Popular Standards/Vocal

The Weekend Stream: October 10, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. One of pop’s biggest estates corrects a recent blunder, Paul McCartney goes back to his latest album, new singles from beloved duos and frontmen and much, much more! Prince, Calabama EP (NPG/Paisley Park) (Apple / Amazon) Well, well, well. After the release of the outtakes collection Timeless was shockingly overshadowed by the nondisclosure of posthumous overdubs on the track “Calabama,” the…

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: September 26, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. One of the busiest weeks this column has ever enjoyed includes new music from pop’s biggest figure, its reigning queen and one of the biggest rock bands in the world – plus a generous handful of even more rarities, remixes, re-recordings and rediscoveries. Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore (Republic) (Apple / Amazon) Like death and taxes, new…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of September 25

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. Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, Freak Out! 60th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (Zappa/UMe) 5CD/BD: Zappa.com (opens in new tab)/ uDiscoverMusic.com(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) / Amazon U.S.(opens in new tab) / Amazon U.K.(opens in new tab) / Amazon Canada(opens in new tab) 5LP (Pre-Master Mix & Mono Mix + 60th Anniversary Highlights): Zappa.com(opens in new tab) / uDiscoverMusic.com(opens in new tab) 2LP (Remastered 1966…

Continue Reading

If I Fell: Three Solo Albums from Sir George Martin Reissued on CD, LP, Digital

Sir George Martin would have turned 100 earlier this year, on January 3.  Before the year’s out, Warner Music UK will celebrate the legacy of the producer-arranger-composer-conductor with a trio of reissues.  On November 6, the label will revisit 1964’s Off the Beatle Track, 1965’s Help!, and 1966’s And I Love Her on vinyl and streaming everywhere, and on CD in the United Kingdom.  The first two albums feature Martin’s lush orchestral renditions of Beatles favorites, while the third blends Beatles songs (including the title track) with other hits of the day. …

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: September 19, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. Cyndi Lauper celebrates one of her best-known albums, an Earth, Wind & Fire legend pays tribute to the man who founded the group, plus rare and unvaulted favorites from Peggy Lee, Neil Sedaka and Burl Ives, and reissues of new records by David Byrne and Wednesday. Cyndi Lauper, True Colors (40th Anniversary Expanded Edition) (Epic/Legacy) (Apple / Amazon) Of course a…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of September 18

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today…and it’s one of the biggest weeks in recent memory!  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. David Bowie, The Shel Talmy Recordings (Parlophone) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (180-gram red vinyl) The Shel Talmy Recordings collects 21 recordings the then-unknown David Bowie recorded with producer Talmy (The Who, The Kinks) during 1965, when he was a member of bands The Manish Boys and The Lower Third. Only four of these tracks…

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: September 5, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. Two major years linger in this latest column: 2006 (where two pop legends recorded blockbuster albums that are newly expanded) and 1976 (origin of no less than five left-field titles coming back into digital print). Beyoncé, B’DAY (20th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION) (Parkwood/Columbia) (Apple / Amazon) Two decades to the day after it was released (and, indeed, on her 45th birthday),…

Continue Reading

Yours For The Taking: The Found Songs of Jimmy Webb

Yours for the Taking: The Found Songs of Jimmy Webb draws on the songs in the composer-lyricist’s trunk.  Though the songs may date back decades, the recordings are new – and in Webb’s trademark sweeping, poignant, lyrical, romantic, and thoughtful style. Yours for the Taking welcomes Marc Cohn, Amy Grant, and Michael McDonald, and includes two vintage demos alongside the new recordings: “Winter Clothes” (written for Frank Sinatra) and “If I Ever Get to Talk to You Again.” Available on CD, LP, and digitally.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying…

Continue Reading
Categories:
Tags:

Release Round-Up: Week of September 4

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles out today!  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Ben Folds Five, Ben Folds Five (30th Anniversary Edition) (Capitol/UMe, 2026) 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada  2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Piano-pounding alternative trio Ben Folds Five have revisited their first album – both versions of their first album – for a new expanded edition.  The group’s self-titled debut has been remastered and expanded, one year after its 30th anniversary…

Continue Reading

Sinatra at the Sands: 60th Anniversary Edition

Frank Sinatra Enterprises and Capitol/UMe are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the original Sinatra at the Sands with a new campaign encompassing a 2LP remixed reissue of the album, a 5CD box set premiering five previously unreleased concerts from the Sands “residency,” and digital versions including a Dolby Atmos mix of both releases.  (The Atmos mix is not included within the physical package.) The main attraction for CD fans and collectors alike will be the 5CD box.  Whereas the original album’s performances were culled from various nights at the Copa Room with Count Basie…

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: August 29, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. New singles from U2 and Peter Gabriel, expanded reissues from OK Go and The New Christy Minstrels, SuperVisible surprises and some new cast albums – you’ll find them all here, plus tributes to the many, many artists we lost this week. U2, “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” (Rubyworks) (Apple / Amazon TBD) The boys of U2 are fully roused for a new…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of August 28

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. Prince, Timeless (NPG/Legacy) CD: Amazon U.S.(opens in new tab) / Amazon U.K.(opens in new tab) / Amazon Canada(opens in new tab) LP: Amazon U.S.(opens in new tab) / Amazon U.K.(opens in new tab) / Amazon Canada(opens in new tab) / Official Store(opens in new tab) (140-gram Purple Marbled Vinyl) Ten years after his tragic passing, a newly-curated release from Prince’s vault offers 10 unreleased tracks spanning his entire recording career – mostly unconsidered, in their respective forms, for any formal versions…

Continue Reading

In Other Words: “Sinatra at the Sands” 60th Anniversary Celebrated with New 5CD Box Set, Remixed LP

“How did all these people get in my room?”  Frank Sinatra quipped when he strode onstage at The Sands’ Copa Room in January 1966 for his sold-out concerts, but, in truth, there was no doubt that it was Sinatra’s room.  Las Vegas was his kind of town.  Supported by Count Basie and His Orchestra under the baton of arranger-conductor Quincy Jones, the Chairman of the Board – who had recently turned 50 years old and entered the September of his years, was in his element.  His electrifying shows were preserved on his…

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: August 23, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. We’re mostly looking at albums dug up from the crates of 1976, but there’s also some unreleased goodies from Peggy Lee and David Allan Coe, plus plenty more. Peggy Lee, My Guitar à la Lee (Capitol/UMe) (Apple / Amazon) A new digital EP celebrates the 60th anniversary of the late songstress’ 1966 album Guitars à la Lee…sort of! My Guitar…

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: August 15, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. A lot of new singles from some old favorites, from Stephen Bishop to Jimmy Webb – plus even more outtakes from Ween, remixes from Whitney Houston, rare finds for country, comedy, hard rock and soundtrack lovers, and a must-read story about a fan letter to one of our most missed singer/songwriters. Stephen Bishop, “I Don’t Know You Anymore” (Life’s a Bish) (Apple…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of August 14

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. The Monkees, Made for TV (Rhino) (Amazon U.S.(opens in new tab) / Amazon U.K.(opens in new tab) / Amazon Canada(opens in new tab) / Rhino.com(opens in new tab) / Monkees.com(opens in new tab)) Rhino celebrates Season 1 of The Monkees just in time for its 60th anniversary.  This new 2CD/1LP/1Blu-ray multimedia box set brings together all of the music heard on Season 1 of the groundbreaking television series in one deluxe…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of August 7

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. Tom Tom Club, Let There Be Love (Warner/Rhino) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Rhino assembles most of the Talking Heads offshoot group’s discography on a new 6CD or 7LP box set.  Let There Be Love contains Tom Tom Club (1981), Close to the Bone (1983), Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom (1988), Dark Sneak Love Action (1991), The Good, the Bad, and the Funky (2000), and Downtown Rockers (2012).  Get the detail on what’s included on what’s not by clicking here. Whitney…

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: July 25, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. Oddities and curiosities abound in this Saturday’s column! Peggy Lee, “Big $pender (Girl Math Remix)” (Capitol/UMe) (Apple / Amazon) House music DJ duo Girl Math has remixed Peggy Lee’s rendition of Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields’ Sweet Charity showstopper “Big Spender” – the title track of her 1966 album – with a modern, electronic dance sound. Spend a little time with her?…

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: July 18, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. We’ve got throwbacks to the ’90s and the ’00s, a legend of film music conducting live for America, some deluxe editions of the  current top-selling album in the country from a timeless pop icon, and so, so much more! Mariah Carey, Daydream (30th Anniversary Edition) (Columbia/Legacy) (Apple / Amazon) A sweet, sweet fantasy came true for all the Lambs out there: a…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of July 17

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. Yes, Live at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, 17 June 1976 (Atlantic/Rhino) 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Yes’ 50th anniversary release Live at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, 17 June 1976 takes listeners back to the long-gone New Jersey venue for the concert broadcast on WNEW-FM and bootlegged countless times since.  It will be available on 2 CDs or 3 LPs, including an edition exclusive to Rhino.com with a…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of June 26

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today!  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Metallica, Reload: Deluxe Edition (Blackened Recordings) 15CD/5LP/7″/4DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3CD (* included on bonus discs): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Cassette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Metallica’s seventh studio album is their latest to get a massive box set treatment: 29 hours of audiovisual material on 15 CDs, five LPs, a 7″ single and four DVDs. Fans will get a deep dive…

Continue Reading

In Memoriam: Clive Davis (1932-2026)

Today, The Second Disc remembers Clive Davis.  Mike kicks things off… It was not entirely hubris that spurred Clive Davis to title his second memoir The Soundtrack of My Life in 2013 (which, in turn, inspired the career-spanning documentary on him to be named The Soundtrack of Our Lives). Here was a man who, with very few peers, was the sort of self-styled “record men” that fueled phases of incredible music industry growth in the back half of the 20th century. Next to perhaps only Berry Gordy, Davis’ label tenures at Columbia, Arista and…

Continue Reading

The Weekend Stream: June 13, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. Olivia Rodrigo makes a triumphant return, Blink-182 dip into the CD bin, Taylor Swift and John Williams (separately) flesh out their latest projects, and an unexpected return from one of pop/folk’s living legends sets the mood for our latest rundown.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.) Olivia Rodrigo, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love (Geffen)…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of June 12

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. The 5th Dimension, Let the Sunshine In: The Soul City & Bell Albums 1967-1974 (Second Disc/Cherry Red/Strawberry) Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Cherry Red 2026 marks 60 years of The 5th Dimension–and the celebration is kicking off with the first-ever box set dedicated to the legendary “champagne soul” fivesome!  Second Disc Records is proud to team with Cherry Red’s Strawberry imprint for Let the Sunshine In: The Soul City &…

Continue Reading

Release Round-Up: Week of June 5

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. Barry Manilow, What a Time (Stiletto) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / ShopManilow.com LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / ShopManilow.com Arriving today as Manilow prepares to embark on his first tour after recovering from lung cancer treatment, Barry Manilow’s What a Time is the singer-songwriter’s first album of primarily original music since 2011’s 15 Minutes.  The album takes on a reflective tone characterized by its first single, a cover of Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford’s “Once…

Continue Reading
Scroll to Top