Last year, The Second Disc had nothing but good things to say about Dearly Beloved: A Prince Songbook, Cherry Red's triple-disc tribute to the music of Prince. The set told a story of The Artist's massive impact on pop, rock and soul by way of songs he gave others to record and a galaxy of genre-bending covers. In a year of considerable challenges in Prince fandom, it was a veritable oasis in a desert. Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of speaking with Adam Mattera, the curator and
NOW WITH LINKS! (Don't) Walk On By: Dionne Warwick's "Make It Easy on Yourself: The Scepter Recordings 1962-1971" Due in June on 12 CDs from SoulMusic, Second Disc
UPDATED 4/17 WITH PRE-ORDER LINKS: "I am so very thrilled about this wonderful collection of my recordings! It is truly something that I myself would buy." - Dionne Warwick, 2025 For more than six decades, Dionne Warwick has been synonymous with musical excellence. The six-time Grammy Award winner, 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and Kennedy Center Honoree remains one of the most-charted vocalists of all time, with a whopping 56 singles having made the Billboard Hot 100 between
Make It Easy on Yourself: The Scepter Recordings 1962-1971
SoulMusic Records and Second Disc Records are proud to present Dionne Warwick's Make It Easy on Yourself: The Scepter Recordings 1962-1971, a 12CD box set with 280 tracks encompassing every one of the music legend's original Scepter albums and single releases plus over 60 rare bonus tracks - 16 of which are previously unreleased (both in the studio and in concert) - for a total of over 14 hours of music. This set has been produced by Joe Marchese (of The Second Disc) and Jim Pierson, and
Release Round-Up: Week of November 22
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today including a Christmas classic from Second Disc Records/Real Gone Music and a whole bunch of massive box sets! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Sings Christmas Carols (Expanded Edition) (Second Disc/Real Gone) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music) Over the past decade, we here at TSD have happily partnered with Real
The Weekend Stream: October 26, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. We're positively packed this Saturday: posthumous tracks from Van Halen, Luther Vandross and DMX; a great deluxe live set from Linda Ronstadt; plus some Halloween and Christmas surprises...and, to top it all off, a call to action to aid one of our favorite power-pop acts of the last 40 years. Edward & Alex Van Halen, "Unfinished (Between
Joy in Repetition: Cherry Red's 'Dearly Beloved' Pays Tribute to Prince, the Songwriter
Between the muted 40th anniversary celebration of Purple Rain and the bizarre drama over an estate-sanctioned Netflix documentary on his life and career, Prince fans could probably use a win lately. A new compilation from Cherry Red looks like it might finally offer one. Dearly Beloved - A Prince Songbook is an unexpectedly robust-looking 3CD set that will pay tribute to the Minneapolis icon as a songwriter - one whose classic hits have become pop standards, with so much talent overflowing
Paul Robeson's Glorious Voice Gets Its Due on New Box Set
As an actor, singer, linguist and political thinker, Paul Robeson was one of the most accomplished Black men in America. A newly-released box set will finally give him the attention his work deserves. Voice of Freedom: His Complete Columbia, RCA, HMV and Victor Recordings is a lavish 14CD box set that serves at the definitive account of Robeson on record: a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance whose expressive bass-baritone preserved scores of American spirituals and folk songs, and a
Voice of Freedom: His Complete Columbia, RCA, HMV, and Victor Recordings
This lavish 14-CD box collects all of the late singer-activist's major label recordings, spanning 1925-1947. Voice of Freedom includes the first release of Robeson's groundbreaking Victor recordings on CD (16 recordings reissued for the first time, 5 previously unreleased); the first restoration of Robeson's acclaimed 1944 Othello stage production with Uta Hagen and José Ferrer from the original 33 master disc sides; his complete remastered Columbia albums (Songs of Free Men, Popular Favorites,
The Weekend Stream: July 27, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. Live cuts from two of the hardest-working rockers around, more Disney punk(?!) and the debut album from a future Disney legend are mixing it up this Saturday! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, The Reunion Tour '99 (Columbia/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon) 25 summers ago, Bruce
The Weekend Stream: July 13, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week, there's rare jazz, country, pop standards and gospel, plus remixes of a Madonna hit and one of the most unexpected Disney covers you'll ever hear. Madonna, Who's That Girl EP (Warner/Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) ¿Quién es esa niña? Madonna's international chart-topping 1987 single - the title track to her first soundtrack album from
The Weekend Stream: June 1, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. Remixes from icons in Ireland and Australia, a rare gospel classic and a new, catchy tune from a Disney theme park are part of our latest round-up! U2, If God Will Send His Angels (Island/UMO) (iTunes / Amazon) The latest in U2's digital backfill campaign is - surprise! - another single from Pop, backed with a handful of B-sides including a
Release Round-Up: Week of May 10
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Queen, Queen Rock Montreal (Hollywood/EMI) 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Queen Online Store 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Queen Online Store (Exclusive - Blue) 4K UHD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Queen Online Store Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Queen
Africa 80
In 1980, the legendary Staple Singers were engaged in a tour of Africa sponsored by the U.S. government. The set opened with Charlie Smalls' rousing "Ease on Down the Road" from his Broadway musical The Wiz (which, as of this writing, is once again packing houses on Broadway) and continued with a clutch of Staples favorites including "Let's Do it Again," "Respect Yourself," and "Touch a Hand, Make a Friend." The group also brought their singular style to such varied standards as "Will the
Let's Do It Again: The Staple Singers' "Africa '80" Coming from Omnivore
Fans of The Staple Singers are in for a treat. On May 10, Omnivore Recordings will reissue Africa 80, the live album from the legendary gospel-soul group documenting their first-ever tour of the continent. Roebuck "Pops" Staples, daughters Cleotha, Mavis, and Yvonne, and son Pervis raised their voices in song to celebrate the Lord, but also to crusade for civil rights and share musical messages of power and positivity around the world. In the 1960s, the group transitioned from pure gospel
The Weekend Stream: March 23, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week's lineup includes something for everyone: pop, rock, hip-hop, classic vocals, country, cast recordings, and more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Howard Jones, Celebrating Together (The 40th Anniversary EP) (Cherry Red) (iTunes / Amazon) Cherry Red continues its long association with Howard Jones (whose
Release Round-Up: Week of March 15
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Paul Young, No Parlez: 40th Anniversary Edition (Edsel) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Edsel revisits Paul Young's 1983 debut LP in a 2CD deluxe gatefold edition. The first disc features the original LP while the second disc has 14 bonus cuts including 7- and 12-inch single versions and remixes. Barbara
Precious Memories
Gaither Music Group and Capitol Christian reissue country queen Barbara Mandrell's 1989 album Precious Memories: 20 Hymns and Gospel Classics on CD and digital formats. The double-record set was originally issued by the mail-order Heartland Music label, and heavily promoted on radio and television at the time. It was produced by Barbara's longtime collaborator Tom Collins who had helmed 19 albums and such hits for her as "Standing Room Only," "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed," "Years," and "I
Peace in the Valley: Barbara Mandrell's "Precious Memories" Returns to CD
Though Barbara Mandrell retired from performing and recording in 1997, the country superstar remains beloved. In 2022, she made a rare public appearance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her induction into the Grand Ole Opry; an all-female lineup of artists including Carrie Underwood, Suzy Bogguss, Linda Davis, Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett, and CeCe Winans paid tribute. Mandrell offered her warm appreciation but did not sing; for the past 25 years, she's restricted any singing activities to
Release Round-Up: Week of December 15
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As the next two Fridays will bring few, if any, new releases, this will be the final Release Round-Up of 2024, but we'll continue to have news and reviews all next week. We'll be back with another Release Round-Up in 2024! As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Happy Holidays to all! Rosanne Cash, The Wheel: 30th Anniversary Edition (RumbleStrip Records) 2CD: Amazon
Release Round-Up: Week of October 20
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the many titles being released today as we inch closer to the holiday shopping season! As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Nancy Sinatra, Keep Walkin': Singles, Demos, and Rarities (1965-1978) (Light in the Attic) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Standard Black 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Zodiac Blue 2LP: Nancy's Bootique Highway Song Yellow 2LP: Nancy's
Christmas Collection
Even as they've announced a farewell tour and a slowing-down of activities, The Oak Ridge Boys have prepared a new title to share the joy of the season. Christmas Collection, coinciding with the group's annual holiday concerts, features a baker's dozen of classic songs which appear to have been drawn from the Oaks' past Gaither releases including 2012's Christmas Time's A-Coming and 2016's Celebrate Christmas.
Speed of Sound: Real Gone's April Line-Up Features Voivod, "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist," and More
We've already told you about one of Real Gonem Music's April projects: the 3-CD collection The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973 from Dionne Warwick. Now we've got the details on an additional six releases, due to hit shelves tomorrow, April 7: five vinyl reissues from the 1980s-2000s with genres encompassing soul, disco, gospel, heavy metal, and soundtracks, plus an all-new CD from the co-founder of Real Gone. First up are two albums by artists with very small discographies. 1980's Mother
Release Round-Up: Week of March 24
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today. Elton John, Honky Château: 50th Anniversary Edition (Rocket/UMC) 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Hot on the heels of his final U.S. live performances, Elton John is looking back with a 50th anniversary edition of his 1972 LP Honky Château. The reissue will feature the original album (boasting such classics as "Rocket Man,"
Just My Salvation: Vinyl Me, Please Collects Best of Stax's Gospel Truth in New Box Set
When Memphis' Stax Records launched its Gospel Truth imprint in 1972, its mission was simple: to "carry the message of today's gospel to the people on the street." The label's Al Bell worked closely with in-house radio guru/producer/songwriter Dave Clark and staffer Mary Peak Paterson to afford Gospel Truth the same level of promotion as Stax's secular releases, and accessibility was the byword. Bell paired traditional gospel talents with young artists well-versed in rock, funk, blues, and
I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston
This new collection gathers together 14 hymns and spirituals recorded by the late Whitney Houston. Most of the songs stem from soundtracks, one of the few places she flexed her muscles within the genre (on 1992's juggernaut The Bodyguard and more notably on 1996's The Preacher's Wife); six of the tracks are previously unreleased, and at least one was recorded in 1981, before Houston signed a deal with Clive Davis' Arista Records. The set also includes a stirring cover of Simon & Garfunkel's
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