La-La Land Records' current slate is nothing short of super-powered, with six(!) titles streeting this month with a root in comic books - five of which come from DC Comics properties. By far the biggest of the titles in terms of both depth and recognition is the debut standalone release of Ken Thorne's scores to Superman II and Superman III, the first two sequels to 1978's blockbuster adaptation of The Man of Steel. Richard Donner's original film was memorably scored by John Williams;
Only You: Yazoo Collect Albums, Remixes, Rare Live Material For Vinyl, CD Box
Though Yazoo - a.k.a. Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet - only released two studio albums, the synthpop duo's music remains beloved today. Indeed, the number of compilations of Yazoo's work has far exceeded the number of LPs in their discography. On October 26 in the U.K. (and this Friday in the U.S.), the small Yazoo catalogue was revisited and expanded once again with the release of Four Pieces: A Yazoo Compendium, a new 4-LP vinyl box set. A CD edition will follow this Friday in the U.K., and
People Get Ready: Aretha Franklin Hits and Orchestral Versions Collected on “The Queen of Soul”
This summer, music lovers across the world mourned the loss of one of the most renowned vocalists to ever grace the planet: Aretha Franklin. Now, Rhino U.K. has announced a new collection that celebrates the music icon's reign, entitled The Queen of Soul. Arriving on November 23 to CD and digital, the two-disc set pairs some of Aretha's classic Atlantic sides with recent symphonic versions that feature The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The first disc covers the Atlantic territory, boasting
Review: “Stax ’68: A Memphis Story”
Otis Redding's "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay," the first Stax single of 1968, should have been a new beginning for the artist and label. Instead, the posthumous release ushered in a tumultuous year for the Memphis institution. The death of Redding and members of The Bar-Kays on December 10, 1967 was a tremendous loss for Stax and popular culture, but no one could have predicted the upheaval that would affect Stax and the city of Memphis in the following twelve months. That time has just
Hey, Soul Sister: Train Prep New ‘Greatest Hits’
Since their founding in 1993, the San Francisco rock group Train has released ten studio albums and a number of iconic singles, like "Drops of Jupiter," "Hey, Soul Sister," and "Calling All Angels." On November 9, Train will commemorate 25 years as a band with their first-ever compilation album, simply entitled Greatest Hits. The 17-track album collects tracks from every one of the band's studio albums and includes their latest single, "Call Me Sir." Exclusive to this set is a brand-new
Say a Little Prayer: Steve Tyrell Expands “Back to Bacharach” For Tenth Anniversary
Long before he was serenading fans with his expressive, distinctively smoky voice as a modern-day crooner, Steve Tyrell was moving and shaking behind the scenes at Scepter Records. When not producing singles for Maxine Brown, The Shirelles, Chuck Jackson, or B.J. Thomas, he was working in A&R and promotions alongside Scepter's superstar "triangle marriage" team of Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, and Hal David. In 2008, with six solo albums then under his belt, Tyrell returned to his roots
Take Me Home: Semisonic’s Breakthrough ‘Feeling Strangely Fine’ Gets Expanded
Out today is a new 20th anniversary edition of Semisonic's breakthrough album Feeling Strangely Fine from UMe/Geffen Records which adds four bonus tracks to the original tracklisting. Hailing from Minnesota, Dan Wilson and John Munson were members of the band Trip Shakespeare. When that group broke up, the joined with drummer Jacob Slichter in 1995 to form Semisonic. The trio recorded an EP, Pleasure, released on an indie label. They were then signed to Elektra, but dropped when the label
Release Round-Up: Week of October 26
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! The Kinks, The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society [Various Formats] (BMG) 5CD/3LP/3-7″ Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada The Kinks are going back to the Village Green - and it's grown quite a bit in size! The band's legendary fifth album, 1968's The Kinks Are The
Good News: Cherry Red, SoulMusic Collect Staple Singers’ Epic Years on “For What It’s Worth”
Stop, children, what's that sound? For nearly half a century, the sound of The Staple Singers was one of tremendous power. Roebuck "Pops" Staples, daughters Cleotha, Mavis, and (sometimes) Yvonne, and son Pervis raised their voices in song to celebrate the Lord, but also to fight for civil rights and espouse messages of positivity and resilience to listeners worldwide. At Epic Records, the group transitioned from pure gospel and blues to soul and R&B - a move that would take them to the
Contante & Sonante Celebrates Late Warren Wiebe with Rare Demos From Burt Bacharach, David Foster, More
Talk about a well-kept secret... Throughout his too-short life, vocalist Warren Wiebe (1953-1998) never became a household name. Yet he was highly successful. As a background singer, he graced recordings by Johnny Mathis, Paul Anka, Taylor Dayne, and Air Supply. A true songwriter's singer - able to convey the heart and soul of a song without resorting to self-indulgence - he earned the respect and admiration of a "Who's Who" of songwriters who enlisted him to introduce their songs on
The Count Returns: Varese Expands John Williams’ Score to 1979’s “Dracula”
Just in time for Halloween, Varese Sarabande has announced a new CD featuring arguably the greatest fictional horror character of all time: Dracula. Varese's latest entry in their CD Club is an expanded presentation of John Williams' score to the 1979 film version of Dracula. The 2-CD set Dracula: The Deluxe Edition is available for preorder now and due to start shipping the week of November 5. Dracula, the character, of course needs little introduction. Created by Bram Stoker in 1897 for
If I Can Dream: Elvis’ Comeback Special Receives Box Set Treatment For 50th Anniversary
On December 3, 1968, Elvis Presley electrified television audiences with the self-titled special that would come to be known, simply, as The Comeback Special. Nearly fifty years later, it remains the epitome of his artistry during a period when some would have written him off. At the time of the NBC-TV broadcast, his most recent single ("Guitar Man") had failed to crack the top 40. He hadn't had a chart-topper since "Good Luck Charm" in 1962. He hadn't appeared live onstage since a benefit
On Blue Bayou: Royal Philharmonic Re-Teams With Roy Orbison On “Unchained Melodies”
Last November, the late Roy Orbison followed in the footsteps of his fellow Sun alumnus Elvis Presley when his original recordings were given the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra treatment on the set entitled A Love So Beautiful. On November 16, a little over a year after that successful release, the Orchestra has returned to the Orbison songbook with an all-new collection. Unchained Melodies: Roy Orbison with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra presents another 15 selections from the famously
No One Seems To Know: Neil Young Announces 1976 Live Acoustic Collection, “Songs For Judy”
Last week, Neil Young wrote in a post on his NYA Times-Contrarian blog that his much-anticipated Archives, Volume 2 box set is set to arrive in May 2019. While this is welcome news, listeners won't have to wait until spring to hear unreleased, vintage rarities from the artist. On November 30, Neil Young will release Songs For Judy, a 23-track collection of previously unreleased solo acoustic performances from his legendary 1976 tour of the U.S. The album will first be released on CD and
Holding Back the Years: Rhino to Deliver Reimagined Orchestral Classics with “’80s Symphonic”
Looking back from a vantage point thirty years on, there's no denying the special place that the 1980s have in the history of popular music. It was a decade that surveyed past musical ground while simultaneously advancing the art form further, making an indelible mark on music to come. With dancefloor grooves, yearning ballads, infectious pop, and more, it was a decade of great music. Now, Rhino has announced a new collection that reimagines some of the smash hits from the decade: 80s
Bip Bop: Paul McCartney’s Archive Collection Rolls On with Deluxe “Wild Life,” “Red Rose Speedway”
2018 has delivered an embarrassment of riches for Beatle fans, including the Ultimate Mixes of John Lennon's Imagine, Paul McCartney's new album Egypt Station, and soon, the super deluxe anniversary box set of The Beatles, a.k.a. The White Album. Today, McCartney upped the ante further with the announcement of not one, but two, new box sets in his ongoing Archive Collection series. On December 7, Macca will release deluxe, expanded editions of his first two albums with Wings: 1971's Wild Life
Release Round-Up: Week of October 19
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Frank Sinatra, Sings for Only the Lonely: 60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Capitol/FSE/UMe) 2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada On Frank Sinatra's 1958 Capitol concept album masterwork, he sang for Only the Lonely. But now, 60 years on, that classic is being revisited for everyone in a new 2-CD anniversary edition. Frank Sinatra
Rush Revisits “Hemispheres” For 40th Anniversary In Multiple Formats
The 1978 album Hemispheres from Canadian rock heroes Rush celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and UMe/Anthem is not letting the occasion go unnoticed. The classic LP is being reissued on November 16 in a variety of formats including a 2CD/1BD/3LP Super Deluxe Edition, standalone 3LP and 2CD Deluxe Editions, and a Deluxe Digital Edition. Hemispheres, Rush's sixth studio album, followed A Farewell to Kings, the band's U.K. breakthrough. Recorded at Rockfield Studios with engineer Terry
Review: Vince Guaraldi, “The Complete Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Recordings”
For many listeners, Vince Guaraldi's legacy will forever be tied to the merry Yuletide melodies that he recorded on the landmark soundtrack album, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Though it arrived a decade into his recording career, the album solidified in the public consciousness Guaraldi's unique and playful piano style, the impact of which has endured for generations. Now, Omnivore Recordings puts the spotlight on another chapter of the pianist's career in a new 2-CD set called The Complete
How The Story Goes: Cherry Red Collects REO Speedwagon’s “Early Years” On New Box Set
When "Keep on Loving You" reached the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980, some listeners could be forgiven for thinking that REO Speedwagon came out of nowhere. Prior to that seminal power ballad, the Illinois-formed band had never attained a chart position higher than No. 56 ("Time for Me to Fly," 1978). When the success of "Take It on the Run" (No. 5) quickly followed, it was clear that REO Speedwagon was here to stay. But their success was hard-earned, and their catalogue already
I’m Open to Persuasion: Intervention Celebrates Joan Armatrading’s Self-Titled Album With LP, Hybrid SACD Reissue
Today, The Second Disc welcomes a new voice! Please give a warm welcome to our newest contributor, Sam Stone. Sam brings deep knowledge and tremendous passion for the world of catalogue music, and we're confident that his fresh perspective will put his news and reviews for The Second Disc on the top of your must-read list. You can read a little more about Sam at the end of this post. We couldn't be more thrilled to have him on board. Without further ado...take it away, Sam! Intervention
Elvis Costello Deftly Blends Present and Past on “Look Now”
Among the credits for Elvis Costello and The Imposters' Look Now is a simple acknowledgment: In Memphis - Mary Isobel O'Brien. The onetime Ms. O'Brien, of course, is better known as Dusty Springfield, and the credit from Declan MacManus and his band makes clear the inspiration for this stunning assemblage of what the artist, correctly, deems "uptown pop." Dusty in Memphis is one of the benchmarks of that style: pop with a dash of soul, or is it soul with a dash of pop? It doesn't hurt that
Brooklyn Roads: Neil Diamond Looks Back with 50th Anniversary Box of Hits and Unreleased Songs
Earlier this year, Neil Diamond was honored with the Grammys' Lifetime Achievement Award. The superstar then made a triumphant return to the stage on July 14 at the Dolby Theatre, sharing a duet with Micky Dolenz on his immortal "I'm a Believer" for the Grammy Salute to Music Legends event. It was a rare and thrilling return to the stage for Diamond following his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease. Now, while he's still promising to keep making music, the singer-songwriter is looking back on his
Release Round-Up: Week of October 12
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! David Bowie, Loving the Alien (1983-1988) (Parlophone) 11CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 15LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada The fourth annual volume of Parlophone's ongoing series of box sets dedicated to the late David Bowie, Loving the Alien (1983-1988), arrives on 11 CDs or 15 vinyl LPs. This lavish set is filled with more exclusive material than any of its predecessors, as only three studio albums are
Review: Ramones, “Road to Ruin: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition”
The Ramones entered New York's Mediasound Studios in May 1978 with their mission clearly laid out: to achieve radio airplay and mainstream success without sacrificing their punk values. It wasn't such a far-fetched idea; a love of '60s pop had been ingrained in the band since their debut. For their fourth album, Road to Ruin, the band would continue on the path blazed on 1977's Rocket to Russia with stronger playing, stronger production, stronger songwriting, bigger hooks, and more varied
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