Popular Standards/Vocal

Formats:

CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl

Genres:

Disco/Dance, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Soundtracks

Tags:

Ari Axelrod, Gracie Abrams, Various Artists, Vince Guaraldi

Release Round-Up: Week of December 6

December 6, 2024 by The Second Disc | 2 Comments

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. Laura Nyro, Hear My Song: The Collection 1966-1995 (Madfish) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Madfish) Over three years after the release of its 8LP vinyl box set American Dreamer 1967-1978, the Madfish label is returning to the discography of late singer-songwriter Laura Nyro for the 19CD box set Hear My Song: The Collection 1966-1995. This collection includes every one of Nyro’s original studio albums, six live albums (two of which are previously…

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Formats:

Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl

Genres:

Classic Rock, Folk, Holiday, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rock, Soundtracks

Tags:

Al Jarreau, Bill Evans, Bing Crosby, Christopher Cross, Flamin' Groovies, Henry Mancini, Jesse Malin, Laura Nyro, Lucinda Williams, Melanie, Nancy Wilson, Roxette, The Blasters, The Rolling Stones

A Celebration

December 2, 2024 by Joe Marchese

The full 3CD version of Judy Garland: A Celebration – Classic & Collectable Performances (also available as a 1LP “highlights” release) contains 73 tracks or more than 3 hours of music, including a dozen new-to-CD tracks, many from private collectors’ archives, from the late superstar. These previously unreleased recordings include seven Capitol overdubs from her 1956 album Judy arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, all freshly restored from acetates; rare television performances from The Judy Garland Show and On Broadway Tonight; a rehearsal from A Star Is Born; an alternate take of the “Palace Medley” from Garland’s London sessions recorded…

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Formats:

CD, Vinyl

Genres:

Popular Standards/Vocal

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The Alternate “Judy” Album: Unreleased Session Takes and More

December 2, 2024 by Joe Marchese

The folks at High Definition Tape Transfers have unearthed a clutch of alternate takes from Judy Garland’s 1956 Capitol album, Judy. These takes from those March 1956 sessions arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle form the basis of this new digital release (also available on CD-R). Judy remains one of Garland’s master classes in vocal interpretation – aided, in no small part, by Riddle’s sympathetic charts – and so it’s fascinating to gain a glimpse into her process with early versions of such standards as “Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries,”…

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Formats:

CD, Digital Download

Genres:

Popular Standards/Vocal

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THE SECOND DISC’S 2024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE IS HERE!

December 2, 2024 by The Second Disc | No Comments

George Harrison Living in the Material World 50th SDE Cover

Well, today is Cyber Monday, which means one thing at Second Disc HQ: it’s time to launch our annual Holiday Gift Guide, featuring (more than) a few of our favorite things for the music enthusiast in your life. Sure, we might not have included raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens, but we’ve filled the guide with over 50 essential selections: sprawling box sets and deluxe vinyl editions, as well as noteworthy releases on CD from favorite artists that just might make great stocking stuffers. So just click here or visit the…

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Formats:

Box Sets, CD, Vinyl

Genres:

Cast Recordings, Classic Rock, Classical/Opera, Comedy, Country, Disco/Dance, Folk, Funk, Holiday, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rock

Tags:

A Christopher Cross Christmas

December 2, 2024 by Joe Marchese

This Christmas album by “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme” vocalist Christopher Cross was originally released in 2007. It contains the yacht rock pioneer’s versions of 10 yuletide classics (“Silent Night,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, among others) along with two original songs written with longtime collaborator Rob Meurer: “Does It Feel Like Christmas” and “A Dream of Peace at Christmastime.” Cross produced the album himself but has guests on the album including several instruments played by Michael Omartian (who produced Cross’ debut album in 1979). Other…

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Formats:

CD, Vinyl

Genres:

Holiday, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal

Tags:

Christmas Jollies I + II: The Extra Jolly Edition

December 2, 2024 by Joe Marchese

Salsoul Orchestra Christmas Jollies I and II Extra Jolly Edition

The Second Disc has teamed with SoulMusic Records for the definitive celebration of the Christmas disco/Philly soul classic. The Salsoul Orchestra’s Christmas Jollies I + II: The Extra Jolly Edition brings together Vincent Montana, Jr.’s original Christmas Jollies plus Tom Moulton’s complete 1992 remix and producer Patrick Adams’ rare follow-up, Christmas Jollies II. But that’s not all. The Extra Jolly Edition adds nearly a dozen bonus single versions and remixes (most of which are new to CD) spread across all three CDs. The 3CD collection, designed by Paul Bevoir and remastered by Nick Robbins, includes a deluxe 24-page full-color booklet…

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Formats:

Box Sets, CD

Genres:

Disco/Dance, Holiday, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul

Tags:

The Weekend Stream: November 30, 2024

November 30, 2024 by Mike Duquette | 3 Comments

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. The Christmas season means favorites (quite) old and (sort of) new, plus Wang Chung’s first album and a rock and hip-hop packed slasher film soundtrack. Band Aid, Do They Know It’s Christmas? EP (Band Aid Trading Limited/UMC) EP: iTunes / Amazon Single Version: iTunes / Amazon Extended Version: iTunes / Amazon Just over four decades from its original recording and release, Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” returns for a…

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Formats:

Genres:

Country, Disco/Dance, Holiday, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock, Soundtracks

Tags:

Band Aid, Bob Wills, INXS, Jody Miller, Raymond Scott, The Flaming Lips, The Olivia Tremor Control, Wang Chung, Yoko Ono

Mellow as a Shower on a Summer’s Day: SoulMusic Celebrates Nancy Wilson on “You’re as Right as Rain: The Capitol Albums 1970-1980”

November 26, 2024 by The Second Disc | 12 Comments

For over 20 years, Nancy Wilson was a mainstay of the Capitol Records label. Deftly blending jazz, pop, soul, and rhythm and blues, the late chanteuse’s distinctive tone anchored collaborations with the illustrious likes of Billy May, George Shearing, Cannonball Adderley, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, Thom Bell, Eugene McDaniels, and numerous others. A sprawling new box set from Cherry Red’s SoulMusic Records in association with The Second Disc brings her second decade with Capitol into sharp focus. Due on December 6, You’re as Right as Rain: The Capitol Albums 1970-1980 contains…

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Formats:

Box Sets, CD

Genres:

Jazz, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul

Tags:

Nancy Wilson

You’re as Right as Rain: The Capitol Albums 1970-1980

November 25, 2024 by Joe Marchese

TSD has teamed with our friends at Cherry Red and SoulMusic Records to commemorate a special decade for late chanteuse Nancy Wilson. The new 7CD box set You’re as Right as Rain has 12 albums originally released between 1970 and 1980 – many of which are now hard-to-find on CD – for a total of 124 tracks including four long out-of-print bonus tracks. The set features Nancy’s collaborations with such talents as Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, Thom Bell, Eugene McDaniels, Clarence McDonald, and Gene Page, while her friends Johnny Mathis and Kenny Lattimore…

Categories:

Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul

Formats:

Box Sets, CD

Genres:

Tags:

On Air

November 10, 2024 by Joe Marchese

Stage Door Records’ Pop imprint celebrates The Happiest Millionaire and Half a Sixpence star Tommy Steele with On Air, a collection of 31 tracks culled from his 1964 U.K. radio series The Tommy Steele Show. None of these tracks have been released since their original broadcast sixty years ago. Tommy was joined on these recordings by The Johnnie Spence Orchestra and vocal group The Raindrops (featuring Irish singer and Northern Soul favorite Jackie Lee). The repertoire is a happily mixed bag of then-current radio hits, classic pop standards, and all-around beloved tunes including…

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Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal

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Genres:

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The Weekend Stream: November 9, 2024

November 9, 2024 by Mike Duquette | 4 Comments

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 brings new remixes from Pet Shop Boys, old remixes from INXS, plus rare folk, jazz and alt-rock favorites – plus another bounty of unusual Christmas albums and EPs! Pet Shop Boys, New London boy / All the young dudes EPs (x2/Parlophone) Standard: iTunes / Amazon Remixes: iTunes / Amazon A new double A-side single from Pet Shop Boys’ 15th album Nonetheless – released earlier this year – is physically due…

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Formats:

Genres:

Disco/Dance, Folk, Holiday, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, Rock

Tags:

Al Hirt, Buffalo Bob Smith, Claude Thornill, INXS, Judy Collins, Pet Shop Boys, Rosemary Clooney, a-ha

Release Round-Up: Week of November 8

November 8, 2024 by The Second Disc | 3 Comments

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. Whitney Houston, The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban) (Arista/Legacy) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Legacy Recordings, in collaboration with Whitney Houston’s estate, will release the late artist’s The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban). The CD and double vinyl release chronicles Whitney’s first of three concerts in South Africa in the fall of 1994 – just a few short months after the first democratic…

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Formats:

Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl

Genres:

Classic Rock, Folk, Holiday, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rock

Tags:

Al Jarreau, Albert Hammond, Art Garfunkel, Art Garfunkel Jr, Judy Collins, Melanie, Miles Davis, Paul Carrack, Pete Townshend, Rachel Fuller, Steve Perry, Talking Heads, The Cowsills, Whitney Houston

Fortuosity: Stage Door Pop Brings Rare Tommy Steele Recordings to CD in November

November 5, 2024 by Joe Marchese | No Comments

Tommy Steele may be best remembered today for his starring role on both sides of the Atlantic as Arthur Kipps in the 1963 musical Half a Sixpence – one which he repeated for its film adaptation – or for such motion pictures as Finian’s Rainbow and Walt Disney’s The Happiest Millionaire. Considered to be Britain’s first teen idol, the London native with the toothy grin and big talents scored such early rock-and-roll hits as “Rock with the Caveman,” “Butterfingers,” “Water, Water,” “Nairobi,” “Come On, Let’s Go,” “Little White Bull,” and the chart-topping…

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Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal

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Genres:

Tags:

Tommy Steele

A Cool Yule: Verve Expands Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘Swinging Christmas’ for Vinyl, Plans Gift Set with Louis Armstrong’s Christmas Collection

November 1, 2024 by The Second Disc | 1 Comment

You’ve hung up your costumes and sorted through all your Halloween candy – now it’s time to get excited for the holiday gift-giving season, packed with great reissues under your tree and spirited carols on the stereo. Two new vinyl products from Verve Records feature both: some of the most beloved holiday hits from two of the label’s most iconic voices. Verve will release a special gift set this season: Ella & Louis Wish You a Swinging Holiday – a 2LP set that brings together a bona fide Christmas classic LP from The First…

Categories:

Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong

Formats:

Box Sets, Vinyl

Genres:

Holiday, Jazz, Popular Standards/Vocal

Tags:

Release Round-Up: Week of November 1

November 1, 2024 by The Second Disc | 1 Comment

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. Elvis Costello, King of America and Other Realms (UMe) 6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 140-gram Black LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 140-gram Gold Nugget LP: Official Store / uDiscover Music / The Sound of Vinyl Elvis Costello is looking back on his tenth studio album King of America – and its effect on his future live and studio work – on a lavish new box set. The remastered 1986 album is paired with…

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Formats:

Blu-Ray Audio, CD, Digital Streaming, Vinyl

Genres:

Classic Rock, Country, Folk, Holiday, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rock

Tags:

Carly Simon, Carpenters, Chicago, Elvis Costello, Kelly Clarkson, Melanie, Ronnie Milsap, Seal, The Flaming Lips, Todd Rundgren, Uncle Walt's Band, Weezer, Willie Nelson

The Weekend Stream: October 26, 2024

October 26, 2024 by Mike Duquette | 4 Comments

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 Us Two)” (self-released) (official site) Alex Van Halen just released Brothers, a heartfelt…

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Formats:

Genres:

Cast Recordings, Classic Rock, Country, Disco/Dance, Gospel, Holiday, Jazz, Poetry, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock, Soundtracks

Tags:

Brenda Lee, Bruce Springsteen, DMX, Danny Elfman, Linda Ronstadt, Liz Story, Luther Vandross, Matthew Sweet, Outkast, Prince, Robert Lamm, Sade, Simple Plan, Stephen Sondheim, The Beatles, Van Halen, Wendy & Lisa

In Memoriam: Jack Jones (1938-2024)

October 25, 2024 by Joe Marchese | 34 Comments

Music was Jack Jones’ birthright. The singer’s singer – best-known for “Wives and Lovers,” “Lollipops and Roses,” “The Race Is On,” and, yes, the theme to The Love Boat – was born to actors Allan Jones and Irene Hervey in 1938 and grew up in the world of show business, eventually reaching its heights himself. Jones has died at 86 after a battle with leukemia, and while his passing closes another chapter of The Great American Songbook, his extraordinary body of work will continue to resonate. While attending University High School in…

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Formats:

Genres:

Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal

Tags:

Jack Jones

Release Round-Up: Week of October 25

October 25, 2024 by The Second Disc | 5 Comments

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. Blue Magic, Stop to Start: The Atco and WMOT Recordings (SoulMusic/The Second Disc) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Cherry Red) Let the sideshow begin! SoulMusic Records and TSD are proud to unveil a new 6-CD box set dedicated to the sweet ‘n funky soul stylings of Philly quintet Blue Magic (“Sideshow,” “Three Ring Circus,” “Welcome to the Club,” “What’s Come Over Me”). Stop to Start: The Atco and WMOT Recordings brings together…

Categories:

Formats:

Blu-Ray, Box Sets, CD, Vinyl

Genres:

Classic Rock, Classical/Opera, Country, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rock

Tags:

ABBA, Andrea Bocelli, Ben Folds, Blue Magic, Bryan Ferry, Charlie Parker, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Duran Duran, Graham Parker, Green Day, Iain Matthews, Melanie, Queen, Tears for Fears, The Oak Ridge Boys

Christmas Once More

October 23, 2024 by Joe Marchese

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (Gold Vinyl) Curated and remixed by Richard Carpenter, Christmas Once More presents highlights from both of Carpenters’ original Christmas albums as well as “Merry Christmas Darling” from the duo’s 2018 album Carpenters with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It offers both secular favorites (“Sleigh Ride,” “The First Snowfall/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” featuring a newly-recorded drum track) and timeless carols (“Little Altar Boy,” “Christ Is Born,” “Ave Maria”). Available on CD, LP, and…

Categories:

Formats:

CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl

Genres:

Holiday, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal

Tags:

The Weekend Stream: October 19, 2024

October 19, 2024 by Mike Duquette | 1 Comment

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. A brief week offers some unusual soundtracks, an even more unusual Beach Boys homage – and plenty of Christmas curiosities! Various Artists, Pulp Fiction (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Geffen) (iTunes / Amazon) This weekend, the iconic songs-and-dialogue album for Quentin Tarantino’s classic film Pulp Fiction – featuring favorites like Dick Dale’s rapid-fire, guitar-driven instrumental “Misirlou” and a cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” by Urge Overkill…

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Formats:

Genres:

Country, Holiday, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock, Soundtracks

Tags:

Alicia Keys, Deborah Cox, Dick Dale, Grandma Moses, Lil Kim, Luther Vandross, Sammy Kaye, Slim Whitman, Snoop Dogg, Urge Overkill

Release Round-Up: Week of October 18

October 18, 2024 by The Second Disc | No Comments

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. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Long After Dark: Deluxe Edition (Geffen/UMe) 2CD/Blu-ray Audio: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD/Blu-ray Audio (with Amazon-exclusive stickers): Amazon U.S. 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Tom Petty Store (Exclusive) Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ fifth studio album has gotten a deluxe makeover. Geffen/UMe have revisited 1982’s oft-overlooked Long After Dark, originally released on Backstreet Records, in various formats including 2LP and 2CD+Blu-ray. The bonus disc, featuring outtakes…

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Formats:

Blu-Ray Audio, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl

Genres:

Blues, Cast Recordings, Classic Rock, Country, Holiday, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rap/Hip-Hop

Tags:

Albert King, Ella Fitzgerald, Jake Shimabukuro, Jane Monheit, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lou Reed, Mick Fleetwood, NRBQ, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Kinks, The Pogues, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Release Round-Up: Week of October 11

October 11, 2024 by The Second Disc | No Comments

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. Duran Duran, Danse Macabre: De Luxe (Tapemodern/BMG) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP Box Set: Official Store Duran Duran has reissued their 2023 album on CD and digitally with three new recordings: an original instrumental, “Masque of the Pink Death,” that now opens the album; a cover of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Evil Woman”; and “New Moon (Dark Phase),” a re-recording of the band’s 1984 Top 10 hit “New Moon on…

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Formats:

Blu-Ray, Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl

Genres:

Blues, Classic Rock, Folk, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, Rock, Soundtracks

Tags:

Duran Duran, James Blunt, Lady Gaga, Melanie, Rory Gallagher

Release Round-Up: Week of October 4

October 4, 2024 by The Second Disc | 3 Comments

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. Joni Mitchell, Archives Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) (Rhino) 6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) features six CDs (also available as a “highlights” set on four LPs) chronicling the Canadian icon’s trek through the latter half of the ’70s, peeling away from her always-eclectic folk-pop sound, venturing into territory inspired by jazz and fusion. Sourced from variously…

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