and Lemons and Nonsuch) - and this year, he now turns his attention to The Dukes Of Stratosphear, the group's beloved psychedelic project. The band's core group (Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory), along with Dave's brother
Check Out Grover: SoulMusic Records Collects Columbia-Era Grover Washington, Jr. Titles on “Sacred Kind of Love”
During the '70s, '80s and '90s, there were few jazz musicians as popular and influential as Grover Washington, Jr. The talented reed-man's skilled saxophone work (he could bring the funk on soprano, alto, baritone, tenor, and even flute) was matched by a pop sensibility that made him an instrumental figure in jazz-fusion as it morphed into smooth-jazz. His music was funky, danceable, accessible, and always smooth. His groundbreaking work in the '70s and early '89s has been well-documented --
Review: “Country Music – A Film by Ken Burns: The Soundtrack”
Can the circle be unbroken? asks The Carter Family on the opening track of Legacy Recordings' new 5-CD, 105-song soundtrack to Ken Burns' epic documentary Country Music: A Film by Ken Burns. The 1935 funeral hymn is a most appropriate way to begin this collection exploring the manifold branches of country music, but the tone on the box set is far from funereal as it gallops from "hillbilly music" to blues, folk, western swing, rockabilly, countrypolitan, outlaw country, and beyond. Country Music
Get On Up: James Brown’s 1969 Homecoming Show Remixed and Expanded For October Release
Are you ready for Star Time? A new James Brown release, chronicling a 50-year-old homecoming show released in full for the first time, will surely do the trick. Live At Home With His Bad Self was in fact intended to be released not long after its recording. In the fall of 1969, Brown came to Augusta, Georgia's Bell Auditorium, hours from where Brown first sang gospel as a young man in Toccoa. He was backed by a stellar band that featured the talents of horn players Maceo Parker and Fred
Wake Up Everybody: Cherry Red, SoulMusic Collect Classic Philadelphia International Albums from Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
If you don't know Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes by now, Cherry Red and SoulMusic Records have just the right collection for you. Be for Real: The PIR Recordings (1972-1975) brings together the four albums recorded by the group for Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records on two CDs, plus a six-song bonus disc. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes came to Gamble and Huff's newly-formed label in 1972 after having bounced from label to label including Landa, Arctic, and
Detour: The Who Announce New Album “WHO,” Release Preview Track “Ball and Chain”
UPDATE: Details have been announced about the bonus tracks for the upcoming deluxe edition. Read on for more! Today, legendary rockers The Who announced plans for their long-awaited new album, simply entitled WHO. It's their first studio effort in 13 years, due November 22 December 6 on CD, deluxe CD, digital, cassette, standard vinyl, and deluxe color vinyl. They've also unveiled the album's artwork - designed by frequent collaborator Peter Blake - and released a new single, "Ball and
Release Round-Up: Week of September 13
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Johnny Mathis, Different Kinda Different: Expanded Edition (Second Disc Records/Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Johnny Mathis' first album of the 1980s, Different Kinda Different, arrives today in an expanded edition from TSD & Real Gone Music. Mathis ushered in the decade with one of the most romantic and sensual albums in his extensive discography. Different Kinda Different teamed him once more with Jack Gold
OUT TOMORROW! Second Disc Records, Real Gone Music Reissue, Expand Three From Johnny Mathis
Tomorrow, Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music continue our celebration of Johnny Mathis' remarkable discography with another pair of expanded releases encompassing three classic albums from The Voice of Romance. 1976's I Only Have Eyes for You and 1977's Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me both reunited Mathis with a pair of his favorite collaborators, producer Jack Gold and arranger Gene Page, for silky renditions of the day's pop smashes as only Mathis could deliver them. Page brought the same
Just a Shot Away: ABKCO Reissues Rolling Stones’ “Let It Bleed” on LP, SACD for 50th Anniversary
Yesterday, ABKCO announced the latest in its series of Rolling Stones anniversary box sets: a 50th anniversary set for the band's multi-platinum 1969 classic Let It Bleed. Produced by Jimmy Miller and featuring "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want," Let It Bleed was the Stones' eighth studio album in the U.K. and tenth in the U.S.; it reached No. 3 in America and No. 1 in England. Now, it's poised to return on November 1 in a 2-LP/2-Hybrid SACD set remastered in both stereo
Cosmik Debris: Frank Zappa’s “Halloween ’73” Shows Collected on 4-CD Box Set
Just in time for Halloween, The Zappa Family Trust and UMe will release Halloween '73, a 4-CD box set featuring over four and a half hours of live material, recorded in Chicago on October 31, 1973. Both of Zappa's live sets from that day - and a further disc of rehearsal tapes - will be collected in the elaborately designed set, which features a "costume box" that houses the four CDs and a "FRANKenZAPPA" mask and gloves set. On the music front, these legendary previously unreleased shows are
Rhino Plans Delirious 5CD/DVD Expansion of Prince’s ‘1999’
Are you ready to party like it's 1999? On November 29, The Prince Estate, in association with Warner Records, will celebrate Prince's 1982 classic 1999 with a multi-format reissue encompassing the following versions: Super Deluxe Edition (5CD+DVD or 10LP+DVD / audio-only download and streaming) Deluxe Edition (2CD or 4LP 180g vinyl / download and streaming) Remastered album (1CD or 2LP 180g Purple Vinyl / download and streaming) Prince's fifth studio album and first to feature