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Between August 1972 and May 1981, late night television was a little more rockin’.  Producer Burt Sugarman’s The Midnight Special followed Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show on Friday evenings, welcoming viewers with Johnny Rivers’ rousing rendition of the traditional tune (a Top 20 hit for Rivers in 1965).  Over the course of 450 episodes, The Midnight Special presented a staggering array of music’s top talent on network television with most songs performed live for the majority of its run.  The program, featuring announcer Wolfman Jack and a variety of guest hosts, premiered as a one-off special in August 1972 but was promoted to full-time status in February 1973.  It first arrived on DVD in 2006 with episodes available as mail order exclusives, heavily promoted via infomercials.  On September 9, however, StarVista/Time Life will make The Midnight Special more widely available for the first time with 11-DVD, 6-DVD and 1-DVD releases.  With the resurgence in many of the ’70s’ greatest pop hits thanks to the hit Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack the time couldn’t be better!  (Indeed, many of the Star Lord’s favorite songs were performed on The Midnight Special and will be included on these DVDs.)

The 11-disc Midnight Special Collectors’ Edition is now available to order exclusively online at MIDNIGHTSPECIALDVDS.COM for just under $100.00; while it’s expected that this set may eventually arrive to general retail (in the tradition of other StarVista sets for The Carol Burnett Show, Mama’s Family and The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts), it will remain a website exclusive for the foreseeable future.  This edition features roughly 10 hours of musical performances plus 5 hours of newly-produced bonus material and a 32-page booklet.  The single-disc and 6-disc versions will be released on September 9 to stores everywhere. The Midnight Special played host to artists from the many genres that occupied the Top 40 slots on the Billboard Hot 100 during the 1970s, including Fleetwood Mac, The Bee Gees, Linda Ronstadt, The O’Jays, Dolly Parton, David Bowie (who broadcast his final television appearance as Ziggy Stardust on the program), Alice Cooper, Electric Light Orchestra, Neil Sedaka, Barry Manilow, Alice Cooper, frequent host Helen Reddy, and countless others who are featured on StarVista’s new sets.  The Midnight Special also gave the spotlight over to the era’s top comedians like Richard Pryor, Billy Crystal, George Carlin, Andy Kaufman, Steve Martin and Freddie Prinze.

After the jump: a look at what you can expect to find on these collections!

The Collectors’ Edition features eight discs of 130 live performances (selected from 423 complete shows), one disc of comedy performances and two discs of exclusive bonus features, including interviews with Peter Frampton, Alice Cooper, Frankie Valli, Loggins & Messina, Eddie Money, George Benson, Charlie Daniels, Todd Rundgren, Helen Reddy, Neil Sedaka, Harry Wayne Casey (the KC of KC and the Sunshine Band), creator Burt Sugarman and others.   Twelve additional featurettes are also present, including “The History of The Midnight Special,” “Wolfman at Midnight,” “Star-Studded Stage Fashion,” “No Safety Net: Live on TV,” “I Am Woman: Helen Reddy as Host,” “Benson & Frampton Talk Shop,” “The Making of The Midnight Special” “The Legacy of The Midnight Special,” a Burt Sugarman featurette, and more.

StarVista’s press release has supplied a list of some of the performances contained in the 11-disc box:

• Aerosmith / “Dream On”
• Alice Cooper / Medley: “Eighteen/Only Women/Billion Dollar Babies”
• Bee Gees / “Nights on Broadway”
• Earth, Wind & Fire / “Shining Star”
• Electric Light Orchestra / “Evil Woman”
• Fleetwood Mac / “Over My Head”
• Gordon Lightfoot / “Sundown”
• Heart / “Crazy on You”
• Helen Reddy / “I Am Woman”
• Jim Croce / “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”
• John Denver / “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
• KC and the Sunshine Band / “That’s the Way (I Like It)”
• LaBelle / “Lady Marmalade”
• Linda Ronstadt / “When Will I Be Loved”
• Marvin Gaye / “Let’s Get It On”
• Peter Frampton / “Show Me the Way”
• REO Speedwagon / “Keep on Loving You”
• The Doobie Brothers / “Listen to the Music”
• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers / “American Girl”

The Collectors’ Edition also includes many of the show’s famous musical collaborations:

• Aretha Franklin & Ray Charles / “Takes Two to Tango”
• Carlos Santana & George Benson / “Breezin’ “
• Etta James & Dr. John / “I’d Rather Go Blind”
• Gladys Knight & B.B. King / “The Thrill Is Gone”
• Helen Reddy & The Bee Gees / “To Love Somebody”
• John Denver & Cass Elliot / “Leaving on a Jet Plane”
• Neil Sedaka/Captain & Tennille / “Love Will Keep Us Together”
• Bee Gees with Helen Reddy / “To Love Somebody”
• George Benson, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, Etta James, Dr. John / “Moondance”

The full list of the 130 performances in the box set can be found at the show’s website, but other highlights include:

• Hall and Oates, “She’s Gone/Sara Smile/Rich Girl”
• Harry Chapin, “Taxi”
• Billy Paul, “Me and Mrs. Jones”
• Rupert Holmes, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”
• America, “Sister Golden Hair”
• Redbone, “Come and Get Your Love”
• Frankie Valli, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Grease”
• Bread, “Make It with You”
• Barry Manilow, “Mandy” and “It’s a Miracle”
• Glen Campbell, “Southern Nights”
• Dolly Parton, “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene”
• Andrew Gold, “Lonely Boy”
• Todd Rundgren, “Hello, It’s Me”
• Spinners, “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” and “I’ll Be Around”

The 6-DVD set includes 96 performances, and the single-DVD version has sixteen.  Both include some of the bonus material on the box set.   Currently, track listings do not appear to be available for the 1-DVD and 6-DVD editions.  We will update pre-order links as soon as they become available!  The box set is available for pre-order now and will ship by September 8; the other titles arrive on September 9 in stores.

Deluxe 11-DVD Box Set: StarVista

6-DVD Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

1-DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Real Gone Music is moving to the sound of a disco beat! In conjunction with SoulMusic Records, Real Gone has tapped the vaults of RCA Records to present two world-premiere CD reissues, both with rare bonus tracks.

Perhaps no other genre has inspired as many songs imploring listeners to suppress their inhibitions and put their dancing shoes on as disco has. “Let’s Go to the Disco/’Cause I feel like dancing tonight/Let’s go to the disco/Where the music is outta sight!” The call to arms “Let’s Go to the Disco” opened the self-titled 1975 RCA album by Faith, Hope and Charity, which was produced, arranged, conducted and largely written by Van McCoy. Brenda Hilliard (“Faith”), Albert Bailey (“Hope”) and Zulema Cusseaux (“Charity”) first teamed as The Crystals (not those Crystals) and then as The Lovelles before canny producer Bob Crewe (The Four Seasons, “Lady Marmalade”) rechristened them Faith, Hope and Charity. They first worked with McCoy – in his days as a top purveyor of sophisticated, sultry soul, pre-“The Hustle” – in 1970, and their hit “So Much Love” gained them entrée to the Top 20 of the U.S. R&B chart and the Top 100 Pop. McCoy took the trio from Maxwell Records to Sussex Records, and although Zulema split from the group in 1971 after a couple of albums, the remaining two members stayed in contact with the producer. (Bailey and Hilliard had even sung on McCoy’s Disco Baby LP, from which “The Hustle” was drawn!) With the addition of new member Diane Destry filling the role of Charity, Hilliard and Bailey reteamed with McCoy and snagged a deal at RCA just as disco was continuing its ascent in the mainstream.

The gleaming, upbeat Faith, Hope and Charity followed the lush, string-laden orchestral disco approach that developed out of the Philadelphia soul sound emanating from that city’s Sigma Sound Studios. McCoy wrote or co-wrote seven of the album’s nine tracks, with the remaining two slots going to cover versions. Each cut found the arranger-orchestrator at the top of the disco game, surrounded by top NY session pros including Steve Gadd on drums, Eric Gale and David Spinozza on guitars, and Leon Pendarvis and Richard Tee on electric piano and clavinet. George Devens filled the Vince Montana role on the vibes.

Like “Let’s Go to the Disco,” “Disco Dan” reveled in the very sound of the new dance music, unabashedly celebrating it: “Disco Dan/He’s the latest, he’s the greatest…Makes you wanna move your feet and clap your hands…The man is really something!” Faith, Hope and Charity also found room to revive classic songs in disco versions. “Disco-fying” songs, from standards to recent hits, was par for the course; in 1975, Gloria Gaynor famously took The Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye” to the Top 10. For FH&C, McCoy remade two vintage R&B hits. Both “Rescue Me,” Fontella Bass’ 1965 hit, and “Just One Look,” Doris Troy’s 1963 classic, featured lead vocals from Brenda Hilliard and respectably updated the beloved songs. Hilliard also lent her urgent vocals to the uptempo “Find a Way” from McCoy and his songwriting partner Charles Kipps, Jr.

After the jump: more on Faith, Hope and Charity, plus The New York Community Choir!

The brassy “Don’t Go Looking for Love,” an R&B Top 40 hit, and the infectious “To Each His Own (That’s My Philosophy),” an R&B chart-topper, most closely resembled Philadelphia soul with tight group harmony vocals, slinky bass, sweeping strings, chiming percussion and the sound of muted trumpets. Philly’s Brenda and the Tabulations had previously recorded McCoy’s pulsating “Little Bit of Love” with its composer; here, Destry’s slightly edgier voice carried the day. The lightly funky “Mellow Me” – not a ballad as the title might suggest – had its greatest success on the Disco chart, where it reached the Top 10. Truth to tell, mellow moments were far and few between on this uptempo, crowd-pleasing platter.

Three bonus tracks round out the set, the shorter single versions of “To Each His Own,” “Find a Way” and “Don’t Go Looking for Love.” Mark Wilder at Sony’s own Battery Studios has splendidly remastered, while SoulMusic’s David Nathan has provided the terrific liner notes.

By 1978, it wasn’t uncommon for gospel artists to “cross over” onto the pop charts. The Edwin Hawkins Singers, The Staple Singers and The Mighty Clouds of Joy were a few of the acts who had already done so; pop artists like B.J. Thomas were also returning the favor by charting gospel hits. The New York Community Choir, with its roots in gospel’s The Douglas Singers, had been recording since 1970, earning great acclaim in 1971 for the Top 15 R&B album The Truth is on Its Way with poet Nikki Giovanni. (One splinter group of the Choir, Revelation Movement, had concentrated on secular music, earning a contract with RSO Records and even touring with RSO’s star attraction, the Bee Gees.) RCA’s Warren Schatz was a fan of the NYCC’s 1973 song “Let’s Go Higher,” an R&B and Gospel hit, and approached the group to sign with the label in 1978 to create secular music with a spiritual bent. Schatz was firming up RCA’s R&B/disco roster with artists like Vicki Sue Robinson (whose “Turn the Beat Around” employed NYCC members as background vocalists) and Evelyn “Champagne” King at the height of the disco era. Many of the same ace players as on Faith, Hope and Charity – including Richard Tee, Leon Pendarvis, Steve Gadd and George Devens – entered RCA’s studios with producer Schatz and future CBS Orchestra leader Paul Shaffer on piano and Will Lee on bass – to record the NYCC’s Make Every Day Count. Real Gone has also brought this album to CD for the first time.

The catchy and uplifting title track, which opened the album, combined disco rhythms with a 10-strong gospel choir, and set its message to a big, danceable groove: “Don’t wait ‘til tomorrow/Tomorrow may bring sorrow/Make every day count!” The song, penned by members Arthur Freeman and Benny Diggs with Joseph Joubert (today a theatrical orchestrator), set the tone for the rest of the unusual yet striking eight-song album. Each track bore a positive message but emphasized spirituality over explicit religious references. Lee’s funky, slithering bass anchors Freeman’s “The World is Waiting for a Change,” another club-ready cut complete with a long bass-and-percussion break, as well as the joyous disco-gospel fusion “Rejoice, Rejoice.”

Though remembered for its disco-flavored material, Make Every Day Count also slowed down for ballads such as the Deniece Williams-esque ballad “A Song Can Reach Your Heart” and the piano-driven “Who Do You Say I Am,” one of the LP’s closest concessions to a “traditional” church sound. Freeman’s “This Old Man” is another breather, a touching and clearly heartfelt tribute to African-American fatherhood.

Perhaps the most famous song on the album is “I’ll Keep My Light in My Window,” which was introduced by its co-writer Leonard Caston on the underrated Motown album by Caston and Majors from 1974. This boisterous plea to “make a world of love for me and you” was also recorded by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye (in duet form), Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye at Motown, and by Maria Muldaur and Ben Vereen outside of the Gordy empire. Naturally, the big sound of the NYCC was perfect for Caston and Theresa McFaddin’s anthemic composition. Another rousing roof-raiser, Diggs and Joubert’s “We Can Make It,” closes out the LP on a high note.

Real Gone’s reissue, again produced and annotated by David Nathan, adds the 12-inch mixes of “I’ll Keep My Light in My Window” and “Make Every Day Count.” No remastering credit is present, but sound quality is superb. The booklet also reprints the original album artwork, with lyrics printed on the tray card. (Alas, replica RCA labels aren’t utilized on either disc.) Some might have balked at NYCC’s RCA debut, asking “Why disco?” But the question should be “Why NOT disco?” Disco provided the Top 40 with some of its most joyous grooves; swapping out carnality for spirituality, NYCC proved that disco-gospel wasn’t such a far-fetched notion, after all.

Both Faith, Hope and Charity and Make Every Day Count are available now from Real Gone Music and SoulMusic Records!

Faith Hope & Charity, Faith Hope & Charity (Expanded Edition) : Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

The New York Community Choir, Make Every Day Count (Expanded Edition) : Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

 

The Posies, Failure (Omnivore)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Omnivore expands the 1988 debut album from power-pop heroes The Posies.  The new Failure restores the album’s original 12-track running order (preserved on cassette but cut down by one song on vinyl) and adds eight bonus tracks. Many of these are sourced from a long out-of-print 2000 box set and a 2004 reissue of the album proper, but one, a demo of “At Least for Now,” is being heard for the first time on this disc.  The deluxe configuration is available on CD, and the original 12-track album on vinyl plus the bonus tracks on a download card.  Even better, the first pressing of the LP will be green vinyl!

Professor Longhair, Let’s Go to New Orleans: The Sansu Sessions (Fuel) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Fuel continues to raid the catalogues of Allen Toussaint’s Sansu and Dessu labels with a compilation of Toussaint-helmed sides for New Orleans’ great piano man Professor Longhair.

Original London Cast Recording, On the Town (Masterworks Broadway)

In conjunction with the upcoming Broadway revival of the classic Leonard Bernstein/Betty Comden/Adolph Green musical, Masterworks Broadway brings the 1963 Original London Cast Recording to CD-R and DD for the first time.  Elliott Gould, Don McKay, Franklin Kiser and Carol Arthur star in this recording of the production directed and choreographed by Joe Layton.  Available exclusively at MasterworksBroadway.com for a limited time.

Smokey Robinson, Smokey and Friends (Verve) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Okay, this isn’t a catalogue title, but we couldn’t resist putting the spotlight on Smokey Robinson’s new studio collection!  Smokey puts his own spin on the now-de rigeur duets album, featuring many of his famous Motown hits in new versions alongside Elton John, Sheryl Crow, John Legend, James Taylor, Steven Tyler and more!

Various Artists, Look Again to the Wind: Johnny Cash’s Bitter Tears Revisited (Sony Masterworks) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

This isn’t a reissue, either, but rather a tribute to The Man in Black’s 1964 concept album which daringly shed light on the plight of Native Americans.  This 50th anniversary set presents Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Bill Miller, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and veteran of the original LP Norman Blake as they reinvent Cash’s original songs with producer Joe Henry.  Look Again to the Wind is also a companion piece to the new documentary film We’re Still Here: Johnny Cash’s Bitter Tears Revisited, chronicling the story of Bitter Tears and this new recording.

Soren Hyldgaard, The Spider: Original Soundtrack Recording (Kritzerland)

Pre-orders are now being accepted for Kritzerland’s latest offering: Soren Hyldgaard’s spellbinding score to the 2000 Danish miniseries The Spider, a noir set in Copenhagen in the wake of World War II.  This 1,000-unit limited edition release improves on an earlier CD release in Denmark, upping the running time from around 44 minutes to nearly 79, mastered from the composer’s complete score tapes. The disc will ship by the last week of September, but pre-orders directly from Kritzerland usually arrive three to five weeks ahead of schedule.

Pino Donaggio, Blow Out: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack (Intrada)

Intrada has pre-orders open for this reissue of the soundtrack by Pino Donaggio (Carrie) for Brian DePalma’s 1981 thriller starring John Travolta, Nancy Allen, Dennis Franz and John Lithgow.  Though the haunting score was previously released on CD in 2002, Intrada corrects errors in track titles and sequencing, and otherwise upgrades its presentation for a new group of listeners who might have missed out on the first, now out-of-print release.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Pumpkin-Shaped LP: Craft Recordings
Pumpkin Patch Splatter LP: Craft Recordings

Thanks to a new tape discovery, Craft Recordings is able to present the first true, complete soundtrack to It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!  The Emmy-nominated 1966 television special was the third overall for Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts series and the second to be holiday-themed, after A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Upon its October 27, 1966 premiere, it earned a whopping 49 share in the ratings and was so successful that CBS re-aired it every year through 2000, with ABC picking up the tradition after that.  Yet despite a beloved score by Vince Guaraldi (who else?), a soundtrack album to Great Pumpkin was never released in any audio format until 2018.  That release, while certainly welcome, featured the soundtrack as heard in the special, i.e., complete with sound effects.  This new upgrade has been sourced from the newly-discovered original session reels. It will be available on CD, digitally, 45 RPM black vinyl, 33-1/3 pumpkin-shaped orange translucent vinyl, and a Craft-exclusive 45 RPM “pumpkin patch” splatter vinyl LP limited to 500 units.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Rhino.com

Steve in a Box: The Warner Years (1977-1981) brings together all four of Steve Martin’s original albums for Warner Bros. Records, which became some of the best-selling comedy albums of all time, as a 4CD set available everywhere and a 4LP set available exclusively at Rhino’s web store. Comedy historian Kliph Nesteroff writes liner notes for both sets.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Universal reissues the late, great Connie Francis’ 1959 album Christmas in My Heart on CD with four bonus sides: 1961’s “Baby’s First Christmas,” 1962’s “I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter,” 1964’s “Blue Winter,” and “Happy New Year, Baby,” unreleased until 1987.  The vinyl LP reissue drops the latter two songs.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Big Star’s 1974 sophomore album (boasting “September Gurls,” “You Get What You Deserve,” and “O My Soul”) gets a vinyl reissue from Craft Recordings.  This edition has been remastered in an all-analog chain by Jeff Powell at Memphis’ Take Out Vinyl, and manufactured there in Big Star’s hometown by Memphis Record Pressing.  The titles boast replica Ardent Records labels.

Bruce Springsteen’s new release, subtitled Covers Vol. 1, finds The Boss reinterpreting some of his favorite R&B songs including The Commodores’ “Nightshift,” Frank Wilson’s “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do),” Tyrone Davis’ “Turn Back the Hands of Time,” 4 Tops’ “Seven Rooms of Gloom,” The Temptations’ “I Wish It Would Rain,” and the Jerry Butler/Kenny Gamble/Leon Huff title track.  He even indulges a bit of blue-eyed soul with Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio’s “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.”  Sam Moore joins Springsteen on “Soul Days” and “I Forgot to Be Your Lover.”  This tribute to Motown, Stax, Philadelphia International, and beyond is available on CD, LP, and digital formats.

Following its limited reissue earlier this year for Record Store Day, Emmylou Harris revisits the 1998 live album Spyboy on CD and wide-release LP with the same expanded track listing.  Produced by Harris and Buddy Miller and featuring Miller on guitar and vocals, Brady Blade on drums, percussion, and vocals, and Daryl Johnson on bass, djembe, percussion, and vocals, the new Spyboy adds live versions of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ “A Thing About You,” Bob Dylan’s “Every Grain of Sand,” Bill Monroe’s “Get Up John,” Lucinda Williams’ “Sweet Old World,” and the Harris/Kate & Anna McGarrigle composition “All I Left Behind.” The reissues boast updated artwork plus new liner notes written by Harris and Miller. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Johnny Mathis, You Light Up My Life/Mathis Magic (Funky Town Grooves FTG-403, 2015)

1. You Light Up My Life
2. Emotion – with Deniece Williams
3. All I Never Need
4. Where or When
5. If You Believe
6. Too Much, Too Little, Too Late – with Deniece Williams
7. How Deep is Your Love
8. Till Love Touches Your Life
9. I Wrote a Symphony on My Guitar
10. It Was Almost Like a Song
11. No One But the One You Love
12. Night and Day
13. Love
14. My Body Keeps Changing My Mind
15. New York State of Mind
16. She Believes in Me
17. That Old Black Magic
18. You Saved My Life -with Stephanie Lawrence
19. To the Ends of the Earth
20. Heart, Soul, Body and Mind

Tracks 1-10 from You Light Up My Life, Columbia JC 35259, 1978
Tracks 11-20 from Mathis Magic, Columbia JC 36216, 1979

Johnny Mathis, The Best Days of My Life: Expanded Edition (Columbia JC 35649, 1979 – reissued Funky Town Grooves FTG-405, 2015) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

1. Would You Like to Spend the Night with Me
2. As Time Goes By
3. The Best Days of My Life
4. Gone, Gone, Gone
5. The Bottom Line
6. The Last Time I Felt Like This – with Jane Olivor
7. Begin the Beguine
8. How Can I Make It on My Own
9. There You Go
10. We’re in Love
11. Begin the Beguine (Single Remix) (from Columbia single 3-11001, 1979)
12. Begin the Beguine (12-Inch Disco Version) (from Columbia 12-inch single 23-11002, 1979)
13. Gone, Gone, Gone (12-Inch Disco Version) (from Columbia 12-inch single 23-11002, 1979)
14. Begin the Beguine (Instrumental) (previously unreleased)
15. I Never Said I Love You (previously unreleased)

In 1973, Johnny Mathis boarded the love train with the destination of Philadelphia. The velvet-voiced vocalist was already a music legend when he teamed with Thom Bell, architect of the Philadelphia soul sound via his groundbreaking work with The Delfonics, The Stylistics and The Spinners. The pairing of the smooth balladeer with the chart-topping R&B quadruple threat (producer-songwriter-arranger-conductor) might have seemed unlikely at first, but Mathis and Bell shared an elegant, sophisticated and romantic sensibility built on pop melodies and heartfelt soul. Now, for the very first time, the complete collaborations of Johnny Mathis and Thom Bell are being collected on one 2-CD set.

Life Is a Song Worth Singing–The Complete Thom Bell Sessions, from Real Gone Music and its newly christened Second Disc Records imprint, celebrates one of the most fruitful partnerships in modern soul music by presenting both 1973’s I’m Coming Home album (featuring the No. 1 AC hit title track, the Top 10 AC hit “Life Is a Song Worth Singing” and Mathis’ own versions of The Stylistics favorites “I’m Stone in Love with You” and “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)”) and the of 1977’s Mathis Is release (with the original version of “Loving You – Losing You,” a Top 30 AC hit for Mathis and later a Top 40 R&B hit for Phyllis Hyman). This comprehensive collection of sweet Philly soul also adds a number of rare, never-on-CD single versions, two instrumental tracks showcasing Bell’s orchestral splendor, and four more silky Mathis renditions of Bell classics recorded between 1972 and 2008 including “Betcha by Golly Wow” and “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” Drawing from new interviews with Johnny Mathis and musician/producer Bobby Eli, The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese has penned the liner notes for this collection, which has been freshly remastered by Sean Brennan at Sony’s Battery Studios Life Is a Song Worth Singing–The Complete Thom Bell Sessions sheds new light on an oft-overlooked collaboration between two of American popular song’s towering talents.

Johnny Mathis, Life is a Song Worth Singing: The Complete Thom Bell Sessions (Second Disc Records/Real Gone Music, 2015)

CD 1:

I’m Coming Home

1. I’m Coming Home

2. I’d Rather Be Here with You

3. Foolish

4. I’m Stone in Love with You

5. And I Think That’s What I’ll Do

6. Life Is a Song Worth Singing

7. A Baby’s Born

8. Sweet Child

9. Stop, Look, Listen (to Your Heart)

10. I Just Wanted to Be Me

Bonus Tracks

11. I’m Coming Home (Stereo Single Version)

12. I’m Stone in Love with You (Unreleased Instrumental Version)

13. And I Think That’s What I’ll Do (Unreleased Instrumental Version)

14. Life Is a Song Worth Singing (Mono Single Edit)

CD 2:

Mathis Is

1. As Long As We’re Together

2. Lullaby of Love

3. Loving You–Losing You

4. I’ll Make You Happy

5. Heaven Must Have Made You Just for Me

6. Hung Up in the Middle of Love

7. World of Laughter

8. I Don’t Want to Say No

9. Sweet Love of Mine

Bonus Tracks

10. Betcha by Golly Wow

11. Break Up to Make Up

12. You’re As Right As Rain

13. You Brought Me Love

14. You Make Me Feel Brand New

15. Loving You–Losing You (Mono Single Version)

As the title indicates, Neal Hefti wore many hats.  Perhaps best known today for his themes to the 1966 Batman television show and the film and TV versions of The Odd Couple, Hefti was so much more.  This 4-disc set (sourced from European public domain material) promises to take a deep look at his early years, with tracks from artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Doris Day, Mel Torme, Buddy Rich, and of course, Count Basie, with whom Hefti began a fruitful association in 1950.  If Acrobat’s past Nelson Riddle collection is any indication, this will be a nicely-packaged, affordably-priced and reasonably comprehensive overview – but beware: as with that set, these are CD-Rs, not pressed CDs.

Rhino gives a wide release to the 2011 limited-edition 2-CD set capturing Chicago’s blazing concert from June 1975 at Maryland’s Largo Centre, part of the Beachago Tour.  There’s not much of The Beach Boys here, but there is plenty of still-exciting horn rock from Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, Peter Cetera, Danny Seraphine, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Walt Parazaider.

This Deluxe Edition of Mike + The Mechanics’ 1988 album arrives in the U.S. with a second disc featuring “The Living Years 2014” and live tracks culled from the band’s 1989 tour.

Demon Music Group’s Harmless label offers the ultimate celebration of Northern Soul with this massive box set offering 222 tracks on 8 CDs, 2 DVDs and a 150+-page booklet!  This set features an eclectic array of artists including Gladys Knight and the Pips, Paul Anka, The O’Jays, The Four Seasons, Johnny Maestro, Ben E. King and many more.

The Numero Group has excavated eight tracks, recorded between 1979 and 1981, from a soulful Chicago collective that may be the best funk-dance-soul outfit you’ve never heard of!

This new 2-CD collection from ABKCO offers the complete recorded output of the legendary gospel group on the SAR Records label, which was co-owned by former Soul Stirrer Sam Cooke and former Pilgrim Traveler J.W. Alexander. The recordings span the period of 1959 to 1964, and cover the period after the group’s Specialty recordings and up until Sam Cooke’s tragic death.

Joining similar releases for The Soul Stirrers and L.C. Cooke, ABKCO has compiled the complete recorded output of The Valentinos on the SAR record label, co-founded and co-owned by  Sam Cooke, who also served as the group’s producer. The Valentinos comprised the five Womack brothers: Bobby, Cecil, Curtis, Friendly Jr. and Harry. Included on this complete set are fourteen tracks originally released as singles, three originally unreleased recordings and more, for a total of 23 tracks spanning 1961-1964.

From the psychedelic Bay Area scene comes the cult classic raga-rock album from Shanti, the band led by tabla master (and Mickey Hart associate) Zakir Hussain, sarod virtuoso Ashish Khan and former members of The Loading Zone, Cold Blood and the Travel Agency!

 

The J. Geils Band’s third album – and first to go Top Ten – gets a limited edition red vinyl reissue with replica labels and artwork!

The 5.1 surround mix of Grover Washington Jr.’s Grammy-winning “Winelight” – featuring “Just the Two of Us,” sung by Bill Withers – comes to hybrid SACD.  Audio Fidelity’s new edition features the original stereo mixes on the standard CD layer and in SACD Stereo.

1983’s Sparkle In The Rain. from Scottish band Simple Minds, began a beloved run of three consecutive No. 1 albums in the U.K. for Simple Minds, thanks in part to such hit singles as “Waterfront,” “Up on the Catwalk” and “Speed Your Love To Me.”.

This new 4CD / 1DVD Super Deluxe Box Set version has been newly remastered at Abbey Road Studios.  It expands that album to massive size, adding rare B-sides and extended mixes; BBC sessions; and a previously unreleased Glasgow Barrowlands concert.  The DVD presents promotional videos; Top Of The Pops and Oxford Road Show appearances; and DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mixes of the album plus the album in high-resolution stereo.  The enclosed booklet boasts liner notes and interviews as well as track-by-track annotations and a replica concert program.  Whew!

This 5-CD/1-DVD retrospective box set anthologizes the Polydor years of Ritchie Blackmore’s hard rock band Rainbow.  Previously unreleased live recordings, outtakes, rehearsals and alternate mixes populate this set along with hits and album cuts for a total of 58 tracks on CD.  The DVD features the band’s famed 1980  “Monsters of Rock” performance as aired on BBC-TV.  As compiled by Blackmore expert Andy Francis, the label promises that this set “presents the story of the band though words, pictures and music.”  The booklet features many rare photos by Ross Halfin as well as memorabilia, picture covers and the story of the band.

This 2-CD or 3-LP set features previously unissued live recordings by the late, great jazz pianist Red Garland, recorded at San Francisco’s Keystone Korner. Garland is joined by bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Philly Joe Jones on these 16 tracks totaling over 150 minutes of music.  These recordings, taken from the soundboard the week of December 6, 1977, mark the only time this trio ever performed or recorded together.  The 2-CD set adds a 44-page booklet containing new liner notes from Nat Hentoff, Ira Gitler, Don Schlitten, Doug Ramsey, Benny Green, Kenny Washington and producers, Zev Feldman and  Todd Barkan, plus previously unseen photographs.  Songs include “On a Clear Day,” “It’s Impossible,” “Straight No Chaser,” “Autumn Leaves” and “The Christmas Song.”

Released to coincide with the 46th anniversary of King Crimson’s formation in January 1969, Live At The Orpheum features performances from the band’s critically acclaimed, sold-out 2014 US tour.  Available as a CD/DVD-A set (with high-resolution 96/24 stereo on the DVD-A) or on heavyweight 200 gram vinyl, this release premieres 41 minutes of live music from the current seven-piece iteration of King Crimson.  Includes “Starless,” “Sailor’s Tale,” “The Letters” and more as recorded on September 30 and October 1, 2014 at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre.

Culture Factory presents a limited edition mini-LP replica edition on CD of the soundtrack to the 1976 documentary film featuring an all-star array of musicians performing Beatles songs.  Previously available on CD from Hip-o Select, the double-disc album includes tracks by Elton John, Jeff Lynne, The Bee Gees, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Rod Stewart, Leo Sayer, Peter Gabriel and more!

To mark its 50th anniversary, Legacy expands the classic 1965 film soundtrack to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music with previously unissued material, bringing it up to 27 tracks on one CD.

The classic 1940 animated film Pinocchio celebrates its 75th anniversary in style with this Legacy Collection volume featuring the complete original soundtrack on Disc One, plus three newly-recorded “Lost Chords” and five bonus tracks performed by Cliff Edwards, a.k.a. Jiminy Cricket.

This 3 CD/1 DVD box set promises to be “the most comprehensive compilation yet of the group’s recordings,” including original album tracks, demos, alternate takes, previously unreleased live recordings and, for the first time, the official release of the seven existing tracks which Fotheringay recorded in session for BBC radio. The final disc, a DVD, has the four songs recorded by the group for German TV show Beat Club, effectively doubling the existing footage of Sandy Denny in performance. Two of these songs, “Nothing More” and “John the Gun,” weren’t even broadcast originally.  This hardcover book-style box also features rare and previously unseen photographs of the band plus previously unseen original sketches by Marion Appleton, Trevor Lucas’s sister.

Sundazed has 16 tracks of raw garage rock from The Shadows of Knight (“Gloria”) recorded at Chicago-area venue The Cellar in 1966, including three previously unreleased tracks!

Airline Records/Fuel 2000 collects two discs and 36 tracks of late bluesman Johnny Winter in his pre-Columbia years, recorded for such labels as KRCO, Frolic, Jin and Todd.  Bill Dahl supplies seven pages of detailed liner notes, but the booklet lacks any discographical annotation.

This 3-CD anniversary edition includes the original ten-track album remastered by producer Tom Allom, and a complete 2-CD live recording from the Defenders tour, recorded at California’s Long Beach Arena on May 5, 1984.   The 21-track live concert blended both new material from Defenders plus renditions of Priest classics like “Metal Gods,” “Electric Eye,” “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming.”

Spirit On A Mission is the new studio album from metal great Michael Schenker (UFO, Scorpions) emphasizing his heavy guitar style with a little help from his friends including Francis Buchholz, Herman Rarebell, Wayne Findlay and vocalist Doogie White.

 

BGO brings together two of Andy Williams’ U.K. albums in one package.  Can’t Help Falling in Love, the U.K. equivalent of Andy’s U.S. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head LP, remained on the U.K. albums chart for almost a year, and its title track went Top 10.  1971’s Home Lovin’ Man, the Brit answer to Love Story, went to No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart thanks to two major hit singles: the title track and “It’s So Easy.”  Both albums have track listing variations to their U.S. counterparts.  BGO’s slipcased release includes new liner notes.

This package collects Kiki Dee’s first two albums for Elton John’s Rocket label.  1973’s Loving and Free was produced by the Rocket Man and features him and his backing band on John/Taupin originals that he never recorded himself. The title track of its 1974 follow-up I’ve Got the Music in Me provided Kiki with her signature song.  This slipcased two-album set adds eight bonus tracks (including all non-album singles) as well as photos and liner notes.

Edsel continues its repackaging of the Kiki Dee catalogue with her third and fourth Rocket albums from 1977 and 1978.

Easy Skanking in Boston ’78 kicks off a new program from UMe and the Bob Marley family.  This new release, consisting of previously unreleased concert footage, will be available in Blu-Ray/CD combo pack, DVD/CD and standalone CD and vinyl versions. The video was shot with a hand-held camera by a fan that Marley allowed to sit right in front of the stage for his 1978 concert at Boston’s Music Hall. The result captures the artist from just a few feet away.  Gaps in the original footage have been filled with newly-created animation over the existing audio.  The CD preserves such Marley classics as “Get Up. Stand Up,” “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Easy Skanking.”

Soul chanteuse Phyllis Hyman’s 1977 Buddah Records debut is expanded with four single versions and two outtakes.

Hyman’s fourth album and second for Arista Records, 1979’s You Know How to Love Me, gains eight bonus tracks including material related to her albums Phyllis Hyman, Can’t We Fall in Love Again and Goddess of Love.

Bear Family gives the “I’m Into Something Good” and “There’s a Kind of Hush” pop stars the deluxe treatment with this new release featuring 66 tracks (spanning hits, B-sides, rarities and demos) – 56 of which are making their first appearance EVER in true stereo mixes!  That’s not all.  This set, produced by Ron Furmanek and annotated by Andrew Sandoval, boasts a 140-page book with a foreword by Herman himself, Peter Noone!

Tori Amos’ sophomore album, from 1994, is expanded by Rhino to two CDs with the addition of 15 bonus tracks from period singles.  The original album only will also be available on vinyl.

Tori Amos’ 1992 debut is expanded by Rhino to two CDs with the addition of 18 bonus tracks from period singles.  The original album will also be available on vinyl.

Brian Wilson returns with his long-anticipated eleventh studio album featuring Al Jardine, David Marks and Blondie Chaplin of The Beach Boys, plus Nate Ruess of fun., She & Him, Kasey Musgraves, Sebu Simonian of Capital Cities, Peter Hollens, Mark Isham, and longtime members of Wilson’s band.  Wilson and Joe Thomas (The Beach Boys’ That’s Why God Made the Radio) have produced.

The standard CD edition will include 13 songs, while a deluxe CD edition has been promised with 16.  The 2-LP vinyl set will feature the 16-track version.  This link is for the Deluxe Edition! Adding a further wrinkle, Amazon U.K. has the album available in 13-track and 18-track iterations (the latter of which is linked below).  The 18-track disc features all songs from the U.S. Deluxe Edition plus “Love and Mercy” and “In the Back of My Mind.”

Ringo Starr’s eighteenth album arrives just in time for his solo induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Guest musicians include members of Starr’s most recent All-Starr Band, all of whom co-wrote one track with Starr: Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Richard Page, Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette.  Guest appearances are also promised from Joe Walsh, Richard Marx, Peter Frampton and Dave Stewart.

No, this isn’t April Fool’s.  Van Morrison has announced a newest release: a duets album!  But in a typically Morrison-esque twist, he’s not re-recording his past hits but rather a selection of largely unheralded tracks from his discography.  Guests include Michael Bublé , Natalie Cole, George Benson, Steve Winwood, Mark Knopfler, P.J. Proby, Georgie Fame, Mick Hucknall, Mavis Staples and the late Bobby Womack.

2012’s MusiCares gala tribute to Macca comes to DVD and BD, with performances including Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s “I Saw Her Standing There,” James Taylor and Diana Krall’s “Yesterday” and “For No One,” Sergio Mendes’ “The Fool on the Hill,” Coldplay’s “We Can Work It Out,” Alicia Keys’ “Blackbird” and more!

Faithful assembles for the first time on one CD all of the masters produced by Jeff Barry (“Chapel of Love,” “Leader of the Pack,” “Sugar, Sugar”) for Dusty Springfield in 1971.  From his home base at New York’s Century Sound, Barry produced thirteen songs for Dusty – twelve intended for album release and one for a non-LP single.  Four songs were released on two 45s, but when Dusty departed Atlantic Records, the remaining tracks were left on the shelf, and thought lost until the CD era.  Faithful presents the 12-song album as originally envisioned (including Barry and Bobby Bloom’s cult favorite “Haunted,” Barry’s “I Believe in You” and Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend”) and also includes the B-side “Nothing is Forever” as a bonus track.  The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese has penned the liner notes based on his new interview with Jeff Barry!

The Yes keyboardist’s final A&M solo album produced by Tony Visconti in 1979 gets the Real Gone treatment!

The singer-songwriter’s 1976 Montreal radio concert comes to CD!

A lost classic of seventies California rock, featuring guests J.D. Souther, Russ & Leah Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Michael McDonald, and Leo Sayer, returns to CD!

Legacy and Experience Hendrix present the first-ever authorized release of Jimi Hendrix’s pre-fame recordings with Curtis Knight and the Squires!  This 14-track anthology – promised as the first in a series – will be available on CD and 150-gram vinyl.

Analog Spark brings the original 1965 soundtrack to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music to hybrid stereo SACD (playable on all CD players) and 180-gram vinyl!

Sundazed has Eric Burdon and The Animals’ 1967 rock classic on CD and 180-gram vinyl in mono.  Includes “San Franciscan Nights,” the title track and the band’s take on “Paint It Black.”

The psychedelic rock of The Animals’ 1968 album The Twain Shall Meet returns to CD and 180-gram vinyl from Sundazed.

Stillness in Motion – Vai Live in L.A. is drawn from the guitar great’s October 12, 2012 at Los Angeles’ Club Nokia. Available in 2-CD and 2-DVD configurations, Stillness in Motion chronicles the 49th concert of Vai’s acclaimed Story of Light World Tour.

Omnivore Recordings in the U.S. and Ace Records in the U.K. delivers a stunning, intimate and never-before-released concert performance from Dion recorded at New York’s legendary Bitter End in August 1971.

Ron Pember and Denis De Marne’s 1974 musical Jack the Ripper promised “scenes of fun, terror, song and dance” as it retold the story of the infamous murders in a music-hall style. A cast album was recorded 40 years ago with Pember, Eleanor McCready, Roy Stone and Charles West, but never released. Stage Door premieres that original recording now!

This 11-CD box from the prog-rock masters contains Hawkwind’s United Artists Records catalogue in replica sleeves plus a bonus CD of single edits and mixes.

The 100th birthday of The Chairman of the Board is celebrated with a variety of releases under the Ultimate Sinatra umbrella, including a 4-CD box set drawing on the RCA, Columbia, Capitol and Reprise eras, highlights on 2 LPs or 1 CD, and a digital download.  Full track listings and details on bonus material can be found in our full article!

Numero collects the best of the Chicago R&B vocal group, produced by Syl Johnson and Curtis Mayfield, illustrating the group’s musical transition from smooth ballads to socially-conscious soul.

Edsel expands Jim Croce’s 1972 ABC Records debut with ten bonus tracks, full lyrics and new liner notes.

Jim Croce’s final album, posthumously released in 1973, is expanded on 2 CDs with the fan-recorded concert album The Final Tour.  Edsel’s reissue also includes lyrics and new liner notes by Alan Robinson.

Edsel expands Jim Croce’s second album featuring “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” to 2 CDs.  This edition adds the concert Live at Harper College plus lyrics and liner notes.

Edsel boxes up all of late troubadour Jim Croce’s studio albums as well as a bonus disc of demo recordings. This set begins with his self-released debut Facets and goes through the posthumously-released I Got A Name.  . Discs two and three are collaborative LPs with his wife Ingrid, and discs four, five and six represent his ABC Records discography. The final disc of this set features demo recordings including those which when presented to ABC secured the deal for the albums that followed. The booklet includes the lyrics and a new 5000- word note by Alan Robinson.  The live recordings included on Edsel’s individual reissues of the ABC albums are not included here.

All the Love–The Lost Atlantic Recordings brings together DeShannon’s entire 1973 Atlantic Records material in one place for the first time, including seven previously unreleased tracks plus her four collaborations with Van Morrison and the songs which originally premiered on Rhino Handmade’s Jackie…Plus.  The Second Disc’s own Joe Marchese provides the liner notes.

E Street axeman Nils Lofgren’s 1975 self-titled solo record returns to CD in a new edition featuring liner notes from Nils himself and rare photographs!

This 2-CD set presents 58 freshly-remastered tracks from the group that launched both Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson to stardom, and adds a 5,000-word essay from Bill Dahl!

Legacy packages five of Dean Martin’s original Reprise albums in one budget-priced, slipcased set.  Dino’s Original Album Classics features Dream with Dean (1964), Everybody Loves Somebody (1964), The Door is Still Open to My Heart (1964), Houston (1965) and The Dean Martin TV Show (1966), presumably in their remastered editions.  (Martin’s entire catalogue was remastered upon its acquisition by Legacy.)

Janis Joplin gets an entry in Legacy’s Original Album Classics series of five albums in one budget-priced slipcased edition: Big Brother and the Holding Company, Cheap Thrills, I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!, Pearl and Live at Winterland ’68.

Five assorted albums from Rhymin’ Simon are boxed up in this budget-priced Original Album Series set: Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, Hearts and Bones, Songs from the Capeman and You’re the One.

Eric Clapton’s new anthology – released on the occasion of his 70th birthday – features 51 tracks on three CDs, with one disc dedicated to studio tracks, one to live recordings, and one to his explorations of the blues.  Also available in 2-CD and 2-LP highlight forms, and as a digital download.

The U.K.’s Sepia label mines the oft-overlooked Decca catalogue of Sammy Davis, Jr. for this two-fer of the late, great entertainer’s Sammy Swings (1957) and The Sammy Awards (1959).  (This title is released in accordance with current U.K. public domain laws.)

Here are 26 recordings from Phil Harris, the future voice of Baloo the Bear in Disney’s The Jungle Book, recorded between 1949 and 1958 (with many tracks reportedly appearing on CD for the first time.)  This release from Sepia Records is in accordance with current U.K. public domain laws.

Sepia Recordings releases two vintage albums by country legend Kitty Wells on one CD plus bonus tracks, for a total of 28 tracks all in stereo.  These recordings are released in accordance with current U.K. public domain laws.

Runddans is described by the label as “the result of the collaboration between Todd Rundgren, Hans-Peter Lindstrom and Emil Nikolaisen. Its a spiritual magnusopus, that stands alongside Rundgren’s most worshipped trippy albums of the seventies, fusing his blue eyed soul with Lindstroms disco epics and Emil Nikolaisens studio trickery into a cosmic mix of soul, synth, pop and disco.”

Ace rounds up 48 tracks from Mr. Excitement, Jackie Wilson – with 24 previously unreleased or rare – from the vaults of Brunswick Records.  All tracks were recorded in New York from 1961 to 1966, and the single-only tracks are presented in stereo for the first time!

Looking For You is the first CD anthology from quintessential sixties soul man Garnet Mimms to present all 14 of his singles for the U.S. arm of United Artists and its subsidiary Veep label including “Cry Baby,” “For Your Precious Love” and “A Little Bit of Soap.”

Ace’s ongoing series collecting the music of New Orleans’ Ric and Ron Records between 1959 and 1963 continues with a set devoted to Eddie Bo.  His nine Ric 45s (augmented here with four cuts that were not released for almost fifty years) include many highlights all presented from new transfers of the original Ric master-tapes. This is the first CD to compile all Eddie’ s classic Ric recordings.

In a Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe-winning career that’s taken him from Tiny Tim to Daft Punk, Paul Williams has seen his songs recorded by Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, The Carpenters, and of course, Kermit the Frog. During his reign as perhaps the Seventies’ most in-demand songwriter, Williams also kept busy as an actor, television personality and recording artist. He came into his own as a vocalist at Reprise and A&M Records on albums such as Someday Man and Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song before moving to Epic Records’ sister label, Portrait. At Portrait – also the home of Heart and, briefly, Ringo Starr – Williams recorded what he later described as “one of the most listenable and good-feeling records I’ve ever been associated with.”  That record was A Little on the Windy Side.

The album was recorded in Nashville with Paul’s brother Mentor Williams–the songwriter of Dobie Gray’s Top 5 hit “Drift Away” and Paul’s onetime bandmate in The Holy Mackerel–and featured Music City’s top session cats including David Briggs, Reggie Young and Troy Seals (a talented songwriter in his own right.)  Despite a wealth of strong material including movie tunes “Here’s Another Fine Mess” and “My Fair Share,” fan favorite “For Goodness Sake,” and a collaboration with Brill Building legend Jeff Barry, A Little on the Windy Side all but disappeared when the Portrait label was briefly shuttered.  Years later, a limited edition Japanese CD release came and went, too.

Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records have come to the rescue with this freshly-remastered first-ever American reissue.  Even better, four bonus tracks have been added to this Expanded Edition!  Three never-before-heard outtakes (including Paul’s own rendition of “When the River Meets the Sea” from the beloved holiday special Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and “Love Conquers All,” originally performed by Seals & Crofts) and a rare mono single round out this package, which features new liner notes from The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese and remastering by Sean Brennan at Battery Studios in New York.  

Reprise/Rhino has a real treat for Bee Gees fans in the form of this 3-CD box set featuring 63 rare tracks from Robin Gibb – a staggering 47 of which have never been released!  This set includes the full Robin’s Reign album, the reconstructed Sing Slowly Sisters, and a bonus disc with live recordings, demos, foreign language tracks and more!

The 1969 London Cast Recording of George Haimsohn, Robin Miller and Jim Wise’s 1968 musical features an all-British cast performing the musical comedy with orchestrations that vary considerably for those created for the original off-Broadway album.  Available since April 14 on CD-R from Masterworks Broadway’s website, it will be made available as a digital download through all service providers and a CD-R exclusively through Arkiv Music on May 4.

Iron Butterfly’s Top 5 sophomore album spawned hit singles “Soul Experience” and “In the Time of Our Lives.” Real Gone expands it with two bonus tracks previously included on a long out-of-print 1999 reissue (“I Can’t Help But Deceive You Little Girl” and “To Be Alone”) but gives the whole set a fresh remastering and new liner notes.

Rockbeat Records has a new 5-CD box set which the label bills as “From the team that brought you [Rhino’s] original three Doo Wop Boxes comes this one, chock full of the rarest and greatest vocal group recordings from 1951-63, the golden years of Doo Wop. We present, not only some of the greatest names the Moonglows, the Flamingos, the Heartbeats but their hardest to find recordings too. Compiled and annotated by Grammy winner Billy Vera, this may be our most fabulous set yet. If you were to buy the original vinyl copies of these classics, it would cost you several hundred thousand dollars that is if you could find them. This is a Doo Wop box that no serious collector can afford not to own. And you’ll never hear them sounding as good, thanks to master remastering expert Jerry Peterson.”

Legendary trumpeter Miles Davis’ 1952-1954 Blue Note sessions were collected in complete form in 2014 on two CDs; now, those 26 tracks arrive in the high-resolution Blu-ray Audio format.

Herbie Hancock’s fourth and fifth albums, from 1964 and 1965, respectively, are paired on a new high-resolution Blu-ray Audio disc.  Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams join Hancock on both sessions; George Coleman also appears on Maiden Voyage.

Billy Joel’s third studio album, from 1974, gets a hybrid SACD reissue featuring both the original stereo and 4.0 quad surround mixes.  Features “The Entertainer,” “Root Beer Rag” and “Souvenir.”  The stereo mix is playable on all CD players.

Omnivore remasters and expands The Kingbees’ 1980 roots-rock gem with eight previously unissued demos and live recordings on CD and DD.

Indie southern rockers Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ return with a 10-track, 180-gram vinyl LP culled from the 32 songs on their four acclaimed EPs originally released between 2012 and 2014.  The band touches on hard n’ heavy rock, psychedelia, pop, blues and punk on this tight, diverse collection, packaged in the style of a 1970s K-tel compilation!

Cherry Red’s él Records label two-fers Julie Andrews’ 1962 Columbia Records albums Don’t Go in the Lion’s Cage Tonight (a set of music hall favorites) and Broadway’s Fair Julie (a set of, naturally, showtunes) on one CD (made possible via EU public domain laws) with four bonus tracks from The Boy Friend and My Fair Lady!  Includes “Burlington Bertie from Bow,” “I Feel Pretty,” “A Little Bit in Love” and many more!

The Rolling Stones revisit their 1971 classic featuring “Wild Horses,” “Brown Sugar,” “Bitch,” “Sister Morphine” and “Moonlight Mile” in a multitude of deluxe editions:

3-CD/1-DVD Super Deluxe Edition Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2-CD/1-DVD Deluxe Edition Box Set: Amazon U.S. TBD / Amazon U.K.
2-CD Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
1-CD Standard Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2-LP Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

The Rolling Stones’ eight-song set previewing Sticky Fingers at London’s Marquee Club comes to a variety of audio and video formats from Eagle Rock Entertainment, many with bonus features/songs:

DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
SD Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
SD Blu-ray + CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
DVD + CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
DVD + LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

A host of artists – including Sara Bareilles, Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Steven Tyler and James Taylor – are on hand for this tribute to the one and only Carole King.  Available on DVD and BD.

The soundtrack to Cameron Crowe’s upcoming film Aloha is here, featuring songs from David Crosby, Fleetwood Mac, Beck, Josh Ritter, Hall and Oates, and others.

Denny Tedesco’s acclaimed documentary about the hitmaking L.A. session legends collectively known as The Wrecking Crew arrives on DVD and Blu-ray.  Features contributions from Brian Wilson, Leon Russell, Glen Campbell, Cher, Herb Alpert, Micky Dolenz and more.

The latest additions to Rhino U.K.’s Original Album Series library brings together the first five studio albums from the pub-rockers in Brinsley Schwarz (including Brinsley himself plus Nick Lowe, Bob Andrews, Billy Rankin and Ian Gomm).  The budget set – with no booklet or new remastering – is nonetheless an affordable way to acquire Brinsley Schwarz, Despite It All, Silver Pistol, Nervous on the Road and Please Don’t Ever Change.

Sony U.K. shrinks down the 2010 box set by dropping the vinyl component.  This repackaging includes 3 CDs and 1 DVD:  two CDs with the original 94-plus minutes of music plus six bonus tracks, a third CD of Miles’ previously unissued performance at Tanglewood in August 1970 with Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Airto Moreira and Gary Bartz, and a DVD of a previously unissued performance in Copenhagen, November 1969, with Wayne Shorter, Corea, Holland and DeJohnette.  The accompanying book features a 5,000-word essay by Greg Tate as well as notes by producers Michael Cuscuna and Richard Seidel plus dozens of rare photographs and record label memos.

Rhino expands Faith No More’s 1989 album with a second disc featuring 12 bonus tracks.

Faith No More’s 1992 album gains a bonus disc with seventeen rare tracks.

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard team up for an all-new set with a title paying tribute to legends Django Reinhardt and Jimmie Rodgers.  The 14 tracks include “Django and Jimmie,” “It’s All Going to Pot” (about one of Willie’s favorite subjects), “Missing Ol’ Johnny Cash” featuring Bobby Bare, Merle’s “Somewhere Between” sung by Willie, and Willie’s “Family Bible” sung by Merle!

The late soul man, best known for his tenure as an Apple Records recording artist, is celebrated on this 2-CD anthology drawing on a period of nearly fifty years.  The set (released last month in the U.K.) includes an entire concert from San Francisco in 1976, live BBC recordings, and previously unissued studio material from the 1970s onward.

The pop diva returns with this collection of nineteen chart-toppers.  Read more here, including the full track listing.

The Grammy-winning 1986 box set for the pianist-composer is reissued and repackaged.  As before, it contains 153 tracks representing Monk’s entire output at Riverside Records as recorded between 1955 and 1961.  The booklet offers liner notes, discographical annotation and more.

The Viscounts’ 1965 Amy Records album Harlem Nocturne – featuring the hit title track – is reissued in a limited edition mini-LP sleeve.  Limited to 1,200 units.

New Riders of the Purple Sage’s 1973 hit album returns to vinyl in a deluxe replica edition!

Tina Turner’s smash 1984 comeback album featuring “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Private Dancer” gets a belated anniversary reissue with a second disc of bonus tracks including remixes, live cuts and more.  The original album gets a straight vinyl reissue, as well.

Legacy has boxed up 23 discs of The Isley Brothers – featuring every one of the group’s RCA and T-Neck albums released between 1959 and 1983, including one previously unreleased album and a total of 84 previously unissued or new-to-CD bonus tracks!  Every track has been newly-remastered for this collection!

Stage Door Records rescues the score of another lost British musical with the previously unreleased original studio cast recording of the 1985/86 Joan of Arc musical Jeanne .  Olivier Award-nominated singer-songwriter Shirlie Roden’s rock opera premiered at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in September 1985, starring Siobhan McCarthy in the title role alongside Peter Straker and Malcolm Roberts. The production subsequently transferred to London’s Sadler’s Wells for a limited season in March 1986 directed by Bill Kenwright and starring Rebecca Storm as Jeanne. This studio cast album was recorded during the show’s development, and features composer Roden as Jeanne plus Richard Barnes (Jesus Christ Superstar), Peter Straker (Hair) and The Move’s Carl Wayne (Blood Brothers).

Little Richard’s Specialty and Vee-Jay years are the subject of this new 3-CD, 64-track anthology, including all of the piano pounder’s greatest hits as well as B-sides and rarities!

Funky Town Grooves adds four single versions – “Love, Need and Want You,” “I’m in Love Again,” “If Only You Knew” and “I’ll Never, Never Give Up” – to a newly-remastered edition of Patti LaBelle’s sixth studio album (and second for Philadelphia International Records).

BGO combines four albums from country legend Charley Pride – originally issued between 1966 and 1968 – on a new, slipcased 2-CD set.

Australia’s Raven label reissues the first four albums by The 5th Dimension, originally released between 1967 and 1969, as a 2-CD set also including five previously issued bonus tracks.  Includes the group’s legendary hits “Up, Up and Away,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “The Age of Aquarius,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing” and more!

No, we’re not talking about Reed and Sue Richards, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm; we’re talking about one of Detroit’s greatest vocal groups! The Fantastic Four’s three-year stint at Motown resulted in just a couple of issued 45s but the quartet was scheduled for an album release…and, in true Motown fashion, recorded enough additional tracks to fill a second album! The Lost Motown Album presents the planned 1970 LP in its originally-intended sequence, and also adds more than a dozen bonus tracks from the same period – 14 of which have never seen the light of day before! All tracks are presented in Motown’s original mixes.

This 5-CD box set collects every commercially-released album track and non-album single from The Hollies recorded between January 1969 and March 1973, for a total of 92 songs (including some previously released rarities) over the course of six studio albums from Hollies Sings Dylan (1969) through the rare Out on the Road (1973).

This U.K. public domain compilation brings together 26 tracks from the late, great Eydie Gorme recorded in the early 1960s, including the new-to-CD songs “Before Your Time” and “Sonny Boy.”

Sepia brings together two albums by Tennessee Ernie Ford, from 1960 and 1962, on this new public domain-sourced release – both in stereo and complete on one CD.  Come to the Fair, billed as capturing Ford’s performance at the Indiana State Fair in 1960, is considered one of the earliest live albums in the country genre!

This latest volume of the jazz legend’s Bootleg Series features 296 minutes of music, nearly four hours of which is previously unreleased, spanning the period between Davis’ Newport Jazz Festival debut to his final public performance of the 1970s (at New York’s Lincoln Center).  The Kind of Blue-era sextet and Second Great Quintet line-ups are both represented over the course of these four CDs.

Walt Disney Records presents an expanded edition of the soundtrack to 1950’s Cinderella.  The first disc presents the program as previously expanded on CD, while the second disc has 23 tracks of demos, new Lost Chords recordings (some previously issued) and more.

Led Zeppelin’s 1976 Presence arrives in a variety of remastered and expanded formats:

Super Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Deluxe Edition CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Original Album CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Original Album Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Deluxe Edition Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

The Led Zeppelin remastered reissue campaign marches on with 1979’s In Through the Out Door, the band’s final album recorded before John Bonham’s untimely passing.  It’s available in a number of formats:

Super Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Deluxe Edition CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Original Album CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Original Album Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Deluxe Edition Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

The Led Zeppelin remastered reissue campaign has reached the band’s final studio album, 1982’s Coda, available in various formats:

Super Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Deluxe Edition CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Original Album CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Original Album Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Deluxe Edition Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Friday Music reissues two of Christopher Cross’ Warner Bros. albums as a 2-CD set: 1985’s Every Turn Of The World and 1988’s Back Of My Mind.

Ace Records delivers with love and mercy on this new collection of songs written by Brian Wilson!  Its 25 tracks feature Jay and the Americans, Bruce and Terry, Kirsty MacColl, Bobby Vee, The Tokens, Jan and Dean, Darian Sahanaja and many more.

1982’s album debut from Paisley Underground rockers The Dream Syndicate arrives in remastered and expanded form via Omnivore, with six previously unreleased rehearsal recordings!

Omnivore collects two discs’ worth of music from the Los Angeles-to-New-Orleans musical collective The Continental Drifters, whose roster has included Vicki Peterson (Bangles), Susan Cowsill (The Cowsills), Peter Holsapple (The dBs, R.E.M.), and many more–including the only member who has been with them from the beginning, Mark Walton (Giant Sand, The Dream Syndicate).  This definitive anthology presents, per the label, rarities and previously unreleased music which add up to an “inspiring blend of both original and seminal cover songs with a southern fried blue-eyed soul approach that couldn’t be beat.”

Legacy teams with the Country Music Hall of Fame for this 2-CD, 36-song companion soundtrack to the Nashville museum’s current exhibit chronicling Music City’s fusion of country of rock.  One previously unreleased cut by Bob Dylan joins both familiar and rare tracks by Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds, The Monkees, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and others!

Neil Young teams with Promise of the Real (Lukas Nelson (vocals/guitar), Micah Nelson (guitar, vocals), Anthony Logerfo (drums), Corey McCormick (bass) and Tato Melgar (percussion)) for this hard-rocking album drawing on environmental and ecological themes.  Available as a CD/DVD edition and on digital platforms including, of course, Young’s Pono.

Rhino boxes up newly-remastered editions of every one of America’s studio and live albums recorded for Warner Bros. between 1971 and 1977 on this new 8-CD box set.

Rhino brings together the first 15 studio albums recorded by the original Alice Cooper band and Alice Cooper, solo, on this new box set.

Real Gone and SoulMusic Records present the first of a 2-volume series collecting Ben E. King’s complete singles for Atlantic and Atco.  This release includes “Spanish Harlem,” “Stand by Me,” “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied),” Amor” and many more, all remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision and annotated by Clive Richardson.

Earlier this year, Real Gone released Faithful – a collection of Dusty Springfield’s complete sessions with producer-songwriter Jeff Barry, compiled for the first time as originally envisioned on one disc.  Now, the label has turned its attention to Dusty’s 1970-1971 London sessions intended for the album See All Her Faces but eventually released on numerous collections and box sets over the years.  For the very first time, every one of the tracks Dusty recorded in London during that two-year period has been collected on one disc in newly remastered sound.  Come for a Dream: The U.K. Sessions 1970-1971 presents some of Dusty’s rarest music in context, as you’ve never heard it before.  One track, Spike Milligan’s “Goodbye,” makes its U.S. CD debut and second appearance anywhere following its premiere on the 2011 U.K.-only Goin’ Back box set.  The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes!

The Band’s Robbie Robertson teamed with venerable Hollywood composer Alex North for the score to the 1980 film Carny – a film in which Robertson also starred!  Real Gone has the worldwide CD debut of the original soundtrack album.

Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites of the Electric Flag reteamed for the soundtrack to this 1972 film!  The album, reissued for the first time in the U.S., features contributions from Paul Butterfield and Maria Muldaur!

David Bowie’s David Bowie (a.k.a. Space Oddity), The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory and Pin Ups are collected in a new box set along with Live Santa Monica ’72, the Ziggy Stardust motion picture soundtrack and a 2-CD bonus set entitled Re:Call 1.  Available on 12 CDs or 13 LPs.

This 10-CD box set rounds up all of Chicago’s studio albums released between 1979 and 2008, adding bonus tracks from past reissues including those previously released only in Japan.

SoulMusic.com and its new partner, Caroline Records, present two mono Nancy Wilson LPs on one CD: 1965’s Today My Way and 1966’s Nancy, Naturally!  Songs include “Reach Out for Me,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “Dear Heart,” and “Since I Fell for You.”

Randy Newman’s classic score to Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story celebrates 20 years with a new 2-CD complete soundtrack presentation, adding numerous score cues and eight rare demos!

U.K. label 7A Records offers the first-ever reissue of Micky Dolenz’s complete MGM singles (including “Daybreak,” written, arranged and conducted by Harry Nilsson) – now on CD, following a successful vinyl release last year!

Dance to the music!  On October 4th and 5th, 1968, shortly after the release of the band’s third album Life, Sly & The Family Stone took the stage for a two-night, four-show engagement at Bill Graham’s Fillmore East in New York City.  Epic Records recorded all four of the band’s concerts (two shows per night) with plans to release a live album.  This new box includes all four sets with the group at its funkiest and most exciting!

Edsel’s new 29-CD box set collects the songs and edits released in the U.S. and U.K. as CD singles across Belinda Carlisle’s entire solo recording career for IRS, Virgin, Chrysalis and, most recently, UMe.

Audio Fidelity reissues the acclaimed, Grammy-winning collaboration between Eric Clapton and the late B.B. King on stereo SACD.  This hybrid SACD is playable on all CD players.

Rhino boxes up 10 seminal albums by The Doobie Brothers, taking the band from southern rock to blue-eyed soul.

The Rolling Stones’ free concert of July 5, 1969 at London’s Hyde Park is the latest to come to the band’s From the Vault series – this time in DVD and BD formats.

DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. TBD
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. TBD

Beginning with 1973’s Mr. Magic Man, The “Wicked” Wilson Pickett recorded four soulful studio albums and one live set for RCA Records, where, in an extremely productive two years, he notched his final Hot 100 hits as well as a string of R&B chart successes.

Mr. Magic Man: The Complete RCA Studio Recordings brings all four of Pickett’s RCA studio platters to CD for the very first time: Mr. Magic Man (1973), Miz Lena’s Boy (1973), Pickett in the Pocket(1974) and Join Me and Let’s Be Free (1975).  Presented with four rare, never-on-CD bonus single versions, this release paints a full portrait of this exciting era in which Pickett continued to record passionate soul and funk in a classic vein.  For these sessions, Pickett teamed with producers including Atlantic Records veterans Brad Shapiro and Dave Crawford, as well as Yusuf Rahman, and recorded at renowned venues including Muscle Shoals Sound, RCA’s Nashville studios, and Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound Studios.  This 2-CD set, remastered by Vic Anesini, features 42 tracks and a running time of 148 minutes!

What if key members of The Beach Boys, Chicago, America, and Wings had teamed up to create one of the greatest California rock albums you’ve never heard?  Well, they actually did!   Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, author and director Ricci Martin, the sixth child of legendary “King of Cool” Dean Martin (and younger brother of Dino, Desi and Billy’s Dean-Paul Martin!), got a little help from his friends to craft 1977’s Epic Records release Beached.   We’re bringing Beached, produced by Carl Wilson at The Beach Boys’ Brother Studios, back in an expanded edition remastered by Vic Anesini and featuring four bonus singles!  Beached features Ricci (who wrote every track on the album!) with Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Billy Hinsche, Jimmy McCulloch, Van Dyke Parks, Gerry Beckley, Peter Cetera and the Chicago horn section, among other guests…need we say more?

Rhino collects 30 hits and album tracks from Linda Ronstadt on this newly-remastered 2-CD set.

Legacy and Experience Hendrix have the first commercial release of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s historic set from the July 4, 1970 Atlanta Pop Festival on 2 CDs or 2 vinyl LPs.

Simon and Garfunkel’s now-legendary reunion concert of September 19, 1981 at New York’s Central Park has been newly-remastered for release on 180-gram vinyl and as part of a CD/DVD set.

This box set includes freshly remastered 180-gram heavyweight vinyl replica reissues of:

1. Wednesday Morning, 3.A.M. (originally released October 19, 1964, Columbia Records)
2. Sounds Of Silence (originally released January 17, 1966, Columbia Records)
3. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme (originally released October 10, 1966, Columbia Records)
4. Bookends (originally released April 3, 1968, Columbia Records)
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water (originally released January 26, 1970, Columbia Records)
6. Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits (originally released June 14, 1972, Columbia Records)

Columbia and Legacy have rounded up Johnny Mathis’ non-LP single releases and compilation-exclusive tracks for this new 4-CD box set celebrating the legendary entertainer’s 80th birthday.  31 of its 87 tracks are new to CD.

Legacy Recordings and RCA continue their series of Legacy Edition expansions of The King’s classic catalogue with this 2-CD remaster of 1975’s Today.    This 40th anniversary release contains the original album featuring the hit single “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” and 10 undubbed session mixes previously only available via the Follow That Dream collectors’ label. Disc 2 features live performances recorded within weeks of the album’s release. Previously issued in 1980, this reconstructed concert has been remastered and reassembled from the original source tapes.

Rhino reissues the 2008 double-disc Collectors Edition of Otis Redding’s 1965 classic in time for its 50th anniversary.

Light in the Attic draws upon the archives of Lee Hazlewood’s LHI label for this complete anthology from Texas band The Kitchen Cinq!

The classic album from Carole King’s band The City returns in a newly-remastered edition to CD and vinyl. Features “Now That Everything’s Been Said,” “Snow Queen,” “Wasn’t Born to Follow,” “A Man Without a Dream,” “That Old Sweet Roll” and many other King classics.

Stage Door Records rescues the 1969 London Cast Recording of the short-lived musical Ann Veronica, based on the H.G. Wells novel and featuring a score by Cyril Ornadel (Pickwick) and David Croft.  Recorded at CTS Studios, the cast album (licensed from Sony) features the performances of Mary Millar (in the title role), Hy Hazell, Arthur Lowe, Peter Reeves, Charles West, Ian Lavender and John Inman.

Patti LuPone’s 1999 album returns to CD from Broadway Records.  The intimate Matters of the Heart features the Broadway diva tackling an eclectic repertoire by Stephen Sondheim (“Not a Day Goes By”), Randy Newman (“Real Emotional Girl”), Rodgers and Hammerstein (“Hello, Young Lovers”), Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (“Back to Before”) and others.

Fresh off his RCA Duets album, Van Morrison comes to RCA sister imprint Legacy Recordings for a volume of the label’s Essential series.  The Essential Van Morrison features 37 songs from the troubadour including favorites like “Moondance,” “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Jackie Wilson Said,” and many tracks currently out-of-print:

CD 1

1. Gloria – Them
2. Here Comes The Night – Them
3. Spanish Rose
4. Brown Eyed Girl
5. Astral Weeks
6. The Way Young Lovers Do
7. Moondance
8. Crazy Love
9. And It Stoned Me
10. Into The Mystic
11. Domino
12. Wild Night
13. Tupelo Honey
14. Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile)
15. Warm Love
16. Fair Play
17. Caravan
18. Hungry For Your Love
19. Cleaning Windows (Live)

CD 2

1. Bright Side Of The Road
2. And The Healing Has Begun
3. Tore Down A La Rimbaud
4. Someone Like You
5. Irish Heartbeat (w. The Chieftains)
6. Whenever God Shines His Light (w. Cliff Richard)
7. Have I Told You Lately
8. Real Real Gone
9. Enlightenment
10. Why Must I Always Explain?
11. Days Like This
12. That’s Life
13. Rough God Goes Riding
14. Precious Time
15. Once In A Blue Moon
16. Magic Time
17. Playhouse
18. Sweet Thing (Live)

 

Tony Bennett, just off a phenomenally successful tour with Lady Gaga, partners with acclaimed jazz pianist Bill Charlap (as well as Charlap’s trio) for this new set of standards composed by arguably the greatest American composer, Jerome Kern.  Songs include “All the Things You Are,” “I Won’t Dance,” “The Song is You,” “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Look for the Silver Lining.”

Paul McCartney himself suggested that the great jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli tackle his songbook. Pizzarelli took Macca up on the notion, bringing along his wife Jessica Molaskey, dad Bucky PIzzarelli and other esteemed talents to craft this 12-track set featuring jazz reinterpretations of “Silly Love Songs,” “My Love,” “No More Lonely Nights,” “Let ‘Em In,” “Maybe I’m Amazed” and many more solo McCartney and Wings songs.

This 3-CD, 34-song set previously available as a website exclusive comes to general retail.  An American Treasure has been compiled by Steve Lawrence in tribute to his late wife Eydie Gorme.  The first disc, “The Hits,” presents Eydie’s a number of Eydie’s most famous recordings, including “Blame It on the Bossa Nova,” “If He Walked into My Life,” and “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have” while Disc Two, “Steve’s Favorites,” offers the songs he most loved hearing Eydie sing, like “Don’t Go to Strangers, “The Friendliest Thing,” “Softly As I Leave You” and “Hello Young Lovers.” But it’s Disc Three that is the main attraction: a recently discovered, completely unreleased album session that she cut during the ’60s.

The complete Arista recordings of accordionist and conjunto superstar Flaco Jiménez have been remastered by Vic Anesini for this new collection!

Rhino revisits Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill in a new 4-CD box set as well as a 2-CD highlights edition. This new four-disc Jagged Little Pill: Collector’s Edition includes remastered audio of the original album plus an entire disc of 10 unreleased demos from the era handpicked by Morissette from her archives. Also included is a previously unreleased concert from 1995 as well as 2005’s Jagged Little Pill Acoustic.  The 2-CD version has the remastered original album plus the demo disc.

For this new album, Presley performances recorded between 1956 and 1973 have been melded with new tracks recorded at Abbey Road in London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for ballads (“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “If I Can Dream”), gospel (“How Great Thou Art”), and rock and roll (“Burning Love,” James Taylor’s satirical “Steamroller Blues”).  Favorites from songwriters Mac Davis (the hit “In the Ghetto”) and Neil Diamond (“And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind”) also appear in these new orchestral renditions.  Michael Bublé joins Presley, and Italian crossover opera/pop group Il Volo adds vocals to “It’s Now or Never,” reflecting the song’s origins.   Duane Eddy adds his trademark guitar licks to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Mickey Newbury’s epic “An American Trilogy.”

This 12-CD box set includes the eight live and studio albums recorded by Stax superstar Otis Redding between 1964 and 1967 as well as four posthumously-released albums.  The box contains the following albums in their original track listings:

Otis Redding, Soul Manifesto 1964-1970 (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

• Pain In My Heart (1964)
• The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (1965)
• Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)
• The Soul Album (1966)
• Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul (1966)
• King & Queen – with Carla Thomas (1967)
• Live In Europe (1967)
• The Dock Of The Bay (1968)
• The Immortal Otis Redding (1968)
• In Person At The Whisky A Go Go (1968)
• Love Man (1969)
• Tell The Truth (1970)

Capitol Records belatedly releases a soundtrack to director Bill Pohlad’s acclaimed Brian Wilson biopic Love and Mercy featuring Atticus Ross’ original score plus music from the solo Wilson (“Love and Mercy,” “One Kind of Love”), The Beach Boys (“God Only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” “Don’t Worry Baby”) and star Paul Dano (“God Only Knows”).

Phil Collins’ 1981 classic featuring “In the Air Tonight” gets expanded to two CDs with the addition of eight live tracks and four demos (plus a new, modern cover photograph echoing the original).  Ten of the twelve bonuses are new to CD.  The original album will also be available on vinyl.

Phil Collins’ 1993 album Both Sides is expanded to two CDs as part of his Take a Look at Me Now reissue campaign!  Bonus tracks include B-sides, demos and live tracks, with six of the ten bonus cuts previously unreleased on CD.  The original album will also be available on vinyl.

Numero Group excavates a never-before-released 1969 album from singer-songwriter Elyse Weinberg.  The label describes the album’s sound: “Weinberg’s finger-picked acoustic is layered over distant drumming, while her gravel-pit voice evokes life, love, and mortality.”  Neil Young, J.D. Souther, Nils Lofgren and Kenny Edwards all guest on this lost California-rock gem produced by Young’s longtime associate David Briggs.

Van Morrison’s cosmic Warner Bros. debut, from 1968, receives its first-ever expanded edition in this remastered reissue featuring four work-in-progress bonus tracks.

Van Morrison’s jubilant 1970 follow-up to Moondance receives the remastered and expanded treatment on CD with five previously unreleased bonus tracks from the sessions.

One-half of The Glimmer Twins returns with his first solo album in 23 years.  Keith Richards fuses blues, soul, reggae and rock on Crosseyed Heart, which features guest appearances by artists including Norah Jones, Ivan Neville and the late Bobby Keys!

Judy Collins returns for a new set of ballads performed as duets with artists including Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, Glen Hansard and Don McLean!

1. Strangers Again feat. Ari Hest
2. Miracle River feat. Michael McDonald
3. Belfast To Boston feat. Marc Cohn
4. When I Go feat. Willie Nelson
5. Make Our Garden Grow feat. Jeff Bridges
6. Feels Like Home feat. Jackson Browne
7. From Grace feat. Thomas Dybdahl
8. Hallelujah feat. Bhi Bhiman
9. Someday Soon feat. Jimmy Buffett
10. Stars In My Eyes feat. Aled Jones
11. Send In The Clowns feat. Don McLean
12. Races feat. Glen Hansard

Alice Cooper and a host of his famous friends – among them Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, Dave Grohl, Slash, Zak Starkey, Joe Walsh, Sir Paul McCartney and the late Sir Christopher Lee – pay tribute to friends and fallen comrades with Hollywood Vampires celebrating the rock scene, seventies Hollywood-style.  Songs include Harry Nilsson’s “One/Jump Into the Fire,” The Who’s “My Generation,” T Rex’s “Jeepster,” Macca’s Badfinger hit “Come and Get It,” John Lennon’s “Cold Turkey,” Spirit’s “I Got a Line on You” and more.  Bob Ezrin produced.

Varese rounds up fifteen single sides from Chicago’s own Buckinghams on this new anthology, including all-time sixties pop classics “Kind of a Drag,” “Don’t You Care,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “Hey Baby” and “Susan.”

At long last, Carl Wilson’s 1981 solo debut (featuring the exquisite “Heaven”) arrives on U.S. CD.  Iconoclassic’s reissue features new remastering from Vic Anesini and new liner notes by Carl’s longtime friend, collaborator and onetime brother-in-law Billy Hinsche.  This title is currently listed for Tuesday, September 29 release.

This ain’t your typical Nashville Sound!  Everything is Roses anthologizes the career of Music City’s groundbreaking alt-rockers Raging Fire with 22 tracks on one CD recorded between 1985 and 1989.  (An 11-track vinyl highlights version will also be available as well as a 26-track lossless digital edition.)  Raging Fire opened for such bands as The Replacements, The Cramps and Gun Club with their singular sound incorporating punk, rock, folk, country, and more.  With almost all tracks reissued for the first time, the new record unites the band’s 1985 LP A Family Thing  with selections from the 1986 LP Faith Love Was Made Of,  as well as compilation cuts, previously unreleased demos and more.

1995’s Thrak arrives as the tenth release in the King Crimson 40th Anniversary series.  The first full album to feature the ‘Double Trio’ incarnation of the group, Thrak will feature a new “21st century stereo reimagining” of the album by Jakko Jakszyk and Robert Fripp, while the DVD-Audio disc has high-resolution 5.1 Surround Sound and stereo mixes by Jakszyk and Fripp, alongside a high-resolution presentation of the original album stereo mix.   Like all release in this series, the CD and DVD are housed in a slipcased digipak also containing a booklet with sleeve notes, rare photos and archive material.

Audio Fidelity brings the original quadraphonic (4.0 surround) version of Sly and the Family Stone’s Greatest Hits to SACD, featuring numerous variations from the songs’ familiar stereo versions.  The album will play in stereo on the standard CD layer (playable on all CD players) on this hybrid SACD.

Loggins and Messina’s 1972 debut, featuring the hit “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” comes to SACD in its original quadraphonic (4.0 surround) mix. The hybrid SACD also features the stereo version of the album in high resolution and in standard CD resolution, playable on all CD players.

Ace follows up its Finders Keepers – Motown Girls CD with a second volume dedicated to the ladies of Hitsville, USA.  This time, the Ace team has excavated a full 25 previously unreleased tracks from artists including Brenda Holloway, Barbara McNair, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the Lewis Sisters and LaBrenda Ben!

The Soulful Strings (members of the Chess/Cadet label house band, including flautist Lennie Druss, guitarist Phil Upchurch, bassist/cellist Cleveland Eaton and harpist Dorothy Ashby) made seven albums, but the most beloved may well be 1968’s The Magic of Christmas.  The group’s highest-charting record (#35), it has never appeared on CD until now!  Gene Sculatti provides the liner notes for this R&B-infused holiday classic.

Conductor George Melachrino’s 1959 Christmas Joy, a release in RCA’s Living Stereo series, makes its worldwide CD debut from Real Gone Music. This symphonic seasonal classic from one of the greatest maestros of all time includes such tracks as “Christmas Alphabet,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.” It’s been newly remastered by Maria Triana at Battery Studios in New York, and TSD’s Joe Marchese tells the Melachrino story in his new liner notes.

The lone album from The Beckies, led by Michael Brown of Left Banke, Montage, and Stories fame, at last arrives on CD from Real Gone Music. The power-pop cult favorite from 1976 features new liner notes by Jeremy Cargill as well as lyrics.

The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings brings together 1967’s The Jim Nabors Christmas Album with 1972’s Merry Christmas, both of which are long unavailable on compact disc.  Produced by Jack Gold and arranged by Alan Copeland, Christmas Album featured Nabors on both secular and sacred carols, including a rousing “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and an inventive “Jingle Bells.”  The Gold-selling album was so popular that it was the best-selling holiday album of 1969, and remained on the Billboard Christmas chart for an astounding seven years!  Merry Christmasteamed Nabors with producer Snuff Garrett (Cher, Vicki Lawrence) for a more contemporary set once again blending holiday spirituals and pop favorites including the much-requested fan favorite, “A Girl Named Noel.”  The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings also includes the CD premiere of the rare single “I Was a King at Jesus’ Birth,” and adds three more seasonal selections culled from Nabors’ beloved gospel recordings including two distinctive renditions of “Ave Maria” and his heartfelt recording of “The Lord’s Prayer.”  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the liner notes for this nostalgic new release which has been sparklingly remastered by Maria Triana at Sony’s Battery Studios.  Jim Nabors’ timeless, joyful Christmas classics have never sounded so vivid.  The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings just might have you and your whole family exclaiming, “Shazam!”

Elvis Costello has compiled a 2-CD companion release to his upcoming memoir Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink.  Featuring songs that “offer the deepest emotional connection to the themes and stories in his book,” Unfaithful Music & Soundtrack Album non-chronologically spans his entire recorded discography, from 1977’s My Aim is True to 2013’s Wise Up Ghost, his collaboration album with hip-hop group The Roots.  In addition, two unreleased tracks premiere here along with three “audio book sketches.”  In addition to The Roots, other Costello collaborators featured here include Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Burt Bacharach, Allen Toussaint, Brian Eno, The Brodsky Quartet, Steve Nieve, and of course, The Attractions and The Imposters.

Capitol has a new 180-gram 2-vinyl LP presentation of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli’s Live at the London Palladium to celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary.  Liza provides new liner notes!

Frank Sinatra’s 1965 album featuring “Luck Be a Lady,” “My Kind of Town” and “Somewhere in Your Heart” gets the 180-gram vinyl treatment as part of the Sinatra centennial celebration.

Frank Sinatra’s reflective 1965 album, arranged and conducted by Gordon Jenkins and featuring “It Was a Very Good Year,” returns to vinyl for its 50th anniversary in a new 180-gram edition.

Frank Sinatra’s 1965 Reprise double-album set arrives on 180-gram vinyl for its 50th anniversary as part of the Sinatra centennial reissue program.

Dean Martin’s 1959 Capitol holiday collection returns to vinyl just in time for the Christmas season!

The biggest holiday release of the season is the 3-disc set devoted to the yuletide recordings of Johnny Mathis.  The Complete Christmas Collection 1958-2010 rounds up all of Mathis’ Christmas albums for the Columbia and Mercury/Global labels released during that period.  It also boasts numerous non-LP singles, guest appearances and other one-off tracks from over the years, all in newly-remastered sound.  TSD’s own Joe Marchese has written the liner notes based upon a new interview with Johnny!

Bobby Vinton’s A Very Merry Christmas – The Compete Epic Christmas Collection is a first-of-a-kind collection for the beloved vocalist.  During the peak of his career in 1963 and 1964, Vinton recorded a Christmas EP and album for Epic, both of which are on this remastered release.  Several other Christmas cuts have been added, including a previously unreleased track from 1959: “Winter Love.”  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the liner notes!

Celebrate a classic country Christmas with Jimmy Dean’s Christmas Card – The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings.  Dean may be best known today for breakfast sausages, but he had a thriving recording career 50 years ago.  His lone Columbia Christmas LP is joined by the few yuletide tunes he made for singles to complete this remastered CD.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has penned new liner notes!

The Living Voices’ Sing Christmas Music/The Little Drummer Boy adds up to a nostalgic holiday treat.  The Living Voices, together with The Living Strings and several other groups with “Living” in their names, were studio musicians brought together by RCA producer Ethel Gabriel who recorded albums targeted at an older demographic.  These LPs featured lushly arranged versions of popular hits, and these two Christmas albums – including 1965’s never-on-CD The Little Drummer Boy featuring The Anita Kerr Singers – have that same rich sound.

This new 4-CD box set celebrates the Frank Sinatra centennial with over 100 rare and previously unreleased songs drawn from the future Chairman of the Board’s legendary radio career – many of which he never otherwise recorded – in newly restored and remastered sound!

Masterworks Broadway expands the classic Original Broadway Cast Recording of Marvin Hamlisch, Ed Kleban, Nicholas Dante and James Kirkwood’s A Chorus Line with eight never-before-released work tape demos of Hamlisch and Kleban presenting the score (including cut songs) to director/choreographer Michael Bennett.  A 180-gram vinyl reissue of the original album will also be available from Analog Spark (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.).

Omnivore revisits and revises the classic alt-rock Christmas compilation.  Producer Chris Stamey has added new performances by Yo La Tengo & Jeff Tweedy, Marshall Crenshaw, Robyn Hitchcock, and Big Star’s Third (featuring Mike Mills of R.E.M. taking lead vocals on Big Star’s “Jesus Christ”) to selected tracks from past editions of the album.

At long last – the soundtrack to Peter Bogdanovich’s cult classic At Long Last Love comes to CD!  Cybill Shepherd, Burt Reynolds, Madeline Kahn and Eileen Brennan are among those singing such Cole Porter standards as “Just One of Those Things,” “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “You’re the Top” on this homage to 1930s musical comedy films!

Neil Young revisits the This Note’s for You era with a new live 2-CD set.  It’s drawn from 1987-1988 performances recorded in New York, Hollywood, Toronto, Cleveland, San Francisco and other cities featuring the Bluenote Café band: Rick Rosas (bass), Chad Cromwell (drums), Frank Sampedro (keyboards), Steve Lawrence (lead tenor saxophone), Ben Keith (alto saxophone), Larry Cragg (baritone saxophone), Claude Cailliet (trombone), Tom Bray (trumpet), John Fumo (trumpet), Billy Talbot (bass) and Ralph Molina (drums).  Available on CD, vinyl and DD.

1968’s classic Christmas Album from Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass is back on CD from the artist’s newly-minted Herb Alpert Presents label.  This reissue of the original A&M album has been freshly remastered and features memorable TJB takes on “The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Winter Wonderland” and more!

The Rolling Stones are continuing their From The Vault series with this release of one of the ten shows from February 14-27, 1990 at The Tokyo Dome; these shows culminated the Steel Wheels World Tour.  The footage has been restored and the sound has been newly mixed by Bob Clearmountain for this first official release of the show.  Available in DVD/2-CD, Standard Definition BD and DVD/4-LP editions.

DVD/2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
DVD/4-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

1) Intro: Continental Drift
2) Start Me Up
3) Bitch
4) Sad Sad Sad
5) The Harlem Shuffle
6) Tumbling Dice
7) Miss You
8) Ruby Tuesday
9) Almost Hear You Sigh
10) Rock And A Hard Place
11) Mixed Emotions
12) Honky Tonk Women
13) Midnight Rambler
14) You Can’t Always Get What You Want
15) Can’t Be Seen
16) Happy
17) Paint It Black
18) 20,000 Light Years From Home
19) Sympathy For The Devil
20) Gimme Shelter
21) It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll
22) Brown Sugar
23) (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
24) Jumpin’ Jack Flash

This 4-CD/3-DVD or 4-CD/2-BD set features a treasure trove of previously unreleased material across its 53 audio tracks plus four hours of never-before-seen video footage.

Bruce Springsteen, The Ties That Bind: The River Collection (Columbia 88875 16467-2, 2015)

4-CD/3-DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
4-CD/2-BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

CDs 1-2: The River (Columbia PC2 36854, 1980)

1. The Ties That Bind
2. Sherry Darling
3. Jackson Cage
4. Two Hearts
5. Independence Day
6. Hungry Heart
7. Out In The Street
8. Crush On You
9. You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
10. I Wanna Marry You
11. The River

1. Point Blank
2. Cadillac Ranch
3. I’m A Rocker
4. Fade Away
5. Stolen Car
6. Ramrod
7. The Price You Pay
8. Drive All Night
9. Wreck On The Highway

CD 3: The Ties That Bind (single LP intended for release in 1979)

1. The Ties That Bind
2. Cindy
3. Hungry Heart
4. Stolen Car (Version 1)
5. Be True
6. The River
7. You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
8. The Price You Pay
9. I Wanna Marry You
10. Loose End

CD 4: Outtakes

1. Meet Me In The City
2. The Man Who Got Away
3. Little White Lies
4. The Time That Never Was
5. Night Fire
6. Whitetown
7. Chain Lightning
8. Party Lights
9. Paradise By The C
10. Stray Bullet
11. Outside
12. Roulette
13. Restless Nights
14. Where The Bands Are
15. Dollhouse
16. Living On The Edge Of The World
17. Take ‘Em As They Come
18. Ricky Wants A Man Of Her Own
19. I Wanna Be With You
20. Mary Lou
21. Held Up Without A Gun
22. From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)

Track 12 from “One Step Up” single – Columbia 38-07726, 1987
Tracks 13-20 from Tracks – Columbia CXK 69475, 1998
Track 21 from “Hungry Heart” single – Columbia 11-11391, 1980
Track 22 from The Essential Bruce Springsteen – Columbia C2K 90773, 2003

3 DVDs/2 BDs

1. The Ties That Bind documentary
2. Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band: The River Tour – ASU Activity Center, Tempe, AZ – 11/5/1980

Concert – Part 1

1. “Born to Run”
2. “Prove It All Night”
3. “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”
4. “Jackson Cage”
5. “Two Hearts”
6. “The Promised Land”
7. “Out in the Street”
8. “The River”
9. “Badlands”
10. “Thunder Road”
11. “No Money Down”
12. “Cadillac Ranch”
13. “Hungry Heart”
14. “Fire”
15. “Sherry Darling”
16. “I Wanna Marry You”
17. “Crush on You”
18. “Ramrod”
19. “You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)”

Concert – Part 2

1. “Drive All Night”
2. “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”
3. “I’m A Rocker”
4. “Jungleland”
5. “Detroit Medley”
6. “Where The Bands Are (Credits)”

BONUS: The River Tour Rehearsals

1. Ramrod
2. Cadillac Ranch
3. Fire
4. Crush on You
5. Sherry Darling

Real Gone is serving up a newly remastered version of the The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! album plus nine bonus tracks! And among those bonus tracks are four newly discovered, previously unreleased The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! outtakes, two of the outtakes that premiered on the Black Friday Record Store Day-exclusive Next Big Thing EP, two of that release’s Andrew W.K. remixes, and the unreleased single mix of “(I Live for) Cars and Girls.” Dictators songwriter Andy Shernoff contributes liner notes!

King Curtis’ The Complete Atco Singles presents the great sax man’s 45 RPM output on three CDs.  Not only is this the first time on CD for virtually all of these original mono single mixes, but among these 66 tracks are over two dozen sides that never appeared on LP!  All but one of the 66 tracks have been transferred from tape in the Warner/Atlantic archives, and Mike Milchner of SonicVision provides the remastering.

Nat King Cole’s Stardust-The Rare Television Performances includes more than two dozen of the rarest performances from television’s The Nat King Cole Show, coupled with nearly 30 minutes of additional music from a 1963 appearance on Australian television being released for the very first time in America.  Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Gordon Jenkins are all among the arrangers on this set of “King” Cole’s finest!

Tracing the stylistic development of The Knickerbockers from their garage-rock roots through psychedelic explorations and beyond, the 4-CD, 80-track box set The Challenge Recordings presents the albums and singles recorded for the label plus never-before-released material including demos discovered in the vaults of 4-Star Publishing as well as songs from Beau Charles’ personal collection of acetates.  Content from these personal scrapbooks has been reprinted in the 40-page book which accompanies the box set.  The Challenge Recordings has been mastered from the original analog tapes and acetates, and every track is heard in its original mono mix.  The box features new liner notes by Dominic Priore as well as an introductory essay by David Fricke.

The late, great Cilla Black OBE is celebrated on this new 18-track collection from Varese Vintage featuring every one of her charting singles (including “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Alfie,” “It’s for You” and “Step Inside Love”) originally produced by Sir George Martin!

All-Time Greatest Hits features 14 tracks from the popular beat group’s discography, all recorded between 1963 and 1965 and originally produced by George Martin.  A full seven tracks were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney including “Do You Want to Know a Secret,” “Bad to Me” and “From a Window.”

1995’s Thrak arrives as the tenth release in the King Crimson 40th Anniversary series.  The first full album to feature the ‘Double Trio’ incarnation of the group, Thrak is being expanded to a whopping 16 (!) discs: 12 CDs, 1 DVD-A, 1 DVD & 2 Blu-ray discs, featuring studio & live recordings, many previously unreleased, from the earliest band rehearsals to their final gathering in Nashville in 1997. 

In addition, much of the material is presented in new 5.1 Surround & Hi-Resolution stereo mixes.

  You can read full details here.

Originally released in 1972, Octopus is Gentle Giant’s fourth album, and features Gary Green (guitars, percussion), Kerry Minnear (keyboards, vibraphone, percussion, cello, vocals), Derek Shulman (vocals, alto saxophone), Phil Shulman (saxophones, trumpet, mellophone, vocals), Ray Shulman (bass violin, guitar, percussion, vocals) and John Weathers (drums, percussion, xylophone). Remix engineer extraordinaire Steven Wilson has remixed the original album as well as a bonus mix of 15-minute concert performances of ‘Excerpts from Octopus‘ from the band’s 1976 tour. The Blu-ray Audio disc contains Wilson’s DTS 5.1 Surround Sound Master Audio mix, instrumental mixes of five of the original eight tracks from the album in 96/24 PCM, as well as a flat transfer of the original mix of the album, taken directly from the original ¼-inch tape.  Arrives next Friday in the U.S.!  (A standard CD edition with Wilson’s stereo remix is also available.)

UMe and Roy’s Boys, LLC have joined forces for this new box set chronicling Roy Orbison’s eight-year tenure at MGM Records beginning in 1965.  The MGM Years is available in 13-CD, 14-LP and DD editions.  The MGM Years boasts Roy’s 11 original studio albums, the long out-of-print soundtrack to The Fastest Guitar Alive and a newly-created compilation album calledMGM B-Sides & Singles that contains all 12 non-album singles and B-sides that otherwise weren’t included in any album; the box contains, in all, 152 tracks. 

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

UMe and Roy’s Boys premiere an album recorded by Roy Orbison for MGM Records in 1969 but never before released.  One of the Lonely Ones will be available on CD, LP and DD.

Carly Simon has curated a 2-CD companion volume to her new autobiography.  Focusing on her Elektra and Warner Bros. years, this collection also features two previously unreleased tracks including Boys in the Trees outtake “Showdown” and the newly-recorded “I Can’t Thank You Enough” with her son Ben Taylor.

In May 2015, Eric Clapton performed his 200th concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall fifty years after his first performance there with The Yardbirds. Throughout his seven-night run, Clapton played both vintage blues songs and his own rock classics and Eric Clapton classics; this release commemorates these landmark shows. Available on 2-CD/DVD, 2-CD/BD (not available in the U.K.), 3-LP/DVD, standalone DVD and BD (U.K. only), and a deluxe 2-CD/2-DVD book-style edition adding a bonus DVD of Clapton performance highlights at Royal Albert Hall between 1968 and 2010.

CD 1: 1) Somebody’s Knockin’ On My Door 2) Key To The Highway 3) Tell The Truth 4) Pretending 5) Hoochie Coochie Man 6) You Are So Beautiful 7) Can’t Find My Way Home 8) I Shot The Sheriff
CD 2: 1) Driftin’ Blues 2) Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out 3) Tears In Heaven 4) Layla 5) Let It Rain 6) Wonderful Tonight 7) Crossroads 8) Little Queen Of Spades (DVD/BD Only) 9) Cocaine 10) High Time We Went

Brett Morgen’s documentary film about the late Kurt Cobain arrives in a plethora of audio and video formats. The Super Deluxe Edition includes the full-length feature film and 48 minutes of bonus interviews on Blu-ray and DVD, a 31 track deluxe soundtrack on CD and cassette, a 160-page hardbound book with extended interviews and images from the Cobain archive, a puzzle with a collectible storage container, a movie poster, postcards and bookmark. The 31-track deluxe version of the soundtrack CD is exclusively available in the Super Deluxe Edition and showcases tracks from the documentary including spoken word, demos and full songs.

The 31-track soundtrack is also available as a digital download and standalone LP (but not a standalone CD); the 13-track standard edition soundtrack is available on CD.  The film itself is being released on DVD and BD.

This 19-CD box set brings together 16 of the Queen of Soul’s Atlantic albums as previously released on CD including the deluxe 2-CD Live at Fillmore East, the 2-CD Rare & Unreleased Recordings From The Golden Reign Of The Queen Of Soul and Oh Me Oh My: Aretha Live in Philly 1972.  There are no new-to-CD albums here or new material/remastering although this set is perfect one-stop shopping for Franklin’s most truly essential recordings.

Rhino brings together 13 albums (both studio and live) by Paul Butterfield on 14 CDs including seminal Elektra and Bearsville releases by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Paul Butterfield’s Better Days, and solo.

This limited edition 4-CD box set features The Staple Singers’ hits alongside favorite studio and live recordings, plus a handful of never-before-released rarities, including a special bonus: the earliest known recordings of the group on a 7-inch vinyl record, marking the first time that these two tracks have been available in any format since the Staples’ self-released edition of 500 in 1953.  The box is packaged in a deluxe, old-school ’45 folio’ package, and also contains a book with new liner notes by Mavis Staples, James Miller, Opal Louis Nations, and compilation producer Joe McEwen, as well as rarely seen photos of the family band taken over the course of their career.

America opens up its vaults for the first volume of an Archive series featuring demos, rehearsals and alternate versions of familiar hits like “Ventura Highway,” “I Need You,” “Sister Golden Hair” and “A Horse with No Name” among other rarities from the period of 1971-1975.

1. Ventura Highway (Alternate Mix – The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA, 1972)
2. Daisy Jane (Rehearsal The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA 1975)
3. It’s Life (Alternate Mix – The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
4. Rainbow Song (Demo – Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
5. I Need You (Alternate Mix – Trident Studios, London, 1971)
6. Horse With No Name (Alternate Early Mix – Morgan Studios, London, 1971)
7. Sister Golden Hair (Demo Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
8. Woman Tonight (Rehearsal – The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, 1975)
9. Rainy Day (Alternate Mix – Chalk Farm Studios, 1971)
10. Only In Your Heart (Demo Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1972)
11. Cornwall Blank (Early Rehearsal – The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA, 1972)
12. Look Up, Look Down (Unreleased Demo – Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
13. Green Monkey (Demo – Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
14. Story Of A Teenager (Rehearsal – The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, 1975)
15. Riverside (Live in Studio – Chalk Farm Studios, 1971)

Following on the heels of the recent Christmas Album reissue, the new Herb Alpert Presents label has a freshly-remastered edition of Alpert and the Tijuana Brass’ landmark Whipped Cream and Other Delights (featuring “Whipped Cream,” “Love Potion No. 9” and “A Taste of Honey”) on CD, DD and 180-gram vinyl LP.  More titles are promised for 2016 – hopefully including some of the long out-of-print treasures from the TJB catalogue!

The Rolling Stones’ latest From the Vault release comes from the band’s performance at Roundhay Park in Leeds, England on July 25, 1982 – the final show to feature Ian Stewart on piano.  The footage has been restored and the sound has been newly mixed by Bob Clearmountain for this first official release.

Available in various formats iincluding DVD/2CD, Standard Definition BD/2CD and DVD/3 LP.

SD-BD/2-CD: Amazon U.S.
DVD/2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
DVD/3-LP: Amazon U.K.
DVD: Amazon U.K.
Blu-ray: Amazon U.K.

SD-BD & 2CD Tracklisting:
SD-BD: 1) Intro: Take The A-Train 2) Under My Thumb 3) When The Whip Comes Down 4) Let’s Spend The Night Together 5) Shattered 6) Neighbors 7) Black Limousine 8) Just My Imagination 9) Twenty Flight Rock 10) Going To A Go Go 11) Let Me Go 12) Time Is On My Side 13) Beast Of Burden 14) You Can’t Always Get What You Want 15) Little T & A 16) Angie 17) Tumbling Dice 18) She s So Cold 19) Hang Fire 20) Miss You 21) Honky Tonk Women 22) Brown Sugar 23) Start Me Up 24) Jumpin Jack Flash 25) (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

CD Disc One: 1) Intro: Take The A-Train 2) Under My Thumb 3) When The Whip Comes Down 4) Let’s Spend The Night Together 5) Shattered 6) Neighbors 7) Black Limousine 8) Just My Imagination 9) Twenty Flight Rock 10) Going To A Go Go 11) Let Me Go 12) Time Is On My Side 13) Beast Of Burden 14) You Can’t Always Get What You Want

CD Disc Two: 15) Little T & A 16) Angie 17) Tumbling Dice 18) She’s So Cold 19) Hang Fire 20) Miss You 21) Honky Tonk Women 22) Brown Sugar 23) Start Me Up 24) Jumpin Jack Flash 25) (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

The music of Lee Michaels (“Do You Know What I Mean,” “Heighty Hi”) returns on Manifesto’s splendid new 7-CD box set reissuing his long-out-of-print, complete A&M albums!  Each title is housed in a digipak replicating the original vinyl presentation, and a 40-page booklet with vintage memorabilia reproductions and copious new liner notes for each album is also included within the slipcase!

This new 20-song compilation collects the best of Lee Michaels’ A&M Records recordings originally released between 1968-1973, including his 1971 Top 10 hit single “Do You Know What I Mean” and the FM radio favorite “Heighty Hi.” All of the tracks have been remastered from the original master tapes, and an 8-page booklet adds comprehensive liner notes and quotes from the artist.  This single-disc anthology also serves as a companion to Manifesto’s 7-CD box set The Complete A&M Album Collection.

The big, blue-eyed soul voice of Timi Yuro returns on this disc featuring Yuro’s complete 1968 Liberty album Something Bad on My Mind along with a treasure trove of twelve rare and previously unreleased tracks culled from the Liberty vaults.

A Gift of Love focuses on the romantic side of The Divine Miss M’s repertoire, culling eighteen tracks from nine albums originally released on the Atlantic and Warner Bros. labels between 1976 and 2014 including “The Rose,” “From a Distance,” “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “To Deserve You” and more.

Marvin Gaye’s first seven albums are reissued in mini-LP sleeve replicas for this new slipcased set, the first of three planned volumes.  The titles are: The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye, That Stubborn Kinda Fellow, When I’m Alone I Cry, Hello Broadway, A Tribute to the Great Nat ‘King’ Cole, Together (with Mary Wells) and How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You.  Also available on vinyl!

Simple Minds’ 1985 breakthrough album is expanded to six discs (five CDs and a region-free NTSC DVD) on this new super deluxe edition.  Containing the hit singles “Alive And Kicking,” “All The Things She Said,” “Sanctify Yourself” and “Ghostdancing,” this chart-topping album built on the success of “(Don’t You) Forget About Me.”  The bonus discs include numerous additional tracks including the original and extended versions of “(Don’t You) Forget About Me,” single edits, 12-inch mixes, B-sides, previously unreleased tracks and the two-disc Live In The City Of Light concert. The DVD includes an audio version of the album with a high-res 96/24, 5.1 surround mix plus all the promo videos, as well a 36-page booklet with rare photos, new interviews with Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill and track-by-track notes.

Also available as a 2-CD highlights edition and a 1-CD straight album remaster.

Audio Fidelity brings Judy Collins’ 1972 compilation to hybrid SACD (playable on all CD players) including the 4.0 surround presentation of the album.  Features “Both Sides Now,” “Suzanne,” “In My Life,” “Amazing Grace” and more.

Alice Cooper’s 1973 Muscle of Love arrives on hybrid SACD (playable in all CD players).  The 4.0 quadraphonic presentation is playable on all SACD players.

David Bowie continues to push the envelope with this new studio album scheduled for his 69th birthday.  Blackstar features the epic title track, music from his current New York stage production Lazarus, the single “Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)” and more!

Well, this isn’t a reissue, but it is the soundtrack to the most highly-anticipated movie of the year, scored by the legendary John Williams.  Here’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens!

This new entry in the annual series features 68 songs over 3 CDs showcasing the diversity of modern independent pop artists – what’s not to love?

Ralph Stanley and his brother Carter formed the Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946 and became big names in the bluegrass scene.  When Carter passed away in 1966, Ralph pressed on with the act and were joined around four years later by future country and bluegrass stars Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley due to a chance encounter.  The pair joined the Clinch Mountain Boys for three albums on the Jessup label, all of which are collected on the 2-CD, 34 track Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys featuring Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley: The Complete Jessup Recordings Plus!.

Real Gone has one from hardcore punk band The Circle Jerks: their 1987 albumVI, which was actually the Jerks’ fifth effort.  This album includes a song that was featured in the film Sid and Nancy.  The Circle Jerks, founded in 1979, had a rather tumultuous history and disbanded in 1990.  They got back together in 1994 and released one more album in 1995, which is their final release to date.  Liner notes, lyrics and memorabilia images round out RGM’s newly-remastered reissue.

A true country classic returns to vinyl: Marty Robbins’ 1959 Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.  Featuring “El Paso,” Robbins’ most successful single, this mono 180-gram vinyl reissue has been remastered by Vic Anesini and is limited to 600 copies.

Real Gone reissues its own Expanded Edition of The Ides of March’s classic debut Warner Bros. LP in a new, slipcased (and lower-priced) edition.

One of Real Gone’s earliest releases is reissued in a new jewel case edition (the prior release was housed in a digipak), featuring true stereo versions of classics from Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s Red Bird label.

Charles Bukowski: Reads His Poetry captures the notorious author and libertine at a 1972 reading at which the topics included perversion, poverty, drunkenness, gambling and bodily functions. The ultimate non-PC record, Real Gone returns it to vinyl in this re-pressing: a “vomit”-colored edition limited to 1,000 copies.

The Ultimate Soundtrack Collection contains 10 compact discs and 1 DVD celebrating John Williams’ classic scores for cinema’s most beloved franchise.  The six discs comprising the original Star Wars trilogy are the same as the 1997 (and 2004) releases.  The prequel trilogy is also simply the same single CDs that have been in print.  Oddly, the two-disc version of The Phantom Menace is not included.  Instead, the 10th CD is a 16-track compilation disc featuring cues from the six movies.  The DVD includes new interviews with Harrison Ford and John Williams together with the one-hour special Star Wars: A Musical Journey which was originally bundled with copies of Revenge of the Sith.  The CDs are housed in mini album jackets.

Star Wars: The Ultimate Vinyl Collection presents versions of each soundtrack as they initially appeared on vinyl, spread across 11 LPs.  This marks the first time thatAttack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith have appeared on vinyl.  Sony describes the set as follows: “Star Wars: The Ultimate Vinyl Collection includes each of the six film soundtracks fromStar Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace to Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi in deluxe gatefold sleeves faithfully replicating the original artwork. Audio was transferred from the original LP masters using the highest resolution (up to 192kHz/24bit) and pressed with heavy 180-gram vinyl. The six soundtrack set (on 11 LPs) is presented in a black, soft-touch laminated slipcase with an embossed, hot silver foil Star Wars logo and includes a digital download card for one complete box set (all six soundtracks).”

The King of Pop’s 1979 Epic solo debut Off the Wall is revived for 2016 with an additional DVD or BD of Spike Lee’s new documentary about the making of the album, Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall.  No additional audio tracks are included.

To coincide with the 60th anniversary of his signing to RCA, Elvis Presley’s The Album Collection is a whopping 60-disc box set containing 57 RCA albums released during Presley’s lifetime (many with bonus tracks added) and 3 bonus discs of rarities, one disc each for the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.  A 300-page hardcover book accompanies this landmark set.

Alan Price’s 1974 Warner Bros. album Savaloy Dip came and went in the blink of an eye (on a recalled eight-track!) before disappearing for what might have been forever…but Omnivore Recordings has come to the rescue with the first-ever reissue of this 11-song lost record from the Animals founder/keyboardist!

Phil Collins’ 1982 album featuring “You Can’t Hurry Love” is expanded with a bonus disc of 11 tracks including demos, rehearsals and live performances.

Phil Collins’ 1996 effort yielded a U.K. Top 10 hit with its title track; now, it’s back in a Deluxe Edition with a 10-track bonus disc featuring demos and live tracks.

Audio Fidelity brings the original 4.0 quadraphonic mix of America’s 1974 Hearts (featuring “Daisy Jane” and “Sister Golden Hair”) to hybrid SACD for the first time.  The 2.0 stereo layer is playable on all CD players.

Audio Fidelity presents Loggins and Messina’s 1971 Sittin’ In (featuring “House at Pooh Corner” and “Danny’s Song”) on a hybrid stereo SACD. The standard CD layer is playable on all CD players.

Herbie Hancock’s Thrust – the great jazz keyboardist’s funky follow-up to the smash Head Hunters – is reissued in its original 4.0 quadraphonic mix on SACD by Audio Fidelity.  The 2.0 stereo layer is playable on all CD players.

The 1973 Atlantic Records debut of jazz drummer Billy Cobham, Spectrum, arrives on 4.0 quadraphonic SACD.  The fusion classic is also playable in standard 2.0 stereo on all CD players.

Bobby Darin was so much more than just Mack the Knife. In just 37 years, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and entrepreneur raced against the clock to conquer records, film, and television as he successfully transitioned from rock-and-roll teen idol to tuxedoed swinger and then to denim-clad folk troubadour. At the dawn of the 1970s, and still battling the chronic heart problems that had plagued him since youth, the superstar artist signed with Berry Gordy’s renowned Motown Records. At Motown, the versatile artist reinvented himself yet again, recording some of the most vibrant and vital music of his remarkable career. He tackled Hitsville, USA-style R&B and soul alongside original songs and personal re-interpretations of favorites by the day’s top pop and rock songwriters including Randy Newman, Cat Stevens, Paul Williams, and Bob Dylan. Darin released just one studio album and a number of singles at Motown before his untimely death in December 1973; the following year, producer Bob Crewe assembled a posthumous LP to celebrate his friend’s life and music. Yet, as the decades passed, Darin’s artistically wide-ranging Motown recordings were all but forgotten.

Now, just before what would have been the singer’s 80th birthday on May 14, 2016, Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records proudly present the first-ever retrospective of the final chapter of the legendary Bobby Darin’s musical life. The 2-CD Another Song on My Mind: The Motown Years brings together the self-titled 1972 Bobby Darin album never released on CD anywhere in the world with Crewe’s original, never-on-CD mix of the posthumous Darin 1936-1973. If that s not enough, this definitive, freshly-remastered anthology also adds every one of Bobby’s Motown singles as well as five alternate tracks from the short-lived CD reissue of Darin 1936-1973! The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese supplies the new liner notes for this landmark release, with remastering from the original analog master tapes by Kevin Reeves. Another Song on My Mind: The Motown Years is certain to prove one of 2016’s most significant archival collections for fans of Motown, R&B, pop, soul, and classic vocals, and celebrates the singer’s 80th birthday in style. Look out, old Bobby is back!

Analog Spark has the original 1956 mono Broadway cast album of Lerner and Loewe’s classic, starring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison, cut from the original tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.  This deluxe 180-gram vinyl release has been pressed and plated at RTI, and is housed in a Stoughton “tip-on” jacket.

Analog Spark’s edition of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s seminal 1957 musical – starring Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence and Chita Rivera – should prove to be its best-sounding appearance on vinyl as it’s been cut to 2 LPs from the original 3-track master tapes by Ryan Smith. The Stoughton tip-on jacket includes photographs from the original recording sessions, and it, too, has been pressed and plated at RTI.

Analog Spark celebrates a Broadway musical currently enjoying a successful revival today: 1964’s Fiddler on the Roof.  The original cast recording of the Joseph Stein/Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick musical, starring Zero Mostel, Maria Karnilova, Bert Convy and Bea Arthur, gets a 180-gram vinyl edition cut by Ryan Smith from the original stereo tapes.  It’s been pressed and plated at RTI, and is housed in the tip-on jacket.

Now Sounds collects the complete 1965-1970 singles from the delightfully quirky sunshine pop heroes Harpers Bizarre and the band’s pre-fame incarnation as The Tikis on one splendid, 26-track CD featuring numerous rare mono mixes making their debut on CD.  Includes such classics as “The 59th Street Bridge Song,” “Come to the Sunshine,” “Small Talk” and much more!

Parlophone collects five vintage Cilla Black albums in this mini-box set: Cilla, Cilla Sings a Rainbow, Sher-oo!, Surround Yourself with Cilla, and Sweet Inspiration.  The latter three titles make their proper CD debuts here, although none of the albums retain the bonus tracks previously issued in digital format.

Julia Fordham’s self-titled debut album gets the deluxe, expanded treatment from Cherry Pop.  This 1988 U.K. Top 20 success features the hit singles “The Comfort Of Strangers” (U.K. #89, U.S. #40 (AC)), “Woman Of The 80s” (U.K. #83), “Where Does The Time Go?” (U.K. #41), and “Happy Ever After” (U.K. #27, U.S. #24 (AC). This 2-CD, remastered edition features 25 tracks including the original 11-song album alongside 14 bonus tracks: all of the single versions, B-sides, remixes, and alternate versions that were released during the promotion of the original album, as well as the live recordings that appeared on the EP which was included as part of the limited edition release of Julia Fordham.

Ace offers the first-ever career-spanning anthology for The Paris Sisters (“I Love How You Love Me”) including their work with Phil Spector, Jack Nitzsche, Terry Melcher and Nik Venet for labels including Gregmark, Capitol, Crescendo, MGM, Mercury and Reprise.  Several perviously unreleased tracks also grace this set including the Sisters’ legendary unissued single for Columbia from 1963!

Bill Evans joins the line-up for Rhino/Warner U.K.’s Original Album Series with this mini-box collecting five albums from the jazz piano titan: New Conversations, Affinity, You Must Believe in Spring, The Paris Concert: Edition One and The Paris Concert: Edition Two.

Esther Phillips’ five early Atlantic LPs are collected in one mini box-set from Warner U.K.: And I Love Him, The Country Side of Esther Phillips, Esther Phillips Sings, Burnin’ – Live at Freddie Jett’s Pied Piper Club L.A. and Confessin’ the Blues.

The Hollies’ Original Album Series collections continue with this second box containing albums from both the group’s Graham Nash and Terry Sylvester eras, spanning 1967-1970: Evolution, Butterfly, Hollies Sing Dylan, Hollies Sing Hollies, and Confessions of the Mind.  The 1999 remasters are apparently those included in the box set.

In 1976, Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto reunited at San Francisco’s Keystone Korner alongside pianist Joanne Brackeen, bassist Clint Houston and drummer Billy Hart.  Their never-before-released set arrives in lavish fashion from Resonance Records on CD and vinyl.  The deluxe CD includes a 32-pg booklet of essays by author James Gavin, bossa nova pioneer Carlos Lyra, Stan’s son Steve Getz, and producers Zev Feldman and Todd Barkan, as well as previously unpublished photos from the archives of photographer Tom Copi.  This set of 13 tracks from the bossa pioneers joins Moments in Time, a second Getz release drawn from the same week of performances.

Legendary flautist Herbie Mann’s long tenure at Atlantic Records included 1969’s Live At the Whisky A Go Go where he was joined by other jazz luminaries including Steve Marcus, Roy Ayers, Sonny Sharrock, Miroslav Vitous and Bruno Carr.  This album featured only two songs, one on each side of the LP.  However, there was a lot more material recorded from the group’s four-night stand at the famous nightspot.  Now, the tapes from these shows have been unearthed and newly mixed to create a 2-CD set featuring twelve unreleased songs: Live At the Whisky 1969: The Unreleased Masters.  In addition to different versions of the two songs from the original LP, you’ll also find songs by Donovan, Tim Hardin, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis and Simon & Garfunkel.

A cousin to both Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart, Mickey Gilley notched his first hit in 1974 with a cover of “Room Full of Roses” on the Playboy label.  This began a string of hits for Gilley throughout the 1970s.  1976 was a particularly good year for him when he won ACM awards for Top Male Vocalist, Song (“Don’t The Girls Get Prettier At Closing Time”), Single (“Bring It On Home”), Album (Gilley’s Smoking) and Entertainer of the Year.  In 1978, he joined Epic.  He reached new popularity with a new sound when his cover of “Stand By Me” was featured in 1980’s Urban Cowboy (his club, Gilley’s Club, was also featured heavily in the movie).  The Definitive Hits Collection is a 2-CD set featuring hits from his Playboy and Epic tenure.

Real Gone brings to vinyl a two-LP edition of the soundtrack to the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale.  Produced (with most of the songs written by) Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, the soundtrack was a huge smash in the mid-1990s featuring songs by Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Brandy, TLC, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, SWV and Patti LaBelle, among others.  The album topped the Billboard charts and was eventually certified 7x platinum.  Seven of its sixteen songs were released as singles.  It also garnered critical acclaim too as it received 11 Grammy nominations in 1997, including Album of the Year.  Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” won for Best R&B Song.  The soundtrack was never released on vinyl in the U.S. and this new purple vinyl edition is limited to 1,000 copies.

The Complete London Recordings by Margaret Whiting, a new 2-CD set, brings together the three albums the classic pop vocalist recorded for the London label in the 1960s and also features non-LP singles and rarities.  Real Gone originally released these two CDs separately in 2013.

An Evening with Peter Noone and Micky Dolenz captures the candid, intimate conversations between the rock legends recorded earlier this year.  The first CD in this splendid new package presents the conversation from January 7 recorded at Westbury, New York’s The Space at Westbury; the second has the pair’s evening at Montclair, New Jersey’s Memorial Auditorium recorded on January 9.  Each off-the-cuff chat features different showbiz tales from the engaging pair, peppered with memories of their famous friends.  The release also contains brand-new liner notes and exclusive photos of the events.

The Importance, Sean O’Mahony’s musical version of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, premiered in London in 1984; following its run there, it was revised for a 1986 Petersborough production as Borne in a Handbag.  Members of the Petersborough production reconvened in the studio for a recording of O’Mahony’s score but it remained unreleased; finally, in 2006, the recording featuring those cast members and other West End-caliber vocalists was completed.  Now, Stage Door Records premieres on CD the recording of The Importance, starring Nigel Williams, Jill Martin and Susan Jane Tanner.

The new 2-disc Essential Stephen Sondheim gathers 29 tracks penned by the renowned composer-lyricist spanning the period from West Side Story through Passion.  The compilation features material under the Sony umbrella (Columbia, RCA) from various original cast recordings, soundtracks and concert presentations.

With this 4-LP vinyl box set, the late David Bowie’s original BBC radio sessions from 1968-1972 arrive on vinyl for the first time.  The 39-track set comes in a lift-off lid box and features a full-color 20 page booklet. This vinyl version features the Bowie/Mick Ronson duo performance of “Oh! You Pretty Things” from the Sounds of the 70s Bob Harris session, broadcast in September 1971, which was previously exclusive to the Japanese release of the CD.   Another special bonus is the world premiere release of “The Supermen,” from the Sounds of the 70s Andy Ferris session, broadcast in March 1970, and performed by Bowie’s shortlived band The Hype.

George Fest: A Night To Celebrate The Music Of George Harrison arrives on 2-CD/BD, 2-CD/DVD, vinyl and DD configurations.  This concert salute was filmed on September 28, 2014 (the day after what would have been Harrison’s 73rd birthday) at Los Angeles’ Fonda Theatre. Produced by Dhani Harrison and David Zonshine, George Fest features an eclectic line-up including Brian Wilson (“My Sweet Lord”), Norah Jones (“Something”), and Ann Wilson (“Beware of Darkness”) as well as Dhani himself (“Let It Down”).  Weird Al Yankovic, The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne and The Killers’ Brandon Flowers are part of an all-star Wilburys tribute on “Handle with Care.”  27 tracks, total.

Pop maestro Emmit Rhodes (The Merry-Go-Round, The Palace Guard) returns with his first solo album since 1973, and he’s brought an all-star indie rock cast with him: producer Chris Price and guest musicians Roger Joseph Manning Jr, Jason Falkner, Aimee Mann, Susanna Hoffs, Jon Brion, Nels Cline & Pat Sansone from Wilco, Bleu, Probyn Gregory & Nelson Bragg from the Brian Wilson Band, and more!  Available on CD and vinyl (with digital download).

Burt Bacharach joins a host of artists including Justin Hayward, Joss Stone, Rebecca Ferguson and Alfie Boe in this concert tribute filmed last year at London’s Royal Festival Hall and aired on the BBC.  In between performances of Bacharach hits and rarities (including “In Between the Heartaches” and “If I Could Go Back”), Michael Grade interviews the legendary composer about his craft.  Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Sepia Recordings continues its long-running series of Bing Crosby releases with the third volume of Good and Rare.  Here you’ll find previously unissued recordings, alternates and rehearsal recordings beginning with an alternate take of his hit Victor recording of “Ol’ Man River.”  Also featured are three previously unissued recordings Crosby made for the war effort and rehearsal recordings of “It’s Easy to Remember” (1934) and “Where is Central Park?” (1938).  This is a public domain release in accordance with EU laws.

Sepia has a new offering from legendary tenor Mario Lanza (1921-1959) comprising English-language studio recordings, radio broadcasts, film outtakes, and a live performance, all spanning the years 1950 to 1958. This new compilation also includes previously unreleased spoken introductions by the singer.  This is a public domain release in accordance with current EU laws.

Vic Dana’s debut album This is Vic Dana, from 1961, is joined on one CD by its follow-up, 1962’s Warm and Wild.  Dana started his recording career in the early 1960s as a teenager and made the Top Ten with “Red Roses For A Blue Lady” a few years later.  Here you’ll find his first chart entry, “Little Altar Boy,” also recorded by artists including Andy Williams and Glen Campbell.  This is a public domain release in accordance with current EU laws.

Legacy presents the soundtrack to director Amy J. Berg’s new documentary portrait of the late Janis Joplin.  This 17-track disc includes the Rodgers and Hart-penned title song as well as classic performances from Big Brother and the Holding Company, the Kozmic Blues Band, Janis and the Full Tilt Boogie Band and the singer’s solo output.  One previously unreleased track, a live “Piece of My Heart” with Big Brother, makes its debut here.  It was recorded live at the Generation Club in New York City in April 1968 during the Wake for Martin Luther King concert and included in the 1991 D.A. Pennebaker/Chris Hegedus short film Comin’ Home, has been never been available as a commercial audio release until now.  Berg also provides new liner notes here.

Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required, originally released in 1985 and still the artist’s most commercially successful album, is expanded to 2 CDs with the addition of thirteen bonus tracks: ten new-to-CD live performances and three demos.  The original album is also available on vinyl.

Phil Collins revisits 2002’s Testify, still his most recent collection of original material, as a 2-CD set.  Co-produced by Collins and Rob Cavallo, Testify featured new songs (all composed by Collins save one co-written with longtime collaborator Daryl Stuermer) as well as a cover of Billy Nicholls’ “Can’t Stop Loving You,” a 1978 hit for Leo Sayer.  The upcoming edition features ten bonus tracks including four B-sides, two demos, and four new-to-CD live tracks.  The original album will be available on vinyl.

Analog Spark, the audiophile imprint of Razor and Tie, has a 180-gram deluxe reissue of The Raspberries’ seminal debut featuring the hit “Go All the Way.”  This limited edition vinyl reissue of Raspberries has been mastered and cut from the original stereo tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio; the 180-gram LP has been pressed and plated at RTI.  Additionally, it’s housed in a classic-style Stoughton “tip-on” jacket.

Metallica revisits 1983’s Kill ‘Em All as a 4-LP/5-CD/1-DVD deluxe box set featuring remastered versions of the album on LP and CD augmented by three live sets from Paris, New Jersey and California on LP and CD; a picture disc recreation of the original “Jump Into the Fire” single (take heed: all offerings on vinyl will include download cards); plus a pair of bonus CDs featuring interviews, rough mixes and the contents of the “Whiplash” EP released in England. Another live set at Chicago’s Metro, released in part on a VHS compilation in 1987, debuts in full here. The box also includes a hardback book of unseen photos and a collectible patch.  Whew!  The remastered original album will also be available on CD and vinyl.

Metallica’s deluxe box set of 1984’s Ride the Lightning includes the remastered album on LP and CD, plus four live sets from Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and England’s Castle Donington (the latter three making their physical debut after being offered as downloads on Metallica’s live archive site); a picture disc version of the “Creeping Death” single, featuring two non-LP B-sides; two more bonus CDs with radio interviews, demos and rough mixes; and a DVD featuring more pro-shot live footage for MTV, Danish TV and more. Physical swag in the box includes a hardback book of unseen photos, a mini-book of handwritten lyrics and three posters.  Plus: the remastered original album will be reissued on standalone CD and vinyl!

Masterworks Broadway reissues on CD-R and DD the original cast recording of Salad Days.  Revolving around a magical piano and even featuring a flying saucer, Salad Days was written by Julian Slade, with lyrics written by him and Dorothy Reynolds.  Reynolds also performed in the musical which opened in June 1954 in Bristol before transferring to the West End in August of that year.  It ended up running for 2,283 performances, which was a record at the time.  It has received several British revivals in the ensuing decades, and was previously available on a now-out-of-print CD via Sony West End.

ChangesOneBowie returns from Parlophone in a 40th anniversary edition available on vinyl, CD and digital formats.  Originally issued on RCA in May 20, 1976, ChangesOneBowie was the first key compilation album from superstar David Bowie.  Collecting songs dating back to 1969, the 11-track album introduced the single “John, I’m Only Dancing” on LP alongside highlights from his remarkable string of releases: David Bowie(“Space Oddity”), Hunky Dory (“Changes”), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (“Ziggy Stardust,” “Suffragette City”), Aladdin Sane (“The Jean Genie”), Diamond Dogs (the title track and “Rebel Rebel”), Young Americans (its title song and “Fame”) and Station to Station (“Golden Years”).

David Bowie’s 2010 live album capturing the 2003  Dublin performance of his Reality Tour comes to vinyl from Friday Music as a 3-LP, 33-track set pressed on 180-gram vinyl.  It features career-spanning hits and fan favorites like “Heroes”, “Ziggy Stardust”, “Changes”, “Fame”, “Ashes to Ashes,” “Life on Mars?,” “All the Young Dudes,” and “Rebel, Rebel” as well as collaborations “Sister Midnight” and “Under Pressure.”  This remastered, limited edition release will be housed in a sturdy box with two poster inserts featuring the 12″ x 12″ front cover image and a 12″ x 24″ double-sided poster featuring live performance shots from the concert tour.  Each LP will be pressed by R.T.I. on translucent blue vinyl with a custom Bowie label image.

Salvo brings the 2015 Soundstage television program starring Brian Wilson, taped in Las Vegas, to a CD/DVD package.  The concert united Wilson with Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin, Billy Hinsche and various special guests to celebrate his legendary songbook and his new album No Pier Pressure.  The CD features 19 tracks, and the DVD has 25 plus two bonus tracks and additional interview footage.

Despite the nondescript title, this set features 14 tracks from the quadraphonic library of Sony on hybrid 4.0 channel SACD.  Many of the artists featured are heavy hitters, including Bob Dylan, Santana, Miles Davis, The Jeff Beck Group, Henry Mancini, and Harry Nilsson.

LAY, LADY, LAY – Bob Dylan
MILES RUNS THE VOODOO DOWN – Miles Davis
BLACK MAGIC WOMAN/GYPSY QUEEN – Santana
DEFINITELY MAYBE – Jeff Beck Group
SHINING STAR – Earth, Wind & Fire
GRAZING IN THE GRASS – The Friends Of Distinction
FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY – The O’Jays
PETER GUNN – Henry Mancini & His Orchestra
WATERMELON MAN – Herbie Hancock
7 SCREAMING DIZ-BUSTERS – Blue Oyster Cult
WITHOUT YOU – Harry Nilsson
THAT LADY – The Isley Brothers
WAKE UP EVERYBODY – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
BIRDS OF FIRE – The Mahavishnu Orchestra with John McLaughlin

Earth, Wind & Fire’s sophomore album for Columbia Records, 1973’s Head to the Sky, comes to hybrid SACD in its original 4.0 quadraphonic surround mix (with a 2.0 stereo layer playable on all CD players).  Features the singles “Evil” and “Keep Your Head to the Sky.”  Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Stephen Marsh.

Ace continues its ongoing Songwriters Series with a volume dedicated to Ray Davies of The Kinks!  Here is a 26-track selection from the band’s golden years – including a song from brother Dave, and a number of recordings in which the whole band participated.  Artists include Herman’s Hermits, Petula Clark, The Chocolate Watchband, The Pretty Things, Bobby Rydell, The Cascades, and more!

When not playing on many of Motown’s most renowned records, Funk Brother Jack Ashford carved out a career as one of the Motor City’s most prolific producers.  Ace’s Kent label brings together 24 tracks on Just Productions, part of the label’s Producer Series.  Just Productions, of course, was also the name of Ashford’s label which he founded after Pied Piper folded.  Some of the company’s productions appeared on their own Sepia, Triple B, Ashford and Awake labels, while others were licensed to Jay-Walking, Buddah, Spectrum, Premium Stuff and Inter Soul.  Ace samples the best of Just Productions  – including cuts from Eddie Parker and The Four Sonics – on this selection of scintillating Detroit soul!

Ace brings on another 24 tracks of the cream of the male Motown crop – including 16 previously unreleased tracks!  One Track Mind! More Motown Guys has The Spinners, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Fantastic Four, Edwin Starr and more on a group of uptempo songs designed to have listeners hit the dancefloor, Detroit-style!

Ace brings its acclaimed 2015 Here Today: The Songs of Brian Wilson compilation to 180-gram white vinyl in a slimmed-down form (12 tracks vs. 25 on the CD) with all of Ace’s deluxe hallmarks of packaging and annotation!  The album features Darian Sahanaja of The Brian Wilson Band and The Wondermints along with Kirsty MacColl, Carmen McRae, The Tokens, The Castells, Nick DeCaro, Betty Everett, Bobby Vee and more!

Ace taps the Decca vaults for this new anthology celebrating the label’s best ’60s pop-rock girls!  Lulu, Marianne Faithfull, Dana Gillespie, Elkie Brooks, Beryl Marsden, Billie Davis and others appear on this collection featuring the work of producers, arrangers and writers such as Mike Leander, Andrew Loog Oldham, Shel Talmy, Charles Blackwell and Tony Meehan.  Available as a 24-song CD or a 12-song LP (retitled 1963-1970, for accuracy’s sake)!

UMe/Verve brings together all of Ella Fitzgerald’s swinging JATP performances (from 1949, 1953 and 1954) originally issued on various albums over the years.  This remastered edition features a new essay by historian Will Friedwald.  Features “A Foggy Day,” “The Man That Got Away,” “How High the Moon,” “Perdido,” “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” and more!

Legacy has a digital download of the soundtrack to the Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light.  The album, co-produced by Rodney Crowell, features Tom Hiddleston as Williams performing six songs including “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It,” “Hey Good Lookin’,” “Jambalaya” and “Why Don’t You Love Me.”  It also features vintage recordings by Eddy Arnold, Eartha Kitt, Jo Stafford, The Delmore Brothers and other artists.

The one and only Ronnie Spector returns with an all-new studio album saluting her British Invasion friends. Expect Ronnie-ized renditions of the Jagger/Richards-written “I’d Much Rather Be with the Boys” (as “I’d Much Rather Be with the Girls”) as well as “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying,” “Tell Her No,” “Girl Don’t Come” and more!  Amazon has an exclusive CD/DVD edition as well as an exclusive autographed vinyl LP!  You can access all formats from the links below!

BGO brings together the first three albums by the late Nicolette Larson – Nicolette, In the Nick of Time and Radioland – in one 2-CD slipcased edition.

Now Sounds is tip-toeing through the tulips once again with the first-ever Complete Singles Collection (spanning the years 1966-1970) for the late Tiny Tim.  This set includes the original single mixes of all of Tiny’s Reprise singles, as well as his debut 45 on Blue Cat and his post-Reprise era one-off single for Scepter Records, for the first time ever on CD!  Many of the rare mono mixes are also making first-time CD appearances.  All tracks have been remastered from the original tapes!  Includes “Tip-Toe Thru the Tulips with Me,” “April Showers,” “Fill Your Heart,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “What the World Needs Now is Love,” and many more!

Winfield Parker began his singing career at Baltimore’s Ru-Jac label, one of America’s first African-American-owned record labels (active from the early 1960s through the early 1970s).  In 2015, Omnivore acquired the pioneering Ru-Jac label and its publishing assets, and on March 25, the first title from that acquisition will see release.  Mr. Clean: Winfield Parker at Ru-Jac features 23 tracks (including never-before-released material) of prime 1960s East Coast soul from Ru-Jac’s premier artist.  It will initially be available on CD and digital download, and a vinyl edition will be coming in the future, with the first run to be pressed on orange vinyl!

The soundtrack to Don Cheadle’s Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead features eleven original Davis performances culled from his recordings at both Prestige and Columbia spanning 1956-1981 as well as dialogue excerpts from the film and five original compositions by Robert Glasper.  His contributions include “What’s Wrong with That?” (a jam that closes the movie imagining Cheadle as Davis playing in the present day with guest performers Glasper, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Gary Clark, Jr., Esperanza Spalding and Antonio Sanchez) and “Gone 2015,” an end-credits song with a guest turn from rapper Pharoahe Monch.  Available on CD, DD and LP.

Universal U.K. expands Motortown Revue in Paris, originally released in 1965, to 2 CDs or 3 LPs – both of which add a previously unreleased twelve tracks of live Motown magic!  Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, The Miracles, Earl Van Dyke and, of course, The Supremes are all here.  31 tracks total.

The Original Cast Recording of the beloved 1982 off-Broadway musical by Michael Colby and Gerald Jay Markoe receives a deluxe, expanded reissue – complete for the very first time on 2 CDs.  None other than Leonard Cohen presciently observed, “I loved the show. Some of those songs are classic theatre pieces–I think they’ll be around for a long time.”  Charlotte Sweet is available at Amazon.com, but those who order directly from JAY Records will receive a CD-R of Colby and Markoe’s related Christmas musical, Ludlow Ladd! The Colby/Noel Katz musical Tales of Tinseltown also receives its CD premiere on April 8 in a dazzling new recording produced by Jeffrey Lesser (Rupert Holmes, Barbra Streisand)!

Frank Sinatra’s All The Way album, originally released in 1961 by Capitol to round up twelve non-LP singles, arrives on 180-gram vinyl. This Billboard Top 5 album features the Oscar-winning, hit title track by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen.

Varese brings together 18 prime cuts from the premier purveyors of Chicago soul, Curtis Mayfield and the legendary Impressions. This set features singles released on the Curtom label between 1968 and 1976 including the R&B hits “Fool for You,” “Choice of Colors,” “Say You Love Me,” “Finally Got Myself Together (I’m a Changed Man)” and more. A. Scott Galloway provides a new essay in this exemplary set of rare and classic soul.

The Love Album, first released in 1994, brings together the songs recorded by the luminous Doris Day over three sessions in Hollywood, 1967, including “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” “For All We Know” and “Street of Dreams.”  Varese’s reissue of this romantic classic arranged by the great Sid Feller features new period photography and three (previously issued) bonus tracks of “Both Sides Now,” “It’s Magic” and “Sentimental Journey.”

Eric Carmen’s second self-titled and fifth overall solo album, produced by The 4 Seasons’ Bob Gaudio for the Geffen label, has been unavailable on CD for more than 20 years.  Varese’s new reissue features one bonus track: the rare single mix of the Top 40 hit “I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips.”

Paul Simon returns with his 13th solo studio album and first since 2011’s So Beautiful or So What.  Stranger has been co-produced by his longtime collaborator Roy Halee and features the first single “Wristband.”  Simon says “sound is the theme of this album,” and sessions featured dance and flamenco artists as well as inspiration from 20th century composer/theorist Harry Partch (maker of custom instruments in microtonal tunings).  Stranger to Stranger is available in standard and deluxe editions on CD; vinyl and DD versions will also be available.

Eric Clapton has reunited with producer Glyn Johns for his 23rd studio album I Still Do.  Tracks include “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine.”  Available on CD, DD and LP.

Omnivore presents Beat legend Allen Ginsberg in singer/songwriter mode on this new 3-CD box!  In 1971, Ginsberg called on Bob Dylan for a recording session of tunes touching on politics, gay rights, and more. Joining Ginsberg and Dylan were Jack Kerouac’s musical partner David Amram, Happy Traum, and cellist These 1971 recordings remained unreleased until 1983 when they were released as First Blues in a set pairing them with 1976 sessions produced by John Hammond, and further 1981 sessions.   This deluxe package contains the original double LP, plus 11 previously unissued songs from 1971 and 1981, as well as demos and live recordings including Dylan and/or Arthur Russell and even a cameo by Don Cherry on kazoo!  A 28-page booklet containing rare photos, drawings, and new liner notes from producer Pat Thomas rounds out the collection.

Legacy expands The Kinks’ 1972 classic Everybody’s In Show-Biz to a 2-CD Legacy Edition.  The studio/live hybrid album gains a full disc’s worth of previously unissued studio outtakes (recorded at London’s Morgan Studios) and concert material (recorded March 2-3, 1972 during The Kinks’ Carnegie Hall concert stand).  The Legacy Edition will also be released on vinyl with an abridged selection of bonus tracks.

The final album by the late, great Allen Toussaint, American Tunes was recorded at two sets of sessions with producer Joe Henry: solo piano at Toussaint’s New Orleans home studio in 2013, and with a rhythm section and guest artists in Los Angeles in 2015.  On his solo performances including “Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” “Hey Little Girl” and “Big Chief,” Toussaint pays tribute to his hero at the keys, New Orleans’ Professor Longhair.  The album also features band arrangements of songs written and/or popularized by Toussaint (“Delores’ Boyfriend,” “Southern Nights”), Duke Ellington (“Come Sunday,” “Rocks in My Bed,” “Lotus Blossom”), Bill Evans (“Waltz for Debby”), Fats Waller (“(I’m) Confessin’ (That I Love You),” “Viper’s Drag”), Paul Simon (title track “American Tune”), and others.  The double-vinyl LP release adds three bonus tracks: renditions of Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer’s “Moon River” and the Professor Longhair pair “Her Mind is Gone” and “Bald Head.”

Now That’s What I Call Broadway! rounds up 18 tracks from the past 40 years of musical theatre, including familiar tunes from A Chorus Line and Chicago (1975) right up through Matilda (2013) and Carole King’s Beautiful (2014).

Linda Ronstadt’s 1992 Spanish-language album Frenesi returns to CD in a newly-remastered edition with no additional content.

Concord Bicycle has a straight reissue of The Traveling Wilburys Collection, a multi-disc audiovisual box set that gathers expansions of both Wilburys albums, Vol. 1 (1988) and Vol. 3 (1990) with bonus video content. As with the original Rhino Records release in 2007, the box will be available as a standard 2CD/1DVD set; a deluxe, numbered edition; a vinyl box set (including three extended versions that were otherwise unavailable) and hi-res download options.

Amazon U.S.: 2CD/1DVD Standard Edition; 2CD/1DVD Deluxe Edition; 3LP
Amazon U.K.: 2CD/1 DVD Standard Edition; 2CD/1DVD Deluxe Edition; 3LP

Varese Sarabande has the first-time-on-CD reissue of Dave Grusin’s score to 1979’s The Champ.  The original Planet Records soundtrack also features Chris Thompson’s rendition of Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager’s “If You Remember Me,” produced by Richard Perry!

Varese is returning the soundtrack to Sydney Pollack’s filmThe Electric Horseman to CD in a newly-remastered edition.  The Columbia Records album features five songs performed by the movie’s co-star Willie Nelson (including the hit “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”) as well as six tracks from Dave Grusin’s instrumental score.

Legacy revisits Van Morrison’s seminal 1974 double live album with this release of additional material.  The CDs ofVolumes II-IV collect previously unreleased concert recordings from the dates that yielded the original album, while the DVD contains professionally-shot footage from the Rainbow Theatre stand which originally aired on the BBC in the U.K. but has never before been commercially available.  The original It’s Too Late was compiled by Morrison and co-producer Ted Templeman from eight sets of live performances and was famously free of any subsequent studio overdubs.  Volumes II-IV returns to those original performances, first captured on two-inch 16-track analog tapes, as newly remastered by Guy Massey.  None of the tracks on this set are duplicated from the performances on the original album.

Van Morrison’s classic 1974 live double album recorded in Los Angeles, Santa Monica and London gets the remastered treatment, while three CDs of additional material from the concerts is available as a stand-alone release.

This 16-CD box set features 11 studio albums and three concerts (two previously unreleased) plus two more discs of bonus tracks from the legendary, prolific singer/songwriter who heralded the “New Nashville” sound as he brought country music into a more contemporary vein.

This 30-track compilation from Air Supply brings together all of the Australian group’s hits, including songs like “All Out of Love” and “Making Love Out of Nothing At All,” which made them such a huge success in the early to mid-1980s.

Real Gone Music releases, for the first time in legitimate fashion, a legendary bootleg that captures The Paul Butterfield Blues Band live at Boston’s Unicorn Coffee House 50 years ago in May 1966, two months before the release of the group’s landmark East-West.  Chris Morris’ new liner notes feature fresh quotes from Elvin Bishop and Mark Naftalin, rare pictures and memorabilia, and editorial input from Mike Bloomfield aficionado and co-producer Toby Byron.  Mike Milchner has remastered the sound!

Varese Vintage has 16 prime cuts of Motor City-style blue-eyed soul via Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels! This collection (remastered by Steve Massie) features the original mono single versions of “Devil with a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Sock it to Me, Baby” and “(You’ve Got) Personality/Chantilly Lace” plus other hits like “Jenny Take a Ride” and “Little Latin Lupe Lu.”  In addition, you’ll find three Mitch Ryder solo songs – and every track was produced, arranged and conducted by Second Disc favorite Bob Crewe for his New Voice label!

Linda Ronstadt’s second solo album returns to CD from Varese Vintage. Ronstadt teamed with producer Elliot Mazer (recommended by Janis Joplin) to craft a record with a much more country sound than her previous efforts.  While overshadowed by her later hugely successful recordings, Silk Purse remains a top-notch collection filled with great vocal performances by Ronstadt including a sublime take on Goffin and King’s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” is sublime as is the LP’s breakthrough single, “Long, Long, Time.”  Steve Massie has remastered, and Jerry McCulley provides new liner notes.

Legacy brings together 16 classic tracks from the collective of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings – a.k.a. The Highwaymen – including the Jimmy Webb composition that gave the group its name. Four previously unreleased tracks make their debut – a rendition of Bob Dylan’s “One Too Many Mornings” as well as live versions of “City of New Orleans,” “Big River,” and “The King is Gone (So Are You).”  Mickey Raphael, Don Was and Chips Moman have produced these one-of-a-kind recordings which have been newly remastered by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios.

Joining Legacy’s release this week of The Very Best of The Highwaymen is this new 3-CD/1-DVD box.  Live: American Outlaws features three discs of never-before-heard concert performances from Messrs. Cash, Nelson, Kristofferson and Jennings including a complete performance from Nassau Coliseum in 1990 and selections from Farm Aid 1992 and 1993.  (A studio outtake version “One Too Many Mornings” is included here as a bonus track; it’s also on the Very Best compilation.)  The DVD has the Nassau Coliseum show newly transferred from the original film reels for vibrant video quality.

Chicago: Quadio brings together nine albums from the legendary band in remastered high-resolution 192/24 DTS-HD Master Audio in both their original quadraphonic and stereo mixes on nine Blu-ray discs.  This lavish celebration of the Windy City’s favorite band is housed in a rigid two-piece box, with every album presented in a replica sleeve promised to “replicate the original release down to the last detail, including mini-posters, and the iron-on that came with Chicago VIII.”

Albums Include:

1. Chicago Transit Authority (1969)
2. Chicago (1970)
3. Chicago III (1971)
4. Chicago V (1972)
5. Chicago VI (1973)
6. Chicago VII (1974)
7. Chicago VIII (1975)
8. Chicago IX: Chicago’s Greatest Hits (1975)
9. Chicago X (1976)

Spearheaded by pianist-producer Robert Glasper, Everything’s Beautiful incorporates original recordings by the late Miles Davis into new “collaborative soundscapes” by guest artists including Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Ledisi and John Scofield.  For these genre-bending journeys incorporating jazz, R&B, hip-hop, rap and soul, Davis tracks including “Blue in Green,” “In a Silent Way,” “The Ghetto Walk” and “Right Off” were sampled, isolating elements from the original multitracks and weaving them into wholly new compositions.

1989’s …But Seriously found Phil Collins and longtime producer Hugh Padgham adopting a more organic sound as they tackled weighty issues in song, including homelessness, apartheid and other global crises. Eric Clapton, David Crosby, Steve Winwood and bassists Pino Palladino and Leland Sklar were among the guests on this hugely successful LP which spun off four U.S. Top 10 hits (the chart-topping “Another Day in Paradise,” “I Wish It Would Rain Down,” “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven” and “Do You Remember?”).  As has been the case for Collins’ previous reissues in this series, the bonus disc for …But Seriously combines live material with a handful of demo recordings; note that this bonus disc may feature the most previously released demos and B-sides, with four of the seven demos first appearing on singles of that era.  The original album is also available on vinyl.

No stranger to the music of Motown, Phil Collins released Going Back in 2010 – an album packed with faithful covers of The Four Tops, The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and many more. With the assistance of both original members of Motown backing band The Funk Brothers and some crucial in-studio trickery (following a surgery on Collins’ vertebrae, he was able to drum by taping his sticks to his hands), Going Back became an expansive love letter to The Sound of Young America.  In fact, even Collins may have found Going Back too expansive in retrospect. First released as an 18-track standard album and 25-track deluxe package, The Essential Going Back now pares it back to a tight 14 tracks and couples it with a live bonus disc recorded on his brief summer tour, which made stops at Philadelphia’s Electric Factory, New York’s Roseland Ballroom, a televised concert in London and the Montreux Jazz Festival of 2010.    The newly-abridged 14-track album will also be available on vinyl.

10,000 Maniacs lives up to the title of this new release: Playing Favorites.  This hometown show from Jamestown, New York features 14 tracks, including hits and fan favorites from throughout the group’s career. Current band members Jerome Augustyniak, Dennis Drew, Jeff Erickson, Steven Gustafson, John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey are joined by strings, horns, and backing vocalists on such songs as “More Than This,” “Because the Night,” “What’s the Matter Here?” and “These Are Days.”  Available on CD and DD.

A Decade of Dio 1983-1993 collects all six studio albums released by Warner Bros. and Reprise in the first decade of the band Dio’s soaring career. Formed by Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice after their split from Black Sabbath in 1982, the group first gained prominence with the title track of debut Holy Diver, a staple of MTV and a recurring metal cult classic.  Decade features new remasters of all this material (the latter two albums receiving their first digital remaster) on six CDs with new box artwork by Marc Sasso, who designed several covers and tributes for Dio. A vinyl version, to be released October 4, comes with a bonus 7″ single collecting two more studio tracks: an early version of Sacred Heart‘s “Evil Eyes” as heard on the “Holy Diver” single, and “Time to Burn,” the sole studio track from the live mini-albumIntermission in 1986.  Contains Holy Diver, The Last in Line, Sacred Heart, Dream Evil, Lock Up the Wolves and Strange Highways.

The Delfonics’ 40 Classic Soul Sides collects tracks from the legendary Philly soul group’s first four Philly Groove LPs on 2 CDs.  When Stan Watson introduced a group (including brothers William and Wilbert Hart and Randy Cain) he was managing to a young Thom Bell at Cameo in the late 1960s, magic was born and a major force in a new genre emerged.  Collaborating with lead singer William on songwriting duties, Bell produced three groundbreaking LPs in the new Philly Soul genre on Watson’s Philly Groove label from 1968-1970, containing such classics as “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” and “La-La (Means I Love You).”  Bell would go on to eventually work with The Stylistics and The Spinners while the Delfonics would record two more albums for Philly Groove before disbanding in 1975.  They have reunited sporadically for various projects in the ensuing decades.  This new compilation has been remastered by Vic Anesini and features our own Joe Marchese’s brand new interviews with Thom Bell and Bobby Eli!

After The Ides of March went on hiatus in 1973, lead singer/guitarist Jim Peterik had to find a new direction.  He released a solo album on Epic in 1976 but soon decided to form a new group.  Recruiting bassist Dennis Keith Johnson, drummer Gary Smith, singer Dave Bickler and guitarist Frankie Sullivan, Survivor was born.  Though the group would undergo numerous line-up changes over the years, their status as pop-rock titans was never in doubt. The 2-CD Definitive Collection features 35 tracks from the band’s 1978-1988 period (including “Eye of the Tiger,” “The Search is Over,” “Is This Love” and many more) and has new liner notes by Bill Kopp containing quotes from a new interview with Jim Peterik.

With this new compilation, Varese Vintage looks back to Jerry Lee Lewis’ brief tenure at Elektra Records at the dawn of the 1980s.  With productions by Bones Howe (The 5th Dimension, Tom Waits) and songs by Bob Dylan, Roger Miller and Johnny Cash, Rockin’ My Life Away captures The Killer melding country, rock-and-roll and popular standards in his inimitable fashion.

The rare 1977 London Cast Recording of Harry Nilsson’s The Point!, starring Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones of The Monkees, finally comes to CD from Varese Vintage!

Bobby Darin teamed with arrangers Shorty Rogers and Perry Botkin Jr. for this 1966 Atlantic Records LP featuring swinging renditions of then-recent Broadway showtunes from musicals including Mame, Golden Boy, Skyscraper and most notably Funny Girl (Bobby’s “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” immortalized in the film American Beauty).  Edsel’s standalone reissue is housed in a digipak and features three previously issued bonus tracks, all from period Atlantic singles: “Walking in the Shadow of Love,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and “Merci Cherie.”

Bobby Darin’s 1966 Sings The Shadow of Your Smile marked the superstar’s return to Atlantic Records.  The album, arranged by Shorty Rogers and Richard Wess, was titled after the Oscar- and Grammy-winning Johnny Mandel/Paul Francis Webster tune from the 1965 film The Sandpiper.  Joining “The Shadow” were its four fellow  Oscar nominees for Best Original Song: Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini’s “The Sweetheart Tree” (The Great Race), Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “What’s New Pussycat” (from the film of the same name), Michel Legrand, Jacques Demy and Norman Gimbel’s “I Will Wait for You” (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) and Hal’s brother Mack David and Jerry Livingston’s “The Ballad of Cat Ballou” (Cat Ballou).  The album, rounded out by standards and a Darin original, has four bonus tracks in Edsel’s digipak reissue all culled from original singles: “We Didn’t Ask to Be Brought Here,” “Funny What Love Can Do,” “The Breaking Point” and “Silver Dollar.”

Omnivore expands The Kingbees’ 1981 RSO swansong with four bonus tracks appearing for the first time on CD!  The Big Rock, celebrating its 35th anniversary, features The Kingbees’ trademark blend of rock-and-roll, punk and country in full force.  After the original release of the album in 1981, The Kingbees disbanded. Shortly thereafter, Jamie James recorded four new songs with a brand new rhythm section. Those songs comprise the bonus tracks for this expanded edition.  James also supplies his own recollections in the liner notes!  Available on CD and DD.

Kyle Riabko’s contemporary, guitar-infused take on the classic Burt Bacharach songbook is preserved on this London Cast Recording of his contemporary musical revue Close to You: Bacharach Reimagined.  Riabko and a cast of young musician-singers bring vitality to these modernized yet faithful renditions of Bacharach favorites with lyrics by Hal David and Carole Bayer Sager.  The 2-CD set features over ten demos as bonus tracks.

Barbra Streisand goes “Back to Broadway” (again!) with this new duets album.  On this 10-song set, Streisand is joined by an eclectic array of talents including Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Melissa McCarthy, Chris Pine, Daisy Ridley and Anne Hathaway on songs by Marvin Hamlisch, Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe and others.  The Target-exclusive edition will boast four solo bonus tracks.

Way Down in the Jungle Room is the first anthology dedicated to the master recordings and outtakes recorded at Graceland’s famous Jungle Room by Elvis Presley and longtime producer Felton Jarvis during two now-legendary periods: February 2-8, 1976 and October 28-30, 1976.  The outtakes have been newly mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Matt Ross-Spang at Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis, Tennessee.  For these intimate and raw, heartfelt sessions, Elvis was backed by many members of his longtime touring band including James Burton (guitar), Ronnie Tutt (drums), David Briggs (keyboards), Glenn D. Hardin (keyboards), Jerry Scheff (bass), Norbert Putnam (bass) and J.D. Sumner and The Stamps (vocals).

Neil Young teams with Lukas and Micah Nelson’s band Promise of the Real for a new quasi-live album. Earth features live performances of songs from 2015 drawing on Young’s albums including The Monsanto Years, Ragged Glory, and After the Gold Rush.  The live tracks feature musical overdubs, as well as “sounds of the earth” (car horns, insect noises, and sounds from bears, birds, crickets, bees, horses, cows, frogs, etc.). Young describes it as “Ninety-eight uninterrupted minutes long, EARTH flows as a collection of 13 songs from throughout my life, songs I have written about living here on our planet together.  Our animal kingdom is well represented in the audience as well, and the animals, insects, birds, and mammals actually take over the performances of the songs at times.”  The 28-minute “Love and Only Love” stretches the song to epic proportions.  Suffice to say Earth is a live album unlike any other.  Available on CD and LP.

Neil Young premieres the restored “Director’s Cut” of his 1982 film Human Highway, starring Young, Dennis Hopper, Devo, Sally Kirkland, Russ Tamblyn and Neil’s co-director Dean Stockwell, on DVD and BD.  Audio is presented in 5.1 and stereo mixes.

The film Rust Never Sleeps, chronicling Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s 1978 tour and directed by Young himself, arrives on DVD and BD restored from the original negative and in 5.1 surround and stereo sound.

On this new 3-CD set, Eric Clapton is joined by a cadre of top guitar heroes including Jeff Beck, Gary Clark Jr., Robert Cray, Billy Gibbons, Vince Gill, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, John Mayer, Carlos Santana, Joe Walsh, Ronnie Wood, and Jimmie Vaughn.  Crossroads Revisited features 41 tracks of landmark performances from all four Crossroads Guitar Festivals, which were held in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013 – and most of these selections have not previously appeared on CD.

Omnivore delivers a CD debut for Kate and Anna McGarrigle’s third album and their final LP for Warner Bros. Records.  Featuring A-list musicians including Steve Gadd, David Spinozza, Bernard Purdie, Gary Mallaber, Grady Tate and Tony Levin, Pronto (so titled for the rough pronunciation of the French “prends ton manteau,” or “take your coat”) was produced by David Nichtern, who added a bit of pop flair to the folk duo’s compositions.  In addition to the McGarrigles’ own songs, Pronto offered Nichtern’s “Just Another Broken Heart,” a cover of the oldie and Elvis Presley favorite “Tryin’ to Get to You,” and “Cover Up My Head” from Hair composer Galt MacDermot.

This surprise release has already shaped up to be one of the year’s hottest.  The bulk of Betty Davis’ never-before-released or bootlegged Columbia sessions were produced by Miles Davis and Teo Macero. Her accompanists remain the stuff of legend: drummer Mitch Mitchell of The Jimi Hendrix Experience (which would play its final gig nearly a month later), bassist Billy Cox (who’d replace Noel Redding in Hendrix’s new band), and a host of musicians in Miles’ orbit: guitarist John McLaughlin, keyboardist Herbie Hancock and saxophonist Wayne Shorter had all played on In a Silent Way, which would be released that July, and bassist Harvey Brooks and electric pianist Larry Young would join Miles, McLaughlin, Hancock and Shorter in the sessions for a new album that August, to be released in 1970 as the landmark Bitches Brew.  Throw in two sides of a single (one represented by an alternate take) produced by Jerry Fuller and Hugh Masekela, and you have an incomparable set of smoking R&B and funk!

Sid and Marty Krofft are beloved creators of a pantheon of children’s television classics includingH.R. Pufnstuf, Land of the Lost and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, the latter of which has recently been revived as a brand-new program on Amazon.  Considerably less well-known is the production the Kroffts created for the 1964’s World’s Fair.  Sid and Marty Krofft’s Les Poupees de Paris (The Puppets of Paris) featured an amazing array of Krofft puppets, set to a soundtrack provided by songwriters Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen and the voices of Pearl Bailey, Milton Berle, Cyd Charisse, Annie Fargé, Gene Kelly, Liberace, Jayne Mansfield, Tony Martin, Phil Silvers, Loretta Young, Edie Adams and legendary voiceover artist Paul Frees.  The all-star, Grammy-nominated soundtrack to Les Poupees de Paris will be officially released for the first time on CD-R and DD by Masterworks Broadway!

Van Morrison returns with his 36th studio album!  Keep Me Singing features 13 tracks – 12 originals including the instrumental “Caledonia Swing” (with Van on saxophone!) plus a cover of the blues standard “Share Your Love With Me.”  For the track “Every Time I See A River,” Morrison has collaborated with lyricist Don Black (“Born Free,” “To Sir with Love”).

Real Gone Music has the first release in a three-volume collection chronicling Wilson Pickett’s tenure at Atlantic Records.  The Wicked Pickett released a total of 66 single sides at the label and The Complete Atlantic Singles Vol. 1 collects the first 22 of these in their original mono single mixes.  You’ll find some of his biggest and most indelible hits on here like “In The Midnight Hour” and “Land of 1000 Dances.”  This new collection features brand-new liner notes by our very own Joe Marchese.  When all three of these volumes are released, they will lead right into last year’s Second Disc Records/Real Gone compilation of Pickett’s RCA recordings.

Real Gone has first-ever vinyl issue of Dusty Springfield’s Faithful album.  In 1971, Springfield went into the studio with the legendary Jeff Barry for what was supposed to be her third Atlantic album.  Alas, it was not meant to be at the time and the album was shelved.  Last year, Real Gone collected up all of the songs from those sessions and compiled them on one CD.  Now, you will be able to listen to this unreleased album on the format it would have been heard on in the early 1970s.  This orange vinyl edition is limited to 1,000 copies. (Please note that the track “Nothing Is Forever” from the CD is not on the vinyl version as it was not intended for the album originally and this vinyl is meant to replicate the album as it would have existed at the time.)  TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the liner notes!

Diamond Rio’s The Definitive Hits Collection rounds up 40 tracks from the country group’s Arista Nashville tenure.  One of the few bands to come out of performing out of an amusement park, they made their debut as The Grizzly River Boys (and later the Tennessee River Boys) at Opryland in Nashville in 1982.  They stopped performing at the park in 1985 and began to record demos and perform in hopes of landing a record deal.  It would take until 1990 when they signed with the newly-created Arista Nashville label.  By that point, there were no founding members remaining, although their line-up has remained consistent in the years since.  Changing their name to Diamond Rio, the band became stars right out of the gate when their debut single “Meet In the Middle” climbed to the top of the Billboard Country chart, the first country group to accomplish this feat.  The group recorded seven studio albums on Arista Nashville through 2002, notching over 30 hits on the Country charts.

Mitch Miller is probably most famous today for his tenure as the head of A&R at Columbia Records from 1950 through 1965 where he guided the careers of Dinah Shore, Jo Stafford, Ray Conniff, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett among others and discovered Aretha Franklin.  (Also infamously known for his distaste for rock-n-roll, he reportedly passed on signing Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and The Beatles!)  Yet Miller was a popular recording artist in his own right, with most of his records begin credited to “Mitch Miller and the Gang.”  This new collection gathers up 38 of his finest sing-along tracks from the period 1950-1962.

Real Gone has an expanded reissue of Ramblin’ by The New Christy Minstrels from 1963.  The large vocal folk group got its start in 1961, founded by Randy Sparks.  They have had many members over the years including Kim Carnes, Kenny Rogers, Gene Clark and Barry McGuire.  It is McGuire who got his shot at solo fame after singing “Green, Green” from the Ramblin’ album.  It was the group’s first major hit and it went gold in 1963.  It also assured that the album itself would stay on the charts for a quite a long time.  This new edition expands the original 12-track album with an additional 13 songs including several versions of “Green, Green.”

Miss Ross’ self-titled 1976 classic – featuring such classics as “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To),” “Love Hangover” and “I Thought It Took a Little Time” – returns to vinyl for its 40th anniversary in a new pressing from Motown.  With productions from Michael Masser, Hal Davis, Berry Gordy and Don Costa, Gil Askey, and Ashford and Simpson, Diana Ross remains one of the great lady’s most remarkable achievements on record.  No additional tracks are featured on this LP reissue.

The late, great Bobby Darin (a favorite around these parts!) narrates his own story on this 1961 Atco LP featuring his greatest hits to that point including “Splish Splash,” “Dream Lover,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Artificial Flowers” and more!  Friday Music has a remastered 180-gram vinyl edition to mark the album’s 55th anniversary, and has restored its original white cover!  (Subsequent issues have featured the cover in black.)

This new collection expands the original double-disc set, from 1997, which was culled from the band’s appearances on BBC radio between 1969 and 1971. This updated version has been fully and newly remastered under the supervision by Jimmy Page, and expanded with eight unreleased BBC recordings, including three rescued from a previously “lost” session from 1969.

Following in the footsteps of Led Zeppelin’s acclaimed catalogue reissues, The Complete BBC Sessions will be available in multiple formats as follows:

• Deluxe Edition (3CD) – Remastered original album plus a third disc of unreleased audio.
• Deluxe Edition Vinyl (5LP) – Remastered original album, plus a fifth LP of unreleased audio, on 180-gram vinyl.
• Digital Download – Remastered album and unreleased audio will both be available.
• Super Deluxe Boxed Set (3CD/5LP) – Includes all audio on CD, 180-gram LP and DD plus 48-page book and limited edition print.

3 CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 
5 LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
3 CD/5 LP Super Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Cherry Red’s Esoteric Recordings premieres the long-lost 1972 A&M album recorded by “Dream Weaver” Gary Wright and his band Wonderwheel, featuring  guitarist-singer Mick Jones, later of Foreigner, as well as bassist Tom Duffey and drummer Bryson Graham. George Harrison guest stars on this prime slice of classic rock recorded at Apple Studios on Savile Row in London!  This release also includes three bonus tracks – two related singles and one outtake!

At long last!  The complete albums of The Archies are being assembled in one 5-CD box set by Cleopatra Records.  You’ll find The Archies, Everything’s Archie, Jingle Jangle, Sunshine and This Is Love each in a mini-LP replica sleeve, along with a booklet containing new liner notes. Bubblegum never tasted so good as in these top-notch AM radio productions by Jeff Barry and co., featuring Ron Dante, Toni Wine and others!

1977’s Go For Your Guns, the fifth album by the 3+3 line-up of The Isley Brothers, introduced the chart-topping single “The Pride” as well as the hits “Livin’ in the Life” and “Voyage to Atlantis.”  This No. 1 R&B/No. 6 Pop classic is reissued by Iconoclassic in an expanded edition featuring Mark Wilder’s remastering, new liner notes, and three bonus tracks previously released on The Isleys’ 2015 box set The RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters: “The Pride (Disco Mix),” “Voyage to Atlantis (Mono Single Version)” and “Livin’ in the Life/Go for Your Guns (Disco Version).”  (Note that these differ from the bonus tracks on Big Break Records’ 2011 reissue.)  Watch for this September’s release of The Isleys’ Groove with You…Live! from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music!

Loggins and Messina’s 1973 Columbia album featuring “My Music” and “Watching the River Run” makes its multichannel SACD debut.  Full Sail will play in stereo on all CD players but will play in 4.0 (quad) on SACD players equipped with a multichannel system.

Stage Door Records follows up its popular Lost West End with a second volume of rare songs from forgotten London musicals.  This time out, the 22-track collection features shows from 1970 to 2008:  ‘Isabel’s A Jezebel’ (1970), ‘Bordello’ (1974), ‘Jack The Ripper’ (1974), ‘Maggie’ (1977), ‘Dean’ (1977), ‘Fire Angel’ (1977), ‘After Shave’ (1977), ‘Drake’s Dream’ (1977) ‘Flowers For Algernon’ (1979), ‘Wild Wild Women’ (1982), ‘Blondel’ (1984), ‘The Importance’ (1984), ‘Winnie’ (1988), ‘Moby Dick’ (1992), ‘Voyeurz’ (1996), ‘Boyband – The Musical’(1999), ‘Casper’ (1999) ‘Napoleon’ (2000), ‘Money To Burn’ (2003), ‘Murderous Instincts’ (2004), ‘Zorro’ (2008), and ‘Imagine This’ (2008).  Michael Crawford, Colm Wilkinson and Paul Jones are among the artists you’ll hear!  A 16-page booklet rounds out the set!

We’re incredibly excited and proud to bring this sizzling, swooning and immersive double-album document of The Isley Brothers at the peak of their powers to CD for the very first time!  Groove with You…Live! features powerful renditions of classic hits like “Take Me to the Next Phase,” “Summer Breeze” and “Livin’ in the Life,” recorded live-in-the-studio at Bearsville Sound to reflect the 3+3-era band’s set lists of the time, and sweetened by the band to create a “live” presentation!

Groove with You…Live! has been mastered by Mark Wilder and Chris Le Monde.  Our CD premiere boasts an expanded package including Joe’s liner notes based on fresh interviews with both Ernie Isley and Chris Jasper!  Ernie reflected upon hearing the album for the first time in decades: “We said, ‘Wow, man!  How did we overlook this?’  The very first time I heard it [again], I said, ‘that’s really good stuff!  It’s an excellent representation of what we do.'”

Bruce Springsteen releases a companion CD to his long-awaited autobiography Born to Run.  He has selected the 18 career-spanning tracks on Chapter and Verse, including five previously unreleased songs from his pre-E Street Band days (1966-1972)!

David Bowie – Who Can I Be Now? (1974-1976), the second in the late artist’s series of deluxe albums box sets, will contain the following albums plus a 128-page booklet in the CD edition (or 84 pages in the vinyl edition.

• Diamond Dogs (Remastered) 1-CD
• David Live (Original Mix) (Remastered) 2-CD
• David Live (2005 Mix) (Remastered) 2-CD
• The Gouster (Previously Unreleased as an album) 1-CD
• Young Americans (Remastered) 1-CD
• Station to Station (Remastered) 1-CD
• Station to Station (Harry Maslin 2010 Mix) 1-CD
• Live Nassau Coliseum ’76 2-CD
• Re:Call 2 (Single Versions and non-album B-sides) 1-CD

12-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
13-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Pink Floyd has announced a colossal box set containing 6 CD/DVD or Blu-ray book-style packages (which will be released separately in 2017) and a 7th “Extra” CD/DVD or Blu-ray package exclusive to the box.  In total, the box contains 130 audio tracks running over 12 hours, and over 15 hours of video.  There are 20 unreleased songs including 7 hours of unreleased live material.  Five 7″ replica vinyl singles are also included. See our full article for all the specs!

Pink Floyd is distilling its massive 27-disc audiovisual box set The Early Years into a 2-CD “highlights” edition.  See our full article for complete specs!

Cherry Red/Strike Force Entertainment’s 2-CD/1-DVD “Expanded Collector’s Edition” of Dusty Springfield’s 1990 LP Reputation features the original album alongside its various 12″ mixes and B-sides (including the Disco Mix of “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” as a bonus track), as well as the bonus tracks from EMI Gold’s Reputation and Rarities reissue from 1997.  The package is rounded out with a DVD of promo videos and liner notes featuring insights from Dusty, session singer Simon Bell and Tris Penna of EMI, who helped oversee the original release.

This 3-CD release brings together newly remastered versions of both exquisite original albums by the Trio of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt (from 1987 and 1999) plus a disc of 20 rare and previously unreleased recordings.  On the same date, Rhino will also issue the single “highlights” CD My Dear Companion: Selections from The Trio Collection as well as Farther Along, a 2-LP vinyl presentation of all the bonus material from the complete edition.  In addition, Trio II will be released on vinyl for the first time.  Whew!

On December 31, 1969 and January 1, 1970, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Cox and Buddy Miles took New York’s Fillmore East by storm with four exhilarating, adventurous performances fusing R&B, soul and hard rock with an improvisatory sensibility.  Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show 12/31/69 presents the first of the group’s four sets, complete and in sequence for the very first time.  Newly mixed from the original one-inch 8-track master tapes by Eddie Kramer, this landmark release, produced by Janie Hendrix, John McDermott and Kramer, will arrive on CD, 180-gram vinyl, SACD and DD.

Warner Home Video bundles together Prince’s three feature films (Purple Rain, Under the Cherry Moon, Graffiti Bridge) in newly-remastered transfers on Blu-ray.  While Purple Rain retains the bonus features prepared for the 2004 20th anniversary edition, the other two films add only trailers, dropping the bonus music videos included on the past DVD releases.  Each of the three films will also be available as a stand-alone Blu-ray release in a special purple case (naturally)!

The 10^th anniversary of My Chemical Romance’s dark concept album The Black Parade will be celebrated as a deluxe 2CD or 3LP set, featuring a bonus disc of 11 unreleased demos and outtakes entitled Living with Ghosts. Final versions of “My Way Home is Through You” and “Kill All Your Friends” were issued as B-sides, and lead track “The Five of Us Are Dying” is an early version of the title track.

This new 11-LP set covers all of Sting’s eight solo albums between 1985 and 2013 in deluxe fashion, featuring meticulously recreated packaging, new vinyl masters cut at Abbey Road Studios for all albums, and the debuts of both Brand New Day (2000) and Sacred Love (2003) on the vinyl format. The box comes ahead of Sting’s ninth solo LP, the rock-oriented 57th & 9th (which the press release states will “complete” The Studio Collection – we’re currently unclear if that means there’s room for it in the box when it debuts November 11).

Freedom Jazz Dance, the fifth installment of Miles Davis’ Bootleg Series, traces the great trumpeter’s evolution in the studio from 1966 to 1968, tapping the original session tapes for rehearsals, partial and alternate takes, studio chatter and more.  The 3-CD set includes the master takes of performances which appeared on Miles Smiles (1967), Nefertiti (1968) and Water Babies (recorded 1967, released 1976) alongside over two hours of previously unreleased studio recordings from original sessions produced by Teo Macero (with the exception of “Fall,” produced by Howard A. Roberts).  In the case of Miles Smiles, this set marks the first time that the full session reels – every moment of music and in-studio talk – for an entire Miles Davis album have been released.

The world premiere soundtrack release of the cult 1976 film starring David Bowie features the work of John Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas fame (who composed specifically for the film), and Stomu Yamash’ta.  This is the first audio release of the music heard in the film.  Though an album was promised on Bowie’s then-label RCA in 1976, it never materialized for a variety of reasons.  That story is explored in the 48-page hardcover book that accompanies the deluxe 2-CD release.  A 2-LP version (with fewer tracks) and a CD/LP deluxe box will arrive on November 18.

A new Twisted Sister compilation celebrates their loudest hits as they celebrate their fourth decade together with one last tour.  The Best of The Atlantic Years, a 19-track compilation containing their best ’80s tracks (plus an unreleased cover of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild,”) accompanies their “Forty and Fuck It” Tour, one last major touring trek with Snider, Ojeda, French, Mendoza and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy (replacing A.J. Pero, who died of a heart attack in 2015).

The Warner Bros. Collection brings together the compilations The Complete Warner Bros. Singles and We Need To Go Back: The Unissued Warner Bros. Masters, both originally issued in 2013 in one slipcase.  The 40 tracks on these two CDs provide a good look at Warwick’s tenure for Warner Bros. between her huge hits on Scepter and her resurgence on Arista – including an entire disc’s worth of rarities from Burt Bacharach, Thom Bell, Jerry Ragovoy, Ashford and Simpson and other musical legends!

A rare soundtrack is arriving on CD-R and DD from Masterworks Broadway.  The team of Elsie Simmons and Mark “Moose” Charlap (Peter Pan) scored NBC’s television adaptation of Alice Through the Looking Glass which featured a starry cast including Agnes Moorehead (Bewitched), Ricardo Montalban (Fantasy Island), Robert Coote (My Fair Lady), Nanette Fabray, Jack Palance, Jimmy Durante and even The Smothers Brothers – as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum!  This loose adaptation of the Lewis Carroll story, featuring Judi Rolin as Alice, first brought its blend of music and whimsy to television on November 6, 1966.  The great Don Costa arranged the Simmons/Charlap songs!

David Bowie and Enda Walsh’s 2015 musical Lazarus receives an original cast album!  This deluxe release showcasing an array of Bowie reinterpretations performed by Michael C. Hall, Cristin Milioti, Sophia Anne Caruso and others will feature a bonus disc with the late artist’s own recordings of the musical’s four new songs: the previously released “Lazarus” (from his final studio LP, Blackstar) as well as the never-before-released “No Plan,” “Killing a Little Time” and “When I Met You” – Bowie’s final studio recordings.

2-CD (Disc 1 & 2 Only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3-CD/1-DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Legacy is delivering a deluxe edition of George Michael’s classic 1990 album.  Listen Without Prejudice 25 sees release in several formats.  The biggest is a 3-CD/1 DVD box set.  The first CD contains a remastered version of the original album.  The second disc is the CD premiere of Michael’s MTV Unplugged concert from October 1996 at Three Mills Studio in London.  CD 3 contains remixes, edits and B-sides from the era.  The DVD contains the two music videos from the album, a performance of “Freedom! 90” from MTV’s 10^th Anniversary special and Listen Without Prejudice Southbank Show Special.  The box also contains a 36-page booklet with “liner notes, photos and memorabilia from George’s personal archive.”  There will also be a 2-CD edition with the remastered album and the MTV Unplugged concert and a vinyl edition of just the remastered album.  A digital version will also be available.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Legacy Recordings and Roy’s Boys, LLC deliver a newly-remastered, career-spanning anthology for the late Roy Orbison.  The Ultimate Collection has 26 tracks drawn from The Big O’s halcyon years at Monument and MGM as well as his final solo recordings and collaborations with The Traveling Wilburys.  Available on CD, DD and vinyl.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/LP Deluxe Box: Amazon U.K.

This new collection follows the pattern of last year’s chart-topping If I Can Dream, grafting vintage Elvis Presley vocals to newly recorded orchestral settings.  Produced by the same team of Don Reedman and Nick Patrick, with the Royal Philharmonic recorded at Abbey Road Studios, The Wonder of You features 15 songs from several of Elvis’ preferred genres from country to gospel to rock all in new arrangements.  It spans nearly all of Presley’s career from 1958 to 1973 and contains big hits such as “Suspicious Minds” and “Kentucky Rain” alongside some more slightly obscure tracks like “Memories” and “Just Pretend” (featured here as a duet with Russian singer Helene Fischer).

Prior to her her Broadway return in a revival of Hello, Dolly!, Bette Midler revisits her roots on a reissue of her debut album The Divine Miss M. The 1972 classic, with production by Joel Dorn, Barry Manilow and Ahmet Ertegun, features the original album remastered on the first disc together with a second disc of nine bonus tracks including five previously unreleased tracks.  The bonus cuts include four single versions, three alternate recordings of songs (the never-before-heard “Superstar” and the original “Marahuana” and “Old Cape Cod,” later remixed for Songs for the New Depression) and two demos of “Mr. Freedom and I” and “Saturday Night.”  Bette Midler herself has penned new liner notes for the set.

Featuring performances spanning 1953 to 1982, this new live collection boasts more than four hours’ worth of rare audio and video from the legendary Chairman of the Board – over 90 tracks on CD alone including such Sinatra favorites as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Witchcraft” and “Bewitched” right up through “Strangers in the Night,” “”My Way” and “(Theme From) New York, New York.”  Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Don Costa, Gordon Jenkins and Quincy Jones are among the illustrious arrangers represented on these discs recorded in venues large and small across eight countries:  eight countries: Monaco, Australia, Egypt, Dominican Republic, Japan, Israel, Greece, and Italy.  The DVD comprises entirely unreleased material, documenting Sinatra on a 1962 goodwill tour raising money for underprivileged children.  There’s an entire show from Hibya Park, Japan from April 21, plus the documentaries Frank Sinatra with All God’s Children and Sinatra in Israel and twelve commercials Sinatra made for the Perugina candy company.  These commercials featured newly-recorded (albeit abbreviated) versions of his classics, performed with The Bill Miller Sextet and arranged by Neal Hefti.

A Capitol Christmas, available on CD and vinyl, presents 24 swinging holiday tracks from the label’s golden era including selections from Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Margaret Whiting, Lou Rawls, and others!  It’s bookended by “The Christmas Song” – first in Nat’s solo version and then in duet form with Nat and Natalie!

Sting returns to the rock/pop world with 57th and 9th, a collection of all-new songs featuring his longtime collaborators Dominic Miller (guitar) and Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) plus drummer Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Guns n Roses), guitarist Lyle Workman and the San Antonio-based Tex-Mex band The Last Bandoleros.  Available on deluxe and standard CD, DD and LP.  Links to the deluxe CD edition can be found below!

Friday Music returns Bobby Darin’s heartfelt 1960 Christmas album The 25th Day of December, originally issued on the Atco label, to vinyl in this deluxe 180-gram edition remastered from the original tapes.  Features “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Silent Night,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Ave Maria” and more, all rendered in Darin’s most tender style.

The Rolling Stones in Mono captures, on 15 CDs or 16 LPs, the original mono albums released on both sides of the Atlantic between 1964 and 1969 including the exceptionally rare mono editions of Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967), Beggars Banquet (1968) and Let It Bleed (1969).  Exclusive to the box is Stray Cats, a single-CD/double-LP collection of mono single-only material and odds and ends, including the first legitimate CD release of “Con Le Mie Lacrime,” an Italian-language version of “As Tears Go By.” The cheeky sleeve design to Stray Cats recalls the art to Beggars Banquet, which will be presented with its original “bathroom wall” cover now present on most CD reissues.  Every disc has been newly-remastered by Bob Ludwig, and the 48-page booklet has an essay by David Fricke!

In 1958, Mitch Miller & The Gang released one of their most enduring albums: the original Christmas Sing-Along with Mitch featuring rousing renditions of beloved carols including “Silent Night,” “Deck the Halls,” “The First Noel” and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.”  Surprisingly, this classic LP-which went to No. 1 on the charts and hit the Top Ten for three straight years after that—has never seen a complete, authorized reissue on CD anywhere in the world.  Now, this family sing-along gem is finally arriving on CD from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music in a deluxe, expanded reissue sporting the original, classic cover art!  And that’s not all.  Eight rare bonus tracks, many appearing for the first time on CD, have been added to Christmas Sing-Along with Mitch. This newly-remastered deluxe edition has Joe’s new liner notes as well as those from the original LP, rare photos from the Sony Music Archives, and of course, the lyrics for you to sing along!

This 32-track remastered anthology from the legendary arranger-conductor Percy Faith spans 22 years of his career at Columbia Records and focuses primarily on his earlier years (including “Theme from A Summer Place,” “Delicado” and “The Syncopated Clock”) before he began covering pop and rock material in the 1960s.  Our very own Joe provides the new liner notes!

The Complete RCA Hits and More! brings together 26 remastered tracks from Evelyn “Champagne” King’s tenure at RCA from 1977-1986 which saw the soulful diva have several dance and R&B chart hits like “I’m In Love” and “Love Come Down.”  This set presents the songs in their 12″ or remix versions as opposed to their album iterations.

The new set highlights rocker Eddie Money and his time on Columbia Records from 1977-1992.  The Complete Hits and More! contains all of Money’s charting hits like “Two Tickets to Paradise” and his biggest single “Take Me Home Tonight” which revitalized both his and Ronnie Spector’s careers.  This set also contains the complete Livin’ It Up EP for the first time on CD.

Real Gone Music is partnering with Keely Records to reissue the chanteuse’s Reprise oeuvre on CD.  The rollout begins with 1964’s The Intimate Keely Smith, her second Reprise-era album (and the album which some consider to be her best).  Produced by Keely’s future husband Jimmy Bowen, the LP is a representation of a part of her concert act and finds her singing such standards as “It Had To Be You” and “Somebody Loves Me.”  Two bonus tracks are added:  a duet with Frank Sinatra on “Twin Soliloquies” from a Reprise studio recording of South Pacific and the non-LP “No One Ever Tells You,” a Goffin/King/Spector song.

Mahalia Jackson remains one of the most, if not the most, influential gospel singers in history.  She recorded many hugely successful albums for several labels, including a long tenure at Columbia and won several Grammy awards.  She was also an important figure in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.  She has received numerous reissues over the years.  One part of her career which has been overlooked though are the recordings she made for television in the early 1960s.  Hired after her performance at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball in 1961, she recorded 58 performances to be used as “filler” on Sunday mornings.  Real Gone has collected 16 of these rare tracks for Mahalia Jackson Sings – The Great Television Performances.

The Bee Gees’ legendary Barry Gibb returns with his first solo album in decades and his first album of new material in over 15 years.  Released on Columbia Records, In the Now is a family affair, with Barry co-writing songs with his sons and keeping the flame of the Bee Gees burning bright.  In the Now is available in a 12-track standard edition and a 15-track deluxe edition (link to deluxe edition below).  On CD, DD and LP.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

The late Otis Redding’s fifth and final album before his tragic passing, Dictionary of Soul boasted the hits “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)” and “Try a Little Tenderness.”  It’s being reissued as a 2-CD 50th Anniversary Edition featuring the mono and stereo versions of the album plus five B-sides and outtakes and three live tracks.  Available on CD, DD and vinyl.  The vinyl pressing adds a bonus 7-inch single of “Try a Little Tenderness” b/w “I’m Sick Y’All.”

Frankie Valli has reunited with producer and fellow Four Season Bob Gaudio for an all-new Christmas album.  ‘Tis the Seasons, says Gaudio, “is definitely eclectic by most standards – conventional in choice of material but not treatment…So if you guess this effort is a little of what you haven’t heard from Frankie, your guess would be a lot right.”  Tracks include favorites such as “Winter Wonderland,” “The Christmas Song,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” and “Frosty the Snowman” plus “Merry Christmas Baby” with guest Jeff Beck on guitar.

Omnivore does an in-depth vault dive into the creation of Big Star’s Third for a new 3-CD box set.  Complete Third includes every demo, rough mix, outtake, alternate take and final master from the Third sessions known to exist. The 69 tracks on this set represent the culmination of a decade-long search to assemble all extant recordings for the album originally released in 1978.  Some alternates and demos have appeared on various compilations over the years, but this first-of-its-kind collection presents every track in context – including 29 never-before-released tracks captured by producer Jim Dickinson and engineer John Fry.  The result is a journey from the album’s conception to its (delayed) release.

For the first time, all seven of the legendary soul man Otis Redding’s electrifying sets on the Sunset Strip from Friday, April 8 to Sunday, April 10, 1966 will be featured in one 6-CD package. First excerpted on an album within the year after his passing, these shows marked some of Redding’s first crossover success with white rock audiences. Robby Krieger of The Doors and Bob Dylan (who offered “Just Like a Woman” to Redding) were in attendance, and the shows earned accolades in The Los Angeles Times, further establishing the 24-year-old singer as a force to be reckoned with.

David Crosby returns for a new, intimate 9-song solo set highlighted by “Things We Do for Love,” “Somebody Other Than You,” and “Paint You a Picture,” the latter co-written with Marc Cohn.  Available on CD and vinyl.

This new collection offers fourteen tasty tracks from the label’s holiday catalogue, including standout tracks by vocalists Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Diana Krall and Patti Austin!

Fourteen classic instrumental performances – including a previously unreleased version of Irving Berlin’s “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” by The Oscar Peterson Quartet – are featured on this new holiday compilation!  Other artists include John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Jimmy Smith, and The Ramsey Lewis Trio!

Neil Diamond reunites with producers Don Was and Jacknife Lee (from his 2014 Capitol album Melody Road) for this all-new Christmas collection featuring intimate, stripped-down versions of classic carols including “O Holy Night,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and “Silent Night.”  A vinyl release follows on November 18.  Target has an exclusive edition with two extra songs:
“We Three Kings” and Diamond’s original “# 1 Christmas Record.”

Bruce Springsteen, Mavis Staples, Aaron Neville, John Fogerty, and the late Allen Toussaint are among those artists celebrating Dr. John on this new release preserving a 2014 concert held at New Orleans’ Saenger Hall.  Dr. John himself also joins in the performances!  Available on 2 CDs or DD or 1 DVD.

The Kinks’ The Mono Collection brings together eight of the band’s classic albums in their original U.K. Pye Records mono editions on ten LPs, all pressed on 180-gram vinyl.  The set includes 1967’s Live at Kelvin Hall and 1970’s original 2-LP collection The Kinks (otherwise known asThe Black Album.  A hardcover 48-page book including never-before-seen photos and new interviews with Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Mick Avory tops it all off.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

This expanded edition of Tori Amos’ third album, Boys for Pele, will feature new liner notes penned by Amos and a 21-track bonus disc of demos, B-sides and alternate versions, four of which (“To the Fair Motormaids of Japan,” “Sucker,” a remix of “Talula” and an alternate take of “In the Springtime of His Voodoo”) are previously unreleased. A double vinyl reissue of the original album will also be available.

The music of the late Tim Buckley takes flight again on Wings – The Complete Singles 1966-1974.  Wings presents the A- and B-sides of all ten singles issued from the singer-songwriter’s nine albums, plus one previously unreleased track originally slated for an unissued 45.  In short, this 21-track anthology promises to provide a powerful introduction to the genre-bending, envelope-pushing artist.

Prince 4Ever is a 40-track summary of The Artist’s major works from his first album, 1978’s For You, to 1992’s The Love Symbol, Prince’s last release before he changed his name to the album’s title.  At least six tracks appear on Prince compilations for the first time, and the set also includes the first posthumous release from Prince’s fabled vault: “Moonbeam Levels,” a 1999 outtake at one point considered for 1988’s Rave Unto the Joy Fantastic, a project scrapped when Prince took on Batman. A 12-page booklet featuring unseen pictures by acclaimed photographer Herb Ritts rounds out the package.

Zappa Records continues its series of Project/Object titles presenting rare and unreleased material revolving around one classic Frank Zappa album – in this case, Uncle Meat.  Included is the original 1969 vinyl mix (restored, remastered and available digitally for the first time), an original sequence that includes unique source material, and bonus tracks largely compiled from the recording sessions at Apostolic Studios in NYC between 1967 and 1968.

As a conductor and arranger, Ray Conniff led his orchestra and chorus on dozens of albums from the 1950s into the 1980s on Columbia.  While not beginning that way, his albums would eventually come to be known for their covers of contemporary pop and rock hits of day.  There were many conductors and artists doing much the same, but Ray Conniff was among the best-selling and certainly longest-lasting of the bunch.  He recorded three very popular Christmas albums during his Columbia tenure:  1959’s Christmas With Conniff, 1962’s We Wish You A Merry Christmas and 1965’s Here We Come A-Caroling.  All three are collected on this 2-CD set together with Conniff’s version of “My Favorite Things” from a 1965 album featuring songs from The Sound of Music.  Joe has written the new liner notes!

Bandleader Sammy Kaye got his start in the 1930s and he became popular for his “Swing and Sway” style of music.  This 1957 Christmas classic presents him at three different times during his 1950s Columbia tenure, as it was assembled from several releases and sessions throughout the decade.  Kaye would leave Columbia for Decca where he would record another Christmas album in 1960:  Christmas Day with Sammy Kaye.  Joe has written the new liner notes for this first-time-on-CD reissue!

Joe has contributed the liner notes to a twofer featuring vintage Christmas music from The Living Guitars and The Living Strings.  Last year, Real Gone released a compilation featuring two holiday albums by The Living Voices and the label continues this year with this CD including The Living Guitars’ The Joy of Christmas from 1969 and The Living Strings’ The Sound of Christmas from 1970.  The “Living” series of albums, the brainchild of RCA Camden producer Ethel Gabriel, consisted of budget-minded albums from a variety of groups (who never had a consistent line-up) who would record in mix of genres to highlight RCA’s “Living Stereo” format.  The series lasted from the very late 1950s all the way until the early 1980s.

Norman Luboff was a prolific composer for film and television and began recording with his own Choir as backing for other artists in the early 1950s for Columbia.  The popular group eventually moved to releasing their own albums.  On this new two-fer are two beloved holiday classics: the mono 1956 Songs of Christmas and the stereo 1964 Christmas with the Norman Luboff Choir.  The Norman Luboff Choir recorded over 75 albums and toured up until Luboff’s death in 1987.

Mantovani’s 1958 stereo re-recording of Christmas Carols has been on CD before from Collectors’ Choice, but it is long out of print and commanding high prices on the secondary market.  Real Gone is putting this Christmas classic back in print with photos and notes by Kim Cooper.

Omnivore expands Go Tell It on the Mountain, the 2003 Christmas album from gospel greats The Blind Boys of Alabama.  The all-star LP blended the spiritual and the secular, featuring turns from Tom Waits, Mavis Staples, Aaron Neville, George Clinton, Shelby Lynne, Les McCann (one of the album’s inspirations) and Solomon Burke, gains three additional tracks: “My Lord What a Morning” (first issued in 2004) and previously unreleased 2003 live recordings of “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “Amazing Grace.”

Omnivore continues its deluxe series dedicated to The Blind Boys of Alabama with an expanded edition of 2005’s Atom Bomb, featuring traditional gospel melodies along with surprises such as Eric Clapton’s “Presence of the Lord” and Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky,” all rendered in the group’s stirring style incorporating flourishes of R&B, jazz and even rap and rock.  Billy Preston and David Hidalgo are among the guests on this sublime record, newly expanded with seven previously unreleased instrumental cuts of the album’s tracks.

2-CD Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
1-CD Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

This new 2-CD retrospective dedicated to the late David Bowie features forty classic tracks from “Space Oddity” through the final song on Blackstar, “I Can’t Give Everything Away.”  A single-CD, 20-track iteration will also be released. The 2-CD version is sequenced chronologically, while the single-disc version is not.  Both editions feature one previously unreleased track: a 2016 remix of 1971’s “Life on Mars?” by producer Ken Scott.  A vinyl edition follows in January 2017.

Here’s a coincidental complement to Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music’s first-time-on-CD complete, expanded edition of Mitch Miller and The Gang’s Christmas Sing-Along with Mitch.  BMG Rights Management brings back to CD this Golden Records holiday set aimed at children and overseen by Miller.  It features unique material to that of his Columbia Christmas recordings.

BMG reissues the original Golden Records release of Bing Crosby’s A Christmas Story.  Bing sings and narrates “An Axe, An Apple and a Buckskin Jacket,” a musical-in-miniature by composer Alec Wilder and lyricist-librettist Arnold Sundgaard.

The Rolling Stones’ historic Cuba concert from March 25 earlier this year is released in a variety of formats:

Blu-ray/DVD/2 CDs Book-Style Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Blu-ray/2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

DVD/2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

DVD/3-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Blu-ray: Amazon U.K.

DVD: Amazon U.K.

Masterworks Broadway is reissuing the original cast recording of 1963’s Spoon River Anthology.  The show was a not a full musical but rather a play with music based upon the poems of Edgar Lee Masters.  Charles Aidman conceived, starred, directed and wrote the lyrics for the show.  The music was by Naomi Caryl Hirshhorn, who also performed as a singer in the show.  Spoon River opened in September 1963 at the Booth Theater and eventually transferred to the Belasco Theater where it closed in January 1964 after 111 total performances.  This reissue will mark the album’s first appearance in the digital era as a MOD CD-R and DD.

In conjunction with the November 15 release of his autobiography Testimony, Robbie Robertson offers an 18-track compilation of many of his finest moments.  Testimony, the CD, features selections from The Band, Levon and The Hawks, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Hawkins, and Robbie’s solo works.

The Rolling Stones return with their first studio album since 2005’s A Bigger Bang.  Recorded over just three days in London, Blue and Lonesome returns the legendary band to its blues roots.  Available on CD, LP and DD.

Real Gone Music celebrates 50 years of The 5th Dimension with this new 3-CD set featuring a total of 61 songs by the “champagne soul” group, all in the original single mixes.  In addition to the complete Soul City and Bell singles, this set also features the group’s original Bronco single as The Versatiles, and their final single for Arista.  Most of these tracks are in mono and have never appeared on CD before.  This collection has been remastered by Mark Wilder at Battery Studios and features liner notes from Paul Grein with quotes from all four surviving members of the group.

Bear Family celebrates the early days of Roy Acuff on this new 9-CD/1-DVD box set collecting the pioneering country artist’s complete recordings for Vocalion, Arc and Columbia between 1936 and 1951.  The LP-sized set includes a 184-page hardcover book with a total playing time of nearly 11 hours over 228 tracks.  The DVD features a 1940 film of the Grand Ole Opry.

Bear Family is getting into the holiday spirit with Big City Christmas, a new collection of 30 Christmas favorites in the pop, R&B, doo-wop and rockabilly styles!  These rare and previously unreleased tracks from 1948-1968 include performances by Frankie Valli and the Four Lovers, Eartha Kitt, Ricky Nelson, Frankie Lymon, and Bill Haley and His Comets!  Familiar favorites are provided by Doris Day, Connie Francis, Dean Martin, Rosemary Clooney, and Chuck Berry, and a 1966 Christmas greeting by Ann-Margret tops it all off!

These two classic rock films make their Blu-ray debut from Shout! Factory.  1964’s T.A.M.I. Show boasts artists from The Beach Boys to The Rolling Stones to The Supremes among numerous other stars (James Brown, Lesley Gore and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles to name a few).  The acts were backed by members of the famed Wrecking Crew under the direction of Jack Nitzsche. The Big T.N.T. Show was filmed in November 1965, like its predecessor in California, and released in 1966.  The sequel once again rounded up a diverse cast of big names including Petula Clark, Ray Charles, The Ronettes and The Byrds.  It was directed by Larry Peerce and musically directed by Phil Spector.  David McCallum (at the time one of the stars of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and currently starring onNCIS) emceed and conducted the orchestra.  Shout! Factory’s new collection includes all of the special features from the previous T.A.M.I. ShowDVD together with new interviews and promo spots.  Also included is a 36-page booklet.  The Big T.N.T. Show is also being released by itself on DVD.  Both films have been mastered from a new high-definition transfer.

Bon Jovi’s The Albums includes all 14 of the group’s studio efforts, from 1984’s blistering-glam self-titled debut to the just-released This House is Not for Sale, the first album without longtime guitarist Richie Sambora. Eleven of these albums have hit the Billboard Top 10 since 1986’s chart-topping breakthrough Slippery When Wet; of those, six of these albums (includingThis House is Not for Sale) have hit No. 1. The box will also include frontman Jon Bon Jovi’s solo albums Blaze of Glory (1990) and Destination Anywhere (1997) as well as a specially curated disc of extra tracks released between 1994 and 2010.

Elaine Paige is lending her name to a new 3-CD collection of musical theatre favorites.  Elaine Paige Presents The Musicals features 58 tracks and over three hours of Broadway and West End favorites from artists including Paige, Petula Clark, Michael Crawford, Michael Ball, Idina Menzel, Liza Minnelli, Jennifer Holliday and more!

Punk icons Social Distortion are rounding up four of their albums for your turntable in a new vinyl box set.  The Independent Years 1983-2004 fills in the gaps on either side of their major-label tenure from 1990 to 1996, with fresh vinyl pressings of Mommy’s Little Monster, Prison Bound, Mainliner (Wreckage from the Past), and Sex, Love and Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Peace Trail introduces ten new, primarily acoustic songs from the always-prolific Neil Young.  The album, available on CD, DD and LP, was recorded at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-la Studios and features Young on vocals and guitar, Jim Keltner on drums, and Paul Bushnell on bass. It was produced by Young and John Hanlon.

Todd Rundgren & Utopia’s Live at the Old Waldorf was released on CD last year by Cherry Red as part of Rundgren’s ongoing series of concert releases but it makes its vinyl debut here from Real Gone Music.  Recorded on August 5, 1978, this concert was part of the Back to the Bars tour.  Several concerts from that tour have been released and a couple of shows formed the basis of a live album.  This August 5th show features the classic Utopia of Rundgren (guitar/vocals), Willie Wilcox (drums/vocals), Roger Powell (keyboards/vocals) and Kasim Sulton (bass/vocals).  The set concentrates mostly on material from Rundgren’s then-recent solo albums including Hermit of Mink Hollow from April 1978.  Included are such songs as “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference,” “Love of the Common Man,” “Can We Still Be Friends” and “Hello, It’s Me.”  This new edition will be gold vinyl in a gatefold package and limited to 1,000 copies.

Pioneering African-American pop-jazz quartet The Mills Brothers has had a long and storied career, getting their professional start all the way back in 1928.  They recorded over 2000 songs and had hits over several decades, including the #2 “Glow Worm” in 1952.  While concentrating mostly on The Great American Songbook, the group did record some gospel numbers.  The 16-track Wonderful Words of Life – The Inspirational Recordings anthologizes this aspect of their recording career.  It features liner notes by Davin Seay and has been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision.  While all of the original members have passed away, the group continues to perform to this day featuring John Mills III, the son of original member Donald Mills.

Kylie Minogue’s 2015 Christmas album, featuring duets with Iggy Pop, James Corden, the late Frank Sinatra and others, is expanded with six new bonus tracks including a cover of Roy Wood’s “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” and a duet with Mika on Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.”

53 never-before-released recordings (originally aired on radio broadcasts) from the late, great vocalist Margaret Whiting are available for the first time on this beautiful new release on the Sepia label!  You’ll hear her tackle songs she never recorded commercially including standards such as “Skylark,” “And the Angels Sing,” “Embraceable You,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and many more!

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music are tipping off 2017 with the first-ever CD release of Thom Bell’s soulful soundtrack to 1979’s The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, featuring an all-star line-up including The Four Tops, The Spinners, Bell and James, Phyllis Hyman, The Delfonics’ William “Poogie” Hart, and The Sylvers, plus country superstar Loretta Lynn, ragtime legend Eubie Blake, and the one and only Doc Severinsen.  This edition, newly remastered by Sean Brennan at Sony’s Battery Studios, features three rare bonus tracks and new liner notes drawn from an extensive interview with Thom Bell!

Motel Shot, released in 1971, was Delaney and Bonnie’s fourth studio album and third overall album on Atco.  Real Gone has given it an expanded reissue with eight recently discovered tracks from the album’s original 1970 sessions.  Featuring Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Duane Allman, Gram Parsons, and Bobby Whitlock, among others, the album has never previously appeared on CD outside of Japan.  It has been remastered by Bill Inglot and features liner notes by Pat Thomas with quotes from Bonnie Bramlett, Bruce Botnick, Jac Holzman and Bobby Whitlock.

Resonance Records gives a first-time release to a set of live recordings made by guitarist and Funk Brother Dennis Coffey at Morey Baker’s Showplace Lounge in Detroit in 1968. Coffey is joined for this smoking set of instrumental R&B by organist Lyman Woodard (former musical director for Martha Reeves & the Vandellas) and drummer Melvin Davis (Smokey Robinson, Wayne Kramer) on original songs as well as covers of Burt Bacharach, Jimmy Webb, and Herbie Hancock.  It’s all lavishly packaged in a digipak with a 56-page booklet filled with liner notes, rare photographs, and new interviews.

Folk bandleader Jim Kweskin led his Jug Band during the 1960s and recorded several albums for Vanguard records during the decade, recording primarily pre-World War II music.  For his third album on Vanguard, however, Kweskin decided to record a solo album and only used two members of the Jug Band for backing.  Released in 1965, Relax Your Mind features various styles from folk to African music.  It makes its U.S. CD debut here from Real Gone.

Early prog-rock band Soft Machine was formed in 1966 in the U.K.  The group opened for Jimi Hendrix on this 1968 North American tour and actually broke up during that time.  But they reformed due to contractual obligations to record their second album, Volume 2, released in September 1969.  A little earlier than that, in March 1969, they performed at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.  That concert has been available before on CD but Real Gone is putting out the first vinyl edition of Live at the Paradiso.  The new “soft purple” vinyl is limited to 1,000 copies only.

Chicago’s second album gets a fully remixed edition from producer Steven Wilson, created from the original 16-track multitrack tapes and sure to highlight previously unheard or overlooked elements of this rock classic!  Available on CD, with an LP edition to follow later in 2017.

David Bowie’s Low classic returns to vinyl in this new 7-inch vinyl picture disc single edition featuring the original, newly-remastered track on Side One and a stripped-down 2013 remix on Side Two.

Funky Town Grooves U.K. expands the classic 1968 debut album by The Delfonics with five bonus singles.  La-La Means I Love You features such Thom Bell/William Hart classics as the title track, “I’m Sorry,” and “Break Your Promise” plus covers of “Hurt So Bad,” “The Look of Love” and “Alfie.”

Numero Group revisits its acclaimed 2006 compilation on vinyl.  This set features 13 folk-rock-flavored tracks “culled from beyond the crop of critic-revisionist darlings Linda Perhacs, Judee Sill, or Vashti Bunyan,” drawing instead on “unlikely heroines who sang beneath the infrastructure of the music business.”

The U.K. Floating World label has a two-fer of Carly Simon’s Arista albums Have You Seen Me Lately (1990) and Letters Never Sent (1994).  Have You Seen Me has the hit “Better Not Tell Her,” while Letters was inspired by her mother Andrea Simon and friend Jackie Onassis, and features appearances by Ben Taylor, Dave Stewart, Rosanne Cash, Taj Mahal, and Marc Cohn.  The label promises that this package has been approved by Carly, and features new liner notes by Alan Robinson as well as lyrics.

CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. TBD / Amazon Canada
CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. TBD / Amazon Canada

Roy Orbison’s all-star 1987 concert featuring friends Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, J.D. Souther, T Bone Burnett and Jennifer Warnes returns in a new 30th anniversary edition on CD/DVD and CD/BD.  Alex Orbison and co-editor Luke Chalk have re-edited the film using alternate camera angles and have put the concert into its original running order for the first time.  Additionally, Orbison recorded a “secret concert” of five songs after the show which has never been released.  The audio for that will only be available as a free digital download to purchasers of either the DVD or Blu-ray sets.  Other extras on the DVD and Blu-ray include a 33 minute documentary with rehearsal and interview footage and a 20-picture photo gallery.

George Harrison – The Vinyl Collection includes newly-remastered editions of 13 albums, from Wonderwall Music (1968) to the posthumously released Brainwashed (2002).  Each album has been remastered at Capitol Studios from the original tapes and pressed onto 180-gram vinyl.  The albums are all packaged in replica sleeves, and the entire set comes in one sturdy slipcase.

While all of the LPs will be available individually, the box set will also contain exclusive 12-inch singles of “When We Was Fab” and “Got My Mind Set on You.”  The standalone release of the 3-LP All Things Must Pass (including the Apple Jam disc) will be a limited edition.

The titles included are:

• Wonderwall Music (1968) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Electronic Sound (1969) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• All Things Must Pass (1970) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Living in the Material World (1973) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Dark Horse (1974) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Extra Texture (1975) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Thirty-Three & 1/3 (1976) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• George Harrison (1979) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Somewhere in England (1981) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Gone Troppo (1982) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Cloud Nine (1987) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Live in Japan (1992) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
• Brainwashed (2002) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Capitol Records rounds up 50 tracks for Neil Diamond’s 50 years since “Solitary Man” first propelled him to superstardom.  Diamond has handpicked the selections on this 3-CD set, concentrating mostly on the big hits but also finding room for lesser-known tracks such as “Skybird,” “Lonely Looking Sky,” “Morningside,” and “I Believe in Happy Endings.”

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Kill Rock Stars label has a new remastered, expanded reissue of Elliott Smith’s 1997 Either/Or on 2 CDs or 2 LPs.  The bonus material includes five live tracks, the unreleased tune “I Figured You Out,” a new mix of B-side “I Don’t Think I’m Ever Gonna Figure It Out,” and alternate versions of tracks “New Monkey” and “Bottle Up and Explode!” which first appeared on Smith’s DreamWorks debut XO in 1998.

Dutch rockers Golden Earring are the subject of a comprehensive box set from Red Bullet/Universal Music.  The Complete Studio Recordings collects 26 (!) of the group’s albums released between 1965 and 2015 (!), with an additional three discs of single and B-side material. Eighteen of these albums reached the Top 10 on the Dutch charts, with seven (including their most recent full-length album, 2012’s Tits ‘N Ass), reaching No. 1.  With comprehensive liner notes by local journalist Tjerk Lammers, Golden Earring’s Complete Studio Recordings is a fitting tribute to a band that’s been rocking for over five decades.

The Fever – The Complete Epic Recordings by Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes collects the New Jersey-based band’s four albums for Epic (including the promo-only Jukes Live At the Bottom Line which makes its official CD debut here).  These recordings have a strong Bruce Springsteen/E Street Band connection with Springsteen penning several of the songs and all of the albums being produced by Steve Van Zandt.  Other guests here include The Coasters, The Drifters, The Five Satins and Ronnie Spector.  All 40 tracks have been newly remastered by Mark Wilder at Battery Studios and feature liner notes by Chris Morris with new quotes from Southside Johnny.

Real Gone Music dips back to the golden age of television for this reissue.  The western Cheyenne ran from 1955-1963 and starred Clint Walker.   He was also signed to Warner Bros. for a recording contract and, in 1959, released Inspiration, a country-gospel album.  RGM’s new edition is expanded by one track and features notes from Todd Everett.

The 1952 mood-music classic Music for Lovers Only from TV superstar Jackie Gleason has been reissued on CD numerous times in the past, including on a 2012 edition from Real Gone Music of its definitive, 16-track mono presentation.  Since that release has gone out-of-print, RGM has seen fit to re-release it for the enjoyment of lovers everywhere!

The high-octane soundtrack to 1995’s film Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight featured heavy metal bands like Pantera and Megadeth.  The album was released on CD worldwide, but the vinyl edition only came out in Europe.  Real Gone brings it to “demon eye” green vinyl for this new edition, limited to 400 copies.

? and The Mysterians’ debut 1966 album 96 Tears returns to vinyl from Real Gone Music and ABKCO.   It has been mastered at 45 RPM for this reissue, pressed on orange vinyl and limited to 600 copies.

2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. TBD / Amazon Canada TBD

Numero Group collects the studio output of the British Invasion-era psych-rockers The Creation on one lavish 2-CD set, featuring outtakes, rarities, and new stereo mixes created by famed producer Shel Talmy (The Who, The Kinks).  An 80-page hardcover book is included with this deluxe package.

Chris to…the Mill includes Squeeze partner Chris Difford’s three unique, original solo albums: 2002’s I Didn’t Get Where I Am, 2008’s The Last Temptation of Chris (recorded a year after Squeeze’s triumphant reunion as a touring act) and 2011’s nostalgic Cashmere If You Can. Each has been appended with a series of rare and unreleased bonus tracks (including a separate disc for I Didn’t Get Where I Am), featuring B-sides, covers, outtakes and a variety of demos. Standouts for fans include a solo take on Squeeze’s first single, “Take Me I’m Yours”; a demo of 2002’s “Cowboys Are My Weakness” as sung by Scottish singer/songwriter extraordinaire Gary Clark; covers of Lou Reed (“What Goes On”) and The Beatles (“All My Loving”); and four late-period demos with longtime collaborator, singer/songwriter/guitarist Boo Hewerdine of The Bible.  The set is rounded out with a new DVD featuring newly recorded insights from Difford, plus four acoustic performances recorded in the studio of Difford’s longtime friend Elton John. Difford’s lyrics and new liner notes (including track-by-track insights) are also collected in a 48-page, perfect bound booklet included with the clamshell-packaged box set.

Barry Manilow returns with his second album for Verve Records.  This Is My Town is the showman’s brassy salute to New York City and features both original songs (such as the title track) and covers (“On Broadway,” “Downtown,” “Uptown,” Manilow’s own “New York City Rhythm”) as well as a posthumous duet with Mel Tormé on “The Brooklyn Bridge.”

Omnivore expands Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer’s freewheelin’, swingin’ classic from 1961 – arranged and conducted by the great Billy May (Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald) – with seven previously unreleased bonus tracks, including two outtakes and five session alternates!

Last October, the original New York cast recording of David Bowie and Enda Walsh’s musical Lazarus arrived on compact disc, vinyl, and digital download, with each format including a bonus EP of Bowie’s four new songs from the musical.  “Lazarus” was, of course, already familiar from its inclusion on the artist’s highly acclaimed final studio album Blackstar.  The cast recording premiered three more tracks penned for the show from the Blackstar sessions: “No Plan,” “Killing a Little Time,” and “When I Met You.”  On February 24 (CD), April 21 (vinyl) and May 26 (limited edition die-cut white vinyl with lithograph), Columbia Records will roll out stand-alone physical editions of this EP under the title of No Plan.  (The songs were previously available digitally by this name.)

In 1957, composer-bandleader Meredith Willson crafted one of the most enduring Broadway musicals of all time when he wrote book, music and lyrics for the nostalgic The Music Man.  To mark the sixtieth anniversary of this Tony Award-winning classic which originally starred Robert Preston and Barbara Cook, Stage Door has paired two albums: 1959’s audio documentary …And Then I Wrote The Music Man and the 1958 The Music from Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, conducted by Willson himself.  Both were originally issued on Capitol Records, home to the show’s original cast album.  This limited edition of 500 units adds a 1962 promotional interview with Shirley Jones, who portrayed Marian Paroo in Warner Bros.’ big-screen adaptation, and Jones’ performance of “Being in Love” from that film.

A new double-disc offering from Chickenfoot – Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith – arrives, with greatest hits, live tracks, and previously unreleased music.  It includes 10 tracks from the group’s two studio albums; the newly-recorded “Divine Termination” (praised by Satriani as “bone crunching, hell raising rock, dripping with attitude and vibe” in the official press release); live covers of Deep Purple (“Highway Star”), The Who (“My Generation”) and Hagar’s former band Montrose (“Bad Motor Scooter”); and more than a dozen live tracks from a 2009 gig in Phoenix (first released on the DVD Get Your Buzz On LIVE and making their CD debuts here).  Whew!

The Bottom Line Archive series returns with a 2-CD set featuring the late Jack Bruce on a live set including “White Room,” “Sunshine of Your Love,” “Theme from an Imaginary Western,” “Born Under a Bad Sign,” and more.

It’s the time of the season!  Varese has a new edition of The Zombies’ 1968 classic, freshly remastered at d2 Mastering and with seven bonus tracks as well as new liner notes by co-producer Andrew Sandoval and rare photographs.  The bonuses comprise the mono mix of “I’ll Call You Mine” and “I Want Her She Wants Me;” alternate takes and mixes of “Care of Cell 44;” a version with cello of “A Rose for Emily;” a non-overdubbed stereo mix of “This Will Be Our Year;” and a remix of the hit single “Time of the Season.”

Rhino Records offers a 14-track companion CD to Michael Nesmith’s memoir Infinite Tuesday – An Autobiographical Riff (due on April 18).  This collection has tracks from Nesmith solo as well as The Monkees and The First National Band, charting his singular and often-trailblazing work over the decades.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD)
Standard Vinyl LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
Exclusive Blue Vinyl LP: uDiscoverMusic.com

Sinatra and Jobim’s sublime 1966 Reprise album gets a remastered anniversary reissue with two bonus tracks: a medley of “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars/Change Partners/I Concentrate on You/The Girl from Ipanema” medley from the A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim television special; and a previously unreleased alternate take of “The Girl from Ipanema” from the session of January 31, 1966.  Available on CD, DD and LP.

This 3-CD/1-DVD set brings together two previously released albums celebrating the legendary 40+ partnership of director and composer (1991’s The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration and 1995’s Williams on Williams: The Classic Spielberg Scores) and adds a newly-recorded third volume entitled The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration Part III.  A newly filmed documentary, Steven Spielberg & John Williams: The Adventure Continues, rounds out the package on DVD.

The LP-sized box set Leonard Bernstein: The Composer contains 25 CDs of the maestro’s most enduring compositions in remastered and/or remixed form including his Broadway musicals, all of the original stereo “Bernstein Conducts Bernstein” recordings made for Columbia Masterworks, new compilations, and more.  View our original article for full details on this comprehensive collection!

Standard 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD)
Standard 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD)

3CD/1DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD)
Super Deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD)

A new multi-format compilation curated by Nick Cave and Mick Harvey serves as an introduction to the group’s output over a thirty-year period.

Lovely Creatures will be available in several formats:

• A 2CD and 3LP set features 21 tracks from the group’s discography in non-chronological order;
• A deluxe set includes 45 chronologically arranged tracks (including a handful of non-album B-sides) on three CDs, plus a DVD featuring more than three dozen live performances and interviews. A limited super deluxe variant includes those discs in a hardcover book package featuring new original essays and rare and unseen images from the archives of past and present members of the group.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD)
2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD)
2CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD)

Big Star’s cult classic Third is revived in front of a live audience in 2016 on this new concert film and soundtrack, featuring original drummer Jody Stephens joined by The Posies’ Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer, Mike Mills of R.E.M., Mitch Easter of Let’s Active, and Chris Stamey of The dB’s, plus a host of special guests including Jeff Tweedy and Pat Sansone (both of Wilco), Robyn Hitchcock, Dan Wilson (Semisonic), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Brett Harris, and The Kronos Quartet.  The show will be available as a standalone 2CD set or a 2CD and DVD or Blu-ray package; the show on the video disc will premiere at this year’s South by Southwest Festival, presented by Stephens, director Benno Nelson and other members of the Third ensemble. Stamey and Anthony DeCurtis have written new liner notes for the package.

Perennial cult band Big Star gets its first compilation in nearly 15 years with The Best of Big Star.  This new release collects (on one CD or 2 LPs) 16 tracks from #1 Record, Radio City and Third; As a bit of a nod to collectors, six of the tracks are presented in their original single mix/edit forms – and four of those (“Don’t Lie to Me” and “Watch the Sunrise” from #1 Record, “September Gurls” from Radio City and “Jesus Christ” from 3rd) appear to be making their debut on CD.

Stage Door Records unearths another lost bit of West End history with this first-ever release of music from composer-lyricist-librettist Kermit Goell’s Pocahontas.  The 1963 show starring Anita Gillette and Terence Cooper was a swift 12-performance flop, prompting Decca Records to cancel its cast album recording sessions.  But the score was preserved on a demo sung by a company of Broadway vocalists as well as on the composer’s piano demos.  Stage Door premieres those ultra-rare recordings on CD along with a newly-recorded interview with Anita Gillette!

The crate-diggers at Germany’s Bear Family label are celebrating Easter with a selection of “28 hot tracks for your basket!”  Easter Bunny Hop has such seasonal treats as Rosemary Clooney’s “Eggbert the Easter Egg” and My Choc’late Rabbit,” Johnny Horton’s “Egg Money,” Tommy Sands’ “The Chicken and the Hawk,” Fats Domino’s “Easter Parade,” and Sam Butera’s “Up Jumped a Rabbit.”  These pop, rock and roll, country and R&B treats are bound to leave you hoppin’!

Controversial country outlaw David Allan Coe signed with Columbia Records in 1974 and would remain there through 1987.  During his tenure, he notched 31 hits on the Country chart including 1983’s No. 4 “The Ride” and the No. 2 “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile” from 1984.  These 31 hits comprise the tracklisting of Real Gone’s new 2-CD compilation, which features notes from Chris Morris and remastering from Chris LeMonde.

One of Beat Generation legend Allen Ginsberg’s early projects was the only release on Atlantic Records’ spoken-word Verbum series.  Released in 1966, Allen Ginsberg Reads Kaddish – A 20th Century Estatic Narrative Poem, features the author reciting his epic autobiographical poem Kaddish, which was first published in 1961.  This new red vinyl edition – the album’s first vinyl reissue – is limited to 1,700 copies.

Kickin’ Child: The Lost Album dates back to Dion’s tenure at Columbia Records, featuring 15 songs recorded with his group The Wanderers and producer Tom Wilson over sessions between spring and fall of 1965.  While these folk-rock-flavored tracks have been released before on singles and compilations, this marks their first collection as a coherent whole album as originally envisioned.  Available on CD and vinyl.

This 4-CD/1-DVD collection from 1960s British rockers The Creation includes, on four CDs, include all eight single sides by pre-Creation band The Mark Four (and three live reunion recordings from 1985), all of the core recordings produced by Shel Talmy, in both mono and Talmy’s new stereo mixes, the  band’s 1987 album and a subsequent reunion album for Creation Records (the label founded by Alan McGee and named after the band), plus Phillips’ solo recordings from 1990 and 2011. The DVD features a lengthy new interview with Eddie, filmed in October 2016, five songs from The Creation’s two live appearances on the legendary German 60s TV show Beat Beat Beat (from the original tapes, with three songs appearing on DVD for the first time), and 21 songs from the band’s two reunion concerts at the Mean Fiddler in the 1990s.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Blink-182’s 2016 album California gets a quick reissue – but it amounts to a bonus of a complete new album!  California will be expanded with a 12-track bonus disc, including the new single “Parking Lot,” a Japanese bonus track (“Hey I’m Sorry”) and an acoustic rendition of “Bored to Death.”  It’s available on CD and vinyl, and color LP variants are available through the band’s official store.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.

More than 40 years after it was recorded, legendary pub rock outfit Brinsley Schwarz’s final studio album It’s All Over Now is finally hitting record stores!  Recorded in 1974, the album sat unreleased as the band’s members went their separate ways.  But now, U.K. label Mega Dodo, which released a live collection from the band in 2015, will release an official version of It’s All Over Now with ten previously unreleased tracks plus the original band version of “Cruel to Be Kind,” first issued as  B-side by Nick Lowe in 1978.  The vinyl edition is due on April 7, with the CD to follow on May 12.

1990s noise-pop group Helium releases Ends With And, a new compilation which collects 19 rare tracks across two LPs, including B-sides, EP and compilation tracks (two of which are by Mary Timony and Ash Bowie’s Led Byrd side project) and four unreleased demos, including the unheard song “Golden Bridge.”  Available on vinyl and download/streaming.  The compilation will be joined by vinyl reissues of 1995’s The Dirt of Luck and 1997’s The Magic City (the latter as a 2LP set with the EP No Guitars, released earlier that year).

Cheap Trick’s The Epic Archive (1975-1979) brings together 18 odds and ends from the beginning of the band’s career.  The first volume of The Epic Archive brings together demos, alternate versions of songs, outtakes and live tracks, including three from a later concert at Budokan.  Many of the tracks have been previously released on reissues over the years, but this is the first time they have been brought together.  This title was previously available as a digital download, but this new physical release adds a previously unreleased alternate version of “Lookout.”  Track-by-track commentary has been provided by Bun E. Carlos, and the set has been produced by Timothy Smith and remastered by Vic Anesini.

Honeybeat: Groovy 60s Girl Pop, curated by Sheila Burgel from the Sony archives and released on Real Gone Music, features 19 songs from nine different labels, nearly a third of which have never been released on CD.  While some tracks come from known artists such as Little Eva, Skeeter Davis and even Nichelle Nichols (who had a brief music career during her time on Star Trek), most are definitely of the “hidden treasure” variety.  Burgel’s notes feature interviews with many of the artists and the set has been co-produced with Sony’s Rob Santos and remastered by Vic Anesini.  In addition to the CD release, 14 of the tracks are being put out on a 1,200 copy limited violet vinyl edition on the same day.

Legendary Kinks frontman-songwriter Ray Davies returns with his first solo album in a decade, named after his acclaimed 2013.  Davies wrote and arranged Americana, based on themes explored in his memoir, and was joined by co-producers Guy Massey and John Jackson, and The Jayhawks as his backing band.  In addition to new Davies songs, the album also features brief spoken-word passages from the book, to create a musical autobiography of Davies’ time in America.  Available on CD, LP, and DD.

Van Morrison is returning to his roots – with a bang!  This new 3-CD collection presents his seminal Bang recordings in their original mixes on Disc 1.  Disc 2 has the single versions of “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Ro Ro Rosey” together with 13 alternate takes, the majority of which are previously unreleased.  The third disc contains the first official appearance of Morrison’s humorously notorious “contractual obligation recordings.”   Check out our full article for more information on this landmark release which promises to finally place Morrison’s early music in complete context.

Tony Award-winning actor-singer Richard Kiley’s 1960 LP Rodgers and Hammerstein Songbook comes to CD for the first time as part of Sepia Records’ limited edition Collector’s Series (500 units only).  This double-album was originally released on RCA’s Camden imprint, and features the legendary performer wrapping his rich pipes around standards from the R&H catalogue of classic musicals including Oklahoma! , Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and more.

Foreigner marks 40 years of music with a new 2-CD, 40-song collection featuring all 16 of the group’s Top 30 hits from different charts, plus various singles, album tracks, one-offs, two new recordings, and more.  40 is also available as a 2-LP vinyl set, with 23 of the tracks from the CD version.

Neil Young’s Official Release Series Discs 5-8 continues the packaging of the artist’s classic Reprise albums as part of his own personal archival series. (These four albums were collected on vinyl in 2014; Official Release Series Discs 1-4, covering 1968’s self-titled album through 1972’s Harvest, bowed in 2009 while Official Release Series 8.5-12, spanning The Stills-Young Band’s Long May You Run (1976) to 1979’s Live Rust, was released to vinyl last year.) This box will feature high-resolution remasters of live album Time Fades Away (1973), On the Beach (1974), Tonight’s the Night (1975) and Zuma (1975), with Time Fades Away making its first appearance on the CD format.

Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie have come together for their first joint album, consisting of 10 original songs.  Mick Fleetwood and John McVie lend able instrumental support to the singer-songwriters.  Available on CD, LP, and DD.

1973’s Full Moon was the first duet album Rita Coolidge made with her then-husband Kris Kristofferson.  It was the first of three collaborative albums the couple would make together.  It was highly successful, going to the peak position on the country charts and winning a Grammy for Best Country Performance for a Duo or Group for the Kristofferson-penned “From The Bottle To the Bottom.”  It has never been released on CD outside of Japan, and this new reissue has been expanded with six previously unreleased outtakes: one from the album sessions and five more solo Coolidge recordings from the period.  Our very own Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes based on an interview with Coolidge!

Rita Coolidge’s 1980 Beautiful Evening – Live In Japan was recorded for the Japanese market, and was only ever released there, Hong Kong and Australia.  The singer’s first live album, it features a set list comprised of then-recent hits like her cover of “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher.”  It also includes her rendition of Peter Allen’s “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” which was a hit for Coolidge in Japan at the time.  The new reissue has been expanded with five studio tracks from various Japanese singles and albums which have never shown up on US releases.  TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes with quotes from Coolidge drawn from an interview he conducted with her!

Day Time on the Radio is a compilation drawn from the 1952-1953 radio program of the legendary Doris Day.  Before the actress/singer had a television show of the same name in the 1960s, she headlined The Doris Day Show on CBS radio for about a year and around 60 episodes.  Part of its purpose was to help promote her films at the time and the show regularly featured duets with her co-stars.  These duets are the focus of this CD and make up 27 of the 32 tracks.  You’ll hear Day sing with Gordon McRae, Kirk Douglas, Howard Keel, Tony Martin, George Murphy and even composer Frank Loesser (Guys and Dolls) and future President Ronald Reagan.  This is the first authorized release from Day’s radio program and is a great way to celebrate her recent 95th birthday.  It features Joe Marchese’s new liner notes!

Native American Jesse Ed Davis was a well-regarded session musician who was a member of Taj Mahal for their first three albums.  After leaving the band he performed session work for such artists as Willie Nelson.  He drew the attention of Atco and recorded three solo albums there between 1970 and 1972.  These albums featured some notable collaborators including Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Gram Parsons and Dr. John among others.  Red Dirt Boogie – The Atco Recordings 1970-1972 rounds up 19 of the tracks in a new collection including liner notes by Pat Thomas.

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At long, long last – a deluxe, expanded Purple Rain arrives in various formats, including a 2-CD iteration with 11 previously unreleased outtakes and a 3-CD/1-DVD version adding a third CD of 15 single edits and remixes and a DVD of 1985’s Prince and the Revolution Live!  film.  All versions, including a standalone LP, utilize the 2015 Paisley Park remaster approved by Prince before his untimely death.  This may well be the most eagerly-anticipated catalogue reissue of the year!

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3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Box Set: Links TBD

OKNOTOK 1997-2017 celebrates Radiohead’s first U.K. No. 1 album, cited by many as one of the greatest albums of its era, with an all-new remaster from the original analog tapes and a bonus disc compiling eight remastered B-sides and three previously unreleased tracks from the album sessions: “I Promise,” “Man of War” and “Lift.” The set will be available as a 2CD or 3LP set. A box set version takes the three LPs and adds a C90 cassette featuring demos and session takes compiled by the band, and three books: a hardcover 12″ x 12″ book with unseen artwork and lyrics, a 104-page notebook of frontman Thom Yorke’s notes from the album period, and a 48-page sketchbook of “preparatory work” by Donwood and Tchock (longtime band designer Stanley Donwood and his university friend Yorke, under a pseudonym). That box will ship a few weeks after the standard vinyl and CD packages, but digital downloads will be available on release date (with the cassette contents also included for download within the box).

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Vinyl box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. (TBD)

Bob Marley’s international hit album Exodus gets a fresh treatment for its 40th anniversary.  All editions feature the original 1977 album plus a “restatement” of the original classic as overseen by Bob’s son, Ziggy Marley. Ziggy has dived deep into the Exodus sessions and constructed new versions of the 10 songs on the album with unused and unheard vocals, overdubs and session takes. Deluxe versions of the set will include a third disc of recordings taken from The Wailers’ four-day stand at London’s Rainbow Theatre from June 1-4, 1977, the week the album was released in stores. Of these eight recordings (one of which is exclusive to the 3CD package), only one was previously released on a 2001 expanded edition of the Exodus album. The deluxe vinyl version will include three extra discs: repressed replica 7″ singles of “Waiting In Vain” b/w “Jamming” and “Smile Jamaica” (released in Jamaica in 1976), and a replica of the “Punky Reggae Party” 12″ featuring a previously unreleased remix of “Keep On Moving.”

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3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada (TBD) / Amazon U.K.

The 1997 Elektra debut of Third Eye Blind gets the 20th anniversary treatment on 2 CDs or 3 LPs with a host of bonus material. The album is augmented with an extra eight tracks, nearly all of which are unreleased. There are two new tracks (“Alright Caroline” and “Scattered”) based on song ideas from the Third Eye Blind sessions; demos of “Semi-Charmed Life” and a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Heroin”; and early versions of songs from the band’s 1999 follow-up Blue (“Kiss Goodnight,” later rewritten as “Ode to Maybe,” and “Slow Motion,” released as an instrumental on Blue but reissued with its controversial lyrics on the group’s 2006 greatest-hits set). A Japanese bonus track, “Tattoo of the Sun,” rounds out the bonus material.

Dusty Springfield’s 1970 A Brand New Me LP (her follow-up Atlantic effort to the landmark Dusty in Memphis) found Dusty traveling to Sigma Sound in Philadelphia to work with Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell, architects of the orchestrated soul known as “The Philadelphia Sound.”  Springfield would have a #3 AC hit with the album’s title song.  Brand New Me forms the basis of this new collection which adds seven bonus tracks: the single “I Wanna Be a Free Girl,” five outtakes which were previously featured on various Springfield reissues over the years, and the previously unreleased outtake “Sweet Charlie.”  The original album has been resequenced, and all tracks have been newly remixed from the original multi-tracks by Ted Carfrae.  Joe’s liner notes feature new quotes from Thom Bell.  It adds up to a complete celebration of Dusty Springfield’s spin on Philadelphia soul!

Cracked Actor: Live in Los Angeles 1974 is the first authorized release of Bowie’s Philly Dogs Tour show at Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheatre, from September 1974.  First released earlier this year on vinyl only, some of this performance was featured in Alan Yentob’s BBC documentary also known as Cracked Actor.  The original tapes for this show were finally brought together last November, and they have been newly mixed by Tony Visconti.  The packaging boasts original photography from Terry O’Neill and Jamie Andrews in a gatefold sleeve.  The concert has Luther Vandross among the backing vocalists, and the band includes Earl Slick and Carlos Alomar on guitar, Mike Garson on piano and mellotron, David Sanborn on alto saxophone and flute, Pablo Rosario on conga, Doug Raunch on bass, and Greg Errico on drums.  Note that this is a different band and setlist than on David Live, also from 1974.

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2CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Paul Simon’s July 15, 2012 Hyde Park concert, closing night of the Hard Rock Calling Festival, is coming on 2CD/1DVD and 2CD/1BD editions. The performance spanned the entirety of Simon’s career through his 2011 album So Beautiful or So What.  He welcomed to the stage original Graceland musicians including Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as well as special guests Jimmy Cliff and Jerry Douglas.  The troubadour’s setlist featured many of his solo classics (“Kodachrome,” “Graceland,” “Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard,” “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”), a pair of Simon and Garfunkel favorites (“The Boxer” with Douglas, “The Sound of Silence”), plus a mini-set with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, who performed his original songs “The Harder They Come” and “Many Rivers to Cross”, and duetted with his host on “Vietnam” and “Mother and Child Reunion.”  (Note that Cliff’s two originals are only included on the DVD/BD, not the CD.)

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This film follows The Rolling Stones on their 2016 Latin American tour, and features seven uncut performances from the tour: 1) Out Of Control (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 2) Paint It Black (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 3) Honky Tonk Women (São Paulo, Brazil) 4) Sympathy For The Devil (São Paulo, Brazil) 5) You Got The Silver (Lima, Peru) 6) Midnight Rambler (Lima, Peru) 7) Miss You (Lima, Peru).  Available on DVD and BD.

This new 22-track collection gathers Big Star co-founder Chris Bell’s material from the late ’60s and early ’70s, before he recruited Alex Chilton, Andy Hummel and Jody Stephens to form the criminally overlooked power pop combo. This material, all of it issued long after Bell’s passing, was recorded in Memphis with local musicians like drummers Stephens and Steve Rhea, bassist Thomas Dean Eubanks and keyboardist Terry Manning, under such eye-catching names as Rock City, The Wallabys and Icewater. Six tracks, including original compositions and backing tracks, are previously unreleased.Liner notes by writer/compilation producer Alec Palao feature quotes from the aforementioned artists, plus Ardent Studios founder John Fry and local songwriter/musician Alan Palmore.

Keely Smith’s debut for Frank Sinatra’s Reprise label, this concept album was co-supervised by Smith and the Chairman of the Board himself.   It was arranged and conducted by the legendary Nelson Riddle.  The first side of the album featured lovelorn songs such as “Here’s That Rainy Day,” while the flipside contained more upbeat fare such as “Blue Skies.”  The album also featured two distinct covers reflecting the mood of each side.  This new edition is expanded by Smith’s first Reprise single, “When You Cry” b/w “Going Through The Motions” mixed to stereo for the first time.  It has also been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision.

Planned to last four volumes, Real Gone Music’s The Complete Loma Singles will gather up the nearly 100 singles from the short-lived 1960s R&B label.  Founded in 1964 as a sublabel to Warner Bros., Loma was run by Bob Krasnow.  It only existed until 1968 and was primarily a singles label, releasing only a handful of LPs.  Despite this, the label has intrigued soul music collectors over the years.  Producers and arrangers for the label included James Brown, Jerry Ragovoy and Gene Page.  Arguably the biggest stars on the label were Ike and Tina Turner.  They are featured on this 50-track first volume alongside artists like The Apollas, The Olympics, Smiley Lewis and Little Jerry Williams.  The collection, annotated by Alec Palao, has been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision, with all but one single taken from the original master tapes.

In 1995, the late Big Star and Box Tops frontman Alex Chilton returned to Memphis’ Ardent Studios, the site of his classic work with Big Star, to record A Man Called Destruction.  Blending original songs with a host of eclectic covers from the likes of Chris Kenner (“Sick and Tired”), Brian Wilson and Jan Berry via Jan & Dean (“The New Girl in School”), and Jimmy Reed (“You Don’t Have to Go”, the album marked Chilton’s return to his signature blue-eyed soul sound with nods to garage rock, R&B, and even jazz (the album boasted a horn section).  Omnivore’s CD reissue boasts a full seven previously unreleased tracks from the original sessions – including Chilton’s rendition of the timeless “(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do” – with new liner notes from author Bob Mehr putting it all into perspective.  Additionally, the label will release a vinyl edition of the complete edition.  This double-LP release will be initially pressed on translucent blue vinyl, and will include a download card, as well.  Mehr’s notes will be found in the gatefold sleeve.

The Isley Brothers and Santana team up for an all-new studio album in which the legendary artists reflect on classic rock, pop, soul, and R&B standards such as “Higher Ground,” “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology),” “God Bless the Child,” and “What the World Needs Now is Love.”

Lifehouse gathers together its greatest hits including “Hanging by a Moment” and “You and Me” on this new 18-track anthology.

Omnivore gives a first release to The Raspberries’ landmark fall 2004 reunion concert at Cleveland’s House of Blues!  Pop Art Live collects the full set by Eric Carmen (vocals/bass), Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley (guitar) and Jim Bonfanti (drums) as they played 28 tracks including “Go All the Way,” “I Wanna Be with You,” “Let’s Pretend” and “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record),” plus covers of The Beatles (“Baby’s In Black,” “No Reply,” “Ticket to Ride”), The Who (“I Can’t Explain”) and even The Choir, an earlier band that featured Bryson, Smalley and Bonfanti shortly before the Raspberries formed.  Liner notes for the package include reflections by Cameron Crowe, music journalist James Rosen, Raspberries biographer Ken Sharp and fan Bernie Hoyga (who also provides photos and memorabilia for the package). A 3-LP version is planned for release later this year.

A Boy From Tupelo: The Complete Recordings 1953-1955 journeys back to the birth of rock-and-roll to feature, on three CDs and digitally, every known Elvis Presley Sun Records master and outtake.  In addition, the collection also contains Elvis’ four earliest, privately-pressed sides, and vintage radio and concert performances from the period, for a total of 73 tracks – including one previously unreleased, newly-discovered recording, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” from the Louisiana Hayride, Shreveport, Louisiana, on October 29, 1955.

A Boy From Tupelo: The Sun Masters is a single disc distillation on 12-inch vinyl of Legacy’s new 3-CD complete Elvis at Sun box set.  This LP chronicles, in streamlined fashion, Presley’s rise via his complete single A and B-sides for Sun Records, plus additional songs recorded at Sun Studio and released on his legendary self-titled RCA debut album in 1956.

The late Roy Orbison follows in the footsteps of his fellow Sun Records alumnus Elvis Presley with a new collection joining Roy’s classic vocals with newly-recorded backing tracks by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.  Expect lush takes on Orbison staples like “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Crying,” and even the posthumous ’80s hit “You Got It.”  Roy’s children Wesley, Roy Jr., and Alex, as well as grandson Roy Orbison III, also play on the album.

Neil Young’s seminal Decade – his 1977 triple-album retrospective – returns to CD in remastered form as a 2-CD set.  The 140-gram 3-LP version, previously available only as a Record Store Day exclusive, will also be available to general retail.

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LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Coinciding with the legendary Beach Boy’s 75th birthday year and current, sold-out tour, Rhino offers the first-ever anthology of Brian Wilson’s solo recordings from 1988 through the present day, including two previously unreleased tracks, “Some Sweet Day” and “Run, James, Run.”  Available on CD, double vinyl LP, and digital platforms.

Cherry Red’s Strike Force Entertainment revisits Liza Minnelli’s 1989 collaboration with The Pet Shop Boys on a new 3-CD/1-DVD set.  The original Results album is presented on Disc One, with the various single mixes associated with Results on two further CDs.  Finally, a DVD has the promotional videos for all three singles plus a television performance of “Love Pains,” and as an unrelated bonus, the promotional video for 1993’s “The Day After That.”

Cherry Red’s Lemon imprint is assembling a 2CD set devoted mostly to the solo work of 10cc frontman Eric Stewart. This 2CD Anthology includes six tracks from the latter half of 10cc’s career with Stewart and Gouldman at the helm (mostly drawn from their final album, 1995’s MirrorMirror) plus material from Stewart’s four solo albums recorded between 1980 and 2009, including tracks from 1980’s Girls and 1982’s Frooty Rooties making their debuts on CD.

This new CD/DVD release features Carole King’s 45th anniversary performance of her seminal 1971 classic Tapestry, performed live in front of 65,000 fans in London’s Hyde Park on July 3, 2016.  The setlist, preserved on both CD and DVD, includes the entire album plus numerous highlights from King’s illustrious songbook, and special guest appearances by King’s daughter, singer-songwriter Louise Goffin, and the West End cast of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical!

Linda Ronstadt’s 1977 multi-platinum smash album featuring “Blue Bayou,” “It’s So Easy” and “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” is remastered and expanded by Rhino in a new edition featuring three bonus live versions of the above-mentioned songs, first heard in a 1980 HBO television special.  Available on CD, LP, DD and streaming.

Disney’s Legacy Collection returns with a first-ever complete soundtrack release for the 1973 animated classic Robin Hood.  Disc 1 of this 2-CD set includes the original songs and score from the film, penned by writers including Roger Miller, George Bruns, Floyd Huddleston, and Johnny Mercer. Disc 2 spotlights bonus material including previously unreleased demos.

The timeless songs of Melissa Manchester are collected on a new, comprehensive anthology from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music. Through the Eyes of Love: The Complete Arista 7″ Singles brings together 43 songs and 157 minutes of beautiful music on two CDs, including such all-time hits and classics as “Midnight Blue,” “Come in from the Rain,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “You Should Hear How She Talks About You” (in both its single and extended versions!), and “Theme from Ice Castles (Through the Eyes of Love).”  With every one of Melissa’s Arista 45s featured in their original single mixes/edits as originally heard on the radio, Through the Eyes of Love is a journey through the music of this ever-inspiring artist and singer-songwriter.

The Smiths’ The Queen is Dead – a towering album of ’80s British rock and arguably the definitive statement by the Manchester band – gets the deluxe, expanded treatment from Rhino.  This reissue has been approved by Morrissey, who offered in a statement, “You cannot continue to record and simply hope that your audience will approve, or that average critics will approve, or that radio will approve. You progress only when you wonder if an abnormally scientific genius would approve-and this is the leap The Smiths took with The Queen is Dead.” The 3-CD/DVD Deluxe Edition includes the original, remastered album (as-yet unconfirmed as to by who, though Johnny Marr oversaw previous mastering in 2011) plus:

• A bonus disc featuring nine demos and outtakes from the album sessions (only one of which has previously been issued) as well as the four B-sides from singles “The Boy with the Thorn In His Side” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” all newly remastered (it is unknown whether this disc finally replicates the segue between “Rubber Ring” and “Asleep” heard only on the original “Thorn” single)
• An unreleased show recorded in Boston less than two months after the album’s release
• A DVD featuring not only the album in hi-resolution stereo but Derek Jarman’s The Queen is Dead short film, featuring the title track, non-LP single “Panic” and “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” as soundtrack

The release will also be available as a 5-LP set and in 2-CD highlights form.

 

The third release in Parlophone’s series of chronological box sets dedicated to the music of David Bowie, A New Career in a New Town (1977-1982) closes the book on the legendary artist’s RCA career.  It follows 2015’s Five Years (1969-1973) and 2016’s Who Can I Be Now? (1974-1976), offering material from five major studio and live albums: Low (1977), “Heroes” (1977), Stage (1978), Lodger (1979) and Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980). Low, “Heroes” and Lodger are, of course, referred to as the “Berlin” trilogy, wildly creative, celebrated and cutting edge albums dabbling in avant garde and electronic sounds with producer Tony Visconti and collaborator Brian Eno. Stage presents Low and “Heroes” material alongside Bowie’s classic hits in a live setting, while Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) found Bowie and Visconti balancing sonic innovation with pop sensibilities, with two U.K. Top 5 hits to boot in “Ashes to Ashes” and “Fashion.”  The box reconfigures Stage by building on the 2005 reissue with two previously unreleased tracks, and also adds a Heroes EP, new mix of Lodger, and third volume of Re:Call, compiling contemporary single versions and B-sides!  A New Career in a New Town will be available on 11 CDs or 13 LPs (with the “Heroes” EP, the original version of Stage-pressed on yellow vinyl like the original release-the Lodger remix and Re:Call 3 being exclusive to the box).

Stage Door Records’ Lost West End series, collecting rare tracks from forgotten U.K. musicals, returns with a third volume.  Lost West End Vintage turns its attention to the period of 1948-1962, presenting 52 songs from 35 musicals (including more than 20 new-to-CD tracks).  Petula Clark, Frankie Howerd, Sally Ann Howes, Tommy Steele, and Cliff Richard are among the stars featured on this 2-CD collection.

Van Morrison’s 37th studio album, Roll with the Punches finds the Caledonia soul man covering some of his favorite R&B classics (by the likes of Bo Diddley, Mose Allison, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Lightnin’ Hopkins among others) alongside five new, original songs.  Chris Farlowe, Georgie Fame, Jeff Beck, Paul Jones and Jason Rebello join Van for this new release.  Available on CD, LP, and DD.

On Ringo’s newest solo album – his nineteenth – the legendary Beatle is joined by Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton, Don Was, Steve Lukather, and other pals for a romp through new songs as well as reworkings of “Photograph,” “Don’t Pass Me By,” “You Can’t Fight Lightning,” and “Back Off Boogaloo.”  Available on CD, LP, and DD.  Peace and love!

Chris Hillman (The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Desert Rose Band) returns with an all-new album produced by Tom Petty and executive produced by Herb Pedersen.  In addition to Petty, guest appearances are made by artists including Hillman’s Byrds bandmates David Crosby and Roger McGuinn; The Heartbreakers’ Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, and Steve Ferrone; and Desert Rose Band’s John Jorgenson, Pedersen, and Jay Dee Maness.  The strains of Hillman’s past run through this celebratory record.  He revisits Pete Seeger and Welsh poet Idris Davies’ “The Bells of Rhymney,” which The Byrds recorded for their debut.  “Here She Comes Again” was co-written by Hillman and McGuinn and, until now, had only been released on a live Byrds album in Australia.  “She Don’t Care About Time” was written by Byrds co-founder Gene Clark, and was the B-side of “Turn! Turn! Turn!”  Covers of the Everly Brothers’ ‘Walk Right Back’ and Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” are among the tracks fusing rock and roll, bluegrass and country in classic Hillman style.  Available on CD, LP, and DD.

On the same date as Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music’s release of Through the Eyes of Love: The Complete Arista 7″ Singles, Melissa Manchester delivers her newest studio album.  The Fellas is a belated sequel to the singer-songwriter’s classic album Tribute, on which she paid homage to great female vocalists who inspired her.  The Fellas focuses, then, on the great men of American popular song including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat “King” Cole, Mel Torme, and others.  Melissa’s pal Barry Manilow even joins her on a duet of “For Me and My Gal.”

Funky Town Grooves U.K. has an expanded edition of The Delfonics’ fourth album – their first with Major Harris in the line-up, and first without Thom Bell at the helm.  It includes favorites such as “Hey Love” and “Walk Right Up to the Sun” and has been expanded with four bonus tracks: singles of non-LP side “Think It Over” (arranged by Norman Harris and Vince Montana), the rare “Delphonics” Arista single “Don’t Throw It All Away” b/w “I Don’t Care What People Say,” and the 45 version of the album’s “Baby I Miss You.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Aretha Franklin’s arrival at Atlantic Records in 1967 after departing Columbia Records.  Her twelve year-tenure there would produce some of the most iconic soul and R&B recordings of all time.  To celebrate this anniversary, Rhino Records is taking a cue from the Elvis Presley playbook and combining her classic vocals with new orchestral backing tracks.  A Brand New Me: Aretha Franklin with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will hit stores on November 10 in three formats: CD, LP and digital download.  It features orchestral reworkings of favorites including “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman,” “Think,” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”  (Note that the LP edition drops two songs.)

DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince’s second album, He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper was the duo’s breakout hit and is also recognized as the first major double album in hip-hop history.  Released on March 29, 1988, it would go to #4 on the Billboard 200 and be certified 3x Platinum, making it one of the first crossover successes in the rap genre. Real Gone’s new 2-CD set restores the album to its full, original length on CD for the first time.  Additionally, eleven bonus tracks have been added, including two versions of “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” two of “Nightmare on My Street” and four of “Brand New Funk,” the third single from the album.  Three versions of “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” have also been appended, as the song was re-released on a single in remixed form to tie in with the album.  The CD has been remastered by Sean Brennan at Battery Studios.

Electric Light Orchestra’s sprawling seventh studio album Out of the Blue landed in 1977 with four sides melding impeccably-crafted, widescreen pop and symphonic rock.  Written and produced by Jeff Lynne, the LP went multi-platinum and introduced some of the band’s most enduring songs including “Turn to Stone,” “Sweet Talkin’ Woman,” and most especially, “Mr. Blue Sky.”  Legacy Recordings now has the double album in a special picture disc vinyl edition – fully-remastered, and with a digital download card included!

The Rolling Stones’ controversial 1967 immersion into psychedelia, Their Satanic Majesties Request, gets a 50th anniversary box set from ABKCO containing the original album in mono and stereo on both 180-gram vinyl and hybrid SACD (playable on all CD players) as newly remastered by Bob Ludwig, plus restored lenticular artwork and a 20-page booklet with new liner notes by Rob Bowman.

Stephen Stills teams up with Sweet Judy Blue Eyes herself for their first-ever full-length collaborative album.  Stills and Collins’ Everybody Knows features these two titans of song performing such classics as “Who Knows Where the Time Goes,” “Reason to Believe,” and “Girl from the North Country.”

BGO continues its Andy Williams reissue series with a four-album, two-CD collection bringing together a quartet of albums from 1967-1969 featuring some of the late artist’s grooviest recordings including “Windy,” “Up, Up, and Away,” “Happy Heart,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Put a Little Love in Your Heart,” “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In,” “Sweet Caroline,” and many more!

Varese Vintage collects 16 classic tracks from the singer-songwriter and onetime Lovin’ Spoonful leader including “Welcome Back,” “She’s a Lady,” and his solo versions of “Didn’t Wanna Have to Do It,” “Younger Girl,” “Darling Be Home Soon” and more.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD)
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD)

Omnivore reconfigures the seminal I Am the Cosmos from Big Star’s late Chris Bell as a new 2-CD set.  Prior to Rykodisc’s initial release of the title in 1992, only two of the tracks were released during Bell’s lifetime; both tracks were pressed on a single released shortly before a car crash took the Memphis hero’s life. In 2009, Rhino issued a double-disc Cosmos that featured not only alternate versions and mixes of the album’s original tracks but also cuts by Bell’s pre-Big Star bands Icewater and Rock City for context. As those tracks (and more) are now a part of Omnivore’s recent Looking Forward, this new 2-CD edition sweetens the deal with another 10 tracks, most previously unreleased. Compilation producer Alec Palao and writer Bob Mehr provide liner notes, and a clear vinyl version of the original album (the first release of this material on the format in years) will ship day and date alongside the 2CD set.

Wounded Bird brings together 34 Atlantic-era songs from Debbie Gibson on two discs spanning from 1987 to 1993. All nine of Gibson’s Top 40 hits are here, plus rarer dub versions and B-sides.

This new box set by Edsel offers a deep dive into the career of the eighties pop diva. This 10CD/3DVD set features expanded editions of eight of Gibson’s albums, including works for Atlantic, SBK and independent releases, two additional discs of remixes and rarities, and DVDs of music videos and live shows (much of which is either unreleased or otherwise unavailable on DVD). The box is rounded out with a 32-page scrapbook of photos selected by Gibson herself, plus new interviews and commentary by Gibson and Out of the Blue co-producer Fred Zarr!

Craft Recordings celebrates the life and legacy of Isaac Hayes on an essential new 4-CD box set.  The first disc includes 26 of Hayes’ great early Stax classics as a songwriter and producer. Disc 2 moves on to his solo singles for the Enterprise label, including many non-LP rarities like a Volt single from 1965, a double-sided holiday platter from 1969, duets with songwriting partner David Porter and even two radio spots.  The final two discs are also themed. One focuses on Hayes’ covers, divided between studio tracks (including an unreleased version of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David standard “Windows of the World”) and a live set at the Operation PUSH Black Expo in Chicago in 1972. (Two of these six tracks appeared on a greatest-hits package in 2005, while the others are heard here for the first time.) The final disc, “Jam Master,” covers Hayes’ larger-than-life extended studio experiences, almost all of which are heard here for the first time (plus the CD debut of a 33-minute-long version collaboration with The Bar-Kays on Shaft cut “Do Your Thing,” released on a Record Store Day 12″ last year.) The box then goes back to the beginning with a bonus 7″ single replicating Hayes’ very first commercial recording from 1962.  It’s a fitting and powerful tribute to one of the all-time great soul men.

Varese Sarabande celebrates Harry Nilsson’s score to Robert Altman’s quirky live-action musical Popeye with a remarkable 2-CD deluxe edition of the original soundtrack.  This 2-CD deluxe edition will not only feature all of Nilsson’s memorable songs as performed by the perfectly-cast likes of Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall, and Paul Dooley, but will also debut Thomas Pierson’s instrumental score on CD, and an entire disc of previously unreleased demos performed by Nilsson!

Neil Young dips into his fabled archives for a wholly unreleased album.  Hitchhiker was recorded by Young and co-producer David Briggs in one session on August 11, 1976 in Malibu, California.  During the solo session, Young performed ten songs, the majority of which subsequently appeared in various forms on albums throughout the years: “Pocahontas,” “Powderfinger,” and “Ride My Llama” on Rust Never Sleeps; “Captain Kennedy” on Hawks and Doves; “Campaigner” on Decade; “Human Highway” on Comes a Time; “The Old Country Waltz” on American Stars ‘n Bars; and the title track on Le Noise.  Two tracks from the Hitchhiker session, “Hawaii” and “Give Me Strength” have remained unreleased until now.  Available on CD, vinyl and digital formats.

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. (TBD)

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. (TBD)

Steve Miller Band’s Ultimate Hits, available as standard (1CD/2LP) or deluxe (2CD/4LP) packages, features the many AOR-oriented hits that made Miller’s first compilation, Greatest Hits ’74-’78, one of the highest-selling albums in America, including “The Joker,” “Rock’n Me,” “Fly Like An Eagle” and “Jungle Love,” plus later hits like “Abracadabra” and “I Want to Make the World Turn Around.”

Rarities abound on both sets: the standard version includes unreleased live versions of “Living In The USA” and “Space Cowboy” plus a solo rendition of “Seasons” from Steve Miller Band’s 1969 album Brave New World. The deluxe edition features 40 tracks total, including all those rarities plus unreleased live versions of “Gangster of Love” and “Kow Kow Calculator,” a demo of “Take the Money and Run” and unheard studio versions of “Baby’s Callin’ Me Home” and “In the Midnight Hour”-a total of eight bonus tracks in all.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.
10CD/3LP/1DVD/1 Cassette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.

Metallica’s 1986 Elektra debut found the group further expanding their unique, thrash-driven approach to metal. Recorded in drummer Lars Ulrich’s native Denmark, the album is an impeccably sounding, increasingly complex one-a cornerstone of ’80s metal through and through. It became the band’s first record to break the Top 40 of the Billboard 200, the first thrash album to be certified platinum (ultimately earning a 6x platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America) and, in 2016, the first metal preserved by the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.  Metallica’s own Blackened Recordings label is delivering definitive reissue as part of one of the year’s mightiest box sets, weighing in at three LPs, 10 CDs, a cassette and two DVDs! If that’s too much Master of Puppets for your taste, a 3-CD “highlights” version will also be available, as well as a 1-CD and 1-LP remaster of the original album.

Epic and Legacy collect some of Michael Jackson’s darkest songs on a new compilation.  Scream features the title duet with Janet Jackson alongside The Jacksons’ “This Place Hotel,” Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me,” and the King of Pop’s solo songs like “Leave Me Alone,” “Threatened,” “Dirty Diana,” and of course, “Thriller.”  One previously unreleased track, a new mash-up of “Dangerous” and “Blood on the Dance Floor,” is included.  Available on CD on September 29, and glow-in-the-dark double vinyl on October 27!

On February 2, 1994, renowned New York DJ Vin Scelsa welcomed the unlikely pair of Kris Kristofferson and Lou Reed to the stage of The Bottom Line to discuss, and illustrate, their art.  Now, that rare conversation comes to 2 CDs as part of The Bottom Line Archive Series.  This release features both men singing some of their classic hits as well as a duet of Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of My Tears” – making essential listening for any fans of great songwriting.

Shawn Colvin’s 1997 album boasted the Grammy-winning “Sunny Came Home” as well as the chart-topping pair of “You and the Mona Lisa” and “Nothin’ on Me” (also the theme to TV’s Suddenly Susan).  As Colvin hits the road with a tour celebrating 20 years of the album, Legacy has a deluxe anniversary reissue in CD, vinyl, and digital formats, all with seven live bonus tracks.  Additionally, PledgeMusic offers an exclusive version with a bonus DVD and digital EP.

This new 2-CD, 39-song compendium from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band begins with “Buy For Me The Rain,” the first track from their 1967 self-titled Capitol Records debut, and ends with “The Resurrection” from their most recent studio release, 2009’s Speed of Life, and hits the high points in between, including deep album cuts, instrumentals, and memorable duets with Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Bruce Hornsby, and Allison Krauss.

The solo David Crosby returns with a new studio album, and among its 10 songs are compositions co-written with Michael McDonald and Joni Mitchell.

Omnivore’s 6-LP box set collects the complete solo Chris Bell, with most of this material making its vinyl debut.  The first two LPs comprise Looking Forward: The Roots Of Big Star and Rock City – See Seven States.   (The Rock City material was included on the Looking Forward CD, but is presented separately here.)  The newly remastered I Am The Cosmos vinyl is the third LP, with the additional recordings from the 2-CD deluxe edition making up the two volumes of Outtakes & Alternates as LPs 4 & 5 with all the material making its vinyl debut.  The set is rounded out with an exclusive LP interview with Chris Bell, conducted in 1975 by Barry Ballard.  This is a one-time limited edition pressing!

Connie Smith’s 1975 Christmas classic comes to CD for the first time anywhere in the world from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music! This heartfelt holiday collection is a joyful and reverent Americana celebration of Christmas featuring the Grand Ole Opry legend backed by some of Nashville’s finest session players.  Connie herself has written a new introduction and participated in an interview for this release, which adds one bonus track: her duet of “Silent Night” with Willie Nelson.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Capitol collects 20 Christmas classics from Frank Sinatra, drawing on both his Capitol and Reprise tenures, originally recorded between 1954 and 1991.  This set will be available in CD, digital, and 180-gram 2-LP black vinyl editions, as well as a limited 2-LP white vinyl edition exclusively offered for preorder on the Sinatra Store and Universal’s webstore, UDiscover Music.

The eternal Voice of Romance, Johnny Mathis, returns with a new studio album celebrating future standards.  On this new 11-track set, Mathis tackles contemporary songs by Adele, Keith Urban, Pharrell Williams, and Bruno Mars, among others!

America’s  Heritage: Home Recordings/Demos 1970-1973 boasts sixteen tracks from the band’s early days, ten of which are previously unreleased, from the original trio of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek.

2-CD/2-LP/1-BD Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Saturday Night Fever is 40 years old, and Capitol and UMe are marking the occasion with a new box set.  In this 2-CD/2-LP/1-BD presentation, you’ll find the original remastered album on CD and double LP as well as the film on Blu-ray (presented here in a recently restored 40th anniversary cut overseen by director John Badham and packed with extras from previous DVD releases including director’s commentary and deleted scenes).
Audio extras are minimal: an extra CD EP includes new remixes of the four original Bee Gees tunes by noted mixer Serban Ghenea. Rather than update the tracks for a modern dance approach, Ghenea has taken the original multitracks and brought out new details buried from within the master tapes.

Real Gone revisits Percy Faith’s 1950 stereo re-recording of Music of Christmas (first recorded in mono in 1954 and reissued by Real Gone in 2012) in an expanded and remastered edition with 12 bonus tracks.

Real Gone pairs two long out-of-print 1955 Decca albums from Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians on one CD.  Both showcase Waring’s lush choral sound on an array of traditional Christmas favorites.

Real Gone brings Cliff Martinez’s score to the 2011 thriller to vinyl.  The score was originally released on CD-R back in 2011 and has never appeared on vinyl before.  Real Gone’s edition is limited to 1,200 copies and comes in Gold and Red “Biohazard” vinyl.

This new album follows on from 2015’s If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and 2016’s The Wonder of You: Elvis Presley with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, where Elvis’ original vocals are melded with newly recorded orchestral tracks.  The songs are drawn from two Elvis LPs, with all eight songs from 1957’s Elvis’ Christmas Album and five more from 1971’s Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas.  Available on CD and LP today.  There is also a deluxe edition Christmas with Elvis being released, adding an additional four tracks.  This edition is due on November 24. These four tracks are drawn from the 1957 EP Peace In The Valley.  This EP was actually used to round out the original Elvis’ Christmas Album, so you if you get the deluxe edition of this new album, you have all of the tracks from that first album, re-orchestrated and in a different order.

Craft Recordings celebrates the 60th anniversary of a rock and roll landmark with this new 2-CD edition.  Here’s Little Richard will now feature a bonus disc with 22 session outtakes and demos. While most are ostensibly taken from the exhaustive treasury The Specialty Sessions (released in 1989 as a 6CD set by Ace Records and a 3CD cut-down by Specialty shortly thereafter), eight tracks-including alternate versions of “Rip It Up,” “Ready Teddy” and “Oh Why?”-are heard here for the first time ever.

Mike Love is ready to Unleash The Love.  The Beach Boys frontman’s new album features 13 original tracks produced by Michael Lloyd and featuring guest appearances by saxophonist Dave Koz and actor, drummer and Beach Boys devotee John Stamos.  In addition to the original tracks (including “Pisces Brothers,” “Daybreak Over the Ocean,” and the title song), the second disc contains a dozen remakes of Beach Boys classics performed by Love and the current Beach Boys touring band.  Available on CD and vinyl.

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Rolling Stones’ On Air marks the first wide release of any of the band’s live BBC sessions, recorded during the beginning of their storied career.  An audio companion to the recently published book of the same name, On Air features a bevy of tracks recorded between 1963, when the group appeared on Saturday Club just months after the release of their debut single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Come On,” and 1965, when the band returned to the show armed not only with more great blues and soul covers but a new original, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”  Available in 1CD and 2CD formats, as well as a 2LP vinyl edition (which replicates the contents of the 1CD version).

BGO continues its reissue series for Andy Williams, turning its attention to another group of four classic titles – this time from 1964-1965.  Including “Canadian Sunset,” “Wives and Lovers,” “Charade,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Emily,” and “Dear Heart.”

BGO wraps up Andy Williams’ Columbia career with his final four albums for the label, released between 1974 and 1980, on 2 CDs in a slipcase.  Christmas Present was Williams’ most spiritual holiday offering; The Other Side of Me and Andy featured his renditions of pop classics like “Love Will Keep Us Together,” “Groovin’,” “Mandy,” and “My Eyes Adored You”; and Let’s Love While We Can placed the singer in a firmly country setting.

Arista and Legacy offer a new collection of songs related to The Bodyguard, featuring fourteen previously unreleased tracks (including film versions, alternates, live performances, and more) performed by the late, great Whitney Houston.  A purple double vinyl edition will follow at a later date!

INXS’ oft-reissued Kick gets a definitive edition for its 30th anniversary, with 3 CDs rounding up everything from the last box set plus additional, coveted remixes, and a Blu-ray premiering Giles Martin’s new Dolby Atmos mix – plus all seven original music videos and a new promo video!  A vinyl edition features the original album on two half-speed mastered LPs!

Willie Nelson’s 1998 album, produced by Daniel Lanois (Bob Dylan, U2) and featuring Emmylou Harris on rich harmonies, is expanded as a CD/DVD edition.  The CD adds seven previously unreleased session outtakes, while the DVD features an entire performance of the album directed by filmmaker Wim Wenders.

From 1962 to 1971, Dionne Warwick, working primarily with songwriters/producers Burt Bacharach and Hal David, notched over twenty Top 40 hits on the Scepter label and garnered two Grammy Awards.  She became the artist most closely associated with Bacharach and David, and brought a new sound to the 1960s.  Yet while there have been numerous reissues of Warwick’s work at Scepter, some material has been overlooked.  This new collection rectifies that!  All 27 tracks on this compilation are new to U.S. CD, including 11 previously unreleased tracks.  You’ll find alternate versions of some of Dionne’s classic songs, rare foreign language versions, never-before-heard studio mixes of previously released “live” tracks, stereo premieres of mono singles, and songs which have only appeared previously on LP compilations.  Odds & Ends concludes with a sampling of various radio advertisements and PSAs recorded by Warwick while at the label.  Our very own Joe Marchese has written the liner notes based on a new interview with Dionne, and Ted Carfrae has remastered from the original tapes!

Jimmy Webb’s 1982 Lorimar album Angel Heart gets the deluxe treatment from Real Gone Music, expanding the original album’s 10 tracks to 16 with six previously unreleased bonus tracks, including three additional songs from the album sessions and three demos.  The original engineer of the album, Mark Linett, has done the remastering, co-producer Fred Mollin has written the liner notes (with photos from the album recording sessions), and Jimmy has penned a new introduction to this underrated pop-rock classic.

Johnny Mathis’ lavish 68-CD box, reflects on the entirety of his 60+-year career at Columbia Records with:

• 62 original Columbia albums that have been remastered (13 of which are available on CD for the very first time – and many more of which have never appeared on CD in the United States) plus Mathis’ newest album;
• Two previously unreleased albums: the hotly–anticipated I Love My Lady, produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of CHIC in 1981; and The Island, helmed by Sergio Mendes in 1989);
• A new collection featuring previously unreleased songs;
• A numbered certificate HAND-SIGNED by Mr. Mathis; and
• A 200-page booklet with liner notes and rare photographs.

The Voice of Romance: The Columbia Original Album Collection is housed in a sturdy box with a lift-off lid, with each album packaged in an individual mini-LP replica jacket.

To celebrate what would have been her 70th birthday, Capitol Records salutes the late songstress Minnie Riperton with a deluxe edition of her 1974 album, co-produced by Stevie Wonder.  This 2-CD set boasts 11 bonus tracks. The original album is appended with the hit single version of “Lovin’ You,” edited and featuring a synth overdub as well as a previously unreleased studio count-off by Richard Rudolph. Disc Two’s alternate construction of the album, A More Perfect Angel, includes extended and alternate versions of every track on the album; highlights include a duet version of “Take a Little Trip” with vocals by Wonder and a full band version of “Lovin’ You.” One final bonus track is an early version of “Don’t Let Anyone Bring You Down,” later re-recorded for Riperton’s next album Adventures In Paradise (1975), with backing instrumentation by Wonder on most instruments and Hubert Laws on flute. A 24-page booklet features rare images and new liner notes by Rudolph on the making of the album.

For his second studio album of the year, Van Morrison has turned to the classics.  Versatile features six Morrison compositions alongside jazz vocal standards written by The Gershwins (“A Foggy Day,” “They Can’t Take That Way from Me”), Cole Porter (“I Get a Kick Out of You”), the team of Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Jule Styne (“The Party’s Over”), Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh (“Let’s Get Lost”), and other legends of the Great American Songbook.  Of the six Morrison-penned songs, three are originals and three have been previously recorded: “I Forgot That Love Existed,” “Only a Dream,” and “Start All Over Again” – on Poetic Champions Compose (1987), Down the Road (2002), and Enlightenment (1990), respectively.  Flautist Sir James Galway appears on the new Morrison song “Affirmation.”

Diamond Diana: The Legacy Collection is a breezy 15-track non-chronological trip through Miss Ross’ unprecedented career. Focusing primarily on her solo years, the set does feature one track with The Supremes (“You Can’t Hurry Love,” one of a stunning dozen American No. 1 hits the group logged in their career) amid an offering of her greatest singles from the ’70s, ’80s and beyond. Highlights include five of her six No. 1 singles (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Touch Me In The Morning,” “Love Hangover,” “Upside Down” and “Endless Love,” her Oscar-nominated duet with fellow Motown hitmaker Lionel Richie); some all-time dance favorites, including “The Boss” and “I’m Coming Out” (from her touchstone diana, written and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of CHIC); and latter day tracks covering her time at RCA (a Top 10 cover of “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”), her return to Motown (the 1995 No. 1 dance hit “Take Me Higher”) and her most recent album of new recordings, 2006’s I Love You (“More Today Than Yesterday”).  A new remix of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is the set’s lone unreleased track.  [This collection was released in November 2017 as a digital edition and shortly thereafter as a Home Shopping Network exclusive.  It’s now available to general retail on CD.]

Capitol Records follows up last year’s A Capitol Christmas with a second volume collecting 24 more of the venerable label’s most buoyant holiday offerings.  Glen Campbell, The Beach Boys, Nancy Wilson, The Lettermen, The Four Freshmen, Lena Horne, and more are represented on this eclectic yuletide compendium.  Available on CD on November 17, and vinyl on December 1.

Varese Vintage celebrates 40 years of the Burt Reynolds/Sally Field/Jackie Gleason comedy with a pairing of the original Smokey and the Bandit soundtrack, primarily by Jerry Reed and Bill Justis, with that of its sequel, 1980’s Smokey and The Bandit II (in which Reynolds, Field, Reed and Gleason – playing Sheriff Justice and his two brothers – all reappeared); that album featured tracks by country icons like Reed, Tanya Tucker, Don Williams, Brenda Lee, Roy Rogers and The Statler Brothers. Both albums appear here for the first time on compact disc!

This 2-LP soundtrack to Brett Berns and Bob Sarles’ documentary about legendary songwriter/producer/BANG Records head Bert Berns captures the late Berns’ artistry through classic recordings by The Isley Brothers, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, Freddie Scott, and many others!

Two previously unreleased live sets from Ella Fitzgerald, recorded at Zardi’s Jazzland in Hollywood on February 2, 1956, arrive on CD featuring both familiar classics and songs she never recorded in the studio!

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)

Omnivore revisits a vintage Big Star gig as a first-time standalone CD release.  The set showcases the legendary power pop band kicking off 1973 at the acclaimed Memphis venue. Co-founder Chris Bell had recently departed the group, leaving singer/guitarist Alex Chilton, bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens to continue as a trio. While the group would not yet commit to recording a follow-up to 1972’s #1 Record until fall of the next year, this show at Lafayette’s features tracks from both #1 Record and the album that would become 1974’s Radio City, including future classics like “O My Soul” and “Back Of a Car.”

Disney’s first catalogue release from the Star Wars universe is here – a vinyl box set dedicated to John Williams’ original soundtrack to the original 1977 classic.  The 3-LP, 180-gram vinyl set features a 48-page hardcover book with essays by Jeff Bond and Jeff Eldridge, and holograms hand-etched by Tristan Duke of Infinity Light Science, including a 3D Death Star on Disc 1.  Disc 2 features the Star Wars 40th Anniversary logo etched into the vinyl.

Stage Door’s Collectors’ Series expands with this title from William Tabbert, the original Lt. Cable in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific.  Younger Than Springtime and Other Rarities features his original solo album recorded in Rome, plus selections from the 1959 album An Evening with Jerome Kern; both sides of a 1951 Christmas single; and tracks from a 1945 V-disc recording of Up in Central Park.  Limited to 500 units.

 

Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews, and Everett Sloane starred in the 1955 made-for-television musical fantasy High Tor, from songwriters Arthur Schwartz and Maxwell Anderson, based on Anderson’s 1936 play of the same name. Decca’s original “songs and story” album comes to CD for the first time from Stage Door, along with two bonus tracks of the score’s “When You’re in Love,” performed by The Lancers and The Leroy Holmes Orchestra.  Limited to 500 units.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The world’s premier parodist celebrates his discography with a box set unlike any other: all 14 of his original albums, newly remastered; Medium Rarities, a bonus album of rare and unreleased material; and a 100+ page book of rare photos and memorabilia-all packaged in a replica of Al’s signature accordion!

1957’s New Tricks, originally released on Decca, featured Bing Crosby accompanied by Buddy Cole and His Trio.  The original 12-song program featured a host of familiar standards including “You’re Driving Me Crazy,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” and “When I Take My Sugar to Tea.”  For this reissue, an additional twelve tracks have been added, nine of which are previously unreleased.  Among the bonus cuts are renditions of film classics “Gigi” and “Tammy,” and two duets with Bing’s son Lindsay Crosby (1938-1989), including one on Frank Loesser’s “Big D” from his score to The Most Happy Fella.  New Tricks has been newly remastered from the original tapes.

Among My Souvenirs: More Treasures from the Crosby Archive follows the 2010 release of So Rare: Treasures from the Crosby Archive.  Compiled by historian and archivist Robert S. Bader, this collection spans the period of 1932 to 1977 for a full portrait of the man and his art.  Outtakes, live recordings, and radio and television performances all feature on this anthology, including many songs not previously released in any format by Crosby.  The word “treasures” is most apt here, as this release features some recently-discovered concert recordings from 1956, a track from Crosby’s final American concert in 1977, and a lively 1968 medley with Diana Ross and The Supremes of four songs from Lerner and Loewe’s Paint Your Wagon.

Barbra Streisand has commemorated her most recent tour with this new 2-CD, 27-track set featuring concert highlights including Rupert Holmes’ “Everything,” Carole King’s “Being at War with Each Other,” Stephen Sondheim’s “Being Alive,” “Losing My Mind,” and “Children Will Listen,” and even her famous “Jingle Bells?” (but alas, no “Stoney End” which was dropped early in the tour from the setlist).

Neil Young reteams with the band Promise of the Real for his latest studio album on the same day that he opens his online archives for business.  Songs like “Already Great,” “Fly by Night Deal,” and “When Bad Got Good” show Young as fiercely political and fiery as ever.

Wilco revisits its 1995 debut album in an expanded edition with eight previously unreleased bonus tracks, including “When You Find Trouble,” the last track recorded by Jeff Tweedy’s previous band, Uncle Tupelo.

Wilco has greatly expanded its sophomore double album, Being There, into a 5-CD or 4-LP box set by pairing the original album with a disc of 15 unreleased outtakes and alternates plus a clutch of live material recorded in Los Angeles just after the release of the original album. (The vinyl includes a radio set for KCRW-FM, while the CD box has that, plus a lengthy show recorded at The Troubadour a day before that appearance, on November 12, 1996.)

Mommie Dearest, featuring a score by the legendary Henry Mancini, arrives on vinyl for the first time.  The controversial 1981 film was based upon the book by Christina Crawford, recounting the abuse that her mother Joan Crawford allegedly inflicted upon her.  Faye Dunaway starred as Crawford, and her over-the-top performance turned the film into a cult classic despite the lukewarm critical reception it received at the time.  The prolific Mancini tailored his score to reflect the time period reflected in the film, harkening back to the sound of classic film scores by Alex North, Bernard Herrmann, and Elmer Bernstein.  Mancini’s fourteen original cues are presented on “Spotless White” vinyl.  The gatefold LP jacket features production stills and is limited to 1,200 copies

The soundtrack to Nora Ephron’s beloved 1993 romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle returns on vinyl from Real Gone Music.  The score was composed by Marc Shaiman, and the soundtrack album featured classic standards from artists such as Louis Armstrong, Nat “King” Cole, Gene Autry, and Jimmy Durante.  Also on the album were standards performed by contemporary artists like Carly Simon, Dr. John, Joe Cocker, Harry Connick, Jr. and the pair of Celine Dion and Clive Griffin.  Dion and Griffin’s version of “When I Fall in Love” would hit No. 6 on the Billboard AC chart.  Real Gone debuted Sleepless in Seattle on vinyl in 2017; this pressing is limited to 1,500 copies and pressed on “Valentine’s” red vinyl.

Craft Recordings boxes up a fourth volume of rare singles from the Stax vaults.  Volume Four lives up to its subtitle, collecting odds and ends from Stax and its various imprints by artists including not just the label’s usual heavy hitters but also Big Star, Billy Eckstine, Delaney and Bonnie, and others.  80 pages of liner notes accompany this 6-CD treasure trove.

The Wave of Electrical Sound is a 4LP/1DVD box that features remastered mono and stereo versions of the group’s two 1967 albums, Electric Music for the Mind and Body and I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die, both released by Vanguard Records.  These psych-rock classics are joined by a DVD of How We Stopped The War, a vintage short documentary from 1967 directed by David Webb Peoples (writer or co-writer of the films Blade Runner, Unforgiven and 12 Monkeys); replicas of band ephemera; and a new 24-page book of rare photos and new liner notes by box set producer Alec Palao. Limited to 2,000 units.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Copenhagen LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)

This latest volume of Miles Davis’ Bootleg Series brings together five performances by Davis and John Coltrane recorded during the Spring 1960 Jazz at the Philharmonic European Tour, Coltrane’s final such outing as a sideman: two shows from Paris’s L’Olympia Theater on Monday, March 21; two shows from the next night at Stockholm’s Konserthuset; and one from Copenhagen’s Tivolis Koncertsal three days later, on March 24.  The Final Tour: The Bootleg Series Vol. 6 has been fully authorized by both the Miles Davis and John Coltrane Estates, and will arrive in 4-CD and digital formats as well as in unique vinyl configurations.

Two vinyl options will be offered in addition to the 4-CD and digital versions.  The Final Tour: Copenhagen, March 24, 1960 will arrive from Columbia/Legacy as a single 12-inch LP.  A 2-LP vinyl edition of The Final Tour: Paris, March 21, 1960 will be issued exclusively through Vinyl Me, Please as part of their new VMP Classics subscription series of 180-gram black vinyl albums with exclusive listening notes.  Visit Vinyl Me Please for more information.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The latest collection of posthumously-released material from Jimi Hendrix arrives in CD, vinyl, and digital formats, featuring 13 songs recorded between January 1968 and February 1970 – ten of which are previously unreleased, including performances with Stephen Stills of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” and the original song “$20 Fine.”

Live At Lafayette’s Music Room showcases Big Star kicking off 1973 at the acclaimed Memphis venue. Co-founder Chris Bell had recently departed the group, leaving singer/guitarist Alex Chilton, bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens to continue as a trio. While the group would not yet commit to recording a follow-up to 1972’s #1 Record until fall of the next year, this show at Lafayette’s features tracks from both #1 Record and the album that would become 1974’s Radio City, including future classics like “O My Soul” and “Back Of a Car.”  This set was first released in 2009 as part of the Keep an Eye on the Sky box set, but Omnivore’s reissue has been newly remastered and also includes a radio interview with Chilton and Hummel conducted in summer 1972; plus new liner notes by Bud Scoppa.  Available on CD, digital, and on vinyl for the first time.

Varese Vintage returns the long out-of-print soundtrack to the 1984 thriller Thief of Hearts to CD in a newly remastered and expanded edition!  In addition to the title track by Melissa Manchester and the original score by Harold Faltermeyer, the album also includes songs from E.G. Daily, Annabella Lewin of Bow Wow Wow, Darwun, and Beth Anderson & Joe “Bean” Esposito.  TSD’s Joe Marchese supplies the new liner notes!  Bonus tracks include the rare 12-inch dance mix of Manchester’s “Thief of Hearts” and the single and remixed versions of Daily’s “Love in the Shadows.”

David Bowie’s series of 40th anniversary series continues with the picture-disc release of “Beauty and the Beast” from Heroes, backed with a live version of “Blackout” from Berlin’s Deutschlandhalle on May 16, 1978.  The A-side boasts a photo of Bowie from Japan 1977, while the flip has him in NYC in 1978.

Craft Recordings celebrates the 60th anniversary of Sonny Rollins’ 1957 classic Way Out West with a 2-LP slipcased box set adding an entire second album of bonus material.  Past CD releases have included three alternate takes (“I’m an Old Cowhand,” “Way Out West,” and “Come, Gone”) as bonus tracks.  This new vinyl reissue ups the ante by including those as well as four more previously unreleased tracks on a second vinyl LP: two fly-on-the-wall spoken word bits from the studio; an alternate version of “There is No Greater Love,” and Take 1 of “Way Out West.”   It’s been pressed at Quality Record Pressings on 180-gram vinyl.  For those not interested in vinyl, Way Out West will also be available to stream as well as mastered for iTunes and in high-resolution digital (96/24 and 192/24) digital downloads.  A CD release is not currently planned.

Faces’ Ronnie Lane and Ron Wood teamed up to pen the score, consisting of country/folk-flavored songs and instrumental tracks, for this 1972 low-budget Canadian film.  Real Gone brings it back to CD with new liner notes by Richie Unterberger.

This 2-CD, 49-song collection from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music premieres on CD The Oak Ridge Boys’ complete, classic 1974-1976 Columbia albums The Oak Ridge Boys, Sky High, and Old Fashioned, Down Home, Hand Clappin’, Foot Stompin’, Southern Style, Gospel Quartet Music, plus all of their period Columbia non-LP singles, and songs that only appeared on compilations.  And that’s not all!  Every one of the Oaks’ 1990-1993 RCA singles are here, too – for a comprehensive look at these lost periods of Oak Ridge Boys history!  TSD’s own Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes, and Vic Anesini has remastered at Sony’s Battery Studios.

The Oak Ridge Boys, When I Sing for Him: The Complete Columbia Recordings and RCA Singles (Second Disc Records/Real Gone Music RGM-0686, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1

1. The Baptism of Jesse Taylor
2. You Happened to Me
3. Why Me
4. Loves Me Like a Rock
5. He’s Gonna Smile on Me
6. Put Your Arms Around Me, Blessed Jesus
7. He
8. What a Time We Will Have Over There
9. Give Me a Star
10. Rhythm Guitar
11. Sailing Toward Home
12. Nobody Special
13. We Gotta Love One Another
14. When I Sing for Him
15. Plant a Seed
16. There Must Be a Better Way
17. That’s Just Like Jesus
18. I Just Want to Help You Be Free
19. Mighty Fine
20. Heaven Bound
21. Look Away Mama
22. Bringing It Back
23. Joy Comes in the Morning
24. Praise the Lord and Pass the Soup – Johnny Cash with The Carter Family and The Oak Ridge Boys

CD 2

1. Lord I’ve Been Ready for Years
2. No Earthly Good
3. Jesus Knows Who I Am
4. The Same Old-Fashioned Way
5. I’m Winding My Way Back Home
6. Where the Soul Never Dies
7. It’s Been Done
8. Doctor God
9. Jesus Was There
10. Last Train to Glory
11. Family Reunion
12. Don’t Be Late
13. All Our Favorite Songs
14. Whoever Finds This, I Love You
15. (You’re My) Soul and Inspiration
16. Lucky Moon
17. Walkin’ After Midnight
18. Change My Mind
19. Our Love is Here to Stay
20. Baby On Board
21. When It Comes to You
22. Fall
23. Until You’re Back in My Arms Again
24. Go Tell It on the Mountain

CD 1, Tracks 1-10 from The Oak Ridge Boys, Columbia LP KC 32742, 1974
CD 1, Tracks 11-20 from Sky High, Columbia LP KC 33057, 1975
CD 1, Tracks 21-22 from Columbia single 3-10226, 1975
CD 1, Tracks 23-24 from All Our Favorite Songs, Columbia LP FC 37737, 1982
CD 1, Track 25 from Columbia single 4-45890, 1973
CD 2, Tracks 1-10 from Old Fashioned, Down Home, Hand Clappin’, Foot Stompin’, Southern Style, Gospel Quartet Music, Columbia LP KC 33935, 1976
CD 2, Tracks 11-12 from Columbia single 3-10349, 1976
CD 2, Tracks 13-14 from Columbia single 3-10419, 1976
CD 2, Track 15 from RCA single 2665-7-R, 1990
CD 2. Tracks 16-17 from RCA single 2779-7-R, 1991
CD 2, Tracks 18-19 from RCA single 62013-7, 1991
CD 2, Tracks 20-21 from RCA single 62099-7, 1991
CD 2, Tracks 22-23 from RCA single 62228-7, 1992
CD 2, Track 24 from Sounds of the Season, BNA CD 66281-2, 1993

Omnivore begins its four-volume series exploring the vaults of R&B indie Ru-Jac Records with this volume comprising 28 rare tracks (10 unreleased) from the period of 1963-1964.  Artists include Winfield Parker, Jeanne Dee, Little Sonny Daye, The Fruitland Harmonizers, The Jolly Jax, and more.

Omnivore continues its four-volume trawl through the archives of R&B indie Ru-Jac Records with this disc featuring 22 rare and soulful tracks (7 previously unreleased) from artists like Arthur Conley, Brenda Jones, Harold Holt, and Winfield Parker!

Johnny Mathis’ 1970 album – featuring the songs of Bacharach and David, Paul Simon, Jimmy Webb, George Harrison and others – gets its first-ever expanded CD reissue from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music.  We’ve added four bonus non-LP singles from Johnny’s return to Columbia Records circa 1968-1970!  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the liner notes based on a new interview with Johnny!

Johnny Mathis’ 1970 double-album salute to the music of Burt Bacharach and Bert Kaempfert makes its worldwide CD debut from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music!  We’ve added five bonus tracks: one more selection from Kaempfert, and four more from Bacharach.  And that’s not all!  TSD’s Joe Marchese’s new liner notes include fresh quotes from Johnny and a brand-new introduction by Burt Bacharach!

Following a brief delay, the original soundtrack to Hanna-Barbera’s 1973 animated classic Charlotte’s Web finally comes to CD from Varese Sarabande, featuring the wonderfully melodic songs of the Sherman Brothers as performed by Debbie Reynolds, Agnes Moorehead, Paul Lynde, Henry Gibson, and others!

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2CD/2DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2CD/2BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)

The star-studded 2002 concert celebration of the life of George Harrison – featuring Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and other luminaries – returns in a variety of formats from Craft Recordings.

This exciting set from Real Gone Music gathers all of singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon’s rootsy, soulful material from her short period on the Capitol label from 1970-1971, encompassing her sessions at Chips Moman’s American Studios and more, and including five previously unreleased tracks.  It also includes liner notes by our own Joe Marchese, featuring quotes from his new interview with DeShannon.

Mood Indigo: The Complete Bethlehem Singles collects the earliest recordings of Nina Simone.  The 14-track CD version follows the chronology of the original mono singles, while the vinyl LP version has “Porgy (I Loves You Porgy)” and “Love Me or Leave Me,” Simone’s debut single, on a bonus 7-inch replica 45 rather than on the LP.  Additionally, Barnes & Noble will have an exclusive blue vinyl version.  Ashley Kahn’s new liner notes draw on a fresh interview with drummer Al “Tootie” Heath, who joined Simone and bassist Jimmy Bond on the intimate recordings.  The collection has been produced by the acclaimed team at Omnivore Records.

Nina Simone’s 1959-1964 time at the Colpix label  is collected on the 2-CD, 27-track The Colpix Singles (also available in a 14-track highlights edition on vinyl).  At Colpix, Simone recorded some of the most sly, sultry, and incendiary music of her career, touching on folk, blues, jazz, and soul – all of which are reflected on this compendium of original single versions.

3 CDs: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4 Vinyl LPs: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray Audio: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Super Deluxe Edition (3 CD/4 LP/1 DVD):  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Led Zeppelin’s 2003 concert album chronicling the band’s June 25 and 27, 1972 concerts at the Los Angeles Forum and Long Beach Arena returns in a new, remastered edition available in multiple formats.

Chris Hillman – of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Desert Rose Band, and The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band fame – is celebrated with this new two-for-one CD bringing his Asylum albums Slippin’ Away (1976) and Clear Sailin’ (1977) back into print.  The reissue of these country-rock classics has been annotated by Scott Schinder based on a new interview with the artist.

Omnivore premieres an unreleased album from pre-Raspberries group The Choir, recorded in 1969 by one of the final iterations of the popular Cleveland band.  These ten ultra-rare recordings have been restored for this release by the team of Tommy Allen and Ducky Carlisle (The Raspberries’ Pop Art Live), and Choir fan Eric Carmen has provided liner notes along with Al Kaston and Choir members Denny Carleton and Phil Giallombardo. 

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Longbox CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Cassette: Amazon U.S.

Originally released in 1987, The $5.98 EP: Garage Days Re-Revisited found Metallica in a reflective mood, covering some of their favorite hard rock and punk groups like Diamond Head, Budgie, Killing Joke and the Misfits. The band was also looking forward: Garage Days Re-Revisited featured vocalist/rhythm guitarist James Hetfield, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and drummer Lars Ulrich joined by 24-year-old bassist Jason Newsted (cheekily credited on the sleeve as “Master J. Newkid”) in the studio for the first time; Newsted had been hired in the fall of 1986 after the sudden death of bassist Cliff Burton.  Though the contents of the EP were included in full on 1998’s Garage, Inc., this reissue marks the first time it’s been available in its original format in over 30 years – and the band is going the extra mile by reissuing it in a variety of retro formats including cassette and, yes, a CD housed in a longbox! 

Chicago celebrates 50 years on the road with this new box set featuring 4 CDs and 1 DVD of previously unreleased live music recorded between 1969 and 2014.  This set includes two complete concerts – The Isle of Wight, 1970 on CD and a Rockpalast broadcast from Germany in 1977 on DVD – plus two discs of concert highlights.

Real Gone Music, in conjunction with Legacy Recordings, brings together 33 songs on two CDs chosen by the folk singer-songwriter which span his entire career.  The Essential features recordings from eighteen albums and ten different labels including Vanguard, Warner Bros., Columbia, Arista, Gold Castle, Appleseed, Meyer, Ryko, Smithsonian Folkways and CBS Holland.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD

RCA and Legacy have the soundtrack to director Thom Zimny’s upcoming documentary on Elvis Presley coming in a variety of formats: an 18-track soundtrack CD, a 2-LP gatefold 12-inch vinyl edition, and a 3-CD collectible deluxe box set with additional music from Presley and those who inspired him.  The film traces the artistic evolution of the artist from his R&B and country beginnings through his final Jungle Room recording sessions at Graceland, and premieres on HBO on April 14.

David Bowie’s 1981 compilation spanning the period between Hunky Dory and Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) returns to print for the first time in three decades in a newly remastered edition.  Its ten tracks include “Starman,” “Oh! You Pretty Things,” single versions of “Fashion,” “Ashes to Ashes,” and “D.J.,” and more.  Available on CD, DD, and LP.  The first LP run only will be pressed on both blue and black vinyl, to be packaged randomly.

The lost words of Johnny Cash – from poems, letters, and other unpublished writings – are set to music for the very first time and performed by a “Who’s Who” of artists including Johnny’s daughter Rosanne Cash, his stepdaughter Carlene Carter, fellow Highwaymen Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello, John Mellencamp, T Bone Burnett, Allison Krauss, The Jayhawks, and others.  John Carter Cash has helmed the project at Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee.  Available in CD, DD, and LP formats.

Bear Family collects four discs’ worth of songs and sounds (totaling 121 tracks) from the Korean War, complete with a lavish 160-page hardcover book.  Features artists including  Gene Autry, Ernest Tubb, Tex Ritter, Red Foley, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, The Louvin Brothers, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (among others, of course)!

Friday’s new box set celebrating Todd Rundgren’s Utopia has all six of the band’s studio and live albums as originally released between 1974 and 1982 as newly remastered by the label’s Joe Reagoso from the Warner/Bearsville tapes.  Each album will be housed in an individual gatefold digipak with original art elements from each LP including inner sleeves and inserts.  Rundgren, Sulton, Wilcox, and Powell have all made written contributions to this set, as well.  Fifteen bonus tracks are spread across the seven albums, including live performances, promotional single versions, and more.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada

Love’s Theme: The Best of The 20th Century Records Singles offers nearly a dozen of Barry White’s most popular A-sides, including “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby,” “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe,” “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything,” “Let The Music Play,” “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me” and more. True to its title, the disc kicks off with the Love Unlimited Orchestra’s “Love’s Theme”; the accompanying double vinyl version adds “Satin Soul,” another bonus cut from the orchestra, to its lineup.

The triple-disc The Complete 20th Century Records Singles (1973-1979) features not only every complete solo A-side from Barry White’s tenure with the label (including six Top 10 pop hits and a dozen Top 10 R&B singles, all in their original edits or mixes) but a host of sides that never made it past their original vinyl release. This includes both instrumental B-sides featuring the unforgettable Love Unlimited Orchestra arrangements (11 in total), rare U.K.-only single versions, and a handful of disco mixes available on promo 12″ releases.

Following a complete 3-CD set dedicated to Barry White’s 20th Century singles, and a 1CD/2LP highlights version, The 20th Century Records Singles (1973-1975)  boasts 10 recreated 45 RPM singles from White’s early tenure on the label in one box set, with replica labels and sleeves and a four-page booklet of liner notes.

Stage Door Records brings to CD an ultra-rare 1954 concept album of a musical that never was.  The Body in the Seine: A Musical Tour de Force Through Paris  was the work of songwriter David M. Lippincott, and was recorded in the hopes of attracting a book writer to turn his score into a full-fledged musical.  Musical director Buster Davis had a host of Broadway credits, and he brought along a top-tier cast including Alice Pearce (the first Mrs. Kravitz on Bewitched), George S. Irving, Laurel Shelby, and future U.S. congressman Jim Symington.  Stage Door’s release in its Collectors’ Series is limited to 500 copies and is housed in a paper sleeve.

This single-CD compilation features 19 tracks from the first iteration of the band.  It spotlights the music recorded by the band’s original lineup including leader Wayne Coyne’s brother Mark on vocals.  It includes the band’s first and second cassette demos plus their 1984 debut EP, newly remastered from the original analog tapes.  This is the first time these seminal recordings have been collected in one place.  Showcasing the band’s influences, the set is peppered with covers such as The Who’s “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,” Led Zeppelin’s “Communication Breakdown,” and Neal Hefti’s “Batman Theme” (which previously was released on Rykodisc’s 2002 collection Finally the Punk Rockers are Taking Acid.)

This six-CD box set contains all four of The Flaming Lips’ Restless studio albums, originally issued between 1986 and 1990:  Hear It Is (1986), Oh My Gawd!!!…The Flaming Lips (1987), Telepathic Surgery (1989) and In A Priest Driven Ambulance (With Silver Sunshine Stares) (1990). Like the compilation, all of these have been remastered from the original master tapes.  Two discs of rarities collect up odds and ends from this period, including B-sides, flexidiscs, and one-offs from various compilations like the Sub Pop single “Strychnine/Peace, Love And Understanding” and a rendition of “After The Gold Rush” from a 1989 Neil Young tribute album.  Rounding out the box is The Mushroom Tapes, the demos for the band’s final Restless LP.  These were previously issued on the Rykodisc compilation CD The Day They Shot A Hole In the Jesus Egg.

Real Gone celebrates the 50th anniversary of Tiny Tim’s debut album, produced by Richard Perry and featuring the hit “Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips,” with its first-ever U.S. vinyl reissue, pressed on pink vinyl and strictly limited to 900 copies!

The 1982 sci-fi-themed dub album from Scientist and Jammy, originally released on Trojan Records, returns to vinyl from Real Gone in a yellow-green “lightsaber vinyl” pressing limited to 700 units!  Tracks include “Storming the Death Star,” “The Death of Mr. Spock,” “Flash Gordon Meets Luke Skywalker,” and “The Son of Darth Vader.”

Real Gone celebrates the British all-female hard rock band Girlschool with a new vinyl anthology offering 12 single A-sides from the band’s City and Bronze tenures including “Take It All Away,” “Race With the Devil,” “Hit and Run,” “C’Mon Let’s Go” and “Please Don’t Touch” (performed with Motorhead).  The set has been compiled, produced and annotated by Mark Brennan and the gatefold package shows a rare picture sleeve.  The orange vinyl pressing is limited to 700 copies.  

The prolific Van Morrison follows up his jazz-oriented Versatile from 2017 with a new studio LP.  You’re Driving Me Crazy teams him with Hammond organist Joey DeFrancesco for a set of standards and Morrison favorites such as “Have I Told You Lately,” “Magic Time,” and “The Way Young Lovers Do.”

As part of its new agreement with The Bee Gees, Capitol has a 15-track sampler from the late Andy Gibb, including his hits and favorites like “Shadow Dancing,” “I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” “An Everlasting Love,” “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water,” and “Our Love (Don’t Throw It All Away).”  (Alas, his lost duet with Victoria Principal, “All I Have to Do is Dream,” is still absent.)

7LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD

Girly-Sound to Guyville: The 25th Anniversary Boxset, a 7-LP or 3-CD (or digital) collection, traces singer-songwriter Liz Phair’s artistic evolution from her three privately-pressed, pre-Matador demo cassettes (originally released under the name of Girly-Sound) to her acclaimed debut album.  A comprehensive book is also included, and a version with actual cassettes can also be ordered from the Matador label.

This new 3-CD, book-style box set features rare or previously unreleased live concerts from three decades of Frank Sinatra’s storied career, including the January 28. 1966 second show with The Count Basie Orchestra and conductor Quincy Jones at The Sands in Las Vegas, making its CD debut; and two previously unreleased shows: October 7, 1974 at Philadelphia’s Spectrum, and October 24, 1987 at Dallas’ Reunion Arena.

Baby Blue Eyes…May the First Voice You Hear Be Mine is a 20-track collection curated by Sinatra’s daughter Tina from his recordings on Capitol, Reprise, and Columbia.  The set is designed as a child’s introduction to Sinatra’s world, with songs emphasizing Sinatra’s role as father to his beloved children.  Tracks include “High Hopes,” “Pocketful of Miracles,” “Bein’ Green,” “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and more.  It’s due on CD, 2-LP vinyl, and all digital platforms.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD

Dock of the Bay Sessions is a new reconstruction of an album that never was, built around the song that became America’s first posthumous chart-topper and Otis Redding’s only No. 1 hit, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.”  Although it will never be definitively known what Redding had planned for his new LP, Dock of the Bay Sessions collects the recordings Redding made during this final period of his life to assemble a might-have-been release.  It was compiled with input from Roger Armstrong of Ace Records and Redding biographer Jonathan Gould and has the Redding family’s full endorsement. While the individual tracks comprising this set have been previously released on posthumous albums and various compilations, this marks the first time they have been brought together cohesively.  Available on CD, vinyl, and digital platforms.

Bruce Springsteen boxes up the second set of his albums in chronological order, remastered by Bob Ludwig and Toby Scott.  At this time, the collection is only available on vinyl.

LPs 1-2: Tunnel of Love (Columbia OC 40999, 1987)
LPs 3-4: Human Touch (Columbia C 53000, 1992)
LP 5: Lucky Town (Columbia C 53001, 1992)
LPs 6-7: In Concert/MTV Plugged (Columbia CK 68730, 1993) **
LP 8: The Ghost of Tom Joad (Columbia C 67484, 1995)
LP 9: Chimes of Freedom (Columbia 4C 44445, 1988)
LP 10: Blood Brothers (Columbia CSK 8879, 1996) *

* previously unreleased on vinyl
** previously unreleased on vinyl in the U.S.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Universal’s Verve/Decca Broadway imprint marks the 75th anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s landmark musical Oklahoma! with remastered reissues of the original Decca Records cast album on both CD and vinyl. The album starring Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts, Howard da Silva, Celeste Holm, and Lee Dixon has been expanded with four previously released alternate takes from the original sessions: “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” “I Cain’t Say No,” “Pore Jud is Daid,” and the “Finale.”  It’s all adorned with new artwork.

Stage Door Records celebrates Flower Drum Song star Pat Suzuki by bringing together her four albums for RCA/VIK, totaling 50 tracks on two CDs: The Many Sides of Pat Suzuki (1958), Miss Pony Tail (1958), Broadway ’59 (1959), and Looking at You (1960). 

As a companion to its Complete Album Series release, Stage Door has collected a full disc of rare singles and tracks from Broadway and screen star Pat Suzuki.  The artist has authorized this release of her non-LP singles for the RCA, Capitol, and PDA labels, plus rare tracks from a never-completed or released LP.  Among the selections here, Pat sings Broadway fare from shows including Whoop-Up!, Sail Away, The Gay Life, Stephen Sondheim’s Anyone Can Whistle, and Frank Loesser’s Greenwillow.  Limited to 500 units.

Real Gone has a reissue of the rare and unusual 1971 A&M/Ode album from folk-rock pioneer Barry McGuire and guitar hero Eric Hord, a.k.a. “The Doctor.” Hord co-wrote four of the bluesy songs on the album with McGuire and played on all six. The album was produced by Lou Adler and two of McGuire’s former New Christy Minstrels bandmates, Nick Woods and Art Podell.  Besides Hord, other top-tier musicians on the album include many from the country-rock genre like Chris Hillman (Byrds), “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow (Flying Burrito Brothers), Byron Berline (Dillard and Clark) and Bernie Leadon (The Eagles). They were even joined by an uncredited Herb Alpert on one song.  Tom Pickles provides the new liner notes drawing on an interview with McGuire, and Mike Milchner has remastered!

BGO continues its exploration of Andy Williams’ Columbia catalogue with this 2-CD set bringing together four of the classic vocalist’s albums The Andy Williams Show (1970), Love Story (1971), A Song for You (1971, known as You’ve Got a Friend in the U.S.) and Alone Again (Naturally) (1972).

Real Gone continues its trawl of the Cheap Trick archives with this second volume featuring 16 rare tracks, all remastered by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios.  Ken Sharp provides new liner notes based on interviews with the band members!

Real Gone Music is reissuing the one and only album from L.A. band The Quick.  The post-glam, pre-punk group’s 1976 album Mondo Deco was the cult favorite band’s only full-length LP and has never been on CD before.  This expanded edition adds 11 rare and unreleased bonus tracks and new liner notes, archival photos, a new band essay, track-by-track-commentary and more!

Complete Albums Volume 1 (1968-1976), from Capitol/UMe, presents the Steve Miller Band’s seminal first nine albums remastered on 180-gram vinyl, including the long out-of-print LPs Rock Love and Recall the Beginning…Journey to Eden.  Each album will also be made available individually to general retail, while Universal Music’s webstore UDiscoverMusic.com will offer colored vinyl editions.

Rhino reissues Emmylou Harris’ 1985 The Ballad of Sally Rose, a concept album inspired by Harris’ short but blazing time spent with the late Gram Parsons.  This deluxe edition featuring 10 previously unreleased demo recordings on the second disc, will also be available as a digital download, on streaming services, and as a 2-LP vinyl set.  

Rita Coolidge returns with her 18th studio album and first since the publication of her memoir Delta Lady.  The record is intended as a return to the artist’s musical roots, and features guitarist Dave Grissom, bassist Bob Glaub, keyboardist John “J.T.” Thomas, and drummer Brian MacLeod.  Ross Hogarth produced at Sunset Sound.  The album includes a duet with Keb’ Mo’, and songs by Rita, Graham Nash, and Chris Stapleton, among others.  Available on CD, LP, and digital platforms.

This massive, limited edition vinyl box set collects the legendary band’s 15 studio albums from Sticky Fingers (1971) to Blue and Lonesome (2016) on 20 meticulously-recreated LPs with original art elements, inserts, and more.  Each album, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, has been remastered and cut at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios from vinyl-specific tape transfers.  In addition, each album will include a download card for HD digital files.  The box itself boasts a numbered certificate.

“Mama” Michelle Phillips’ 1977 solo album, produced by Jack Nitzsche, returns to CD in a new expanded edition collecting the artist’s complete sessions with Nitzsche.  It adds three outtakes from the album sessions, including a Bee Gees cover (“Had a Lot of Love Last Night”), Dennis Lambert and Fil Spina’s “Practice What You Preach,” and Michelle’s own, tropically-flavored “Guerita.”  These three songs were not featured on previous reissues of the album.  Our own Joe Marchese provides the liner notes with quotes from a new interview with Michelle.  The CD has been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision.

Real Gone has the first-ever CD reissue of Keely Smith’s third Reprise album, and one of the earliest Beatles tributes albums anywhere.  On Sings the John Lennon-Paul McCartney Songbook, the smoky chanteuse wrapped her pipes around songs including  “Please Please Me,” “She Loves You,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “This Girl” (a.k.a. “This Boy”), and “A World Without Love.”  Steve Hochman has written new liner notes, and Mike Milchner has remastered.

Rhino brings together Buffalo Springfield’s three studio albums (Buffalo Springfield, Buffalo Springfield Again, and Last Time Around) on a new 5-CD or 5-LP box set featuring the mono and stereo mixes of the first two albums.  Everything has been newly remastered under the supervision of Neil Young and his Archives team.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music continue their journey through Johnny Mathis’ seventies catalogue with this expanded, remastered two-fer of Mathis’ 1970 and 1971 albums.  Close to You finds the singer reinterpreting hits by Bacharach and David, Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Beatles, and even Santana, while Love Story has songs from Goffin and King, Paul Williams, and Henry Mancini.  Three bonus tracks round out this 1-CD package which features liner notes from our own Joe Marchese based on a new interview with Johnny!

Johnny Mathis teamed with superstar producer Richard Perry for this original LP which is making its U.S. standalone CD premiere!  Blending the Perry sessions with recordings produced by Mathis himself, You’ve Got a Friend offers a spectacular array of then-recent hits rendered as only Johnny could.  Fusing pop and soul, Mathis and Perry tackled favorites from James Taylor (“Long Ago and Far Away”), The Beatles (“We Can Work It Out”), The Jackson 5 (“Never Can Say Goodbye”), and Gordon Lightfoot (“If You Could Read My Mind”).  Carole King’s warmhearted title track is one of two Tapestry cuts smoothly sung here by Johnny, along with the chart-topping “It’s Too Late.”  Mathis’ rich tapestry of contemporary music has grown larger thanks to this edition’s whopping eight bonus tracks.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the new liner notes based on a fresh interview with Johnny!

Singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop’s 1980 album Red Cab to Manhattan receives a remastered and expanded edition from the new Blixa Sounds label.  Featuring guests like Art Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, Phoebe Snow, and Phil Collins, Red Cab was a quirky, personal statement from the “On and On” soft rock hero.  It gains six bonus tracks here, including an outtake, the single version of “Send a Little Love My Way (Like Always),” and four voice-and-guitar demos.  Bill Inglot and Dave Schultz have remastered.

No single compilation can successfully capture the entirety of Eric Clapton’s remarkable career, though many from various labels have tried.  Life in 12 Bars, the soundtrack to an upcoming documentary about the guitar hero, takes a different approach, featuring 32 tracks on two CDs, including songs from artists who inspired Clapton as well as tracks on which the guitarist appeared as a sideman: for The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, and George Harrison.  Solo tracks and those with The Yardbirds, John Mayall and His Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos are also here.

The soundtrack album to the documentary Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story is a retrospective of the guitarist’s career and influence, including key Bowie tracks (“Moonage Daydream,” “Cracked Actor, Time”) as well as recordings by Elton John (“Madman Across the Water”), Ian Hunter (“Once Bitten, Twice Shy”), Michael Chapman (“Soulful Lady”), Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott (the previously unreleased “This Is For You”), and Ronson himself plus a previously unissued tribute from fellow Bowie collaborator Mike Garson, and two 1992 live cuts (“Heroes” and “All the Young Dudes”) from the 1992 Freddie Mercury tribute concert featuring Bowie, the remaining members of Queen, and others.  A new liner notes essay is included in the release which will be available on CD, digital, and 180-gram black vinyl.  Limited edition red vinyl will be available directly from the UDiscoverMusic.com store.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music’s Go Ahead & Back Up: The Lost Motown Masters lifts the curtain on the final years of Bobby Darin’s life and career with 24 never-before-released recordings directly from the Motown vaults, their existence largely unknown to even Darin’s most ardent collectors and biographers.  This years-in-the-making project (the landmark 25th release for Second Disc Records) premieres a lost album produced by Bobby in the raw, stripped-down style of his stage shows of the period; a return to standards as only Bobby could have recorded; and an entire album’s worth of stunning, surprising tracks written and produced by Motown’s cream of the crop including Smokey Robinson, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, The Corporation, Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson, and Mike Randall.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has co-produced with Motown’s Andrew Skurow, and everything has been mastered by Kevin Reeves from the original Motown tapes.  A deluxe 28-page booklet designed by John Sellards includes liner notes, track-by-track annotations, and rare, never-before-published photographs!

This live 2-CD album features performances recorded at Earl’s Court in London on June 30 and July 1, 1978 during David Bowie’s “Isolar II” Tour.  This stand ended the second, European leg of the tour.  Tony Visconti, who produced more than a dozen albums for Bowie throughout his career, recorded the 1978 concert which was later mixed by Bowie and David Richards in Montreux, Switzerland for a possible live album at the time. It would ultimately be the Stages live compilation that would represent the tour for audiences and this concert would not be heard until its debut on Record Store Day 2018.  Due the same day in brick-and-mortar independent stores are two exclusive vinyl LPs of the Bowie soundtrack Christiane F. – Wir Kinder Von Bahnoff Zoo and David Bowie In Bertolt Brecht’s Baal. 

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 

Chicago II: Live on Soundstage captures the band’s November 2017 performances at the Grainger Studio in their hometown, performing the classic 1970 album Chicago II.  The concert will be released on a single CD and a CD/DVD set with video of the program and 5.1 audio.  The music will also be available digitally and via streaming services.  Chicago II: Live on Soundstage features original members Robert Lamm, James Pankow, and Lee Loughnane along with Tris Imboden, Keith Howland, Lou Pardini, Walfredo Reyes, Jr., Ray Herrmann, and Jeff Coffey.

Chicago II: Collector’s Edition bundles together the band’s 2017 Soundstage performance of the 1970 classic Chicago II on CD and DVD as well as the acclaimed 2017 stereo remix of the original album by Steven Wilson on both CD and double vinyl.

2CD/SD-Blu-Ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
DVD: Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD

The Rolling Stones revisit a 1989 performance from their No Security tour which extended from the band’s Bridges to Babylon outing.  This title will be released on DVD, 2CD/SD (Standard Definition) Blu-ray, 2CD/DVD, 3 LP, and digital audio and video platforms.  Whew!  (The 1998 concert album entitled No Security featured tracks culled from the Bridges to Babylon tour.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Real Gone Music has the audio debut of Ben Folds Five’s June 9, 1997 performance for PBS’ Sessions at West 54th of 15 songs including “Brick,” “Kate,” and “Battle of Who Could Care Less.”  Available on CD and vinyl.

Cherry Red celebrates the late, great Cilla Black with a new reissue campaign.   The first 2-CD set pairs 1969’s George Martin-produced Surround Yourself with Cilla with 1976’s It Makes Me Feel Good, produced by David Mackay (Cliff Richard, Blue Mink, The New Seekers).  22 bonus tracks (13 new to CD) are spread across the two discs.

Cherry Red continues its Cilla Black celebration with two CD premieres of digital releases: 2009’s remix album Cilla: All Mixed Up, and the same year’s Beginnings: Revisited, a remixed and resequenced version of her 2003 album Beginnings. 9 bonus tracks have been spread across the two albums, and all told, 26 of the total 32 tracks are new to CD!

Real Gone Music journeys to the beginning of Willie Nelson’s remarkable career with this collection of 28 publishing demos recorded by Willie for Ray Price’s Pamper Music company including such seminal future standards as “Crazy,” “Night Life,” “Pretty Paper,” “Funny (How Time Slips Away),” and “Hello Walls.”  Available on 1 CD and 2-LP vinyl.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/LP Deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Digital: Amazon U.S.

The Prince vaults are open!  Piano & A Microphone 1983 – a nine-track, 35-minute album – features a previously unreleased home studio cassette recording of the solo Prince at his piano in that epochal year including renditions of “Purple Rain,” Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You,” the folk spiritual “Mary, Don’t You Weep,” and more! Available on CD, LP, digitally, and as a deluxe LP/CD set.

35 years after its first appearance, Electric Light Orchestra’s Secret Messages returns to vinyl in a new edition moving closer to founder Jeff Lynne’s original vision for the album.  Legacy Recordings will reissue Secret Messages on double 150-gram vinyl restoring all but one of the tracks which were cut from the original LP release.  Alas, that outtake – the near-legendary “Beatles Forever” – is still missing in action, but six more tracks have been reinstated in the album’s original running order.

CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Barenaked Ladies revisit the band’s 1998 breakthrough album Stunt in a new CD/DVD edition with three audio bonus tracks (the outtakes “She’s On Time” and “Long Way Back Home,” first heard as hidden tracks on the limited edition version of the album, plus “Get in Line” from the soundtrack to the animated television series King of the Hill).  The DVD includes The Stunt Tour and Barenaked in America, the 1999 documentary directed by longtime fan and Beverly Hills 90210 star Jason Priestley.  The film features approximately 90 minutes of live and behind-the-scenes footage from the tour.  This release marks its North American DVD debut.  A vinyl version adds only the two outtakes.  

Edsel remembers the late singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl with the release of a new 4CD/1DVD book-style box set.  Days (1988-1991) collects her Virgin Records period which yielded two albums and various singles.  All told, a generous 33 bonus tracks (non-LP singles, extended mixes, and one-offs) are spread across the two albums.  The fifth disc in the box, a DVD, includes seven promotional videos and the EPK (electronic press kit) for Electric Landlady.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Pink Floyd founding member Nick Mason’s three solo albums are rounded up in one CD or vinyl box set as Unattended Luggage.  The 3-LP or 3-CD set includes Nick Mason’s Fictitious Sports (1981), Profiles (1985), and White of the Eye (1987), with the latter making its CD debut.  All three albums will also be available as digital downloads and for streaming.

And all that jazz: Real Gone Music has the first-ever vinyl reissue of the original soundtrack to 2002’s Academy Award-winning musical Chicago, starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, and Queen Latifah, and featuring a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb with Danny Elfman.  It’s pressed on 2 LPs, in black and gold, and is limited to 1,500 units.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray Audio: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
2CD/4LP/2DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham took the famous stage at New York’s Madison Square Garden on July 27-29, 1973 for the concerts that were captured in the film The Song Remains the Same.  Now that film’s soundtrack, produced by Page and originally released on Swan Song in 1976, is getting the lavish reissue treatment in a variety of formats including its first-ever 5.1 audio surround release on Blu-ray, and a Super Deluxe box with both the soundtrack (on CD and LP) and the movie (on DVD).  The sets arrive on September 7, 50 years to the day of the first performance by the band as “The New Yardbirds.”

Real Gone Music brings together the late Alice Coltrane’s three highly sought-after albums for Warner Bros. Records released in 1976-1977: Eternity, Radha-Krsna Nama Sankirtana and Transcendence.  This remastered collection features an essay by noted Coltrane scholar Ashley Kahn and draws upon interviews with producer Ed Michel and engineer Baker Bigsby.  It’s being released with the full cooperation of the Coltrane estate.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Real Gone and its Dusty Groove imprint (affiliated with the mighty Chicago retail store) returns saxophone great Monk Higgins’ oft-sampled 1968 album Extra Soul Perception to both CD and vinyl.  The CD reissue features liner notes by Skip Heller.  The vinyl version is limited to 1,000 copies and comes on translucent blue vinyl in a replica of the original “Unipak” jacket.  Both of these editions are the first-ever reissues of the album in time for its 50th anniversary.

Mike Nesmith reformed his pioneering country-rock outfit The First National Band for five performances only at L.A.’s fabled Troubadour in January 2018; now, everybody who couldn’t squeeze into the club will get a chance to hear what they missed.  Michael Nesmith and The First National Band Redux Live at the Troubadour is available on both single CD and double vinyl, with the vinyl edition boasting one bonus track (“Rio”).  It’s drawn from the band’s performance at that Hollywood nightspot on January 25.  Christian Nesmith has recorded, mixed and produced this album.  

Legacy releases an album of reimagined music from the Paul Simon songbook.  Co-produced by Simon and longtime associate Roy Halee, In the Blue Light features new recordings of ten lesser-known selections drawn from There Goes Rhymin’ Simon (1973), Still Crazy After All These Years (1975), One-Trick Pony (1980), Hearts and Bones (1983), The Rhythm of The Saints (1990), You’re The One (2000) and So Beautiful Or So What (2011).  Jazz luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis, Bill Frisell, Jack DeJohnette, and Steve Gadd join Simon on these new recordings as does yMusic, the chamber music sextet currently appearing with him on tour.  

This new collection, available on CD and digital platforms, boasts the 34 classic singles which Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin released during her first three years with Atlantic Records. The track listing for the vinyl version has been truncated to 25 songs to fit the LP format.  All tracks are presented in their original mono single mixes.

Phil Collins has always been a collaborative artist – and now 59 of his favorite tracks recorded with other artists are being collected on a new 4-CD or digital box set!  These discs represent a “Who’s Who” of talent, with Collins’ friends including Robert Plant, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, The Bee Gees, Four Tops, Collins’ Genesis bandmate Peter Gabriel, and many more.

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 included, all in newly remastered editions: Let’s Dance (1983), Tonight (1984), and Never Let Me Down (1987).  They’re joined by a 2018 version of Never Let Me Down with completely new instrumentation, the remastered live set Glass Spider: Live Montreal ’87, the previously unreleased Serious Moonlight live album recorded in Vancouver in 1983, a new collection of period remixes entitled Dance, and the fourth volume of odds-and-ends series RE:CALL.  It’s all packaged in typically lavish style.

Twisted Sister’s 1983 sophomore album gets a 2-CD expansion. The newly remastered original album is joined by three bonus tracks from a 1983 EP (“One Man Woman,” “Four Barrel Heart of Love,” and “Feel the Power”) as well as an entire concert from London’s Marquee Club, recorded in March 1983.  Live at the Marquee was previously released in 2011 as a limited edition on the Rhino Handmade imprint, and features most of the songs from the band’s debut Under the Blade plus Twisted-style covers of The Shangri-Las, Shirley and Lee (via Slade!), and The Rolling Stones.

The career of the enigmatic Bobbie Gentry is celebrated on a remarkable new box set.  The 8-CD collection The Girl from Chickasaw County: The Complete Capitol Masters collects all seven of Gentry’s 1967-1971 Capitol Records studio albums plus more than 75 previously unreleased recordings.  This treasure trove of lost material includes a completed “jazz” album, outtakes, demos, and other rarities including the live performances from her BBC show of 1968-1969.  (Some of these were issued on vinyl this year for Record Store Day; there are additional tracks here.)  The box contains an 84-page book with an essay and rare and unpublished photos, as well as a replica of Gentry’s handwritten lyrics to “Ode to Billie Joe,” and four postcards.  David Downton has provided the new cover art.

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 Village Green Preservation Society, is reissued from BMG Rights Management in a massive new box set produced by Andrew Sandoval.  The new box will boast 3 LPs, 5 CDs, 3 seven-inch singles and more, for a total of 174 tracks (3 previously unreleased songs, 55 previously unreleased versions).  Also available in 1CD, 2CD, and 1LP editions.  The 1CD and 1LP editions have the remastered stereo album while the 2CD version has the stereo and mono albums plus bonuses for a total of 49 tracks.

The former Fleetwood Mac frontman is looking back on his career with this collection of his finest solo works.  Solo Anthology – The Best of Lindsey Buckingham will be available as a 3-disc set on CD and digitally and also as a single disc “highlights” release. A 6-LP vinyl edition is slated for November 23.  The 3-CD version offers original and alternate versions of songs from Buckingham’s solo albums including Law and Order (1981), Go Insane (1984), Out of the Cradle (1992), Under the Skin (1996), Gift of Screws (2008), Seeds We Sow (2011), and his most recent release, the joint album Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie (2017) plus soundtrack appearances and a handful of live solo versions of Fleetwood Mac tunes.  Two previously unreleased tracks round out the set: “Hunger” and “Ride This Road.”

Alex Chilton’s path crossed with Peter Holsapple’s in 1978 at Memphis’ Sam Phillips Recording Service.  Chilton promised to show the younger artist “how it’s done,” and this collection brings together the never-before-released recordings made by both men during the chaotic sessions.  Holsapple tells the whole story in his liner notes, aided by Memphis historian Robert Gordon and the period photographs of Pat Rainer.

Elvis Costello returns with his first album since 2013’s Wise Up Ghost with The Roots, and his first with The Imposters since 2008’s Momofuku. Co-produced with Sebastian Krys, Look Now features one song co-written with Carole King (“Burnt Sugar Is So Bitter”), and three songs co-authored with Burt Bacharach (“He’s Given Me Things,” “Photographs Can Lie,” and “Don’t Look Now”) plus solo Costello originals such as the dramatic “Suspect My Tears” and “Unwanted Number,” both of which will be familiar to longtime fans.  Bacharach leads The Imposters from the piano on two tracks.  Available on Deluxe CD, vinyl, and digital.  The Deluxe Edition CD has four additional songs on a second CD, including the physical premiere of “You Shouldn’t Look at Me That Way” from the movie Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.

Willie Nelson pays tribute to Frank Sinatra on this new 11-song collection featuring the timeless country troubadour’s personalized takes on “Fly Me to the Moon,” “It Was a Very Good Year,” “Young at Heart,” and the Paul Anka-co-written title track.  Available on CD, vinyl, and digital.

This 2-CD, 35-track set gathers up all of the Billboard Pop hits from “The Mouth of the South,” Joe Simon.  Culled from various labels, Step by Step includes “The Chokin’ Kind,” “Drowning in the Sea of Love,” and much more.  Grammy-nominated producer Mitchell Cohen has written the liner notes, which include new quotes from the artist.  It has been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music bring Melissa Manchester’s 1985 MCA album to CD for the very first time in an expanded 2-CD deluxe edition!  Mathematics: The MCA Years features the original Mathematics (produced by George Duke, Brock Walsh and Robbie Nevil, Trevor Veitch and executive producer Quincy Jones!) on the first CD, while the second disc boasts 13 bonus tracks including every period remix, the non-LP B-side “So Full of Yourself,” three previously unreleased outtakes, and a host of rare soundtrack performances including Melissa’s themes for The Promise and Out of Africa.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the liner notes based on new interviews with Melissa, and Mike Milchner has remastered!

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music have paired two 1972 albums from the legendary Johnny Mathis as an expanded 2-CD set.  Both albums were produced by Jerry Fuller and make their standalone CD debuts here.  The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face) had not only Mathis’ rendition of the hit popularized by Roberta Flack but also classics introduced by The Stylistics (“Betcha by Golly Wow”), America (“I Need You”), and The 5th Dimension (“(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All”) as well as beloved themes from The Godfather, Summer of ’42, Brian’s Song, and Kotch.  Neil Diamond’s hits were celebrated on Song Sung Blue, along with favorites by Gilbert O’Sullivan (“Alone Again (Naturally)”), Carpenters (“Goodbye to Love”) and The Bee Gees (“Run to Me”).  Mathis also returned to the songbook of Burt Bacharach and Hal David with a top 20 AC hit (“Make It Easy on Yourself“).  Three bonus tracks have been added: the single of Henry Mancini’s “Sometimes” and the outtakes “Remember the Good” and “Morning Has Broken.”  The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)/Song Sung Blue features rare photos of the artist and liner notes by The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese based on fresh interviews with Johnny Mathis, Jerry Fuller, and Thom Bell. 

TSD and Real Gone Music continue their Johnny Mathis reissue series with an expanded edition of Johnny’s first album of 1973.  Me and Mrs. Jones proved to be one of his most eclectic albums of the decade.  Reuniting him with Jerry Fuller, the LP found the singer exploring a variety of styles and genres.  In addition to the title track from Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philly soul hit factory, Me and Mrs. Jones found Mathis singing the best of Broadway (“Corner of the Sky” from Pippin), Hollywood (Smokey Robinson and Michel Legrand’s “Happy” from Lady Sings the Blues) and the pop scene (Harry Nilsson’s “Remember,” David Gates’ “Sweet Surrender”).  The album’s AC hit single, “Soul and Inspiration/Just Once in My Life,” brought together two of The Righteous Brothers’ most memorable songs in one dynamic medley.  This expanded edition boasts four bonus tracks: the B-side of the medley, Jerry Fuller and D’Arneill Pershing’s “I,” plus the outtake “Pieces of April,” and both sides of the single “Take Good Care of Her” b/w “Walking Tall” from the movie of the same name.  Joe Marchese’s new liner notes feature fresh quotes from Mathis and Fuller.

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 Sings for Only the Lonely: 60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition features the original 1958 mono album mix, a new 2018 stereo remix by Larry Walsh, and four mono bonus tracks (two previously unreleased, including Sinatra’s stabs at “Lush Life” in their official debut).  The release will also be available in 1-CD and 180-gram, 2-LP iterations featuring Walsh’s remixed stereo album only.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD (Album Only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Cassette (Album Only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
11CD/6LP/4DVD Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 

Metallica’s fourth studio album celebrates its 30th anniversary with a multitude of formats including a mammoth 11CD/6LP/4DVD box set.  …And Justice For All was the first Metallica album to feature bassist Jason Newsted following the death of Cliff Burton in 1986, and was the band’s first album to crack the Billboard Top 10, peaking at No. 6.  It eventually went 8x Platinum.  The Grammy-winning single “One” off the album also marked a couple of firsts for Metallica: their first song to hit the Top 40 (No. 35) and their first music video.  Available in all of the above formats as well as digitally.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

UMe’s Barry White reissue series continues with its most extensive entry yet: a complete 9-CD or 9-LP box set with all of the soul maestro’s 20th Century Records albums, remastered and presented with their original track listings.  Sleeve and label artwork for each title has been faithfully replicated for these new releases.  These albums include such perennial White favorites as “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby,” “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe,” “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything,” “Don’t Make Me Wait Too Long,” “I’m Qualified to Satisfy You,” and his fan-favorite cover of Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are.”  

 

Black Vinyl LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Glow-in-the-Dark Vinyl LP: Craft Recordings Store
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Emmy-nominated 1966 television special It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown was the third overall for Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts series and the second to be holiday-themed, after A Charlie Brown Christmas.  It earned a whopping 49 share in the ratings and was so successful that CBS re-aired it every year through 2000, with ABC picking up the tradition after that.  Yet despite a beloved score by Vince Guaraldi (who else?), a soundtrack album to Great Pumpkin had never been released in any audio format until last year’s CD issue.  Now, Craft Recordings has that  first-ever soundtrack release coming to vinyl, retaining the CD’s new introduction from executive producer Lee Mendelson and liner notes by Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang.  An etching of the pumpkin appears on Side Two of the vinyl.

3CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings generously expand Electric Ladyland, the final album from The Jimi Hendrix Experience, for its 50th anniversary in a new edition (available on CD or LP) featuring never-before-released session recordings and a Blu-ray featuring a documentary as well as stereo and surround mixes of the original album.

Real Gone Music expands the original 1974 release of the band’s Warner Bros. debut with 10 bonus tracks, highlighted by the unreleased song “Love My Lady” and featuring an additional nine “Work in Progress” mixes from the original album sessions.   Badfinger biographer Dan Matovina has remastered and written the new liner notes.

Badfinger’s second and final Warner Bros. album, Wish You Were Here, marked the end of the classic iteration of the group.  Real Gone expands the underrated 1974 LP with 10 bonus tracks including the unreleased song “Queen of Darkness,” and nine new alternate mixes from the featuring some different vocals and arrangements.  Badfinger biographer Dan Matovina has remastered the reissue, and penned new liner notes.

Following in the footsteps of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and The Beach Boys, Cilla Black is the next artist to receive the grand orchestral treatment.  Cilla with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring fourteen classic songs by the late superstar with all-new orchestral backings.  Sheridan Smith, Cliff Richard, and Rebecca Ferguson guest on three tracks: “Alfie,” “You’re My World,” and “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” respectively.  A previously unreleased Cilla vocal on “Have I Told You Lately” is also included.

Legacy Recordings has revisited the original sessions of Big Brother and The Holding Company’s 1968 classic Cheap Thrills for a new collection entitled Sex, Dope, and Cheap Thrills – the LP’s original name which was nixed by Columbia Records 50 years ago.  This 30-track 2-CD or 16-track 2-LP set features demos, outtakes and alternate takes, almost all of which are previously unreleased, illuminating the process by which Janis Joplin and Big Brother created some of the most indelible blues-rock ever recorded including “Piece of My Heart.”

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

This new box set, available in 5-CD and 6-LP formats, brings together new Nile Rodgers Signature Edition remasters of CHIC’s first three albums plus Sister Sledge’s CHIC-produced We Are Family and a bonus disc of period single edits and 12-inch mixes.  The vinyl edition includes additional text in the booklet as well as a bonus 12-inch replica single of the original Buddah release of “”Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” b/w “Sao Paulo”.”

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD

Greatest Hits Live, coming in CD and CD/DVD iterations, is a companion to the release earlier this year of Chicago II: Live on Soundstage.  At every one of Chicago’s recent tour stops, the band played that classic album and then launched into a second, career-spanning set of hits and favorites.  This release captures the second half of the same Soundstage performance of November 2017 as the earlier release, and features the line-up of original members Robert Lamm, James Pankow, and Lee Loughnane along with Tris Imboden, Keith Howland, Lou Pardini, Walfredo Reyes, Jr., Ray Herrmann, and Jeff Coffey.

Live at the Isle of Wight Festival brings to double vinyl Chicago’s full August 28, 1970 performance at the legendary festival.  The show was first issued commercially on the box set VI Decades Live: This Is What We Do.  The concert at the Isle of Wight Festival (where the band shared that day’s bill with Procol Harum, James Taylor, Melanie, and others) thrust the spotlight upon a group with just two albums under its collective belt.  The sound of Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, Peter Cetera, Danny Seraphine, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, and Walt Parazaider is raw, hungry, and powerful on this classic concert.

Glastonbury 2000 documents David Bowie’s epic festival performance from June 25 of that year, in multiple editions including 2CD, 2CD/DVD, 3LP, and standard and high-resolution digital.  It presents the late superstar’s complete 21-song, hits-heavy set in both audio and video formats.  Previously, only 30 minutes of the show had been broadcast on television including “Heroes,” which was seen in the recent David Bowie Is… museum exhibition.

This comprehensive 5-CD set contains the A- and B-sides of every single released under the Stax Records banner in the tumultuous year of 1968, including the company’s sub-labels, for a total of 120 tracks.  Some tracks are by soul legends like Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, William Bell, Booker T. & The M.G.’s and Johnnie Taylor and some come from the deeper Stax catalogue, featuring artists such as Linda Lyndell, The Soul Children and The Mad Lads.  The set includes a 56-page book with liner notes by Andria Lisle, Robert Gordon, and Steve Greenberg, as well as rare and previously unseen photos.  It will be available as a 5-CD set and as a digital download.

Craft Recordings has a deluxe box set containing Creedence Clearwater Revival’s complete seven-album studio discography.  The Studio Albums Collection contains new half-speed masterings of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bayou Country, Green River, Willy and the Poor Boys, Cosmo’s Factory, Pendulum and Mardi Gras.  Each album in the new box set has been mastered at half-speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, and housed in a tip-on-style jacket, replicating the look and feel of the original pressings.  Additionally, the box set contains an 80-page book with liner notes by journalist Roy Trakin, and numerous photos and memorabilia reproductions.

This comprehensive 2-CD, 43-track set from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music features all three of the legendary conductor’s classic Columbia Christmas LPs – Joy to the World: The Music of Christmas (1959), Wonderland of Christmas (1963), and Wishing You a Merry Christmas (1965), on which he was joined by vocalist Phyllis Curtin and The St. Killian Boychoir – plus a host of holiday bonuses.  These include Kostelanetz’s rare 1950 single of “White Christmas,” a complete recording of “The Nutcracker Suite” featuring Peter Ustinov, the rare Christmas Seals promotional single of “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” and additional seasonal favorites from the Kostelanetz catalogue.  Wishing You a Merry Christmas makes its CD debut here.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has penned the copious new liner notes, and Maria Triana has remastered at Sony’s Battery Studios.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

For its 50th anniversary, the classic Stones album has been transferred from the original tapes to DSD, and freshly remastered by Bob Ludwig.  Featuring “Street Fighting Man” and “Sympathy for the Devil,” Beggars Banquet will be reissued as a straightforward CD remaster and an expanded vinyl edition.  The vinyl release will add a bonus 12-inch disk of “Sympathy for the Devil” with its original mono mix on Side One and an etching of the album’s original “toilet” cover on Side Two.  (“Sympathy” was the only track from the album to have been mixed in true mono.)  The box also includes a replica of a Japanese flexidisc containing a phone interview with Mick Jagger, as featured within original Japanese pressings of the LP.  Lastly, a download code for the album and interview is also included.

The McGuire Sisters’ first and only full-length Christmas album for Coral Records came in 1958 with Greetings From the McGuire Sisters.  The LP was actually a collection of earlier holiday-related tracks.  All but “Happy New Year” and “The Cactus Christmas Tree” were previously released as singles with “He” hitting No. 10 in Billboard and No. 4 in Cashbox in 1955.  Real Gone has added three tracks (“Peace” and “Ave Maria” from 1959 and “Be A Santa” from 1961) to encompass the Sisters’ complete Christmas recordings at Coral.  The set has been produced and annotated by Tom Pickles.  This marks the first time that the whole Greetings album has been available on CD.

Real Gone has a twofer from John Klein of 1959’s A Christmas Sound Spectacular and 1964’s Let’s Ring The Bells All Around The Christmas Tree.  Trained by Igor Stravinsky and Nadia Boulanger, Klein was a musical renaissance man who made several albums featuring carillons for Columbia and RCA Victor in the 1950s and 1960s.  Real Gone’s two-for-one reissue features notes with personal recollections from R. Steve Harmon, whose father was President and Program Director of radio station XETRA (“the mighty 690”) in San Diego.  Mike Piacentini at Sony’s Battery Studios has done the remastering.  Both albums are making their stereo CD debuts.

Barbra Streisand returns with a new album, her first primarily featuring original pop material since 2005.  Walls is Streisand’s powerful statement about the world today, and includes both original songs (the scorching lead single “Don’t Lie to Me”) and reimagined versions of classic standards including “What the World Needs Now is Love,” a medley of “Imagine” and “What a Wonderful World,” and Leonard Bernstein and Alan Jay Lerner’s powerful “Take Care of This House.”  Streisand co-produces with David Foster, Walter Afanasieff, John Shanks, and Desmond Child.  Available on CD and digital; a vinyl edition follows on December 7.

Neil Diamond revisits a 50+-year career with a new 6-CD, 115-song retrospective box set featuring hits, rarities, and 15 previously unreleased tracks including the original demos of “America” and “I Am…I Said.”  Everything is packaged within a deluxe hardcover book-style format.  50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition expands upon 2017’s 3-CD 50th Anniversary set and is the first comprehensive Diamond career overview in more than 20 years.

Joni Mitchell’s 2014 4-CD box set is reissued as an 8-LP vinyl collection.  The set is strictly limited to 5,000 units and will be presented in a hardbound, deluxe folio package.  To retain Joni’s original four-act concept, though, etchings of her artwork appear on four individual sides of vinyl.  In addition, the packaging will include a book with lyrics, six paintings, and illuminating, Grammy-winning liner notes written by Joni herself that detail the trajectory of the project and provide background on the tracks and the collaborations that created some of the most compelling, complex, and innovative music of our time.  Notably, this LP issue of Love Has Many Faces will mark the vinyl debut of nineteen Joni Mitchell recordings, as her post 1991 albums have yet to receive any standalone vinyl treatment. The collection will also feature a 2014 Joni Mitchell-sanctioned remix of 1994’s “Borderline,” featuring new trumpet accompaniment from Ambrose Akinmusire.  All 53 tracks were remastered in 2014 under Joni’s supervision.

Elvis’ legendary 1968 TV special is reissued as a 5CD/2BD set for its 50th anniversary, adding a bonus CD of Wrecking Crew studio sessions to the material previously assembled for the 2008 box, and presenting an adapted version of the original broadcast with a host of special features on Blu-ray (totaling over 7.5 hours of video).  The box also includes an 80-page book featuring rare photographs and ephemera and a new oral history on the special.  This has been based on the new interviews conducted for director Thom Zimny’s acclaimed 2018 documentary Elvis Presley: The Searcher.  Zimny also oversaw the restored Blu-ray video.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

Neil Young, aided by filmmaker Cameron Crowe and archivist Joel Bernstein, has selected 23 solo acoustic tracks from his 1976 U.S. tour.  The album will first be released on CD and digital, though a double-vinyl release will follow on December 14.  Its cover artwork is based on a photograph of none other than Judy Garland; Young reflected on the late star in the monologue which opens this release.  All the music has been mastered from the original analog tapes by Neil Young’s go-to mastering engineer, Tim Mulligan, at 24bit/176.4kHz in preparation for the CD and vinyl releases.  The LPs have been cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Los Angeles.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Unchained Melodies: Roy Orbison with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra presents another 15 selections from the famously operatic vocalist in lavish, new orchestrations.  Track include “Blue Bayou,” “California Blue,” “The Comedians,” and a duet version of “Heartbreak Radio” with country artist Cam.  The CD edition arrives on November 16, and the vinyl version one week later on November 23.

3CD/DVD Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2LP [Remastered Album + Bonus Audio]: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2CD [Remastered Album + Bonus Audio]: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)

Wild Life was the first Wings album but third overall by McCartney outside the shadow of his famous band.  Paul and his wife Linda teamed up with drummer Denny Seiwell and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Denny Laine to create a relaxed, pastoral album that was intentionally as light as a feather.  Recording occurred over a little more than a week at Abbey Road (with Alan Parsons engineering alongside Tony Clark), and a number of songs were recorded in just one take.  “Dear Friend” – a response to John Lennon’s scathing “How Do You Sleep” which was, in turn, a response to Paul’s “Too Many People” – was a holdover from the Ram sessions.  Recording took place from July 25-August 2, 1971, and on that latter date, McCartney announced the birth of Wings to the world.  Wild Life arrived on December 7, making No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and No. 11 on the U.K. Albums Chart but was generally considered a commercial disappointment; it yielded no hit singles.  Wild Life was eventually certified Gold in the United States, and has since become a cult favorite for its loose, freewheeling sensibility and homespun sound.  The super deluxe 3CD/1DVD edition features:

• The remastered original album on CD 1;
• Eight rough mixes on CD 2;
• 17 bonus tracks on CD 3 including home recordings, outtakes, the single version of “Love Is Strange,” and both sides of Wings’ controversial debut single, “Give Ireland Back to the Irish”;
• A DVD with four featurettes; and
• A download card with 24bit/96kHz unlimited high-resolution audio download of the remastered album and bonus audio.

Wild Life is also available in 2CD and LP iterations.  The Wild Life vinyl has the original album on one LP and the 17-track Bonus Audio collection on the second LP, and the 2CD version has identical audio content.  Additionally, PaulMcCartney.com has an exclusive bundle of both Wild Life and Red Rose Speedway in a new slipcase plus an additional volume: Wings Over Europe.  This mini-set has a 20-track compendium of the band’s performances on their 1972 European tour, plus a replica of the tour program and a 96-page book featuring Linda’s photos.

3CD/2DVD/BD Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2LP [Remastered Single Album + Bonus Audio]: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2LP [Remastered Double Album]: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2CD [Remastered Single Album + Bonus Audio]: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)

The second 2018 Archive Collection box is dedicated to Wild Life‘s follow-up, 1973’s Red Rose Speedway.  In early 1972, the McCartneys had made the decision to expand Wings to a quintet with the addition of guitarist Henry McCullough.  Recording began in March of that year, though once again Paul tapped the reserve of songs recorded during the Ram sessions for a couple of tracks.  The album was originally planned as a double LP, and sessions continued at various studios throughout the year.  It was preceded in March 1973 by the release of “My Love” as a single; the ravishing ballad marked a return to classic form for McCartney, and spent four weeks atop the U.S. Hot 100; it made a not-unimpressive No. 9 on the U.K. Singles Chart.  When Red Rose Speedway finally reached stores on April 30 (U.S.) and May 4 (U.K.) 1973, it had been trimmed to a single LP.    The super deluxe 3CD/2DVD/1BD set features:

• The remastered original album on CD 1;
• The original double album sequence on CD 2;
• 17 bonus tracks on CD 3 including the 1972 singles “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Hi, Hi, Hi” and “C Moon;” the soundtrack cut and 1973 single “Live and Let Die,” plus early mixes, outtakes (“Thank You, Darling,” “Seaside Woman,” “I Would Only Smile,” “1882,” “Jazz Street,” “Tragedy,” and “Best Friend”), and home recordings;
• A DVD with music videos, an interview, and the first commercial release of the 1973 James Paul McCartney ATV television special; and
• The never-before-seen The Bruce McMouse Show, featuring animation and footage from Wings’ 1972 tour on both DVD and Blu-ray in 5.1 surround sound and high-resolution stereo.

If you still want more, PaulMcCartney.com has an exclusive bundle of both Red Rose Speedway and Wild Life in a new slipcase plus an additional volume: Wings Over Europe.  This mini-set has a 20-track compendium of the band’s performances on their 1972 European tour, plus a replica of the tour program and a 96-page book featuring Linda’s photos.  Highlights CDs and vinyl versions will also be available.  Red Rose Speedway‘s 2 LP and 2CD iterations have the remastered single album plus the Bonus Audio disc, and the double album version will be available as a standalone 2LP set, as well.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 

’80s Symphonic blends 15 original ’80s tracks from across Warner’s celebrated catalogue and blends them with brand-new, symphonic arrangements performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.  Among the tracks given the symphonic treatment are The Cars’ “Drive,” Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” a-ha’s “Take On Me,” and David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.”   While “Let’s Dance” was helmed by original producer Nile Rodgers, the other tracks have all been produced by Andy Wright (Simple Minds, Eurythmics, Jeff Beck) at Abbey Road Studios.  Available on CD and digital November 23, with vinyl to follow on December 7.

Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray/2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
DVD/2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Red 3-LP: Rolling Stones Online Shop
Red 3-LP/t-shirt bundle: Rolling Stones Online Shop

Voodoo Lounge Uncut marks the first release of The Rolling Stones’ full November 25, 1994 concert in Miami, featuring special guests Bo Diddley, Robert Cray, and Sheryl Crow. Video configurations also feature five bonus songs from New Jersey in August, 1994. Voodoo Lounge Uncut arrives in DVD, Blu-ray, DVD/2-CD, Blu-Ray/2-CD, 3-LP, digital video, digital audio, and HD digital audio configurations on November 16. Meanwhile, The Rolling Stones’ official online shop is offering an exclusive 3-disc red vinyl version.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

In January, Omnivore will release Live On WLIR, a newly restored and remastered version of Big Star’s legendary 1974 radio broadcast. The 15-track collection will be released on CD and 2-LP on January 25.  The release marks the vinyl debut of this raw, live set.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Springsteen on Broadway captures songs and selected stories from The Boss’ acclaimed, Tony Award-winning engagement on the Great White Way.  Mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig, the album arrives one day before the closing show, and also just before it’s broadcast in full on Netflix.  The streaming giant will premiere the production at 12:01 a.m. PT/3:01 a.m. ET on December 16.  The audio on the 2CD or 4LP set is taken directly from the audio of that broadcast, so this cast recording is also technically a soundtrack.  Springsteen on Broadway features his stripped-down, emotionally raw, and powerfully charged performances of such classic songs as “Growin’ Up,” “My Hometown,” “Thunder Road,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” and “The Rising,” as well as duets with his wife and bandmate Patti Scialfa on “Brilliant Disguise” and “Tougher Than the Rest.”  Springsteen accompanies himself on piano and guitar.  Most of these tracks are prefaced by Springsteen’s introductory stories as heard every night at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

Craft Recordings brings together five Cuban jam sessions first released between 1956-1965 by the country’s first independent record label, Panart.  This 5-CD or 5-LP set presents all of the jams in their entirety, featuring pianist Julio Gutierrez, tres player Nino Rivera, flautist Jose Fajardo, and bassist and mambo pioneer Israel Cachao Lopez.  The CD version has a 96-page booklet while the LP iteration, presented on 180-gram vinyl, has a 28-page booklet.  Also available digitally.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

An astounding new 20-CD box set from Bear Family brings together over 260 tracks from country great Lefty Frizzell – his complete recordings.  But that’s not all.  By “complete,” the Bears don’t mean just his commercially released recordings (filling 9 CDs).  They’ve also added 71 demos and private recordings on another 2 CDs, and an entire disc of radio recordings made for the U.S. Armed Forces.  What about the remaining eight discs? They’re dedicated to an audiobook of the now out-of-print 2011 biography I Love You a Thousand Ways: The Lefty Frizzell Story read by its author, David Frizzell.  David, of course, is Lefty’s younger brother and an accomplished recording artist in his own right with hits like “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home” and “Lost My Baby Blues” under his belt.  This ultimate tribute to the honky-tonk hero is all topped off with a 264-page hardcover book.

Deluxe Edition:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Standard Edition:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Cherry Red reissues Yes bassist/singer/songwriter Chris Squire’s 1975 solo debut in both a deluxe 2 CD/2 DVD/1 LP/2-7″ singles box set and a standard 2-CD edition.  The box includes new 5.1 and stereo remixes by Jakko Jakszyk, as well as a remaster of the original LP mix by Paschal Byrne.  The region-free DVD also has promo films, while the vinyl component boasts the original album and two singles as cut at Abbey Road Studios.  The 2-CD iteration has both the original and new stereo mixes, plus four bonus single sides.

August 25, 2018 marked what would have been the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein, and while the maestro passed away in 1990 at the age of 72, he left behind a lifetime of remarkable music in multiple genres.  A number of classical releases have been issued for the Bernstein centennial, but a new entry concentrates on the popular side of the composer.  The 2-CD anthology Jazz Loves Bernstein, on the Decca Broadway label in association with Verve and UMe, collects 27 examples from the Universal vaults of just how well Bernstein’s urgent, pulse-pounding, and intricate music translated to a jazz idiom, both for instrumentalists and vocalists.  This set features a “Who’s Who” of talents including Billie Holiday, Bill Evans, Sarah Vaughan, Oscar Peterson, Maynard Ferguson, Bill Charlap, Mel Tormé, and Diana Krall!

This budget-priced set (16 discs for, at the time of this writing, 36 bucks on Amazon) is part of Sony’s ongoing Leonard Bernstein centennial series.  The box brings together 15 original albums from the 1950s and 1960s on Columbia Records including the original cast albums of West Side Story and Candide plus Bernstein’s recordings of Beethoven, Gershwin, Mahler, and many more.

Ghostlight Records has celebrated the 10th anniversary of composer-lyricist-star Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning, breakthrough musical In the Heights with a deluxe 3-LP vinyl set of its Original Broadway Cast Recording.  The three remastered LPs are housed in a beautiful flip-top box with the show’s original artwork, and the box also includes a 16-page booklet with lyrics, photos, a synopsis, and more.  Additionally, an MP3 download card is included.  This release is currently a U.S. Barnes and Noble exclusive.

Ghostlight has brought Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz’s smash hit musical Be More Chill to vinyl.  The show, which premiered at New Jersey’s Two River Theater and has subsequently enjoyed a sold-out run off-Broadway in anticipation of its move to Broadway in 2019, has captured the hearts and minds of young theatergoers who have turned it into a viral sensation.  The double-gatefold package features red and green colored vinyl, new artwork, and a 16-page booklet with lyrics, photos, and a note from Iconis.

Verve/UME celebrate the career of a jazz impresario for the ages.  As founder of the Clef, Norgran and Verve labels, Granz helped bring jazz to the masses and launched the careers of many of the genre’s brightest stars.

The 4-CD set includes 44 tracks, some appearing on CD for the first time ever.  The booklet includes new liner notes by Tad Hershorn, author of Norman Granz: The Man Who Used Jazz For Justice.  On the discs, you’ll find incendiary performances by the likes of Coleman Hawkins with Charlie Parker and Lester Young, Nat “King” Cole, with Les Paul and Illinois Jacquet, Dexter Gordon, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, and Dizzy Gillespie.  Altogether, The Founder shows the lasting impact of Granz’s career and the role he played in the work of a veritable who’s-who of modern jazz.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Nonesuch website (bundle with print and MP3 download)
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Nonesuch website (bundle with print and MP3 download)

Todomundo Records and Nonesuch have announced an expanded soundtrack album, True Stories, A Film By David Byrne: The Complete Soundtrack, due on CD, 2-LP, and digital November 23.  It marks the first-ever release of the comprehensive soundtrack presented in film sequence.  The 23-track set features many songs that are unavailable on CD or digital, including John Goodman and Annie McEnroe’s songs, and 14 tracks from Byrne’s Sounds from True Stories album which was only ever available on LP and cassette.

1-CD Standard Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4-CD Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4CD/1DVD/7LP Super Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The new Chris Cornell box set celebrates the career of one of the greats of modern rock with a 1-CD distillation, 2-LP, 4-CD, and super deluxe 4-CD/1-DVD/7-LP editions that include classics by Soundgarden, Audioslave, and a number of solo tracks.

The 1-CD and 2-LP configurations collect 17 songs from Cornell’s career, including two unreleased tracks.  It’s presented in a jewel case and features a die-cut slipcases showcasing Seattle forests on the front and a montage of cityscapes from places where Cornell lived on the back. This slipcase is exclusive to the first manufacturing run of the set. The CD will also include a 32-page booklet with unreleased photos and liner notes from Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, Tom Morello, Mike McCready, and Brendan O’Brien.

The 4-CD deluxe box set version includes 64 tracks, 11 of which are previously unreleased. Among them are a number of live cover songs, including a version of “Wild World” performed with Yusuf/Cat Stevens.  Also featured are live cuts from Temple of the Dog.  The set comes with a 54-page booklet with unreleased photos and liner notes. The four discs are presented in individual CD-sized jackets and the box features the familiar die-cut O-card slipcase with trees and cityscapes.

The super deluxe configuration with the four CDs, a bonus DVD of 24 videos (2 of which are unreleased), plus 7 LPs that feature the entire CD program. The limited-edition super deluxe box set includes a 66-page, linen-wrapped hardcover photo book with a red foil signature, 3 artist lithographs, 3 sun-activated photochromatic lithographs, a turntable mat and microfiber cleaning cloth, and a 36″x48″ wall poster.

The new CD collection, Should’ve Been A Cowboy: 25th Anniversary Edition will feature all the songs from the original album, plus three rare bonus tracks from Toby Keith’s personal archive, refreshed cover art, and new liner notes with memories from the artist. All the music has been remastered from the original analog tapes.

The new LP edition Should’ve Been A Cowboy: 25th Anniversary Edition marks the album’s debut on the format. It features all the songs from the original album, plus three rare bonus tracks from Toby Keith’s personal archive, refreshed cover art, and new liner notes with memories from the artist. All the music has been remastered from the original analog tapes.

As a former music journalist with credits in Rolling Stone and Creem magazines, Cameron Crowe has always meticulously crafted the soundtracks for his films.  Vanilla Sky‘s is no exception.  The eclectic soundtrack includes music by Radiohead, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, The Chemical Brothers, and more.  Real Gone Music will release a limited-edition, 2-LP set of Music From Vanilla Sky that marks the soundtrack’s return to vinyl.  Limited to 1,000 units, the soundtrack is pressed onto “blue cloud”-colored vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve adorned with production stills from the film.

Real Gone Music is set to release Orange County:  The Soundtrack, a 2-LP set featuring the music from the Jake Kasdin-directed film.  Released in 2002, Orange County followed the story of an O.C. surfer kid as he tries to get into Stanford University.  The soundtrack was full of compelling tunes by the likes of Cake, Social Distortion, Pete Yorn, and Brian Wilson.  It also boasted two new tracks:  Foo Fighters’ “The One” and The Offspring’s “Defy You.”

Real Gone’s release marks the soundtrack’s first-ever vinyl release.  Limited to 700 copies, the two-disc set will be pressed on orange vinyl and presented in a gatefold sleeve embellished with production stills.

CD:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP Picture Disc:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Various Bundles:  New Kids On The Block’s online store

The 30th Anniversary Edition of the breakthrough album by pop sensation New Kids On The Block includes all ten original songs from the 1988 album, as well as three brand-new tracks.  Among those three songs is  their newest single, “80s Baby” which features Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty By Nature, Tiffany, and Debbie Gibson, who will be heading out on tour with New Kids On The Block next spring.  Also included on the new reissue are five rare remix tracks, including two that are previously unreleased in the U.S.!

The collection will be available digitally, on CD, and as a collectible 2-LP picture disc set.  A cassette version and several different merchandise bundles are available exclusively through NKOTB’s website.

The unreleased demo recordings on Omnivore’s new Unicorn compilation Laughing Up Your Sleeve were produced by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and highlight the band’s talent for laid-back folk-rock.  All the tracks were recorded in David Gilmour’s home studio in 1973-74, with Gilmour playing his trademark pedal steel guitar on “Sleep Song.”  The demos have been restored, mixed, and mastered by Scott Anthony at Storybook Sound in New Jersey with input from Pat Martin from Unicorn for optimum sound quality.  Meanwhile, the set also includes rare photographs and extensive liner notes featuring new interviews with David Gilmour and members of Unicorn that detail the band’s history and how the demos were finally unearthed.

The collection was released on digital services and LP on October 5.  The LP includes an abridged selection of 11 tracks as well as a download code for the entire 20-track program.

The 20 unreleased demo recordings on Omnivore’s new Unicorn compilation Laughing Up Your Sleeve were produced by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and highlight the band’s talent for laid-back folk-rock. All the tracks were recorded in David Gilmour’s home studio in 1973-74, with Gilmour playing his trademark pedal steel guitar on “Sleep Song.” The demos have been restored, mixed, and mastered by Scott Anthony at Storybook Sound in New Jersey with input from Pat Martin from Unicorn for optimum sound quality. Meanwhile, the set also includes rare photographs and extensive liner notes featuring new interviews with David Gilmour and members of Unicorn that detail the band’s history and how the demos were finally unearthed.

This CD version includes 20 tracks, expanding on the abridged LP version that was released in early October.

1-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP purple vinyl: Prince Official Store

On February 8, 2019, three of Prince’s essential 2000s albums will arrive on CD and, for the first time ever, LP.  Musicology, which will be available in 1-CD and 2-LP configurations, marked Prince’s return to a major label and to the upper heights of the charts.  It reached the Top Five on the Billboard Album Charts in 2004.  It also resulted in two Grammy Awards:  Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (“Musicology”) and Best R&B Vocal Performance – Male (“Call My Name”) – and has been certified RIAA double platinum.  Ever the innovator, Prince pioneered a marketing trend by bundling the album in with every ticket sold during his successful Musicology–Live 2004ever Tour.

The album is available from Legacy Recordings in a 1-CD configuration, a standard black vinyl 2-LP set, and a limited edition, collectible purple vinyl 2-LP set that is exclusive to the Prince Online Store.

1-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP purple vinyl: Prince Official Store

On February 8, 2019, three of Prince’s essential 2000s albums will arrive on CD and, for the first time ever, LP.  In 2006, Prince released 3121, which will arrive in 1-CD and 2-LP versions.  Upon release, it received critical acclaim and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album Charts.  3121 marked his first #1 album since Batman 17 years earlier, and was also his first album to debut at peak position.

The album is available from Legacy Recordings in a 1-CD configuration, a standard black vinyl 2-LP set, and a limited edition, collectible purple vinyl 2-LP set that is exclusive to the Prince Online Store.

1-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1-LP black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1-LP purple vinyl: Prince Official Store

On February 8, 2019, three of Prince’s essential 2000s albums will arrive on CD and, for the first time ever, LP. Like Prince’s prior releases, Musicology and 3121, Planet Earth came during a time of sustained creative genius, the results of which were as critically acclaimed and popular as they were artistically inspired.  Planet Earth fared well on the charts upon its release in 2007, reaching #3.

The album is available from Legacy Recordings in a 1-CD configuration, a standard black vinyl 1-LP version, and a limited edition, collectible purple vinyl 1-LP version that is exclusive to the Prince Online Store.

Serious Hits… Live! is considered one of the most successful live albums ever made.  Since its release in 1990, it has been certified 4x Platinum with over 4 million copies sold.  Culled from stadium and arena shows from his Seriously, Live! World Tour, the album finds Collins performing many of his biggest hits, from “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” to “Another Day In Paradise” and “Easy Lover” featuring Philip Bailey.

Phil Collins’ live album A Hot Night In Paris features instrumental performances of songs from across Collins’ solo discography, as well as select tracks from his time in Genesis.  Credited to The Phil Collins Big Band and featuring Collins on drums, the album also includes covers of Miles Davis’s “Milestones” and The Average White Band’s “Pick Up the Pieces.”  The latter features George Duke on keyboards.  The remastered album will be available on CD February 1 from Atlantic/Rhino.

With an endearing and clever plot featuring ten interlocking stories and star-studded cast of Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, and many more, Love Actually has become one of the most acclaimed romantic comedies of the last twenty years.  But also key to its success and longevity is its remarkable soundtrack.  As director Richard Curtis put it:  “Without its music, Love Actually wouldn’t work at all. I know–because I saw the film without the music, and it’s a shocker.”  The film’s score features the likes of The Beach Boys, Eva Cassidy, Joni Mitchell, The Pointer Sisters, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Norah Jones, and Dido, among others.  For their new vinyl version, Real Gone has followed the track listing of the U.S. CD release, including three original, Christmas-themed bonus tracks by Billy Mack, Olivia Olson, and Otis Redding.  All the music is pressed two white-and-red “candy cane”-style LPs and housed in a gatefold sleeve featuring production stills from the film.

Mahoney’s Last Stand was Ron Wood and Ronnie Lane’s soundtrack to the film of the same name.  Though the film and its soundtrack were produced in 1972–Wood and Lane cut the tracks in between sessions for Ooh La La–neither production saw the light of day until 1976.  The film was a flop but the star power of the soundtrack have afforded it a cult following in the decades since.  The sessions were produced by Glyn Johns and feature Pete Townshend on guitar and electronics, plus session bassist/ex-Blind Faith member Ric Grech, fellow Faces Ian MacLagan and Kenney Jones, as well as Rolling Stones friends Ian Stewart, Bobby Keys, and Jim Price.  The result was a collection of songs that are at times rocking and funky and at others distinctly rural.  While this missing piece in Wood and Lane’s careers has appeared a few times on CD over the years, Real Gone’s version marks its first-ever U.S. vinyl reissue.  The title will be limited to 700 copies and will be pressed on green vinyl.

In 1967, counterculture icon Timothy Leary, his partner Rosemary, and his fellow adventurer Ralph Metzner created a film called Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out.  The film presumably documents an LSD trip undertaken by Metzner, although the film rarely, if ever, showed in theaters so the jury’s out on the content.  Nevertheless, Mercury Records released a soundtrack, also entitled Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out. Not to be confused with the spoken word album of the same name that arrived on the ESP-Disk label in 1966, the Mercury title features groovy, “East-meets-West” accompaniment with a blend of guitar, the Indian tabla and veena, as well as sound effects and musique concrete elements.  Over the course of the 10 tracks, Leary guides Metzner through the steps of a trip, reflecting on the body, memory, and his cellular evolutionary origins.  Rosemary Leary, meanwhile, acts as a “divine connection,” echoing Leary’s sentiments.  Real Gone’s version of the far-out album will be pressed on “kaleidoscope” red, blue, and green vinyl and is limited to 1,600 copies.

Johnny Mathis’ legendary lost 1981 collaboration with CHIC receives its first-ever standalone release from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music!  For the occasion, the album has been outfitted with brand-new artwork and a deluxe 24-page booklet featuring an introduction from Nile Rodgers and interviews with Johnny and CHIC’s Alfa Anderson and Fonzi Thornton.  It’s the ultimate tribute to a soulful, rhythmic, and club-ready album unlike any other in Mathis’ remarkable discography.

This 3-CD set is a musical exploration of the development of British New Wave. While in the U.S. “new wave” was a lose term applied to pretty much any pop that came out in the late ’70s and early ’80s, U.K. purveyors used the term to refer to their deliberate reaction to, if not rejection of, the punk musical aesthetic.  It eventually mutated into the Mod Revival–members of which drew greatly from the melody-driven pop of the ’60s–and later to another unique British psychedelic strand in the ’80s.  Harmony In My Head examines all these musical threads and, with the help of a set of liner notes and discographical notes that’s 12,000 words strong, contextualizes the era with impressive depth and detail.

On the music front, most of the Power Pop and New Wave heavy hitters are accounted for on this 76-track collection.  Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Nick Lowe, and Buzzcocks feature, as do less-successful but significant bands such as The Freshies, The Flys, and The Records.  Cherry Red also dug into the proverbial record crates to include rare 45s from micro-labels, many of whose songs have never appeared on CD before.  Even on these recordings, the sound quality doesn’t distract or seem out of place next to the more slick and professional productions.  So music of all provenance sounds equally compelling, thanks to the work of Simon Murphy at Another Planet Music, who remastered the set with Mark Stratford.

 

Originally released in 1958, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry Sing was their first Folkways album.  It showcases the pair’s talent for combining a rich blues repertoire with classic American ballads and folk songs, the lyrics for which are included in the package.

The packaging for this new vinyl reissue has been lovingly redesigned using the original prints, materials, and photographs. The music has been remastered from the original analog master tapes by Grammy-winning sound engineer, Pete Reiniger.  So enjoy this classic music in its original format, down to the iconic black, textured, tip-on jacket and always-detailed liner notes book.

To commemorate their upcoming farewell tour, KISS has released a new, career-spanning compilation.  The twenty-track collection features iconic hits and fan favorites from across their career, including “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Beth,” and “Detroit Rock City.”

To commemorate their upcoming farewell tour, KISS has released a new, career-spanning compilation.  The twenty-track collection features iconic hits and fan favorites from across their career, including “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Beth,” and “Detroit Rock City.”

The 2-LP standard LP and the UMe-exclusive color vinyl edition are both available on March 29.

The 2-CD collection brings together 29 tracks drawn from 4 albums that she recorded between 1987 and 1995.  Among them are the classic tracks like “So Many Tears,” “Show Me The Way,” and “If I Could,” as well as the #1 R&B hits “Baby Come To Me and “Make It Like It Was.  Rounding out the set are duets with James “J.T.” Taylor (“All I Want Is Forever”), Johnny Mathis (“Better Together”), and Peabo Bryson (“I Can’t Imagine”), plus the 1987 “Cool Mix” version of “So Many Tears.”  Together, these tracks showcase Belle’s vocal talents and her versatility as an interpreter of popular song.  The collection includes new liner notes by Kevin Goins with quotations from producers and collaborators such as Nick Martinelli, Narada Michael Walden and Barry Eastmond.

Arriving February 15 in the U.K. and February 22 in the U.S.

On And On is a hit-packed 2-CD set featuring Gladys Knight and The Pips’ post-Motown work on Buddah (on Disc One) and Columbia (on Disc Two).  With a whopping 37 tracks, the set is a definitive look at over a decade of great music.  The first disc features the timeless classic “Midnight Train To Georgia,” and 19 other Buddha-era tracks, including over a dozen charted singles and an alternate version of “Make Yours A Happy Home” from the soundtrack for Claudine.

Disc Two showcases the group’s five-year tenure at Columbia, which found them reuniting with Ashford and Simpson on hits like “Landlord” and “Taste of Bitter Love.”  The set also includes their version of the pop classic “Wind Beneath My Wings,” as well as “You’re Number One (In My Book)” and “Save The Overtime (For Me).”

Together the two discs make up a comprehensive collection of Gladys Knight and The Pips classics, bringing together the two eras for the first time ever.  With all their US hits from that 12-year period, plus new liner notes by Kevin Goins and new remastering by Nick Robbins, this set is sure to please any fan of Gladys Knight and The Pips.

Arriving February 15 in the U.K. and February 22 in the U.S.

Originally formed by ex-Yardbirds Jim McCarty and Keith Relf, Renaissance underwent many line-up changes before they became the jazz-inspired progressive folk act that brought us the classic Ashes Are Burning.  Featuring vocalist Annie Haslam, John Tout (keyboards, vocals), Jon Camp (bass, vocals), Terry Sullivan (drums, percussion) and Michael Dunfor on guitar, Ashes Are Burning was Renaissance’s breakthrough album.  With classics like “Can You Understand,” “At The Harbour,” and the epic, Doctor Zhivago-quoting title track, the 1973 album established Renaissance as one of the finest of a growing group of progressive rockers.

Now, Esoteric has remastered the album, using the original Sovereign Records master tapes, and expanded it with a previously unreleased, newly unearthed 1974 BBC session for In Concert.  The new edition also boasts restored artwork and new liner notes featuring essays and interviews with Terry Sullivan and Annie Haslam.

Available on February 22 in the U.K. and March 1 in the U.S.

Featuring both classics and unearthed rarities, the set explores the wild year in which psychedelia, jazz, blues, folk, world music, and hard rock all collided to form groundbreaking and genre-pushing new music.  The new compilation includes a number of legendary UK groups, including Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Genesis, and Pentangle.  Also present are Procol Harum, Caravan, Jeff Beck, Spooky Tooth, Traffic, The Move, Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger and The Trinity, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Van Der Graaf Generator, Pretty Things, Status Quo, The Incredible String Band, John Martyn and many more.  Revolution also features lesser-known acts, such as Eyes of Blue, The Action, Gun, Second Hand, and Blonde on Blonde.  Eagle-eyed readers will also notice the inclusion of Dave Mason’s “Just For You,” an Island single by the ex-Traffic member that makes a rare CD appearance here.  All the selections have been remastered and are supplemented with an illustrated booklet featuring a new essay by Mark Powell.

Available February 22 in the U.K., March 1 in the U.S.  Amazon U.S. link is due to go live soon!

The 4-CD set presents newly remastered versions of the electronic groups’ Jive Electro albums.  There’s Le Parc, featuring a reworking of their theme to the US TV show Streethawk, as well as “Yellowstone Park” featuring guest vocalist Clare Torry.  Green Desert, which began in 1973, was finally released over a decade later and also features here.  The ambient classic Underwater Sunlight and the Blake-inspired Tyger are also included.  All the albums have been remastered and are housed in a clamshell box with an exclusive poster.

Available February 22 in the U.K, March 1 in the U.S.  Amazon U.S. link is due to go live soon!

The celebration of Elvis Presley’s legendary 1968 NBC television special continues.  The Best of the ’68 Comeback Special features highlights from Legacy’s recent ’68 Comeback Special box set with performances culled from both of the “stand-up” and “sit-down” shows recorded in June, 1968 for the special.  This new, single-disc release also includes the single versions of “Memories,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Burning Love.”  While only “Memories” was included in the original program, all three songs will be performed on NBC’s upcoming special, Elvis: All-Star Tribute.  It’s rounded out by a posthumous duet version of “If I Can Dream” on which The King is joined by stars of the NBC broadcast including Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Shawn Mendes, Post Malone, and Darius Rucker.  A Walmart exclusive edition has the CD plus a DVD of the original Comeback Special.

2-CD Deluxe Media Book Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6-Disc Deluxe Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Black LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Red LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6-Disc Super Deluxe Box Set (unsigned):  Keith Richards Store
6-Disc Super Deluxe Box Set (signed):  Keith Richards Store

For its 30th Anniversary edition, Keith Richards’ debut, Talk Is Cheap, will be presented as a 2-CD deluxe mediabook edition, a 6-disc deluxe edition, and a 6-disc super deluxe edition that includes enhanced packaging.  Also available are a 180-gram black vinyl edition and a limited-edition, 180-gram red vinyl pressing of the core album.

The centerpiece of each edition is a newly remastered version of Talk Is Cheap, which was undertaken by original producer Steve Jordan from the original tapes.  The mediabook version includes a second disc with six unreleased bonus tracks that include the likes of Mick Taylor, Chuck Leavell, Bootsy Collins, Johnnie Johnson, Joey Spampinato, and Bernie Worrell.

The 6-disc deluxe box set includes both CDs, plus the remastered album and the six never-before-heard tracks on on two 180-gram LPs, a 7″ single of “Take It So Hard” b/w “I Could Have Stood You Up,” and another 7″ single with “Make No Mistake” b/w “It Means A Lot.”  What’s more, there’s an extensive, 80-page hardback book featuring rare and unseen photos, and a new essay by Anthony DeCurtis that incorporates new interviews with Keith Richards.  There’s also a wealth of memorabilia included, too: a replica tour laminate, two lyric sheets, a reproduction of an invitation to the album playback party, a Talk Is Cheap Tour guitar pick, and two posters–all housed in special folio packaging.

If that’s not enough, BMG is also offering a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) super deluxe edition exclusive to the Keith Richards Online Store.  It’s housed in a wooden case that was hand-built and aged at Fender’s Custom Shop using the same materials as Keith’s iconic Fender Telecaster.  Inside the box is the folio pack with all the contents of the deluxe box set.  The super deluxe set also includes an exclusive steel guitar pick.

When Curtis Mayfield split with The Impressions in 1969, he forged a new chapter in his career and in soul music.  His unique blend of gospel-influenced R&B and socially charged lyrics paved the way for much of the soul music that was to come in the decades ahead.  Rhino Records will celebrate the acclaimed musician on February 22, as Mayfield’s acclaimed first four albums will be reissued on CD and LP as Keep On Keeping On: Curtis Mayfield Studio Albums, 1970-1974.  Featuring the classic debut Curtis (1970), as well as Roots (1971), Back To the World (1973), and Sweet Exorcist (1974), Keep On Keeping On displays the range and versatility of Curtis Mayfield as a musician, songwriter, and singer.  Each groundbreaking album has been newly remastered for the special box set, available in 4-CD or 4-LP formats.

The new collection is available to pre-order now from Amazon, and Rhino Records is offering an exclusive, limited-time bundle of the box set and a 12×12 Curtis Mayfield print while supplies last.  Scroll down to find the complete track listing for Keep On Keeping On: Curtis Mayfield Studio Albums, 1970-1974 and the Amazon and Rhino pre-order links.

Curtis Mayfield, Keep On Keeping On: Curtis Mayfield Studio Albums, 1970-1974 (Rhino, 2019)

4-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
4-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
Box and Print Bundle: Rhino Records

To celebrate Nat King Cole’s centennial and his legacy of enduring music, Capitol/UMe has partnered with the Nat King Cole Estate for a number of exciting projects.  Among them are two new collections that showcase Cole’s remarkable talents — both due out on March 15.  Ultimate Nat King Cole will arrive on CD and digital, with a 2-LP configuration to follow on June 14.  It features 21 tracks, including all those aforementioned classics, and a new duet version of “The Girl From Ipanema” with Grammy Award winner Gregory Porter, who made waves with his Nat King Cole and Me tribute album last year.  Accompanying the music are new liner notes including an essay penned by James Ritz.

On the same day, Capitol/UMe will release International Nat King Cole, a 14-track set of non-English versions of classic songs, all recorded in August 1964.  Among them are “L-O-V-E” in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Italian; “Muetterlein” (“Answer Me, My Love”) in German; and “Autumn Leaves” in French and Japanese.  The limited-edition collection will be available exclusively from the uDiscoverMusic Online Store and will also feature liner notes from James Ritz.

Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples returns with an incendiary live album recorded at Union Chapel in July 2018, the week of her 79th birthday.  She gives fans the presents, though, with 13 of her best songs culled from her solo work and The Staples Singers’ catalog.  Live In London will be available on CD and double vinyl on February 8 from Anti/Epitaph.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

 

6-CD/1-DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Whitesnake’s 1984 album Slide It In celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.  The album was the last to feature Jon Lord on keyboards and boasted such hits as “Slow an’ Easy” and “Love Ain’t No Stranger,” both of which cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard charts.  On March 8, the album will be celebrated in a variety of configurations from Parlophone/Rhino.

The star of the campaign is a 6-CD/1-DVD “Ultimate Special Edition,” which features remastered editions of both the U.S. and U.K. mixes of the album, a new 2019 remix, a wealth of live material (including Jon Lord’s final concert with the band), a disc of rough mixes and demos, and a DVD with a new interview with David Coverdale, music videos, and concert footage.  A slimmed-down 2-CD deluxe edition boasts the U.S. and U.K. mix, plus the bonus tracks from the second disc of the Ultimate Special Edition.  A 1-CD version will feature the new 2019 remix.

Whitesnake’s 1984 album Slide It In celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.  The album was the last to feature Jon Lord on keyboards and boasted such hits as “Slow an’ Easy” and “Love Ain’t No Stranger,” both of which cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard charts.  On March 22, the album will be celebrated with a new 2-LP collection that features the 2019 remasters of the original U.S. and U.K. mixes.

The first-ever live album from Linda Ronstadt, Live in Hollywood, features twelve tracks (three previously released) from the singer’s April 24, 1980 performance for HBO.  While the entire concert isn’t featured here, the material is a choice cross-section of her biggest hits including “It’s So Easy,” “Just One Look,” “You’re No Good,” “Desperado,” and “Blue Bayou,” as well as selections from her new wave-inspired Mad Love, which had just been released in February 1980.  Her interpretations of “I Can’t Let Go,” “How Do I Make You,” and “Hurt So Bad” all reached the top ten.  Songwriter pals like Warren Zevon (“Poor, Poor Pitiful Me”), Don Henley and Glenn Frey (“Desperado”), Lowell George (“Willin'”), and J.D. Souther (“Faithless Love”) were all represented.  Available on CD, LP, and digital.

Joni Mitchell celebrated her 75th birthday in style last November, as Jörn Weisbrodt and The Music Center in Los Angeles hosted a pair of star-studded Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration concerts in her honor.  The line-up (which Joni helped select) featured many of her closest friends and dearest collaborators, including Graham Nash, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kris Kristofferson, and James Taylor.  Also on the bill were Diana Krall, Brandi Carlile, Rufus Wainwright, Emmylou Harris, Glen Hansard, Norah Jones, and Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Cesar Castro & Xochi Flores.  Featuring a set of Joni classics and deep cuts from across her career, each night was a thrilling tribute full of excellent music.  November 7 was even more magnificent, as Mitchell herself attended and even appeared onstage to blow out birthday candles and sing along as the all-star band and more than 3,000 fans sang “Happy Birthday” and “Big Yellow Taxi” in tribute to her.  A film of the event will screen across North American on February 7.

A CD of highlights from the concert — also entitled Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration — will be available on March 1 from Decca.  The album’s 16 tracks include such highlights as Brandi Carlile and Kris Kristofferson’s heartfelt take on “A Case of You,” Seal’s breathtaking “Both Sides Now,” Diana Krall’s haunting take on “Amelia,” and  and Los Lobos and Friends’ rollicking “Dreamland,” which features Chaka Khan reprising her guest vocal spot, as she did on the original recording back in 1977.

Anchoring each live performance — on CD and on screen — is a top-notch house band full of Joni’s collaborators.  Led by drummer Brian Blade and pianist Jon Cowherd, the band also includes guitarists Greg Leisz and Marvin Sewell, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, as well as Jeff Haynes on percussion, Chris Thomas on bass, Bob Sheppard on woodwinds, and special guest Scarlet Rivera on violin.

The soundtrack CD is set to arrive from Decca on March 8.

Due out on April 5, Spying Through a Keyhole: Demos and Unreleased Songs is a 4×7″ vinyl box set of some of Bowie’s earliest material.  It will feature nine rare, monaural recordings, including mostly solo vocal-and-guitar versions of familiar songs (“Space Oddity” in its earliest known version, “London Bye Ta Ta,” “In The Heat Of The Morning”) as well as the heretofore-unknown “Love All Around,” a lyric of which gives the set its title.

According to the new press release, the photo that adorns the box front and the included print inside the set was taken by Ray Stevenson in Tony Visconti’s flat in the summer of 1968.  Meanwhile, each of the singles’ labels are presented to reflect the way David sent out many of his demos to publishers and record companies, featuring his own handwritten song titles on EMIDISC acetate labels.

While very much a historical set – the press release admits these tracks were briefly released to streaming services last year, no doubt to retain copyright on them, and is also up-front that “the recording quality isn’t always of a usual studio fidelity” – it’s an exciting new move for posthumous Bowie projects, which have previously been limited to a series of album box sets, live shows and vinyl ephemera, much of it previously released.

Following the landmark release of What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye returned with the song “You’re The Man,” written about presidential candidate George McGovern.  When that track failed to reach mainstream audiences, Gaye went back to the studio and recorded an album’s worth of material, producing himself and writing with the likes of Willie Hutch; Hal Davis; Pam Sawyer and Gloria Jones; and Freddie Perren and Fonce Mizell.  Apart from the “You’re The Man” single, none of that material was released at the time.  Now, You’re the One rounds up all of the soul legend’s solo and non-soundtrack work from ’72, 15 tracks of which are making their vinyl debut.  In addition to the material recorded for the proposed album, You’re The Man will also include a rare, long version of the cancelled 1972 single “I Want To Come Home For Christmas,” and an unreleased mix of its instrumental B-side, “Christmas in the City.”  Also among the tracks are three new mixes by acclaimed writer and producer Salaam Remi (or SaLaAM ReMi).  He’s remixed “Symphony,” “I’d Give My Life For You,” and “My Last Chance.”  In addition to the music, the 2-LP edition of You’re The Man will include new liner notes by Marvin Gaye biographer David Ritz.  Available on vinyl and digital, with a CD to follow on April 26.

Stage Door Records is pairing two rare London studio cast recordings on one CD with On the Town/Broadway Melody.  This stereo release celebrates the classic sound of the Hollywood musical.  The Music for Pleasure label’s 1959 recording of On the Town wasn’t based on the original Leonard Bernstein/Betty Comden/Adolph Green stage musical but rather its MGM movie adaptation in which selections from the original score were supplemented by new (and less complex) tunes from Roger Edens with Comden and Green.  Dennis Lotis, Lionel Blair, and Shane Rimmer took on the roles played in the film by Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Jules Munshin, while the shoes of Betty Garrett and Ann Miller were filled by Stella Tanner and Noele Gordon.  The next year, EMI’s Columbia label released the second volume in its Famous Film Series: Broadway Melody.  This LP featured songs from The Broadway Melody, Broadway Melody of 1936, and Broadway Rhythm by vocalists including Millicent Martin, Bruce Forsyth, David Hughes, and Gerry Dorsey – the latter of whom would go onto pop stardom as Engelbert Humperdinck. 

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

Legacy is revisiting Van Morrison’s 1997 return to his R&B roots with The Healing Game: Deluxe Edition in 3-CD and digital formats; these releases will be joined by a single-LP vinyl edition of the original album only.  This comprehensive set rounds up all of the associated bonus tracks with the album plus a disc of Sessions and Collaborations (with 15 tracks, 10 of which are previously unreleased), and the first official release of Morrison’s 1997 concert at Montreux.  

Songs Of Faith: Aretha Gospel offers nine gospel standards recorded by a 14-year-old Aretha in 1956 at the New Bethel Church in her native Detroit, where her father, the legendary Rev. C.L. Franklin, would give his inimitable sermons. Predating her tenure on Columbia Records by six years and her breakthrough on Atlantic Records by more than a decade, these primitive piano-and-vocal recordings offer a fascinating early listen to one of the most original and captivating voices in recorded history.  This vinyl release features new liner notes by David Ritz and a discographical history of these tracks.  The uDiscover store will offer an exclusive white vinyl pressing.

Blu-Ray:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
DVD:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Featuring the classic Foreigner line-up this 1978 concert recorded live at the Rainbow Theatre in London captures the band on film on April 27 1978, after their self-titled debut album had spent a year in the US Top 20.

From the opening notes of “Long, Long Way From Home” to the hit singles, “Feels Like The First Time” and “Cold As Ice,” Foreigner served up plenty of classic tracks.  Also part of the set were two tracks from the then-upcoming album, Double Vision.   Forty years later, the show has been restored from the original film reels, remixed and remastered for this release.

 

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
3 CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
6 LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD

Rhino looks back on the solo career of 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Nicks with a new anthology collecting hits and rarities. Stand Back 1981-2017 will be released in a variety of formats beginning on March 29 with a 1-CD release (also available on digital download and streaming).  Then, on April 19, a 3-CD iteration will arrive in stores, followed by a 6-LP vinyl version on June 28.  The 1-CD iteration has nine single versions unique to it, while the 3-CD and 6-LP editions (with full-length versions of the songs) have identical track listings.

Ultimate Rave (2-CD/1-DVD): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic (Purple Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic (Purple Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

This new 2-CD/1-DVD collection brings together two of Prince’s albums from the turn of the new millennium:  Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic from 1999 and Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic, a hard-to-find 2001 remix album that was only available to members of Prince’s NPG Music Club service.  The new collection will also include a DVD of the Rave Un2 The Year 2000 concert film, originally a pay-per-view special which saw Prince and an array of guests – including Morris Day and The Time, members of Sly and the Family Stone, Maceo Parker, and Lenny Kravitz – ringing in the new year with hits and fan favorites alike.  In addition to the three-disc set, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic and Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic will also be available individually on purple vinyl. 

Clareville Grove Demos features six 1969 home recordings (four previously unreleased) from the late David Bowie, all performed with singer/guitarist John “Hutch” Hutchinson, his former cohort in the trio Feathers (alongside then-girlfriend Hermione Farthingale). Several of these tracks were heard in final form on Bowie’s self-titled 1969 album, including “Space Oddity,” “An Occasional Dream” and “Cygnet Committee” (known here as “Lover To The Dawn”). A different demo of “Ching-a-Ling” appeared on the 2010 deluxe edition of Bowie’s 1967 self-titled album for Deram Records, while “Let Me Sleep Beside You” is well-known, particularly when it was dusted off at the turn of the 21st century for inclusion on the unissued Toy album (that version appears on the compilation Nothing Has Changed).  These demos are pressed on three mono 45s designed after the original acetates.

Recorded live in Detroit in 2006, Live at Baker’s features The Funk Brothers’ legendary guitarist Dennis Coffey and his band (two-time Detroit Music Award winner Demetrius Nabors on keys, Grammy-nominated Gaelynn McKinney on drums and bassist Damon Warmack) performing nine songs, including the standard “Moonlight in Vermont” and well-chosen covers of Miles Davis (“All Blues”), Freddie Hubbard (the bossa-flecked “Little Sunflower”), and The Temptations (the beautiful “Just My Imagination,” the original recording of which featured Coffey).  The set also includes an incendiary version of Coffey’s Top 10 hit from 1971, “Scorpio,” a song which has been sampled countless times over the years.  Bill Kopp provides the new liner notes based on an interview with Coffey.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Blue Note Records, the legendary label that continues to deliver some of the most striking jazz music ever recorded.  To mark the occasion, Joe Harley and Blue Note president Don Was have launched a new initiative called the Tone Poet Audiophile Reissue Series and they’ve included Chick Corea’s Now He Sings, Now He Sobs as one of the new titles.

The new reissue is all-analog, mastered from the original master tapes, pressed onto 180-gram audiophile vinyl, and housed in deluxe gatefold packaging.  Mastering is being handled by Kevin Gray at CoHEARent Audio and the vinyl is being manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated.

As for the visuals, Harley promises that the gatefold jacket’s cover graphics and printing quality will be unmatched, saying, “extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way.”

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Blue Note Records, the legendary label that continues to deliver some of the most striking jazz music ever recorded.  To mark the occasion, Joe Harley and Blue Note president Don Was have launched a new initiative called the Tone Poet Audiophile Reissue Series and they’ve included Sam Rivers’ Contours as one of the new titles.

The new reissue is all-analog, mastered from the original master tapes, pressed onto 180-gram audiophile vinyl, and housed in deluxe gatefold packaging.  Mastering is being handled by Kevin Gray at CoHEARent Audio and the vinyl is being manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated.

As for the visuals, Harley promises that the gatefold jacket’s cover graphics and printing quality will be unmatched, saying, “extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way.”

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Blue Note Records, the legendary label that continues to deliver some of the most striking jazz music ever recorded.  To mark the occasion, Joe Harley and Blue Note president Don Was have launched a new initiative called the Tone Poet Audiophile Reissue Series and they’ve included Cassandra Wilson’s Glamoured as one of the new titles.

The new reissue is all-analog, mastered from the original master tapes, pressed onto 180-gram audiophile vinyl, and housed in deluxe gatefold packaging.  Mastering is being handled by Kevin Gray at CoHEARent Audio and the vinyl is being manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated.

As for the visuals, Harley promises that the gatefold jacket’s cover graphics and printing quality will be unmatched, saying, “extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way.”

The first two albums in the series – Wayne Shorter’s Etcetera and Chick Corea’s Now He Sings, Now He Sobs – were released on February 8 and are available now from all fine record shops, as well as Amazon and Blue Note’s online store.  Sam Rivers’ Contours and Cassandra Wilson’s Glamoured are on the way, due out on March 15.  Those two titles are available now for preorder.

The latest in Legacy’s Prince reissue series, the new 2-CD/DVD set Ultimate Rave brings together three of his projects.  There’s Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic from 1999 and Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic, a hard-to-find 2001 remix album that was only available to members of Prince’s NPG Music Club service.  The new collection will also include a DVD of the Rave Un2 The Year 2000 concert film, originally a pay-per-view special which saw Prince and an array of guests – including Morris Day and The Time, members of Sly and the Family Stone, Maceo Parker, and Lenny Kravitz – ringing in the new year with hits and fan favorites alike.

Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic was initially conceived by Clive Davis (who’d lured Prince to a one-off deal with Arista Records) as a comeback album a la Santana’s Supernatural.  The star-studded album included Chuck D., Eve, Ani DiFranco, Gwen Stefani, Larry Graham, Maceo Parker, and Sheryl Crow lending their talents. Highlights include the title track (left over from an abandoned 1988 project that featured material from the soundtracks to Batman and Graffiti Bridge) and the simmering R&B jam “The Greatest Romance Ever Sold.”

In 2001, Prince released Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic.  The album was an update of its predecessor, with a modified track listing that added the previously unreleased track “Beautiful Strange,” and new remixes and modified versions of the Un2 material.  In one of many examples of Prince embracing creative means of distribution, Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic was exclusively sold to members of his web-based NPG Music Club.  Legacy’s new edition will mark the first wide reissue of this material and, thankfully, will be available through conventional means of music consumption.

Ultimate Rave will be released on April 26 from Legacy Recordings.  Prince’s online store offers various apparel/music bundles.

Coinciding with the new Prince Ultimate Rave 2-CD/DVD box set, Legacy and NPG will release Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic on limited edition purple vinyl as a 2-LP set.

The album was initially conceived by Clive Davis as a comeback album a la Santana’s Supernatural.  The star-studded recording included Chuck D., Eve, Ani DiFranco, Gwen Stefani, Larry Graham, Maceo Parker, and Sheryl Crow lending their talents. Highlights include the title track (left over from an abandoned 1988 project that featured material from the soundtracks to Batman and Graffiti Bridge) and the simmering R&B jam “The Greatest Romance Ever Sold.”

Coinciding with the release of the Ultimate Rave 2-CD/DVD box set, Legacy Recordings and NPG will release Prince’s Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic as a 2-LP set on limited-edition purple vinyl.

The album was originally released in 2001 as an update of its predecessor, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, with a modified track listing that added the previously unreleased track “Beautiful Strange,” and new remixes and modified versions of the Un2 material.  In one of many examples of Prince embracing creative means of distribution, Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic was exclusively sold to members of his web-based NPG Music Club.  Legacy’s new edition will mark the first wide reissue of this material and, thankfully, will be available through conventional means of music consumption.

CD:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Cleveland’s rock scene during the ’70s was largely championed by Steve Popovich, a former Cleveland resident who ended up being the head of A&R at Epic.  In mid-1976, he left the corporate rock world and headed back home to Cleveland, where he set up Cleveland International Records, part record label, part management company, part marketing consulting group.  Throughout the ’70s, Cleveland International had a hand in some of the most unique records in rock.  Decades on, many of their projects remain legendary.

Cleveland Rocks is a 13-track collection (10-track on the LP) that brings together some of the best of the C/I catalog.  Among them is the aforementioned Hunter’s “Cleveland Rocks,” plus the Jersey bar-band grit of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, the blue-collar rock of Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers, and many other certified classics like Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman, Dick Wagner & Michael Kamen, Ellen Foley, and many other more obscure groups.

 

 

2-CD/DVD/Blu-Ray:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Limited-Edition Green Vinyl:  Cleopatra Records

Last year, rock’s wizard/true star Todd Rundgren reunited prog rockers turned power-pop legends Utopia, joining up with Kasim Sulton, Willie Wilcox, along with featured performer Gil Assayas.  It had been 32 years since the band’s last performance, save a brief reunion in 1992.  Utopia trekked across the U.S. in the spring and summer and now one stop on the tour will be released as a 2-CD/DVD/Blu-ray set, as well as a limited-edition, two-disc green vinyl set.

Arriving from Cleopatra Records on April 5, the Live at the Chicago Theatre documents Todd Rundgren and Utopia’s May 22, 2018 performance in full, with 24 songs  including “Love in Action,” “Love Is the Answer,” and “The Ikon” spanning over two hours of audio and video.  The 2-LP set, meanwhile, includes the first 11 tracks of the concert and the slabs of green vinyl are packaged in a newly designed gatefold sleeve.  Among the tracks on the LPs are excellent versions of mid-’70s fan favorites like “Utopia Theme,” “The Ikon,” “Communion With The Sun,” and others.

Both editions of Live at the Chicago Theatre will be available on April 5.  The four-disc set with the CDs, DVD, and Blu-ray is currently available on Amazon from the links below.  The limited-edition green vinyl set is available directly from Cleopatra Records’ online store.

Simple Minds’ Rejuvenation 2001-2014 — previously released on LP in 2018 — will be released as a 7CD/1-DVD box set on March 29, courtesy of Edsel.  The set boasts expanded versions of five of the band’s 21st century albums: Neon Lights (2001), Cry (2002), Black and White 050505 (2005), Graffiti Soul (2009) and Big Music (2014).  Fans can expect 25 bonus tracks, as well, including the hard-to-find covers set Searching For the Lost Boys, which was previously a bonus disc housed with Graffiti Soul.  There’s also the Big Music bonus disc that features the Simple Minds/Stranglers collaboration “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)” and four Jonson Somerset remixes of Big Music material.  The DVD gathers contemporaneous music videos, behind-the scenes footage, EPKs, and interviews. The set is presented in a 12×12″ book with album-by-album liner notes by Jim Kerr and a wealth of photos.

Real Gone surveys a decade of hits and fan favorites from Gordon Lightfoot, all presented in their original single versions.  This 34-track anthology features “Sundown,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Beautiful,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” and other certified classics from the Canadian troubadour.  Mike Milchner at SonicVision has remastered all tracks.  Richie Unterberger provides the liner notes in a package beautifully designed by John Sellards.

Following the landmark release of What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye returned with the song “You’re The Man,” written about presidential candidate George McGovern.  When that track failed to reach mainstream audiences, Gaye went back to the studio and recorded an album’s worth of material, producing himself and writing with the likes of Willie Hutch; Hal Davis; Pam Sawyer and Gloria Jones; and Freddie Perren and Fonce Mizell.  Apart from the “You’re The Man” single, none of that material was released at the time.  Now, You’re the One rounds up all of the soul legend’s solo and non-soundtrack work from ’72, 15 tracks of which are making their vinyl debut.  In addition to the material recorded for the proposed album, You’re The Man will also include a rare, long version of the cancelled 1972 single “I Want To Come Home For Christmas,” and an unreleased mix of its instrumental B-side, “Christmas in the City.”  Also among the tracks are three new mixes by acclaimed writer and producer Salaam Remi (or SaLaAM ReMi).  You’re The Man will include new liner notes by Marvin Gaye biographer David Ritz. 

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Digital: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Other Streaming Services

This year marks 20 years since Eminem released his major-label debut, The Slim Shady LP, which launched him from the underground rap scene to worldwide superstardom. With iconic songs like “My Name Is,” “Role Model,” and “’97 Bonnie and Clyde,” The Slim Shady LP introduced the world to Eminem’s undeniable and enduring talents. The album was a smash hit. Its lead single, “My Name Is,” reached No. 36 on the Billboard charts; the album won a Grammy for Best Rap Album, and it was eventually certified quadruple Platinum by the RIAA.  To celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Slim Shady LP, Aftermath, Interscope, and UMe released an expanded digital edition including  7 bonus tracks. Among them are a cappella versions, alternate mixes, instrumentals, and other rarities.  Now, that edition is coming as a 2-CD or 3-LP set.

 

The Edsel label has long championed Kiki Dee’s work on various reissues; now, they’re bringing all of her Rocket Records repertoire together on one new, book-style box set. The 5-CD The Rocket Years includes all five of her Rocket LPs plus ten bonus tracks, including the CD premiere outside of Australia of the rare B-side “Snow Queen” penned by Kiki with Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnstone, and David Nutter. Available on March 29 in the U.K. and April 5 in North America.

Exclusive Signed Edition: Amazon U.K.

Since 1968, Michael Nesmith has released 16 solo albums in between stints as a Monkee. Now, 12 of those recordings, every album from 1970-1994 including the compilation The Newer Stuff have been collected in the Songs box set from Edsel. The 12-CD set brings together Nesmith’s complete RCA and Pacific Arts output for the very first time. Get all the details on this monumental Mike Nesmith celebration here! Available today in the U.K. and next Friday in North America.

Real Gone Music has pressed up 1,000 copies on “pocket protector brown” vinyl of the ’80s comedy classic soundtrack featuring tracks by The Rubinoos, Bone Symphony, Gleaming Spires, Pat Robinson and Jill Michaels!

Music from Season Two of the acclaimed Amazon Prime television series boasts not one but two Barbra Streisand tunes (“Just Leave Everything to Me” from the film soundtrack of 1969’s Hello, Dolly! and the evergreen “Happy Days Are Here Again”) plus appearances by Frank Sinatra (“How Are Ya Fixed for Love” with Keely Smith), Blossom Dearie (“Some Other Time”) and Ella Fitzgerald (“Old Mother Hubbard’). Further tracks come from Dean Martin (“I’d Cry Like a Baby”), Louis Prima and the Witnesses (“Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days”), Julie London (“‘S Wonderful”), Sarah Vaughan (“I’m Gonna Live ‘Til I Die”), and Patience and Prudence (“Witchcraft”). The film soundtrack performance of The King and I‘s “Shall We Dance” is also featured. Season Two is available March 29 on CD.

David Bowie followed up his otherworldly performance in 1976’s The Man Who Fell to Earth with a decidedly more grounded role, that of Paul Ambrosius von Przygodski, a Prussian officer-turned-gigolo, in the 1978 film Just a Gigolo.  Its soundtrack supervised by Jack Fishman featured period-style vocal and instrumental tracks including hard-to-find tracks by The Manhattan Transfer, Marlene Dietrich, and The Village People.  Bowie also contributed pieces for the film, including “Revolutionary Song,” which is heard four times throughout the film.  Cherry Red’s expanded reissue of the soundtrack brings all the tracks  to CD for the first time ever, and includes a 24-page booklet with an introduction by Paul Fishman (who also remastered the music), original LP liner notes, and an essay by Charlie Bridgen.

Nitro was a short-lived hair metal group whose O.F.R. was first released thirty years ago.  Legend has it, stands for “out-f******-‘rageous.” It’s an apt title, as Nitro’s is as over-the-top as any of the other hair metal groups that reigned during the tail end of the ’80s. Aside from their image (think stories-high hair and a trademark four-neck guitar) Jim Gillette’s delivers with his other-worldly pipes. His impressive and very possibly superhuman high-pitched voice is matched with Michael Angelo Batio’s lighting-fast riffs and frenetic picking. TJ. Racer’s hyperactive bass and Bobby Rock’s double-kick-drum assaults complete the band’s aesthetic. The result is a 9-track collection of music that’s emblematic of its era and still remains impressive in its extravagance.

To celebrate its anniversary, Real Gone will press the first-ever vinyl reissue of the title on April 26. It will be limited to just 700 copies and will be presented on red and yellow “explosion” color vinyl. The disc will be housed in a faithfully recreated printed inner sleeve with lyrics and priceless band photos. The single-pocket outer sleeve has also been faithfully recreated for this new reissue.

The Epic Archive, Vol. 3 (1984-1992) is the last installment of the Cheap Trick rarities series. Originally released as a digital compilation in 2015, the new, resequenced collection will arrive on CD for the first time, on the heels of the Record Store Day-exclusive red vinyl version. Compiled by Timothy J. Smith, the CD includes 16 hard-to-find tracks from the final years of Cheap Trick’s Epic run, featuring rare alternate mixes, single edits, alternate takes, international tracks, and tracks that were previously soundtrack exclusives. Highlights include the No. 1 hit “The Flame,” which appears in its original single edit; the “Big New Mix” version of “Don’t Be Cruel (which sees Robin Zander vocally channeling both Elvis and John Lennon), and alternate versions of “How About You” and “All We Need Is a Dream,” plus “Big Bang” from the Japanese edition of 1990’s Busted. All the music was mastered for the compilation by Mike Piacentini at Battery Studios, New York.

The package also includes comprehensive liner notes with track-by-track commentary from Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, and Bun E. Carlos, alongside interviews with biographer Ken Sharp and Epic Archive series producer Timothy J. Smith. The booklet is rounded out by Robert Alford’s photographs of the band.

6-CD: Amazon U.S. (not yet live) / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
1-CD: Amazon U.S. (not yet live) / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2-LP: Amazon U.S. (not yet live) / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

On May 17, UMC will release the much-anticipated Ronnie Lane box set, Just For a Moment: Music, 1973-1997. The 6-CD collection boasts 118 tracks that span three decades and promises to be a comprehensive look at the music and legacy of Ronnie Lane.

Just For a Moment: The Music, 1973-1997 collects four of Ronnie Lane’s solo albums: 1974’s Anymore for Anymore (along with its contemporaneous singles); Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance, also from 1974; One For the Road (1976); and his 1979 effort, See Me. Also featured are tracks from his collaborative albums such as the aforementioned Rough Mix and Mahoney’s Last Stand, a soundtrack album credited to Lane and Ron Wood that was recorded with Townshend in 1972 and finally released four years later. The first four discs are supplemented with bonus tracks, including singles, B-Sides, alternate takes, live recordings, rare studio sessions, and other unreleased goodies. Disc 5, meanwhile, includes live material from the German Rockpalast series from 1980, as well as session takes, demos and live recordings. Disc 6 highlights Lane’s time in the U.S., including radio broadcasts from the late 1980s, along with studio sessions from 1989 and 1992, a demo for “Spiritual Babe,” and live material recorded in Japan in 1990.

Complementing the musical selections, the 6-CD set features extensive liner notes that detail Ronnie’s, life, art, and work with essays by Paolo Hewitt, Kris Needs, and Kent Benjamin, as well as a foreword by Pete Townshend. All the contents are presented in a hardcover book with an outer slipcase. Also included are a book of Lane’s lyrics and a fold-out poster.

In addition to the box set, UMC will also release an 18-track, 1-CD (or 2-LP) distillation of the collection. All the configurations will be released on May 17 through Universal Music Catalogue. While Amazon US links have yet to go live, you can find Amazon UK links below, along with track lists for the 6-CD, 1-CD, and 2-LP editions.

Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings presents Aretha Franklin’s iconic concerts at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles during January 1972 in full. Both the Thursday night and Friday night sets are accounted for, spread across four 180-gram LPs.

Following their announcement of a Record Store Day color-vinyl edition of the title, Craft Recordings have unveiled further details about their new compilation of hard-to-find gems from the psychedelic era, entitled Poppies: Assorted Finery from the First Psychedelic Age. In addition to the orange-vinyl RSD version, which will be in independent shops on April 13, Poppies will also be released on CD and on digital download platforms on April 19.

The 13-track collection – the first in a series of themed compilations – brings together psychedelic rock and pop rarities from the Vanguard, Stax, Hip, Musart, and Original Sound catalogs. Among the cult-classic favorites that feature are Buffy Sainte-Marie (whose eerie 1969 acid-folk track “Poppies” gives the collection its name), Southwest F.O.B. (whose “Smell of Incense” was one of Stax Records’ most surprising best-sellers), and a wealth of other often-forgotten mementos of the era by the likes of The Honey Jug, The Sot Weed Factor, Erik, The Serpent Power, and The Human Jungle. The latter is represented by a previously unreleased track called “When Will You Happen To Me,” which will be released as an instant grat single on April 12. Alongside the music, Poppies boasts detailed liner notes written by five-time Grammy nominee Alec Palao which provide details on the artists and songs in the collection.

The 1973 Blaxploitation comedy Cleopatra Jones starred Tamara Dobson as the title character secret agent who battles against drug lord Mommy played by Shelley Winters. The film was a success, with a sequel arriving two years later. The soundtrack is mix of songs and score pieces. Joe Simon, who had had teamed with Gamble and Huff for hits “Drowning In The Sea of Love” and “Power of Love” in 1971 and 1972, was one of the featured performers on the album. Jazz trombonist J.J. Johnson wrote the score. Two songs from Millie Jackson are also included. They would also appear on her 1973 album It Hurts So Good. Here is what Real Gone has to say about the reissue:

“One of the great Blaxploitation film scores of the ’70s, finally back on vinyl where it belongs! This 1973 feature introduced one of the great characters in the whole genre, starring the indomitable, six-foot-two Tamara Dobson as Cleopatra Jones, a taller, hipper, and blacker James Bond. In this film, she thwarts a lesbian L.A. drug lord as played by Shelley Winters, all accompanied by the musical efforts of what is pretty much a ’70s soul/jazz/funk dream team. On vocals, you had the leading male and female lights of the Spring label, the great Joe Simon (performing the hit title theme) and Millie Jackson. And on the instrumental side, jazz trombone giant J. J. Johnson (in collaboration with the underrated Carl Brandt of Mod Squad score fame). The result: a prime example of the symphonic funk that became the siren song for Blaxploitation soundtracks throughout the ’70s. For its first domestic vinyl reissue, we’ve pressed up just 700 copies in red and blue starburst vinyl, with original artwork intact…oh so tasty!”

Dana Gillespie first made a splash on the U.K. charts with a run of singles for Pye and a couple albums on Decca and London in the mid-’60s. In 1971, the actress-singer-musician signed to RCA under the aegis of MainMan, the management company headed by Tony Defries that famously included David Bowie on its roster. Now, all of Gillespie’s RCA/MainMan recordings and a wealth of previously unissued material feature on a new artist-approved 2-CD compilation from Cherry Red, What Memories We Make: The Complete MainMan Recordings 1971-1974, which arrives on March 29 in the U.K and April 5 in the U.S.  Altogether, the collection provides the most comprehensive look at Gillespie’s ’70s material, with her cult classic albums (Weren’t Born A Man from 1973 and Ain’t Gonna Play No Second Fiddle from 1974)  and a healthy dose of vault material.

Among the rarities are tracks from a 1971 promo LP overseen by Bowie and guitarist Mick Ronson that included seven Bowie Hunky Dory-era rough mixes and five Gillespie songs (four originals and a demo “Andy Warhol” with background vocals and 12-string guitar by Bowie).  Gillespie’s cuts feature on this set, alongside alternate versions of “Lavender Hill” and “Never Knew” from the first album; a Second Fiddle-era outtake called “Man Size Job” and five previously unissued demos from October of 1974.  Oli Hemingway has remastered both discs. Aside from the music, the attractive digipak set includes a 24-page booklet with new sleeve notes by David Wells and a wealth of striking and often risqué photographs supplied by the artist.

1-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3-CD deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP standard: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4-LP deluxe color vinyl: The Rolling Stones’ Online Shop
Various music/apparel bundles: The Rolling Stones’ Online Shop

Honk is a new compilation album from The Rolling Stones that focuses on the rock titans’ post-1971 output. It will be released in a variety of configurations: 1-CD, 3-CD deluxe, 2-LP, and 4-LP deluxe editions, as well as digital download and streaming.

The 1-CD collection and the 2-LP edition both collect 19 of The Stones’ singles recorded from 1971 to 2016, plus an unreleased live version of “Wild Horses” featuring Florence Welch that was taken from a London Stadium performance on May 22, 2018. The 3-CD edition of Honk includes 36 hits, plus an exclusive third CD with 10 unreleased live recordings from the last 6 years. This includes duet versions of “Beast of Burden,” featuring Ed Sheeran; “Dead Flowers,” as performed with Brad Paisley; “Bitch” featuring Dave Grohl; and the aforementioned “Wild Horses” with Florence Welch. The disc also includes recent recordings of the band tearing through “Get Off of My Cloud,” “Dancing with Mr. D,” “Shine A Light,” Under My Thumb,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” and “She’s A Rainbow.” As we previously reported, the latter will see release a few days early on an exclusive one-sided, yellow vinyl 10″ single for Record Store Day.

For vinyl aficionados, The Rolling Stones’ Online Shop will have an exclusive, 4-LP color vinyl edition of the collection that mirrors the track list of the deluxe CD and will be pressed on purple, red, orange, and yellow-colored 180-gram vinyl. The run will be limited to just 2,500 units in the U.S.

The store is also stocking the other editions of the collection. There, you’ll also find exclusive bundles that include various t-shirts, hoodies, and lithograph options, plus a wealth of Honk-related apparel. All orders taken through the Rolling Stones’ Online Shop will receive an exclusive Honk-emblazoned bumper sticker.

Evans in England is due on limited edition 2-LP vinyl on Record Store Day, Saturday, April 13, with 2-CD and digital versions arriving one week later on April 19. The album transports listeners back to 1969, when the introspective Evans (1929-1980) was joined in his familiar trio setting by bassist Eddie Gomez and guitarist Marty Morell for a stand at Ronnie Scott’s in December 1969. The recording was captured a year into the tenure of what would become Evans’ longest-running Trio. In the tradition of such previous Evans projects as Live at Art D’Lugoff’s Top of the Gate (2012), Some Other Time (2016), and Another Time (2017), Evans in England is a major discovery. It features Evans’ earliest recordings of “The Two Lonely People” and “Sugar Plum” as well as moving renditions of Miles Davis’ “So What” (introduced with Evans on 1959’s landmark Kind of Blue) and the pianist’s own compositions like “Re: Person I Knew” and “Waltz for Debby.” The 18-track, 2-disc set also features standards like “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “My Foolish Heart,” and “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me).” The vinyl version has been mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed at RTI. The accompanying book features essays by Resonance’s Zev Feldman and journalist Marc Myers; interviews with Gomez, Morell and filmmaker Leon Terjanian (who brought the private tapes to the label’s attention); and rare photographs.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Neil Young Online Store
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Neil Young Online Store

Jim Jarmusch’s 1995 film Dead Man was dubbed by the director as a “psychedelic western.” With a cast including Johnny Depp, Billy Bob Thornton, Crispin Glover, and Iggy Pop, the surreal period piece is set in the bleak 19th-century Old West and follows an accountant named William Blake who’s on the run after a murder. Blake encounters Nobody, a guide who believes Blake to be the famous poet.

Underscoring the proceedings is a Neil Young soundtrack that’s as vast as the film. Consisting of seven improvised instrumentals on electric and acoustic guitars, as well as organ. The improvisations evoke the desolation of the film. As Jarmusch said, “What he brought to the film lifts it to another level, intertwining the soul of the story with Neil’s musically emotional reaction to it — the guy reached down into some deep place inside him to create such strong music for our film.” In between music pieces, there’s also readings of Blake’s poetry, recited by Johnny Depp, along with dialog from the film.

Fourteen years ago, the soundtrack was originally released on CD and LP. These days, an original vinyl copy commands three-digit prices. Thankfully, fans won’t have to shell out that kind of money for a vinyl copy much longer. The soundtrack to Dead Man has been reissued on Vapor Records on CD or as a 2-LP set, boasting newly remastered audio, along with liner notes by director Jim Jarmusch.

Blixa Sounds has compiled a one-stop-shop collection of tracks by Robin Lane & The Chartbusters with Many Years Ago: The Complete Robin Lane & The Chartbusters Collection. The 3-CD set is released on March 1 and brings together a whopping 52 tracks, spanning all of the group’s official albums, as well as demos, rare singles and EP tracks, and unreleased session takes. The result is the most comprehensive compilation of classic Robin Lane tracks thus far!

Robin Lane got her start as a folk-rock artist in the Laurel Canyon scene and can even be heard on Neil Young’s second album, Everybody Knows This is Nowhere. But after moving to the East Coast of the U.S. in the late ’70s, she embraced the punk and new wave music around her and formed a band with Leroy Radcliffe and Asa Brebner, formerly of the Modern Lovers. In 1980, Robin Lane & The Chartbusters released their first album, a self-titled effort for Warner Brothers Records. It featured Lane’s first Billboard Hot 100-charting single, “When Things Go Wrong” (#87, July 1980.) The track garnered significant airplay and its music video was a fixture on early MTV. The band followed up their debut with 5 Live, an EP that featured live versions of three Chartbusters originals (“When Things Go Wrong,” the new tracks “8.3,” “Lost My Mind,” and “When You Compromise”) as well as a cover of the rock standard “Shaking All Over.” The following year, Robin Lane & The Chartbusters released Imitation Life, which was to be their final album on Warner Brothers. Lane then released Heart Connection independently in 1984, before entering a hiatus to being a family.

Blixa Sounds collects all those classic ’80s tracks and more. Disc Two also includes seven unreleased session recordings recorded during the making of Heart Connection. Two of Lane’s pre-Chartbusters demos also feature: “Rose for Sharon” and “Never Enough,” the latter eventually rewritten as “When Things Go Wrong,” alongside a 1979 demo of “I Found Out.” There’s also Robin Lane & The Chartbusters’ lone pre-WB single for Deli Platters Records, which features early versions of “When Things Go Wrong,” “Why Do You Tell Lies,” and the original composition, “The Letter.” The disc closes with a 1990 demo of “The Longest Thinnest Thread” and “Little Bird,” from the group’s 2002 reunion album. Disc Three, meanwhile, spotlights Robin Lane & The Chartbusters onstage. It kicks off with the 5 Live EP and also presents 17 previously unreleased live recordings recorded from 1979 to 1981, including covers of Del Shannon’s “Keep Searchin’ (We’ll Follow the Sun)” and Willie Dixon’s “Violent Love.”  All of the audio has been remastered and is presented with a fully annotated booklet with liner notes by Brett Milano and rare photographs from Robin Lane’s archive.

“I’ve never gotten over the pleasure of someone covering one of my songs,” Leonard Cohen once said. “I don’t have a sense of proprietorship, which probably stems from coming up as a folksinger where it was understood that songs develop a patina through interpretation. I feel that’s the mark of excellence.”

Ace Records has just released a new collection of excellent Leonard Cohen covers with Hallelujah: The Songs of Leonard Cohen. It’s the latest volume in the label’s Songwriter series, and it brings together 18 eclectic tracks, including two songs that never appeared on his own albums: “Come Spend the Morning,” as interpreted by Lee Hazlewood, and “God Is Alive, Magic Is Afoot,” a piece from Cohen’s book Beautiful Losers, set to music and recorded by Buffy Sainte-Marie.

From Judy Collins’ 1967 hit version of “Hey That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” that helped introduce Cohen’s music to the world, to Marissa Nadler’s 2007 interpretation of “Famous Blue Raincoat,” the collection spans decades, genres, and approaches. Along the way, listeners are treated to several of Cohen’s best-known songs. There’s Nina Simone’s spell-binding “Suzanne,” Nick Cave’s recasting of “Avalanche,” k.d. lang’s take on “Bird On The Wire,” and Jeff Buckley’s trademark cover of “Hallelujah.” But deep cuts abound as well, such as Stina Nordenstam’s cover of “I Came So Far For Beauty,” originally released on Cohen’s Recent Songs, and Tom Northcott’s rare 1995 interpretation of “True Love Leaves No Traces” from Cohen’s collaboration with Phil Spector, Death of a Ladies’ Man. There’s also David Blue’s funky 1975 cover of “Lover, Lover, Lover,” featuring Joni Mitchell on backing vocals and the LA Express providing accompaniment, and Joe Cocker’s gritty “First We Take Manhattan.”

With a 24-page booklet of liner notes penned by Cohen biographer Ian Johnston, plus in-depth track-by-track commentary with Cohen quotes compiled by Mick Patrick, not to mention the music within, Hallelujah: The Songs of Leonard Cohen spotlight the far-reaching impact of his words and music across the decades.

To celebrate the fiftieth year of The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has announced the May 10 release of the new box set, Jazz Fest: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The 5-disc set is presented as a large-format, 12″x12″ book. Inside its 136 pages are numerous photos spanning the festival’s history, plus many essays and discographical annotations. There’s a forward from festival founder George Wein, as well as notes from Jeff Place and Huib Schippers from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation archivist Rachel Lyons; WWOZ’s Director of Content, Dave Ankers; and The New York Times‘ Jon Pareles.

The music promises to be equally impressive. The five disc box set includes previously unreleased from the vault of WWOZ Radio and beyond. It totals up to 300 minutes of music spanning the years 1974 to 2016. Disc 1 spotlights jazz, while Discs 2 and 3 feature R&B, blues, and gospel. Disc 4, meanwhile, celebrates Zydeco, Cajun and other New Orleans regional music, and Disc 5 brings the funk, along with rock, blues, and hip-hop. Among the legendary artists present are Irma Thomas, Professor Longhair, The Dixie Cups, The Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint (appearing solo and with Bonnie Raitt), Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John, Terence Blanchard, and Trombone Shorty, whose “One Night Only” is now available as a digital single (see below).

Sing Out, Sweet Land! opened on Broadway at the International Theatre in the final days of 1944 and resided there for 104 performances.  Starring Drake, Burl Ives, Juanita Hall (South Pacific), Bibi Osterwald, and Alma Kaye, the musical by critic Walter Kerr featured a score of traditional folk tunes as well as original material by John Mundy, Edward Eager, and Elie Siegmiester.  Decca recorded it for an album of 78s, later reissued on 10-inch vinyl LP.  Stage Door has its CD premiere joined by another Decca rarity: the 1950 studio cast recording of Kurt Weill’s Down in the Valley starring Drake and Jane Wilson.  Weill, who supervised the recording, composed original choral music to support another array of classic folk melodies such as “Down in the Valley” and “The Lonesome Dove.”  This release, made possible via current U.K. public domain laws and part of the labels’ Collectors’ Series, is limited to 500 units. 

2-CD/Blu-ray:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD/DVD:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3-LP:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
DVD:  Links TBD
Blu-ray:  Links TBD

Twenty years since it was originally aired, The Rolling Stones’ 1998 concert film Bridges To Bremen is finally released as part of the band’s ongoing archive series from Eagle Vision .  It captures the complete September 2, 1998 show from Germany’s Weserstadion show, recorded on the final leg of their tour supporting the Bridges To Babylon album.  It’s available on Blu-ray, DVD, 2-CD/DVD, 2-CD/Blu-ray, 3-LP. and digital audio and video formats.  All the audiovisual material has been newly restored, remastered, and remixed for the occasion.  The CD, LP, and digital versions will include the full Bremen show, while the remaining configurations will include additional visual material: four tracks from The Rolling Stones’ concert at Soldier Field in Chicago on April 23, 1998.

CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Eagle Vision brings Carole King’s 1973 show at the Montreux Jazz Festival to a variety of audio and video formats.  The concert features seven songs from Tapestry as well as another septet from her then most recent release, Fantasy. The CD and CD/DVD editions will feature the full, 18-track concert program. The 180-gram black vinyl LP, meanwhile, will feature 16 highlights from the show (omitting “Smackwater Jack” and “That’s How Things Go Down”).

Dionne Warwick’s newest, R&B-themed album features production by her son Damon Elliott and duets with Kenny Lattimore (“What Color Is Love”), Musiq Soulchild (“Am I Dreaming”) and Bone, Thugs & Harmony’s Krayzie Bone (“Deja Vu”).  She’s Back is available as a 2-CD set with the second disc reprising Warwick’s 1998 album of re-recorded hits, Dionne Sings Dionne.

2-CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD / Cherry Red Online Store
LP:  Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD / Cherry Red Online Store 

Mike McCartney (a.k.a. Mike McGear)’s 1974 album McGear was produced by his brother Paul McCartney who also wrote or co-wrote the majority of the tracks.  Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch, and Denny Seiwell also appear on McGear, which has been dubbed by some fans as a “lost Wings album.”  Now, McGear has now been newly remastered from the original master tapes and expanded with 21 bonus tracks, including 13 that have never been released, plus rare single edits that make their CD debut here.  Among those is the non-album single “Dance the Do” featuring Vivian Stanshall. The set also includes a DVD featuring interviews with Mike McCartney recorded at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, as well as the 1974 promotional film for “Leave It.”  An LP reissues the original album.

For its 60th anniversary year, Universal Music Enterprises has begun reminding fans that “Motown Did It First“; now, the label that launched The Sound Of Young America is revisiting a box set that was released in celebration of its 50th anniversary a decade ago.  Motown: The Complete No. 1s featured more than 200 international chart-toppers, plus a handful of bonus masters that went to No. 1 through cover versions or samples. And the packaging was a delight: the discs were housed in five digipaks, all carried in an intricate replica of 2648 West Grand Boulevard – the Detroit building that served as the label’s first office and studio space (and today is open to the public as The Motown Museum).  That package has been replicated, while a 6-song bonus disc adds a handful of extra Motown magic right up through recent remixes of Diana Ross classics, which have topped Billboard”s dance charts in the past two years.

In Search of Hades celebrates Tangerine Dream’s boundary-pushing albums Phaedra (1974), Rubycon (1975), the live Ricochet (1975), Stratosfear (1976), the live Encore (1977), Cyclone (1978), and Force Majeure (1979).  The gargantuan set features 16 CDs with bonus tracks for every title, plus two Blu-rays (featuring high-res stereo and surround mixes of three titles) and a hardcover book with new essays, historic photos, and memorabilia galore.  Additionally, Steven Wilson completed new stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes for Ricochet and two tracks from Phaedra.  A bounty of unreleased material was also unearthed – 8 CDs’ worth!  It all adds up to the ultimate celebration of Tangerine Dream.

All six of America’s Capitol albums are collected in one newly remastered box set.  Classic Album Collection: The Capitol Years presents newly remastered versions of 1979’s Silent Letter, 1980’s Alibi, 1982’s View from the Ground, 1983’s Your Move, 1984’s Perspective, and 1985’s In Concert in one deluxe, affordable package complete with a booklet.  It’s been compiled by America archivist Jeff Larson and remastered by Andy Pearce.

Cherry Red’s SFE imprint brings together the late Cilla Black’s debut album Cilla (1965) with In My Life (1974), the latter of which is making its premiere on CD in full, on this new 2-CD set.  17 bonus tracks (including the original mono album) have been added to the former, and 9 bonus tracks to the latter.  All told, 3 songs are new to CD.  A 32-page booklet features liner notes, photos, and interviews.

This new two-fer from Cherry Red’s SFE imprint collects Cilla Black’s third and tenth albums, Sher-oo! (1968) and Modern Priscilla (1978), on 2 CDs.  21 bonus tracks are spread across the two albums (14 for the former and 7 for the latter) including 11 cuts which are new to CD.  A 32-page booklet has liner notes, photos, and interviews.

Originals brings together 15 demos of songs Prince gave away to other artists including The Time, Sheila E., Kenny Rogers, Martika, Vanity 6, and The Bangles. Tidal will first exclusively offer the album for high-resolution streaming on June 7, with a CD and wide digital release arriving two weeks later on June 21, and vinyl configurations to follow in July.  A Target exclusive CD edition adds one bonus track, “Nothing Compares 2 U (Cinematic Remix).”

Following the recent Spying Through A Keyhole and Clareville Grove Demos, David Bowie’s The Mercury Demos presents ten early, one-take recordings from the future superstar, recorded on a Revox reel-to-reel tape machine in Bowie’s flat in spring 1969, with accompaniment from his friend and collaborator John “Hutch” Hutchinson on guitar and vocals.  Songs include “Space Oddity,” “Janine,” “Conversation Piece,” and a cover of Lesley Duncan’s “Love Song.”  It’s housed in a replica of the original tape box, and includes the LP, a print, two photo contact sheets, and new liner notes by Mark Adams.  The LP’s labels feature the same EMIDISC acetate style as Spying Through A Keyhole and Clareville Grove Demos, with the song titles in Bowie’s own handwriting. 

2-CD/DVD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray: Amazon Links TBD
DVD: Amazon Links TBD

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus is coming back to town.  The new editions will be available in multiple physical configurations. The 2-CD Expanded Edition boasts newly remixed and remastered audio and newly discovered, unreleased performances from Taj Mahal, Julius Katchen, and supergroup The Dirty Mac (John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Mitch Mitchell, and Keith Richards). The same remixed and remastered audio program will arrive on 3-LP.  There will also be a deluxe 2-CD/DVD/Blu-ray edition that features the double album with newly uncovered audio; the new 4K restoration featuring Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos surround sound; never-before-seen video footage; bonus performances; audio commentary, and a video interview with Pete Townshend. Lastly, the restored film is also available on its own on DVD or Blu-ray, and the concert will be available on digital download and streaming services.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD + litho: Neil Young Online Store
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP + litho: Neil Young Online Store

A companion to the much-maligned (by Neil) Time Fades Away live album, Tuscaloosa captures Neil Young and Stray Gators – who had backed him up on the smash hit Harvest – live in concert on February 5, 1973. Recorded in the era between Harvest and Tonight’s The Night, Young and the Gators launched new versions of now-classic tracks, as well as songs that would later be released on Tonight’s The Night.  Although a couple of songs were cut from the show, you’ll still hear “Harvest,” “Heart of Gold,” “Old Man” and “After the Gold Rush,” among others.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP color vinyl: Bruce Springsteen Online Shop
Music and merchandise bundles: Bruce Springsteen Online Shop

Bruce Springsteen returns with a new solo album. Western Stars marks his first studio work since High Hopes in 2014 and is described by the artist as featuring “character driven songs and sweeping, cinematic orchestral arrangement[s].”  Western Stars  is partly inspired by classic Southern California pop of the ’60s and ’70s, and Springsteen has previously mentioned the music of Glen Campbell, Jimmy Webb, and Burt Bacharach as touchstones.  Available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.

Airto Moreira’s seminal fusion album Natural Feelings was the drummer-percussionist’s first musical statement as a bandleader and was released between gigs with Miles Davis (on Bitches Brew) and Weather Report (appearing on their first album).  Natural Feelings marries two musical cultures and idioms: the New York jazz world and his Brazilian roots.  Among the luminaries who contribute to the proceedings are Ron Carter on bass, famed multi-instrumentalist Sivuca on guitar, versatile vocalist Flora Purim (who is married to Airto), and keyboardist Hermeto Pascoal.  The jazz-funk-world music blend is as fresh as it was when it was first released.  This 180-gram black vinyl retains the original Hieronymus Bosch album art and is strictly limited to 500 copies.

CD:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Gold vinyl:  Barnes and Noble
Music and merchandise bundles:  Willie Nelson’s Online Shop

On the heels of his 86th birthday, Willie Nelson and Legacy Recordings announced his latest album, Ride Me Back Home.  Due on June 21, the album includes new originals and a handful of covers from the singular talent.  According to journalist Mikal Gilmore (quoted in Legacy’s press release), the album “rounds out a trilogy about mortality that began in 2017 with God’s Problem Child and was followed in 2018 with Last Man Standing.”  Among the reflective and joyous tracks are “Seven Year Itch,” “One More Song To Right,” a cover of Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are,” and the title track — an ode to horses.  Ride Me Back Home  marks Nelson’s 12th album for Legacy Recordings, following last year’s Grammy-winning standards collection, My Way.

In addition to the standard CD version, Ride Me Back Home will be available on black vinyl and — as a Barnes and Noble exclusive — gold color vinyl.  Willie Nelson’s online shop also offers an array of merchandise bundles.

1. Ride Me Back Home
2. Come On Time
3. My Favorite Picture of You
4. Seven Year Itch
5. Immigrant Eyes
6. Stay Away From Lonely Places
7. Just the Way You Are
8. One More Song To Write
9. Nobody’s Listening
10. It’s Hard To Be Humble

Standard CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Deluxe CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Sting returns with a new studio album of his classic songs, “reconstructed, some of them refitted, some of them reframed, but all of them with a contemporary focus.”  My Songs, with new versions of “Fields of Gold,” “Message in a Bottle,” “Every Breath You Take,” and more, is available on standard CD, deluxe CD (adding a bonus EP of four live version), vinyl, and international exclusive CDs for Japan (with a live bonus track of “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You”) and France (with a bonus track of “Desert Rose (Extended Version)”).

Seventy years ago, The Miles Davis Nonet began the initial sessions for the landmark album Birth of the Cool. With Davis in a basement behind a Manhattan laundromat was a host of soon-to-be-legends: Gerry Mulligan, Max Roach, Lee Konitz, John Lewis, ad more. Davis led the group of groundbreaking musicians through a number of sessions in 1949 and 1950 that were eventually collected and released in 1957. Now, all 12 tracks they recorded and the ensemble’s Royal Roost recordings will be presented in a new, deluxe package. The core album is mastered from the analog single masters for the first time since its original release.  The set also includes a booklet full of photos and an exhaustive new essay by jazz historian and Grammy winner Ashley Kahn. Gerry Mulligan and Phil Schapp provided liner notes in the original 1998 CD edition, and those recollections and commentary have been included in the new reissue, as well.  The Complete Birth of the Cool is available on 2-LP vinyl, digital, and CD.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Orange vinyl: Rough Trade

On June 28, Iggy Pop’s legendary, lost classic Zombie Birdhouse will be reissued on CD and LP. The album was Pop’s sixth studio record and saw him combining Afrobeat influences, droning electronics, and free-association. The album was originally produced by Chris Stein of Blondie and released on Animal Records. Since then, the bizarre and compelling album has only been reissued twice. In 1991 it was remastered and expanded with an alternate version of “Pain and Suffering” featuring Debbie Harry on vocals. Twelve years later, that remaster was released again and expanded but with concert recordings from 1982. “Pain and Suffering” will also feature on Caroline International’s new reissue.

All the tracks have been remastered by Paschal Byrne at The Audio Archive in London. The album package includes sleeve note by Irvine Welsh and photos by Esther Friedman, as well.

Seconds Out may be the most beloved Genesis live album.  Originally released in October 1977, the double album featured tracks from the band’s June 1977 Paris dates in support of Wind & Wuthering, along with “The Cinema Show” from the 1976 Trick of the Tail tour.  It’s previously been available on CD, vinyl, and in surround sound, but Virgin/UMC’s upcoming reissue marks the first time it’s been fully remastered for vinyl.  The double album will utilize the 2008 mix by Nick Davis.  It will be half-speed mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios and will also bare the “Mastered at Abbey Road Studios” OBI strip and certificate of authenticity.  The album is due June 7, so mark those calendars!

Morrissey returns with a new album of classic songs, reinvented in his own style and inspired by the California sound.  Tracks include Laura Nyro’s “Wedding Bell Blues” by way of The 5th Dimension, Bacharach and David’s “Loneliness Remembers What Happiness Forgets” (introduced by Dionne Warwick), Jerry Fuller’s “Lady Willpower” (a smash for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap), and more.  Available on CD, vinyl, and digital platforms.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music continue celebrating Johnny Mathis’ discography with two albums on one CD. 1973’s Killing Me Softly with Her Song and 1975’s When Will I See You Again both spotlight Mathis’ silky interpretations of the day’s greatest hits.  Killing Me Softly with Her Song was Johnny’s final full-length album collaboration with songwriter-producer Jerry Fuller and notably premiered Fuller’s “Show and Tell,” a top 40 AC hit for Johnny which singer Al Wilson subsequently took to the top of the U.S. Pop chart.  It also boasts classic songs from Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble, and Linda Creed, Don McLean, Stevie Wonder, David Gates, and Joe Raposo.  When Will I See You Again took its title from Gamble and Leon Huff’s hit for Philadelphia’s Three Degrees, and featured another tribute to the Philly sound with Bell and Creed’s beautiful “You’re as Right as Rain.”  Johnny made Mathis magic with familiar hits from Barry Manilow, Neil Sedaka, Marvin Hamlisch, The Sherman Brothers, and Paul Williams.  This release boasts liner notes by TSD’s Joe Marchese with fresh quotes from Johnny Mathis and Jerry Fuller.  Mike Piacentini has remastered at Sony’s Battery Studios.

Johnny Mathis’ 1973 LP The Heart of a Woman is coming to CD  from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music in a deluxe, double-disc expanded edition, paired with 1975’s Feelings.  Johnny teamed with Motown’s legendary producer Johnny Bristol and arranger Paul Riser – plus session players like Dennis Coffey and Ray Parker, Jr. – for a set filled with Bristol originals also recorded by artists such as Boz Scaggs and Tom Jones.  Feelings, produced by Jack Gold, introduced Mathis’ evocative version of Albert Hammond and Hal David’s “99 Miles from L.A.,” a song which he still performs in concert today.  It also boasts David and Henry Mancini’s “The Greatest Gift” from The Return of the Pink Panther, and smooth interpretations of Marvin Hamlisch and Ed Kleban’s standout ballad “What Did for Love” from A Chorus Line, Melissa Manchester’s enchanting “Midnight Blue,” and Neil Sedaka’s “Solitaire.”  Nine fascinating period bonus tracks are included on this 2-CD set including two tracks produced by composer Roger Nichols (frequent songwriting partner of Paul Williams) and a rare session reuniting Johnny with producer-songwriter Jerry Fuller.  Joe Marchese’s new liner notes draw on interviews with Mathis and Fuller, and Mike Piacentini has remastered at Battery.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of Ghostbusters‘ 1984 theatrical debut, Ghostbusters: Original Motion Picture Score presents Elmer Bernstein’s classic themes (back in print for the first time since 2006) in newly mixed and remastered form, sourced from the original multitracks and boasting new artwork, liner notes from Elmer Bernstein’s son Peter, and four previously unreleased recordings.  It arrives on digital platforms for the first time ever (including standard-resolution and high-resolution download versions) on June 7. A CD configuration is set to be released the same day. For folks who prefer their soundtracks on wax, a 2-disc clear vinyl edition (with an ecto-slime filled label – recalling the popular Record Store Day single released for the 30th anniversary) will arrive on July 19.

2-CD:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3-LP:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

BMG, together with the team at Omnivore Recordings, has an essential new collection of Hank William’s cusp-of-stardom 1949 radio recordings. The Complete Health & Happiness Recordings, a 49-track set (split between 2 CDs or 3 LPs) presents all eight Health & Happiness broadcasts in their entirety.  This wealth of priceless content includes versions of “Lovesick Blues,” “You’re Gonna Change (Or I’m Gonna Leave),” “I Saw the Light,” “I’m a Long Gone Daddy,” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and the earliest known recordings the Nashville-era lineup of The Drifting Cowboys, who backed up Williams, as well as the only known recording of Williams performing “The Tramp on the Street.”

Accept no substitutes: the original Shaft is back. For this new deluxe edition of Isaac Hayes’ classic soundtrack – a joint release between Craft Recordings and its newly-acquired Varese Sarabande soundtrack label – the Stax Records hit album is paired with the rare original recordings as heard specifically in the film. (MGM recorded Hayes’ score direct to three-track, and he wanted a bigger sound for his album. This disc was previously included in a 2008 box set from Film Score Monthly.) This 2CD deluxe edition will be limited to 5,000 copies and can be ordered through Varese at the below link. (A single CD remaster of Hayes’ original album is also available at Amazon U.S., Amazon U.K. and Amazon Canada.)

Heaven and Earth (24-disc box) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

The ReconstruKction of Light (40th Anniversary Series) (CD/DVD-A) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

King Crimson, The Power To Believe (40th Anniversary Series) (CD/DVD-A) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

King Crimson has a truly staggering box set assembled: 24 discs – 18 CDs, 4 Blu-rays, and 2 DVD-As – celebrating the band’s work during the period of December 1997 to August 2008.  Too much to handle?  KC is also offering more digestible CD/DVD-A versions of studio albums The ReconstruKction of Light (in its newly remixed form) and The Power To Believe as part of the same campaign.  Read our full article for a complete breakdown of the contents of these impressive, collector-oriented sets.

The Polydor Years is an 8-CD set that brings together many of ARS’ best-loved albums and biggest hits.  Inside you’ll find Third Annual Pipe Dream (1974), Dog Days (1975), Red Tape (1976), A Rock and Roll Alternative (1976), Champagne Jam (1978), Underdog (1979), Are You Ready? (1979) and The Boys From Doraville (1980) plus a selection of single versions and edits as bonus tracks.

Omnivore Recordings celebrates what would have been the 100th birthday of zany, influential comedian Ernie Kovacs with this expanded reissue of his posthumously-released 1977 Columbia Records album. It captures eleven tracks of comedy gold from the late Kovacs including appearances from memorably zany characters like the flamboyant Percy Dovetonsils, Pierre Ragout, and J. Walter Puppybreath, and features six bonus tracks.  Available in CD and digital formats.

Varese Sarabande is returning Dave Grusin’s classic score to The Goonies to CD, this time in a wide release.  This edition, as assembled and remixed by album co-producer Mike Matessino in 2010, loses four alternate cues from the previous limited-edition CD release. Still, it offers 70 minutes of terrific music that fans of ’80s adventure films shouldn’t miss.

3-CD/DVD Deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD Expanded: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Hootie and the Blowfish are revisiting their 21x platinum smash Cracked Rear View with a new 3-CD/DVD Deluxe Edition and 2-CD Expanded Edition. The Deluxe Edition includes a new remaster of the album, plus rare and unreleased studio recordings on CD 2, a live show from Pittsburgh in 1995 on CD 3, and a DVD with music videos, 24-bit/96kHz high resolution bonus tracks, and a 5.1 surround sound mix of the album. Among the rare studio recordings are early versions of their classics, recorded in 1990 and 1991 and released on cassette at the band’s gigs. Also featured is their 1993 EP Kootchypop and various outtakes and B-sides from the Cracked Rear View sessions. The Expanded Edition has the first two discs of the Deluxe Edition.  A vinyl LP of the original album is also available.

In just a few months during 1969, Stax and its artists released a staggering 27 albums and 30 singles during what’s been called the “Soul Explosion,” which is also the name of a 1969 compilation arriving on vinyl for the first time since its original release. The 28-song, 2-LP sampler brings together hits from the likes of The Staple Singers, Albert King, Eddie Floyd, and The Mad Lads.  These are paired with rarer songs, some of which are exclusive to this collection.  Among them are The Bar-Kays’ “Hot Hips,” Ollie & The Nightingales’ “Heartache Mountain,” and Eddie Floyd’s “It’s Wrong To Be Loving You.”  The lacquers for the 2-LP edition were cut by Jeff Powell at the Memphis-based Take Out Vinyl and pressed locally at Memphis Record Pressing.  The discs are housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.  The collection will also be released digitally for the first time, including in high-resolution at 24-bit/96kHz or 24-bit/192kHz formats.

Stage Door Records launches a new series celebrating musicals year-by-year: Lost Broadway.  The first volume focuses on the year 1961, shining a new light on all-but-forgotten or infrequently-revived shows including 13 Daughters, The Conquering Hero, Milk and Honey, Subways Are for Sleeping, Sail Away, Carnival, and more.  The 2-CD, 57-song collection features original cast performances on Disc One from artists such as Barbara Cook, Jerry Orbach, and Elaine Stritch, and a treasure trove of pop covers and rare versions on Disc Two from a line-up including Doris Day, Judy Garland, and Nat “King” Cole.

Demon is bringing together Bobby Darin’s recordings for his own Direction Records label on one box set with three 180-gram LPs.  The Direction Albums collects Darin’s 1968 LP Born Walden Robert Cassotto and the 1969 Commitment (credited to Bob Darin) with an album of Rare Darin from this period in which the singer-songwriter expressed his social conscience via a radically different folk-rock sound.  The two core albums are being reissued for the very first time on LP in their original gatefold sleeves.

Volume 1: Jazz collects together 13 of the best jazz-oriented compositions from the Netflix original series which starred Steven Van Zandt.  Little Steven and his musical compatriots assembled a soundtrack featuring vintage standards, instrumental cues, and original songs. Van Zandt even took a page from Sinatra in his new renditions of “All Of Me,” “Ring-a-Ding Ding!” and “My Kind Of Town.” 

Volume 2: Folk, Rock, Rio, Bits and Pieces from the soundtrack of the Netflix original series starring Steven Van Zandt collects a whopping 36 tracks from a variety of genres, including the theme song and cues inspired by Norwegian folk, rock-and-roll, surf, Latin sounds, Brazilian music, and beyond.  Van Zandt plays guitar on all but one of the tracks on this album, and was inspired by diverse artists ranging from Tito Puente and Antonio Carlos Jobim to Ennio Morricone.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD

In November 2018, the Doobie Brothers, led by Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, and John McFee, returned to New York City’s historic Beacon Theatre for the first time in 25 years to perform two of the band’s greatest albums, Toulouse Street and The Captain and Me. Both audio and video of that special performance are now set for release.  The Doobie Brothers: Live from The Beacon Theatre will be available in 2CD, 2CD/DVD, and Blu-ray iterations.

50th Anniversary: The Collection (3-CD) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
50th Anniversary: The Collection [2-LP] (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD)
50th Anniversary: Golden Hits (Single CD) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Almost fifty years ago in London, Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and the late Dan Peek first joined their voices together in song – beginning a musical journey as the band America that continues to this day.  In anticipation of America’s golden anniversary in 2020, Rhino is getting the party started with a new multi-format anthology.  America – 50th Anniversary: The Collection arrives from the label in 3-CD, 1-CD, 2-LP, and digital versions.  It’s the first large-scale America anthology since 2000’s Highway: 30 Years of America.  The 3-CD iteration has 50 tracks, and is packed not only with hits but with demos, alternates, rarities, and live recordings.  All formats include all of the band’s U.S. top ten hits.

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Walmart.com

Filmmaker Ken Burns has tackled many subjects over the years, from the Civil War to baseball.  His documentaries have garnered numerous awards over the years.  In 2001, he took an in-depth look at the genre of jazz.  Now, he’s exploring a different genre with Country Music, an eight-part, 16-1/2-hour documentary premiering September 15 on PBS.  And as with Jazz, there is an accompanying soundtrack.  The most expansive of these is a 5-CD box set due August 30.  Other configurations of the set including a 2-CD, 2-LP, 1-CD Wal-Mart exclusive, and digital will follow on September 13.  All formats include many of the genre’s landmark recordings by artists such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and George Jones.

Rhino has unearthed a lost album recorded by Miles Davis in 1985-1986 prior to his label debut Tutu.  The LP has been completed by original co-producers Randy Hall and Zane Giles with Davis’ nephew Vince Wilburn, Jr., who played drums on the album sessions.  Ledisi and Lalah Hathaway have been enlisted to complete the vocal tracks.  Available on CD, 2-LP vinyl, and digital platforms.

Welcome To The Vault is the first-ever Steve Miller Band rarities collection.  The 3CD/DVD box set features 52 songs that span Miller’s career, including 38 previously unreleased recordings and 5 never-before-heard songs.  With demos, rehearsal takes, newly unearthed compositions, classic concert recordings, and more, Miller has dived into the vaults with a celebratory collection that’s bound to please any fan.  The DVD is also a treasure trove of rarities, featuring 21 performances including footage from Monterey Pop, the Fillmore West, and New York’s Palace Theatre plus other television appearances.  The discs are housed in a deluxe box accompanied by a 100-page book that includes photos from Miller’s extensive archive and a 9,000-word essay by David Fricke.  Miller has also thrown in guitar picks featuring his iconic Pegasus logo, and even an authentic backstage pass from the vault!

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Woodstock’s 50th anniversary is right around the corner, and Craft Recordings is marking the occasion with the release of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s complete performance at the historic festival.  Live at Woodstock is available in CD, 2-LP, and digital formats (including high-resolution 96/24) featuring the band’s complete performance at Yasgur’s farm.  The set will also be included in full on Rhino’s massive 38-CD complete Woodstock box.

3-CD/LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino celebrates 25 years of Stone Temple Pilots’ Purple with a new box set.  The 3-CD/1-LP super deluxe box brings together a newly remastered edition of the classic album on CD and LP,  plus unreleased rarities, alternate versions, and live tracks from the era.  There are a number of early versions, demos, and acoustic takes of the beloved album tracks, along with a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Dancing Days,” a previously unreleased demo of The Beach Boys’ “She Knows Me Too Well,” and an acoustic Christmas set that sees them performing an unplugged “Christmastime is Here” alongside tracks from Purple.  The third CD (exclusive to the box) features a previously unreleased recording from Stone Temple Pilots’ 1994 stop, captured on their New Haven, CT stop.  The 17-song set includes both electric and acoustic material, many tracks from Purple, hits from Core and a number of covers, including Woody Guthrie’s “Gypsy Davy” and David Bowie’s “Andy Warhol.”  The set is also available in a 2-CD version minus the concert, and a 1-CD remastered edition of the original album.

2CD/2LP Box: 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

Scottish rock band Travis’ sophomore album, 1999’s The Man Who, gets a 20th anniversary deluxe edition from Craft Recordings.  Produced by Nigel Godrich, it spent eleven weeks atop the U.K. Albums Chart, and has sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide.  The box set features the expanded original album and bonus tracks (including B-sides and live performances) on 2 CDs and 2 LPs plus a 58-page photobook.  Also available on 2CD, 1LP (with the original album only), and digital formats.

Cherry Red’s 7a imprint has rounded up all 47 of The Bay City Rollers’ single sides on the Bell, Arista, and Epic labels released between 1971 and 1981 on a 3-CD clamshell box set.  Includes “Saturday Night,” “Bye Bye Baby,” “Give a Little Love,” and all of the group’s international smashes.  The set has been remastered by James Bragg and includes a 28-page booklet with single-by-single annotation.

Jakob Dylan and a group of friends including Beck, Cat Power, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and Regina Spektor revisit thirteen Laurel Canyon classics on this album inspired by director Andrew Slater’s recent documentary film.  Songs include “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” by Dylan with Young, “Expecting to Fly” with Spektor, “Goin’ Back” with Beck, “You Showed Me” with Cat Power, and more.

Chicago’s hometown favorite band The Ides of March, led as always by singer-songwriter Jim Peterik, return with a new studio album.  Play On boasts 14 new songs sure to form a new chapter in the 55-years-and-counting history of the horn-rock band.  The CD has one bonus track, the original single version of the Ides’ enduring classic “Vehicle.”

On August 2, Rhino releases the ultimate Woodstock experience: a massive, 38-CD, 432-song (267 previously unreleased!) box set featuring nearly every note performed at the Festival (only the Jimi Hendrix estate would not give permission for his entire performance).  But if that’s too much Woodstock for your tastes, Rhino has also come through, as 10CD, 5LP, and 3CD highlights versions will also be released on June 28.  Woodstock – Back to the Garden – 50th Anniversary Experience features 162 tracks across 10 CDs and is the first Woodstock collection to feature live recordings of every performer at the festival.  This version will be also available via digital download.  Woodstock – Back to the Garden – 50th Anniversary Collection collects 42 tracks, and will be available on 3 CDs or 5 LPs.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Chicago has enlisted engineer Tim Jessup to remix the band’s classic debut in celebration of its 50th anniversary.  Available in 1CD, 2LP, and digital formats, as well as a limited-edition, numbered version of the 2 LP set on gold vinyl available exclusively through Rhino.com.

RCA and Legacy celebrate Elvis Presley’s triumphant return to live performing at Las Vegas’ International Hotel with a new 11-CD box set.  All of The King’s exhilarating performances from August 21 to August 26, 1969 will be presented on Legacy’s new box . Some of the concerts have been previously issued in the last decade on various BMG and Follow That Dream collections and box sets (not to mention the August 23rd dinner show, which saw a limited Record Store Day vinyl issue). But Live 1969 also features never-before-released complete performances, including the Midnight Shows on August 22 and 24, 1969, as well as the Dinner Show from August 25. Every performance has been newly remixed and remastered for the all-encompassing box.  A 52-page book rounds out the lavish presentation.

In addition to the 11-CD Live 1969 box set, Legacy will release Live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV August 26, 1969, featuring Elvis Presley’s complete August 26 Midnight show. The standard-edition, 180-gram black vinyl pressing will be joined by a limited edition bundle of the album, an exclusive T-shirt, and replica International Hotel room key over at ShopElvis.com. An exclusive hot pink and yellow color vinyl variant will be available from Shop Graceland and fans who pre-order there will receive a special Elvis TCB keychain while supplies last.​

The Elvis 1969 celebration continues.  In January of that year, Presley and his band began sessions with producer Chips Moman at American Sound Studios in Memphis, which resulted in his acclaimed From Elvis In Memphis album and its lead single “In the Ghetto.” He also laid down such iconic songs as “Suspicious Minds,” “Kentucky Rain,” “Rubberneckin’,” and “Don’t Cry Daddy” at the famed studio. The 5-CD collection American Sound 1969 (available digitally on August 23 and on CD September 13) includes more than 90 tracks from his sessions there in January-February of 1969. The rare and previously unreleased material includes all existing alternate takes of “In The Ghetto,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Kentucky Rain,” plus stabs at contemporary hits and plenty more, adding up to a fly-on-the-wall experience with the legendary superstar at his electrifying best.  Order directly from the Elvis specialty label Follow That Dream here.

4-CD:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Exclusive 7-LP

Twenty years ago, Icelandic band Sigur Ros released Ágætis Byrjun (meaning “A Good Beginning”).  And so it proved to be, as critics everywhere praised the album.  Q Magazine even went as far as to deem it “the last great album of the 20th century.”  Now, the band revisits the album with a deluxe edition that brings together a remastered version of the album, demos, newly unearthed alternative versions, B-sides, and even a full, 95-minute concert in Reykjavik from the day the album was released.

The reissue arrives in many configurations:  4-CD (original album, live material, demos, and alternates), 2-LP (original album plus outtakes and demos), and a web-store exclusive 7-LP edition housed in a hardback book that replicated the 4-CD program.​

Edsel celebrates the remarkable career of Judy Collins with The Elektra Albums Volume One (1961-1968), collecting the eight albums she recorded in the 1960s for Holzman’s label.  The first volume of this series includes the albums which made Collins a voice of a generation and on which she established herself as not only an eloquent voice of traditional folk but a champion of such songwriters as Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and Randy Newman:

• A Maid of Constant Sorrow (1961)
• Golden Apples of the Sun (1962)
• Judy Collins 3 (1964)
• The Judy Collins Concert (1964)
• Fifth Album (1965)
• In My Life (1966)
• Wildflowers (1967); and
• Who Knows Where the Time Goes (1968)

The set has each album in an LP-style paper sleeve facsimile of the original sleeve and also contains a 36-page booklet with original album liner notes and credits plus a new essay by Elektra historian Mick Houghton.  

Toto, Kenny Loggins, Rupert Holmes, 10cc, and Chuck Mangione are among the eclectic artists on this collection of breezy soft-rock summer sounds.  Available on CD, LP, and digital platforms.

Real Gone Music presents a 41-track, 2-CD compilation of Janie Fricke’s most successful country classics with It Ain’t Easy: The Complete Hits (1979-1988).  Fricke had paid her dues before making it big in Nashville as a jingle singer.  Once she relocated, she got gigs with the likes of Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gayle, and Tanya Tucker.  Eventually she went out on her own and signed to Columbia in 1977.  In just two years, she scored six No. 1 Country hits and won two consecutive CMA Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year.  All 38 of her charting tracks are accounted for on this definitive set, including duets with Charlie Rich, Johnny Duncan, Larry Gatlin, and Merle Haggard, alongside her later hits as Janie Frickie.  Fricke herself has penned the liner notes for the collection, which are supplemented with previously unseen photographs in the extensive booklet.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Barnes and Noble Exclusive Orange Vinyl

August 14 sees the theatrical release of Blinded by the Light, a new coming-of-age film inspired by Sarfraz Manzoor’s Greetings from Bury Park: Race, Religion and Rock N’ Roll.  Both book and movie chronicle the story of a young man’s life-changing experiences with the music of Bruce Springsteen, so it’s only appropriate that a soundtrack filled with Boss tunes would be on the way.  Blinded by the Light: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features 12 songs from the Springsteen catalogue, including classics and previously unreleased tracks such as the long-sought-after studio recording of “I’ll Stand By You,” written in 2001 for Springsteen’s oldest son and originally submitted for consideration for the big-screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.  Also, for the first time on a “proper” wide-release album, the soundtrack presents two live rarities: the debut live performance of “The River” (from No Nukes ’79, Madison Square Garden, NYC, September 21, 1979) and a recent solo acoustic performance of “The Promised Land” (Concert for Valor, The National Mall, Washington DC, November 11, 2014).  Available in CD and digital configurations) as well as 2-LP 12″ vinyl configurations including an exclusive orange vinyl edition at Barnes and Noble.  

Standard black vinyl:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Color vinyl:  Paul McCartney Online Shop
CD:  Links TBA

On the heels of the news about his live album vinyl and CD reissues, Paul McCartney has announced another reissue project:  this one involving the sole album by his wife, Linda, Wide Prairie.  Originally released in 1998, the album collected tracks that she sang and played on during her time in Wings, including the non-album single “Seaside Woman” / “B-Side to Seaside.”  There’s also solo material from the 1980s and ’90s; covers of such classics as “Poison Ivy” and “Mr. Sandman”; and her final recording, a collaboration with Paul McCartney and son James called “The Light Comes From Within.”  Wide Prairie will be reissued in two vinyl configurations:  standard black vinyl and web store-exclusive color vinyl.  The Paul McCartney webstore notes that the album will be reissued on CD and released digitally as well, but links for those editions are not yet available.

Recorded on a stop in Ontario, the new 2-CD concert Across A Crowded Room: Live At Barrymore’s 1985 sees Richard Thompson and his backing group  (including Any Trouble leader Clive Gregson and his creative partner Christine Collister, alongside Fotheringay/Pentangle/Cat Stevens drummer Gerry Conway, and bassist Rory McFarlane) performing in support of the studio album of the same name.  Much of the performance was released decades ago on LaserDisc with a total of 18 songs, but Real Gone’s new collection features all 20 songs performed at the gig – a fitting presentation for its first official CD release!  The set was produced by Bill Levenson, with music mastered by Tom Lewis at Studio 1093 in Athens, GA.  It’s supplemented by liner notes from Scott Schinder and a wealth of contemporaneous photos that contextualize the magical performance.

Just in time for the festival’s 50th anniversary, Real Gone Music brings Jefferson Airplane’s complete Woodstock performance (issued on CD in 2009) to vinyl for the very first time.  The 3-LP set will be pressed on “new dawn” blue vinyl, and decked out with Henry Diltz’s photographs and Richie Unterberger’s liner notes.

Real Gone Music brings jazz keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith’s 1973 debut on the Flying Dutchman label back to vinyl in a limited edition pressed on “blue eternity” vinyl and limited to 1,000 units.

Lonnie Liston Smith’s 1974 sophomore album on the Flying Dutchman label also gets the Real Gone Music treatment for a new vinyl pressing on gold vinyl, limited to 1,000 units.

Real Gone presents an album’s worth of the wackiest rock from Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.  This 10-song collection from the “I Put a Spell on You” man captures the cream of the crop of Hawkins’ tenure at Bizarre Records. With such strange and lurid tunes as “Shut Your Mouth When You Sneeze” and “Sherilyn Fenn” to a pair of unexpected Tom Waits covers, the music is bound to please any fan that hasn’t already found this collection.  For this vinyl edition limited to 1,000 units, Real Gone has pressed The Bizarre Years on purple vinyl.  It includes liner notes by Chris Morris.

Rhino is reissuing 2001’s 21-song compilation The Best of Morrissey for the first time ever on vinyl as a 2-LP set.  The edition going to general retail will be pressed on black vinyl while Rhino.com offers an exclusive clear vinyl version limited to 500 units.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada TBD
2LP (Turquoise): The Sound of Vinyl

What’s Going On Live features one of Marvin Gaye’s only performances in the wake of his immortal 1971 album, recorded at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in the spring of 1972 after a four-year absence from the stage.  This release marks the first standalone release of the concert (originally issued in 2001 on the What’s Going On 30th anniversary edition), and for the occasion it’s been completely remixed by John Morales.  New liner notes by David Ritz are also part of the package.

7CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
10LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The career of Nat “King” Cole has been exceedingly well-represented in the CD era, whether via numerous, expanded original album reissues or the hefty box sets released by the Bear Family and Mosaic labels.  But one period of King Cole’s career has been rather overlooked: the recordings he made prior to signing with Capitol Records, the label with which he would spend more than two decades.  Now, Resonance Records is addressing that situation with a remarkable, comprehensive new box set that ranks as the jazz label’s most ambitious project yet.  Hittin’ the Ramp: The Early Years (1936-1943) is a 7-CD or 10-LP box set exploring that all-but-unknown period of the artist’s career with previously unreleased and new-to-commercial-release rarities and tracks culled from transcription discs and private collectors’ sources.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Earwig Music has one of the year’s most intriguing box sets and most significant historical excavations – a beautiful 124-page, 4-CD hardcover tome chronicling in words and music the story of Narvel Eatmon, a.k.a. Cadillac Baby, and his Chicago label Bea & Baby Records. From 1959-1989, the label and its various imprints (among them Key, Keyhole, Miss, and Ronald) championed the Windy City music scene with an impressive array of blues, gospel, soul, doo-wop, hip-hop, and even comedy recordings – the best of which are featured on this compelling retrospective.

Real Gone Music presents the starry soundtrack to 2010’s big-screen musical Burlesque, with Cher and Christina Aguilera, on vinyl for the first time.  The campy cult classic soundtrack is pressed on hot pink vinyl and housed in a newly designed gatefold sleeve adorned with production stills from the film.

Real Gone Music brings the soundtrack to Martin Scorsese’s 2006 drama to vinyl for the first time in a kelly green pressing.  The hard-hitting album features music by Roger Waters, The Beach Boys, Badfinger, The Rolling Stones, Roy Buchanan, The Allman Brothers Band, and other heavy hitters.  It’s limited to 1,100 copies.

The Definitive Archies: Greatest Hits and More! is a new vinyl compilation that brings together 14 tracks (including six chart hits) from the classic bubblegum group featuring Ron Dante and Toni Wine, with production and songs from Jeff Barry and Andy Kim.  Unlike previous retrospective collections, this one isn’t a dub from a vinyl disc.  Within the package, the listener will find comprehensive sleeve notes from Ed Osborne.  The record itself will be pressed on opaque blue vinyl and is limited to only 1,000 copies. 

LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Fans of obscure Prince mixes and alternate versions are sure to delight in The VERSACE Experience (PRELUDE 2 GOLD). The collection of rare material was originally pressed up as a limited-edition cassette for Paris Fashion Week attendees in 1995 and featured remixes of then-unreleased tracks from The Gold Experience, alongside special edits and unheard music by The New Power Generation, The NPG Orchestra, and the jazz-fusion side-project Madhouse, all mixed together into a seamless experience. The VERSACE Experience (PRELUDE 2 GOLD) was recently re-released on limited-edition cassette for Record Store Day, but this marks its first wide release on digital, CD, and vinyl.

6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Prince’s epic 1996 album Emancipation returns to print as a 3CD set and makes its vinyl debut as a 6LP package.  The album is packed with original songs reflecting on many of the themes most important to the artist (romance, family, sex, technology) as well as four choice covers (Bonnie Raitt’s ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me,’ the Thom Bell-composed Philly soul classics ‘Betcha By Golly Wow’ and ‘La, La, La Means I Love U,’ Joan Osborne’s then-current rock hit ‘One Of Us’). 

LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Originally released in July 1996 as a surprise from Prince, Chaos and Disorder nonetheless reached the top 30 in the U.S. and the top 20 in the U.K. with no promotion.  For this new reissue, it will be released in a 1-LP configuration on limited-edition purple vinyl and a 1-CD package. This reissue campaign not only brings the CD back on shelves after decades out-of-print, but also marks its debut on purple vinyl.

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

Showtime’s long-awaited documentary on Motown Records makes its debut on August 24.  But before that, Universal Music will issue a companion soundtrack on CD (in both standard 1CD and deluxe 2CD editions) and vinyl, featuring many of the label’s all-time classic songs.  The vinyl edition arrives on September 27.  Also available on digital/streaming.

Real Gone Music reissues and expands Keely Smith’s You’re Breaking My Heart, the late chanteuse’s hard-to-find, U.K.-only album from 1965.  Among its 12 songs are interpretations of Neal Hefti’s “Sunday Mornin'”, the Willie Nelson standard “Crazy,” Jimmie Hodges’ “Someday (You’ll Want Me to Want You),” and her original composition “I’ll Always Be in Love With You.”  A previously unreleased demo of Tony Hatch’s “Call Me” is the bonus track, and the whole set has been remastered by Mike Milchner from the original tapes.  Steve Hochman has penned the liner notes.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music continue celebrating the oeuvre of Johnny Mathis with this two-for-one collection featuring The Voice of Romance’s 1976 and 1977 albums with producer Jack Gold and arranger Gene Page.  On these albums, Mathis saluted songwriters including Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield (“The Hungry Years”), Alan O’Day (“Do Me Wrong, But Do Me”), Stephen Sondheim (“Send in the Clowns”), Marvin Hamlisch and Ed Kleban (“One”), and the team of Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin (“Do You Know Where You’re Going To,” “I Always Knew I Had It in Me”). I Only Have Eyes for You introduced Johnny’s longtime concert favorite “Yellow Roses on Her Gown” and the Christmas perennial “When a Child Is Born” as well as acclaimed singer-songwriter Harriet Schock’s “Ooh, What We Do.”   Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me found Mathis saluting his Columbia labelmate Barbra Streisand with the romantic “Evergreen,” breathing new life into the vintage standard “All the Things You Are,” and giving a classy spin to the Annie anthem “Tomorrow” in one of the song’s first covers.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the new liner notes based on interviews with Mathis and Schock, and Mike Piacentini has remastered at Sony’s Battery Studios.

Johnny Mathis’ first album of the 1980s, Different Kinda Different, arrives in an expanded edition.  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 and Gene Page for a set that lived up to its title as it spotlighted numerous new songs. Two sizzling pop-soul duets with Paulette McWilliams, “Different Kinda Different” and “I’d Do It All for You,” are at the heart of an eclectic album that also features tunes by Sammy Cahn, Teddy Randazzo, and Steve Dorff, plus a pair of standards (“Deep Purple,” “Temptation”), the timeless disco anthem “I Will Survive,” and the haunting film theme “With You I’m Born Again.” This definitive Expanded Edition of Different Kinda Different features nearly an entire album’s worth of bonus tracks – nine in total. Everything has been remastered by Mike Piacentini at Battery , and the deluxe booklet features Joe Marchese’s liner notes drawing upon brand-new interviews with Johnny Mathis and Paulette McWilliams.  John Sellards has designed the artwork, brimming with rare photos and memorabilia.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Green Vinyl: uDiscover Store

Capitol/UMe/Frank Sinatra Enterprises reissues the Chairman’s 1969 contemporary pop LP My Way with four bonus tracks, all of the famous title anthem: live versions from 1971 and 1987, and duets with Willie Nelson and Luciano Pavarotti.  David Ritz has penned the new liner notes.  Available on CD, LP, and digital platforms.

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Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

A new collection celebrates Frank Sinatra’s enduring recordings from the songbook of Oscar-winning lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman, from 1960 to 1988.  The LP edition has 10 previously released tracks while the CD and digital iterations add three bonus tracks including the non-LP single “Christmas Memories” and two previously unreleased tracks: “Leave It All to Me” and “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?”

5CD/5DVD/6BD/2 Vinyl Single Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (Bundles: Pink Floyd Online Store)

1CD Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Bundles: Pink Floyd Online Store

Pink Floyd’s The Later Years: 1987-2019 celebrates the band’s David Gilmour-led years which yielded the albums A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987), The Division Bell (1994), and The Endless River (2014) and the live efforts Delicate Sound of Thunder (1988) and Pulse (1995).  The massive, limited-edition set includes 5 CDs, 2 vinyl singles, 5 DVDs and 6 Blu-ray discs packed full of Floydian treasures. Among them are new stereo and surround sound remixes, highly sought-after restored live performances from Venice 1989 and Knebworth 1990, recently unearthed outtakes and extras, a new look at a classic album, and two newly minted singles featuring unreleased live material. In addition, the set will include exclusive reproductions of posters and tour memorabilia, and two deluxe books — one for photos and another for lyrics — designed by Aubrey Powell at Hipgnosis and Peter Curzon of StormStudios! If that’s just a little too much, a 2-LP/1-CD highlights collection is set for release two weeks earlier collecting 12 key tracks — live material, jams, rehearsals, and new mixes among them.  The CDs in the 18-disc audiovisual excavation are contained in a 60-page, hardback book which contains a table of contents, track lists, and an exhaustive guide to the content on the discs — and there is plenty!

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music are proud to mark Motown’s 60th anniversary with a collection that has truly been decades in the making.  Heart Full of Soul: The Motown Anthology is the ultimate tribute to Sondra “Blinky” Williams, Motown’s great lost superstar. Over two CDs and almost 50 songs, Blinky’s Motown journey is chronicled with songs written and produced for her by the label’s greatest talents including Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Frank Wilson, Hal Davis, Gil Askey, Deke Richards, Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson, Don Hunter, Stevie Wonder, Willie Hutch, and Clay McMurray, who unexpectedly passed away last week and to whom this release is dedicated.  The first disc presents Blinky’s never-before-released 1970 album Sunny and Warm in complete form for the first time along with all of her released singles plus rarities and live tracks. The second disc premieres over 20 never-before-heard recordings, both in original Motown stereo mixes and brand-new mixes by Kevin Reeves, that showcase the depth and breadth of Blinky’s remarkable voice.  Co-produced and annotated by Joe Marchese and Andrew Skurow, this one-of-a-kind collection blends gospel, jazz, R&B, funk, pop, soul, and, of course, the classic Sound of Young America with the distinctive voice of Motown’s greatest “lost” artist, Blinky. Heart Full of Soul has to be heard to be believed. 

This 3CD/BD/DVD rhapsody celebrates Freddie Mercury’s solo career with a variety of material. The three CDs include a new 12-track compilation of many of Mercury’s finest solo performances also entitled Never Boring; a newly mixed 11-track special edition of Mr. Bad Guy, and the nine-track 2012 special edition of Barcelona featuring full orchestra. The Blu-ray and DVD boast Mercury’s promotional videos and his stage performances with Montserrat Caballé including eight that have been painstakingly reassembled from the original 35mm film rushes, plus bonus footage such as an interview, extended version of “The Great Pretender,” and live performance of “Barcelona.”

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
10LP/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Prince’s fifth studio album gets a major makeover with a variety of deluxe editions. The Super Deluxe Edition of 1999 will premiere 35 previously unreleased tracks. Its 65 tracks total across five CDs or ten 180-gram vinyl LPs will also include B-sides and single mixes plus the original album remastered for the very first time. It features all of the audio material Prince officially released in and around 1982 plus 23 previously unissued studio tracks recorded between November 1981 and January 1983, plus a complete live performance of the 1999 tour recorded in Detroit at the late show on November 30, 1982. Additionally, both the CD and vinyl Super Deluxe sets contain a DVD with another complete, previously unreleased concert from the 1999 tour, recorded with multiple cameras live at the Houston Summit on December 29, 1982.  Additionally, the 2-CD or 4-LP iterations have the remastered original album plus the B-sides and alternate mixes disc, while the 1-CD or 2-LP version has the new remaster only.

ABKCO has a 50th anniversary set for The Rolling Stones’ 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 will be reissued as a 2-LP/2-Hybrid SACD set remastered in both stereo and mono by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering.  In addition to the original mono and stereo mixes on hybrid SACD (playable in all CD players), the collection also includes a reproduction of the 1969 7-inch mono single of “Honky Tonk Women” / “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” in a picture sleeve. Also featured in the new box are three 12″ x 12″ hand-numbered replica-signed lithographs printed on embossed archival paper and a full-color 23″ x 23″ poster with restored art from the original 1969 Decca Records package. An 80-page hardcover book boasts an essay by David Fricke and previously unseen photos by Ethan Russell. The remastered stereo version will also be available as a standalone CD or LP, as well as digitally.

Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s first album since 2012, Colorado, promises the same kind of scorching, raw rock for which the band is known.  Sweetening the pot, Nils Lofgren makes his first appearance on a Crazy Horse record since 1971!  Colorado  features 10 new Young compositions including the 13+-minute epic “She Shows Me Love.”  The vinyl version contains a bonus 7-inch single with outtake “Truth Kills” and a live version of the album’s “Rainbow of Colors.”

Over 4 CDs, Only After Dark chronicles the late, great Mick Ronson’s RCA/Mainman recordings including two full albums (Slaughter on 10th Avenue and Play Don’t Worry), B-sides, demos, alternate takes, unissued-at-the-time studio recordings, outtakes, and live cuts.  Rare photos and a new essay round out this comprehensive package of Ronno rarities.

Chicago is back with the band’s 37th studio album and fourth Christmas release. The simply-titled Chicago Christmas arrives on CD, LP, and digital platforms with eight original songs (including one from Robert Lamm and Dino, Desi & Billy/The Beach Boys’ Billy Hinsche and another from Lee Loughnane and The Ventures’ John Durrill), two classic holiday standards, and one pop favorite from Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  The Target-exclusive CD features two bonus tracks.

For her second full-length Christmas album (or third if you count the collaborative Celebration in Vienna with Placido Domingo), legendary songstress Dionne Warwick is joined by such luminaries as Johnny Mathis, The Oak Ridge Boys, Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, and ex-Chicago singer Jason Scheff.

To coincide with the release of the theatrical film version of Western Stars, Bruce Springsteen is delivering the film’s soundtrack.  Western Stars: Songs from the Film features live versions of all thirteen of the original album’s songs, plus a special cover of Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy.”  Available on CD, LP, and digital platforms.

Welcome back to the Neighborhood!  This celebration of the music of Mister Rogers collects over 20 songs recorded by the host, with accompaniment from longtime sideman Johnny Costa on piano, Carl McViker on bass, and Bobby Rawsthorne on percussion. Complementing the music is an illustrated booklet with photos, an introduction by the Won’t You Be My Neighbor? documentarian Morgan Neville, and an essay by TV critic Robert Bianco. Among the tracks are the classics “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” “You Are Special,” and “It’s You I Like.” Omnivore has also unearthed previously unissued tracks for the collection, including “Today is a Very Special Day,” “I’m Looking for a Friend,” and the series’ original closing song, “Tomorrow.”  While the CD was issued in 2019, the vinyl LP arrives in wide release on January 10, 2020.  (A special red vinyl version is already available exclusively through Barnes & Noble.)

6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Every Move You Make: The Studio Recordings is a the 6-CD version of the 2018 vinyl collection collecting The Police’s five classic studio albums plus a bonus disc of twelve rarities entitled Flexible Strategies.

Gotta get up!  The late Harry Nilsson’s final recordings are, at last, being unveiled to the world on Omnivore’s Losst and Founnd.  Produced by Mark Hudson, the album features Nilsson originals plus covers of songs by his friends Jimmy Webb and Yoko Ono.  Guest musicians include Webb, Van Dyke Parks, Jim Keltner, and Harry’s son Kiefo.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music are proud to present The Complete RCA Victor and Columbia Christmas Recordings from legendary guitarist-producer Chet Atkins on a deluxe 2-CD, 46-song anthology remastered by Vic Anesini at Sony’s Battery Studios and featuring new liner notes by the set’s compiler-producer, TSD’s Joe Marchese!

4CD/4-seven-inch single box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / The Kinks Official
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / The Kinks Official
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / The Kinks Official

The Kinks’ 1969 concept album continued in the quintessentially British vein of The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society but carved out its own musical identity.  Building on the success of last year’s Village Green box set, BMG has a similarly expansive – make that Kink-size – set for Arthur, loaded with previously unreleased tracks and mixes and incorporating “the great lost Dave Davies album” as well.  It’s available in a variety of formats including a 4-CD/4-seven-inch single box set, and slimmed-down 2-CD and 2-LP editions.

Emma Thompson co-wrote and appears in this romantic holiday comedy set to the music of George Michael.  The soundtrack to Last Christmas features Michael and Wham! classics (including “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Faith,” and of course, “Last Christmas”) alongside one never-before-released track, “This Is How (We Want You to Get High).”  Available on CD, LP, and digital platforms.

The prolific Van Morrison returns with his sixth album in four years.  Three Chords and the Truth is filled with original Morrison compositions including one co-written with Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black.  Guitarist Jay Berliner and Righteous Brother Bill Medley both appear on the album.  Available on CD, LP, and digital platforms.

Omnivore has an expanded reissue of legendary cult band Big Star’s 2005 album In Space. The well-received 12-song set from Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens, Jon Auer, and Ken Stringfellow included ten new originals and two covers.  It was recorded in the fabled Ardent Studios, where Big Star began, and released on Rykodisc.  (A limited vinyl run was issued on DBK Works.)  Now, the album will return to vinyl on translucent blue wax and will be expanded on CD to the tune of six bonus tracks. Among them are five unissued demos and alternate mixes, plus the 2003 reunion track “Hot Thing,” previously available on the out-of-print Ryko comp, Big Star Story. The packaging will include notes from Supermegabot’s Jeff Rougvie, formerly of Ryko A&R, plus recollections from Jon Auer, Ken Stringfellow, Jody Stephens, engineer Adam Hill, and co-producer Jeff Powell (who also cut the new vinyl edition).

The Oak Ridge Boys have another celebration of their favorite season.  Down Home Christmas, the group’s eighth Christmas album, has been produced by Nashville uber-producer Dave Cobb and features both classics and original songs.

Harry Connick, Jr. salutes a classic American composer with True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter.  The new album, available on CD, LP, and digital platforms, has 13 Porter standards, all arranged, conducted, and sung by Connick (who, naturally, plays piano on them, too).

What’s his name?  Ringo, of course!  The Beatle is back with a new LP featuring some very special guests: Steve Lukather, Joe Walsh, Edgar Winter, Dave Stewart, and Paul McCartney!  Macca joins in on a cover of John Lennon’s “Grow Old with Me.”  Promising a lot of peace and love, What’s My Name will be available on CD, LP, and digital platforms.

When Marin Mazzie passed away from cancer in September 2018, musical theatre lost one of its most luminous lights.  Now, Broadway Records is releasing the final joint appearance of Marin and her husband, Jason Danieley, at 54 Below.  Recorded in May 2017,  Broadway and Beyond features the duo revisiting many of their biggest triumphs from musicals including The King and I, Curtains, The Visit, Kiss Me, Kate, and Ragtime.  Proceeds from the album will benefit The Actor’s Fund Cancer Support Community and Tina’s Wish.

Real Gone Music brings late country superstar Jim Reeves’ 1963 Twelve Songs of Christmas LP back to CD in a new edition featuring the original cover artwork.  It’s been remastered by Vic Anesini at Sony’s Battery Studios and boasts two bonus tracks, “Snowflakes” and “Scarlet Ribbons.”  Steve Harmon has provided the new liner notes.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music proudly present the first new volume of The Great Songs of Christmas in nearly 50 years bringing many of the exclusive tracks featured on Goodyear’s original 1961-1970 series together.  Expect to hear rarities from Percy Faith, Andre Kostelanetz, Johnny Mathis, Robert Goulet and Carol Lawrence, and Ray Conniff, and even more new-to-CD tracks from The Harry Simeone Chorale, Andre Previn, and Mahalia Jackson plus special, never-on-CD bonus tracks from the W.T. Grant’s Very Merry Christmas Series by Mark Lindsay and Gary Puckett!  It’s all wrapped up in a deluxe package remastered by Vic Anesini and styled after the original series, with track-by-track liner notes from TSD’s Joe Marchese.

Eugene Ormandy’s 44-year tenure as music director of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra remains the single longest affiliation of conductor and orchestra. Under the direction of Maestro Ormandy, the orchestra earned two Grammy Awards and three Gold records. Now, Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music are thrilled to bring to CD both of Ormandy’s original Columbia Records Christmas albums in one deluxe package. The Complete Columbia Christmas Albums presents The Glorious Sound of Christmas (1962) and A Christmas Festival (1964) complete on one CD.  This new edition has been remastered for the ultimate in symphonic holiday splendor by Mike Piacentini at Battery Studios and features new liner notes by Joe Marchese.

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2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
7″ Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

HERstory, Vol. 1 takes listeners through the first five or so years of Mary J. Blige’s still-thriving career, primarily focusing on singles from What’s The 411? and My Life (many in rare single-only remix form) as well as her Method Man and Jay-Z collaborations and the relatively rare “Everyday It Rains” off the soundtrack to the 1995 hip-hop documentary The Show. The album will be primarily available as a CD, 2LP or digital set, with a special deluxe box set edition featuring 16 hits and remixes from the same period (a slightly different track list from the standard album) across eight newly-created 7″ singles. Taken together, it’s a solid summary of her first few years on the scene – and, judging by its title, hopefully the first of a series.

Real Gone premieres on CD the lone Christmas album from beloved British arranger-conductor Stanley Black.  Christmas Holiday for Romance features his lush renditions of songs both familiar and little-known from both sides of the pond.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has penned the new liner notes, and Mike Milchner has remastered at SonicVision.

Darlene Love, Southside Johnny, Tom Petty, Mel Tormé, and legendary composer John Williams are among those featured on Home Alone Christmas, the collection of songs drawn from the first two films in the Home Alone series.  Now, Real Gone is re-pressing this joyful LP on Clear with Red and Green Swirl “Christmas Party” Vinyl.

Cyndi Lauper’s Merry Christmas… Have A Nice Life! is a fresh spin on the time-honored tradition of the Christmas album. The album was partly inspired by motherhood; in fact, the story goes that Cyndi tracked most of the album at her home while her son slept, including the tribute “New Years’s Baby (First Lullaby).”  In addition to traditional fare like “Three Ships” and “Silent Night,” and more recent classics like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Cyndi offers up eight original Christmas-themed tunes. Real Gone’s re-press is on season-appropriate clear with red and white swirl vinyl. It will be housed in a gatefold jacket with lyrics.

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LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Craft Recordings celebrates 60 years of The Sound of Music with CD and vinyl reissues of the original Broadway cast recording starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, and originally released on Columbia Records. Produced by Goddard Lieberson and featuring Robert Russell Bennett’s grand orchestrations, it’s been newly remastered for Craft’s reissue from the original three-track master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. The LP version will be pressed on four sides of vinyl for optimum sound quality at RTI and housed in a replica of the original LP’s lavish gatefold jacket (the first such gatefold printed by Columbia). [Note this edition was previously available in a limited run from Craft’s sister imprint Analog Spark; the releases are identical other than the label artwork.]  The album will also be available digitally, including at 192/24 high resolution.

The perennial Christmas music of Bing Crosby gets a makeover with Decca’s release of Bing at Christmas, melding the legendary singer’s classic vocals with new orchestral backing tracks from The London Symphony Orchestra.  In addition to his classic duets with David Bowie and The Andrews Sisters, the late Crosby gets some new help from The Puppini Sisters, Pentatonix, and The Tenors.  Available in CD and digital formats.

The exquisite 5-CD box Conversation Piece traces David Bowie’s development as a songwriter and performer throughout 1968-1969 with home demos, BBC sessions, and studio recordings with his friend and collaborator John “Hutch” Hutchinson and the mime group Feathers. The lavish, hardcover book-style box also marks the 50th anniversary of the “Space Oddity” single and Bowie’s eponymous sophomore album also known as Space Oddity. The box premieres 12 previously unreleased tracks as well as a new mix of the album by producer Tony Visconti which incorporates “Conversation Piece,” originally dropped for length reasons, into the track listing.

The long-running NOW series has a 5-CD, 100-song collection of Christmas classics from an eclectic roster of artists past and present including Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson, Petula Clark, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Jackson 5, The Beach Boys, Sam Smith, Whitney Houston, and more.

5CD/5DVD/6BD/2 Vinyl Single Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (Bundles: Pink Floyd Online Store)

1CD Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Bundles: Pink Floyd Online Store

Pink Floyd’s The Later Years: 1987-2019 celebrates the band’s David Gilmour-led years which yielded the albums A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987), The Division Bell (1994), and The Endless River (2014) and the live efforts Delicate Sound of Thunder (1988) and Pulse (1995).  The massive, limited-edition set due on December 13 includes 5 CDs, 2 vinyl singles, 5 DVDs and 6 Blu-ray discs packed full of Floydian treasures. Among them are new stereo and surround sound remixes, highly sought-after restored live performances from Venice 1989 and Knebworth 1990, recently unearthed outtakes and extras, a new look at a classic album, and two newly minted singles featuring unreleased live material. In addition, the set will include exclusive reproductions of posters and tour memorabilia, and two deluxe books — one for photos and another for lyrics — designed by Aubrey Powell at Hipgnosis and Peter Curzon of StormStudios! If that’s just a little too much, a 2-LP/1-CD highlights collection is set for release two weeks earlier collecting 12 key tracks — live material, jams, rehearsals, and new mixes among them.  The CDs in the 18-disc audiovisual excavation are contained in a 60-page, hardback book which contains a table of contents, track lists, and an exhaustive guide to the content on the discs — and there is plenty!

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
8LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Songs for Groovy Children: The Fillmore East Concerts arrives on CD and digital formats on November 22, with a vinyl release to follow on December 13. This collection assembles all four of Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles, and Billy Cox’s legendary Fillmore East shows from December 31, 1969 and January 1, 1970 in their original performance sequence (though still missing some tracks). The 5-CD or 8-LP set presents over two dozen tracks that have either never before been released commercially or have been newly pressed and newly remixed.  This marks the most comprehensive release ever of the Band of Gypsys material.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount (U.S.) / Keymail Records (U.K.)
Picture Disc LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount (U.S.) / Keymail Records (U.K.)

Cosmic Partners – The McCabe’s Tapes spotlights Michael Nesmith with his longtime musical soul brother Red Rhodes and a small group of musicians as recorded on August 18, 1973 at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, California.  The performance was in support of Nesmith’s final album for RCA Victor, Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash, and featured Danny Lane on drums and Colin Cameron on bass, with Rhodes, naturally, on pedal steel. The set boasted the Monkees-era Ranch Stash highlight “Some of Shelly’s Blues” as well as favorites like “Joanne,” “Grand Ennui,” “Silver Moon,” and “Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun to Care).”  This never-before-released soundboard mix (recorded in two-track stereo direct to reel-to-reel analog tape from the soundboard) has been mastered for 7a by the artist’s oldest son and an accomplished musician his own right, Christian Nesmith. Needless to say, there have been no overdubs of any kind, and no remixing was possible, so Cosmic Partners represents Nesmith, Rhodes, and co. as you would have heard them over 46 years ago in Santa Monica.  Available on CD and picture disc vinyl; the vinyl edition lacks one spoken-word track but contains all of the music on the CD.

Manifesto in the U.S. and Demon/Edsel in the U.K. have unearthed a full-length concert from the late Tim Buckley recorded in Chicago between the first, abortive Happy Sad sessions and the later, released sessions.  This was a period of personal and musical searching for Buckley, and longtime fans will notice a number of familiar songs throughout this 2-CD set: “Sing a Song for You” and “Gypsy Woman” from Happy Sad, “Happy Time” from Blue Afternoon, and the covers “Dolphins” and “Sally Go Round the Roses,” both of which would appear on Sefronia.  There’s experimental, improvisational material here, too, on this set featuring Buckley backed by an unidentified bassist and conga player Carter C.C. Collins.  Bill Inglot has co-produced with Dan Perloff and Pat Thomas, who also provides liner notes.  Inglot and Brian Kehew mixed the show.  Available on CD, digital, and LP.

It’s showtime!  Beetlejuice returns to gleefully demonic life on Ghostlight/Warner’s cast recording of Eddie Perfect’s Tony-nominated score to the smash hit show currently packing ’em in at the Winter Garden.  Nominee Alex Brightman stars as Beetlejuice in a cast also including Sophia Anne Caruso, Kerry Butler, and Rob McClure.  The cast album has been streamed over 100 million times, but here’s your chance to own it on vinyl.  Also available on CD and in digital formats, and in an exclusive color vinyl edition at Urban Outfitters.

Reba McEntire marks 25 years of Read My Mind with a new reissue.  The original album, her 20th, was notable for its top five Country hits “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” (a No. 1), “Why Haven’t I Heard from You” and “And Still;” the crossover chart entry “Till You Love Me;” and the groundbreaking “She Thinks Is Name Was John,” the first mainstream country song to address the AIDS crisis.  For this reissue, a 2019 live performance of “And Still” is appended to the original 3x platinum album.

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 (1970), Living (1971), True Stories and Other Dreams (1973), Judith (1975), Bread and Roses (1976), Hard Times for Lovers (1979), Running for My Life (1980), Times of Our Lives (1982), and Home Again (1984). 

Bear Family (who else?) has the ultimate, 10-CD celebration of The Bakersfield Sound – that back-to-basics, honky-tonk country style popularized by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard out of Bakersfield, CA.  The Bears’ box also features luminaries like Don Rich, Ferlin Husky, Dallas Frazier, Wynn Stewart, Jean Shepard, David Frizzell, Clarence White, The Gosdin Brothers, and many others to comprehensive chronicle the city’s towering legacy in music.  A 200-page book accompanies the 307 tracks, including demos, radio recordings, and previously unreleased live and studio recordings.  In short – a must-have!

Get ready to find your thrill, as Bear Family Records has the ultimate tribute to singer, pianist, and rock-and-roll pioneer Fats Domino. The new 12CD/1DVD box set I’ve Been Around is packed with 312 tracks including all of Domino’s recordings for Imperial Records, the label on which he made his name and recorded his biggest hits from 1948-1962, and ABC-Paramount Records, where he continued turning out stellar work between 1963-1965. This being a Bear Family box, it also features a treasure trove of originally unreleased alternate takes, undubbed and unedited masters, and backing tracks as well as a stunning, 240-page full-color hardcover book with updated and extended liner notes by Rick Coleman; track-by-track commentary by producers Hank Davis and Scott Parker (who have been involved in over 50 Bear Family projects); a comprehensive Domino Imperial sessionography and the most complete ABC-Paramount discography available to date; plus numerous previously unpublished images.  Whew!

Stage Door Records is bringing another rare London cast album to CD with the premiere of Man of Magic, the 1966 musical based on the life of Houdini.  With music by Wilfred Wylam (a.k.a. classical composer Wilfred Josephs), and book and lyrics by John Morley and Aubrey Cash, Man of Magic starred Americans Stuart Damon (Cinderella, General Hospital) and Stubby Kaye (Guys and Dolls, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) along with Judith Bruce (The Avengers, Playgirl After Dark).  The tuneful score was captured on the CBS cast album which has been remastered for Stage Door’s Cast Album Masters Series, limited to just 500 units.  Grab it before it disappears!

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2019 marked the 40th anniversary of Elton John’s landmark tour of Russia, where he stunned audiences as the first rocker to perform in the country.  His concerts there were intimate events where he performed alongside percussionist Ray Cooper.  Now, Elton brings his May 28, 1979 concert in Moscow to CD and wide release vinyl for the first time; the show was previously released for Record Store Day 2019 on LP.  The producers of Live From Moscow 1979 went back to the original broadcast masters to ensure optimum sound quality, and those tapes were then remastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering.  The presentation is also first-rate, with the vinyl configuration housed in a gatefold sleeve and the CD set presented in an LP-replica mini gatefold package. And though hardcore fans might wonder why “Roy Rogers,” “Ego,” or a host of other deep cuts performed in Moscow didn’t make the cut for this official release, the 16-track collection remains a document of some of the best tracks from a thrilling, historic concert.

ATO continues its long-running series of live releases from the late Jerry Garcia with this January 23, 1973 San Francisco concert featuring him alongside Merl Saunders, John Kahn, Bill Vitt, and Sarah Fulcher.  On the 3-CD set, the virtuosic duo are heard improvising their way through a number of favorites such as “That’s All Right, Mama,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” “Honey Chile,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Expressway to Your Heart,” and “Georgia on My Mind.”

The 1989 “lost” album by Johnny Mathis is lost no more! Renowned producer Sergio Mendes of Brasil ’66 fame and arranger-guitarist Dori Caymmi joined Mathis on The Island to subtly modernize the classic sounds of bossa nova and samba. He delivered some of his most sensual vocals ever for ten smoldering songs by Caymmi, Mendes, Ivan Lins, Brenda Russell, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and others. Featuring a small rhythm section including talents like Robbie Buchanan, Paulinho da Costa, and Toto’s Jeff Porcaro, The Island is one of Mathis’ most beautiful, intimate, and timeless recordings.  This world premiere standalone CD release features Mike Piacentini’s remastering and new liner notes by TSD’s Joe Marchese based on fresh interviews with Mathis and his duet partner Dionne Warwick.  John Sellards’ artwork includes rare photos by one of the era’s top photographers, David Vance.

Encompassing a whopping 159 tracks including 29 bonuses, the 12-CD box set Déjà Vu: The Arista Recordings (1979-1994) features all twelve of Dionne Warwick’s classic Arista Records albums from the Barry Manilow-produced Dionne (1979) through the tropically-flavored Aquarela Do Brasil (1994), all newly remastered by Nick Robbins.  This period saw Warwick team with producers including Barry Gibb, Luther Vandross, Steve Buckingham, Jay Graydon, Kashif, and Smokey Robinson, and also reunite with Burt Bacharach – writing both with Carole Bayer Sager and Hal David.  All of the vocalist’s indelible Arista hits are here: “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “No Night So Long,” “Heartbreaker,” “Love Power,” and, of course, “That’s What Friends are For,” among many others.  A 64-page booklet with liner notes by compilation producer David Nathan rounds out this deluxe set.

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Cat Stevens is revisiting his 1978 album Back to Earth in a mammoth 5-CD/2-LP/1-BD box set as well as standard CD and vinyl editions of just the remastered original album. The super deluxe set pairs the new remaster with a disc of live tracks from the last decade, plus rare demos, including two previously unheard tracks: “Toy Heart” and “Butterfly.” Also included is the previous 2001 remaster of Back To Earth, plus Alpha Omega (A Musical Revelation), a Yusuf-produced 1978 recording by his brother David. The final CD features Stevens’ performance at the 1979 UNICEF Year of the Child benefit concert, which marked his farewell (for several decades, at least) to concert performing. The sixth disc, a Blu-ray, features video footage of the UNICEF Year of the Child performance and a high-resolution version of the remastered Back To Earth album. There’s also an LP of the remaster and a further LP featuring the UNICEF concert. Rounding out the set is a 50-page hardback book and exclusive memorabilia. 

Real Gone reissues the oft-sampled 1970 psychedelic funk-soul masterpiece on brown vinyl. Mike Milchner at SonicVision has remastered from original tape sources.  This edition is limited to only 750 copies.

Big Star’s 1972 debut #1 Record (featuring “The Ballad of El Goodo,” “In the Street,” and “With My Baby Beside Me”) returns to vinyl from Craft Recordings in a new edition remastered in an all-analog chain by Jeff Powell at Memphis’ Take Out Vinyl, and manufactured there in Big Star’s hometown by Memphis Record Pressing.  The titles boast replica Ardent Records labels.

BMG salutes late singer-songwriter-legend Hank Williams with the release of Pictures from Life’s Other Side – The Man and His Music in Rare Photos and Recordings. This lavish 6-CD collection presents all 144 tracks recorded by Williams for his 1951 radio show sponsored by Mother’s Best Flour Company. The Mother’s Best radio shows have been chronicled on various sets in the past, most notably in comprehensive form by Time-Life on the 16-disc box set The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings…Plus! in 2010. Whereas that release presented all of the radio shows in uncut form with guest singers and instrumental tracks, Pictures from Life’s Other Side is the first release to collect the entirety of Hank’s remarkable performances outside the context of the original radio programs.  The discs are housed within a whopping 272-page photo book assembled by author Colin Escott, who has penned the new liner notes.  Hank’s daughter, Jett Williams, has contributed a personal foreword to the book.

A 180-gram vinyl highlights edition on 3 LPs will also be available.

Following the limited Record Store Day release of the 2-LP set for Record Store Day Black Friday, a standard edition of Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration is set for wide release on January 24  From Decca:  “On Joni’s 75th birthday last November, a star-studded roster of musicians gathered together to pay tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter. The evening was recorded and is now being released on vinyl. It features performances by Brandi Carlile, Glen Hansard, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, Kris Kristofferson, Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Cesar Castro & Xochi Flores, Graham Nash, James Taylor and more.”

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Sergio Mendes returns with a new studio album.  On In the Key of Joy, the Brazilian music legend welcomes such guests as Common, Joe Pizzulo, Sheléa Frazier , Hermeto Pascoal, and Gracinha Leporace (Sergio’s wife and longtime musical partner).   The 2-CD Deluxe Edition adds a bonus disc of 16 Mendes classics as the soundtrack to an upcoming documentary about the music man.  This disc includes “Mas Que Nada,” “The Look of Love,” “Going Out of My Head,” “So Many Stars,” “Never Gonna Let You Go,” and more.  The Japan-exclusive edition (released late in 2019) boasts one additional track on the core album, a remix of “Sabor Do Rio.”

First released by Real Gone Music on “new dawn” blue vinyl, this new re-press of Jefferson Airplane’s Woodstock set will be pressed on a “vibrating” violet color variant.  As one of the first acts to sign on for the festival, Jefferson Airplane embraced the spirit of the event from the start, but the band’s Saturday night closing set was delayed to Sunday morning due to the rain that seemingly would never retreat.  The Airplane was up all night waiting for the OK to go onstage – which didn’t arrive until 8 a.m. Sunday.  With guest pianist Nicky Hopkins joining, the band performed a scorching, nearly-two-hour set.  Now, listeners who may have missed out on the first run can enjoy the concert on vinyl once again, complete with liner notes from rock and roll authority Richie Unterberger and photos from official festival photographer Henry Diltz.

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Dave Clark is revisiting his band’s 2008 compilation The Hits under the revised title of All the Hits in a new edition on BMG.  Featuring classics like “Because,” “Glad All Over,” “Catch Us If You Can,” “Do You Love Me,” and “Bits and Pieces,” the set is a fine overview of the DC5’s pop-garage sound.  There will be a couple of versions: the U.K. edition due on January 24 includes 28 tracks available in 1-CD or 2-LP formats.  Meanwhile, the U.S. variant due on January 31 only features 16 songs spread across a single CD or LP.  Thankfully, readers in the States can purchase an imported copy of the more extensive edition.

The soundtrack to the acclaimed 2019 documentary (making its television debut February 25 on American Masters) blends classic Miles Davis recordings from all eras with soundbites from the film. Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool is the rare release to span his multiple label affiliations. In addition to culling tracks from his famed Columbia repertoire including Milestones, Kind of Blue, Someday My Prince Will Come, Sketches of Spain, and Bitches Brew, the soundtrack features such landmark cuts as the 1947 Savoy master “Donna Lee” with Charlie Parker, “Moon Dreams” from the 1949 Capitol sessions that were collected on the original album Birth of the Cool, “Generique” from the 1958 Fontana soundtrack to Louis Malle’s Elevator to the Gallows, and 1986’s “Tutu” from the Warner Bros. album of the same name.  The album culminates in the premiere of a brand-new song, “Hail to the Real Chief” featuring unheard Davis trumpet parts and an all-star cast of sidemen.

Stage Door Records revisits Kwamina, the short-lived yet ambitious 1961 Broadway musical from the co-writer of Damn Yankees and The Pajama Game.  Kwamina (which translates to “born on Sunday”) recounted the (fictional) life story of Peter Kwamina Mwalla, the son of a West African tribal chief who returns to his home country after attending medical school in London, bringing with him modern methods which don’t sit well with his traditional village. He’s met with opposition by the village’s white female doctor, but (in formulaic style) romance blossoms before the evening’s end and they eventually work together to teach the tribe’s young members. Stage Door will reissue the original cast recording (starring Sally Ann Howes, Terry Carter, Brock Peters, and Robert Guillaume) as an expanded 2-CD entry in its Deluxe Edition series. This presentation, made possible as a result of current U.K. public domain laws, has the stereo Original Broadway Cast Recording accompanied by three alternate takes from the album sessions and a special bonus recording of “Another Time, Another Place” by original star Sally Ann Howes.  The second disc is dedicated to cover recordings from Kwamina including a new-to-CD studio cast recording, a jazz LP of the score by the Billy Taylor Orchestra, and pop covers by such artists as Robert Goulet, Jerry Vale, Al Martino, The Kingston Trio, Joanie Sommers, and Gordon MacRae. George Dansker has written new liner notes.

Gordon Lightfoot is back with his first album of new material since 2004’s Harmony.  Solo features just voice and guitar on 10 original compositions written in 2001-2002 by the legendary troubadour and recorded at Hamilton, Ontario’s Grant Avenue Studio.

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XL Recordings marks 10 years of the late Gil Scott-Heron’s I’m New Here.  The 2-CD or 2-LP color vinyl set features the original album alongside two unreleased recordings – a newly unearthed original called “King Henry IV” and a take on Richie Havens’ arrangement of “Handsome Johnny” – plus a clutch of rare session recordings originally issued on the first edition of the album.  Now all these tracks will be widely available, collected in one place for the first time.

In other news, I’m New Here has been given a new “reimagining”/remix by Makaya McCraven under the title We’re New Again following in the footsteps of Jamie xx’s acclaimed 2011 remix album We’re New Here.  The expanded Gil Scott-Heron album and Makaya McCraven’s new adaptation will both be released on February 7.

Omnivore is getting righteous with this release from the solo Righteous Brother Bobby Hatfield.  Stay with Me: The Richard Perry Sessions collects all of the rare singles and unreleased material recorded by Hatfield and produced by Perry for an abortive LP project. The soulful tracks on Stay with Me were primarily recorded at Apple Studios in December of 1971 with a top-flight group of musicians including Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann, and Al Kooper.

The anniversary edition of Jimi Hendrix’s seminal Band of Gypsys features an all-analog chain, remastered from the original tapes by Eddie Kramer and pressed onto 180-gram vinyl at QRP. In addition to the standard black vinyl pressing, there will be a limited-edition cream, red, yellow, and green color swirl vinyl available via AuthenticHendrix.com.  Every copy of the new anniversary LP will come with an 8-page booklet with rare photos from the original concerts plus an essay from John McDermott at Experience Hendrix.  If that’s not enough, the gatefold presentation also includes a 24″x36″ replica of Capitol’s original promotional poster for Band of Gypsys.

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Celebrating the music of early Pink Floyd, Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets: Live at The Roundhouse arrives on Blu-ray, DVD, and a 2CD/DVD bundle.  The band features Mason, Gary Kemp, Guy Pratt, Lee Harris, and Dom Beken expertly recreating the psychedelic sounds on which the Floyd made its name. Legacy Recordings has confirmed that the movie will include both a stereo and 5.1 soundtrack.  A double-LP set will also be released, pressed at MPO, and housed in a die-cut gatefold package.

Joni Mitchell’s final album to date, the 2007 Hear Music release Shine, makes its long-overdue vinyl debut from Craft Recordings in a deluxe pressing newly mastered by Bob Ludwig from the original hi-res sources and pressed onto 180-gram black vinyl at RTI.  The heavyweight disc will be housed in a gatefold sleeve.

Bedtime (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
You’re Growing  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
You Are Special  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Coming and Going  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Omnivore Recordings follows up two 2019 reissues of music from and inspired by the legendary television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with another four albums of gentle music for children this month. The label, in partnership with The Fred Rogers Company, will issue new CD pressings of four albums of Mister Rogers music: 1992’s Bedtime, You’re Growing and You Are Special, and 1997’s Coming and Going. All titles will be available February 21, with digital editions already available to stream or download.

UMC revisits Simple Minds’ 1989 album Street Fighting Years as a 4-CD box set.  The cinematic Trevor Horn and Stephen Lipson-produced LP featured the band’s first U.K. No. 1, “Belfast Child,” even as the group underwent personnel changes.  This expanded edition is the latest in UMC’s ongoing Simple Minds reissue series and features a newly remastered version of the album (undertaken by Andrew Walters at Abbey Road Studios) alongside a disc of B-sides, edits and 12″ remixes.  The box is rounded out by a previously unreleased live show from Verona on September 15, 1989.   2-CD and 2-LP editions of Street Fighting Years will also be released.  The CD configuration features the first two discs of the big box set, while the double vinyl features just the core album remastered.

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The Rainbow Children, The Artist’s 24th studio album, returns to CD and vinyl.  It was first released as an exclusive on his NPG Music Club website and then issued commercially in November 2001. His first album to be released without the support of a major label, the LP features many of Prince’s familiar lyrical themes intertwining sex, love, and spirituality, it musically showcased a jazz-influenced direction with horn arrangements and live drums.

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The 5-CD box set Up All Nite With Prince: The One Nite Alone Collection rounds up the titular studio album (Prince’s intimate follow-up to The Rainbow Children) and its two associated live albums in one slipcased package with a 48-page bound book and a bonus DVD, Prince Live At The Aladdin Las Vegas.

 

The Savoy 10-Inch LP Collection brings together legendary sax man Charlie Parker’s sessions for the venerable label spanning 1944-1948 featuring such jazz greats as Miles Davis, Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, John Lewis, and Max Roach.  These tracks comprise the building blocks of bebop and some of the most vibrant and essential jazz recordings of all time.

Real Gone Music gives discerning listeners a chance to reevaluate the 2006 pop debut of hotel heiress Paris Hilton on a limited edition maroon and blonde vinyl release. Give the record a spin and you’ll hear from all twelve of the album’s producers, including Scott Storch, J. R. Rotem, Dr. Luke, and Rob Cavallo, who worked with the socialite to deliver a pop album that matches anything from her contemporaries.  The result, apparently, was pretty popular: the original CD shot up to No. 6 on the charts and sold 600,000 copies.  “Turn it up!”

Billy Ocean recently celebrated his 70th birthday, but he’s the one giving a gift to his fans.  The “Caribbean Queen” singer has announced the release of his first album of new material in 10 years, entitled One World. The record sees Ocean reunite with producer Barry Eastmond, whose credits include a number of Billy’s best-loved hits, like “When The Going Gets Tough” and “Love Zone.”  Available on CD and vinyl.

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7a brings Micky Dolenz’s 1982 tour of Japan to CD/DVD and LP with Live in Japan.  This multi-format release has the full concert on CD and (region-free) DVD plus rare bonus tracks on CD; as well as a 180-gram splatter-colored LP edition with the concert only (sans the introductory “(Theme From) The Monkees”).

Real Gone Music has the first-ever collection of never-before-heard music from Andy Williams’ Columbia Records years. Emperor of Easy: Lost Columbia Masters 1962-72 boasts 20 selections direct from the Columbia vault encompassing 16 previously unreleased studio outtakes and four rare singles. Every track on Emperor of Easy is new to CD including Andy’s renditions of “Two for the Road,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “This Guy’s in Love with You,” and a never-before-heard Burt Bacharach song, “A Question of Love.”  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the liner notes, and John Sellards has designed the deluxe package.

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Nina Simone’s Fodder On My Wings, a 1982 album originally released on the small French label Carrere, returns from Verve/UMe on CD, vinyl, and digital platforms.  In addition to the album’s original ten tracks (including a scorching reinvention of Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Alone Again (Naturally)” and the intimate title track), the 2020 edition will feature three bonus tracks from the sessions that were briefly available on a re-sequenced 1988 reissue of the album.

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Real Gone Music has a new collection of rarities from late acoustic guitarist Robbie Basho.  At Vanguard Records, Basho released two well-regarded LPs in 1972 and 1974 – but those albums weren’t all he left behind for the label.  Songs of the Great Mystery has some tracks Basho would subsequently rework for other labels: 1978’s Visions of the Country featured “A Day in the Life of Lemuria” (re-titled “Leaf in the Wind”) and “Night Way,” while “Laughing Thunder, Crawling Thunder” was eventually reworked as “Crashing Thunder for 1981’s Rainbow Thunder.  The new album features all of these, alongside some never-before-heard compositions that are a welcome addition to the Basho discography.  Vanguard briefly released some of these sessions digitally, but Songs of the Great Mystery: The Lost Vanguard Sessions marks their physical debut.  The alternate take of “A Day in the Life of Lemuria,” meanwhile, has never been released anywhere.  Available on CD or 2 LPs.

True to its name, The Village People’s The Album Collection 1977-1985 includes the complete discography from the infamous sextet, issued primarily on the Casablanca and later RCA Victor labels. A total of nine albums are featured, including the double-disc Live and Sleazy. All discs are packaged in miniature replicas of their original album sleeves; both Live and Sleazy and 1980’s Can’t Stop The Music retain their original gatefold designs. However, there are almost no bonus tracks, save for a remix of 1985’s “Sex Over The Phone” included when the group’s final original album was issued on CD nearly 15 years later. (This means “America,” the closing track for In The Street, the American edition of 1982’s Fox On The Box, is missing in action. A 3CD compilation, released under Edsel sublabel Crimson’s Gold product line, offered some rare 12″ versions that this set unfortunately lacks.)

Willie Nelson’s latest studio album emphasizes love and positivity at a time when we all need it most.  First Rose of Spring features new Nelson originals co-written with producer and longtime associate Buddy Cannon, as well as new songs from Toby Keith and Chris Stapleton and covers such as “Yesterday When I Was Young.”  Available on CD, LP, and digital.

America continues its archival series of demos and alternates via Omnivore Recordings.  Heritage II features 13 previously unissued tracks from 1971-1976 including the epic “Jameroony,” the track mix with background vocals only of the hit “Tin Man,” a never-before-heard Gerry Beckley song “Mandy,” and a demo of “Today’s the Day.”  More than eight of the tracks feature production by George Martin.  Beckley has provided new liner notes.  Coming on vinyl for Record Store Day.

Motown/UMe revisits Marvin Gaye’s 1972 score to the blaxploitation film Trouble Man with this new vinyl release.  More Trouble collects nine alternate versions from Gaye’s exciting soundtrack, all of which were released on CD in 2012 but are making their vinyl premieres now.

Zappa Records and UMe repackage this 2011 website-exclusive 4-CD set in more compact 3-CD fashion for general release.  Carnegie Hall chronicles Zappa and the Mothers of Invention’s October 11, 1971 shows at the famed New York venue from the original mono tapes.  This version drops the opening set by The Persuasions but includes all of Zappa and the Mothers’ material from both shows.  The Mothers’ lineup includes three alumni of The Turtles – bassist Jim Pons and vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, a.k.a. Flo and Eddie – plus Ian Underwood, Don Preston, and Aynsley Dunbar.

ATO continues its Jerry Garcia live series with this 2-CD installment from September 16, 1989 at Illinois’ Poplar Creek Music Theatre.  For the final night of their longest tour, the band was joined by Clarence Clemons who sat in on sax.  Tracks include “I Shall Be Released,” “Someday Baby,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” “Tangled Up in Blue,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”

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Her Greatest Songs features 16 of Doris’ classics from 1948-1970 on pink vinyl.  This new compilation draws on her classic Columbia recordings plus the vinyl debut of her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” recorded in 1970 for the 1971 CBS-TV special The Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff Special.  The release of Her Greatest Songs will also be available on Friday, April 10 for streaming and download in the United Kingdom.  A Canadian release will follow on May 1. 

Note that Amazon U.K. is not currently shipping items to the United States as a result of COVID-19.

Guitar hero Joe Satriani is back with a new studio album produced by Satriani and Jim Scott.  Shapeshifting features the artist joined by Kenny Aronoff, Chris Chaney, and Eric Caudieux as well as Lisa Coleman of The Revolution and Christopher Guest.  The lead single “1980” channels that period of time when he was performing with The Squares; Satriani has noted Eddie Van Halen as one inspiration for this album.  Available on CD, digital platforms, and black vinyl.  Satriani’s online store will have an autographed colored vinyl edition (link TBD) while Newbury Comics will exclusively carry an autographed CD.  (Newbury cannot currently ship as a result of COVID-19; it’s now listed as “out of stock” but may return when the store does.)

Concord Jazz revisits the evening in 2016 when Patti Austin, Cassandra Wilson, Ledisi, Monica Mancini, David Alan Grier, The Count Basie Orchestra, and other artists took the stage to celebrate the centennial of Ella Fitzgerald.  The album has 16 tracks including Austin’s “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” Austin and Grier’s Porgy and Bess medley, Wilson’s “Cry Me a River,” Mancini’s “Once in a While,” and much more.  Available on CD and digital formats.

Jimmy Buffett is back with his first studio album in seven years, and just when we need him most!  Life on the Flip Side was recorded with the Coral Reefer Band in Key West, and features 14 new Buffett tracks.  The album is packaged with a 60-page book featuring lyrics, photos, liner notes, and more.  Available on CD and digital formats.

Rufus Wainwright’s new studio album Unfollow the Rules features twelve new songs from the singer-songwriter including “Damsel in Distress” and “Unfollow the Rules.”  Available on CD and vinyl.

Sunset Blvd. Records continues its archive series dedicated to late singer-songwriter and Dwight Twilley Band alumnus Phil Seymour with this sixth volume.  If You Don’t Want My Love is named after the song which the late John Prine co-wrote with Phil Spector.  This 15-track anthology premieres 8 previously unreleased tracks including productions by Spector and Denny Cordell recorded prior to Seymour’s signing with Neil Bogart’s Boardwalk label.  A portion of the proceeds from this CD will be donated to Teen Cancer America.

After remastering his entire catalogue on LP for a deluxe box set and later, individual LPs, Little Steven is bringing one of those Bob Ludwig remasters to CD.  His fifth album, 1999’s Born Again Savage, is a ferocious return to a raw garage rock sound inspired by the hard rock pioneers of his youth (think Cream, The Who, The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin).  Jason Bonham (drums) and Adam Clayton (bass) joined writer-arranger-producer Van Zandt for what would be his final album until 2017’s Soulfire.  Streaming and vinyl editions are already available; the streaming version has one bonus track (the 2019 acoustic version of “It’s Been a Long Time.”)

The Best of Ronnie Milsap gathers up 12 of the artist’s biggest hits from his first tenure at RCA, including “It Was Almost Like a Song,” “Any Day Now,” and “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life.” Craft’s parent company, Concord Music, acquired the rights to 16 of Milsap’s RCA albums from between 1977-2006 last year, and this is the first physical product to come from the acquisition (an expanded digital version of this compilation featuring 25 songs was released last June by Craft and is available now).  Paul Blakemore has remastered all tracks, and TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes.

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Capitol Records, Frank Sinatra Enterprises, and UMe have a 60th anniversary edition of Frank Sinatra’s classic 1960 album arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.  For the occasion, the album has been completely remixed and features three bonus tracks: the outtake “The Nearness of You,” plus the previously unreleased session takes for “Nice ‘n’ Easy” and “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”  Available May 15 on digital platforms and June 5 on CD and vinyl.  (The vinyl edition has just the remixed album.)

Iggy Pop’s The Bowie Years chronicles the Stooges frontman’s recordings with David Bowie during their seminal Berlin period.  The 7-CD box set together remastered versions of 1977’s The Idiot, its even more successful follow-up Lust for Life, and the TV Eye Live concert album plus a disc of demos and singles, and three discs of live performances.  All audio has been mastered from best available sources, and a 40-page booklet includes new liner notes and rare photos.

Hitmaker-composer-producer David Foster returns with a new instrumental album of melodies based on eleven words – the first letters of which spell out ELEVEN WORDS.  His new songs, played on solo piano sans lyrics, musically evoke such themes as Love, Wonderment, Romance, and Serenity.  Available on CD and digital platforms.

Cleopatra Records’ Purple Pyramid imprint remembers Utopia’s late keyboardist with Benefit for Moogy Klingman. This 4-CD/2-DVD set includes the band’s Highline Ballroom reunion set of January 29, 2011 (featuring Todd Rundgren, Moogy, Ralph Schuckett, John Siegler, Kevin Ellman, Jesse Gress, and Kasim Sulton)  which helped defer the costs of Moogy’s cancer treatments, as well as the performance of November 18 (three days after Klingman’s passing) in Peekskill, New York in his honor.  Both concerts are on CD and DVD.  The audio will also be available in digital/streaming formats.

The long-running NOW series releases its second volume of NOW That’s What I Call Yacht Rock on CD and in digital/streaming formats May 1, with a 2-LP vinyl set arriving on July 3.  This installment features eighteen songs from a host of favorite artists including Kenny Loggins (joined by Stevie Nicks for “Whenever I Call You Friend,” co-written by Loggins and Melissa Manchester), Michael McDonald (“I Keep Forgettin'”), Toto (“I’ll Be Over You”), and Little River Band (“Reminiscing”). They’re joined by Seals & Crofts (“Summer Breeze”), Chicago (“If You Leave Me Now”), Elvin Bishop (“Fooled Around and Fell in Love”), Paul Davis (“I Go Crazy”), Gerry Rafferty (“Baker Street”), REO Speedwagon (“Keep on Loving You”), Captain and Tennille (“Love Will Keep Us Together”), and many more.

When The Wanderer calls, you answer!  Dion put out the word that he was recording a new album for Joe Bonamassa’s new Keeping the Blues Alive label (an offshoot of Bonamassa’s non-profit foundation of the same name), and a “Who’s Who” lined up to join him.  Duet partners on this all-new album include Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Van Morrison, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons, Little Steven Van Zandt, and many others.  Bonamassa appears on the lead single, “Blues Comin’ On.”  Available on CD, LP, and digital download/streaming.

Little Steven’s sophomore album from 1984, featuring “Voice of America,” “Solidarity,” “Los Desaparecidos,” and “Among the Believers,” returns to CD in Bob Ludwig’s remaster previously available only on vinyl.  The CD edition gets even sweeter with the addition of the full Live at Rockpalast 1984 concert.  Voice of America was written, produced, and arranged by Little Steven who got support from The Disciples of Soul (including The Rascals’ Dino Danelli) and guest background vocalist Gary U.S. Bonds.  (The edition currently streaming features bonus tracks only on CD as part of Little Steven’s Rock ‘n Roll Rebel box set).

Cherry Pop is compiling the works of U.K. model-turned-singer Nick Kamen in a new 6CD box set. The Complete Collection offers remastered versions all four albums Kamen recorded for Warner Music between 1987 and 1992, plus dozens of bonus tracks and remixes, many of them previously unreleased or new to CD. (The label notes that 20 mixes are previously unreleased, though we suspect this number is higher.) Two never-before-heard tracks are also available: covers of The Everly Brothers’ “So Sad” and Breakfast Club’s “Right On Track.” The set’s liner notes feature new recollections from producer Stephen Bray and collaborator Toby Andersen (Curiosity Killed The Cat).

The Electric Prunes’ 1968 concept album Release of an Oath, produced by Dave Hassinger and composed and arranged by maverick David Axelrod, returns to vinyl in this new 140-gram edition pressed on maroon and white splatter vinyl.

Real Gone has a new double-LP gold vinyl edition of the celebrated Tim Buckley collection The Dream Belongs To Me: Rare and Unreleased Recordings, 1968-1973.  Originally released on CD in 2001, the 14-track set celebrates one of the era’s most captivating artists with early versions of fan favorites circa 1968 and demos for 1973’s Sefronia.  These stark and stripped-down versions are a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of a unique, singular artist whose work continues to endure.  This gold vinyl edition retains the original liner notes and rare photos and is presented in a gatefold sleeve.  It’s limited to 1,000 copies only.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Crystal Clear Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

For the legendary Diana Ross, it’s clear that there truly ain’t no mountain high enough. The superstar made chart history earlier this year when “Love Hangover 2020” reached the top position on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart – making it her fourth consecutive No. 1 remix of a song that had previously been No. 1 on the Hot 100 in its original version. Now, that record-setting remix is coming to CD, clear vinyl LP, and digital formats along with Miss Ross’ other three recent chart-toppers and four additional cuts on an all-new album. Supertonic: Mixes, produced by the singer and featuring remixes by producer Eric Kupper, arrives from Motown/UMe on May 29 (digital) and July 24 (physical).  Supertonic: Instrumental Mixes also arrives on May 29 in digital form only.

Let’s Do It Again: Original Soundtrack – Expanded Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) – released 6/5
Pass It On: Expanded Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) – released 6/5
Family Tree: Expanded Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) – released 6/26
Unlock Your Mind: Expanded Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) – released 6/26

Omnivore Records is reissuing and expanding four classic albums from The Staple Singers from their post-Stax period at Curtom and Warner Bros. Records. All four titles in this series, though previously available on CD, have never been properly remastered and annotated. Omnivore has tapped a pair of Grammy winners for those duties: Michael Graves handles the mastering, while new liner notes have been provided by Stax and Staples Singers historian Rob Bowman.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Indie-exclusive LP + print bundle: Locate your nearest record shop!

Neil Young’s lost 1975 album finally sees a release, on both CD and vinyl. Homegrown has been all-analog mastered by John Hanlon from the original master tapes. As for visuals, the album will be presented in a replica of the originally planned artwork.  Seven of its twelve songs are previously unreleased, and guests include Levon Helm, Ben Keith, Tim Drummond, Emmylou Harris, and Robbie Robertson.

The Cadence Albums presents on 8 CDs all of Andy Williams’ albums for Archie Bleyer’s independent label, plus 15 bonus single sides. At Cadence between 1955 and 1961, Andy developed his smooth, relaxed style and established his reputation for vocal excellence. He scored some of his most beloved hits at the label including “Canadian Sunset” (No. 7 U.S., 1956), “Butterfly” (No. 1 U.S. and U.K., 1957), “I Like Your Kind of Love” (No. 8 U.S./No. 16 U.K., 1957), “The Hawaiian Wedding Song” (No. 11 U.S., 1958), “Lonely Street” (No. 5 U.S., 1959), and “The Village of St. Bernadette” (No. 7 U.S., 1959). He also recorded his very first Christmas songs at Cadence; the single “Christmas Is a Feeling in Your Heart” b/w “The Wind, The Sand, and The Star” was actually his debut for the label.  You’ll find all of those and many more on this slipcased 111-song collection which also includes a 28-page booklet with new and original liner notes.

Real Gone re-reissues a cult favorite among soundtrack recordings with a blood-red/neon green vinyl edition of Alan Silvestri’s original score to Predator, limited to a run of 1,000.  Previously released on CD by Intrada and on vinyl by Real Gone, the “complete and definitive edition” of the material now returns to the latter format with a front cover design by Rafal Wechterowicz featuring the titular character.  Add to it a deluxe gatefold sleeve, and it’s a must for any vinyl-loving soundtrack collector.

Real Gone reissues an album of political protest from onetime soul balladeer Eugene McDaniels (“A Hundred Pounds of Clay,” “Tower of Strength,” “Point of No Return”).  Outlaw left no doubt as to McDaniels’ association with political resistance.  In fact, legend has that members of President Nixon’s administration were so offended with the material that they took it up with Atlantic Records, urging the label to cease their association with McDaniels.  Fifty years on, in a new period of civil unrest, the oft-sampled grooves of McDaniels, Ron Carter, Eric Weissberg, Hugh McCracken, and co. remain as insightful as ever.  The 50th Anniversary reissue will be limited to just 700 copies, each pressed on neon red vinyl and paired with liner notes from Pat Thomas, featuring quotations from McDaniels.  Record club Vinyl Me, Please will have another color variant available, this one cloudy clear with black smoke.  That run will be limited to only 300 copies and will be available exclusively to members.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Omnivore
2LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Omnivore
2LP Colored Vinyl: Omnivore

Omnivore celebrates 25 years of Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks’ beautiful Orange Crate Art with a variety of reissues. The 2-CD version boasts three previously unreleased bonus tracks on the first disc: a stunning, subtle take on “What a Wonderful World” (listen here) that most certainly was made for these times, and interpretations of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Love Is Here to Stay” (the latter with lyrics by Ira Gershwin). The influence of Gershwin on Wilson and Parks can’t be denied; Brian even went on to record a whole album of his songs in 2010. The second disc of the 2-CD set has the rich instrumental tracks for the entire original album sans Gershwin’s already instrumental “Lullaby.” Two 2-LP vinyl versions will also be released: a standard black vinyl edition available through all retail channels, and a colored vinyl version limited to 300 copies and available exclusively through Omnivore’s webstore.  The vinyl versions have the original album sequence plus the three outtake bonus tracks.

Back in 2018, Omnivore Recordings released a never-before-heard recording from Cleveland garage-rock outfit The Choir.  Now, the label follows up Artifact: The Lost Album with the band’s first-ever live album, Last Call: Live at the Music Box.  Following the success of Artifact, The Choir – Ken Margolis (keyboards), Phil Giallombardo (organ), Randy Klawon (drums), Denny Carleton (bass), and Jim Bonfanti (drums) – made the decision to regroup in their hometown.  The album was recorded on September 20, 2019 at that favorite Cleveland venue. Over a lengthy and varied 23-song set presented here on 2 CDs, the band revisited original material from Artifact as well as covers of Jimmy Webb, Billy Preston, Procol Harum, and more.

Standard Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Digital Edition: Amazon U.S. / Spotify

Cash Money: The Instrumentals collects 23 such instrumental tracks on digital platforms and 19 on vinyl. Many of these seminal cuts from the landmark hip-hop label have never before appeared on either format. Expect to hear crossover Hot 100 hits like Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” (the uncensored version of the No. 19 entry “Back That Thang Up”) featuring Lil Wayne and Mannie Fresh; Birdman and Lil Wayne’s No. 21 “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy;” and Big Tymers’ No. 11 “Still Fly;” among other key tracks from Lil Wayne, Cash Money Millionaires, Hot Boys, and BG.

2000’s Grammy-winning chart-topping Riding with the King boasted a dozen collaborations between Eric Clapton and B.B. King. Now, Warner Records is releasing a 20th anniversary expanded edition of the album boasting two unreleased. newly-mixed tracks from the original sessions: Willie Dixon’s “Let Me Love You Baby” and the Delta blues standard first recorded by Hambone Willie Newbern, “Rollin’ and Tumblin’.”  The former first appeared as a Japan-only bonus track for the original release, but appears to be presented in a new mix by original producer Simon Climie here.  Available on CD, vinyl, and digital services.

Little Steven continues revisiting his back catalogue on CD after the box set Rock ‘n Roll Rebel: The Early Work presented the remastered albums on vinyl.  1989’s Revolution, his politically-charged fourth solo disc, packed a powerful punch even if the sound was largely electronic.  This marks its first appearance on U.S. CD.  The vinyl release is still available, as is a streaming edition with a couple of bonus tracks (exclusively available on CD in the box set).

Little Steven returns the long out-of-print Sun City to CD in Bob Ludwig’s remaster previously available only on vinyl.  The all-star affair benefiting The Africa Fund features Pat Benatar, Ruben Blades, Bono, Jackson Browne, Ron Carter, Clarence Clemons, Jimmy Cliff, George Clinton, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Bob Geldof, Daryl Hall, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Kendricks, Darlene Love, John Oates, Bonnie Raitt, Joey Ramone, Lou Reed, David Ruffin, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pete Townshend, and many more. The edition that’s currently streaming has bonus tracks only available on CD as part of Little Steven’s Rock ‘n Roll Rebel box set.

Little Steven Van Zandt’s 1982 debut with The Disciples of Soul, Men Without Women, remains a high watermark in the Jersey shore bar band sound with its fusion of classic rock and soul sounds.  Van Zandt was joined by members of The E Street Band, The Asbury Jukes, and The Miami Horns as well as pals like The Rascals’ Dino Danelli and Felix Cavaliere, and Gary U.S. Bonds.  This CD release premieres Bob Ludwig’s remaster (previously available only on vinyl) on CD and adds a bonus DVD of Little Steven’s 1982 Rockpalast concert.  The edition that’s currently streaming has a number of bonus tracks only available on CD as part of Little Steven’s Rock ‘n Roll Rebel box set.

Little Steven’s 1987 solo album placed his fiery political lyrics against a backdrop of electronics, dance-rock, and world music.  Guests include Bruce Springsteen and Ruben Blades.  This edition premieres Bob Ludwig’s remaster on CD (previously available on the vinyl Rock ‘n Roll Rebel box) and includes an exclusive bonus DVD of 1987’s Live at the Ritz. The edition that’s currently streaming has bonus tracks only available on CD as part of Rock ‘n Roll Rebel.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Last year, Peter Gabriel issued Rated PG, a collection of one-off songs he’d written for motion pictures across his solo career. This year, that album gets a wider release beyond its picture disc pressing for Record Store Day; it’ll now be available on CD and vinyl on Friday, June 12.  The 10-track compendium features PG favorites from WALL-E, Against All Odds, Natural Born Killers, and more; “In Your Eyes” from Gabriel’s seminal album So is included here as a result of its key appearance in Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything, and “This Is Party Man” from Virtuosity is presented in a new version.  All told, four tracks (including “This Is Party Man”) are previously unreleased.

Stage Door Records is heading back to the 1950s with a new CD presenting two U.K. musicals from the team of composer George Posford and librettist/lyricist Eric Maschwitz: Zip Goes a Million and Happy Holiday. The former starred George Formby and the latter Reg Dixon; both shows’ original cast recordings are appended with bonus tracks.

LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP/merch bundle: Craft Recordings Online Shop

Craft Recordings reissues Creedence Clearwater Revival’s hit-filled fifth album – featuring “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” “Run Through the Jungle,” “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” “Travelin’ Band,” and “Up Around the Bend” – on 180-gram half-speed mastered vinyl (from high-resolution transfers of the original analog tapes).  Mastering is by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.

CD: Warner Music Australia
Green Vinyl in Red Sleeve: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blue Vinyl in Yellow Sleeve: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Yellow Vinyl in Purple Sleeve: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Orange Vinyl in Blue Sleeve: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Picture Disc: Warner Music Australia

The album that introduced most of the world to New Zealand pop band Split Enz, True Colours is getting a new mix and expanded reissue for its 40th anniversary. The CD (currently available only through the label) also includes seven previously unreleased live tracks recorded on various Australian and New Zealand tours – all in the years following the release of True Colours, and none featuring songs from the original album. (They’re mostly album cuts, along with later singles like 1981’s “Hard Act To Follow” and 1984’s “I Walk Away.”)

The 50th anniversary celebration of America rolls on with a massive new box set. Half Century is an expansive 7-CD/1-DVD box packed with rare and previously unreleased material from the beloved band featuring Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and the late Dan Peek. There’s a slew of unreleased demos circa 1970; a remastered full-length radio session in Bremen from 1973; rehearsals and demos for the Hideaway album; 11 unheard session recordings from 1981; a disc full of rarities from the overlooked period of the 1990s; and interviews and promotional material.  If that weren’t enough, there’s also a DVD of home movies filmed from 1972 to 1975 that give America aficionados an inside look at the band’s early years.  You’ll hear intimate jams, get a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Bremen session, see the band onstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and in-the-studio at George Martin’s AIR facilities, and much more.  All of the tracks were sourced from the band’s personal archives and are exclusive to the box set.  There’s also a fair amount of memorabilia included in the lavish package, including posters, promo pictures, and a book.  An America Records sampler CD rounds out the package.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Orange vinyl: Vinyl Me Please

A newly unearthed concert from the late jazz titan Thelonious Monk premieres on Palo Alto.  Recorded October 27, 1968 at that California city’s high school, the set features both originals and standards in the inimitable Monk style. The album will be released on CD and LP.  The LP boasts a deluxe presentation with a gatefold sleeve, printed inners, a booklet with liner notes by Monk historian Robin D. G. Kelley plus reproductions of the original concert poster and program. For fans of color vinyl, the subscription program Vinyl Me Please offers an exclusive variant on transparent orange swirl vinyl.  Legacy Recordings is handling the digital release.

Limited to 2,500 individually numbered units, the Peanuts Greatest Hits picture disc celebrates the legacy of Charles Schulz’s enduring characters.  It culls its 12 tracks from Peanuts‘ perennial television specials including Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy,” “Great Pumpkin Waltz,” and “Christmas Time Is Here,” as well as relatively lesser-known compositions like the Woodstock ode “Little Birdie” featuring Guaraldi on vocals, as well. The compilation was originally issued on CD in 2015.

Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Red Vinyl: Vinyl Me Please

Over its eleven tracks, Peanuts Portraits portrays each character from Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip in music. Beginning with “Linus and Lucy,” it presents such musical portraits as “Sally’s Blues,” “Peppermint Patty,” “Frieda (With Naturally Curly Hair),” “Schroeder” (in an alternate take),” and “Joe Cool,” an ode to Snoopy’s hip alter ego. In addition to the classic Vince Guaraldi recordings – the above five plus four more – the set features two tracks recorded in the 1990s by pianist George Winston: his take on “Linus and Lucy” plus another portrait of a Snoopy persona, “The Masked Marvel.” A total of eight tracks make their vinyl debuts here. Peanuts Portraits will be released to general retail in a black vinyl edition, while Vinyl Me Please will offer an exclusive version of the album pressed on 180-gram red vinyl.

Britney Spears’ 2000 sophomore album Oops!…I Did It Again celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this year. To mark the occasion, Jive Records and Legacy Recordings have planned three new editions. A commemorative vinyl picture disc will be available at all retail outlets, while Urban Outfitters will carry two exclusive releases: a limited edition clear vinyl release with purple and gold swirl; and a limited edition cassette with purple shell and gold ink. All three hit stores on August 14.

Cherry Pop brings Laura Branigan’s platinum third album, Self Control, back to print in a deluxe 2-CD edition featuring a bonus disc of single sides and remixes.

Remastered 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Remastered 2LP: Amazon U.S. (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)
Expanded 3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Expanded 4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Deluxe 8CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Deluxe 13LP/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Prince’s 1987 masterpiece Sign “O” The Times will be remastered and reissued by Warner Records on September 25, kicking off 2020’s box set season with considerable style. It’ll be available in multiple formats: newly remastered double CD or double vinyl, a 3CD or 4LP set that includes all the original B-sides and single mixes, and a massive 8CD/DVD or 13LP/DVD super deluxe box that adds hours of unreleased, often mythic outtakes – some never available as bootlegs – and audiovisual concert material from one of Prince’s most ambitious years. It’s all packed in a deluxe box sporting an outtake from the album cover sessions by Jeff Katz, and will feature a 120-page hardcover book featuring unpublished photos and lyric sheets plus new liner notes and essays by Dave Chappelle (speaking with photographer Mathieu Bitton); Lenny Kravitz; engineer Susan Rogers; Daphne A. Brooks; William R. Kenan, Jr., professor of African American Studies, American Studies and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies at Yale University; author/Official Prince Podcast host Andrea Swensson; and Prince scholar Duane Tudahl (author of a comprehensive book on the Purple Rain sessions, with a volume on Sign “O” The Times slated for publication next year). Newly remastered 2CD and 2LP sets (on peach and black vinyl) will also release the same day.  Whew!

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Cherry Red
Pink Vinyl LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Cherry Red

Dexys Midnight Runners’ frontman Kevin Rowland’s 1999 sophomore solo album My Beauty was overshadowed at the time by its striking cover depicting a semi-disrobed Rowland in a dress, stockings, and makeup, with a feather boa slung over the dressing screen. Now, over two decades later, the world might finally have caught up with Rowland’s raw, personal album and its gender-non-conforming cover. Cherry Red is reissuing My Beauty on both CD and LP to mark the album’s 21st anniversary.  My Beauty consists of twelve dramatic reinterpretations of familiar songs, many with new lyrics by the artist to make them more reflective of his own journey.  The expanded CD adds his cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road,” dropped from the original album after his label failed to secure The Boss’ permission to alter the lyrics, as well as two B-sides.

The classic 1984 compilation from Bob Marley and The Wailers returns to picture disc vinyl, with a previously unseen photo on the flipside.

2-CD (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
2-LP (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Bobbie Gentry’s haunting 1968 concept album returns to CD and vinyl in a new edition.  The 2-CD edition features a brand-new 2020 stereo mix, the original mono mix, and bonus tracks including a previously unreleased demo and instrumental, and five demos first issued on Bobbie’s career-spanning box set The Girl from Chickasaw County.  The vinyl version of The Delta Sweete presents the new 2020 stereo mix on the first LP and a selection of ten bonus tracks on the second LP including both of the previously unreleased tracks​.

Marvin Gaye’s 1969 compilation Marvin Gaye and His Girls gets a 2020 makeover on vinyl, complete with a new title, new artwork, and a revised track listing. This iteration adds Diana Ross to the illustrious roster of duet partners already consisting of Kim Weston, Mary Wells, and Tammi Terrell.  His Classic Duets has 14 tracks including new additions such as “You’re a Special Part of Me” with Ross, “California Soul” with Terrell, and “The Onion Song” with Terrell.

3CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Japan Your Local Record Shop
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2LP clear: The Rolling Stones Shop
Cassette: The Rolling Stones Shop

The Rolling Stones are revisiting their 1973 classic Goats Head Soup in a variety of new, remastered editions.  The standard edition includes a new 2020 stereo mix on 1 CD.  The 2CD deluxe edition features the new mix plus a disc of rarities and alternate mixes. Among those 10 bonus tracks are Glyn Johns’ early mixes of “Silver Train,” “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker),” and “Dancing With Mr. D,” plus instrumental mixes of the latter two, a piano demo of “100 Years Ago,” an alternate mix of “Hide Your Love,” and three outtakes including a collaboration between Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, and Ric Grech called “Scarlet.” There’s also “Criss Cross,” an outtake recorded in Kingston and London during the album sessions.  The most extravagant of the editions is the 3-CD/Blu-ray box set, featuring a total of 35 tracks. Presented in a hardbound volume, the box set includes all the tracks from the deluxe edition configuration, plus a bonus CD of the out-of-print and highly sought-after Brussels Affair concert, recorded on October 17, 1973 during a tour of Europe. The Blu-ray disc includes the new album mix in high-resolution 24bit/96kHz stereo, plus a 24-bit/96kHz DTS HD-encoded 5.1 surround mix and, for the first time in a Rolling Stones box set, a new and immersive Dolby Atmos mix of the album.  (The Japanese edition of the box adds an additional two Glyn Johns mixes unavailable elsewhere.)

Hot August Night (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD / uDiscoverMusic.com)
Love at the Greek (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscoverMusic.com)
Hot August Night II (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscoverMusic.com)
Hot August Night/NYC (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscovermusic.com)
Hot August Night III (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscovermusic.com)
All-Time Greatest Hits (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscoverMusic.com / Target.com)

Capitol and UMe are reissuing five classic Neil Diamond live albums as 2-LP vinyl editions beginning with 1972’s seminal Hot August Night and continuing with the unofficial sequel Love at the Greek (1977) as well as Hot August Night II (1986), Hot August Night/NYC (2009), and Hot August Night III (2018).  Note that the two latter albums are presented in “highlights” form with fewer tracks than their lengthy CD counterparts.  All five concerts are available directly through Universal in colored vinyl editions while all other retailers will have black vinyl versions.  On the same day, the 2014 collection All Time Greatest Hits will also be released on black vinyl, as a colored variant is already available at Target stores.

The first in a series of box sets, Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 1: The Early Years (1963-1967) features nearly 6 hours of unreleased material – 119 tracks across 5 CDs – all from the period prior to the commencement of her recording career. You’ll hear her first-ever recorded performance, intimate and newly unearthed coffeehouse concerts, home demos, and much more. There’s a total of 29 previously unheard Joni Mitchell songs, among them “Jeremy,” “Free Darling,” and “Gemini Twin,” which had been slated for Song to a Seagull, plus other early favorites like “Urge For Going,” and “Eastern Rain,” and many tracks that she’d revisit on later albums.

Each disc of Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 1 comes housed in its own printed wallet sleeve. An enclosed 40-page booklet features unseen photographs from Mitchell’s personal archives and new liner notes by Cameron Crowe, drawn from new conversations with Joni Mitchell. It’s all packaged in a slipcase that Joni helped design.

Early Joni – 1963 is a standalone LP featuring a complete radio session recorded by Joni Mitchell for CFQC-AM out of her hometown in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  It’d be years before she’d begin writing songs of her own, but here 19-year-old Joni transfixes the audience with just her voice,  her baritone ukulele, and a repertoire of Child ballads and folk songs.  It will be pressed on a single 180-gram LP and features a new portrait by Joni Mitchell based on a photograph from the period.  CFQC DJ Barry Bowman was working at the station at the time and provides liner notes.  This performance is also part of the 5-CD box set, Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 1: The Early Years (1963-1967).

Available on standard black vinyl and on a clear vinyl variant exclusive to the new Joni Mitchell Online Store.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Clear/black swirl LP: Real Gone Music Online Store
Orange/black swirl LP: Vinyl Me Please

From Real Gone Music’s Black Jazz Records reissue campaign comes this title from pianist Walter Bishop, Jr.  This soul-jazz classic features Bishop on piano, Harold Vick on flute and sax, Reggie Johnson on bass, Alan Schwartz Benger and Idris Muhammad on drums, and Woody Shaw on trumpet on a handful of tunes.  The album has been remastered by Mike Milchner.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Clear/black swirl LP: Real Gone Music Online Store

Black Jazz Records’ only group, The Awakening had roots in the Chicago jazz movement as part of the AACM (the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians).  Featuring AACM members Reggie Willis (bass) and Ari Brown (tenor sax and flute), as well as Young-Holt Unlimited alumni Frank Gordon (trumpet) and Ken Chaney (keys), among others, The Awakening “inhabit[ed] that sweet spot between the free jazz and Afrocentric explorations of the Art Ensemble and [a] rhythm-heavy soul-jazz sound.”  Hear, Sense and Feel remains one of the most sought-after releases in the Black Jazz catalog, with rare original copies going for hundred of dollars online.  But you won’t have to shell out nearly that much for the new reissue, featuring replica artwork and extensive new liner notes by Pat Thomas.  The label will also press up 100 copies on clear with black swirl vinyl as a Real Gone webstore exclusive release.  It’s been remastered by Mike Milchner.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Clear/black swirl LP: Real Gone Music Online Store

Doug Carn was the most prolific of the artists on the Black Jazz roster, releasing four albums.  Two featured his then-wife, future Philadelphia International Records star Jean Carn.  On Spirit of the New Land, he’s joined by saxophonist George Harper, trumpeter Charles Tolliver, trombonist Garnett Brown, tuba player Earl McIntyre, and drummer Alphonse Mouzon.  Throughout, Carn showcases his approach to adding words to standards like Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green” and Lee Morgan’s “Search for the New Land,” as well as his composition skills on originals like “Arise and Shine” and “My Spirit,” while Jean’s vocals allow them to take flight.  The highly collectible title now arrives on black vinyl with new liner notes by Pat Thomas.  And speaking of collectibles, Real Gone Music is offering up 100 copies of the album on clear with black swirl vinyl, available only on their online shop.

Seeds on the Ground was percussion master Airto’s second album and his final release on the Buddah label.  Following sessions with the likes of Miles Davis, Paul Desmond, Wayne Shorter, and Astrud Gilberto, Airto began a solo career that often found him collaborating with vocalist Flora Purim.  Here, Airto, Purim, bassist Ron Carter, guitarist Severino de Oliveira, and multi-instrumentalist Hereto Pascoal deliver a fusion of bossa nova, free jazz, psych rock, and Brazilian folk music that remains exciting and beyond classification.  Long out of print on vinyl, Real Gone Music brings Seeds On The Ground: The Natural Sounds Of Airto back on shelves, pressed on ocean blue vinyl and housed in a replica of the original gatefold sleeve.  The pressing is limited to just 1,000 copies.

Craft Recordings has an all-analog vinyl reissue, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original tapes, of the 1967 classic from King of the Boogaloo, pianist-bandleader Pete Rodriguez.  The 180-gram vinyl is manufactured at Memphis Record Pressing, promising optimum sound quality.

Verve/UMe is teaming up with Acoustic Sounds to launch a series of audiophile vinyl release drawn from the many labels within the Verve group.  This offering, 1964’s landmark Getz/Gilberto from Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, and guest vocalist Astrud Gilberto, remains a high watermark in the bossa nova genre with such all-time classics as “The Girl from Ipanema,” “Desafinado,” and “Corcovado.”  It’s been remastered in an all-analog chain and pressed on 180-gram vinyl by Quality Record Pressings.  The LP is housed in a deluxe tip-on gatefold packaging done at Stoughton Printing Company.

Verve and Acoustic Sounds’ series of audiophile jazz reissues features this 1959 trumpet-and-piano classic from Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson accompanied by Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and Louie Bellson on standards such as “You Go to My Head,” “That Old Feeling,” and “Sweet Lorraine.”  The album has been newly remastered in an all-analog chain, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at QRP and housed in a tip-on jacket made at Stoughton.

This 5CD/DVD set chronicles Big Country’s musical journey with Chrysalis’ Compulsion Records imprint.  The box includes previously expanded editions of 1993’s The Buffalo Skinners and 1994’s Without The Aid Of a Safety Net issued by EMI in 2005 (the latter of which was presented across two discs for a complete concert experience). Another two bonus discs collect The Buffalo Skinners‘ various, uncompiled B-sides, remixes and early versions, including unreleased instrumental demos and monitor mixes alongside demos released on rare fan collections. The box wraps up with a DVD of the original Without The Aid Of a Safety Net film and two music videos.  Like previous Big Country boxes from Cherry Red, each disc is housed in its own mini-jacket, encased in a clamshell box.

Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records debut Diana Ross & The Supremes Sing and Perform “Funny Girl”: The Ultimate Edition, a deluxe 2-CD celebration of the classic 1968 Motown-meets-Broadway gem.  Greatly building upon the digital-only Expanded Edition issued in 2014, The Ultimate Edition boasts:

• The original U.S. stereo mix,
• The rare U.K. mono mix (with an extended version of Diana’s tour de force “People” which composer Styne called “equal in every way to Streisand’s or anyone else’s”),
• The Supreme Mixes reinstating Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong’s original vocals not heard in 1968; and
• Bonus tracks including previously unreleased alternate versions of “Cornet Man,” “His Love Makes Me Beautiful,” and “Sadie, Sadie” as well as live performances of “I’m the Greatest Star” and the Fanny Brice standard “My Man.” 

The Ultimate Edition has been produced by the team of Andrew Skurow, George Solomon, and TSD’s Joe Marchese (The Supremes’ Ultimate Merry Christmas) and freshly remastered by Kevin Reeves who mixed the entirety of the second disc.  It’s all topped off with a sumptuous 32-page full-color booklet.  Designed by George Solomon and John Sellards, it’s packed with an exclusive introduction by Mary Wilson, two new essays placing the album in the context of Diana Ross and The Supremes’ career and tracing the Broadway-to-Hollywood journey of Funny Girl, an interview with the late Jule Styne, and a host of beautiful, previously unpublished full-color photos.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD & Vinyl Merchandise Bundles (Including Autographed Bundles): Reba McEntire Store
Exclusive Orange Vinyl: Wal-Mart

Reba McEntire expands her 1990 album in a new anniversary edition with two bonus tracks on CD (an acoustic take of Bobbie Gentry’s “Fancy” recorded at the Ryman Auditorium and a dance remix of the song by Dave Audé) and one on vinyl (the acoustic recording).

Real Gone turns back the clock to the big band era with a collection of music by Raymond Scott, best known for his contributions to Warner Bros. cartoons and as an electronic music pioneer. But there’s another chapter to this story, and this release chronicles the first multiracial radio big band, the Scott-led “CBS Big Band” whose ranks included legends Ben Webster, Cozy Cole, and Charlie Shavers. Now, the group will be celebrated with a 26-track CD set containing primarily unreleased radio shows recorded by Scott and recently restored by Gavin Ross at Steady Studio in Burbank, CA. The package features photos from the Scott family’s archives as well as liner notes penned by Scott historian Skip Heller, who co-produced this volume with the bandleader’s son, Stan Warnow.

A new box set will anthologize most of the output of influential ska/punk label 2 Tone Records.  2 Tone: The Albums collects on CD eight major long-playing albums issued by the British label between 1979 and 1984: The Specials’ Specials (1979), More Specials (1980) and In The Studio (1984, issued under a revised line-up and new name, The Special AKA); The Selecter’s Too Much Pressure (1980); Cuban-born Rico Rodriguez’s That Man Is Forward (1981) and Jama Rico (1982); and two compilations: Dance Craze, the soundtrack to the 1981 documentary of the same name covering the 2 Tone label and cultural movement, and 1983’s This Are Two-Tone, which collected non-LP and one-off singles from the label as recorded by The Specials, Madness, The English Beat, The Bodysnatchers, and more.  2 Tone: The Albums features all eight discs in mini-LP reproductions of their original sleeves, enclosed in a lidded rigid box with a 24-page booklet that features new liner notes for each album.

Love them or loathe them, Canadian rockers Nickelback were prevalent forces on the charts and on the radio throughout the first decade of the new millennium – and a new expanded reissue of one of their bestselling albums will put that popularity into context.  All The Right Reasons, the band’s fifth album, will be reissued for its 15th anniversary as a 2-CD set, collecting the remastered album, four rare B-sides from European CD singles (including a cover of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and three acoustic tracks, and the audio debut of a live set at the Buffalo Chip campground in Sturgis, South Dakota. (The concert was released on DVD in 2008.)

4-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-LP orange and aquamarine: Graceland Online Shop

RCA and Legacy Recordings are commemorating the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s landmark “marathon” recording sessions in Nashville with this new 4-CD box.  These sessions (which yielded material for Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old), That’s the Way It Is, and Love Letters from Elvis) will be collected for the first time on a single collection, but with a twist. All have been newly mixed by famed engineer Matt Ross-Spang. These 2020 mixes strip away the orchestrations and overdubs of the released recordings to offer a more immediate and intimate listening experience true to when Elvis and the band laid down the core tracks.

From Elvis In Nashville will be available as a 4-CD box set including two discs of rare or entirely unreleased recordings from the sessions. Meanwhile, vinyl aficionados will be happy to hear that a 2-LP highlights collection will also be released. The Graceland Official Store will have an exclusive orange and aquamarine color variant of the 2-LP set for sale for collectors.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Dire Straits’ studio discography will be released as a box set, aptly named The Studio Albums 1978-1991.  It’s coming from Virgin/UMC in Europe and Warner/Rhino in the U.S., and contains the band’s six original albums: Dire Straits (1978), Communiqué (1979), Making Movies (1980), Love Over Gold (1982), Brothers In Arms (1985) and On Every Street (1991). All of these releases reached the Top 5 of the U.K. charts (with the latter three going to No. 1) and were certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum in America by the Recording Industry Association of America.  The set is no-frills, with no additional material, but the sound might prove an attractive reason to upgrade your original albums.  In addition to the CD version, it receives a new LP pressing, having originally been released on vinyl in Europe in 2013. (That original set was released on eight 180-gram LPs, with mastering by Bob Ludwig and lacquers cut by both Bernie Grundman and, for the last two albums, Chris Bellman. The press release describes the vinyl as “newly re-cut,” though it is assumed the mastering will carry over.)

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP Deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5CD/4LP/3DVD Super Deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

One of the bestselling albums released in 2000 is getting revisited in a big way this year: Linkin Park’s debut album Hybrid Theory.  The first album from the California rap/rock combo will be reissued October 9 in three rarity-packed editions for its 20th anniversary. A 2CD version pairs the original album with a bonus disc featuring a dozen B-sides, demos, live tracks and remixes from various European-only CD singles. A bigger 4LP box set features those albums alongside a 2LP reissue of Reanimation, the group’s 2002 album of remixes from Hybrid Theory. And biggest of all is a super deluxe edition, totaling 5 CDs, 4 LPs, 3 DVDs and a cassette among other ephemera and collectibles.  See our article for the full breakdown of the contents on each version!

Elvis Costello has followed up his Grammy-winning Look Now with a new LP recorded in Helsinki, Paris, and New York with various collaborators including Bill Frisell, Wilco’s Nels Cline, and The Imposters’ Steve Nieve. The album includes all three of his solo Helsinki tracks released digitally this summer including “No Flag,” “Hetty O’Hara Confidential,” and “We Are All Cowards Now.” Available on CD, 2-LP vinyl, and digital/streaming.

Diana Krall is back with a new studio album culled from her final recording sessions in 2016-2017 with late, great producer Tommy LiPuma.  This Dream of You is named after the recent Bob Dylan song, and the album also includes such classic standards as “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Autumn in New York,” “That’s All,” and “How Deep Is the Ocean.”  Settings vary, with ensemble, quartet, and duo performances.  Available on CD, vinyl, and streaming.

Irish rockers Thin Lizzy launch a new archival series with the release of Rock Legends, a career-spanning 6CD/1DVD box set that offers a new overview of their work through an almost entirely unreleased selection of tracks. The series celebrates their 50th anniversary as a band, but plans for a box on this scale have been gestating since 2012, when it was reported that Universal had acquired a decade’s worth of tapes kept by Lynott featuring demos, alternate versions and outtakes. The final result certainly looks worth the wait: five of the six discs are entirely or nearly stocked with unreleased material – 74 of the set’s 99 tracks – while another nine cuts are making their CD/digital debuts.  Rock Legends was compiled by longtime guitarist Scott Gorham and band expert Nick Sharp. Packaged in a 10″ x 6″ slipcase, the set also features copious book material, including a hardback collection of replica tour programs, selections from Lynott’s poetry books, and quotes from not only all members of the band but famous fans like Slash, Lemmy Kilmister, Henry Rollins, Billy Corgan, Joe Elliott and more.

Deluxe 3-CD/2-DVD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
4-LP black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
4-LP color vinyl: Rolling Stones Online Shop / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

The Rolling Stones bring their star-studded 1989 Atlantic City concert featuring Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, Axl Rose, and Izzy Stradlin to a variety of formats.  The biggest is a limited-edition 6-disc box set.  In it you’ll find the complete Atlantic City concert on 2 CDs, plus a bonus CD of rare performances from the tour. The Japan edition of the box set will include a bonus interview track, taken from a 1989 promo CD.  This is not available in any other territories.  But regardless of your region, you will find the Atlantic City show on DVD and standard-definition Blu-ray, and an exclusive bonus DVD: Steel Wheels Live Tokyo, Japan featuring a complete show from the Tokyo Dome on February 24, 1990.  It’s all housed in a 10″x 10″ hard slipcase, with a 40-page hardback book and gatefold disc-holder.  For those who prefer a slimmer collection, 2-CD/DVD and 2-CD/Blu-ray configurations will also be available, featuring the complete Atlantic City show in audio and video formats. Meanwhile, if you just want the concert film, it will be released on DVD and Blu-ray. Finally, for the vinyl enthusiasts, the concert will be released as a 4-LP set, available on standard black vinyl or on orange and blue vinyl (currently available in the U.S. from The Rolling Stones’ Official Shop, though an Amazon link may be on the way).

The timeless comic strip Peanuts will turn 70 this year.  To celebrate, Craft Recordings will release special one-time vinyl pressings of the holiday soundtrack A Charlie Brown Christmas by The Vince Guaraldi Trio, paired with a bonus lenticular print of the Charles Schulz-designed album cover.  The classic album is not only among the best selling jazz records of all time, it’s also synonymous with the holiday season.  A standard black vinyl edition will be released October 9.

A range of other color variants and picture disc configurations are available through other participating retailers.  Here’s a rundown of all the vinyl variations:

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Official Store
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Mary J. Blige’s sophomore album My Life is about to bring audiences joy when it’s expanded and reissued on CD and vinyl with some rare bonus content.  The expanded My Life – which follows a killer compilation of Blige’s early work from last year – pairs the newly remastered album with a half-dozen rare bonus tracks, including a stirring cover of Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” produced by James Mtume and five promo-only remixes, some of which feature guest raps by well-known emcees like LL Cool J and Smif-N-Wessun. The package will be available on 2 CDs, 2 LPs (without the bonus material), 3 LPs (with the bonus material and on blue vinyl) and digitally (which will also include new track-by-track audio commentary by Blige herself).

“Franken-Green” LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

Real Gone has a reissue of the 1970 power pop soundtrack to the popular CBS-TV music-themed Saturday morning cartoon show produced by Filmation.  Each episode included two original songs: one from The Monster Trio (Drac, Frankie, and Wolfie – see the album cover!) and one from a rotating group of “bands” such as The Rolling Headstones, The Mummies and The Puppies, The Bare Bones Band, and The Spirits of ’76.  In reality, these songs were performed by members of the surf-rock group The Challengers, as well as legendary session musicians like Larry Carlton and Ronnie Tutt.  It’s available on CD and on a special “Franken-Green” color variant, limited to only 500 copies.  A pumpkin orange-hued edition will also be available exclusively at independent music shops.  This edition is also limited to just 500 copies.

Stephen King’s tale of a killer dog hit the big screen in 1983 with a score by composer Charles Bernstein.  But Bernstein’s music was cut up for the film’s final edit, and the score never received a commercial release until last year, when Intrada presented the music as recorded by Bernstein for a CD reissue. The tracklisting for Real Gone’s edition presents the complete film score as presented on CD by Intrada, dropping the five alternate cues which were also included. This new vinyl reissue is limited to 400 copies and comes on “pinto yellow with blood red splatter” vinyl.

Real Gone has a limited vinyl reissue of the soundtrack to 1985’s The Return of the Living Dead. Return‘s history and legacy is a little complicated. George A. Romero and John Russo wrote 1968’s classic Night of the Living Dead.  After its release, the two parted ways, with Russo retaining the rights to use the title “Living Dead.”  Romero, meanwhile, began a series of sequels beginning with Dawn of the Dead in 1978 (four more films through 2009’s Survival of the Dead would follow). Russo wrote a novel entitled The Return of The Living Dead and then wrote and produced a film of the same name in 1985 (the same year as Romero’s second sequel, Day of the Dead). Return is a quasi-sequel to Night, but has many more comedic elements and exists in a continuity wholly separate from the Romero films and introduced the concept of zombies wanting to eat brains to the lore. Return itself would spawn four sequels through 2005’s Return of the Living Dead: Rave To The Grave. Return‘s soundtrack featured many popular punk bands from around 1985 including 45 Grave, The Cramps, The Damned, T.S.O.L., The Flesh Eaters and The Jet Black Berries. Real Gone released several limited edition colored vinyl versions of this for Halloweens past. This year, the label is doing a clear with blood red splatter vinyl edition.

Stage Door Records brings producer Brian Epstein’s swingin’ sixties musical by Ron Grainer (Doctor Who) and Ronald Millar to CD for the very first time anywhere in the world.  This release, part of Stage Door’s Cast Album Masters series, is remastered from the original CBS tapes and limited to 500 units.

The 50th Anniversary Edition of Neil Young’s classic album features new art based on Gary Burden’s original album cover design.  The CD was released on December 11, 2020 while the vinyl edition will be presented in a box set with the LP and a bonus 7″ single in a newly designed picture sleeve due on March 19, 2021.  This set includes two different versions of the After the Gold Rush outtake “Wonderin’.”  The A-side version was recorded in March 1970 in Topanga (previously heard on his Archives Vol. 1 set) while the B-side is a previously unreleased performance.  The box is rounded out with and exclusive 12″x12″ lithograph of the front cover art.  The CD edition will feature the new album art and both versions of “Wonderin'” added as bonus tracks.  ​

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Crooked Piece of Time: The Atlantic & Asylum Albums collates the late John Prine’s first seven releases from 1971 to 1980, newly remastered and packaged in mini replicas of the original LP jackets. The box, featuring a new painting of Prine by Joshua Petker (inspired by a photo of him taken by Jim Shea), will also include a 20-page booklet featuring new liner notes by David Fricke and poster inserts.  Additionally, links are live for new vinyl pressings of the first four albums in this set, due out September 18.

Disc 1: John Prine (Atlantic SD 8296, 1971) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Disc 2: Diamonds In The Rough (Atlantic SD 7240, 1972) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Disc 3: Sweet Revenge (Atlantic SD 7274, 1973) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Disc 4: Common Sense (Atlantic SD 18127, 1975) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Disc 5: Bruised Orange (Asylum 6E-139, 1978)
Disc 6: Pink Cadillac (Asylum 6E-222, 1979)
Disc 7: Storm Windows (Asylum 6E-286, 1980)

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Wilco Store (color version)

A 4CD and 5LP edition of Wilco’s 1999 release, packed with unreleased material, arrives from Rhino.  Both formats feature a brand-new remaster of the original album by Bob Ludwig, plus two dozen previously unreleased demos, outtakes and alternate versions. Each set features a different unreleased live show as well: the CD featuring an extended, soundboard-sourced set at Colorado’s Boulder Theatre recorded on November 1, 1999 (well into the band’s tour to promote the album), while the LP includes a Tower Records gig in Chicago the week of Summerteeth‘s release, broadcast on radio station WXRT-FM and labeled here as An Unmitigated Disaster.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Amazon Music HD / Neil Young Archives / Your Local Record Shop

Neil Young is taking stock of “The Times” on a new 7-track EP which will arrive as an Amazon Original release that can be streamed exclusively on Amazon Music HD in high resolution.  The album can also be enjoyed on NeilYoungArchives.com or on CD.  The Times features performances originally shared on the “Porch Sessions” episode of Young’s livestreamed Fireside Sessions series.  The webcast found Neil revisiting political material from across his career, including “Ohio,” “Alabama,” “Southern Man,” and “Campaigner.”  The EP also features the revamped “Lookin’ For A Leader 2020,” an update to the topical track originally released on Living With War in 2006.  You’ll also hear a cover of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin'” and a new rendition of “Little Wing,” recently released on Homegrown.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Beastie Boys Music serves as a belated 20-track accompaniment to the group’s lengthy Beastie Boys Book (2018) and this year’s Spike Jonze-helmed documentary Beastie Boys Story. True to its name, it collects 20 singles and beloved tracks from the New York trio’s seven major records for Def Jam and Capitol, including “Fight For Your Right,” “Hey Ladies,” “So What’cha Want,” “Sabotage,” “Intergalactic” and more. The set is the first to span their entire career, with most recent collection Solid Gold Hits (2005) stopping short of the group’s final album, 2011’s Hot Sauce Committee Part Two.  Beastie Boys Music will be available on CD, 2LP and digital platforms with different running orders for each format.

Edsel collects Kiki Dee’s pre-Rocket Records years on this new 3-CD set, featuring 2 discs of her Fontana recordings (including rare international singles) and one of her Motown output including one previously unreleased track and two more making their CD debuts.  The set, packaged as a hardcover mediabook, is accompanied by a 28-page book featuring new liner notes by Alan Robinson (drawing on a 2020 interview with Kiki) as well as rare photos from the artist’s own archives.

Mariah Carey’s continuing her #MC30 campaign with a new collection of rare and unreleased studio and live material, as well as vinyl reissues of her whole catalogue.  The Rarities presents the flipside of the pop idol’s incredible blockbuster career (one that’s produced an impressive 19 chart-topping singles in the U.S. – just one less than The Beatles) through B-sides and outtakes as well as the premiere audio release of a full live set from 1996.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP black with white swirl: Bruce Springsteen Online Store
2-LP grey + print: Badlands
2-LP grey: Your Local Record Shop

Bruce Springsteen returns with a new album featuring The E Street Band.  Produced by Springsteen and his frequent collaborator Ron Aniello, it features original songs as well as The Boss’ first recordings of three compositions he wrote early in his career but never officially released: “Janey Needs a Shooter,” “If I Was the Priest,” and “Song for Orphans.”  It will be available on CD as well as 2-LP vinyl including color variants (such as a gray pressing for independent record stores).  The vinyl version has three sides of music plus an etching.  A 16-page booklet will be included with every format.

2-CD/ Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
3-LP/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings have a brand-new collection that celebrates The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s near-mythic performances on Maui, Hawaii in 1970. Live In Maui brings together audio and video with a new feature-length documentary called Music, Money, Madness: Jimi Hendrix In Maui. The collection will be available in 2-CD/Blu-ray and 3-LP/Blu-ray configurations, all due on November 20.   Director John McDermott’s new documentary film chronicles the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s visit to Maui and the story of the Rainbow Bridge film by incorporating period footage with new interviews with Chuck Wein, Billy Cox, Eddie Kramer, and others key figures.  It’s presented in both editions of Experience Hendrix/Legacy’s release on Blu-ray, and the discs will also feature all of the existing 16mm color footage from the two afternoon sets captured on July 30, 1970 mixed in stereo and 5.1 surround.  The accompanying 2-CD set features Hendrix, Billy Cox, and Mitch Mitchell’s restored Maui sets, newly mixed by Eddie Kramer and mastered by Bernie Grundman.

Live At Canterbury House – 1967 includes all three of Joni’s sets at the famed Ann Arbor venue.  The complete unreleased and uncirculated show will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged in a triple gatefold sleeve. The cover features a photo taken at the show by Al Blixt. Bob Franke, who was assigned to review the show for The Michigan Daily, provides new liner notes alongside his original review.  Available on black vinyl or on white vinyl exclusively at the new Joni Mitchell Online Store.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Ella Fitzgerald’s March 25, 1962 Berlin concert (during which she was supported by the trio of pianist Paul Smith, bassist Wilfred Middlebrooks, and drummer Stan Levey) at the city’s Sportpalast was recorded by her producer-manager Norman Granz, but never issued…until now.  Verve/UMe has it on both CD and LP, with seventeen swingin’ songs including “Jersey Bounce,” “Hallelujah, I Love Him So,” “Angel Eyes,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Taking a Chance on Love,” “Summertime,” “C’est Magnifique,” and “Cheek to Cheek.”

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Continuing a series of compilations that kicked off earlier this year, Whitesnake will release a new collection, Love Songs, through Rhino.  Love Songs is the middle act in the British rock group’s “Red, White and Blues” trilogy that kicked off with The Rock Album back in June. (The closer, The Blues Album, will hit stores next year.) Like that collection, Love Songs is centered on a theme – romance, as you could guess from the title – and like The Rock Album, every track on here has been “revisited, remixed and remastered.”  Its 15 tracks span from 1987-2011, including previously unreleased tracks from frontman David Coverdale.

Cherry Red is launching the debut album by Sigue Sigue Sputnik back into orbit with a greatly-expanded 4CD set.  Flaunt It, the group’s 1986 album introduction after several years of hype and a pair of Top 20 hits in the U.K., will be expanded to feature two discs of B-sides and remixes and a previously unreleased live-in-studio set at Abbey Road Studios. All the material is remastered from the original tapes and assembled with input by original group bassist Tony James and guitarist Neal X.

The Gospel Truth: The Complete Singles Collection features all 17 singles issued by Stax Records imprint Gospel Truth between 1972 and 1974 – 34 songs on 2 CDs or 3 LPs – including both non-LP singles and samplings of the imprint’s album catalogue.  Among the highlights are numerous tracks from Gospel Truth’s first signing, Michigan’s The Rance Allen Group, who specialized in reworkings of secular songs into spiritual ones.  Also featured are four sides from Joshie Jo Armstead including her rendition of Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields’ “Ride Out the Storm” which she introduced onstage in the pre-Broadway tryout of Seesaw.  New liner notes have been penned for the collection by Memphis-based journalist and NPR host Jared Boyd, incorporating fresh interviews with Al Bell, Rance Allen, and Mary Peak Paterson.  While both editions are handsomely packaged, the LP is housed in a triple gatefold, with the vinyl pressed at Memphis Record Pressing.

4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Derek and the Dominos’ Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs was celebrated back in 2011 with a deluxe, cross-format box set that featured the remastered original album (on CD, vinyl and in a 5.1 surround mix on DVD), 1973’s In Concert, and a disc of 13 bonus tracks, including new mixes of outtakes from the supergroup’s unfinished second album and a live set from The Johnny Cash Show. Now, it’s returning almost ten years later in a new box which strips things back somewhat, offering the half-speed mastered album and the 13 bonus cuts across four LPs along with the 12″ x 12″ book from the 40th anniversary set and a certificate of authenticity. Miles Showell at Abbey Road has mastered the original album here. The 2CD 40th anniversary highlights edition will also go back into print as well.

Ready for Christmas, Bakersfield-style?  Omnivore Recordings has dusted off and freshened up Buck Owens and His Buckaroos’ 1970 double-album of Christmas favorites.  Whereas that set dropped four tracks from Buck’s two Capitol Christmas platters, Omnivore’s new CD reinstates them – plus two rare Toys for Tots PSAs – for a complete survey of Buck’s Capitol Christmas recordings. Everything has been remastered from the original analog master tapes by Michael Graves.  Available on CD and digitally.

David Bowie’s third album The Man Who Sold The World is remixed and reissued for its 50th anniversary this fall…complete with a new title.  Metrobolist features a new mix of nearly the entire album by original producer Tony Visconti, available on CD, LP and high-resolution digital formats. (The sole exception: Side 1 closer “After All,” which Visconti felt he could not improve on.)  This release will boast a new version of the album’s original American sleeve, featuring the original Pop Art-inspired sleeve by Mike Weller (issued after Mercury’s U.S. branch declined to use a photo featuring Bowie reclining in a Michael Fish-designed dress) and the album’s original, intended title. Bowie conceived the name as a play on Metropolis, and the original master tape box still bears that name. (The packaging will also feature outtakes from the “dress” shoot as well.)  The LP pressing, on 180-gram vinyl, will feature a random distribution of color; the first 1,970 numbered copies will be pressed on white, while #1,971-2,020 will be gold.

3-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
6-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

On November 20, Rhino will release Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 featuring nearly four hours of highlights from the most recent iteration of his log-standing benefit concert.  You’ll hear from Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Randolph, Lianne La Havas, James Bay, Los Lobos, Sheryl Crow, Marcus King Band, Vince Gill, Sonny Landreth, John Mayer, James Burton, Jimmie Vaughan, Keb’ Mo’, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more.

Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 will be released as in 3-CD, 6-LP, 2-Blu-ray, and 2-DVD configurations.

uDiscoverMusic Store: black / color

Elvis Costello is revisiting his 1981 album in super-sized format.  Armed Forces will be reissued as a deluxe, slipcased 9-disc vinyl set with three 12-inch LPs, three 10-inch LPs, and three 7-inch singles including 23 previously unreleased live tracks and the complete contents of the previous Rhino/Edsel deluxe edition (with many tracks making their debut on vinyl).  It contains:

• New remaster by Bob Ludwig and EC of Armed Forces from the original tapes, “with the sonic fidelity matching the original 1979 U.K. pressing”;
• Sketches for Emotional Fascism 10-inch, with four previously issued bonus tracks;
• Riot at the Regent: Live in Sydney ’78 10-inch, with six previously unreleased live tracks;
• Europe ’79: Live at Pinkpop 12-inch, with 13 previously unreleased live tracks;
• Christmas in the Dominion: Live 24th December ’78 10-inch, with four previously unreleased live tracks;
• Live at Hollywood High and Elsewhere 12-inch, with the 10 live tracks included on the 2002 Rhino/Edsel deluxe edition of Armed Forces;
• “Oliver’s Army” b/w “Big Boys (Demo)” 7-inch single;
• “Accidents Will Happen” b/w “Busy Bodies (Alternate)” 7-inch single;
• “American Squirm” b/w “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” – Nick Lowe & His Sound 7-inch single.

It’s all accompanied by seven notebooks including Costello’s updated liner notes of nearly 10,000 words and handwritten lyrics; a replica poster; and a new postcard set of EC and The Attractions.  The contents of the vinyl set will also be available digitally.

4CD:  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

The new 4-CD box set Aretha collects 81 tracks spanning the Queen of Soul’s entire career – from her first single on JBV Records through her years on Columbia, Atlantic, and Arista – via hits, rarities, live tracks, and many previously unreleased cuts. Note that this set also has numerous tracks from or related to Aretha’s final five Atlantic studio LPs, none of which have been officially released on CD to date.  Aretha adds up to an alternative history of Franklin’s extraordinary career.   The box features new liner notes by Rochelle Riley, director of Arts and Culture for the city of Detroit, and SoulMusic.com founder David Nathan.  Makeba KEEBS Rainey has provided the eye-popping new artwork based upon a portrait by acclaimed photographer Neal Preston.  While the box set has been delayed until July 2021 to coincide with the (hopeful) release of the Aretha biopic starring Jennifer Hudson, Rhino will still release 1-CD and 2-LP highlights versions on November 20, 2020.

2-CD/2-LP/Blu-ray/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

This audiovisual document of a Toronto stop on Young and Crazy Horse’s 2003 tour will arrive in 2-CD, 2-LP, and deluxe box set configurations.  The tour in support of Greendale was staged as a full production with its own cast to enact the story and contribute to Neil and Crazy Horse’s performances. Return To Greendale combines the actor portrayals and concert performances of ten songs (no encores, though) with scenes from the 2003 Greendale film to tell a more complete story. The audio of the same performances will be available as a 2-CD or 2-LP set. For collectors, Neil will also release a limited-edition numbered box set that collects the CDs, vinyl, a Blu-ray with the complete Return To Greendale concert film, and a DVD with the Inside Greendale making-of documentary previously available a special edition of the original album back in 2004.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscoverMusic (gold)

The Best of Bond…James Bond offers a stellar 25-track overview of the pop themes that scored nearly all of the films based on Ian Fleming’s famed British secret agent. There are 14 U.K. Top 10 hits and two Academy Award winners herein – altogether, a formidable, half-century-plus musical portrait of one of cinema’s most popular characters. First released under this title by Capitol/EMI in 1999, The Best of Bond…James Bond was reissued in 2002, 2008 and 2012 with additional title themes and various bonus tracks (or, in the case of the latest edition, for the film series’ 50th anniversary, a bonus disc of score material).

There’s a few firsts for this Bond collection: this will be the set’s first LP edition, spread across three discs and pressed on either standard black or limited edition gold vinyl. (The gold set will be available exclusively at uDiscoverMusic.) For the first time, this edition of the collection will actually include the most current theme: Billie Eilish’s theme to Daniel Craig’s fifth and final Bond film, No Time To Die (due to release in November, having been delayed from this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic).​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Earlier this year, Craft Recordings released The Staple Singers’ Come Go with Me: The Stax Collection in vinyl and digital editions. The set compiled all of The Staple Singers’ 1968-1974 albums for the Stax label plus a volume of rarities, non-LP single sides, and live recordings. Now, that box is available on CD as remastered from the original analog tapes by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl.

Come Go with Me: The Stax Collection features the following original studio albums:

• Soul Folk in Action(1968)
• We’ll Get Over (1970)
• The Staple Swingers (1971)
• Be Altitude: Respect Yourself (1972)
• Be What You Are (1973)
• City in the Sky (1974)

plus a disc of Singles, Live and More.  The slipcased collection includes a booklet with rare photos and liner notes from historian Levon Williams (formerly of the Stax Museum and the National Museum of African American Music) and folklorist, ethnomusicologist and author Dr. Langston Wilkins.

2-CD/DVD/Blu-ray box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
3-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

Pink Floyd presents a remixed and restored version of its 1988 concert film and soundtrack Delicate Sound of Thunder, “broken out” from the massive Later Years box set.  There are CD, LP, BD, and DVD releases as well as a super deluxe box featuring the concert on two CDs, plus a Blu-ray and DVD each with five bonus tracks not on the standard editions which made their debut on The Later Years. The package evokes that of The Endless River, with a lift-off lid box, a 40-page booklet, a double-sided poster, and five postcards of the band.​

The late Italian maestro Ennio Morricone is celebrated with a new collection of his lesser-known works, including seven previously unreleased tracks.  Morricone Segreto (or Secret Morricone) features 27 tracks recorded between the late 1960s and early 1980s which promise to blend pop, psychedelia, and his more avant-garde leanings.  Available on CD, 2-LP vinyl, and digital/streaming platforms.

Harbinger Records has unearthed a true treasure: a private-press recording made by late composer Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!) in 1975 as a Christmas gift for his friends.  The album features Schmidt on piano sharing classic songs including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “My Favorite Things,” and other standards by Harry Warren, Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and others.  It’s a spellbinding, intimate collection from one of musical theatre’s great artists.

3CD/2 7-inch Box Set (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
1CD Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
1LP Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
2CD Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

The Kinks’ 1970 classic Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One will be reissued in a variety of formats including bonus material such as singles, B-sides, alternate mixes, session outtakes, BBC recordings, and newly-recorded commentary from Ray and Dave Davies.  The box set has been delayed until January 22, 2021 while the other formats are available December 18 as scheduled.

• Limited Edition, Deluxe 10″ Slipcased book pack (containing 60 page book, 3 CDs, 2 x 7″ singles, 4 color prints)
• 1LP Gatefold
• 2CD Hardback Book pack
• 1CD Digipak
• Digital
• HD Digital
• Online Limited Edition Exclusives at The Kinks Official Store (free with boxset orders): 7″ Single, Enamel pin badge

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Neil Diamond has joined with The London Symphony Orchestra to re-record 14 of his most beloved songs – including “I’m a Believer,” “Sweet Caroline,” “America,” and “Heartlight” – in new orchestral arrangements by producer Walter Afanasieff and conductor William Ross.  Available on CD, LP, and digital formats.

Hybrid SACD: Impex / Elusive Disc / Amazon U.S.
LP: Impex / Elusive Disc / Amazon Links TBD

Audiophile specialty label Impex Records celebrates Sing and Dance with a deluxe 70th anniversary limited edition vinyl LP and hybrid SACD.  Both feature the full album alongside rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks.  These include outtakes, orchestra-only cuts, and alternate vocal takes recorded during the tracking of the album.  Due to the additional time allowed on the SACD format compared to vinyl, the SACD includes a previously unissued alternate of “It’s Only A Paper Moon” as an extra bonus.  No matter which format you prefer, Impex promises the new transfers of this material (all presented in crisp, original mono) will offer this classic album – recorded at Columbia’s fabled 30th Street Studio – in the best fidelity imaginable.  The new edition was produced by acclaimed Sinatra historian Charles L. Granata, and the music has been restored and remastered by Grammy-winning audio engineer Andreas Meyer.  The LP was cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, and pressed on premium 180-gram vinyl at RTI.  The high-resolution hybrid SACD (playable on all CD players) was authored by Gus Skinas, and sourced, restored, and mastered from hi-res digital transfers made at the same time as the LP’s analog tape and disc transfers.  The extensive color booklet features a comprehensive essay and personnel listing as well as technical notes alongside rare photographs from the sessions, memorabilia images, and promotional artwork.  Due October 30 directly from Impex and on November 20 from Amazon.

Real Gone Music brings singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw’s 2003 debut, featuring the hit “I Don’t Wanna Be,” to vinyl.  It will be pressed on “leafy sunset” transparent green vinyl.

Nonesuch brings the soundtrack to Tim Burton’s big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s classic Grand Guignol musical to vinyl.  The 2-LP edition (mirroring the deluxe CD version of the complete soundtrack) features Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, and Sacha Baron Cohen.

The Fantastic Strings of Felix Slatkin’s lush 1961 Christmas classic arrives on CD from Real Gone Music.  (It was previously available this year as a website exclusive and now sees wide release.)  The stereo reissue has been mastered by Mike Milchner and features new liner notes by Maestro Leonard Slatkin, Felix’s esteemed son.

4-CD/Blu-ray/LP/12″ Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

Cat Stevens revisits 1970’s Mona Bone Jakon in a new, 50th anniversary edition arriving in a host of formats.  The 4-CD/Blu-ray/LP 50th anniversary box set edition features a new remaster of the original mix (overseen by Paul Samwell-Smith) on CD 1, a 2020 remix by David Hefti on CD 2, and on LP, unreleased demos on CD 3 (including the new single “I Want Some Sun”), and 18 live performances on CD 4.  There’s also a 6-song live set on an etched LP and a Blu-ray disc featuring high-resolution audio of the 2020 mix, plus the original promotional video for “Lady D’Arbanville” and numerous television appearances.

5-CD/Blu-ray/LP/12″ Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

Cat Stevens, a.k.a. Yusuf, is looking back at his 1970 multi-platinum classic Tea for the Tillerman in a new variety of 50th anniversary formats.   The album cemented the artist’s reputation and included some of his best-known hits, including “Wild World,” “Father and Son,” and timeless classics like “Where Do the Children Play” and “On the Road To Find Out.”  The deluxe 50th anniversary box packs in 5 CDs, a Blu-ray, an LP, and an etched 12″.  CD 1 includes the 2020 remaster of the original album mix, while CD 2 houses the 2020 remix (also on LP).  The recent album Tea For The Tillerman ² is reprised on CD 3, while CD 4 contains demos, alternate versions, and unreleased tracks.  CD 5 is filled with 25 live recordings from The Troubadour in L.A. (also on an etched 12″),  KCET also in L.A., the BBC In Concert performance, Beat Club, various French TV appearances, and four songs recorded at New York’s Fillmore East.  The Blu-ray includes the promo video for “Father and Son,” TV appearances on KCET, a trio of songs from the BBC, and performances on Beat Club and French television.  If that weren’t enough, there’s also high-res audio of the 2020 remix of Tea For The Tillerman.

3-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
6-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

Rhino brings Eric Clapton’s 2019 Crossroads Guitar Festival to a variety of formats.  The fest features almost four hours of highlights with appearances by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Randolph, Lianne La Havas, James Bay, Los Lobos, Sheryl Crow, Marcus King Band, Vince Gill, Sonny Landreth, John Mayer, James Burton, Jimmie Vaughan, Keb’ Mo’, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more.  Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 will be released as in 3-CD, 6-LP, 2-Blu-ray, and 2-DVD configurations.

4CD:  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

The new 4-CD box set Aretha collects 81 tracks spanning the Queen of Soul’s entire career – from her first single on JBV Records through her years on Columbia, Atlantic, and Arista – via hits, rarities, live tracks, and many previously unreleased cuts. Note that this set also has numerous tracks from or related to Aretha’s final five Atlantic studio LPs, none of which have been officially released on CD to date.  Aretha adds up to an alternative history of Franklin’s extraordinary career.   The box features new liner notes by Rochelle Riley, director of Arts and Culture for the city of Detroit, and SoulMusic.com founder David Nathan.  Makeba KEEBS Rainey has provided the eye-popping new artwork based upon a portrait by acclaimed photographer Neal Preston.  While the box set has been delayed until July 2021 to coincide with the (hopeful) release of the Aretha biopic starring Jennifer Hudson, Rhino will still release 1-CD and 2-LP highlights versions on November 20, 2020.

Standard Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Dame Shirley Bassey returns with a “grand finale” album to her recording career.  I Owe It All to You is available in two versions on CD: a standard edition and a deluxe edition.  The latter promises an “expanded booklet featuring archive material and highlights from Dame Shirley Bassey’s incredible career.”  Both editions appear to feature 14 tracks including familiar titles like “I Made It Through the Rain,” “Always on My Mind,” “Smile,” “Maybe This Time,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” and “Who Wants to Live Forever,” all in the Bassey style.  Available November 6 in the U.K.; the standard edition looks to be released November 6 in the U.S. while the deluxe edition will not arrive until January 8, 2021.

The hit West End revival of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins was halted in March by COVID-19, but its live cast recording was thankfully preserved earlier.  This new album stars Zizi Strallen as the magical nanny, Charlie Stemp as Bert, and the legendary Petula Clark as The Bird Woman.  The stage version of the classic book and film features The Sherman  Brothers’ beloved movie tunes as well as George Stiles and Anthony Drewe’s new songs in that joyful spirit. Available on CD and digital formats.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

This first-ever compilation of Eno’s film and television soundtrack work, Film Music 1976-2020 brings together highlights from five decades of music, including songs from Dune, Heat, and Married to the Mob, and seven tracks previously unreleased in an audio-only format. Digital configurations will be released on November 13, 2020 while CD and 2-LP editions are set to arrive on January 22, 2021.

Stage Door Records pairs the 1966 Saga Records studio cast recording of Beverley Cross and David Heneker’s West End musical comedy Jorrocks with an album’s worth of original demo recordings and a rare radio performance.  Limited to 500 copies.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Sting brings together 17 eclectic duets spanning 1992 to the present including tracks with Eric Clapton, Julio Iglesias, Charles Aznavour, Shaggy, Herbie Hancock, and Mary J. Blige; one track, “September” with Zucchero, is previously unreleased.  Available on CD, 2LP, and digital platforms.

Neil Young’s second Archives box set arrives in a wide commercial release, dropping the oversized packaging and expansive book in favor of a slimmer package.  The 10-CD box is sequenced chronologically to spotlight the astonishingly prolific period lovingly referred to as the Ditch Years. The box contains 131 tracks from Neil’s personal archive. Of those, 12 songs have never been released by Neil in any form before, a further 49 songs are presented in previously unheard versions. And though recent releases Homegrown, Tuscaloosa, and Roxy: Tonight’s The Night Live are all repeated here, there’s plenty of completely unheard material to satisfy any fan of this era.  This version comes with a 24-page booklet and foldout poster.  (Okay, it won’t be available until 2021, but we doubt any Young fan would mind finding an I.O.U. for this set under the Christmas tree!)

Want to impress the Anglophile pop lover in your life?  Drop this beautiful coffee table book under the Christmas tree, and that loved one won’t be disappointed.  In this exquisite, LP-sized 268-page tome, author Andy Neill has explored every aspect of Ready Steady Go!, the famed British pop-rock show that aired on ITV Friday evenings in Great Britain between August 1963 and December 1966.  While RSG! only lasted a relatively short period of time, its impact on music television was tremendous.  It attracted the day’s top talents from both sides of the Atlantic including The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Burt Bacharach, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Walker Brothers, The Dave Clark Five, Them, and Simon & Garfunkel.  Neill’s comprehensive and compelling oral history features memories from behind-the-scenes personnel (creator Elkan Allen, director Michael Lindsay-Hogg) and performers (Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Ray Davies, Lulu) alike.  It’s all illustrated with countless photographs in both color and B&W, and culminates in a complete Episode Guide listing all of the musical performances.  The Weekend Starts Here explores the period leading up to the program, the many risks it took, and its influence on shows that followed.  Cue up your favorite Swingin’ London soundtrack and dig into this definitive chronicle which also makes for an ideal holiday gift.

Chris Hillman has one of the most impressive C.V.s in rock. The four-time Grammy nominee and inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Byrds not only blazed trails with that band but with The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, and The Desert Rose Band.  Now, on the heels of a recent, well-received tour celebrating The Byrds’ Sweetheart of the Rodeo as well as new and reissued solo works, Hillman has delivered an engrossing autobiography which reveals the man behind the country-rock through tragedies and triumphs.  Dwight Yoakam provides the introduction to this compulsively readable memoir: a must-have for fans of one or more of the above-mentioned groups.  (And who isn’t?)  Hillman was there for the birth of country-rock, and modestly shares his memories of that captivating period – and all of the famous characters whose paths intersected with his own – while bringing his story up to the present day.

This 75-disc box celebrates the great violinist’s legacy at Columbia Records where he recorded the classical repertoire with such titans as Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Ormandy, and Andre Previn.

12 x 7: The Singles Collection celebrates the late Amy Winehouse with all of her A- and B-sides, including the Ivor Novello Award winners “Stronger Than Me,” “Rehab,” and “Love Is a Losing Game,” on 12 slabs of vinyl.  Its twelve singles – totaling 23 sides (as Disc 12, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” doesn’t have a B-side) – encompass both Winehouse’s jazz-tinged/retro R&B originals as well as her interpretations of such classic songs as Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” Mort Garson and Bob Hilliard’s “Our Day Will Come,” and Leon Russell’s “A Song for You.”  Also featured is her impassioned rendition of “Body and Soul” with Tony Bennett.

Amy Winehouse’s The Collection brings together the British singer’s full-length efforts including both of the studio albums released in her lifetime, 2003’s Frank and 2006’s breakthrough Back to Black.  The latter, still one of the U.K.’s best-selling albums, earned the singer her second Ivor Novello Award (the first was for “Stronger Than Me” on Frank), a Brit Award, and five Grammys – tying the record for the most wins in one night by a female artist and making her the first British woman to win five of the coveted trophies.  Disc 3 has the posthumously-released Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which compiled alternates, one-off covers, and collaborations with Bennett, Nas, and Back to Black producer Mark Ronson.  The fourth CD has the audio from Winehouse’s Shepherd’s Bush concert of May 29, 2007, previously released on DVD only, and the fifth CD boasts remixes drawn from singles of “Stronger Than Me,” “Back to Black,” “You Know I’m No Good,” “Love Is a Losing Game,” and 11 more songs.

Late, great pianist Bill Evans is joined by Eddie Gomez and Jack DeJohnette for this never-before-released July 1968 set at the famed London jazz club.  Tracks include “Emily,” “Alfie,” “You’re Gonna Hear from Me,” “Stella by Starlight,” “Waltz for Debby,” and more.

Rollins in Holland marks Resonance Records’ first archival project from living legend Sonny Rollins.  The 2-CD set includes three previously unreleased sets with Ruud Jacobs on bass and Han Bennink on drums featuring “On Green Dolphin Street,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “Love Walked In,” and more.  The extensive booklet contains interviews with Rollins and Bennink, a tribute to Jacobs, and more.

BMG has a new box set from the U.K. retro-rock and roll icon.  Fire in the Blood boasts an impressive 19 discs collecting 13 studio albums, 2 live sets, and 4 rarities discs.  The 12 x 12 hardback book also contains new liner notes by Paul Sexton, a hand-signed autograph from Shakin’ Stevens, three art prints, a poster, the sheet music to “Oh Julie!” (the Shakin’ classic covered by Barry Manilow), and a replica tour program.  With a wealth of classics, rarities, and previously unreleased material, this very reasonably priced set looks to be the definitive survey of the Stevens discography.  Singled Out, a 3-CD, 54-song singles collection, is also out from BMG.

Cherry Red’s El label takes a deep dive into the psychedelic world of The Free Design, sort of an underground Spanky and Our Gang – or sunshine pop, New York City-style.  (Most of their material was recorded with Phil Ramone at his A&R Studios.)  This 4-CD slipcased box features seven complete albums and bonus mono mixes and rarities.  The group’s rich harmony versions of such songs as “The 59th Street Bridge Song,” “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “Happy Together,” “California Dreamin’,” and “Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street” only tell part of the group’s fascinating story.  This box set reveals it all.

Hard rock legend Ritchie Blackmore and his wife Candice Night’s folk-rock-oriented outfit Blackmore’s Night celebrates the Christmas season with this new EP featuring four traditional carols: “Here We Come A-Caroling,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “Silent Night.”  Available on CD, vinyl, and digitally.

Have yourself a merry swingin’ little Christmas with this delightful 2019 release from Billy Stritch, Jim Caruso, and Klea Blackhurst.  That talented threesome captures the spirit of New York’s vibrant club scene with jolly renditions of classic tunes such as “The Christmas Waltz,” “The Christmas Song,” “Little Jack Frost Get Lost,” “It Happened in Sun Valley,” and the Andy Williams specialty “Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells” plus the Cy Coleman/Floyd Huddleston gem “He’s Stuck in the Chimney Again.”  The trio is joined on their seasonal romp by jazz great Dave Koz and the one and only Donny Osmond.

On the evening of Friday, December 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., Stritch, Blackhurst, and Caruso will reunite online at Radio Free Birdland for a special holiday concert featuring Dave Koz, Luke Hawkins, and the inimitable Marilyn Maye.  Visit events.broadwayworld.com to get your front row ticket to this virtual concert.

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Complete Atlantic Singles 1968-1971, first issued on CD and then as a Record Store Day vinyl exclusive in 2021, now gets a wide vinyl release.  The collection brings together Dusty Springfield’s 24 U.S. single sides released during her tenure at Atlantic on one deluxe 2-LP gatefold set.  These tracks have been remastered from the original mono tapes by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision, and all but the eight sides pulled from Dusty in Memphis have never been reissued in these original mixes. TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes based on interviews with Jeff Barry, Thom Bell, and Kenny Gamble.

SoulMusic and Cherry Red collect Evelyn “Champagne” King’s eight RCA albums plus 14 bonus tracks in one new box set remastered by Nick Robbins.  A 40-page booklet with an essay by Charles Waring is also included.

Willie Nelson is back with a new studio album.  That’s Life is his second full-length tribute to his late friend Frank Sinatra, and features 11 more standards associated with the Chairman performed in Willie’s inimitably laid-back style.  Titles include “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and the first single, “A Cottage for Sale.”  Available on CD, LP, and digital.

Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul’s 2017 concert at Liverpool’s Cavern Club gets a standalone release as a CD/DVD set; the audio was previously available on LP only (as part of the Soulfire Live box set) and the video on DVD and BD (in the Soulfire Live release).  The concert has Little Steven’s big band tearing through songs introduced or performed by The Beatles including “Magical Mystery Tour,” “Birthday,” “Got to Get You Into My Life,” “Boys,” and “Slow Down.”  The band’s performance of “I Saw Her Standing There” with Paul McCartney at London’s Roundhouse is an added attraction.

The 3-CD Soulfire Live! collection is being expanded to 4 CDs with the addition of the Cavern Club concert Macca to Mecca! on its fourth disc.  Soulfire Live! was culled from Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul’s performances across both North America and Europe and featured original material as well as numerous covers of the songs that shaped Van Zandt’s life and career.  Special guests heard on the set include Bruce Springsteen, Richie Sambora, Peter Wolf, Moby Grape’s Jerry Miller, and Mike Stoller of the legendary Leiber-Stoller songwriting team.

Barry Gibb has teamed with an illustrious array of Nashville artists to celebrate the Bee Gees’ songbook.  Vol. 1, Greenfields, was recorded in Nashville with producer Dave Cobb and features such artist-song pairings as Keith Urban on “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” Dolly Parton on “Words,” Brandi Carlile on “Run to Me,” Allison Krauss on “Too Much Heaven,” Sheryl Crow on “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” and Olivia Newton-John on “Rest Your Love on Me.”  Other performers include Little Big Town, Tommy Emanuel, Jason Isbell, Jay Buchanan, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, and Miranda Lambert.  Available on CD, digital, and vinyl.  U.S. retailer Target has a deluxe edition with two bonus tracks (“With the Sun in My Eyes” and “Morning of My Life”) on both CD and vinyl.

Liberation Hall and 415 Records have an expanded edition of San Francisco band Pop-o-Pies’ 1981 release The White EP, adding seven tracks to the original six.  This release from the band featuring Joe Callahan and a rotating cast of musicians makes its debut on CD.  Also available digitally.

Sunset Blvd. has a vinyl-only collection of the best of singer-songwriter-guitarist and Textones co-founder Carla Olson’s collaborations with ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.  Sway features highlights from their live album Too Hot for Snakes as well as Olson’s Within an Ace, Reap the Whirlwind, and The Ring of Truth.  Limited to 2,000 opaque red vinyl copies and not available on CD or digital platforms.

CD: Light in the Attic / Nancy’s Bootique / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Light in the Attic / Nancy’s Bootique / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Light in the Attic launches a Nancy Sinatra archival series with Start Walkin’ 1965-1976. This 23-track collection chronicles the decade following the December 1965 release of the Hazlewood-penned-and-produced, Billy Strange-arranged “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” the anthemic song that topped the charts in eight countries including the United States and United Kingdom.  The set, available in CD, vinyl and digital editions, features tracks from both the Reprise and RCA years including “You Only Live Twice,” “How Does That Grab You Darlin’,” and “Sugar Town,” plus duets with Lee Hazlewood on “Some Velvet Morning,” “Summer Wine,” “Jackson,” and more.  Every track has been remastered from the original analog tapes by engineer John Baldwin, and critic Amanda Petrusich has penned new liner notes.

Stevie Nicks brings her latest live album, recorded in Indianapolis and Pittsburgh in 2017 and featuring classics and rarities alike, to wide release in the United States.  The 2-CD set was previously released as a Target exclusive, while Barnes & Noble exclusively carried the 2-LP vinyl edition.

Released just this past August and noted as 2020’s best-selling classical album, John Williams in Vienna presented the five-time Oscar winner leading the Weiner Philharmoniker and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter – the soloist on 2018’s Across the Stars collaboration album – from the stage of The Musikverein in Austria, considered one of the world’s finest-sounding stages.  Williams ably led the ensemble through a stirring set of thematic favorites (JAWS, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park) as well as some comparatively deeper cuts featuring Mutter’s violin, including themes from Cinderella Liberty, The Witches of Eastwick, and Far and Away.  While the latter portion of a deluxe CD/Blu-ray included six additional performances not on the audio disc, this new “Live Edition” features not only those performances across two CDs, but Williams’ own commentary between performances as well.

In the 1960s, guitarist Calvin Keys supported famed jazz organists including Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff, and Richard “Groove” Holmes.  Wanting to play with a piano player on his debut as a leader, he brought in Larry Nash for 1971’s Black Jazz Records release Shawn-Neeq.  They were joined by bassist Lawrence Evans, drummer Bob Braye, and flautist-songwriter Owen Marshall.  Real Gone Music reissues this lost 1971 classic on CD, standard black vinyl, and clear with black-splatter vinyl available directly through RGM’s website.

Real Gone reissues composer Bill Loose’s score to Russ Meyer’s sexploitation flick Vixen on limited edition green vinyl.  The Erica Gavin-starring movie was the first to receive an “X” rating for a sex scene.   Vixen is mastered at 45 RPM and comes in neon green vinyl limited to 750 copies and bubblegum pink vinyl limited to 200 copies, with the latter edition only available at Real Gone’s website.

Real Gone reissues composer-arranger-conductor Bill Loose’s soundtrack to Russ Meyer’s 1970 sex comedy Cherry… & Harry and Raquel starring Larissa Ely, Linda Ashton, and Charles Napier.  For this score, Loose was joined by composer Stu Phillips for garage pop tune “Toys of Our Time,” which appears on the soundtrack in mono and stereo versions.  This LP is mastered at 45 RPM and available in two limited editions: cherry red vinyl limited to 750 copies and pink bubblegum vinyl limited to 200 copies.  The 200-copy limited edition is only available from Real Gone’s website.

BMG reissues Huey Lewis & The News’ Plan B on CD.  Plan B marked the group’s first album of original studio material in a decade – their last full album, 1994’s Four Chords and Seven Years Ago, was all covers – but the spark was still there: Mike Duke’s “Let Her Go and Start Over” reached the Top 40 of Billboard‘s adult contemporary chart, and songs like “We’re Not Here for a Long Time (We’re Here for a Good Time)” and “So Little Kindness” (first recorded for a greatest hits record in 1996) became fan favorites as well as latter-day concert staples. Plan B also marked the end of an era for The News: the last album recorded with longtime guitarist/songwriter Chris Hayes. (Hayes’ writing credits appear on several of Weather‘s tracks.)

After a near-decade-long break, Huey Lewis & The News finally re-emerged with a new album in 2010: Soulsville, an easygoing set of covers from the Stax Records songbook.  But there was plenty of street cred to go around: the group recorded at Memphis’ legendary Ardent Studios alongside one of the label’s original engineers, Jim Gaines (who’d been at the desk for the band’s blockbusters Sports and Fore!). Critics dug the inspired choices beyond notable hits like “Cry to Me” and “Respect Yourself,” and the album managed to eke out a Top 20 performance on Billboard‘s R&B albums chart.  BMG brings it back to CD on this new reissue.

Omnivore travels back to the groundbreaking early years of Richard Pryor with his self-titled debut album, originally released in 1968 on Reprise.  The LP, recorded at the Troubadour, marked a move from his previous, middle-of-the-road comedy; it opened with the “Super N–er” routine and continued with piquant observations about “Girls,” “Farting,” “Smells,” and “Army Life.” The album has been expanded by Omnivore with a second disc of 21 tracks previously issued on Rhino’s box set Evolution/Revolution: The Early Years (1966-1974).  Scott Saul, author of the 2014 biography Becoming Richard Pryor, writes the liner notes while Michael Graves remasters.

Joining the label’s expanded edition of his debut album, Omnivore delivers an expanded and remastered CD of Richard Pryor’s Craps (After Hours).  The 1971 LP was his first for Laff Records and was recorded in front of a predominantly black nightclub audience at Hollywood’s Redd Foxx Club.  (Foxx, the club’s proprietor and a famously “blue” comedian, would find his greatest success starring in Sanford and Son, for which Pryor was once a writer.)  In these clubs, Pryor took his art to the next level, freed of expectations and censorship.  Here, he took on “Gettin’ High,” “Masturbating,” “Religion,” “White Folks,” and other controversial topics with frequently outrageous, off-color results.  The 32 tracks on the original album have been joined here by four more cuts from Evolution/Revolution.  The expanded release has been annotated by Scott Saul and remastered by Michael Graves.  Filmmaker Larry Karaszewski provides a new introduction.

Stage Door Records returns to the vaults of U.K. label Saga Records for this first-time CD reissue of Saga’s 1967 studio cast recording of the operetta The Desert Song.  The album features Mary Millar and Robert Colman, both of whom had performed in the musical.  The remastered album is joined by numerous bonus tracks including the complete set of original recordings from the 1927 London cast and a 1957 single from actor-singer John Hanson.  This release is limited to 500 copies.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Splatter Vinyl: Real Gone Music

Bassist Henry Franklin has an enviable musical resume, from playing with Hugh Masekela at Monterey Pop and on the chart-topping “Grazing in the Grass” to recording and performing with such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, The Three Sounds, Woody Shaw, O.C. Smith, and Al Jarreau.  Franklin made his debut as a leader with 1972’s The Skipper, next up in Real Gone’s Black Jazz series.  Franklin was joined on the album by a horn section consisting of trumpeter/flugelhornist Oscar Brashear (Count Basie, Earth Wind & Fire, Quincy Jones) and tenor and soprano saxophonist Charles Owens (Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, John Mayall) plus electric pianist Bill Henderson of the Masekela band and drummer Michael Carvin (Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hartman).  Franklin penned most of the album, with Henderson contributing the title track.  With a sound veering from pop-inflected to funk-infused and a number of epic-length tunes, The Skipper is one of Black Jazz’s strongest entries.  It arrives from Real Gone on CD, standard black vinyl available everywhere, and clear with black splatter vinyl available exclusively through the label and limited to 200 copies.  Features remastering by Mike Milchner and liner notes by Pat Thomas.

Real Gone Music reissues the self-titled 1973 Vanguard Records album from Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist Sivuca (1930-2006).  Born Severino Dias de Oliveira, Sivuca mastered accordion, guitar, and keyboards, not to mention honing a powerful voice that earned him attention from a wide variety of fellow artists.  He wrote and arranged for, and performed with, Miriam Makeba beginning in the early 1960s and toured with her and Harry Belafonte.  He caught the attention of Oscar Brown, Jr., going on to star with him and serve as musical director for Brown’s off-Broadway musical Joy.  (The New York Times reported that the music “puts a Latin-American touch to Anglo-American rock – at first you wonder whether Carmen Miranda has actually met Janis Joplin!”)  That versatility found him recording for labels around the world including Odeon, Barclay, and Reprise.  His 1973 Vanguard album had much of the flavor of the Airto Moreira sides in which he guested, but with an all-encompassing sensibility all Sivuca’s.  The LP featured his own compositions alongside a powerful cover of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” and songs by fellow Brazilian writers including Edu Lobo and Ary Barroso.  For its first-ever LP reissue, Real Gone has pressed up 750 copies on purple vinyl.

CD/DVD/LP box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop / Greedy Hand
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop / Greedy Hand
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop / Greedy Hand
DVD: Greedy Hand
Digital: Neil Young Archives (Streaming) / XStream (Digital Download) / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Young Shakespeare documents the earliest known filmed live concert footage of Neil Young, in an array of formats.  The previously unreleased, solo acoustic show was filmed in Stratford, Connecticut in 1971, as Young was preparing his commercial breakthrough, Harvest, and just two months after the release of After the Gold Rush.  He treated the audience to a number of favorites, including “Cowgirl in the Sand,” “Down By the River,” recent CSNY cuts “Ohio” and Helpless,” and selections from After the Gold Rush and the gestating Harvest.  There will be a CD edition and an LP configuration available from all retailers.  A deluxe box set edition will also be pressed up, featuring the CD, vinyl, and DVD.   A note for digital audiophiles: if you purchase any of these versions from Greedy Hand, you’ll get free hi-res digital downloads of the album.  A standalone DVD will also be available to through the Greedy Hand Store.

4-LP/2-CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop / Greedy Hand Online Store / Neil Young Archives
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop / Greedy Hand Online Store / Neil Young Archives
4-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop / Greedy Hand Online Store / Neil Young Archives

Way Down in the Rust Bucket is Volume 11.5 in Neil Young’s ongoing Archives Performance series and features Crazy Horse – newly reignited after the release of Ragged Glory – performing three hours of tunes at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz in preparation for an extensive world tour.  The most deluxe configuration of Way Down In the Rust Bucket presents the show across 4 LPs, 2 CDs, and a DVD in a box set. Stand-alone 2-CD and 4-LP configurations will also be released.  Way Down in the Rust Bucket will be available to order physically from all retailers as well as the Greedy Hand Online Store and the Neil Young Archives website. Digital download and streaming versions will be released, including on Neil’s own Neil Young Archives platform which presents the music in its highest-possible resolution.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Impulse! Records celebrates its 60th anniversary with this new collection (available on 2 CDs or 4 LPs) charting the label’s history from 1961-1976 with a selection of tracks that explore the sounds of Impulse! during the societal and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.  Its 25 often-lengthy tracks reflect on politics, social upheaval, spirituality, and the African-American experience.  The label’s boldface names are all here including John and Alice Coltrane, Quincy Jones, Charlie Haden, Max Roach, Stanley Turrentine, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Ahmad Jamal, and Albert Ayler.

Sunset Blvd. has a 2-CD collection of Willie Nelson’s early, pre-fame demos.  Of these 40 tracks, the label promises that 20 are unavailable on CD or digitally.  The set features liner notes by Bill Dahl and design by John Sellards.  $1.00 from each album sold will go to Farm Aid.

Stage Door launches a three-volume series collecting RCA Victor’s 1953 Show Time EPs.  Each four-song EP celebrated a different classic musical with a starry cast (often featuring singers who had starred onstage in the show represented).  The shows included on the first volume are Oklahoma! (Rodgers and Hammerstein); Carousel (Rodgers and Hammerstein); Show Boat (Kern and Hammerstein); The Cat and The Fiddle (Kern and Harbach); Babes in Arms (Rodgers and Hart); and Jumbo (Rodgers and Hart).  John Raitt, Jack Cassidy, Carol Bruce, Lisa Kirk, Stephen Douglass, and Patricia Neway are among the artists.

The first public reading of Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” took place at San Francisco’s Six Gallery in October 1955, but that performance wasn’t recorded.  It was long believed that the first recorded reading was in March 1956 in Berkeley, California, but that turned out not to be the case.  On February 13 and 14, 1956, Ginsberg and Gary Snyder read at Reed College in Portland, Oregon.  In 2007, author John Suiter made a remarkable discovery at Reed’s Hauser Memorial Library: the Valentine’s Day reading had been recorded.  Now, Omnivore is bringing that seminal recording to light.  Michael Graves has restored and mastered this release from that original tape which includes shorter selections as well as most of Part I of “Howl” and a taste of Part II, after which Ginsberg concluded, “I don’t really feel like reading any more; I haven’t got any kind of steam.  So I’d like to cut, do you mind?” A landmark release, At Reed College: The First Recorded Reading of Howl and Other Poems will arrive on CD, black vinyl, and digital platforms.

Late violin virtuoso Stéphane Grappelli (1908-1997) is celebrated on this new 3-CD set from Sunset Blvd. Records.  From Paris with Love collects 57 tracks including 30 new-to-CD and 17 previously unreleased.  The first disc is dedicated to his last sessions with Django Reinhardt; the second disc to the solo Grappelli; and the third to Grappelli in concert.  $1.00 from the sale of each CD set will go to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.

Celebrated jazz chanteuse Jane Monheit returns with a new album marking her 20 years as a recording artist.  Come What May features classic standards rendered in Monheit’s intimate and expressive style from songwriters including Frank Loesser; Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart; Harold Arlen with lyricists Ira Gershwin, Ted Koehler, and Yip Harburg; Billy Strayhorn; and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

The Broadway community was devastated late in 2020 by the death of the luminous Rebecca Luker (Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Show Boat) at the age of 59 after a courageous battle with ALS.  PS Classics now delivers a gift to fans of the late artist.  All the Girls is based on the cabaret show by Luker and her friend Sally Wilfert (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Assassins).  Exploring their close bond and the nature of female friendship, the album features their renditions of a wide variety of material from writers including Stephen Sondheim, Kander and Ebb, Peter Allen, James Taylor, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and others.  They’re joined by a ten-piece band with new orchestrations by the show and album’s musical director, Joseph Thalken.

Music on Vinyl represses its 2016 2-LP expanded soundtrack presentation of 1964’s My Fair Lady.  The Lerner & Loewe classic starring Audrey Hepburn (and the voice of Marni Nixon), Rex Harrison, and Stanley Holloway will be pressed on two 180-gram purple LPs, housed in a gatefold sleeve, and limited to 1,000 units.  This version includes 11 bonus tracks as first issued on CD for the film’s 30th anniversary in 1994.

The new collection California Music Presents Add Some Music is anchored by an all-new recording of The Beach Boys’ gentle Sunflower anthem “Add Some Music to Your Day” featuring the participation of Beach Boys Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks as well as members of the extended Beach Boys family: Brian Wilson’s daughters Carnie and Wendy; Carl Wilson’s son Justyn; Mike Love’s children Christian, Hayleigh, and Ambha; and Al Jardine’s son Matt.  Spearheaded by David Beard, the editor and publisher of the long-running Beach Boys journal Endless Summer Quarterly, this special record will benefit Feeding America at a time when so many families in the U.S. are in need.  “Add Some Music to Your Day” has been produced by Brian Wilson Band member and Carnie Wilson’s husband Rob Bonfiglio.  The album is rounded out with solo contributions from Love, Jardine, Johnston, Marks, Bonfiglio, and longtime Beach Boys sideman Jeffrey Foskett.  Available on CD and digitally.

The 5th Dimension’s legendary Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. return with an all-new studio album inspired by current events and featuring the classic songs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, individually and collectively.  Its ten tracks include reimagined versions of “Blackbird,” “Ticket to Ride,” “And I Love Her,” “Help!,” and “Silly Love Songs.”  The couple have stated, “Each song, image, timeline, and video praises everyone who dares fight hatred.”  The album, available on CD and digital formats, has been produced by Nic Mendoza.

The Oak Ridge Boys’ fourth collaboration with Nashville uber-producer Dave Cobb, Front Porch Singin’ finds the quartet in RCA’s venerable Studio A harmonizing on classic country and gospel favorites as well as a couple of originals.  The album is available on CD, LP, and digitally.

Micky Dolenz tackles more than a dozen compositions by his friend and longtime bandmate Michael Nesmith on this new album available on CD and LP.  Tracks include “Different Drum,” “Circle Sky,” “Propinquity (I’ve Just Begun to Care),” “Tapioca Tundra,” and “You Are My One.”   Michael’s son Christian Nesmith has produced and arranged the album.

Easy Eye Sound premieres a new album of nine never-before-released songs from the late Tony Joe White, completed and produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach (also Easy Eye’s founder) with a host of talented musicians including keyboardist Bobby Wood of The Memphis Boys, Nashville pedal steel titan Paul Franklin, and Grammy-winning fiddler Stuart Duncan, as well as younger players such as guitar wunderkind Marcus King.  Available on CD, LP, and digital services.

Donna Lewis rose to fame 25 years ago with her first single, “I Love You Always Forever.”  The single peaked at No. 2 on the charts, staying there for nine weeks and dominating the airwaves.  As a result, Lewis’ Atlantic debut album Now In A Minute reached the Top 40 on the Billboard albums chart.  Real Gone gives it a vinyl debut with an orange-hued pressing limited to 1,000 copies as well as an exclusive black marble edition limited to 500 copies and available from U.S. retailer Barnes and Noble.

The Miami hard-rock band’s self-titled debut is reissued on vinyl from Real Gone Music.  The LP featured their classics “Coming Home” and “Ugly” which boasted a unique blend of alt-rock, grunge, metal, and hard rock influences.  Originally released in 1991, the album saw a brief run on vinyl but only in Europe.  Now it returns worldwide on white vinyl, limited to only 900 copies, complete with a printed inner sleeve and lyric sheet.

Chris Cornell’s final studio LP, recorded in 2016, sees a release on CD, LP, and digital formats.  No One Sings Like You Anymore features the late Soundgarden frontman’s renditions of songs he loved including John Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels,” Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Harry Nilsson’s “Jump Into the Fire,” Lorraine Ellison’s “Stay with Me, Baby,” and more.  Target has an exclusive orange vinyl pressing.

Harry Connick, Jr. returns with his first studio album since 2019 and his first ever in the gospel genre.  Connick arranged every track and played every instrument on Alone with My Faith, recorded during quarantine at his home studio.  The album features both traditional and original material with a spiritual inclination, including “Amazing Grace,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Panis Angelicus.”  Available on CD and digitally.

Just days before her sudden passing, Mary Wilson promised that her 1979 Motown solo debut would finally see reissue.  Universal Music and Wilson’s estate have made good on that promise with this new digital release. Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition will include the original Mary Wilson album produced by Motown great Hal Davis; three single versions of the album’s disco anthem “Red Hot;” the four bonus tracks produced by Gus Dudgeon; and an all-new single streaming now with special relevance to the world in which we live, “Why Can’t We All Get Along.”  The latter was produced by Richard Davis of Gold Forever Music, a publishing company established by Mary’s old friend and collaborator Eddie Holland.  The poignant song was written by Davis and Angelo Bond, co-writer of Freda Payne’s 1971 anthem “Bring the Boys Home.”

KISS’ Paul Stanley debuts his new side group Soul Station with Now and Then, a collection of five original songs and nine classic R&B covers – mainly of Motown (“Baby, I Need Your Loving,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” and Philly soul (“Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” “La-La Means I Love You,” “You Are Everything”) with dashes of Memphis (“Let’s Stay Together”) and Chicago (“O-o-h Child”) soul, too.  Available on CD, LP, and digital formats.

Ringo Starr premieres five new songs, all of which were recorded at his home during lockdown, on this new EP.  Zooming in to join Ringo are Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Steve Lukather, Sheryl Crow, Yola, Chris Stapleton, Lenny Kravitz, Robbie Krieger, Finneas, Benmont Tench, and others.  Available on CD, vinyl, digital formats, and cassette.  Yes, cassette!

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
CD with alternate art insert: Target
2-LP black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-LP red vinyl: Newbury Comics
2-LP gold vinyl: Your Local Record Store
2-LP splatter vinyl: Paul McCartney Online Store (limited to 3500 copies in the US)
2-LP “Spotify” green vinyl: Paul McCartney Online Store US / Paul McCartney Online Store UK / Music Vaultz
2-LP silver vinyl with alternate art insert: Target
2-LP colorway TBA: Barnes and Noble (link TBA)

Paul McCartney is re-, um, III-imagining his 2020 album McCartney III.  This new set arrives on April 16 in digital formats and then on July 23 in physical CD and LP editions.  It features remixes, covers, and reworkings of the album’s tracks from Beck (who’s featured on a reworking of “Find My Way”), Anderson .Paak (offering a remix of “When Winter Comes”), Phoebe Bridgers (featured on “Seize the Day”), Josh Homme (covering “Lavatory Lil”), and many more of today’s talents.

For our first release of 2021, Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music take a deep dive into the archives for Michael Nesmith’s Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings.  This compendium features 22 tracks on CD drawn from the RCA Victor vaults, every one of which is previously unreleased in any physical format.  These songs were originally released to digital platforms in 2018 as bonus tracks to Nesmith’s RCA six albums – solo and with The First and Second National Bands.  Over the course of those LPs released between 1970 and 1973, Nesmith blossomed as a singer, songwriter, bandleader, and producer under the aegis of RCA Nashville legends Chet Atkins and Felton Jarvis.  With bandmates including legendary pedal steel guitarist O.J. “Red” Rhodes, John Ware, and John London, Nesmith pioneered country-rock with a spiritual and searching style all his own.  The set boasts a 24-page full-color booklet with rare and previously unreleased photos from photographers including Henry Diltz; new liner notes from TSD’s Joe Marchese based on his new interviews with Nesmith; and design from John Sellards.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Bundle: Pink Floyd Online Shop

Pink Floyd breaks out this remixed version of Live at Knebworth 1990 from last year’s The Later Years box set​ into standalone CD, LP, and digital editions.  The seven-song, single-disc set features renditions of such Floyd staples as “Wish You Were Here,” “Money,” “Comfortably Numb,” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”

4CD/1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: CSNY50.com / Rhino.com

Rhino revisits Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s landmark 1970 release as a deluxe 4CD/1LP set featuring a remastered version of the original album plus 28 previously unreleased demos, outtakes, and alternate takes.  It’s all topped off with an essay from Cameron Crowe.  In addition to the 4CD/1LP set, the box will be released in super-deluxe 5LP format exclusively from the new CSNY50.com and Rhino.com.  Additionally, the audio will be released to download and streaming services as well as to high-resolution via Neil Young Archives.  Customers who purchase any version from CSNY50.com or Rhino.com will receive a high-resolution download.  Young and Nash’s demo of “Birds” is streaming now and can be viewed at YouTube.​

Real Gone unveils another 50 previously unreleased radio transcriptions from “King of Western Swing” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys on this deluxe 2-CD set.  The oversized booklet features liner notes from James Austin (Rhino, Rockbeat Records) encompassing testimonials from folks like ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons, Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson, and singer-songwriter Chris Isaak.  All 50 recordings have been restored and remastered by Bob Fisher.

Omnivore’s release of Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Celebrating the Winston-Salem Sound preserves a concert held on May 12, 2018 at that city’s Ramkat club.  On that evening, original members of Winston-Salem bands including Arrogance, Little Diesel, Sacred Irony, and Rittenhouse Square -including such familiar names as Mitch Easter (Let’s Active), Peter Holsapple, Will Rigby, and Chris Stamey (the dB’s); singers Don Dixon, Dale Smith, Lynn Blakey, and Bob Northcott; and many others — got together to make a big noise in a (relatively) small space in celebration of Winston-Salem’s musical legacy.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino has a remastered and expanded edition of German synthpop trio Alphaville’s 1986 LP Adventures in Utopia.  It arrives as a 1-LP edition pressed on 180-gram vinyl with the remastered album plus a 24-page booklet with rare and unreleased photos in a gatefold sleeve; and a 2-CD edition with the remastered album on CD 1 plus a bonus disc with 14 remastered B-sides, 12″ & 7″ mixes, remixes, demos as well as a rare live version of the single “Dance with Me” plus a 20-page booklet.

2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino’s remastered and expanded edition of Alphaville’s 1989 album The Breathtaking Blue arrives in 2CD/DVD and LP/DVD formats: the 1-LP/DVD features the remastered original album on 180-gram vinyl including a 24-page booklet with many and rare photos in a gatefold sleeve, plus The Breathtaking Blue: Songlines on DVD; and the 2-CD/DVD with the remastered album on CD 1 plus a bonus disc with 16 remastered and remixed B-sides, 12″ mixes, and remixes of album tracks, plus The Breathtaking Blue: Songlines on DVD and a 20-page booklet.  The DVDs also feature the 1989 CD-G animations while the booklets have been created in consultation with the original albums’ designers.

Get On Board the Soul Train: The Sound of Philadelphia International Records Vol. 1 is the first in a series of box sets from the U.K.-based United Souls label, an imprint of Snapper Music, which will ultimately collect the entire Philadelphia International albums discography on CD.  The slipcased, 8-CD/1-12″ single hardcover book-style set will feature the following eight albums, originally released between 1971 and 1973:

• Billy Paul, Going East (Philadelphia International Z 30580, 1971);
• Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, I Miss You (Philadelphia International KZ 31648, 1972);
• The O’Jays, Back Stabbers (Philadelphia International KZ 31712, 1971);
• Billy Paul, 360 Degrees of Billy Paul (Philadelphia International KZ 31793, 1972);
• Dick Jensen, Dick Jensen (Philadelphia International KZ 31794, 1973);
• The Intruders, Save the Children (Gamble KZ 31991, 1973);
• MFSB, MFSB (Philadelphia International KZ 32046, 1973); and
• Billy Paul, Ebony Woman (Neptune NLPS-201, 1970 – reissued Philadelphia International KZ 32118, 1973).

The set is rounded out by a 12-inch vinyl single of the O’Jays’ “Back Stabbers” b/w MFSB’s “Back Stabbers” and an exclusive poster.​

3CD/1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino reissues Stone Temple Pilots’ 3rd album to mark its 25th anniversary.  Tiny Music…Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop arrives as a 3-CD/1-LP set with the remastered album on CD and vinyl plus early versions, instrumentals, alternate mixes, and a 1997 Florida live show; a 2-CD set with the remastered album and the studio session disc only; and a 1-CD remastered album.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Steve Miller Band Live! Breaking Ground: August 3, 1977, a previously unreleased seventeen-song set, arrives on CD, double vinyl, and digital formats.  The accompanying video of the full performance will stream on Amazon Prime Video’s The Coda Collection, a channel dedicated to music documentaries and concert films.  The show was recorded at Landover, Maryland’s Capital Centre (built in 1973, demolished in 2002) on multi-track tape and newly mixed and mastered for this release by Miller and his longtime collaborator, engineer Kent Hertz.  It features SMB staples such as “The Joker,” “Fly Like An Eagle,” “Jet Airliner,” “Take the Money and Run,” and “Space Cowboy.”

Stage Door Records brings the 1969 London Studio Cast Recording of Mame, starring Beryl Reid and Joan Turner and produced by Norman Newell at Abbey Road, to CD for the very first time in a remastered and expanded edition that adds two bonus single sides performed by Turner.  One of the few English-language recordings of Mame, it features all of Jerry Herman’s main numbers for the show including “It’s Today,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Bosom Buddies,” and “If He Walked Into My Life” with full, brassy orchestrations.

Guitarist John Pizzarelli was hit hard by COVID-19; he lost both of his parents – father and legendary guitarist Bucky and beloved mother Ruth – to the virus within one week of each other.  As he worked through the immense grief, he turned to his guitar and to the music of another virtuoso on the instrument, Pat Metheny.  Better Days Ahead is Pizzarelli’s first album of solo guitar music and features his interpretations of songs from The Pat Metheny Group’s 1978 debut all the way up through 2020’s Grammy-nominated From This Place.  Metheny offered his seal of approval: “I have admired John for years as a fantastic musician with an amazing ability to communicate. His love and understanding of classic song forms runs deep, almost as a birthright, thanks to having grown up on the knee of one of the greatest guitarists ever, his dad Bucky. His vast reserve of knowledge into the nuts and bolts of why those Great American Songbook tunes have the musical impact they do continually give his performances an insightful edge that connects him with a deep tradition. His life in music brings authority and insight that is increasingly rare as time moves on. To say it was flattering to have John address these tunes, knowing all the great music he has been around his whole life, is an understatement. It is an incredible honor for me.”  Better Days Ahead will be available on digital/streaming with a CD to follow.

For the first time, Rhino brings together all eight of Chicago’s concerts between April 5-10, 1971 at New York’s Carnegie Hall in one deluxe, 16-CD box set.  The original 4-LP box Chicago at Carnegie Hall was a commercial smash, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200.  This set features every note played by the band as newly restored by the band’s Lee Loughnane and engineer Tim Jessup.  The box takes the form of a white folio embossed with Chicago’s famous logo.  In addition to the 16 CDs, it also includes the replica posters and a 28-page booklet with the concert photos as well as liner notes from Lee Loughnane, archivist Jeff Magid, David Wild, and comedian/Chicago enthusiast Jimmy Pardo.  Chicago at Carnegie Hall: Complete is a Rhino.com exclusive release.  It’s been remastered at Bob Ludwig’s Gateway Mastering.  Read here for more info, and here for a rundown of the technical aspects of the reissue.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP/CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Welcome 2 America was completed in the wake of Prince’s 20Ten (issued free with the purchase of different newspapers and magazines in Europe) but, like so many of The Artist’s projects, put aside.  Now, the 2010 album is finally seeing the light of day from the Prince Estate and Legacy Recordings.  Welcome 2 America will be available as a single CD, double LP, or deluxe box set with both audio formats plus a Blu-ray of Prince’s performance at The Forum in Inglewood, CA on April 28, 2011. A lively mix of his biggest hits (including songs written for others) and covers of everyone from Janet Jackson and Bob Dylan to Roxy Music and Kool & The Gang, the concert is presented in stereo, 5.1 surround, and Dolby Atmos mixes.

Joni Mitchell’s first four albums, all recorded for the Reprise label, are collected in a new box set.  The Reprise Albums (1968-1971) is the first albums collection to be released under the Joni Mitchell Archives umbrella; it will be followed later this year by Archives Vol. 2 featuring previously unreleased material from this era.  In the meantime, this set features Bernie Grundman’s new remasters of Song To A Seagull (featuring the essential tracks “Cactus Tree” and “Marcie”), Clouds (“Chelsea Morning” and “Both Sides Now”), Ladies of the Canyon (“Big Yellow Taxi,” “The Circle Game,” “Woodstock”) and the timeless Blue (featuring “River” and “A Case of You”), which recently landed on Rolling Stone‘s list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.  In addition, Song To A Seagull has been newly remixed by Matt Lee and Joni Mitchell.  The box set is handsomely packaged in a deluxe slipcase and adorned with a newly discovered self-portrait of the artist from the era.  You’ll also find new liner notes by Brandi Carlile, a friend and admirer of Joni Mitchell and 6-time Grammy winner in her own right.

Last Record Store Day Black Friday, Demon Music Group reissued The Yardbirds’ Roger the Engineer as a 2-LP Expanded Edition.  Now, the 1966 rock classic is getting even more expanded – this time, as a 2-LP/3-CD/1-7″ single deluxe box set.  Utilizing the original master tapes, the box (announced this morning) features new remastering by Phil Kinrade at Alchemy Mastering at AIR, overseen by original album producer Paul Samwell-Smith.  It contains the original mono and stereo mixes on CD and LP plus a bonus CD of additional tracks, a 7-inch single, a fold-out poster, and a 24-page booklet.

Ronnie Milsap returns with his 30th studio album.  A Better Word for Love has been co-produced by Rob Galbraith and features new recordings as well as a 1993 performance of Cindy Richardson and Carol Chase’s “Civil War.”  Among its nine new tracks is the premiere recording of the last song Carl Perkins ever wrote, “Big Bertha.”  For the ode to a famous golf driver, Milsap has been joined by Vince Gill.  The late Jim Weatherly is represented with two tracks he’d co-written (“Too Bad for My Own Good,” “Wild Honey”); Randy Goodrum and David Ball’s “Almost Mine” is another highlight.  The title track was previously recorded by Milsap for 2011’s Country Again.

Sony Classical rounds up the landmark RCA and Columbia recordings conducted by Leonard Bernstein (for The Boston Symphony Orchestra, The London Symphony Orchestra, and The New York Philharmonic) of Igor Stravinsky’s greatest works, plus the maestro’s lectures on Stravinsky, in this new box set.  Each disc utilizes “the newest remastering from analogue tape.”

2CD/BD/4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

On February 25, 2020 – just before COVID-19 forced the world into lockdown – Mick Fleetwood assembled a starry roster of his famous friends (including Pete Townshend, Christine McVie, John Mayall, Steven Tyler, David Gilmour, Billy Gibbons, Bill Wyman, Noel Gallagher, Neil Finn, and Jeremy Spencer) to celebrate Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac’s early blues-rock era.  That once-in-a-lifetime concert featuring “Black Magic Woman,” “Oh Well,” “Man of the World,” “Albatross,” and more has been captured in various formats: 2CD, 2CD/BD, 4LP, and 2CD/BD/4LP.

The late pianist-composer’s first career-spanning box set, the 5-CD Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans: A Career Retrospective (1956-1980) covers many of Evans’ key label affiliations as a leader including Riverside, Milestone, Fantasy, Verve, Warner Bros., and Elektra.  (He was so prolific that he also recorded for United Artists, Atlantic, MGM, Philips, MPS, CTI, and Columbia.)  Personnel includes Stan Getz, Shelly Manne, Kenny Burrell, and many other boldface names. It also features a previously unreleased live set from 1975 recorded at Oil Can Harry’s in Vancouver, British Columbia.  That concert, titled On a Friday Evening, will be issued the same day as a standalone release in 2-LP, CD, and digital formats (including 192/24 and 96/24 high resolution options).

Rhino continues the celebration of the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s 1970 classic The Man Who Sold the World with The Width of a Circle, a new 2-CD “companion” collection of related live tracks and singles (many previously unreleased) including the complete premiere of Bowie’s music for the television drama The Looking Glass Murders (Pierrot in Turquoise) and two BBC sets.

Parlophone reissues David Bowie’s The Man Who Sold the World (released 1970 in the U.S. and 1971 in the U.K.) as a 12-inch picture disc with its 1972 reissue artwork and a bonus poster.

The latest vinyl iteration of The Vince Guaraldi Trio’s classic album for kids of all ages precedes (by one day) a Record Store Day tie-in single on the July 17 RSD Drop.  This version, unlike the 50th anniversary reissue which restored the original 1964 artwork, uses the 1972 reissue cover.  The album featuring “Linus and Lucy” has been newly remastered from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, and adds eight baseball cards to the package – one for each member of Charlie Brown’s Peanuts “team” (Snoopy, Woodstock, Peppermint Patty, Linus, Lucy, Franklin, Schroeder, and Charlie himself).  Each card has “stats” for the player including field position and favorite sandwich (!).

Jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln’s 1959 album Abbey Is Blue, on which she was supported by the illustrious likes of her then-husband Max Roach, Stanley Turrentine, and Philly Joe Jones, gets a 180-gram vinyl reissue remastered by Kevin Gray.  The album’s songs were chosen with social conscience in mind and include such classics as Kurt Weill and Langston Hughes’ “Lonely House,” Weill and Maxwell Anderson’s “Lost in the Stars,” and Lincoln’s original “Get Up.”   High-resolution digital audio will also be available from HD Tracks, Qobuz, and similar services on release day.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Amy Winehouse’s posthumous live release Amy Winehouse at the BBC, first issued in 2012, returns as a 3-CD or 3-LP expanded edition.  This presentation brings together her earliest BBC Radio sessions, music from her first television appearances, and more.  It features the original album on one disc plus A Tribute to Amy Winehouse by Jools Holland on Disc Two and BBC One Sessions Live at Porchester Hall on Disc Three.  The expanded Amy Winehouse at the BBC, with 38 tracks up from the original 14, contains a 20-page booklet featuring rare photographs.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Nina Simone first took the Montreux Jazz Festival stage on June 16, 1968 at the second edition.  Nina Simone: The Montreux Years spotlights all five of her performances at Montreux (1968, 1976, 1981, 1987, and 1990).  While the first disc presents a composite show drawn from the various years, the second presents her landmark 1968 concert in full for the very first time.  The material is typically eclectic for Simone – and always electric.  Songs heard on the two CDs or LPs include Janis Ian’s “Stars,” Rodgers and Hart’s “Little Girl Blue,” the Hair medley “Ain’t Got No/I Got Life,” The Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody,” Jacques Brel’s “Ne Me Quitte Pas,” Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry,” and her final ever Montreux encore, Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn’s “My Baby Cares Just for Me.”

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

This previously unreleased concert from Miles Davis was recorded at the Vienne Jazz Festival on July 1, 1991.  The legendary musician would be honored by France mere days later, becoming a Knight of the Legion of Honour, before passing away in September at the age of 65.  At the Jazz Festival, Davis and his band tackled then-recent pop covers (Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time”) plus a very special pair of treasures: “Penetration” and “Jailbait,” both written by Prince for his fusion project Madhouse (earmarked for an album recorded in 1988 but never released).  Available on 2 CDs or 2 LPs.

Van Dyke Parks Orchestrates Verónica Valerio: Only in America teams the musical iconoclast with singer-songwriter-harpist Verónica Valerio for a new, four-song EP.  It merges the sensibilities of the Mississippi-born hero of California music with the Veracruz, Mexico native to create a miniature suite that very much reflects the times in which we’re living.​

Cleopatra Records delivers a tribute to Pink Floyd’s 1975 classic Wish You Were Here with a line-up of musicians including Todd Rundgren, Ian Paice, Joe Satriani, and Rick Wakeman.  Available on CD and vinyl.

Frankie Valli joins with jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco for this intimate set of American standards including the lead single, a rendition of the 1940 classic “How High the Moon.”

2LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Orange and Red Swirl Vinyl: uDiscovermusic.com / Bob Seger Online Store

Bob Seger catapulted to national stardom in October 1976 with the multi-platinum LP Night Moves, after a string of regional hits in the Detroit area and throughout the Midwest.  Just before that commercial breakthrough, Seger and his Silver Bullet Band were captured in their live prime at Detroit’s Cobo Hall for the 2-LP set Live Bullet. Now, the album is returning to its original vinyl format to mark its 45th anniversary.  The new reissue has been remastered by Robert Vosgien and will be released on both standard black 150-gram vinyl with a lithograph, and on translucent orange and red swirl vinyl only available at independent record stores, Bob Seger’s online store, and the Capitol/UMe store. The lithograph reproduces the Live Bullet taken by Detroit photographer Robert Markliwitz.  Capitol notes that “this double LP was cut for playback on a stacked turntable spindle, which means that after Side 1 ends, the second LP drops and starts playing, technically making that Side 2. The side numbers below represent the ‘sequenced’ side.”

Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson’s 2005 international tour featuring post-classical string quartet Ethel is brought to a 2CD/DVD set from Purple Pyramid collecting all three artists’ sets plus the encore which brought them together.  Both Jackson and Rundgren performed solo for sets blending fan favorites with deeper cuts.  The show was recorded at New Brunswick, New Jersey’s State Theatre on April 29, 2005.

DVD: The Rolling Stones UK Store
Standard Definition BD: The Rolling Stones UK Store
DVD+2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
Standard Definition BD+2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
2 Standard Definition BD+2CD Deluxe Edition: The Rolling Stones UK Store (*)
2DVD+2CD Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD (*)
3LP (Black Vinyl): The Rolling Stones UK Store
3LP (Blue, Yellow & Green Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP pressed on clear vinyl: Sound of Vinyl

On February 8, 2006, the Rolling Stones took the proceedings to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a massive free concert in support of their most recent album, A Bigger Bang.  That show was captured on film and released to cinemas and DVD while the audio was broadcast on XM Radio.  Now, the mega-show is coming to various formats in remixed, re-edited, and remastered form as The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang – Live on Copacabana Beach from Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Four songs excised from the 2007 DVD release The Biggest Bang have been reinstated for the new presentation: “Tumbling Dice”, “Oh No, Not You Again”, “This Place Is Empty,” and “Sympathy for the Devil.”  However, fans should hold onto that four-disc set.  In addition to the Rio set, it also featured a full-length concert from Austin, Texas; an “Around the World” disc with performances from Japan, China, and Argentina; and numerous bonus documentaries, featurettes, duets with Bonnie Raitt, Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, and Cui Jian, and extra songs.

The two Deluxe Edition shows (*) feature an additional concert film from Salt Lake City, Utah.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: uDiscoverMusic.com / Little Steven’s Webstore Link TBD
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscoverMusic.com

Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul’s Summer of Sorcery: Live at the Beacon Theatre, in support of the 2019 release of the Summer of Sorcery studio album, was recorded at the storied New York venue on November 6 of that year.  It will arrive in multiple audio and video formats: 3CD, 5LP, and Blu-ray.  The band’s entire 25-song setlist from the Beacon will be included on the live album including all twelve songs from the musically expansive Summer of Sorcery as well as staples from Little Steven’s solo songbook (“Love on the Wrong Side of Town,” “I Am a Patriot,” “Out of the Darkness”), collaborations with Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny – individually and collectively (“Little Girl So Fine,” “Trapped Again”), and choice covers from The Boss (the very recent “Tucson Train” from Western Stars) and The Youngbloods (the psychedelic blues instrumental “On Sir Francis Drake”).  Peter Wolf dropped in for the encore, lending his voice to “Freeze Frame” from his final album with the J. Geils Band as well as Van Zandt’s hard-hitting anti-apartheid anthem “Sun City.”   Both the audio and video formats feature seven additional songs (or nearly an hour of extra music) drawn from Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul’s 2017-2019 performances around the world.

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5CD/7LP/1-7″ Super Deluxe Edition and color variants: uDiscoverMusic.com

Cameron Crowe is revisiting the soundtrack to his 2000 instant classic Almost Famous in near-complete form as a 5-CD or 6-LP set as well as in shorter highlights versions and a Super Deluxe box containing all of the music on CD and vinyl.  The 5CD and 6LP sets feature  five – yes, five! – Led Zeppelin songs plus tracks by other typically difficult-to-license artists including Simon and Garfunkel, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, and Stevie Wonder.  That’s not to mention new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Todd Rundgren, The Beach Boys, Cat Stevens, Deep Purple, The Raspberries, and of course, Elton John who has reteamed with the original cast of the film to cut a new Almost Famous version of “Tiny Dancer.”  Previously unreleased live tracks from Steely Dan and Neil Young are among the many treats here.

Demon Music Group celebrates the legacy of Fawlty Towers with Fawlty Towers: For The Record.  This limited edition box set features six 140-gram white LPs containing the original TV soundtracks of all 12 episodes as narrated by Andrew Sachs.  The first four LPs are replicas of those originally issued by the BBC – Fawlty Towers, Second Sitting, At Your Service, and A La Carte – while the newly-created Plat du Jour and Enjoy Your Stay complete the set.  In addition to stars John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Connie Booth, and Sachs, the episodes feature Bernard Cribbins, Joan Sanderson, Geoffrey Palmer, Ballard Berkeley, Nicky Henson, Ken Campbell, and Una Stubbs.  Each LP is presented in a new jacket; inside the jacket is a replica of the original BBC Records LP cover, plus a faux period cover for the two new LPs.  A four-page booklet recounts the history of Fawlty Towers as well as a history of the albums by Tim Worthington, author of the BBC Records chronicle Top of the Box.  A 12-inch portrait of Basil Fawlty has been signed by John Cleese and is included in the rigid box with lift-off lid.  This set is limited to 1,500 copies.

The 9-CD box set Old Friend: The Deluxe Collection 1976-1998 traces the late Phyllis Hyman’s musical journey by bringing together her studio albums as originally released on the Buddah, Arista, and Philadelphia International labels plus select bonus tracks including collaborations with Barry Manilow, Norman Connors, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Grover Washington Jr., and Michael Henderson.  It’s very much in the mold of Cherry Red/SoulMusic’s 2020 box for Phyllis’ onetime Arista labelmate Dionne Warwick, with expanded editions of numerous albums.  Many of those have been reconfigured from past reissues on SoulMusic and other labels.  This release follows SoulMusic’s 2017 two-disc anthology of Hyman’s Buddah and Arista recordings.  Nick Robbins has remastered the audio.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Off the Soundboard: Tokyo 2001, available in 2-CD or 3-LP formats, presents KISS’ performance at the Tokyo Dome on March 13, 2001 with the line-up of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Eric Singer.  The 21 songs on the release don’t hint at the backstage drama that was then consuming the band on their farewell tour.  Long story short: it wasn’t farewell after all, but did prove to be a goodbye to the original line-up of Simmons, Stanley, Frehley, and Peter Criss; Singer replaced the latter for the 2001 leg.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Craft Recordings has announced a 75th anniversary campaign for groundbreaking R&B label Specialty Records.  On August 6, Rip It Up: The Best of Specialty Records will arrive on CD, LP, and digital platforms, and Craft promises that further releases from the Specialty catalogue will arrive over the next year.  The 18 tracks on Rip It Up spotlight the incendiary R&B and, later, rock-and-roll that put Specialty on the map.  (Perhaps Specialty’s gospel offerings will be recognized on a future release.)  Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Lloyd Price, Larry Williams, and Percy Mayfield are among the artists represented.

Yep Roc Records has unearthed a piece of history from Berkeley, California’s power-pop heroes The Rubinoos.  On November 3, 1976, co-founders Jon Rubin (vocals) and Tommy Dunbar (guitar) entered CBS Studios in San Francisco with drummer Donn Spindt and bassist Royse Ader to get a feel for the studio prior to the recording of their first album.  Now, that session is being released as The CBS Tapes with 11 tracks encompassing both covers and originals in energetic Rubinoos style.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Doug Carn and Jean Carn’s Black Jazz Records debut Infant Eyes returns from Real Gone Music on CD and LP. The duo was backed on the album by drummer Michael Carvin, saxophonist/flautist George Harper, trombonist Al Hall, Jr., trumpeter Bob Frazier, and bassist Henry Franklin (who also recorded two albums as a leader for Black Jazz). The album featured one Doug Carn original, “Moon Child,” and six covers.  Doug also added lyrics to four of those covers: Bobby Hutcherson’s “Little B’s Poem,” Wayne Shorter’s “Infant Eyes,” John Coltrane’s “Acknowledgement (A Love Supreme)” and Horace Silver’s “Peace.”  The album became an underground hit and had two singles released (of only a handful the label ever released).  The first was “Moon Child.”  The second single of “Peace” and “Little B’s Poem” was credited to Jean even though she had not originally received billing on the album’s cover.

Purple Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music
Clear with Copper and Red Swirl Vinyl: Real Gone Music
Clear with Red, Blue, and Green “Freak” Swirl Vinyl: Rough Trade

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music are proud to present the first-ever vinyl reissue of the 1970 soundtrack to Toomorrow, the groovy sci-fi musical starring Olivia Newton-John, Ben Thomas, Karl Chambers, and Vic Cooper.  The brainchild of music impresario Don Kirshner and James Bond producer Harry Saltzman, Toomorrow featured songs by Mark Barkan and Ritchie Adams and a score by Hugo Montenegro.  Toomorrow will be available in three colors: purple vinyl (available everywhere), clear with copper and red swirl (available exclusively from Real Gone Music and limited to 100 units), and clear with red, blue, and green “freak” swirl (available exclusively from Rough Trade and limited to 300 units).  Our reissue recreates the original 1970 album artwork and also includes an insert with expanded and updated liner notes from TSD’s Joe Marchese as well as additional photos of Newton-John and her bandmates.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Target Exclusive CD with bonus track: Target.com
Target Exclusive Gray Vinyl with bonus track: Target.com
B&N Exclusive Clear Vinyl: BarnesandNoble.com
Barbra Official Store Exclusive White Vinyl and Cassette: Barbra Shop
Picture Disc Vinyl: Your Local Record Store

Barbra Streisand has reopened the vaults for Release Me 2, following the collection released in 2012.  This volume features “Be Aware” with Burt Bacharach; “The Rainbow Connection” with Kermit the Frog; “I’d Want It to Be You” with Willie Nelson; and much more spanning 1962-2014.  Available on CD, vinyl, and digital platforms.  Target has exclusive CD and LP releases with the bonus track “When the Lovin’ Goes Out of the Lovin’.”

4CD/1DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (white variant)

Rhino and Parlophone revisit Tina Turner’s 1989 album featuring “The Best” in a variety of formats including a 4CD/DVD Super Deluxe Edition and 2CD and 2LP Deluxe Editions.  The Super Deluxe Edition of Foreign Affair features the remastered original album on CD 1.  Disc 2 has a selection of period remixes and B-sides plus a previously unreleased demo of “The Best.”  The third and fourth CDs premiere the audio from the concert film Do You Want Some Action! Live in Barcelona, originally issued on home video in 1990.  The expansive setlist features a number of tracks from Foreign Affair plus Turner signature songs such as “Proud Mary,” “Nutbush City Limits,” “Private Dancer,” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”  The fifth disc in the set, a DVD, has the video for Live in Barcelona plus music videos for six of the album’s songs.

The late Charles Mingus’ January 19, 1974 concert at Carnegie Hall featuring sidemen George Adams, Hamiet Bluiett, Don Pullen, and Dannie Richmond as well as guest artists Jon Faddis, Jon Handy, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Charles McPherson was originally released by Atlantic Records with just two lengthy encore songs – “C Jam Blues” and “Perdido” – each occupying one side of vinyl.  Now, after 47 years, the entire show is being released by Run Out Groove on CD and LP, with 74 minutes of previously unreleased music from the late composer-leader-saxophonist.  It’s all been mastered from the original tapes, and the package features new liner notes by historian Michael Cuscuna to place it all into context.  The CD is due on June 11 and the LP on July 16.

5CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
8LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3CD (contains CD 1, CD 2 & CD 5, below): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD (contains CD 1 & CD 2 only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Limited Edition 3LP: GeorgeHarrison.com/uDiscoverMusic.com/Sound of Vinyl
Uber Box Set: GeorgeHarrison.com/uDiscoverMusic.com/Sound of Vinyl

George Harrison’s 1970 triple-album masterwork is celebrated with a variety of formats. The 5CD and 8LP super deluxe iterations are fulsome, boasting 70 tracks including the remixed album and 47 demo recordings, session outtakes, and jams (42 of which are previously unreleased).  The Blu-ray Audio disc which accompanies the 5CD presentation offers the main album remix in high resolution stereo, 5.1 surround, and Dolby Atmos.  A 60-page scrapbook curated by George’s widow Olivia Harrison presents previously unpublished images and memorabilia including tape boxes, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, studio notes, track-by-track annotations, and more.  The box also includes a replica of the original album poster.  5LP and 3CD deluxe editions have the original album plus 17 bonus tracks, while 3LP and 2CD standard editions replicate the original album only in the new remix.  The Uber Box Set has everything in a custom-built wooden box plus swag.

Singer-songwriter Eugene McDaniels’ controversial 1971 soul/R&B classic returns to vinyl from Real Gone Music in a deluxe LP edition curated by the late McDaniels’ wife, Karen.   It comes in a newly-created gatefold jacket and features artwork from Eugene’s private collection and unseen writings, together with a four-page insert which includes the aforementioned liner notes, handwritten lyrics, and the original lyric sheet.  The reissue was cut from the original LP master and comes in purple vinyl, limited to 1,750 copies.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP (Original Album Only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Eric Clapton’s eponymous 1970 solo debut arrives in 4CD and 1LP iterations from Polydor/UMe. The 4CD Deluxe Edition presents Eric Clapton in three separate mixes, with one mix on each of the first three CDs in the box: The Tom Dowd Mix, The Eric Clapton Mix, and The Delaney Bramlett Mix.  The mix by Dowd (Dusty Springfield, The Allman Brothers Band) was originally released in 1970; the earlier mix by Delaney Bramlett was first issued in full on Polydor/UMe’s 2-CD Deluxe Edition in 2006.  Clapton’s own mix officially premieres in full on this set.  (This mix crept out on early pressings of the LP in 1970 before being quickly recalled; his mixes of “After Midnight” and “Let It Rain” then appeared again on the 2018 soundtrack Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars.)  The fourth and final CD offers eight additional bonus tracks.  All seven of the bonus cuts from the 2006 edition are featured plus a previously unreleased mix of “Comin’ Home.”  The original album only is remastered on vinyl.

45 RPM Orange Pumpkin Vinyl LP (2021): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Black Vinyl LP (2019): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!  The Emmy-nominated 1966 television special was the third overall for Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts series and the second to be holiday-themed, after A Charlie Brown Christmas.  It earned a whopping 49 share in the ratings and was so successful that CBS re-aired it every year through 2000, with ABC picking up the tradition after that.  Yet despite a beloved score by Vince Guaraldi (who else?), a soundtrack album to Great Pumpkin had never been released in any audio format until a CD arrived in 2018 from Craft Recordings.  In 2019, Craft brought that premiere soundtrack presentation to standard black and limited glow-in-the-dark vinyl.  Now, it’s returning from the label in a new 45 RPM pressing on orange pumpkin-shaped vinyl just in time for Halloween!

David Crosby returns with a new solo set featuring 10 tracks including the title cover of Joni Mitchell’s “For Free” featuring Sarah Jarosz and “River Rise” with Michael McDonald.  Available on CD and download/streaming.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Slipcased CD: Amazon U.K.
2LP (Black): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Pink Marble): Universal Music Store
Cassette: Universal Music Store
Various Bundles: Universal Music Store

Diana Ross returns with Thank You, her first studio album since 2006 and first of original material since 1999. Thank You was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ross’ home studio and was written and recorded by the artist together with a cadre of songwriters and producers including Jack Antonoff, Troy Miller, Triangle Park, Spike Stent, Prince Charlez, Amy Wadge, Neff-U, Freddie Wexler, Jimmy Napes, Tayla Parx, Fred White, and Nathanial Ledgewick.  The title track and first single is streaming now.

Following The Show Time Series EP Collection Volume One, Stage Door Records has released Volume Two of the series premiering RCA Victor’s 1953 Show Time EPs on CD.  The single-CD 20-track release features five musicals:

• Mademoiselle Modiste (Victor Herbert/Henry Blossom);
• Naughty Marietta (Victor Herbert/Rida Johnson Young);
• Shuffle Along (Eubie Blake/Noble Sissle);
• Blackbirds of 1928 (Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields); and
• The Band Wagon (Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz).

Cast members include Doretta Morrow, Thelma Carpenter, Avon Long, Cab Calloway, Harold Lang, and Edie Adams.  This release is limited to just 500 units.  Orders are shipping now directly from Stage Door; it’s due from Amazon on June 25 in the U.K. and July 2 in North America.

Lindsey Buckingham returns with a self-titled album, his first solo release in a decade.  It was written, produced, and recorded by Buckingham in his home studio and features new songs including “Scream,” “Swan Song,” and “Power Down.”  Available on CD, LP, and digital formats.

Conor McPherson’s Girl from the North Country, featuring the music and lyrics of Bob Dylan, returns to Broadway on October 13.  In advance of its reopening night, Legacy Recordings releases the Original Broadway Cast Recording.  Todd Almond, Marc Kudisch, Luba Mason, Jay O. Sanders, and Mare Winningham are among the cast; the musical boasts reinterpretations of such Dylan classics as the title song, “Hurricane,” “Went to See the Gypsy,” “Idiot Wind,” “My Back Pages,” and “Forever Young.”

Following its Broadway debut in 1966, the Neil Simon/Cy Coleman/Dorothy Fields musical Sweet Charity made it to London in October 1967 in a production starring Juliet Prowse.  Two months later, Saga Records released its own recording of the Coleman/Fields score to coincide with the production’s arrival at the Prince of Wales Theatre.  Now, Saga’s studio cast recording starring West End mainstay Mary Preston as Charity is making its premiere on CD from Stage Door Records.  This is the only recording that features a cut verse from Charity’s “You Should See Yourself,” and Stage Door’s reissue additionally premieres an expanded version of “Rich Man’s Frug” with material cut from the original LP.  The CD has been remastered from the original tapes.

2CD/LP Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Almost a year after the devastating death of Freddie Mercury, Queen’s Brian May re-emerged with his first true solo album.  Released in September 1992, Back to the Light was the guitarist’s mission statement after the fate of his longtime band seemed uncertain.  Now it’s returning in various formats as the inaugural release in The Brian May Gold Series.  Expanded editions will include the bonus collection Out of the Light, a second disc of rare tracks.  The long out-of-print album returns to various formats as remastered by Bob Ludwig under the supervision of May’s original co-producer/engineer Justin Shirley Smith (a Queen collaborator since 1984) and Kris Fredriksson.  Miles Showell has remastered the LP using the half-speed mastering process at Abbey Road, and May has written new liner notes.

14CD/6LP/6DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD (Original Album): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Original Album): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3CD Expanded Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Cassette (Original Album): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album – otherwise known as The Black Album – turns 30 this year, and the band isn’t about to let that milestone go unnoticed.  The Black Album gave the band its first chart-topping album in ten countries, including the U.S. where it spent four weeks atop the Billboard 200.  It also yielded a string of singles led by “Enter Sandman,” a No. 16 hit on the Hot 100.  To date, Metallica remains the biggest-selling album in the history of Nielsen’s SoundScan, a testament to the timeless metal riffs laid down by James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Jason Newsted, and Lars Ulrich.  Metallica’s own Blackened Recordings will revisit The Black Album in a variety of newly-remastered formats (with the core album remastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering and the remaining material by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering) including a massive 14CD/6LP/6DVD box set stuffed with rough mixes, alternates, demos, rehearsals, interviews, single edits, and live shows.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
7LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Metallica continues the Black Album celebration with a second box set, The Metallica Blacklist.  Over 53 tracks, artists of various genres and generations celebrate the legacy of The Black Album with their own reinterpretations of its twelve songs.  The release groups the songs together in the original album order; in other words, the album begins with six versions of “Enter Sandman,” continues with seven interpretations of “Sad But True,” and so on.  Artists include Weezer, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, St. Vincent, Biffy Clyro, The Neptunes, Phoebe Bridgers, Mickey Guyton, My Morning Jacket, Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton, Imelda May, Kamasi Washington, and Miley Cyrus featuring WATT, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, current Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, and Chad Smith.  The Metallica Blacklist will be available in multiple formats including a 4CD box set; a limited edition 7LP vinyl box; and download/streaming.  Profits from the release will be divided evenly between charities of the artists’ choice and Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation.

Oft-sampled soul-blues singer O.V. Wright’s 1972 southern soul classic, featuring The Hi Records Rhythm Section, The Memphis Horns, and production by Willie Mitchell, was packaged much like a bootleg (complete with typos).  That didn’t stop it from earning cult status and fetching high coin on the secondary market.  It’s been out-of-print on vinyl since the 1980s; the last CD edition was released in 2010 and also commands top dollar.  The LP features the R&B chart hits “Eight Men, Four Women,” “Ace of Spades,” “A Nickel and a Nail,” and “When You Took Your Love from Me” and will be pressed by Real Gone on heavyweight 180-gram black vinyl.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP with This Year’s Model: uDiscoverMusic.com / Sound of Vinyl

Elvis Costello, producer Sebastian Krys, and a host of Latin rock and pop superstars have teamed up to reinvent Costello’s 1978 sophomore album This Year’s Model.  All of the artists have recorded new vocals in the Spanish language over Costello and The Attractions’ original tracks.  The result is a thrilling cross-time, cross-cultural exchange.  Available on CD, LP, and as part of an exclusive 2-LP set (available at uDiscoverMusic.com) with the original This Year’s Model on LP 2.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP with This Year’s Model: uDiscoverMusic.com / Sound of Vinyl

To coincide with the reimagined Spanish Model, Elvis Costello is reissuing his 1978 sophomore album This Year’s Model with two bonus tracks, “Radio Radio” and “Big Tears.”  The album has been remastered.  Available on CD, LP, and as part of an exclusive 2-LP set with Spanish Model (available from uDiscoverMusic.com).

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2LP Standard: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2LP Exclusive: uDiscoverMusic.com

UMe revisits Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s original 1970 concept album to Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ian Gillan, Murray Head, and Yvonne Elliman as a 3CD expanded box set with a disc of (largely unheard) bonus material; 2LP standard and deluxe editions; and a 2CD edition.  All versions have been newly remastered by Miles Showell and Nick Davis at Abbey Road Studios.

Ringo Starr is spreading peace and love with his second consecutive EP following March’s Zoom In.  Change the World is titled after the track co-written by Toto’s Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams; the other three tracks include a country-flavored collaboration with Linda Perry, the reggae-tinged “Just That Way,” and a cover of “Rock Around the Clock” featuring Joe Walsh.  Available on CD, cassette, and digital formats on September 24 while a 10-inch LP follows on November 19.

4CD + Tattoo You Picture Disc Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD (Album Remaster): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD (Album Remaster and Lost & Found): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP (Album Remaster): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Album Remaster and Lost & Found – Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Album Remaster and Lost & Found – Clear Vinyl): Rolling Stones Store

The Rolling Stones are revisiting Tattoo You for a 40th anniversary edition.  The deluxe 4CD/1LP box set features a new remaster of the album on CD and vinyl; the nine-track Lost and Found featuring previously unreleased outtakes (newly completed by the band); and the 2-CD Still Life: Wembley Stadium 1982, a previously unreleased 26-song show.  Various highlights editions are also available.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Green Marble Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Five days after Bob Marley and The Wailers’ landmark Burnin’ hit stores in October 1973, producer Denny Cordell (Leon Russell, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers) took the band into Hollywood’s Capitol Tower for a live session.  Now, that long-lost concert is coming to CD, DVD, and vinyl from Tuff Gong and Universal’s Mercury Studios.  The Capitol Session ’73 arrives in multiple formats including CD, DVD/CD, 2LP pressed on green marble vinyl, and digitally.  “Stir It Up” is streaming now on YouTube.

Reba McEntire is looking back on her career with a three-disc, three-album retrospective – but with a twist.  Revived Remixed Revisited consists entirely of new and previously unheard versions of her greatest hits for a total of 30 tracks.  The first disc, Revived, presents McEntire’s songs (including “Can’t Even Get the Blues” and “Is There Life Out There”) performed with her touring band as they would be heard in concert today.  The second disc, Remixed, finds the singer’s original recordings (including “Little Rock” and the Reba theme song, recent TikTok sensation, and all-around anthem “I’m a Survivor”) as remixed by a host of contemporary engineers.  Lastly, the third and final disc, Revisited, is a new collaboration with producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Oak Ridge Boys) and a small band.  Dolly Parton guests on “Does He Love You.”  Available on 3 CDs, 3 LPs, or digitally.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Elvis: Back in Nashville boasts 82 recordings on 4 CDs (or digitally) from The King’s final Nashville sessions in 1971.  With country, folk, holiday and gospel songs, pop, and rock and roll, these seminal tracks represent some of the most richly diverse in Elvis’ storied catalogue.  Like its predecessor From Elvis in Nashville, this collection features all new, stripped-down remixes by Matt Ross-Spang.  Many of these songs would be utilized by RCA – often with orchestral and vocal overdubs – on such albums as Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas (1971), the Grammy Award-winning He Touched Me (1972), Elvis Now (1972), and 1973’s Elvis. A 2-LP highlights release is also available.

Diane Warren – author or co-author of nine Billboard No. 1 hits and another 32 top ten entries – is releasing her very first studio album with The Cave Sessions Vol. 1.  She’s welcomed an eclectic group of artists including Darius Rucker, Celine Dion, Maren Morris, John Legend, Santana, and Pentatonix – to join her on this 15-song set.  Available on CD and digital formats.

Stage Door Records has unearthed the RCA Camden 1959 “Living Stereo” studio cast recording of Harold Rome’s western-themed musical Destry Rides Again for its CD premiere.  The album features Jack Haskell and Louise O’Brien as well as the orchestra of Norman Leyden surveying the score introduced on Broadway by a cast including Andy Griffith and Dolores Gray.  Stage Door’s presentation has been expanded with 14 bonus period cover versions performed by artists as disparate as Sammy Davis Jr., The Four Aces, and Sylvia Syms.  The release comes with an eight-page booklet boasting detailed liner notes by George Dankser about the musical’s history.

This 9LP slipcased box set collects Billy Joel’s first six solo studio albums plus his first live album and a box set-exclusive pressing of Live at The Great American Music Hall – 1975, a previously unreleased concert recording on 2 LPs from the famed San Francisco venue.  All of the albums have been sourced from the original master tapes and prepared by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound. Jensen previously mastered Joel’s entire albums discography for 2011’s limited edition CD release The Complete Albums Collection.  The collection includes a 60-page booklet with an essay by Anthony DeCurtis, insights and observations from Billy, tributes from musicians and friends, and numerous archival photos.  Note that Cold Spring Harbor is likely to be the 1983 remix, not the 1971 original version, and Live at The Great American Music Hall will not be available on CD or digitally at the present time.

LP Part One (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / PopMarket / Rough Trade U.K. – Exclusive Signed Edition)
LP Part Two (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / PopMarket)
4CD Box Set (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. – Exclusive Signed Edition / PopMarket)

Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters: The Shep Pettibone Master Mixes is an expansive salute from one legendary remixer to another.  Available on 4 CDs (47 songs in one box set) or 2 LPs (32 tracks across two releases), the collection inaugurates the Dance Masters series and brings together vintage Pettibone 7- and 12-inch mixes of classic songs by a true “Who’s Who” including Whitney Houston, George Michael, Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, Lionel Richie, The Salsoul Orchestra, and Sananda Maitreya (the former Terence Trent D’Arby).

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Standard Black LP: NancySinatra.com / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
Eight-Track Cassette: NancySinatra.com
Bootique-Exclusive Red LP: NancySinatra.com

The Nancy Sinatra Archival Series from Light in the Attic continues with CD, vinyl, digital, and 8-track (!) reissues of Nancy’s debut album, 1966’s Boots, originally issued on the Reprise label and featuring not only the chart-topping “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” but Sinatra’s gutsy yet sensual renditions of Hazlewood tunes (“So Long Babe,” “I Move Around”) and contemporary covers (The Beatles’ “Day Tripper” and “Run for Your Life,” The Rolling Stones’ “As Tears Go By,” Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe”) alike.  The CD and LP reissues add two bonuses including the “Boots” B-side “The City Never Sleeps at Night” (also written and produced by Hazlewood) and the previously unreleased outtake “For Some.”  The latter, a ballad written by Bennie Benjamin and Sol Marcus, is currently streaming.  John Baldwin has remastered Boots from the original stereo master tapes.

Richard Carpenter returns with his first solo album in almost 25 years.  Piano Songbook features newly-recorded solo piano renditions of some of the rich, classic melodies associated with Carpenters including “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” “For All We Know,” “Yesterday Once More,” “I Need to Be in Love,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” and more.  Available on CD and digital/streaming.

CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Sony and Pink Floyd Records are breaking out another title from 2019’s mammoth Pink Floyd: The Later Years box set.  A Momentary Lapse of Reason – Remixed and Updated features the David Gilmour-overseen presentation of the band’s 1987 studio album.  Remixed by Andy Jackson with Gilmour, assisted by Damon Iddins, this version will be released on CD/DVD, CD/BD, double 180-gram, half-speed mastered 45 RPM vinyl, and digitally with stereo and 5.1 mixes.  Additionally, the album will be made available digitally in 360 Reality Audio (described as “a new immersive music experience that closely mimics the omni-directional soundscape of live musical performance for the listener using Sony’s object-based 360 Spatial Sound technologies”), Dolby Audio, and UHD (Ultra HD) Audio.  The press release notes that all of these digital formats “will continue with other Pink Floyd releases.”

The Original 1998 Broadway Cast Recording of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty’s Tony Award-winning epic musical Ragtime – based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel and starring Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie, Mark Jacoby, Peter Friedman, and Judy Kaye – comes to vinyl for the first time.  Masterworks Broadway’s 3-LP set, housed in a hardbound slipcase, features each disc pressed on 180-gram red, white, and blue vinyl, respectively, as well as a 20-page stitched, oversized booklet with new liner notes and track-by-track commentary by Ahrens and Flaherty, an interview with Mitchell, recording session photos, and the complete album libretto.

The second volume of Snapper/United Souls’ box set series collecting the complete Philadelphia International Records albums features the following eight albums, originally released in 1973:

• Billy Paul, Feelin’ Good at the Cadillac Club (Philadelphia International KZ 32119);
• The O’Jays, In Philadelphia (Philadelphia International KZ 32120);
• The Intruders, Super Hits (Gamble KZ 32131);
• Spiritual Concept, Spiritual Concept (Philadelphia International KZ 32404);
• The Three Degrees, The Three Degrees (Philadelphia International KZ 32406);
• Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Black and Blue (Philadelphia International KZ 32407);
• The O’Jays, Ship Ahoy (Philadelphia International KZ 32408); and
• Billy Paul, War of the Gods (Philadelphia International KZ 32409).

The slipcased, hardcover book-style set additionally features a 12-inch vinyl single of Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes’ “The Love I Lost” b/w The O’Jays’ “It’s Too Strong” and an exclusive poster.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl and Cassettes: Spice Girls Online Store

Tell me what you want, what you really, really want…If what you want is a 25th anniversary expanded edition of the Spice Girls’ 1996 debut Spice, you’re in luck.  Virgin/UMC (U.K.) and EMI are reissuing Spice on 2 CDs and a digital “eAlbum.”  The expanded Spice 25, curated by the Spice Girls, features the original album on the first CD plus a second disc of twelve bonus tracks.  These encompass a sampling of period remixes and single versions plus five previously unreleased tracks: three demos, one outtake, and a never-before-heard Unlimited Groove Mix of “Love Thing.”  Various vinyl and cassette editions of the original album only are also available.

Kasim Sulton (Utopia, Todd Rundgren, Meat Loaf) returns with a new 12-song solo set including original songs such as “Unsung” and “Fastcar” and a cover of “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding.”

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Neil Young Official Bootleg Series launches with Carnegie Hall 1970, featuring Young’s debut at the venerable venue on December 4, 1970 (the early show).  Carnegie Hall 1970 will arrive on double vinyl, double CD, and digital formats (including high resolution), with the promise of five more Bootleg titles coming in 2022.  The solo performance was captured on analog multitrack tape and mixed for this release by Young and Niko Bolas.  It was the first of two shows that evening; the second began at midnight on the morning of December 5.   The midnight show has been bootlegged numerous times over the years, but the “lost” early show is considered by Young to be the stronger of the two.  Songs include “Ohio,” “Old Man,” “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” “Southern Man,” “Helpless,” “Cinnamon Girl,” and Buffalo Springfield’s “On the Way Home,” “Flying on the Ground Is Wrong,” “I Am a Child,” and “Expecting to Fly.”

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Brian Wilson returns with his first solo album since 2015 – and it’s a true solo affair.  At My Piano features the Beach Boys’ leader at the keys for instrumental renditions from his classic songbook including “God Only Knows,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Good Vibrations,” “Love and Mercy,” and a suite from SMiLE.  It hits stores on December 10 from Decca Records in CD and digital formats while the vinyl LP is scheduled for December 17.

Real Gone Music reissues Merry Christmas, Baby, one of the earliest compilations of Christmas music singles.  Originally issued in 1956 and subtitled Intimate Christmas Music for Young Lovers, the R&B album was released on the independent Hollywood Records and takes its name from the 1947 Charles Brown hit which it features.  Johnny’s Moore’s Blazers contribute another four songs to the compilation and the Jackson Trio (brothers Eugene and Freddie Jackson and a rotating third musician) add another two holiday compositions.  Another hit on the album is Lowell Fulson’s “Lonesome Christmas (Parts 1 and 2).”  Also included is Jimmy Witherspoon’s “Christmas Blues”.  In 1954, Hollywood released it on a single paired with another song:  Mabel Scott’s “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” which is an additional track on the compilation.  Scott recorded the song in 1947 and it earned a top 15 berth on the R&B chart.  Real Gone’s reissue is the first ever appearance of the original album on CD.  It has been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVison and features liner notes by Bill Dahl.

Real Gone has a vinyl repressing of the soundtrack to 2018’s Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch.  This was first released in 2020 by Real Gone as an exclusive at Urban Outfitters.  It is now hitting general retail for the first time.  Last year, The Second Disc said this about the album: “The 2018 reboot of the classic Christmas tale is full of great music – from Danny Elfman’s original score to musical selections by Jackie Wilson, Nat King Cole, The Supremes, Brian Setzer, Run-D.M.C., Tyler The Creator, and more.”  This new pressing comes on clear with red and white swirl vinyl.

DVD/CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
BD/CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4K UHD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
DVD/BD/CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
CD: Target.com (U.S.) / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

Given his outspoken anti-vaccine and anti-COVID lockdown statements (and songs), it’s surprising that Eric Clapton has announced his own lockdown album.  The Lady in the Balcony, from Universal’s Mercury Studios imprint, eschews those recent musical screeds in favor of classic songs from the guitar hero’s past including “Layla,” “Tears in Heaven,” and “After Midnight.”  The intimate live performance will be available in multiple audio and video formats including DVD+CD; Blu-ray+CD; 4K UHD+Blu-ray; 2 LPs pressed on yellow vinyl; and a Deluxe Edition containing the DVD, Blu-ray & CD packaged in a 40 page 12″ x 12″ hardback photo book, digital video & digital audio. In addition, a CD-only version will be available exclusively at Target in the United States.  The Lady in the Balcony has been overseen by producer Russ Titelman and features Clapton supported by Steve Gadd, Nathan East, and Chris Stainton.

Rhino U.K. is painting the town Red with the release of Simply Red Remixed Vol. 1 (1985-2000) collecting 22 remixes (including seven previously unreleased) on 2 CDs or digital platforms from the Manchester pop-soul band.  Simply Red Remixed Vol. 1 (1985-2000) is packed with period remixes originally released on 12-inch singles and CD singles; the previously unreleased tracks include “Money’s Too Tight To Mention (United City Mix)” from Picture Book and “Something Got Me Started (David Morales Radio Mix)” from Stars.  ​

Stage Door Records concludes The Show Time Series EP Collection, collecting RCA Victor’s 1953 series dedicated to highlights from classic musicals, with this volume featuring 20 tracks from five musicals.  The shows heard in this volume are: Anything Goes (Cole Porter); Kiss Me, Kate (Cole Porter); Porgy and Bess (George and Ira Gershwin/DuBose Heyward); Girl Crazy (George and Ira Gershwin); and The Little Shows (various songwriters).  Helen Gallagher, Lisa Kirk, Jack Cassidy, and Edie Adams are among the performers.

Willie Nelson is back with his newest studio album and 16th overall for Legacy Recordings.  The Willie Nelson Family features Willie joined by sister Bobbie, sons Lukas and Micah, and daughters Amy and Paula as well as band members Mickey Raphael, Kevin Smith, and Billy and Paul English for a set of 12 songs.  Willie’s own compositions are present alongside poignant covers of the Carter Family (“Keep on the Sunnyside,” the traditional hymn “In the Garden”), Kris Kristofferson (“Why Me”), Hank Williams (“I Saw the Light”), and George Harrison (“All Things Must Pass”).

5CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
8LP/7″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP/7″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Geffen/UMe reissues Nirvana’s Nevermind in a variety of 30th anniversary formats including two editions of a super deluxe box set: an 8-LP version with a bonus 7-inch single, and a 5-CD version with a Blu-ray.  All formats of this new Nevermind reissue campaign feature the original album remastered from the original half-inch stereo analog tapes.  Both the 8-LP and 5-CD boxes add four complete concerts to the package:  Live in Amsterdam, Netherlands (recorded and filmed on November 25, 1991 at the Club Paradiso); Live in Del Mar, California (recorded on December 28, 1991 at the Pat O’Brien Pavilion at the Del Mar Fairgrounds); Live in Melbourne, Australia for triple j (recorded February 1, 1992 at The Palace in St. Kilda); and Live in Tokyo, Japan (recorded at the Nakano Sunplaza on February 19, 1992).  The 5-CD set adds a Blu-ray of the film of the Live in Amsterdam, Netherlands concert while the 8-LP version adds a bonus 7-inch single of “Endless, Nameless” (a hidden track on the original album) b/w “Even In His Youth” and “Aneurysm.”  All in all, there are 70 unreleased tracks.  Both sets also include a 40-page hardcover book with unreleased photos.  A single LP of the original album with the 7-inch and 2-CD version (featuring a selection of tracks from the concerts on the second disc) are also available together with digital formats.

2CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts, a multi-format set coming October 22, features newly remixed and restored audio and video footage from Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s sets at Madison Square Garden in New York City in late September 1979. The star-studded “No Nukes” concerts were put on by MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy), a coalition of artists and activists (including Jackson Browne, Graham Nash and Bonnie Raitt) who came together in the wake of the Three Mile Island meltdown earlier that year to urge against nuclear power.  This first wide commercial presentation features 13 performances from the band’s two sets (10 of them previously unreleased in a wide physical format; both sets were released in full as now-unavailable downloads/CD-Rs via Nugs.net in 2018), newly remixed by Bob Clearmountain and matched to the original 16-millimeter film footage, restored in HD by Thom Zimny. Also included in the box is a 24-page booklet featuring rare photos and memorabilia, an essay, and reproductions of an original ticket, envelope and sticker.

A 40th anniversary 2CD/DVD set of Olivia Newton-John’s multi-platinum Physical arrives from Green Hill, the label arm of publishing powerhouse Primary Wave which partnered with Newton-John in 2020 for a deal encompassing both masters and publishing rights.  The expanded Physical gains six bonus tracks on the first disc and a further fifteen on the second disc.  The bonus tracks (many new to CD) include Olivia’s material from the soundtrack of the 1983 film Two of a Kind (including its duet with John Travolta, “Take a Chance”), her new songs from Greatest Hits Vol. 2, and various live versions, alternate mixes, and single edits.  A DVD includes both the Physical video album and Olivia in Concert (featuring her 1982 Utah concert).  Everything has been remastered from the original tapes.  A vinyl edition of the original album follows in May 2022.

Four days after Genesis launches a North American farewell (?) tour, Rhino in the U.S. and Virgin/UMC in the U.K. will release a companion collection.  The Last Domino?, the album, offers 27 tracks, including hits and deep cuts, on 2 CDs or 4 LPs.  The Last Domino? has been curated in conjunction with the band and the majority of its songs will be heard on North American tour stages this year.  It’s sequenced non-chronologically – rather like a concert setlist – blending tracks from Genesis’ prog period with later, more pop-leaning material.  The 4-LP set of The Last Domino? will be housed in a hardcover gatefold book-style package featuring includes rare and unseen images as well as fresh photos from the rehearsals of The Last Domino? tour.

4CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The 45th anniversary super deluxe edition of Kiss’ seminal Destroyer is packed with audio extras – many previously unreleased – and plenty of ephemera for KISS Kollectors. Alongside the remastered album, three bonus discs offer demos from Stanley and Simmons’ archives, a jam-packed offering of outtakes and single edits (including a new acoustic mix of “Beth” and the long-coveted “Ain’t None of Your Business,” the first song cut during the album sessions), and a live concert taken from the Olympia Theatre in Paris. A Blu-ray disc offers the a new mix of the album by the mighty Steven Wilson (plus the acoustic “Beth” and the original mix of album track “Sweet Pain” that featured a guitar solo by Frehley instead of session player Dick Wagner) in Dolby Atmos, True HD and DTS 5.1 surround sound. (A hi-res stereo mix is also included.)  The box is rounded out with a 68-page book and swag.  For the casual fan, a cut-down 2CD and 2LP version includes the remastered album and a 16-track sampler covering all the bonus discs.

11CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
17LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Parlophone continues its career-spanning series of box sets for the late David Bowie.  The fifth Era box set, Brilliant Adventure, includes:

• Five remastered studio albums (Black Tie White Noise (1993), The Buddha of Suburbia (1993), Outside (1995), Earthling (1997), ‘hours…’ (1999));
• A remastered and expanded BBC Radio Theatre show from 2000 (originally released in part on that year’s Bowie at The Beeb box set);
• The legendary 2001 unreleased album Toy, featuring many reworkings of Bowie’s earliest songs; and
• A triple-disc Re:Call 5 set featuring edits, B-sides, one-offs, and soundtrack appearances.

The CD version has an 84-page hardcover book while the LP version has a 128-page hardcover accompanying it.  The book boasts rare photos and memorabilia, tech notes from Brian Eno, Nile Rodgers, Reeves Gabrels, and Mark Plati, and a new interview with Erdal Kizilçay. The vinyl box will feature faithfully-reproduced artwork and be pressed on 180-gram vinyl.  The CDs will be gold instead of silver.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6 x 10″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Available on 3 CDs or 6 ten-inch LPs, David Bowie’sToy: Box features the same 12-track Toy album (originally slated for released in 2001 and consisting of the artist’s reworkings of early-career songs) premiering on Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001) plus bonus discs.  The first includes the proposed B-sides (including the re-recordings of “Liza Jane” and “In the Heat of the Morning”), previously unreleased alternate mixes by Tony Visconti, and a “Tibet version” of “Silly Boy Blue” featuring Phillip Glass and Moby.  The second bonus disc debuts the “Unplugged & Somewhat Slightly Electric” mix of the album plus “In the Heat of the Morning.”  A 16-page booklet features previously unseen photos by Frank Ockenfels III.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com
1LP (Remastered Album Only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com

Rhino’s deluxe edition of David Crosby’s 1971 freak-folk classic boasts a new remaster of the album from the original analog tapes overseen by original engineer Stephen Barncard using the Plangent Process, and a generous 14 bonus demos and session outtakes/alternates (a full 12 of which are previously unreleased).  These include “Kids and Dogs,” “Song with No Words (Tree with No Leaves) (Demo)” and “Riff 1” (now streaming and downloadable) as well as “Coast Road,” “Dancer,” and a version of “Cowboy Movie” with Neil Young taking the solo instead of Jerry Garcia.  Some of the demos date as far back as 1968 when Crosby briefly worked with Doors producer Paul A. Rothchild at Hollywood Recorders.  In addition, journalist and Crosby pal Steve Silberman has penned new liner notes for the package.  Available October 15 on CD and digital/streaming; a 180-gram vinyl edition is coming on October 29.

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
10LP: JoniMitchell.com Store

Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 2 follows the format of last year’s acclaimed first volume.  (See TSD’s interview with Archives co-producer Patrick Milligan here.)  Over 5 CDs or 10 LPs and nearly six hours of previously unreleased studio, live, and home recordings, it chronologically traces Mitchell’s musical journey in the period that yielded her first four albums: Song to a Seagull (1968), Clouds (1969), Ladies of the Canyon (1970), and Blue (1971).  Those albums have recently been collected in a companion box set, The Reprise Albums 1968-1971. Once again, Cameron Crowe’s conversation with Mitchell about this era will be included in the box’s booklet.

 

Live at Carnegie Hall 1969 3LP (Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Live at Carnegie Hall 1969 3LP (White Vinyl): JoniMitchell.com Store

Joni Mitchell’s landmark February 1, 1969 Carnegie Hall show (part of Mitchell’s Archives Vol. 2 box set) featuring “Chelsea Morning,” “Both Sides Now,” “The Fiddle and the Drum,” “Morning Morgantown,” and “The Circle Game” arrives from Rhino as a standalone 3LP set pressed on black vinyl; a white vinyl variant of this set (limited to 3,000 copies) will be available at JoniMitchell.com.

Carla Olson has brought together an array of female artists to celebrate the artistry of Gordon Lightfoot on this new 14-song CD release.  Ladies Sing Lightfoot features Olson (“Ringneck Loon”) and her band The Textones (“Early Morning Rain”) as well as Susan Cowsill (“if You Could Read My Mind”), Natalie Noone (“Steel Rail Blues”), Shayna Alder (“Carefree Highway”), and many others on a variety of Lightfoot favorites.

She & Him, a.k.a. Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, celebrate 10 years of their festive Christmas album with this new LP edition pressed on silver vinyl.  It adds a bonus 7-inch single of Madonna’s “Holiday” b/w Wham!’s “Last Christmas” plus a digital download of the Meredith Willson standard “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas.”  The single will also be released separately on evergreen-colored vinyl.

The Dave Clark Five’s 1964 American debut album Glad All Over returns to LP in a limited edition white vinyl pressing from BMG with a reimagined track listing that retains the hits “Glad All Over,” “Bits and Pieces,” “Stay,” and “Do You Love Me.”  This sequence replicates the 2019 digital edition which is available now for streaming and download.  All tracks have been remastered from the original tapes by Dave Clark at Abbey Road Studios.

Side One

1. Glad All Over
2. All of the Time
3. Crying Over You
4. Stay
5. Chaquita
6. Do You Love Me

Side Two

1. Bits and Pieces
2. I Know You
3. 3406
4. Time
5. Who Do You Think You’re Talking To

The Motown Anthology is the ultimate retrospective of Mary Wilson, multi-hyphenate talent: singer, activist, author, fashion icon, actress, mother, grandmother, friend, trailblazer, legend, Supreme.  This first-ever comprehensive overview of Wilson’s Motown discography presents 38 songs, including a whopping 33 tracks only available physically on this collection including stunning new mixes of Supremes favorites, four Supremes outtakes produced by Deke Richards, the complete 1979 Mary Wilson album, Mary’s session with producer Gus Dudgeon (Elton John, David Bowie), and much more.  The Motown Anthology has been produced by the team of Andrew Skurow, George Solomon, and TSD’s Joe Marchese (The Supremes’ The Ultimate Merry Christmas, Diana Ross and The Supremes Sing and Perform ‘Funny Girl’: The Ultimate Edition).  It’s been mixed and mastered by Kevin Reeves (Bobby Darin’s Go Ahead & Back Up: The Lost Motown Masters, Blinky’s Heart Full of Soul: The Motown Anthology).  Its 44-page booklet, beautifully designed by John Sellards, is stuffed with rare and previously unpublished color photos plus new liner notes from Marchese, Skurow, and best-selling author Mark Bego (Mary Wilson’s Supreme Glamour, Eat Like a Rock Star).  It’s housed in a six-panel digipak in the tradition of past Supremes expanded editions.  The booklet also features exclusive tributes to Mary from such luminaries as Dionne Warwick, Darlene Love, Otis Williams, Duke Fakir, Martha Reeves, Claudette Robinson, Brian and Edward Holland, Rita Coolidge, Merry Clayton, Brenda Russell, Blinky Williams, Jackie DeShannon, and RuPaul (just to name a few).  Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton has penned a special appreciation, as well, for this ultimate celebration of Supreme legend Mary Wilson.  Available on CD and digital/streaming.

Hasaan Ibn Ali was named “The Legendary Hasaan” when he made his Atlantic Records debut in 1965 with the Max Roach Trio.  Atlantic quickly signed him for a solo album which remained unreleased until Omnivore’s 2021 excavation.  Now, the label is once again celebrating the influential pianist – this time with a solo release drawn from privately-recorded tapes.  The Solo Recordings will be released on 2 CDs and digital/streaming in 2021 with a 4-LP edition to follow next year.  The 21-song set, drawn from the best of the tapes, features such standards as “They Say It’s Wonderful,” “Body and Soul,” “On Green Dolphin Street,” and “How Deep Is the Ocean.”  Michael Graves has remastered.  Alan Sukoenig and David Shrier (who made the original recordings) and pianist Matthew Shipp have all contributed liner notes.

Texas’ own honky tonk heroes and longtime friends Billy Joe Shaver and Kinky Friedman came together in 2002 for a joint concert tour of Australia.  Now, Omnivore has brought that freewheeling experience to CD and download/streaming with this new release featuring “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed,” “Before All Hell Breaks Loose,” “Honky Tonk Heroes,” and much more.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/LP/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Neil Young reunites with Crazy Horse for a new 10-song album available on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats as well as on a deluxe box containing the CD, LP, and Barn film on Blu-ray.  Barn has been produced by Young and Niko Bolas.

Michael Bublé’s 2011’s Christmas, his fifth album for Reprise, has become his most successful LP to date, with over 4 million copies sold in the U.S. and 12 million worldwide.  It’s also had four billion streams (calculated as equivalent to 60 million albums).  Warner Records and Reprise will celebrate 10 years of Christmas with a limited Super Deluxe box set.

The box contains:

• The original album on CD and exclusive green vinyl;
• DVD: The Making of Christmas, a previously released behind-the-scenes and in-the-studio compilation filmed during the recording of the album with Bublé’s commentary;
• A 48-Page hardcover book including a new letter from the artist to his fans;
• An individually numbered 12 x 12 lithograph (an edition with a signed lithograph is also available);
• An exclusive Christmas ornament plus 6 sheets of wrapping paper and 6 Christmas cards; and
• A bonus CD of seven songs including two newly-recorded tracks, a 2015 digital single, and more.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Red Vinyl LP: Walmart.com

Although he’s one of the voices most closely associated with Christmas, Nat “King” Cole only recorded one full-length Christmas LP in his lifetime.  Now, Capitol Records and UMe are out to change that with a “new” yuletide album from the legendary vocalist who died in 1965 at just 45 years of age.  A Sentimental Christmas with Nat “King” Cole and Friends: Cole Classics Reimagined arrives on CD, vinyl, and digital platforms.  In addition to reorchestrated solo performances, the album features virtual duets with Johnny Mathis, Gloria Estefan, John Legend, Kristin Chenoweth, and Calum Scott.

This double-disc anthology brings together tracks spanning The Chieftains’ first album through their most recent, including collaborations with Van Morrison, Diana Krall, The Rolling Stones, and Alison Krauss plus previously unreleased live recordings.

This 4-CD/1-7″ single collection spans the period of 1965-1975 and the groundbreaking Latin soul of such artists as Ray Barretto, Joe Bataan, Larry Harlow. Bobby Valentin, and Willie Colon.  The box set contains 89 single sides on four CDs housed in a 60-page hardcover book with liner notes by compilation co-producer Dean Rudland and numerous photos.  Also available as a 2-LP highlights edition.

Omnivore collects two dozen non-LP sides from Trini Lopez, Texas singer-songwriter of Mexican descent, on a new CD collection, The Rare Reprise Singles.  The set includes the studio version of his rousing take on the Bernstein/Sondheim West Side Story classic “America” (stylized by the artist as “A-Mer-I-Ca”), a Bob Gaudio-helmed single of Randy Newman’s wry “Love Story,” both sides of a Christmas 45 (“El Niño Del Tambor (The Little Drummer Boy)” b/w “Noche de Paz (Silent Night)”/”Let There Be Peace”), his funky reinvention of The Vogues’ “Five O’Clock World,” and Paul Anka and Bobby Gosh’s groovy “You Make My Day.”  Other highlights include the movie theme “Made in Paris,” one of the most rocking songs Burt Bacharach and Hal David ever wrote, and Frank DeVol and Mack David’s “The Bramble Bush” from the 1967 war film The Dirty Dozen.  Lopez was one of the titular twelve (No. 10, to be precise) and he also recorded his own tie-in song to the movie.  That track, “The Ballad of The Dirty Dozen,” is also here. Gene Sculatti pens new liner notes, and Michael Graves has remastered,

Real Gone reissues the only solo album from legendary (P-) funk guitarist Eddie Hazel, Game, Dames, and Guitar Thangs from 1977.  For this scorching LP, he was joined by members of his Parliament/Funkadelic family with George Clinton co-writing all four of the album’s original songs together with co-writing contributions from Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Gary Cooper, Garry Shider, and Hazel himself.  The LP was rounded out by covers of The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and The Mama & The Papas’ “California Dreamin'” (which was released as a single).  The Brides of Funkenstein also contributed vocals.  However, Games did not have a long shelf life and was soon taken out of print, becoming a collector’s item over the years.  Eddie Hazel would never release another solo project in his lifetime.  He continued to work as a guitarist on albums including George Clinton’s Computer Games in 1982 before passing away in 1992.  Game, Dame and Guitar Thangs has been reissued a few times in the past.  There was a Rhino Handmade CD edition in 2004, a Collector’s Choice CD in 2006, and a Real Gone CD in 2012.  A couple of LP reissues have been released too, but all are long out of print.  Real Gone is now bringing the album back in both formats with a CD featuring notes by Tom Vickers, former Minister of Information for P-Funk, and in electric-blue colored vinyl (unfortunately sold out already).

Decca will celebrate John Williams’ 90th by turning the clock back to 1980 when the famed composer-conductor took the baton from the legendary Arthur Fiedler to lead The Boston Pops Orchestra into a new era.  John Williams and The Boston Pops: The Complete Philips Recordings boasts 21 CDs and 22 albums originally released on Philips between 1980 and 1990, at which point the Pops switched affiliations to Sony Classical.  (The Sony Classical era was addressed in 2018 on the John Williams: Conductor box set.)  Williams remained the Principal Conductor through 1993, but continued to work with them as Laureate Conductor.  Keith Lockhart took over as Principal Conductor in 1995 and remains in that role today.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Target.com

Legacy Recordings delivers a soundtrack to Questlove’s acclaimed 2021 documentary Summer of Soul, chronicling the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.  Live recordings are featured from headliners including The 5th Dimension, Nina Simone, David Ruffin, Sly & The Family Stone, Gladys Knight & The Pips, B.B. King, The Chambers Brothers, and more.  Available now on CD and digital, with vinyl coming on June 17.  Both the digital edition and the 2LP vinyl version add one bonus cut, “Africa,” from Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach.

5CD/1LP/1-7″ single Deluxe Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5CD Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Last Music Company has served up the ultimate tribute to blues-rock hero Jimmie Vaughan with this impressive new box set celebrating his 70th birthday.  The Jimmie Vaughan Story has 5 CDs and over six hours of music chronicling his career up to the present day plus a 12-inch LP of Jimmie’s 2001 album Do You Get the Blues? plus a stunning 240-page book, a 45 RPM vinyl single of “Out of the Shadows,” and an autographed print of the box set cover.  Vaughan’s work in Storm and The Fabulous Thunderbirds is addressed here as well as his solo recordings and collaborations with such luminaries as Art Neville, B. B. King, Billy F. Gibbons, Bo Diddley, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Charlie Musselwhite, Delbert McClinton, Doyle Bramhall, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, and of course, his brother Stevie Ray.  The set is not being issued digitally, but is available in a 5-CD cutdown that contains the five compact discs and 240-page book but lacks the vinyl and other goodies.

2 Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2 DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

PULSE, originally released in 1995, chronicled Pink Floyd’s Division Bell Tour of Europe. The video release was taken from a performance at Earls Court in London on October 20, 1994. There, Pink Floyd (then comprised of founding members David Gilmour on vocals and guitar, Richard Wright on keyboards and Nick Mason on drums, alongside touring bassist Guy Pratt and a few other live musicians) performed a career-spanning selection of works alongside a full performance of 1973’s The Dark Side of the Moon. In 2019, the program was restored and re-edited from the original footage by Aubrey Powell/Hipgnosis for The Later Years box set.  This is the version now being released on standalone Blu-ray and DVD with a host of high-definition bonus material, including music video edits, projections from the original concerts, documentary footage, and more. As a special treat for collectors, the set features a new version of the infamous blinking LED eye that came with the original album package – this time powered by an easily replaceable pair of AAA batteries.

Elvis Costello and The Imposters are back with a new, rip-roaring rock album.  The band previewed many of the songs on The Boy Named If during its last concert tour; if those tunes (including lead single “Magnificent Hurt”) are any indication, this set returns Costello to his spiky roots.  Available on CD, LP, cassette, digital platforms, and an official store-exclusive, autographed CD set with accompanying 88-page illustrated storybook.

Michael Feinstein is back with a new studio album on which he welcomes a host of country’s biggest names to salute the songs of George and Ira Gershwin.  Gershwin Country offers a vibrant and contemporary yet authentic and faithful spin on the brothers’ beloved standards.  The singer-pianist is joined by Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Ronnie Milsap, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Rosanne Cash, Mandy Barnett, and the legendary Liza Minnelli (also the album’s executive producer), among others, on this beautiful set celebrating the endurance and relevance of the Great American Songbook.  Available on CD and digital/streaming.

 

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
“Sea Foam” Green LP: Rhino.com

Christine McVie releases her first-ever solo compendium.  Songbird (A Solo Collection), available in CD, 180-gram vinyl, and digitally, is a lean 10-track anthology remastered by producer Glyn Johns who worked in tandem with McVie on the release.  Songbird is mainly drawn from 2004’s In the Meantime with two selections from 1984’s Christine McVie: “The Challenge,” featuring background vocals by Lindsey Buckingham and lead guitar by Eric Clapton; and “Ask Anybody,” co-written by McVie and Steve Winwood, who sings backgrounds and plays piano.  (No material has been culled from her 1970 debut Christine Perfect.)  While Christine McVie‘s chart-topping hit “Got a Hold on Me” (No. 1 AC/No. 1 Rock/No. 10 Pop) is curiously absent along with its moderately successful follow-up “Love Will Show Us How” (No. 32 AC/No. 24 Rock/No. 30 Pop), the collection includes the top 40 AC hit “Friend” from In the Meantime.  It also premieres two previously unreleased songs.  “Slowdown,” originally written for director John Badham’s 1985 film American Flyers, is now available on digital/streaming services.  “All You Gotta Do” was recorded for In the Meantime with late bassist George Hawkins.  It was unfinished at the time, but Ricky Peterson (Hammond organ) and Ethan Johns (drums and guitar) have fleshed out the track. The set concludes with a new, previously unreleased Orchestral Version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird,” melding McVie’s original vocal for the Rumours track with a new orchestral arrangement by Vince Mendoza (Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell).

The temptin’ Temptations are back with an all-new studio album to mark their 60th anniversary.  Temptations 60 features new songs written and produced by Narada Michael Walden, hip-hop producer K. Sparks, longtime group member Ron Tyson, founding member Otis Williams, and the group’s old pal, Smokey Robinson.  Available on CD and digital/streaming.

Marvin Gaye’s 1971 Motown masterwork returns to vinyl in this 2-LP set marking its 50th anniversary (and delayed from 2021).  It features direct-to-analog mastering from the original tapes by Kevin Gray, and includes four tracks making their vinyl debut (including the “stripped” version of the title song) plus six mono single mixes and B-sides. It’s all pressed on 180-gram vinyl in a tip-on heavy stock gatefold jacket with printed sleeves featuring lyrics, track details, a brief essay honoring arranger David Van De Pitte, and a main essay by poet Hanif Abdurraqib.

Jazz fusion great Bob James and his Trio return with a new live set including renditions of his most famous tunes including Taxi theme “Angela” and “Westchester Lady” as well as a new rendition of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”  Available on a hybrid stereo and multichannel SACD (playable on all CD players) plus a standard MQA-encoded CD, a 2-LP vinyl set, and digital formats.

Craft Recordings recently acquired Natalie Cole’s Elektra catalogue, and now the label is marking the 30th (+1!) anniversary of a beloved Cole classic.  Unforgettable…with Love was Cole’s Elektra debut and her first full-length album to celebrate the music of her father, Nat “King” Cole.  It became the biggest success of Natalie’s career, topping multiple charts including the Billboard 200, earning multi-platinum status, and picking up a boatload of Grammy Awards including for the title track, a posthumous duet with Nat.  Craft’s CD reissue features remastered audio and adds two bonus tracks, the B-sides “A Cottage for Sale” and “At Last.”  The expanded edition is available on CD February 4 while the original album is released on vinyl February 18.  A Target-exclusive pressing on opaque pink vinyl is out now.

CD: Bandcamp / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP on black vinyl at Amazon U.S., “freak swirl” at Popmarket, or “metallic goldfish” at Newbury Comics

Texas-based psychedelic garage group The Moving Sidewalks, featuring future ZZ Top singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Dan Mitchell, only released one album: 1969’s Flash, on the Tantara Records label.  Back in 2012, Rockbeat Records included Flash as part of a complete Moving Sidewalks box set.  Now, the label is reissuing it on its own, plus the non-LP side “99th Floor.”  Available on CD and various vinyl versions.

2CD/3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP Red Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Keith Richards is revisiting his second solo studio album, Main Offender, for its 30th anniversary.   The 2CD/3LP Super Deluxe box set includes the original album on CD and LP, and adds the previously unreleased Winos Live in London ’92 album, recorded at the Kentish Town, London club Town and Country, on CD and 2 LPs.  It’s all housed in an 88-page leatherbound book also containing varied swag.  If you just want the music, BMG is offering is a 2CD mediabook with the same remastered album and 12-track Winos Live in London album as well as a 1CD version of the remastered album only.  The remastered LP will be available on black vinyl and a limited, red vinyl pressing. Remastering for all editions has been overseen by Steve Jordan.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music proudly present the premiere release of Melissa Manchester’s Live ’77, recorded by Arista Records in October 1977 at Gainesville, Florida’s Great Southern Music Hall but unreleased until now!  The 21 songs on Live ’77  include Manchester’s hits “Midnight Blue,” “Better Days,” and the song Bob Dylan admired, “Just You and I,” as well as the now-standard “Come in from the Rain,” fan favorites “We’ve Got Time,” “Happy Endings,” and “Caravan,” and spirited covers of such beloved tunes as “I Wanna Be Where You Are,” “Rescue Me,” and “Monkey See, Monkey Do.”  Live ’77 also debuts Melissa’s only recording anywhere of the blues classic “Hi-Heel Sneakers.”  With absolutely no overdubbing or studio wizardry, Live ’77 represents the artist at her most searingly raw, emotional, soulful, and rocking.  Our 2-CD release features mastering by Mike Milchner and a 24-page booklet with liner notes by TSD’s Joe Marchese, photos by David LeShay and Sherry Rayn Barnett, and design by John Sellards.

U.S. Customers:

Buy signed or unsigned copies directly from Micky Dolenz: CD / Vinyl
Deep Discount: CD / Vinyl
Both Formats: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada

U.K. Customers:

Keymail Records: CD / Vinyl
Both Formats: Amazon U.K.

Hot on the heels of last year’s acclaimed release Dolenz Sings Nesmith, Micky Dolenz pays further tribute to his late bandmate Michael Nesmith with this new, four-song EP available on both CD and vinyl.  Dolenz Sings Nesmith: The EP was recorded at the same sessions that yielded the original album and includes vibrant reimaginings of Nez favorite “Some of Shelly’s Blues” and First National Band tunes “The Crippled Lion” and “Grand Ennui” plus the world premiere recording of a previously unheard Nez composition from 1967, “Soul-Writer’s Birthday.”  Mike’s son Christian Nesmith has arranged and produced the EP (in addition to singing and playing multiple instruments on it) which is sure to be a worthy companion to the original Dolenz Sings Nesmith LP.  The CD version is limited to 1,000 units and the 10-inch vinyl version, pressed on blue vinyl, is also limited.  7a’s Glenn Gretlund provides a brief sleeve note and tribute to Nesmith.  Also available on digital/streaming.

Judy Collins releases her 29th studio album, and it’s a very personal one: every song on Spellbound is a self-written original composition.  Her collaborators on the song cycle include c0-co-producer Alan Silverman, singer-songwriter Ari Hest, multi-instrumentalist Thad DeBrock, bassist Zev Katz, and drummer Doug Yowell.  It’s packaged in a digipak featuring a 16-page booklet with the artist’s own liner notes and lyrics.  Available on CD and digital/streaming.

Black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Black & blue splatter vinyl: Popmarket

The Flamin’ Groovies’ fifth full-length album, Now, gets a vinyl reissue from Liberation Hall.  First released in 1978, the LP features 14 tracks, including four originals and ten covers.

CD: Bandcamp / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Los Angeles scenester Kim Fowley’s raucous, irreverent live album In Deutschland was recorded on October 26, 1992, with Fowley accompanied by Flamin’ Groovies singer-guitarist Chris Wilson. The show didn’t exactly go as planned; the band hadn’t been properly rehearsed, and mid-show, the concert organizer asked the audience if they wanted it to continue. Their response was a rather convincing “No!” but Fowley and his band played on. Tracks 1-9 are all that exist of the concert; tracks 10-16 were recorded at a rehearsal. This album was previously released in 1993 on Fowley’s own Marilyn Records with the title White Negroes in Deutschland. A new vinyl release via Liberation Hall will follow later in 2022.  Also available digitally.

Prolific legend Willie Nelson is back with his newest studio album – and 17th for Legacy Recordings – with A Beautiful Time.  Arriving on Willie’s 89th birthday, it features new compositions from Willie and longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon as well as Willie-fied covers of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends” and Leonard Cohen’s “Tower of Song.”  Cannon has produced with musicians including Jim “Moose” Brown (B-3 organ, Wurlitzer), Fred Elringham (drums), Barry Bales (upright bass), Bob Terry (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, steel guitar), James Mitchell (electric guitar), and of course, Mickey Raphael (harmonica). Melonie Cannon sings backup on five of the album’s tracks.  Available on CD, LP, Barnes and Noble-exclusive orange LP, and digital formats including Atmos and 360RA spatial audio.

Reba McEntire returns with a 12-track collection subtitled Hymns and Gospel Favorites.  My Chains Are Gone blends songs from Reba’s 2017 Grammy-winning album Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope with four brand-new selections including “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Because He Lives.” The CD also includes an acoustic version of “Back to God” (featuring Lauren Daigle) premiering on a physical format.  Available on CD and digitally.

Real Gone Music celebrates the Doris Day centennial with Early Day: Rare Songs from the Radio 1939-1950, collecting on CD two dozen painstakingly-restored rarities from the first decade of Doris Day’s extraordinary career.  The collection opens with a moving 1944 rendition of her first signature song, “Sentimental Journey,” with The Les Brown Orchestra before journeying back to 1939 and two songs with Barney Rapp’s big band performed by 17-year-old Doris on their very first nationwide broadcast.  The set continues with more mid-1940s appearances with Les Brown and His Orchestra including performances a treasure trove from The Bob Hope Show circa 1948-1950.  Hope himself duets with Doris on “Sunshine Cake” while singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely shares the microphone on “Slippin’ Around.”  This collection was curated with Doris’ full knowledge and consent, and the 16-page booklet designed by John Sellards is chockablock with rare photos from the period.  TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the liner notes tracing Day’s career on the radio during this prolific time. Mike Milchner at SonicVision has remastered all tracks on this essential anthology.

Real Gone Music brings the final studio album of Doris Day’s lifetime, My Heart, to vinyl for the first time.  My Heart was perhaps the most unexpected hit record of the year, hitting the charts in the U.S. and making it all the way to No. 9 on the U.K. Albums Chart.  My Heart was dedicated to the memory of Day’s son, producer-singer-songwriter Terry Melcher (who predeceased his mother when he passed away in 2014 at the age of 62).  “These songs all mean so much to me…They bring back happy memories of my friends who appeared on TV with me, my animal friends, and most of all, my [late] son Terry,” Doris said at the time of the original release.  At the heart of the album are songs recorded by Doris and produced by Terry (The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Paul Revere and The Raiders) for her 1980s television series Doris Day’s Best Friends.  Tracks include “Disney Girls,” “Heaven Tonight,” “Happy Endings,” and “Daydream.” My Heart has been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision and pressed on green vinyl.  The package also features an insert with liner notes.

KISS releases a new volume in the band’s Off the Soundboard series of “official bootlegs.”  This show from July 25, 2004 in Virginia Beach, part of the Rock the Nation tour, features Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer on such favorites as “Love Gun,” “Lick It Up,” and “I Love It Loud.”  Available on 2 CDs and digitally.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Legacy issues the soundtrack to the fourth season of Amazon Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and it’s another collection of favorites and rarities from the show’s period setting as well as a handful of original songs sung on the show.  This time out, the set features Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Blossom Dearie, Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, and Broadway showstoppers from Wonderful Town, Oh, Captain!, and The Pajama Game.  It’s streaming now, hits CD on April 29, and vinyl on November 4.

2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino reissues the bassist-composer’s 1957 album for Jubilee Records, Mingus Three, on CD and LP with eight previously unreleased performances.  A rare trio record for Mingus, it welcomed pianist Hampton Hawes and drummer Dannie Richmond and featured renditions of four familiar American Songbook standards (“Yesterdays,” “I Can’t Get Started,” “Summertime,” and “Laura”) as well as two originals (“Back Home Blues” and “Dizzy Moods”) and one jam credited to Hawes (“Hamp’s New Blues”).  The album has been expanded with a second disc of eight tracks, all recently discovered in the London Parlophone Records vaults.  These encompass alternate takes of every song on Mingus Three save “Laura,” plus two untitled, improvised blues originals.  The packages will replicate the original Jubilee sleeve and labels while the booklet adds new liner notes from pianist-arranger Sy Johnson (a Mingus collaborator in the 1970s) as well as period photos.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Greedy Hand Store

A new box set brings together three of Neil Young’s ’80s albums, along with a rare EP making its widest release yet.  Official Release Series Volume 4 runs the gamut of Young’s eclectic output in the ’80s – likely because it only covers his releases on his longtime home base of Reprise Records. (From 1982 to 1987, Young signed instead to Geffen Records.) The ’80s were a time of transition and experimentation for Young – much of it done on Geffen, though sparks of that restless spirit are present on this set.  This volume jumps from 1980’s Hawks and Doves and 1981’s Re·ac·tor (the latter with Crazy Horse) to 1988’s This Note’s for You with The Bluenotes and the 1989 EP Eldorado with The Restless.  The box will be available on CD at general retail and on vinyl through indie retailers as well as Young’s own webstore. Eldorado will also receive a standalone digital release on the same day.

Notorious B.I.G.’s 1997 album Life After Death was released on Bad Boy and Arista Records just sixteen days after his death.  The expansive double album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and yielded two consecutive chart-topping singles, “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems.”  Now, it’s being reissued as a vinyl box set that’s quadruple the size of the original double-LP, with eight vinyl albums including the remastered Life After Death (now presented on three LPs), and reissues of the original 12-inch singles of “Hypnotize,” “Mo Money Mo Problems,” “Sky’s the Limit,” and “Nasty Boy.”  These are accompanied by a booklet featuring new liner notes by Sheldon Pearce, exclusive quotes from key personnel involved with the album, and rare photos from the original album cover shoot.  Everything is housed within a lavish box with a lift-up lid.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP Neon Vinyl: Rolling Stones Online Shop

The Rolling Stones are bringing their March, 1977 secret shows at Toronto’s tiny El Mocambo club to 2-CD, 4-LP black vinyl, 4-LP neon vinyl, and digital formats. Live at the El Mocambo features the Stones’ full set from March 5 (the second and final show), plus three bonus tracks from March 4, all newly mixed by Bob Clearmountain. Four of the live performances appeared on the September 1977 release of Love You Live, but this release marks the premiere of a complete El Mocambo set.

OBS 3: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Los Angeles: February 1, 1971)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

OBS 4: Royce Hall (Los Angeles: January 30, 1971)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

OBS 5: Citizen Kane Jr. Blues (Live at The Bottom Line) (NYC: May 16, 1974)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Neil Young is bringing three new volumes of his Official Bootleg Series to CD/digital (May 6) and vinyl (June 3).  The two 1971 releases are both of solo acoustic concerts following the September 1970 release of Young’s third album, After the Gold Rush.  Royce Hall 1971 was recorded at UCLA on January 30 and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion 1971 at the large concert hall at L.A.’s Music Center on February 1; the latter show was the final U.S. performance of Young’s solo tour that year.  Both titles have been derived from the original analog master tapes and both feature a near-identical setlist of Young solo future classics and Buffalo Springfield staples.  Citizen Kane Jr. Blues (Live at The Bottom Line), recorded during a surprise set at the late, lamented New York City club on May 16, 1974, has been mastered and restored from existing bootlegs as no professional master recording exists.  The show took place just a couple of months before the release in July of On the Beach and previews a number of songs from that LP plus highlights from the discographies of CSNY, Crazy Horse, and The Stills-Young Band.  The title track was introduced as “Citizen Kane Jr. Blues” at the show but was retitled “Pushed It Over the End” when CSNY performed it on their stadium tour that summer.

This new 2-CD collection from singer-songwriter Carla Olson and longtime Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor is brimming with 25 tracks (five of which are previously unreleased) of rootsy Americana, blues, and rock-and-roll.  The set expands Carla and Mick’s 1990 Live (at the Roxy) album with additional tracks from the duo drawn from Olson’s various studio albums.  Guests include Ian McLagan, Barry Goldberg, and harmonica virtuoso John Luke Logan.  Among the unreleased material is an extended jam on the Stones’ “Winter” (over twice as long as the band’s version on Goats Head Soup) while the rarities include the Japan-only bonus track “You Gotta Move.”

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Original Recordings – categorically unauthorized, per John Lydon, a.k.a. Johnny Rotten – is a simple 20-track summary of the short-lived punk icons’ discography, culled mostly from their sole album Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977) and odds-and-ends soundtrack The Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Swindle (1979), plus a few non-LP B-sides. The ostensible hook for the disc: the impending airing of Pistol, a fictionalized miniseries about the group (based on guitarist Steve Jones’ memoir) to premiere on Hulu in America and Disney+ around the world on May 31.

2CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD/3LP/BD: Official Prince Store

NPG and Legacy Recordings premiere a physical audio release of Prince and The Revolution Live, a 1985 concert feature recorded at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY on March 30, 1985, toward the end of the Purple Rain tour and less than a month before the release of follow-up Around The World In a Day.  He’s backed by an expanded version of The Revolution; original members Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman (guitar and keyboards), Dr. Matt Fink (keyboards), Brownmark (bass) and Bobby Z (drums) are joined by guitarist Miko Weaver, saxophonist Eddie Mininfield, percussionists Sheila E. and her brother Juan Escovedo and the members of Apollonia 6 for a hits-packed concert that almost completely draws from Purple Rain and its predecessor 1999 from two years before.

The original concert video was included in the deluxe edition of Purple Rain released by Warner in 2017; during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the concert streamed in full on YouTube to raise money for the World Health Organization and the audio – remastered by Bernie Grundman – was made available digitally. Legacy’s reissue, available on two CDs or three colored LPs (purple, red and gold), ups the ante in every way, offering a new mix of the concert done from the original 2″ reels by Chris James, the concert’s original engineer, and a new master of that mix by Grundman. Included with the CD set is a Blu-ray Disc featuring the concert video in stereo, 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos options and enhanced picture quality.  A deluxe edition in a foil box combines CDs, LPs and Blu-ray alongside a 44-page booklet offering never-before-seen photos from the Purple Rain tour and new liner notes drawing from conversations with Wendy, Lisa, Fink, Mark and Bobby, as well as a 24″ x 36″ poster.

Legendary maestro John Williams has teamed once again with renowned violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter for this premiere of his latest concert work.  The four-movement piece was recorded by the Boston Symphony Orchestra; it’s supplemented on the CD release by new recordings of violin-led arrangements of three classic Williams themes: a piece from Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye, and the romantic themes for “Han Solo and The Princess” (as debuted in The Empire Strikes Back) and “Marion’s Theme” (from Raiders of the Lost Ark). Also planned is a stand-alone Blu-ray featuring the album in Pure Audio, surround sound and Dolby Atmos, films of the concerto’s world premiere at Tanglewood, a 25-minute interview with the composer/conductor and violinist and more. (A web-exclusive 10″ of the film themes from the CD will also be available.)

2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD/SD-BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Licked Live in NYC presents The Rolling Stones’ January 2003 Madison Square Garden show from the 40th anniversary Licked tour, in multiple formats including 2CD/DVD; 2CD/SD-BD (Standard Definition Blu-ray); 2CD; and 3LP (180-gram white vinyl).  First released in 2003 as an HBO special and as part of the Best Buy-exclusive Four Flicks DVD package, audio and video for the concert has been newly restored and remastered, picking up four previously unreleased songs (each one a Stone-cold classic): “Start Me Up”, “Tumbling Dice”, “Gimme Shelter,” and “Sympathy for the Devil.”  Sheryl Crow joins in on “Honky Tonk Women,” and the band features such greats as Blondie Chaplin, Bobby Keys, and vocalist Lisa Fischer.  The concert’s song sequence is identical in all formats.  This release marks the audio debut of this show. The DVD and Blu-ray formats add three bonus performances from Amsterdam (“Star Star,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” and “Street Fighting Man”) plus rehearsal footage.  The Blu-ray also includes the additional 51-minute documentary Tip of the Tongue.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount (U.S.)
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount (U.S.)

7a reissues Michael Nesmith and The Second National Band’s 1972 album Tantamount to Treason Volume One on both CD and LP in an expanded edition featuring five bonus tracks on CD and four on LP.  7a’s remastered Tantamount to Treason Volume One is adorned with a new painting by the original album’s cover artist Wilson McLean, depicting an older Nesmith surrounded by colorful new imagery. The CD comes with a 32-page booklet, including liner notes, previously unpublished photos, and lyrics.  The vinyl version is pressed on 180-gram aqua splatter vinyl.

UMe and Frank Sinatra Enterprises have remixed and remastered Frank Sinatra’s stark, spellbinding 1970 concept album Watertown, penned by Bob Gaudio and Jake Holmes, for this new expanded edition featuring eight bonus tracks: the outtake “Lady Day” and subsequent single re-recording from November 1969 arranged by Don Costa; session alternates of four songs; and two period Reprise radio promo spots.  The booklet includes new liner notes, a track-by-track breakdown from Bob Gaudio, quotes from Sinatra, and essays by Jake Holmes, Frankie Valli, and others who were involved in the original album.  The vinyl LP features the original 10-track album sequence in a package with all original lyrics, a printed sleeve with new liner notes, a track-by-track breakdown from Bob Gaudio, and a 12″ X 24″ poster.

2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
SACD: CraftRecordings.com

Craft Recordings delivers a remastered reissue of one of jazz piano legend Bill Evans’ finest studio albums, the posthumous 1981 release You Must Believe in Spring, in 180-gram vinyl, CD, hybrid stereo SACD (playable on all CD players), and digital formats.  Produced by Tommy LiPuma and Evans’ longtime manager Helen Keane and engineered by Al Schmitt, You Must Believe in Spring has long been acclaimed as perhaps Evans’ best-sounding album.  It was also his final studio recording with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund.  The album features original material as well as new interpretations of classic melodies by Michel Legrand and  Johnny Mandel, among others.   The 180-gram 2-LP vinyl release of You Must Believe in Spring boasts all-analog mastering, cut at 45 RPM from the original tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.  The CD, hybrid SACD, and high-resolution digital editions feature three bonus tracks, all of which were originally issued on Rhino’s 2003 expanded edition.  Audio for the CD, high resolution digital, and SACD versions has been transferred from the original master tapes using the Plangent Processes and newly remastered by Paul Blakemore. The SACD release is exclusive to the Craft Recordings store while other formats will be available at general retail.

5CD/3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

George Michael’s third solo album – and the one he believed to be his finest – returns from Legacy Recordings in a new 5CD/3LP edition and a 2LP set.  This expansion of 1996’s Older features both the remastered album and the EP Upper (included with reissues of the album in 1997) on 180-gram vinyl and CD, along with an additional three CDs featuring 27 B-sides, live tracks, edits and remixes. (A handful were only released as promo issues, while album producer Jon Douglas’ remix of “Spinning the Wheel” makes its debut in any format here.) The set is rounded out by a 48-page book, The Story of Older, featuring rare photos and reminiscences from the album’s contributors, plus a set of art prints. (Altogether, this box resembles the deluxe edition of solo debut Faith more than the smaller, CD-only box set of Listen Without Prejudice.)  The 2LP version has the original album only, also remastered from the original tapes.

All formats: Nonesuch Store
8CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco’s fourth album, will get the box set treatment in several different formats including 11LP/1CD, 8CD, 7LP, 2CD, and 2LP (in black and gold editions). The original album will come with up to three CDs worth of alternate takes and mixes, a collection of demos and rough sketches, and two live performances: a live-in-studio, five-song appearance and interview on Chicago’s WXRT-FM in 2001 – the day the album was first made free to the public – and a celebrated 2002 concert at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri.​

All Formats: Nancy’s Bootique
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Gold Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
“Coke Bottle” Clear Vinyl (limited to 500 units): Rough Trade U.K.
“Lady Bird Opaque” Yellow Vinyl: Collectors’ Choice Music
“Gold Hi-Melt with Red” Vinyl (limited to 500 units): Vinyl Me, Please
Cassette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

An expanded edition of Nancy Sinatra’s first duet album with Lee Hazlewood, 1968’s Nancy and Lee, arrives as part of Light in the Attic’s ongoing Nancy Sinatra Archival Series in various formats.  Featuring “Summer Wine,” “Some Velvet Morning,” “Jackson,” and “Lady Bird,” LITA’s Nancy and Lee adds two bonus cuts. The CD’s 28-page booklet (20 pages in the LP) features an interview between Nancy and Hunter Lea, a timeline by Andrew Trager, and photos from her archive.  Audio has been remastered by John Baldwin from the original analog tapes.  The releases are due today May 20 directly from the label, with Amazon pre-orders anticipated to ship for a June 3 release date.

Live in Cleveland ’77 revisits the early days of Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, preserving the band’s second performance in less than a year at Cleveland’s famed Agora on East 24th Street.  In addition to performing favorites from their first two albums (“This Time It’s for Real,” “I Don’t Want to Go Home,” “Without Love,” “Got to Get You Off of My Mind,” “Broke Down Piece of Man,” and of course, the Bruce Springsteen-penned showstopper “The Fever” and joyous cover of Sam Cooke’s “Havin’ a Party”), Southside and the Jukes welcomed a special guest.  Ronnie Spector took the stage to reprise her triumphant performance of Billy Joel’s Wall of Sound pastiche “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” which she had recorded with Van Zandt and Jukes pals The E Street Band for a 1977 Epic single.  The 14-song set premieres on this release.

The Rolling Stones 7″ Singles 1963-1966 collects on vinyl eighteen 7-inch singles and EPs from the band’s remarkable first years as originally issued on the Decca and London labels.  This release reconfigures the 2004 CD box sets presenting the identical content in miniature replica sleeves, containing the entirety of The Singles 1963-1965 and the first four discs of The Singles 1965-1967.  Like the earlier CDs, the new vinyl edition features Bob Ludwig’s remastering and fully restored original artwork for each single and EP. The release comes with a 32-page booklet featuring Nigel Williamson’s liner notes plus photos, as well as a set of five photo cards and a poster.  It’s all housed within a sturdy, hard-shell box.  The second collection in the series, 7″ Singles 1966-1971, will pick up next year where this box leaves off with another international No. 1, “Paint It, Black.”

Lakeshore Records premieres on CD the soundtrack to director Brent Wilson’s acclaimed 2021 documentary about Brian Wilson (no relation).  Long Promised Road features 12 previously unreleased tracks including the Carl Wilson-penned title track, the Brian Wilson/Jim James co-write “Right Where I Belong,” a rollicking revival of the Bob Merrill classic “Honeycomb,” and a number of rare tunes recorded in the 1990s by Brian with Andy Paley.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Stage Door Records

The Grand Imperial Cirque de Paris is coming back to town!  Stage Door Records has the latest in its series of Deluxe Edition cast recordings with a 2-CD expanded edition of the original 1961 Broadway Cast Recording of Michael Stewart and Bob Merrill’s Carnival!  The musical archaeologists at Stage Door have added choice renditions of Merrill’s tunes from such diverse artists as Joni (James) and her husband Tony (Acquaviva), Mel Tormé, Pat Boone, and The Everly Brothers as well as two complete studio recordings.  Composer-bandleader Cyril Ornadel’s recording was issued on MGM as a complement to the label’s cast recording and The Paul Smith Ensemble’s Carnival in Percussion arrived on sister label Verve.  (Electric organist Smith’s album features “Magic, Magic,” a duet between Rosalie and Marco that wasn’t included on the original cast album.)  Stage Door has even appended one track from German-born American zither player Ruth Welcome’s full-length Carnival! LP, recorded with notable arranger Klaus (or Claus) Ogerman.  Another rare treat is Anna Maria Alberghetti’s live “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” from a Stars for Defense radio broadcast.  All three albums on Stage Door’s set are presented in stereo

Eugene Ormandy’s The Complete RCA Album Collection features the Hungarian-born American conductor’s early recordings as leader of The Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.  He came to the attention of the Minnesota group after subbing for Arturo Toscanini, and was enlisted to step in for Henri Verbrugghen.  The stint led to his leading the Symphony between 1931 and 1936, bringing him (and the Minneapolis Symphony) to national attention.  The Complete RCA Album Collection includes every one of his RCA sides on 11 CDs, many of which weren’t ever issued on LP, let alone on CD.  It’s all packaged in a compact clamshell case, with each disc housed in a paper sleeve.  Minnesota author Richard Evidon has provided a new essay within the accompanying booklet, and all of the music has been remastered to Sony Classical’s usual high standard.

For their seventh studio album, She and Him – a.k.a. Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward – pay tribute to The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson.  Melt Away features fourteen intimate reinterpretations from the Wilson songbook, with the title track pulled from his solo debut and the rest from the Beach Boys’ discography.  Brian himself joins the duo on “Do It Again.”  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.

On May 14 and 15, 1957, piano great Thelonious Monk joined drummer Art Blakey and his loose musical collective known as the Jazz Messengers to record an album for Atlantic Records.  The resulting LP, Monk’s lone appearance on the label, remains a high point in both artists’ discographies.  Blakey and Monk were joined by Johnny Griffin on tenor saxophone, Bill Hardman on trumpet, and bassist Spanky DeBrest for the session which featured such Monk compositions as “In Walked Bud,” “Blue Monk,” and “Rhythm-a-Ning.”  (Monk penned all of the album save one song co-written with Coleman Hawkins, and one track written by Griffin.)  Rhino’s expanded edition, available on 2 LPs or 2 CDs, features the original album supplemented by six session outtakes.  Ashley Kahn has authored the new liner notes.

Rhino expands Holy Diver, the first album from the band Dio, in time for what would have been late frontman Ronnie James Dio’s 80th birthday.  The upcoming Super Deluxe Edition is built around two versions of Holy Diver.  CD 1 presents a brand-new 2022 mix of the album made utilizing the original multitracks by Joe Barresi, while CD 2 features a remastered version of the original 1983 mix.  Two discs of bonus material round out the package.  CD 3, Live at Selland Arena, Fresno, CA, 1983, offers previously unreleased live versions of much of Holy Diver; CD 4 offers 10 additional tracks including Joe Barresi’s remixes of session alternates as well as the 1983 B-side “Evil Eyes” and the original mono and stereo single edits of “Rainbow in the Dark.”

Also on July 8, Rhino will release the new mix of Holy Diver as a 180-gram 2-LP vinyl set; this version features one bonus track, the 1983 recording of “Evil Eyes.”  Side Four has an etching of the demon known to Dio fans as Murray.

2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music
3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music

Liza Minnelli’s remarkable album of her record-breaking 1979 Carnegie Hall stand receives its first-ever release to wide retail in two distinctive editions from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music, both of which are adorned with Andy Warhol’s suitable-for-framing portrait of the artist.  Live in New York 1979: The Ultimate Edition will be available on 3 CDs, all of which overflow with showbiz sizzle: Disc One with Mike Milchner’s remastered version of the original vinyl release (never before available on CD), and Discs Two and Three with the never-before-released complete show.  Liza kept pristine multitrack tapes of all three nights recorded at Carnegie Hall (September 4, 5, and 6, 1979). The multitrack tapes have been painstakingly restored and beautifully mixed by acclaimed engineer Ted Carfrae (Doris Day, Cilla Black) for this premiere presentation, in order of performance, of Liza’s Carnegie Hall show from curtain up to curtain down including six songs not on the original release.   The Ultimate Edition is housed within an eight-panel digipak boasting a lavish 36-page booklet designed by John Sellards with:

• Introductions by Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein;
• Essays by Joe Marchese, Charles L. Granata, and Ted Carfrae;
• Never-before-published, full-color photos from Liza’s Carnegie Hall stand;
• Special memories from Obba Babatundé, Liza’s longtime trumpeter Ross Konikoff, and photographer/historian Don Berry; and
• Exclusive tributes from Liza’s friends and collaborators including Joel Grey, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Ben Vereen, Alan Cumming, Donny Osmond, Billy Stritch, Nancy Sinatra, Melissa Manchester, and more.

A 2-LP vinyl edition, pressed on red vinyl, presents the remastered original album plus an insert with Marchese and Granata’s liner notes and photos.

Finn, the first album credited to the Finn Brothers, will debut on vinyl this summer as part of a double LP that also includes Neil and Tim Finn’s extraordinary demos from 1989 – which birthed another classic album from the duo. The Needle Mythology label, founded by writer and Finn authority Pete Paphides, will put both Finn and those 1989 demos (including the previously-unreleased “Four-Stepping in 3/4 Time”) together in one luxe 2LP package. The sleeve will also include lyrics, new notes by Ed O’Brien of Radiohead, unseen images from the album sessions and even the “listening notes” that the Finns’ parents sent them upon hearing the album. Miles Showell at Abbey Road cut the new album transfers, pressed onto 180-gram discs from The Vinyl Factory. (A CD version is allegedly forthcoming.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Young and Crazy Horse recorded the album Toast “around the turn of the millennium” at San Francisco’s Toast Studios but the prolific and notoriously mercurial artist soon thought better of releasing it.  “Quit” and “Goin’ Home” appeared on 2002’s Are You Passionate?, the former in a re-recording with a different band (including Booker T. Jones, Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Crazy Horse’s Frank “Poncho” Sampedro).  Still other tracks including “Standing in the Light of Love” were familiar from Young having played them live in 2001.  Young teased a release in 2008, telling Rolling Stone at the time that it was a “mind-blowing record…great rock and roll, very moody, kind of jazzy.”  On July 8, listeners will finally have a chance to hear (on CD, vinyl, and digital formats) what Young and Crazy Horse cooked up two decades ago.  Their last collaborative album to date, Barn, was released in 2021.

8CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Original Album Only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 

Rhino celebrates 45 years of the original concerts that formed Little Feat’s seminal live album Waiting for Columbus with this new 8-CD presentation.  The Super Deluxe Edition kicks off with a remastered version of the original album (culled from concerts in Washington, DC and London) on two CDs, following that presentation with three never-before-released live performances (each concert is on 2 CDs).  These previously unreleased shows were recorded in Manchester at Manchester City Hall (7/29/77), London at The Rainbow (8/2/77), and Washington D.C. at Lisner Auditorium (8/10/77).   The 8-CD set will be available at general retail along with a 2-LP vinyl remaster of the original album.  Rhino.com is additionally offering a number of bundles including the 8-CD set with a replica of the Japanese 7″ single of “Oh Atlanta” b/w “Willin'”; a 2-LP/7″ single combo; and a “complete” bundle with the 8-CD set, 2-LP vinyl, and 7″ single.

Watermelon Skin Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music
America Swirl Vinyl: Real Gone Music
Color Variant: Barnes & Noble

Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records are returning Melvin Van Peebles’ score to his groundbreaking 1970 comedy Watermelon Man back into print for the first time in more than five decades.  Watermelon Man shattered conventions with its bitingly satirical story about a white couple, intolerant and obnoxious insurance salesman Jeff Gerber (Godfrey Cambridge) and his seemingly liberal wife Althea (Estelle Parsons).  One morning, Jeff awakens to discover that his skin color has changed from white to black-and it’s not a result of his daily tanning routine.  Unable to successfully change back, he learns what it’s like to live in America as a black man, and his eyes are opened. Van Peebles’ soundtrack to Watermelon Man blended jazz, funk, rock, rhythm and blues, proto-rap, and even bluegrass, and the multi-hyphenate talent took the mic himself for the songs “Love, That’s America” and “Soul’d on You.”  The film’s co-star Estelle Parsons made a special appearance on “Where Are the Children.”  All that and Ry Cooder, too: the slide guitar virtuoso, while uncredited, is said to have played the indelible slide parts throughout the album.  The vinyl reissue is available in multiple colors, and all pressings include an insert with on-set photos and liner notes by Joe Marchese.

Chicago releases its latest studio album, Born for This Moment (or Chicago 38, for those who are counting).  Produced by longtime Brian Wilson associate Joe Thomas, it’s coming on CD and digital formats with a vinyl release due on October 21, and features the lead singles “If This Is Goodbye” and “Firecracker” plus three collaborations with Chicago rock legend Jim Peterik (The Ides of March, Survivor).

10LP/10″/7″ Super Deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
8CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The long-awaited Blondie box set – a catalogue number was assigned back in 2016! – is finally on the way.  Against the Odds 1974-1982 is coming in a variety of formats including a very limited 10LP/10″/7″ Super Deluxe vinyl box, a 4LP cutdown, an 8CD box, and a 3CD set with just the collection’s bonus tracks.  The biggest formats have Blondie’s six core albums from the period plus over 50 bonus tracks (three dozen of which are previously unreleased).  Everything has been remastered from the original analog tapes, and the vinyl editions have been lacquered at Abbey Road.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Light in the Attic Store
Red Opaque Wax LP: Light in the Attic Store
Clear Wax “Cocktail Party” LP: Light in the Attic Store
Black Vinyl LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Light in the Attic Store

Light in the Attic has unearthed a cache of tapes from tastemaker/scenester Earl McGrath to curate Earl’s Closet, a volume with rare and hard-to-find tracks from a wide variety of artists including Daryl Hall and John Oates, Delbert McClinton and Glen Clark, David Johansen, and Terry Allen.  The collection is available in a variety of formats, all of which include liner notes by Joe Hagan and mastering by John Baldwin.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino
CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino

Whitesnake has retooled its familiar 1994 Greatest Hits collection in “Revisited, Remixed, and Remastered” form.  Its release will be staggered, with the currently-available digital version to be followed on June 17 with CD and black vinyl 180-gram double-LP editions and on July 15 with a CD/Blu-ray combo.  The original 14-song collection has been expanded to 16 tracks, though some selections have been dropped and other cuts added.  All 16 songs on the 2022 Greatest Hits have been newly mixed, with many now featuring additional instrumentation. 

Iconoclassic Records is now premiering Rock Hard, Survivor lead singer Jimi Jamison’s previously unreleased 1990 album, in a deluxe, expanded CD edition.  Intended to be Jamison’s solo debut, Rock Hard features 10 songs including three previously unreleased compositions, three previously unreleased recordings, and a pair of previously unreleased mixes/arrangements.  Jimi’s non-LP solo single (issued in Germany, Japan, and promotionally in the U.S.) of his Survivor bandmates Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan’s “Ever Since the World Began” – written for the Sylvester Stallone film Lock Up and first recorded by Survivor – has been added as a bonus track.  It’s been mastered by engineer-musician Patrick W. Engel from the original tapes.  The 20-page booklet designed by John Sellards features a 6,000-word essay on the history of the album including commentary from a dozen key players in the Rock Hard story.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The 3-CD box set (also available digitally) focuses on Miles Davis’ final years at the Columbia label with which he had been associated since 1955 and on the three albums that closed out his 30-year run: Star People (1983), Decoy (1984), and You’re Under Arrest (1985).  The collection features studio outtakes as well as a complete live performance, What It Is: Montreal 7/7/83. That’s What Happened 1982-1985: The Bootleg Series Vol. 7 was produced by team of Steve Berkowitz, Michael Cuscuna, and Richard Seidel and mastered by Mark Wilder at Battery Studios. The collection is housed in a slipcase with individual album mini-sleeves and a booklet featuring liner notes by Marcus J. Moore and the late Greg Tate as well as new interviews with key personnel. Along with the 3-CD edition, a 2-LP white vinyl release will collect highlights of the studio outtakes.  (The concert was issued on vinyl for Record Store Day.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount
Signed Copies: Coming to Micky Dolenz Official Store

7a Records delivers an expanded edition of Micky Dolenz’s 1998 private press album Demoiselle.  With a new sequence and new artwork, Demoiselle (produced by Dolenz and Jerry Corbetta and boasting almost all original songs) adds three previously unreleased bonus tracks to both the CD and LP formats. The CD presentation includes a 32-page color booklet with new liner notes and rare photos, while the LP is housed in a gatefold sleeve and pressed on red vinyl.  In addition to being resequenced, Demoiselle now sports a new cover.  All audio has been newly remastered from the original tapes.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP/CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
BD and all formats: Greedy Hand Store

Neil Young and Promise of the Real’s Noise and Flowers was recorded during their brief 2019 tour which kicked off just two weeks following the passing of Young’s longtime manager Elliot Roberts at the age of 76.  During the wide-ranging concerts, Young performed with a photograph of Roberts taped on his road case, and he considered the retrospective shows to be celebratory tributes to his fallen friend. It’s coming in a variety of formats including CD, LP, and digitally; concurrently, a concert film of the same material will be issued on standalone Blu-ray and as part of a 2LP/1CD/1BD Deluxe Edition box set.

Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music are bringing Michael Nesmith’s Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings to vinyl for the first time.  This 2-LP compendium features 22 tracks on CD drawn from the RCA Victor vaults, most of which are new to vinyl.  These songs were originally released to digital platforms in 2018 as bonus tracks to Nesmith’s RCA six albums – solo and with The First and Second National Bands – and then premiered on CD in 2021.  Over the course of Nesmith’s original LPs released between 1970 and 1973, he blossomed as a singer, songwriter, bandleader, and producer under the aegis of RCA Nashville legends Chet Atkins and Felton Jarvis.  With bandmates including legendary pedal steel guitarist O.J. “Red” Rhodes, John Ware, and John London, Nesmith pioneered country-rock with a spiritual and searching style all his own.  This set is housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve and also includes a four-page insert.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the liner notes as well as a new remembrance of Nesmith while John Sellards has designed the package boasting numerous photos from Henry Diltz.  Vic Anesini has mastered the audio.  Different Drum arrives on “blue smoke” vinyl at general retail while Barnes and Noble will also be carrying an exclusive variant edition pressed on red vinyl.

Iconoclassic Records reissues The Ohio Players’ 1981 Boardwalk Records debut Tenderness.  For its CD debut, Tenderness has been remastered from the original tapes by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios, and two bonus tracks, “Just Me” and the 12-inch mix of “Try a Little Tenderness,” have been added.  A. Scott Galloway provides the new liner notes.

Iconoclassic Records brings Dwight Twilley’s 1986 LP Wild Dogs to CD for the first time.  The lost power-pop gem, produced by Val Garay, features the singer-songwriter supported by the illustrious likes of Kim Carnes, Jerry Scheff, Waddy Wachtel, and arranger Jimmie Haskell.  This deluxe expanded reissue adds the 7-inch single version of “Sexual” along with eight demos straight from the Twilley archives.  Dwight has also penned track-by-track commentary which accompanies Ken Sharp’s new liner notes drawing on quotes from Twilley, Garay, Cowsill, and single-named photographer/friend/art director Zox.  Vic Anesini has remastered Wild Dogs from the original tapes for this CD premiere.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Missed out on Bobbie Gentry’s 2018 Grammy-nominated box set The Girl from Chickasaw County?  UMC is looking back on that landmark set with this new highlights collection featuring 46 tracks on 2 CDs or 32 tracks on 2 LPs.  Produced and compiled by Andrew Batt, the set naturally opens with the chart-topping “Ode to Billie Joe” and continues on a tour of Gentry’s Capitol discography including selections from all seven of her Capitol albums (her final studio album for the label, Patchwork, was released in 1971) including the stunning title track of 1970’s Fancy which has since become a staple of country superstar Reba McEntire’s repertoire.  Three songs (“Casket Vignette,” “Recollection,” and “Hushabye Mountain”) have been especially remixed by Batt for this release.

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Link TBD / Amazon Canada
SACD: Acoustic Sounds
CD/LP/BD/DVD Gatefold Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Pink Floyd’s tenth album Animals arrived in January 1977, after 1975’s Wish You Were Here and before 1979’s The Wall.  Coming between those two epochal works, Animals was initially dismissed by some critics.  Consisting of just five tracks (two short bookends and three lengthy compositions), no singles were released and Animals became somewhat of a hidden gem – despite having peaked at No. 2 in the United Kingdom and No. 3 in the United States.  Now, fans will have a chance to rediscover Animals as its long-awaited 5.1 surround sound mix is released as part of a campaign revisiting the album on CD, LP, Blu-ray Audio, and SACD.  The Deluxe Gatefold format includes the LP, CD, Blu-ray, an audio DVD, and a 32-page book containing photos and memorabilia.  The Blu-ray and DVD include the 2018 stereo and surround mixes in high resolution as well as the 1977 original stereo mix in its 2011 remaster.

6LP/4CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Muswell Hillbillies 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 
Muswell Hillbillies 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Everybody’s in Show-Biz 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Everybody’s in Show-Biz 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Kinks are going super deluxe (again!) with a joint reissue of two of the band’s most significant albums featuring remastered audio and a host of bonus tracks.  BMG’s box set celebrates The Kinks’ first two albums for the RCA label: 1971’s Muswell Hillbillies and 1972’s Everybody’s in Show-Biz / Everybody’s a Star.  The campaign encompasses a variety of formats including the centerpiece 6LP/4CD/1BD box plus 2CD, 1LP, 2LP, 2CD, 1CD, and digital releases.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Joni Mitchell’s Archives campaign rolls on with this new 4-CD or 5-LP box collecting four of the inspirational singer-songwriter’s most acclaimed and beloved studio albums, all recorded for David Geffen’s then-new Asylum Records label: For the Roses (1972), Court and Spark (1974), and The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975), as well as Joni’s first live album, Miles of Aisles (1974).  All four albums have been newly remastered by Bernie Grundman, and Mitchell’s friend Neil Young has contributed an essay to the package.

2CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Billy Joel’s Live at Yankee Stadium, originally released on video, is getting a major makeover.  The concert film, shot on June 22 and 23, 1990, has been restored and remixed from original audio and video elements for a 2CD/Blu-ray or 3LP package. Eleven of the tracks have never been released in any format. The ground-up restoration of Live at Yankee Stadium includes the original 16-millimeter footage of the sets (overseen by Joel’s onetime Atilla bandmate Jon Small) restored in 4K and re-edited, while the concert multi-tracks have been remixed in stereo and Dolby Atmos by Jay Vicari, under the guidance of Joel’s longtime sound tech Brian Ruggles. The concert feature, including behind-the-scenes footage and vintage interviews with Billy, will be screened in select theaters for two nights on Wednesday, October 5 and Sunday, October 9 in partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment – and all album packages will hit stores about a month later on November 4.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4CD/7″/Cassette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

A new box set devoted to late filmmaker John Hughes presents a diverse collection of pop songs he helped bring to the masses. Life Moves Pretty Fast. The John Hughes Mixtapes offers four volumes of songs from the writer/director’s popular comedies and teen dramas including The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The director’s longtime music supervisor Tarquin Gotch has curated the collection with the help of Hughes’ son James, even working from some of the filmmaker’s personal mix tapes as featured on the cover of the package. Gotch, the younger Hughes, and Ferris Bueller himself (actor Matthew Broderick) have all penned notes and tributes for the accompanying booklet, which will also include track-by-track annotations. The box will be available as a 4CD or 6LP set, with a double vinyl cutdown also available. A limited edition version of the 4CD set will add in a reissue of a 7″ sent to members of Hughes’ fan club featuring two tracks from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (which wouldn’t appear on CD until decades later) as well as a Hughesian cassette featuring a selection from the box.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Kevin Rowland is revisiting the Dexys Midnight Runners album that featured “Come On Eileen” in a new box set full of bonus material and, crucially, a new remix of the original album: Too Rye Ay, as it should have sounded. The 3CD set boasts a new mix of Too Rye Ay, featuring singles like “The Celtic Soul Brothers” and a cover of Van Morrison’s “Jackie Wilson Said,” alongside nearly a dozen single sides and three unreleased outtakes from the album sessions. A third disc includes a live offering culled from two sets in England, recorded for a video release at the time and included in part on some singles. A 32-page booklet offers new liner notes and rare photos, and the box also includes photo prints and a replica tour program. (The band’s official store also offers the remixed album on its own on CD and vinyl – boasting a new cover based off the “Come On Eileen” single – as well as various bundle options.)

Not Just a Girl (The Highlights), a new companion album to the documentary coming to Netflix, features 17 of Shania Twain’s classic pop and country hits plus the new title track.

Parlophone offers a soundtrack to director Brett Morgen’s highly-anticipated documentary about David Bowie.  Available digitally the same weekend as the movie (September 16) with a November 18 release on two CDs (and a 2023 bow on triple vinyl), the Moonage Daydream companion album boasts 43 tracks: new mixes of familiar material and deep cuts alike, fragments of Bowie’s narration and even a handful of unreleased works. Among the centerpieces being heard for the first time is a live medley of “The Jean Genie” and The Beatles’ “Love Me Do,” performed with Jeff Beck on guitar during the incendiary set that saw Bowie announce the retirement of his Ziggy Stardust persona.​

This 22-track collection gathers the eclectic music featured in the fourth season of Netflix’s supernatural drama Stranger Things, including Kate Bush’s chart-topping “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” KISS’ “Detroit Rock City,” The Beach Boys’ “California Dreamin’,” James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain,” Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s “A Kiss to Build a Dream On,” and two versions of Journey with Steve Perry’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).”  Available on CD, digital formats, and a host of 2-LP versions: standard black vinyl which includes a 12×12 Stranger Things poster insert; and exclusives at Walmart (Creel House cover and puzzle), Target (California cover and diorama), Barnes & Noble (Russia cover and stickers), and Amazon (Lab cover and a 12×12 Butcher Billy lithograph).  The CDs are available September 9 and the vinyl versions are due November 4.

Ringo Starr delivers the latest in his series of original EPs.  EP3 features collaborations with Steve Lukather, Dave Koz, Linda Perry, and others on four new songs.  Available in CD and digital formats on September 16 and vinyl and cassette on November 18.

Julian Lennon returns with his first studio album since 2011’s Everything Changes, highlighted by the singles “Freedom,” “Every Little Moment,” “Save Me, and “Breathe.”  The cover photo of Julian was taken by May Pang in 1974.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.

Craft Recordings releases Creedence Clearwater Revival’s April 14, 1970 show at London’s venerable Royal Albert Hall. as newly restored and mixed by Giles Martin and Sam Okell. The concert includes such CCR staples as “Green River,” “Fortunate Son,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Proud Mary,” and “Keep on Chooglin’.”  Available on CD, LP, cassette, and digitally. A Craft-exclusive 2LP/2CD/1BD box set due November 18 includes the CD and 2-LP set of the Royal Albert Hall show plus the concert film/documentary Travelin’ Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival Live at The Royal Albert Hall on Blu-ray and a soundtrack CD for the film.

5CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Official KISS Store
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP – Half-Speed Master: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

KISS delivers another Super Deluxe mega-box – this time for 1982’s Creatures of the Night. Creatures will be reissued for its 40th anniversary in a variety of formats: chiefly a 5CD/Blu-ray box packed with the remastered album and 67 (!) live and studio bonus tracks, nearly all of them unreleased. An 80-page hardcover book includes liner notes by Ken Sharp, archival photos, ephemera, and memorabilia. A separate folder includes replicas of the original Creatures-era press kit, promo posters and glossy photos, bumper stickers, backstage passes, iron-on transfers, buttons, guitar picks, fan newsletters and much more. A smaller deluxe edition will be available on 2-CD and 3-LP vinyl, along with the new album remaster on standalone CD and half-speed mastered vinyl.

Stage Door Records revisits Johnny Burke and Robert E. McEnroe’s 1961 Broadway musical based on The Quiet Man in a new 2-CD Deluxe Edition featuring copious bonus material including rare radio sessions, an orchestral album, rare pop single covers, demos, and more.

4CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP deluxe: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Craft has the ultimate celebration of A Charlie Brown Christmas with this 4CD/1 Blu-ray deluxe edition of the classic album that features not only multiple mixes of the original LP – the original stereo mix alongside new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes – but a whopping 60 unreleased alternate takes from five sessions. (Smaller deluxe editions on CD and 2LP pair the new stereo mix with 13 of the session highlights; new pressings of the original album will also be available, with a gold foil embossed jacket coming to stores everywhere and color and picture variations headed to different retailers.) It’s the perfect seasonal complement to Craft’s recent restoration of Guaraldi’s music to It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

After the huge success of director Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis, RCA Records and Legacy Recordings are celebrating 50 years of an earlier film: Elvis On Tour, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s dynamic 1972 concert film/documentary capturing the artist during his exciting rebirth as a live performer.  The new box set offers six CDs of concerts and rehearsals, all freshly mixed by Matt Ross-Spang, plus a Blu-ray of the original MGM film. The Elvis On Tour box set has been produced by Ernest Mikael Jorgensen and includes new liner notes by Presley’s longtime friend Jerry Schilling as well as an essay from Warren Zanes of The Del Fuegos. As an official soundtrack album for Elvis On Tour was never issued at the time of the movie’s original release, the box promises to fill in a major gap in the Presley discography.

This new vinyl box set chronicles the highs and lows of Eric Clapton’s solo career in the ’80s and ’90s, from pop-adjacent player to triumphant elder statesman.  Rhino’s The Complete Reprise Studio Albums Volume 1 will include six of Slowhand’s LPs issued between 1983 and 1998 – from Money and Cigarettes to Pilgrim – as well as an eight-track selection of non-LP live tracks and B-sides that includes two unreleased songs. Nearly every album (save Money and Cigarettes) has been pressed on two LPs – each comprising three sides of vinyl – and all feature new mastering from Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering and new lacquers cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering.

On April 26, 1969, Jimi Hendrix took the stage at the Los Angeles Forum with the original lineup of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding. While songs from the show have been released in the past on Lifelines (1990) and The Jimi Hendrix Concerts (1989), the entire concert has never been officially issued in its entirety…until now!  Experience Hendrix/Legacy’s release of Los Angeles Forum: April 26, 1969 will be available on CD, 2LP, and digital formats, and features songs including “Foxey Lady,” “Purple Haze,” and a pre-Woodstock “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Columbia/Legacy releases Willie Nelson’s 1984 Live at Budokan concert, previously available only on Laserdisc, as a 2CD/DVD set as well as digitally.  Willie and his band – including sister Bobbie Nelson on piano, Paul English on drums, Grady Martin on guitar, Jody Payne on vocals and guitar, Bee Spears on bass, and Mickey Raphael (who also produced this new set) on harmonica – romp through such classics as “On the Road Again,” “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” and “Always on My Mind.”  The audio is available on vinyl for Record Store Day Black Friday, November 25.

Real Gone Music presents a newly-remastered and expanded edition of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme’s 1964 Christmas classic That Holiday Feeling!  This new edition adds eight bonus tracks including all three of Steve and Eydie’s songs from the 1969 RCA album Christmastime in Carol and Song on which they were supported by the orchestra and chorus of renowned conductor Arthur Fiedler (Steve’s “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” Eydie’s “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” and Steve and Eydie’s “Hurry Home for Christmas”); their early duet of Frank Loesser’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside;” Steve’s take on “White Christmas” (Eydie’s exquisite rendition is heard on the original album); Steve’s never-before-on-CD “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and previously unreleased 1967 recording of “The First Noel;” and Eydie’s brassy “My Favorite Things.”  It adds up to the ultimate Steve and Eydie Christmas celebration.  Their son David Lawrence has written a new introduction, and TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the liner notes for the expanded booklet designed by John Sellards which also includes rare photos of the famous pair.  The album has been remastered and restored from the original stereo tapes under the supervision of David Lawrence.

Real Gone has the vinyl premiere of the first Christmas album from Broadway’s new Funny Girl, Lea Michele. Christmas in the City not only placed within the top thirty of the Billboard 200 upon its original release, but reached No. 3 on the Christmas Albums chart.  The album, blending contemporary and retro holiday sounds, was produced by Alex and Adam Anders and features a host of guest singers including Michele’s Spring Awakening co-star (and the voice of Kristoff in the Frozen franchise), Jonathan Groff, Color Purple star Cynthia Erivo, and Glee co-star Darren Criss.  Real Gone’s vinyl debut from this showstopping artist is pressed on “snow white” vinyl and is limited to 1,500 units.  It’s housed in a gatefold jacket adorned with photos of the former Glee star at her most festive.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Hybrid Stereo SACD / LP: Impex Records

Barbra Streisand’s 1962 live album recorded at New York’s tiny Bon Soir – once intended to be her very first Columbia Records LP release – gets a long-overdue premiere marking the superstar’s 60th anniversary with the label.  It arrives in multiple formats including standard CD and digital release from Columbia/Legacy; hybrid stereo SACD (playable on all CD players) from Impex Records; and 180-gram black vinyl LP from Impex Records. Live at the Bon Soir features the near-two dozen songs recorded on those historic nights in November 1962 as newly mixed from the original multitrack tapes.  The 2022 mixes have been supervised by Barbra and engineer Jochem van der Saag and sourced from the original master tapes engineered by Roy Halee (Simon and Garfunkel) and Ad “Pappy” Theroux.  Jay Landers provides liner notes for all formats including track-by-track descriptions and Streisand also offers her commentary.  The Impex vinyl edition will be housed in a tip-on gatefold jacket and includes a 12-page booklet while the hybrid stereo SACD is housed in a hardcover book-style package with 32 pages of notes, photographs, and more.

4CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

This 4CD/1BD slipcased box set chronicling the twelve months leading up to the December 1971 release of David Bowie’s fourth studio album.  Highlighted by 48 previously unreleased tracks, the box features home demos, BBC radio sessions, live and studio recordings, and new mixes of Hunky Dory material by original co-producer Ken Scott.  Two books round out the package: a 100-page hardcover featuring liner notes, memorabilia, and photos, and a 60-page replica composite of Bowie’s notebooks from the era with his handwritten lyrics, costume sketches, recording notes, and setlists.  A 12-track vinyl highlights edition will also be available.

Omnivore has teamed with Jan & Dean’s Dean Torrence for this new collection of California gold.  The Teammates: Twenty Years of Making Music 1965-1985 features 23 rare and unreleased tracks featuring Dean with Mike Love, Terry Melcher, Bruce Johnston, Flo and Eddie, Leon Russell, Harry Nilsson, and Jan Berry. The Teammates features new liner notes from Torrence as well as a Q&A between Torrence and Beach Boys historian David Beard as well as a foreword by Winston Simone.

Following a sold-out run at Boston’s Colonial Theatre, the biographical A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is coming to Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre.  The cast recording produced by the legendary Bob Gaudio preserves the performances of Will Swenson and Mark Jacoby as Neil in two different stages of his life, supported by a blazing cast including Robyn Hurder as Neil’s second wife Marcia Murphey.  The show (featuring a book by Anthony McCarten, screenwriter of Bohemian Rhapsody and the upcoming I Wanna Dance with Somebody) and album boast all of Diamond’s big hits including “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Solitary Man,” and “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show.”  The musical begins previews on Braodway November 2 – the same date the album arrives on digital and streaming services – and opens December 4, coinciding with the CD release.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Your Local Record Store / Roy Orbison Official Webstore

Legacy Recordings and Roy’s Boys, LLC reissue Roy Orbison’s posthumous 1992 album King of Hearts in a newly remastered edition. Roy’s widow Barbara Orbison spearheaded the curation of King of Hearts, selecting completed material that had not yet been released as well as demos recorded by Roy.  To finish those tracks, Barbara enlisted his fellow Wilbury Jeff Lynne as well as T-Bone Burnett (both of whom had been involved with Mystery Girl) and other Orbison fans including Don Was, The Band’s Robbie Robertson, Neil Young associate David Briggs, R&B legend Chips Moman, and pop gurus Albert Hammond and Diane Warren.  No additional tracks are included on this edition.  Available on CD, LP, and digital formats.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Clear vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Picture Disc: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

UMC celebrates Spice Girls’ second album with a variety of releases. The Spiceworld reissue will be built around a 2CD edition curated by the group, featuring the remastered album and a disc of 15 bonus cuts. Highlights include non-album tracks like promo single “Step to Me” (along with an unheard demo of the same), live performances, and remixes including a newly-constructed megamix. It’ll be packaged in an A5-size hardback package with rare images and a new introduction from the Girls. A clear vinyl and picture disc version of the original album will also be available, as well as the deluxe edition on black vinyl and even double cassette through the group’s official store.

The Hits 1: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Target (color variant)
The Hits 2: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Walmart (color variant)

Legacy Recordings is bringing Prince’s 1993 greatest hits collections back to vinyl.  Though not a complete overview of Prince’s chart entries, both sets of The Hits offered a comprehensive review of the artist’s core discography. For completists, more than a dozen single edits and mixes were included therein, along with four brand new tracks: a live version of the Prince-penned “Nothing Compares 2 U” (a No. 1 hit for Sinead O’Connor in 1991), the acoustic-driven vault track “Pink Cashmere” (recorded in 1988 for the shelved Rave Unto the Joy Fantastic album), and rousing experiments in blues (“Peach”) and even hip-hop (“Pope”).  For their premiere vinyl release from Legacy (The Hits 1 was reissued by Warner in 2020 before Legacy controlled most of the material’s distribution), each 150-gram 2LP set will come out on black vinyl instead of the by-now typical purple wax that most Legacy reissues have been put upon. But there are color options for U.S. retailers: each volume will be available on “creamy white” vinyl, with Target being the place to get that variant for The Hits 1 and Walmart for The Hits 2. 

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP Small Batch: Official Store

Craft Recordings revisits Vince Guaraldi’s 1962 breakthrough featuring “Cast Your Fate to the Wind” in a a new deluxe edition featuring sixteen session outtakes, all but three of which are previously unreleased.  Everything has been remastered by engineer Paul Blakemore from the original analogue tapes transferred by the Plangent Process. They’ll be available on two CDs or three 180-gram LPs, with new lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed at RTI. Jazz critic Andrew Gilbert pens new liner notes for the deluxe packages. The original album will also be repressed as part of Craft Recordings’ “Small Batch” series, featuring lacquers cut by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI using an all-analogue, one-step process. That pressing will feature new liner notes by Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang.  The 2CD edition is out November 18 with the vinyl versions coming on February 24, 2023.

 

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Gold Vinyl: Target.com

The new collection A Neil Diamond Christmas has been curated by the artist and draws upon all four of his holiday LPs originally released between 1992 and 2016.  The 2-LP and 2-CD editions offer 24 and 25 songs, respectively, with one disc of secular favorites (including Neil-penned originals “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” and “Cherry Cherry Christmas”) and one disc of spiritual material and classic carols.  The collection will be available in four different physical versions: 2LP black vinyl; 2LP Target-exclusive gold vinyl; 2CD; and 1CD “highlights” (19 tracks on the latter) as well as digitally.  All four editions include a previously unreleased new mix of “O Holy Night” from The Christmas Album.  Every track has been newly remastered for this project by Diamond’s longtime associate Bernie Becker.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

For an artist who never recorded a proper Christmas album, Louis Armstrong has become associated with the holiday due to the seasonal warmth of “What a Wonderful World” and even the irreverent “Zat You, Santa Claus?” which finds its way yearly to Christmas radio and playlists.  Numerous Christmas compilations have been built around Armstrong’s discography, but most tapped either non-holiday songs in Armstrong’s catalogue or tracks from other artists to round out his few Christmas recordings.  Verve and UMe are now releasing what’s being billed as the late trumpeter’s first “official” Christmas album.  Louis Wishes You a Cool Yule brings together nearly every Christmas side released by Armstrong including six Decca singles as well as one previously unreleased goodie: his February 26, 1971 reading – just months before his death, and likely his final recording – of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” or “The Night Before Christmas,” set to new piano accompaniment by Sullivan Fortner.  Armstrong historian Ricky Riccardi provides the new liner notes for this 11-song compendium.  Louis Wishes You a Cool Yule will be issued on CD, red vinyl, picture disc vinyl, and digitally including high-res and Dolby Atmos.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Target Exclusive 2LP: Target.com
Japan-Exclusive 2CD: CDJapan

Primary Wave revisits and remasters Olivia Newton-John’s 1977 Greatest Hits album in a variety of formats.  The new edition will include all 20 tracks released across various international editions of the original album, including every one of Olivia’s U.S. top 40 hits up to the time of its release (twelve of which reached the top ten) including her chart-topping renditions of Jeff Barry and Peter Allen’s “I Honestly Love You” and John Farrar’s “Have You Never Been Mellow.”  it will be available on CD and 2-LP 180-gram vinyl, and for download/streaming.  Japan receives a special expanded edition in SHM-CD format (playable in all CD players), bringing together this Greatest Hits presentation with Volume 2, originally issued in 1982.  It contains an exclusive double-sided poster and an introduction by Newton-John penned especially for her Japanese fans.  It’s all housed in a quad case.  That’s still not all.  On November 18, U.S. Target stores will release an exclusive 2-LP set.  Greatest Hits 1971-1982 has the original U.S. 12-track configuration of the first Greatest Hits on light blue vinyl along with the original 10-song U.S. version of Olivia’s Greatest Hits Volume 2 on pink vinyl.  The two albums are packaged within a gatefold sleeve.

This 4CD set compiles a quartet of Cheap Trick’s complete, uncut shows recorded at the Whisky-a-Go-Go in Los Angeles in the summer of 1977. It’s limited to just 2,000 copies and chronicles when Robin Zander, guitarist/songwriter Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E. Carlos spontaneously booked some nights at the historic Sunset Strip nightclub.  KROQ-FM DJ Rodney Bingenheimer served as their master of ceremonies, and the Record Plant’s Mobile One truck rolled tape on the songs, heard by a few hundred lucky folks in early and late shows on June 3 and 4. By year’s end they were opening for KISS and amassing a following which remains to this day.  Ken Sharp has provided new liner notes for the package.

3CD/2DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP/7-inch single/2DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Harvest, Neil Young’s most commercially successful album to date, is turning 50 – and the singer-songwriter is celebrating with new 3CD/2DVD and 2LP/7-inch/2DVD box sets.  The boxes feature the original album on CD 1, with the second disc dedicated to a previously unreleased February 23, 1971 solo performance from the BBC’s In Concert series featuring album cuts such as “Heart of Gold,” “Old Man,” “A Man Needs a Maid,” and “Out on the Weekend,” as well as “Journey Through the Past” and “Dance, Dance, Dance.”  The third CD, an EP, offers just three studio outtakes (one previously issued, one previously unreleased, and one debuting in a physical format).  DVD 1 offers an unreleased, two-hour film shot by Young during the making of Harvest, while the second DVD presents video of the BBC show.  The LP version of the box features all of the same content.  The box set’s hardbound book has new liner notes by photographer Joel Bernstein and previously unpublished photos.

The Police’s 1981 album Ghost in the Machine is receiving a picture disc vinyl reissue – with a twist.  The UMC release will present the album with its “original” expanded track list that was apparently shortened at the last minute. In addition to the inclusion of three non-album tracks – the haunting tracks “I Burn for You” and “Once Upon a Daydream” (released on the soundtrack to Brimstone & Treacle and the B-side of 1983’s “Synchronicity II,” respectively) and the instrumental jam “Shambelle” – four of the album tracks will include a brief archival treat in the form of drummer Stewart Copeland’s count-ins before tracking began.

3CD/2DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD (CD 1 & CD 2 Only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Last year, Parlophone revisited Tina Turner’s 1989 triumph Foreign Affair in a deluxe edition.  Now, the label is turning the clock back to 1986 for a similar presentation of the artist’s equally incendiary Break Every Rule.  The 1986 album will be reissued as a 3CD/2DVD box as well as on vinyl and as a 2CD expanded edition.  The box opens with the remastered original album.  The second disc offers a selection of 10 B-sides, remixes, and live tracks (though roughly twice that many associated tracks were released contemporaneously with the album).  The third CD presents Turner’s Guinness World Record-earning concert in front of over 180,000 fans at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  This landmark show is also presented in video format (as first released on home video in 1988) on the first DVD; the second contains the album’s music videos (newly upgraded to HD) and a second concert, from London’s Camden Palace, which was also issued on VHS.  It comes complete with its introduction from Matt Frewer, a.k.a. television’s Max Headroom.  The remastered Break Every Rule will also be issued on black vinyl and as a 2CD expanded edition; the latter format mirrors the first two CDs of the box set (dropping the Rio concert and the DVDs).

Stage Door Records brings this “holy grail” of international cast albums to CD with a clutch of rare bonus tracks.  The 1961 Mexico City cast recording of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s record-breaking musical arrives with eight additional tracks. These include both sides of the single recorded in Swedish by Christian Bratt, star of the 1961 Stockholm production; three additional Swedish cover recordings; and four pop covers from Harry Belafonte, James Shigeta, Don Rondo, and Gerrit van Triest.   This release is limited to just 500 units.

LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Mercury Studios premieres Ella Fitzgerald’s first time on the Montreux stage on CD, LP, and digital formats.  Backed by The Tommy Flanagan Trio, Fitzgerald updated her songbook with then-current pop and rock hits by Bacharach and David (“This Girl’s in Love with You,” “A House Is Not a Home”), The Beatles (“Hey Jude”), and Cream (“Sunshine of Your Love”) alongside time-tested jazz vocal standards (“That Old Black Magic,” “I Won’t Dance”).

Steve Arrington stepped out of the shadow of groundbreaking funk band Slave and his subsequent Steve Arrington’s Hall of Fame for his 1985 solo debut on Atlantic Records, Dancin’ in the Key of Life.  Now, Iconoclassic Records is bringing this vivacious album melding dance rhythms and praise and worship lyrics to CD for the first time anywhere.  Featuring the U.S. hit title track and U.K. top ten entry “Feel So Real,” this expanded edition adds five bonus remixes and a comprehensive essay by A. Scott Galloway.  Audio has been remastered from the original tapes.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Exclusive 145-gram Splatter Vinyl 2LP: CarlySimon.com
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Carly Simon brings her surprise 1995 concert at New York City landmark Grand Central Station to CD, LP, and Blu-ray as newly remixed by Frank Filipetti.  The show includes material from Simon’s then-recent release Letters Never Sent as well as renditions of “Haven’t Got Time for the Pain,” “Anticipation,” “We Have No Secrets,” and “Coming Around Again.”

6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Flaming Lips’ Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots was the band’s tenth album and perhaps their most successful, earning their only U.S. Gold record to date as well as a Platinum certification from the U.K.’s BPI.  A loose concept album incorporating electronica, rock, pop, psychedelia, and hip-hop textures, Yoshimi saw the band continuing its inventive path while embracing accessibility.  The album even inspired a stage musical in 2012, and now, its 20th anniversary is being celebrated with a deluxe box set.  The 6-CD box boasts a generous 100 tracks (over 50 previously unreleased); on April 14, 2023, a 5-LP vinyl box will follow with 56 songs (40 tracks previously unavailable on vinyl). Get the track listing and more here!​

Looking for three packed discs’ worth of the best bands and artists you’ve never heard of – and a few you have?  Look no further than the 23rd (!) volume of International Pop Overthrow.  Curated by IPO founder David Bash and Rina Bardfield, this collection brings the long-running series back with a bang after a three-year hiatus due to…well, you know!  Live music is back, and so is IPO; the fest has so far in 2022 hit cities including Phoenix, Chicago, Liverpool, San Diego, Vancouver, New York, and Boston.  This eclectic 68-song sampler is overflowing with big hooks, bright guitars, shimmering harmonies, and an abundance of the kind of melodies you’d wished were still being written…and they are!  Familiar names here include Fernando Perdomo, Badfinger’s Joey Molland (performing with The Raz Band), April March (with a cut from her 2022 Omnivore release In Cinerama), singer-songwriter Seth Swirsky, and The Pengwins’ Danny Wilkerson, but each artist is choice.  The Tambourine People, The Vinylos, Lisa Marie Claire, Brent Windler, The Glimmer Stars, and countless others just might become new favorites.  Throughout, you’ll hear shades of Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, Badfinger, Big Star, The Cowsills, and The Sunshine Company – and the package lives up to the music, with art direction and design by Now Sounds’ Steve Stanley.  IPO Vol. 23 is a treat that will fit snugly in any stocking and brighten the holiday season.

Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous is getting a lot more dangerous with this new box set: the 8CD set will feature the originally-assembled 1978 album next to all seven shows that were used for the album. They’ve been newly mixed from the original multitracks by Ben Findlay and remastered by Andy Pearce, all under the guidance of guitarist Scott Gorham. They’re packed in a 12″ x 12″ box with a new booklet featuring rare photos, memorabilia and liner notes that include new band interviews by journalist Mark Blake.

Thin Lizzy’s 1983 live double-album recorded on various dates at London’s Hammersmith Odeon gets a new remaster “from best available sources” from UMC.  The album is notable for featuring all of Thin Lizzy’s studio guitarists including Scott Gorham and John Sykes plus guests Brian Robertson, Gary Moore, Eric Bell, and Snowy White.

ABKCO will revisit 2016’s The Rolling Stones in Mono box set – originally released on 15 CDs or 16 black vinyl LPs – in a limited, new color vinyl version featuring 16 LPs, pressed on 180-gram vinyl in 14 different colors to match the original cover artwork of the albums contained within.  Like the original box, the new Rolling Stones in Mono presents the original mono albums released on both sides of the Atlantic between 1964 and 1969 plus the exclusive 2-LP Stray Cats collection of mono singles and rarities, all mastered by Bob Ludwig.  A 48-page booklet includes David Fricke’s 5,000-word essay.

It was clear from the start that Marianne Faithfull was no ordinary artist.  Following the success of the singles “As Tears Go By” and “Come and Stay with Me” (gifted to Marianne by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards and Jackie DeShannon, respectively), Decca wanted her to record a pop album. Marianne wanted to record a folk album.  The result was that not one, but two, LPs were released in April 1965 showcasing two very different sides of the singer.  (For the record, the folk set outperformed the pop record.)  But whether recording the songs of Lennon and McCartney, Donovan, Bert Jansch, Bob Dylan, Tim Hardin, Carole King, Phil Ochs, Shel Silverstein, Tom Waits, or Serge Gainsbourg, Marianne Faithfull always stayed true to herself, bringing her own distinctive persona and sound to the session.  Hence, Songs of Innocence and Experience – two abundant qualities in Faithfull’s body of work.

It’s tempting to say that the early recordings are innocent and the latter ones experienced, but it’s not such an easy breakdown when considering the 44 songs on this beautiful new 2-CD collection (28 on the 2-LP vinyl iteration).  Those include tracks by those illustrious songwriters, as well as by Faithfull herself. Such exquisite, often shattering recordings as “Sister Morphine,” “Is This What I Get for Loving You,” “Come My Way,” “Broken English,” and “The Stars Line Up” retain their power on this remarkable collection, expertly compiled, annotated, and mastered by Andrew Batt (Bobbie Gentry’s The Girl from Chickasaw County).  Five tracks are previously unreleased; another eight make their CD debuts.  While not a definitive “hits” survey – “As Tears Go By” is heard in its affecting 1987 remake rather than the original 1964 version – Songs of Innocence and Experience is a transporting and provocative journey with a singular artist.

Al Jardine is revisiting his 2010 solo debut A Postcard from California in a new CD edition reprising the 15-track sequence of the 2012 edition.  Postcard boasts appearances by Glen Campbell, three-quarters of CSNY (Neil Young, David Crosby and Stephen Stills), Steve Miller, The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, and Jardine’s fellow Beach Boys Brian Wilson, David Marks, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, and the late Carl Wilson.

Dionne Warwick’s new 6-CD box set Sure Thing: The Warner Bros. Recordings (1972-1977) anthologizes the superstar singer’s years for the famous label, including five full albums and over 40 additional recordings.  This adds up to the most comprehensive chronicle of Warwick’s Warner Bros. period ever, including productions by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Jerry Ragovoy, Thom Bell, Randy Edelman, Ashford and Simpson, and more.  All of the album outtakes which premiered on Real Gone Music’s 2013 compilation We Need to Go Back: The Unissued Warner Bros. Masters have been appended to their proper LPs, and all seven productions recorded by Dionne with Joe Porter in 1976, only two of which were released at the time, are also compiled together for the first time.  Finally, numerous unique single edits/mixes (including the extended version of “Track of the Cat”) and “Just As Long as We Have Love,” the B-side of the chart-topping “Then Came You,” are part of this deluxe package.  Sure Thing has been co-produced by SoulMusic Records founder David Nathan and TSD’s Joe Marchese, and the 40-page booklet features rare photographs as well as a nearly 10,000-word essay from Marchese and a full sessionography from Nathan.

Stage Door Records celebrates the legacy of Meredith Willson’s musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown with a deluxe 2-CD set comprising four distinct programs of the musical’s songs.  The Original Demo Recordings and More! opens with the fully-orchestrated album of demos performed by veteran studio singers Sandy Stewart and Bernie Knee.  It continues with another clutch of demos performed by Meredith Willson himself along with wife Rini and original star Harve Presnell.  The second CD is dedicated to pop cover recordings, beginning with the complete stereo album presentation of Andre Kostelanetz’s album of the Molly Brown score.  It then rounds up fourteen pop covers of the show’s standout numbers including Dinah Shore’s “I Ain’t Down Yet,” Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians’ “Belly Up to the Bar, Boys,” Aretha Franklin’s “Are You Sure,” Gordon MacRae’s “Dolce Far Niente,” Nat “King” Cole’s “If I Knew,” and The Four Preps’ “I’ve Already Started In.”  Stage Door’s premiere CD release of these rare recordings is limited to just 500 units and includes a colorful 12-page booklet with new liner notes by George Dansker.

Soul’d Out: The Complete Wattstax Collection:
12CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Wattstax: The Complete Concert:
6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
10LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Best of Wattstax (Highlights)
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Wattstax: The Living Word
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Wattstax 2: The Living Word
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

One of the greatest music festivals of the ’70s is getting celebrated with an exhaustive array of reissues from Stax Records and Craft Recordings: Wattstax, the multi-dimensional Los Angeles celebration of soul, funk, blues and gospel.  A 3CD box set released in 2003 took the highlights of both original double albums from 1973 and added even more material. Soul’d Out: The Complete Wattstax Collection, expands on that mightily: 12 CDs, including the complete concert on six CDs, four soulful engagements (also recorded for the original documentary) at Los Angeles’ Summit Club in the weeks that followed, and a handful of studio recordings and other ephemera that were also included on original releases. (A total of 31 tracks have never been released; even between-set speeches and introductions are retained.) The set comes with a full-color 76-page book featuring a new introduction from Al Bell, the festival’s organizer and the then-president of Stax, as well as new essays from Rob Bowman and A. Scott Galloway. Several smaller sets will be released alongside Soul’d Out including a still-lavish 6-CD or 10-LP box set with the complete concert only, a 1CD highlights album, and vinyl reissues of the original two double albums.

LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Mercury Studios releases Marvin Gaye’s Greatest Hits: Live in ’76, recorded on October 10 of that year at Amsterdam’s Jaap Edenhal. The concert features three lengthy medleys of Gaye’s Motown classics along with a handful of standalone renditions.  It’s available on CD and vinyl LP, though the latter format drops “Since I Had You.”

Coinciding with the documentary/concert film of the same name, Carole King’s Home Again: Live in Central Park captures her concert – the first-ever free concert at New York City’s Great Lawn – in front of a reported 100,000 people.  King opened the show with a solo set at the piano before welcoming her 11-piece band onstage.  The selections encompassed half of Tapestry (“Beautiful,” “Way Over Yonder,” “Home Again,” “Smackwater Jack,” “It’s Too Late,” “You’ve Got a Friend”) plus already-beloved tunes from its follow-ups, Music (“Sweet Seasons”) and Rhymes and Reasons (“Been to Canaan”), and an only slightly abbreviated version of the entire Fantasy album, played in sequence.  Already available digitally, a CD and LP release arrive in May.

4CD/2LP: ElvisCostello.com
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP with Lithograph: ElvisCostello.com

Elvis Costello is looking back at his 25 years of music with Burt Bacharach on this lavish new 4-CD/2-LP box set (also available in smaller formats).  The Songs of Bacharach and Costello features four distinctive albums:

• A newly remastered version of the duo’s acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning 1998 album Painted from Memory;
• Taken from Life, an all-new anthology that reflects the development of Painted from Memory into a (sadly abortive) Broadway musical shepherded by television’s Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men) and Tony Award winning playwright and Bacharach collaborator Steven Sater (Some Lovers, Spring Awakening);
• Because It’s a Lonely World – Live, a collection of concert performances, mostly piano-and-vocal from Costello and Steve Nieve; and
• Costello Sings Bacharach and David, a through-the-years collection of Elvis paying tribute to Burt’s timeless songbook.

The vinyl component features the remastered Painted from Memory and a six-song highlights version of Taken from Life, with all five of the previously unrecorded compositions for the stage musical plus a live version of “What’s Her Name Today?”  The box set has been produced by Costello and Steve Berkowitz and remastered by Bob Ludwig from the original tapes.  Its 20-page book includes photos by William Claxton and Rankin, memorabilia, and a 10,000-word essay from Costello.

In total, the box set premieres 19 previously unreleased tracks, of which five are previously unreleased compositions from the duo and a sixth is heard with lyrics for the very first time.

The tireless Willie Nelson is back with his latest long-player for Legacy Recordings.  I Don’t Know a Thing About Love finds the legendary vocalist paying tribute to an old pal, songwriter Harlan Howard (1927-2002), an inductee into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.  Nelson brings his burnished voice to new renditions of such classic Howard tunes as “The Chokin’ Kind,” “Tiger by the Tail,” and “Busted.”  I Don’t Know a Thing About Love has been produced by Buddy Cannon and features Nelson (and Trigger, natch!) accompanied by Larry Paxton on bass; Lonnie Wilson on drums; Bobby Terry, James Mitchell, and Mike Johnson on guitars; Mickey Raphael on harmonica; Jim “Moose” Brown on piano and keyboards; and Wyatt Beard and Melonie Cannon on background vocals.  Available on CD and digital, with an exclusive vinyl edition coming later in the year from the Vinyl Me, Please record club.

3LP black vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP red vinyl: uDiscoverMusic.com / Rolling Stones Store
3LP white vinyl: Barnes & Noble
2CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Mercury Studios commemorates a special night on The Rolling Stones’ 50 & Counting tour with the release of GRRR Live!, a 24-song set recorded at Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center on December 13 and 15, 2012.  The concert arrives in a variety of formats including 3LP black vinyl, 3LP red vinyl, 3LP white vinyl, 2CD/Blu-ray, 2CD/DVD, 2CD, and digitally.  The DVD, BD, and digital versions will include Dolby Atmos mixes. Songs include “The Last Time,” “Get Off of My Cloud,” “Wild Horses,” “Honky Tonk Women,” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”  Still more Stones classics are heard with special guests who dropped by the Prudential Center on December 15, 2012 including Lady Gaga on “Gimme Shelter,” The Black Keys on “Who Do You Love,” Gary Clark, Jr. and John Mayer on “Going Down,” the band’s former guitarist Mick Taylor on “Midnight Rambler,” and New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen on “Tumbling Dice.”

State of the Heart celebrates the timeless voice of Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey with expanded editions of his three solo LPs for Columbia Records in the ’80s: 1983’s Continuation, 1984’s Chinese Wall (including the mega-hit Phil Collins duet “Easy Lover”) and 1986’s Inside Out. The set features eight bonus tracks, including rare dance remixes and a few soundtrack songs (including the cult classic “Twins,” a duet with Little Richard). It’s been produced and compiled by The Second Disc’s own Mike Duquette and Joe Marchese, and features a brand-new essay by Mike on Bailey’s solo career, utilizing insights from a new interview conducted with the singer. The package designed by John Sellards (in the style of SoulMusic’s releases) includes some rare publicity photos from the Sony Music archives, and the discs have been remastered by Donald Cleveland.

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

BBC Broadcasts, curated by founding keyboardist Tony Banks and longtime engineer Nick Davis, offers a trove of concert audio from all the major eras of Genesis from 1970 to 1998.  Most of this material is previously unreleased; a few Peter Gabriel-era tracks were released on a 1998 box set, one 1980 Lyceum Theatre track made it to the group’s Three Sides Live in 1982, and the 1987 Wembley set was issued on video and DVD over the years. A total of 24 of the 53 tracks on the 5CD set will be issued as a triple-vinyl set, with all songs making their debut on the format. Author Michael Hann has penned liner notes for this box, included in an accompanying 40-page book.

2CD/2LP/2BD/1DVD/2-7″ Deluxe Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Live at Wembley 1974: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP Live at Wembley 1974: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Pink Floyd’s 1973 landmark album is returning for its 50th anniversary in a new box set.  The Dark Side of the Moon: 50 Years features the original Dark Side (in various mixes) and a 1974 live concert from the previous Immersion box while adding a vinyl component and new Dolby Atmos mix.  The 2CD/2LP/2BD/1DVD set contains:

• Remastered original album on CD in gatefold sleeve with 12-page booklet;
• Remastered original album on 180-gram vinyl in gatefold sleeve with original stickers and poster;
• Remastered The Dark Side of the Moon: Live at Wembley 1974 on CD in gatefold sleeve with 12-page booklet;
• Remastered The Dark Side of the Moon: Live at Wembley 1974 on 180-gram vinyl with two posters featuring designs by Gerald Scarfe and Ian Emes;
• Original album (5.1 and high-resolution stereo mixes) on Blu-ray;
• Original album (5.1 and remastered stereo mixes) on DVD;
• Original album (Dolby Atmos and high-resolution stereo mixes) on Blu-ray; and
• Two replica seven-inch singles (“Money” b/w “Any Colour You Like” and “Us and Them” b/w “Time”).

Like the original album, the Live at Wembley 1974 concert (which premiered as part of the 2011 campaign) has been newly remastered for its appearance here.  It’s the only additional audio supplement here, other than the four single versions which are only included as replica 45s.  Live at Wembley is also available as a standalone CD or LP.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Standard Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

“Big Red Balloon” Swirl Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

“Tippy Toes” Teal Vinyl (Nancy’s Bootique Edition): Nancy’s Bootique + Bundles / Rough Trade U.S.

“Got It Together Again” Gold Vinyl (Fanclub Edition): Light in the Attic Store / Rough Trade U.S. / Elusive Disc

White Vinyl (U.K. Exclusive): Rough Trade U.K. / Drift Records / Piccadilly Records

Pink Vinyl (Exclusive – limited to 500 units): Collectors’ Choice Music

Picture Disc (Exclusive – limited to 50 units with autographed photo print): Nancy’s Bootique

Autographed Test Pressing (Exclusive – limited to 35 units – sold out): Nancy’s Bootique

4-Track Cartridge (Exclusive): Nancy’s Bootique

8-Track Cartridge: Nancy’s Bootique / Rough Trade U.S.

Following last year’s reissue of 1968’s Nancy and Lee, Light in the Attic is continuing its Nancy Sinatra Archival Series with the first-ever reissue of Sinatra’s second duets LP with Lee Hazlewood, 1972’s Nancy and Lee Again.  The album, featuring the hit “Did You Ever,” inaugurated Sinatra’s brief tenure at RCA Victor which additionally encompassed the solo album Woman (hopefully also on the way from LITA).   The reunion was an auspicious one; Hazlewood returned from his adopted home of Sweden to Los Angeles to record the project – his first collaboration with Nancy outside of Reprise Records, the label founded by her father where all of her previous releases had appeared.  Two bonus tracks have been added to LITA’s CD premiere, both of which were recorded at a Nancy solo session on March 6, 1972.  Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar’s “Machine Gun Kelly” (best known from James Taylor’s 1971 rendition but introduced by Kootch’s band Jo Mama in 1970) previously appeared on Nancy’s 2006 release The Essential Nancy Sinatra. “Think I’m Coming Down” makes its debut here; Lee would re-record it for his 1973 Capitol solo album Poet, Fool, or Bum (an album which also featured the track “Nancy and Me”).   LITA’s expanded Nancy and Lee Again has been remastered by John Baldwin and features a booklet with Hunter Lea’s interview of Nancy Sinatra.  The vinyl version has been pressed at RTI and is housed within a gatefold jacket accompanied by a 20-page booklet.  All formats have been designed by Darryl Norsen.

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 “Bridge Over Troubled Water” performed live on VH1 in the mid-’90s alongside gospel icon CeCe Winans. An accompanying documentary of the same name will dive deeper into Whitney’s gospel roots, with commentary from host Winans. The special will air on the UPtv and AspireTV networks on March 24 and will also receive a DVD release on an unconfirmed date.

This definitive 2-CD anthology from upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Spinners presents every one of the quintet’s beloved A- and B-sides helmed by the late, great Thom Bell on Atlantic Records, with each and every song in its original single version.  It adds up to a total of 43 mighty tracks on 2 CDs, including 19 Pop hits and 22 R&B hits.  More than half of these are unique edits.  Most are new to CD, and all are freshly remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision from new tape transfers of the original stereo singles. The collection includes a deluxe 28-page booklet with rare photos and memorabilia. The track-by-track liner notes from The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese draw on a new interview with the last surviving member of the classic Spinners lineup, Henry Fambrough, as well as an unpublished interview with the late Thom Bell.  Joe also contributes a heartfelt tribute to the late, great Bell, who was a good friend. The package has been designed by Bill Pitzonka.

Following the recent, massive Wattstax box, the team at Craft Recordings has another major Stax archival excavation: Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos is an impressive 7CD anthology including 146 demo versions of enduring Stax hits and fan favorites, songs written by label songwriters that ended up elsewhere as well as a number of songs unveiled here for the first time. Only six of these tracks have ever been released!  The material here runs the gamut of Stax’s style and influence throughout the ’60s and ’70s. The box features raw, early song sketches and fleshed-out full-band ideas; rough versions of hits for The Staple Singers (“Respect Yourself”), Luther Ingram (“If Loving You is Wrong (I Don’t Want to Be Right)”), and even non-Stax artist Wilson Pickett (whose “634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)” can be heard above, in co-writer Eddie Floyd’s original pass); and works by some of the greatest names to pen for Stax, including Isaac Hayes & David Porter, Carla Thomas and the team known as We Three (Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher and Raymond Jackson).  Michael Graves has mastered the audio.

The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973 is a set for which Dionne Warwick fans have long been waiting: a complete collection featuring the A- and B-sides of every one of her classic Scepter Records singles (plus two bonus sides originally issued on the Musicor label).  A total of 74 songs are featured including all of the classic original Bacharach/David productions as well as deep cuts, for a total of more than 30 entries on the Hot 100, seven of which hit the Top 10 (not to mention plentiful AC and R&B smashes).  Every track on this anthology is presented in its original mono single mix, except for a few later titles originally issued as stereo singles.  Mike Milchner at SonicVision has remastered the singles from original tape sources while veteran music journalist Paul Grein has provided liner notes.  John Sellards has designed the package which includes rare photos of Warwick in the 28-page booklet. The collection is limited to 3,000 units.

Paul Simonon (The Clash, Gorillaz, The Good, The Bad & The Queen) and singer-songwriter Galen Ayers have teamed for this new collaborative album of bilingual duets.  Its ten transporting tracks sung in English and Spanish present a wide overview of European musical cultures including homages to the music of England, Spain, Greece, France, and beyond.  The album was produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T Rex) and features musicians Simon Tong, Sebastian Rochford, and Don Donovan, as well as special guest Damon Albarn on melodica.  The evocative Can We Do Tomorrow Another Day? will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats, and the duo’s official webstore is selling an exclusive white vinyl LP as well as signed CDs and LPs.  The first single, “Lonely Town,” is streaming now.

Van Morrison is back with a new 2-CD set dedicated to the skiffle style and featuring both original songs and covers such as “Cold, Cold Heart,” “Cotton Fields,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and “Greenback Dollar.”

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Box: Stephen Stills Webstore

Omnivore and Iconic Artists are serving up a previously unreleased 14-song album drawn from Stephen Stills’ concerts at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley, CA, on August 20 and 21, 1971.  Stills opened with a solo acoustic set and closed with an electric one featuring The Memphis Horns.  He had some surprises in store for the Bay Area audience, however, including an appearance by David Crosby on “You Don’t Have to Cry” (from Crosby, Stills, and Nash’s 1969 eponymous debut) and “The Lee Shore” (which had appeared on CSNY’s 1971 live album 4 Way Street).

Iconoclassic expands and remasters the 1984 album from Ohio Players and Parliament-Funkadelic veteran Junie Morrison.  This worldwide CD premiere of Evacuate Your Seats has been remastered by Nick Robbins from the original masters and adds six bonus tracks including three Arthur Baker remixes of “Tease Me,” the U.K. single edit and 12-inch remix of “Techno-Freqs,” and dub mix “T-Freqan.” Andy Kellman has written the new liner notes in the 16-page booklet.

After well over a year since the release of Satisfaction Guaranteed, United Souls’ series of box sets collecting the Philadelphia International label’s complete studio albums resumes with Love Is the Message: The Sound of Philadelphia Vol. 3.  The third installment of the series promised to eventually encompass 15 volumes contains the following eight studio albums:

• The Ebonys, The Ebonys (Philadelphia International KZ 32419, 1973);
• MFSB, Love Is the Message (Philadelphia International KZ 32707, 1973);
• Bunny Sigler, That’s How Long I’ll Be Loving You (Philadelphia International KZ 32859, 1974);
• Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, To Be True (Philadelphia International KZ 33148, 1975);
• The O’Jays, Survival (Philadelphia International KZ 33150, 1975);
• Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Potpourri (Philadelphia International KZ 33152, 1974);
• Monk Montgomery, Reality (Philadelphia International KZ 33153, 1974); and
• Billy Paul, Got My Head on Straight (Philadelphia International KZ 33157, 1975).

Like previous boxes in this series, a 12-inch single is included.  This time, it features MFSB’s “T.S.O.P.” featuring The Three Degrees, backed with The Trammps’ “Stop and Think.”  The latter would appear on an album in 1975 when PIR imprint Golden Fleece released the eponymous The Trammps.  Tony Cummings supplies liner notes for this collection, and all audio has been remastered from the original tapes.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Somewhere Under the Rainbow, No. 2 in Neil Young’s Original Bootleg Series, was recorded live at London’s Rainbow Theatre on November 5, 1973. Young was joined by The Santa Monica Flyers, a.k.a. Nils Lofgren (lead and rhythm guitar, piano, accordion, vocals), Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar, vocals), Billy Talbot (bass, vocals), and Ralph Molina (drums, vocals). (Talbot and Molina, of course, have been the only two consistent members of Crazy Horse since the band’s inception; Lofgren played in the band in 1970-1971, 1973, and from 2018 to the present day.  Ben Keith first worked with Young on 1971’s Harvest, beginning a 40-year collaboration.)  The Flyers all played on the sessions for Young’s Tonight’s the Night album, much of which was played at the Rainbow.  They were in a particularly improvisational frame of mind that night, leading to some of the most spontaneous, intense, and charged performances of the artist’s career.  It arrives on two CDs or two LPs.

Rhino has a 2LP reissue of Talking Heads’ seminal soundtrack to the concert film Stop Making Sense, coinciding with the film’s return to theatres this summer. The new edition brings 19 songs from the various concert releases to the fold, including newly released versions of “Cities” and “Big Business/I Zimbra,” which were edited into certain VHS/laserdisc releases of the film and included as DVD/Blu-ray extras. Harrison and mixer Eric “E.T.” Thorngren have also completed a Dolby Atmos mix of the concert which will be released to digital platforms the same day the vinyl version arrives in stores.

Craft Recordings relaunches the venerable Original Jazz Classics series with two titles including 1960’s Prestige Records release Workin’ with The Miles Davis Quintet.  The LP features Davis’ First Great Quintet: Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, Philly Joe Jones on drums, and John Coltrane on tenor saxophone. It’s out on 180-gram vinyl, cut from the original master tapes in an all-analog (AAA) chain by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio.  The LP will also be reissued digitally in 192/24 HD Audio.

1961’s Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane was recorded in 1957 but not issued until Trane (already a veteran of Davis’ and Dizzy Gillespie’s bands) had become a jazz superstar in his own right.  The album was recorded not long after pianist Monk, already a titan of the jazz genre, and Coltrane began a summer residency at New York’s Five Spot Café.  Now, it returns as one of the first titles in the relaunched Original Jazz Classics series.  The album has been pressed on 180-gram vinyl, cut from the original master tapes in an all-analog (AAA) chain by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio.  it will also be reissued digitally in 192/24 HD Audio.

Working Our Way Back to You: The Ultimate Collection tells the story of Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and other members of the legendary Four Seasons in deep detail: 44 CDs and one vinyl LP, packed with rare, out-of-print, and unreleased material from the group’s entire history. It goes so much deeper than “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Beggin’,” “My Eyes Adored You,” “Who Loves You,” “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” and “Grease,” to name just 10 songs from the group (and their frontman)’s canon. The box includes all of The Seasons’ and Valli’s solo albums, released on the Vee Jay, Philips, Motown, Private Stock, Warner Bros., MCA, Curb, and Rhino labels between 1962 and 2017. Mono and stereo mixes have been preserved – including the first-ever mono release of the 1969 cult classic The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette (available on CD and vinyl) – along with single sides, demos, alternate mixes and other rarities. A few of the discs are completely unreleased, including a group of long-coveted mid-’70s Seasons sessions for Motown Records, a lost late ’70s disco album and three live sets recorded between 1972 and 1974. Three new compilations of rarities, unreleased tracks and ephemera are also included. (There’s even Jersey Babys, a 2008 collection of recordings of Seasons material for young listeners, ostensibly inspired by the runaway success of musical Jersey Boys.)  It’s topped off with a 144-page hardcover book with liner notes by Paul Sexton and interviews by Ken Sharp.

Craft Recordings looks back on the Savoy label and the roots of bebop on this new collection.  Available on five 10-inch LPs or two CDs, The Birth of Bop brings together 30 early examples of the groundbreaking jazz genre originally recorded between 1944 and 1949; artists include Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Milt Jackson, Kai Winding, and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis.  New liner notes have been penned by Neil Tesser while Joe Tarantino has remastered.

Rick Springfield’s previously unreleased 1974 album for Columbia Records gets its first-ever release in a deluxe, expanded edition from Iconoclassic Records. Over the years, just three tracks from the gutsy, rock-and-roll-oriented Springfield have escaped the vault (including “American Girls”).  Iconoclassic’s world premiere of the complete album includes his previously unreleased 1974 performance at Post Falls, Idaho’s Northwest Speedway as well as the “Streakin’ Across the USA”/”Music to Streak By” single.  Everything has been mastered by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios, and the package is adorned with striking artwork by John Sellards.  Ken Sharp provides the liner notes in the 20-page booklet which is stuffed with photos and memorabilia from the era as well as track-by-track memories from Springfield and bandmates Katona and Leinheiser.

Singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphey’s sophomore album, produced by Bob Johnston and originally released in 1973 on the A&M label, makes its domestic CD debut in this remastered edition which features the original album sequence only.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Amazon-Exclusive Colored Vinyl: Amazon U.S.

Paul Simon is ready to unveil Seven Psalms, his fifteenth studio album: a 33-minute suite of music consisting of seven compositions which are meant to be played as one continuous piece.  The album has been produced by Simon and Kyle Crusham, and was recorded by the artist entirely on acoustic instruments.  Focused on the intimacy of Simon as vocalist and guitarist, the album also features choral contributions from British vocal group VOCES8 and an appearance by singer-songwriter (and Paul’s wife) Edie Brickell.​

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Nearly 20 years ago, genre-bending Southern rock outfit (and launching pad for now-solo superstar Jason Isbell) Drive-By Truckers got their first shot of mainstream success with an intriguing concept album called The Dirty South. Now, the group is revisiting that release on The Complete Dirty South. It’s a release that frontman Patterson Hood is deeming a “director’s cut” of the original work, featuring an expanded, altered track list and a few songs that are remixed, featuring new vocals or both. All tracks have been remastered by Greg Calbi.  Updated artwork by the band’s longtime artist Wes Freed (who passed away in 2022) completes the set.

Hallelujah!  Carry On: The Deluxe Collection 1982-1992 is a long-overdue assessment of Martha Wash and Izora Armstead’s unlikely journey toward the top of the pop charts, some fascinating music that came before it – and a triumphant second act by Wash following some truly bizarre situations that only could have happened in the music industry. This 4CD box set, compiled and produced by Adam Mattera, presents The Weather Girls’ three albums for Columbia Records – Success (1983), Big Girls Don’t Cry (1985) and The Weather Girls (1988) – plus Wash’s self-titled solo debut from 1992; together, they feature a total of 22 bonus songs and remixes, of which eight are making their debut on CD. Nick Robbins has remastered the audio, packaged with a booklet designed by Roger Williams featuring rare photographs and new liner notes by Tim Dillinger.​

Elemental Music has unearthed more Treasures from the Bill Evans archives on this new 2-CD set (released on vinyl for Record Store Day) featuring the pianist in various settings including solo, trio, and with the Royal Danish Symphony Orchestra and Danish Radio Big Band.  Among the highlights of this deluxe package is the only solo piano version by Evans known of “My Funny Valentine.”

This new 2-CD set captures sax man Sonny Stitt at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore, Maryland on November 11, 1973.  He’s joined by Kenny Barron on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums for this set which features such standards as “Lover Man,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” and “Stella by Starlight.”  A vinyl version was recently released for Record Store Day.

Smokey Robinson returns with his first full album of original material in almost 15 years, featuring such suggestively-titled songs as “I Wanna Know Your Body,” “Roll Around,” and “I Fit in There.”  Available on CD and digital/streaming.

Rickie Lee Jones’ fifteenth studio album, Pieces of Treasure features the singer’s renditions of such classic standards as “Just in Time,” “There Will Never Be Another You,” “September Song,” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”  The album, available on CD, digital/streaming, and vinyl, reunites Jones with producer Russ Titelman.

Following similar releases for Big Country’s material through the ’90s (including the expansive Out Beyond the River set and a deluxe edition of 1995’s Why the Long Face), 1999’s Driving to Damascus will be celebrated by Cherry Red with a 4CD box set that collects the album, B-side material, remixes included on a belated U.S. release titled John Wayne’s Dream, and 36 demo recordings. The newly-redesigned package, sporting new cover art and packaged in a clamshell box like the others, also includes new liner notes by Ian Grey, the band’s manager from 1981 to 2013.​

The Definitive 24 Nights (Duck/Reprise/Rhino, 2023)

6CD/3BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
8LP/3BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

CD 1-2/LP 1-3: 24 Nights: Rock

2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

CD 3-4/LP 4-5: 24 Nights: Blues

2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

CD 5-6/LP 6-8: 24 Nights: Orchestral

2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino rolls out a series of releases telling an even deeper story of the period that birthed Eric Clapton’s classic 1991Gold-certified live set 24 Nights. The Definitive 24 Nights is a three-part box set, spread over six CDs or eight LPs and three Blu-rays, offering mostly unreleased material from those famed London sets at Clapton’s longtime home of Royal Albert Hall. Each “set,” grouped into three categories – rock, blues and orchestral – is available separately. All audiovisual material has been restored and remixed by producer Simon Climie along with video producer Peter Worsley and director David Barnard. David Fricke has penned new liner notes for the set, included in the box as a hardbound book with an individually numbered lithograph featuring a photo of Clapton by Carl Sudna. The Definiitive 24 Nights provides an alternative look at those concerts: only 12 of the 47 tracks on the collection have been released before. (Note that the original album had 15 tracks, and in fact four of them are not replicated here; one of the previously released cuts was used as a B-side. So hold on to your original copies, completists!)

Yep Roc reissues Nick Lowe’s tenth studio album and second indie release.  This new reissue of Dig My Mood, available on blue vinyl or digitally, will come with a yellow 10″ EP of bonus material from the period. All five tracks – a studio track called “I’ll Give You All Night to Stop” and four live recordings from Japan in support of Dig My Mood – come from a Lowe box set and have never been released on vinyl or digitally.  It’s limited to just 1,500 copies.

In the weeks before his passing, late Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot approved the release of this May 24, 2016 concert at Royal Albert Hall.  The 2CD set features such beloved Lightfoot standards as “Beautiful,” “Early Morning Rain,” “Sundown,” “Carefree Highway,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”  The 2LP vinyl edition arrives September 1.

Reba McEntire releases a new collection to coincide with the publication of her book, also entitled Not That Fancy.  The 14-song set, available on CD, 2 LPs, and digitally, reprises the Revisited portion of her 2021 triple album Revised, Remixed, Revisited with new recordings made after that album including the new single “Seven Minutes in Heaven” and reworkings of “If You See Him/If You See Her” with Brooks and Dunn, “Till You Love Me,” and “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”

Universal Music Recordings celebrates an often-overlooked period of jazz-pop chanteuse Blossom Dearie’s career with the release of Discover Who I Am: The Fontana Years London 1966-1970. The 6-CD box set includes all four original albums which Dearie released on Fontana (each one of which is expanded with non-LP singles) plus two bonus discs with 27 previously unreleased recordings including renditions of contemporary songs from Jimmy Webb, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dave Frishberg, and others, as well as her own compositions. Audio for the collection has been mastered by Simon Gibson at Abbey Road, and the discs are presented in a hardback book featuring a new essay by Dearie’s friend Jaime Smith of her Daffodil Records label.  Previously unpublished photos provided by her niece and nephew are also showcased.  Blossom Dearie was an American original who found much of her success and fame abroad; this collection is the first comprehensive look at this period of her fascinating career.

4CD: Amazon U.S. (TBD) / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada (TBD)
4CD with signed print: Amazon U.K.

Dance Masters: Arthur Baker (The Classic Dance Remixes) brings Baker’s work behind the mixing boards to life with a 43-track offering of classic 12″ mixes. From club hits like Afrika Bambaataa and The SoulSonic Force’s “Planet Rock” to mixes of pop classics by Daryl Hall & John Oates, Cyndi Lauper, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Fleetwood Mac, and more, this new volume of Dance Masters offering will more than live up to its name. It’ll be available on four CDs or eight LPs, newly remastered by Nick Robbins at Sound Mastering and featuring in-depth liner notes by Bill Coleman plus track-by-track commentary by Baker himself (along with rare photos from his archives). A 2LP highlights package will also be available.  Of particular worth to collectors is a promotional mix of Pet Shop Boys’ “Suburbia” making its CD debut, plus rare-to-CD mixes of songs by Al Jarreau, Robbie Nevil, Neneh Cherry, Carly Simon and Atlantic Starr. Even a mix of Artists United Against Apartheid’s charity single “Sun City” and a track from Baker’s collaboration with Bob Dylan (1985’s Empire Burlesque) are included here.

7CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
8LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Changes: The Complete 1970s Atlantic Recordings – on 7 CDs, 8 LPs, and digital formats – collects new remasters of all seven of jazz bassist-composer-leader Charles Mingus’ studio albums as originally released on Atlantic Records between 1974 and 1979 plus bonus material. The CD version includes three previously unreleased outtakes: “Big Alice,” “The Call,” and “Music for ‘Todo Modo.'” The LP version, though, offers more: those three tracks plus additional unreleased takes for “Big Alice” and “The Call” and previously released alternates (which first appeared on CD in 1993) of “Big Alice” and “The Call.”

Just in time for his triumphant return to the Radio City Music Hall stage and in anticipation of the fall opening of his Broadway musical Harmony, Music on Vinyl revisits Barry Manilow’s debut album in its original 1973 mix featuring versions of “Could It Be Magic,” “Sweet Life,” “One of These Days,” and “Oh My Lady” not heard since that first pressing.  The reissue is limited and numbered, and pressed on gold vinyl. A numbered red vinyl pressing of Manilow’s third album, 1975’s Tryin’ to Get the Feeling, will follow on July 7.

Rough Mix, Pete Townshend’s second “solo” album, was recorded with bassist-songwriter Ronnie Lane (Small Faces, Faces) and producer Glyn Johns.  Featuring guests John Entwistle, Eric Clapton, Charlie Watts, Ian Stewart, and the duo of Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle, Rough Mix gets the Half-Speed Mastered treatment, mastered by Jon Astley and cut for vinyl by Miles Showell at Abbey Road.  It’s housed within a gatefold sleeve and has replica U.K. Polydor labels.

The fifth and final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel arrives on CD June 9 (and LP on September 22) – and marvelous it is!  The album features both classics (Tony Bennett’s “I Wanna Be Around,” Barbra Streisand’s “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” and “I Stayed Too Long at the Fair,” Richard Burton’s Camelot ballad “How to Handle a Woman,” Doris Day’s “I Love the Way You Say Goodnight,” and Bobby Short’s “I Happen to Like New York”) and some unexpected surprises (Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as Carol Burnett doing Once Upon a Mattress‘ “Shy,” Hank Azaria’s “Nancy (With the Laughing Face),” and Mrs. Maisel herself – Rachel Brosnahan – performing her final standup routine).

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Killer, released in November 1971, was the fourth album from the original Alice Cooper band line-up of singer Alice Cooper, lead guitarist Glen Buxton, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway, and drummer Neal Smith. But it was the group’s second album to crystallize the hard rock sound for which Cooper would become known.    This newly remastered Deluxe Edition features the original album on CD 1, including the chart entries “Under My Wheels” (No. 59 on the Hot 100) and “Be My Lover” (No. 49), plus alternate takes of “You Drive Me Nervous,” “Under My Wheels,” and “Dead Babies.”  The second CD has the previously unreleased live set at Puerto Rico’s Mar y Sol Pop Festival recorded on April 2, 1972.  Captured before the band re-entered the studio to record School’s Out, the show features that album’s “Public Animal # 9” as well as most of Killer and selections from Love It to Death including “I’m Eighteen.”  Also available on 3 LPs.

​

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Alice Cooper’s School’s Out (1972) was previewed by the instantly memorable title track on 45 RPM; by the time the album (and school) was out, the song had already hit the U.S. top ten and No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart.  As a result, the LP shot to No. 2 on the Billboard 200; today, the title track is still the most-performed song in Alice’s live shows.  Cooper’s influences for the LP were broad, and School’s Out twice incorporated the Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim score to West Side Story – both on “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets” and “Grande Finale.” This remastered and expanded edition, available on 2 CDs or 3 LPs, adds the single versions of “School’s Out” and “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets” as well as two previously unreleased tracks: an alternate version of “Alma Mater” and an early demo for “Elected.”  The latter would turn up in 1973 on the chart-topping Billion Dollar Babies.  A previously unissued Miami show from May 27, 1972 – just weeks after the Mar y Sol gig – completes the release.  The vinyl version will replicate the original release, opening up the school desk to reveal the album wrapped in a pair of panties.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

1972’s Sailin’ Shoes was the second album from the original Little Feat lineup of singer-guitarist Lowell George, drummer Richard Hayward, keyboard player Bill Payne, and bassist Roy Estrada. The LP spawned numerous signature songs which would later be covered by the band’s many fans, including “Sailin’ Shoes” (Van Dyke Parks, Robert Palmer), “Easy to Slip” (Bob Weir, Black Crowes), “A Apolitical Blues” (Van Halen), and “Teenage Nervous Breakdown” (Nazareth).  The most famous, though, is “Willin,” a re-recording of a Lowell George tune from Little Feat’s debut.  The Byrds, Phish, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, and Mandy Moore have all sung the ode to “weed, whites, and wine” – as did Linda Ronstadt on her seminal 1974 album Heart Like a Wheel.  This 2-CD or 3-LP expansion adds previously unreleased demos, alternate versions, and outtakes, as well as a newly unearthed and previously unreleased complete concert recorded at Los Angeles’ Palladium on August 28, 1971. This live set, drawing on songs from both Little Feat and Sailin’ Shoes, marks the only existing multi-track recording to feature the original lineup of the band.  Both editions include new liner notes by rock historian David Fricke.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

1973’s Dixie Chicken introduced a new, six-piece Little Feat line-up led by Lowell George, Bill Payne, and Richard Heyward, with Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, and Kenny Gradney joining for the first time.  The album signaled the band’s move towards New Orleans-style R&B and funk, and welcomed Bonnie Raitt, Gloria Jones, Bonnie Bramlett, and Danny Hutton as background vocalists; Wrecking Crew drummer Milt Holland appeared on Dixie Chicken as he had on Sailin’ Shoes.  Numerous previously unreleased session recordings debut on the new expanded edition, including alternate takes of “Roll Um Easy,” “On Your Way Down,” and “Juliette.” An unreleased live set from Paul’s Mall in Boston was recorded on March 1, 1973 boasting tunes from Dixie Chicken (“Two Trains,” “Walkin’ All Night”) and the band’s previous two albums (“Willin’,” “Got No Shadow.”).  Rarities from the 2000 Hotcakes and Outtakes box set round out the bonus material.  Onetime Grateful Dead publicist Dennis McNally has written the new liner notes.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Rhino Store

Stevie Nicks gets the box set treatment on the 10CD or limited, direct-to-consumer exclusive 16LP set Complete Studio Albums & Rarities. The set brings together just about all of Nicks’ own output between 1981 and 2014, a period covered by Rhino’s Stand Back compilation from 2019. The set features the chart-topping Bella Donna (1981) and follow-up The Wild Heart (1983) – both presented as remastered for a pair of deluxe editions in 2016 – newly-remastered versions of Rock a Little (1985), The Other Side of the Mirror (1989), Street Angel (1994) and Trouble in Shangri-La (2001), and the late-period successes In Your Dreams (2011) and 24 Karat Gold – Songs from the Vault (2014). The set closes out with a newly-compiled double album of Rarities, featuring 23 B-sides, bonus tracks, compilation songs, material from nine different soundtrack collections and Nicks’ recently-released cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.”  Also available digitally.

3CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Elvis Presley’s seminal 1973 returns for its 50th anniversary in a new box set.  This edition takes its cues from the audio contents of last year’s 3-CD release from the mail-order Follow That Dream label: the original album on CD 1 as newly remixed by Matt-Ross Spang, the dress rehearsal on CD 2 as reprised from the 2013 Legacy Edition, and multiple takes of the additional songs captured for the U.S. broadcast on CD 3, also remixed by Ross-Spang.  New to this release, however, is the Blu-ray premiere of the original special.  A 28-page booklet with liner notes by Randy Lewis is also included in the package. A 2LP vinyl edition of the remixed original album will also be released the same day.​

6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
9LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Neil Young’s Official Release Series Volume 5 arrives on 6 CDs or 9 LPs.  Both formats include Freedom (1989), an expanded edition of Ragged Glory (1990), Weld (1991), and Arc (1991).  As with all titles in this series, the albums have been remastered, with Ragged Glory sourced from analog tape.  This marks the first time these four LPs have been remastered for vinyl. The vinyl and CD box sets are individually numbered, and the LPs are pressed on 180-gram vinyl.  High-resolution digital audio will also be available, and all purchases at Young’s official Greedy Hand Store come with a free high-resolution digital download.

2CD/Red LP/Black 7″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Picture Disc: Queen Official Store
Red 7″: Queen Official Store
CD single: Queen Official Store

Having reissued and expanded Brian May’s Back to the Light and Another World, UMe turns fans’ attention to the Queen guitarist’s first-ever solo project, a 1983 collaboration with a collection of stellar musicians – including a team-up with another one of the most iconic guitarists of the age.  Star Fleet Project, first issued 40 years ago, was a three-track album clocking in at just under half an hour, but here it’s being expanded to two discs featuring the original contents of the album remixed, rare interviews, and a deep dive into the sessions that birthed the record. It’ll all be released across seven different formats, from a 2CD/LP/7″ box to CD, vinyl and cassette offerings.  The in-depth focus is for good reason: Star Fleet Project features May alongside keyboardist Fred Mandel (who’d just completed several tours with Queen), bassist Phil Chen (a session bassist who’d logged time with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart), then-REO Speedwagon drummer Alan Gratzer, and none other than Eddie Van Halen trading guitar licks with Queen’s resident axe man.

Over 50 years after David Bowie bade farewell to one of his most recognizable onstage personas, the show in which he did so is being reissued and restored.  Ziggy Stardust: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be reissued by Parlophone just one month after the exact anniversary of that landmark date at Hammersmith Odeon in London. Originally issued in truncated form in 1983, the program was remixed and restored in 2003; this updated presentation will feature two tracks finally added into the running order: a medley of “The Jean Genie” and The Beatles’ “Love Me Do” plus “Round and Round,” both featuring Jeff Beck on guitar. (The medley was released last year as part of the soundtrack to the Bowie documentary Moonage Daydream, while the other track is heard here for the first time anywhere; both tracks have been newly mixed by Tony Visconti.)  In addition to the revisited audio, a deluxe 2CD/Blu-ray package will include a 4K restoration of Pennebaker’s documentary featuring 12 minutes of additional footage and a 5.1 surround mix by Visconti. The audio alone will be available on 2 CDs or 2 gold LPs.

The indefatigable Willie Nelson’s latest studio album recasts many of his classic compositions in bluegrass fashion.  Titles include “On the Road Again,” “Yesterday’s Wine,” and “Bloody Mary Morning.”  Nelson’s longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon has produced this tribute to the great string bands of yesteryear.  Available on CD/digital September 15, and LP September 29.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Limited Edition CD: Official Store
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Deluxe 2LP: Official Store
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Deluxe 4LP: Official Store
Japan-Exclusive 6CD: CDJapan

Aerosmith has a brand-new career spanning compilation coming in multiple formats.  The simply-titled Greatest Hits shares a name with the group’s first compilation, issued back in 1980, but it’s being billed as an “ultimate” product, and packaged as an entirely different set. It is, of course, the first compilation issued since the band transferred albums and material released by Columbia Records between 1973 and 2012 over to Universal Music Group for distribution in 2021. (Universal previously controlled the group’s output on Geffen Records issues between 1985 and 1994, and that same year issued an archival rehearsal set recorded before the group even had a record deal.)  Up to 44 tracks – hit singles, album cuts and a few rare edits – will be included in the package, covering all of the group’s albums of original material featuring the classic lineup of frontman Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer. The pool of tracks will be divided on an 18-track highlights CD, a 10-track LP and a 20-song double vinyl album. Exclusively packaged versions of the CD, 2LP and 4LP variants will be sold on the band’s web store, as well as exclusive merchandise bundles.  A Japan-exclusive 6CD edition adds three bonus live discs.

 

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Almost sixteen years after the release of Chrome Dreams II, Neil Young is finally unveiling the original, “lost” 1977 album.  Featuring cover artwork by Ronnie Wood dating back to 1976, Chrome Dreams arrives in CD, LP, and digital formats.  The dozen songs comprising the album were recorded between 1974 and 1976 and assembled as an acetate to consider for potential release in 1977.  Ultimately, Young opted to shelve Chrome Dreams, but most of the songs have trickled out over the years.  This release presents them all in their originally-intended sequence and premieres the recordings of “Sedan Delivery” and “Hold Back the Tears.”​

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP (Grape): Rhino.com

Live in Japan 1973, Live in London 1974 is a 4CD/4LP box set offering two much-coveted sets in the short but pivotal era in which guitar god Jeff Beck, drummer/singer Carmine Appice, and bassist Tim Bogert laid down a heavy duty power trio that knocked fans of The Jeff Beck Group and The Yardbirds sideways. Both concerts have been remixed from original multitrack elements with the approval of all three band members (Bogert died in 2021; the set is dedicated to both him and the late Beck). Available on CD or vinyl, with a grape variant of the latter exclusively available at Rhino’s official web store, this new box also includes informative liner notes by journalist Bruce Pilato, placing the short-lived trio in its proper context. Rare photos and memorabilia and a replica poster will also be included inside.

Verve has unearthed a previously unreleased live appearance from Nina Simone, recorded July 2, 1966 at the Newport Jazz Festival.  The six-song set includes such Simone classics as “I Loves You Porgy” and “Mississippi Goddam.”  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Billy Idol’s 1982 debut album returns in a 2-CD expanded edition.  The first disc has the original album plus the newly-discovered “Clubland Extended Version” of the hit “White Wedding” that adds another four minutes to the running time.  The album is further complemented with an unreleased live set from The Roxy in West Hollywood at the end of 1982; it features the balance of tracks from Don’t Stop and Billy Idol plus a few from Generation X’s swan song Kiss Me Deadly.  The original album, sans the bonuses, also returns to vinyl.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP (Original): Amazon U.S. (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)
3LP (International): Amazon U.S. (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Three years after revisiting one of her first major releases, 1995’s The Woman in Me, country-pop icon Shania Twain will do the same for her 1997 follow-up Come On Over – the album that made her a pop star.  The Diamond Edition of Come On Over will encompass a number of formats, including 2CD/2LP standard editions and 3CD/3LP deluxe packages. The 3CD includes both mixes of the acclaimed album – the standard country/pop/rock mix issued in America and a second “international” dance version released around the world in 1998 and 1999 – as well as a nine-track collection of new and old remixes and live tracks, including guest appearances from Elton John, Backstreet Boys, Alison Krauss & Union Station and Chris Martin of Coldplay. (Vinyl deluxe editions will include the bonus disc with either version of the album.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Carly Simon was signed for her first solo album contract to Elektra Records by the label’s founder, Jac Holzman, beginning an association with the label that would endure for the entirety of the 1970s. Holzman’s hands-on approach to overseeing his label’s output, however, would only last for three of Simon’s albums, as he departed Elektra in 1973, three years after selling the company to the conglomerate that had just swallowed up Warner Bros.’ assets. Now, that brief but halcyon period of collaboration is being collected by Rhino. These Are the Good Old Days: The Carly Simon and Jac Holzman Story is a 1CD, 2LP, and digital compilation curated by Holzman and drawing on both hits and deep cuts from Carly Simon (1971), Anticipation (1971), and No Secrets (1972) plus one previously unreleased demo and a previously unreleased mix of the John Prine-written “Angel from Montgomery.”  All audio has been remastered for this release.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP/7″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Steve Miller Band’s J50: Evolution of The Joker eschews the typical album-plus-outtakes format for a mostly chronological journey through the history of the album, track-by-track. Over two CDs or three LPs and a 7″ single, the original album will be reassembled with various live recordings, demos, and studio outtakes plus some commentary tracks from Miller himself – all previously unreleased. (The sole released bonus track: the original single version of the title track.) Eight of the songs, including lead tracks “Lidi” and “Travelin’,” have never been heard before. The packages also include liner notes by Miller and Anthony DeCurtis, plus an iron-on transfer and lithograph within the vinyl box.

 

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP Signed: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

In the course of a career spanning seven decades, Tony Visconti has produced seminal albums in the classic rock genre including high profile collaborations with David Bowie, T. Rex, Gentle Giant, Strawbs, and Badfinger.  But Visconti’s C.V. runs much deeper, from folk (Ralph McTell, Tom Paxton) to musical theatre (Elaine Paige) and everything in between (Sparks).  Edsel now releases the first large-scale tribute to Visconti’s enormous musical legacy.  Produced by Tony Visconti has been curated by its subject.  It will be available in a variety of formats including 4 CDs, 6 LPs, and 2 LPs, with the 6LP edition including a signed print by Visconti.  The CD box boasts 77 tracks from the producer’s distinguished career, while the LP box offers 73 and the highlights 2LP set has 30 songs. Phil Kinrade has mastered all audio at AIR Mastering with Visconti’s approval.  The 4CD version has an 80-page booklet with an introduction by Visconti, track-by-track notes by Mark Paytress, artist tributes, and previously unpublished photographs.  The 6LP vinyl edition is strictly limited to 1,000 units, with each LP pressed on 140-gram vinyl and a 60-page booklet included.  Artwork for both formats was designed by the Barnbrook studio.

2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.K.
Picture Disc: HAIM Store

A decade after sister pop/rock trio HAIM became darlings of the music world with a lauded debut album – and not long after they opened a string of high-profile dates for friend Taylor Swift – they’re revisiting the record with a newly expanded edition.  Days Are Gone – the sleek first volume from the group, is getting the 10th anniversary treatment with a bonus disc of B-sides and remixes from the period curated by the sisters. The album, featuring the singles “Forever,” “Falling,” “The Wire,” “If I Could Change Your Mind,” and more, will be pressed on double green vinyl, with picture disc and 2CD variants available outside North America.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The late, great Christine McVie’s 1984 solo album returns on CD and LP from Rhino. Produced by Russ Titelman, McVie led a band comprising guitarist Todd Sharp, bassist George Hawkins, and Average White Band drummer Steve Ferrone; she also welcomed guests including Steve Winwood (who co-wrote “Ask Anybody” and duetted on “One in a Million”), Eric Clapton, and bandmates Buckingham and Fleetwood. Proving her songwriting mettle hadn’t dulled a bit, the brilliant single “Got a Hold on Me” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Barnes and Noble will carry a “bottle green clear” color variant of the vinyl LP.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Christine McVie’s 2004 LP In the Meantime, recorded primarily with her nephew Dan Perfect, George Hawkins, and Steve Ferrone, proved that she still hadn’t lost a step – once the secret weapon of Fleetwood Mac, now an assured soloist in her own right.  This new edition adds one bonus track, the previously unreleased “Little Darlin’,” on CD and LP.  The vinyl edition is pressed on 2 LPs with a songbird etching on the fourth side.

Johnny Mathis is back with his first album since 2017 and his first yuletide set in a decade.  Christmas Time Is Here boasts ten newly-recorded tracks including those which premiered last year on the digital-only EP A Merry Little Christmas.  It’s Mathis’ seventh full Christmas LP (not counting 1999’s Listen! It’s Christmas for Hallmark stores, on which he contributed six new recordings). Produced by longtime Mathis collaborators Jay Landers (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler) and Fred Mollin (Jimmy Webb, Linda Ronstadt), Christmas Time Is Here finds the singer revisiting many of his favorite seasonal songs and adding two – the bluesy “Merry Christmas, Baby” and heartfelt “Auld Lang Syne” – to his already-considerable repertoire.  It’s available on vinyl from Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records (including a “Christmas tree green” pressing available everywhere and a “Holly Red” pressing exclusively at Barnes & Noble) and on CD from Legacy Recordings.

Tired of “Monster Mash”? Through with calling “Ghostbusters”? If your Halloween playlist is begging for something different, Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records have you covered with Music to Freak Your Friends and Break Your Lease.  One of the most unusual records of all time, this “Symphony for Tape Delay, IBM Instruction Manual, & Ohm Septet” was credited upon its original release in 1974 to “recognized raconteur, genius, composer, musicologist, conductor” Heins Hoffman-Richter, whom the original liner notes blithely informed us “died from an ear lobe tumor.” Who? you might ask. It turns out that the late Hoffman-Richter was none other than best-selling poet and all-time cult music hero Rod McKuen (Listen to the Warm, “Seasons in the Sun”)…but you won’t find any cats named Sloopy here.  This excursion into the avant-garde realm of musique concrete has to be heard to be believed. It arrives on “seaglass with black swirl” vinyl in a package that replicates the collectible original release.  A glow-in-the-dark pressing is strictly limited to 100 units and available directly from Real Gone Music, while 300 copies on “antifreeze green” vinyl will be earmarked for Vinyl Me, Please. The LP, in all formats, additionally includes an insert with new liner notes from The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese. ​

The third volume of Joni Mitchell’s remarkable Archives series continues with an exploration of the period that yielded such groundbreaking albums as For the Roses (1972), Court and Spark (1974), the live Miles of Aisles (1974), and The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975).  The new 5CD, 96-track box – also available digitally or in 4LP “highlights” form – chronicles the era via previously unreleased demos, jams, outtakes, and live performances including two full concerts. The CD box set Includes a 40-page booklet with an interview between Cameron Crowe and Joni, plus a number of rare photos.

CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino gives David Coverdale and Whitesnake’s The Purple Album the ongoing remaster/remix treatment it’s given many of the band’s other albums with Coverdale in the driver’s seat. The remixed “Special Gold Edition” album of Mark III and Mark IV-era Deep Purple covers comes with a bonus disc of live material, alternate mixes, and the original demo tape that secured Coverdale the gig as the group’s frontman more than 50 years ago. An accompanying Blu-ray is packed with music videos, live clips and new commentary from Coverdale on the album.  A 2LP edition of the original album is also being released on gold vinyl.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Music of Heatmiser, available on CD or 2LP, is named for the self-released cassette the group – singer/guitarists Elliott Smith and Neal Gust, drummer Tony Lash, and bassist Brandt Peterson (later replaced by Sam Coombes) – would offer at shows in and around the Portland, Oregon area in which they came up. For the first time, that cassette will be made widely available on this release, alongside the contents of an early non-album single, demos that would end up on their debut album Dead Air (1993), a cadre of unreleased songs, and a 1994 live radio session.  It all adds up to the most comprehensive look at the late Smith’s early band.

7CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
12LP/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (milky white vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (clear vinyl)
Vinyl Singles Box: Official Store

The expanded edition of Prince’s Diamonds and Pearls comes two years past the 30th anniversary of the album and features a wide assortment of the bonus audio content that’s accompanied expansions of 1999, Purple Rain and Sign O’ the Times. The album, newly remastered by Bernie Grundman, is complemented by a collection of B-sides, remixes and edits; 33 previously unreleased recordings from the legendary Vault at Paisley Park, and live concerts in audio and visual forms. The box set will be available in 7CD/Blu-ray and 12LP/Blu-ray formats along with simpler editions that feature the album and single/mix material. It’s the first catalogue release from the estate and label partners Legacy Recordings since last year’s remix of Prince and The Revolution Live.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP/7″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Niji Entertainment and BMG’s The Studio Albums 1996-2004 features the final recordings Ronnie James Dio made with his band before the singer’s passing in 2010. It’ll be available on CD as well as a limited edition vinyl set featuring color variations for each album: 1996’s Angry Machines will be pressed on Halloween orange with black marble vinyl, the double-album Magica (2000) on transparent blood red/black smoke vinyl, 2002’s Killing the Dragon on transparent yellow and black marbled vinyl, and the group’s final album Master of the Moon (2004) on electric blue with milky clear marbled vinyl. Also exclusive to the vinyl box: a single sided cobalt blue 7″ of the band’s final single “Electra,” issued months before Dio’s passing.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino is urging fans to “get the message” by reissuing and expanding their collection devoted to British dance-pop supergroup Electronic. Get the Message: The Best of Electronic, originally released in 2006, will be revisited as a new double-vinyl pressing or a 2CD edition pairing the original 15-track compilation alongside another 15 rare remixes and B-sides.

Iconoclassic Records brings a long-lost album from E Street Band charter member David Sancious to CD.  After playing piano, organ and keys on Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ; The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle; and the title track of Born to Run, Sancious founded Tone with bassist Gerry Carboy and another former E Streeter, drummer Ernest “Boom” Carter. Fans expecting the Jersey Shore sound were in for a surprise: Tone were influenced by prog and jazz fusion, and Dance of the Age of Enlightenment – a four-movement ballet – was no different. The album was awash in painstakingly overdubbed keyboards and synths and featured vocals from Mahavishnu Orchestra/Return to Forever singer Gayle Moran and another vocalist on the shore scene named Patti Scialfa (who would later marry Springsteen). Despite its artistic merits, Sancious’ label Arista projected little commercial fortunes, and the album was shelved after a rare promotional issue squeaked out.  That all changes with this CD premiere, newly remastered from the original tapes by Sancious himself. (He’s also penned liner notes for the package, which features John Sellards’ restoration of the original album artwork.) Fans of ’70s prog and fusion will find this one irresistible.

Jimmy Buffett’s 32nd studio album, and first to be released posthumously, features 14 original songs (including “Bubbles Up” and “My Gummie Just Kicked In”) and guest appearances by Paul McCartney, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Angelique Kidjo, and Emmylou Harris.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.

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.

1973’s Time Fades Away, the first live album released by Neil Young, returns in a 50th anniversary vinyl edition.  Supported by The Stray Gators and joined by David Crosby and Graham Nash, Young introduced a set of previously unheard songs on the album.  The B-side of the title track, “The Last Trip to Tulsa,” has been added to this clear vinyl release.

The new EP Dolenz Sings R.E.M. arrives from 7a Records.  Produced by Christian Nesmith (who also plays guitar, bass, keyboards, and percussion, and sings background vocals) and featuring Christopher Allis, Circe Link, and Coco Dolenz, Dolenz Sings R.E.M. reinvents the Athens, Georgia band’s “Shiny Happy People,” “Man in the Moon,” “Radio Free Europe,” and “Leaving New York” as only Micky can.  The music video for “Shiny Happy People” is streaming now.

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 Bootique
“Sugar Me” Pink Splatter 2LP: Spotify
Abridged 4-Track Tape: Nancy’s Bootique
Abridged 8-Track Tape: Nancy’s Bootique

Following the release of the anthology Start Walkin’ 1965-1976 and expanded editions of Boots, Nancy and Lee, and Nancy and Lee Again, LITA is delivering a companion volume to Start Walkin’ which focuses on Nancy’s B-sides and hidden gems.  Keep Walkin’: Singles, Demos, and Rarities (1965-1978) arrives in a plethora of formats including CD, various 2LP editions, digitally, and 4-track and 8-track cassettes.  The collection features three previously unreleased outtakes, all newly mixed in 2022, as well as one track making its debut in a physical format.

5CD: UDiscoverMusic.com / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 
8LP: UDiscoverMusic.com / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 
2CD: UDiscoverMusic.com / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP + 10-Inch: UDiscoverMusic.com / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The culmination of the band’s tragically short career, Nirvana’s In Utero initially stoked fears over its raw, aggressive, and seemingly uncommercial sound.  To say that those fears were unfounded is an understatement: the 1993 album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the U.K. Albums Chart, and has since been certified 6x Platinum in the United States.  It’s now returning in a multi-format 30th anniversary edition, with formats including a limited-edition 8LP Super Deluxe box set, 5CD Super Deluxe box set, 1 LP + 10″ edition, 2CD Deluxe Edition, and a Digital Super Deluxe edition.  The Super Deluxe releases comprise 72 tracks, 53 of which are previously unreleased.  The contents are:

• Original remastered album plus five bonus tracks/B-sides (1 CD or 2 LPs);
• Live in Los Angeles – Great Western Forum: December 30, 1993 (2 CDs or 3 LPs);
• Live in Seattle – Seattle Center Arena: January 7, 1994 (2 CDs or 3LPs); and
• Bonus Live 1993-1994 (included on B-Sides LP and Live in Seattle CD).

Both Live in Los Angeles and Live in Seattle, the band’s final performance in their hometown, are previously unreleased.  Seattle producer-engineer Jack Endino has restored the show from stereo soundboard tapes.  The In Utero album and five bonus sides have been remastered from the analog master tapes by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Services; Weston assisted Steve Albini as the only other engineer at the original recording sessions.  A 2CD highlights edition contains the original album plus 14 live tracks culled from the big box.  A 1LP remaster adds the five bonus tracks/B-sides on a 10-inch EP.  ​

The fourth album from Rochester, New York rockers Duke Jupiter premieres on CD from Iconoclassic Records. The 1982 album’s title was possibly a reference to a hard reset the group had done after spending the late ’70s as a larger, occasionally horn-suffused combo on Mercury Records. Duke Jupiter 1 found the group paring down to original members Marshall Styler (vocals/keyboards) and Greg Walker (vocals/guitar) and new additions Rick Ellis on bass (original bassist George Barajas played on parts of the album before his death from a brain tumor that year) and drummer/singer David Corcoran. Promoted with a free hometown concert whose attendance figures are the stuff of local legend, single “I’ll Drink to You” was a minor Billboard Hot 100 hit and a recurrent on the nascent MTV. Duke Jupiter would go on to open up for what felt like every major rock act of the early ’80s before splitting in 1986; the list included REO Speedwagon, David Bowie, ZZ Top, Huey Lewis & The News and more. For this brand-new release, Vic Anesini has remastered the album as well as a non-LP B-side from the era, while Rochester-based writer Marcia Greenwood has penned liner notes.

The Iconoclassic label’s first-ever vinyl LP title will be an expansion of Packet of Three, the 1984 live release by the late British singer/guitarist Steve Marriott, fronting a power trio of the same name that featured Jim Leverton and drummer Fallon Williams. Well known in the rock world for his contributions to Small Faces and Humble Pie – Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Stanley and Steve Perry have all cited him among their favorite singers – Marriott was keen, in the wake of a lucrative early ’80s Humble Pie reunion that offered him some needed remuneration, to play wherever his muse took him. On July 6, 1984, that “wherever” was legendary London venue Dingwalls, where he wowed an intimate crowd with favorites from his previous bands as well as some stalwart covers. Released on a small U.K. label that same year, it was expanded on CD a decade later with nearly twice as many tracks as the original release; that program is now being pressed on vinyl, with those six bonus tracks debuting on the format. Andy Pearce has digitally remastered the set, which features new sleeve notes by writer Ralph Chapman within its restored artwork.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon U.K. (signed print) / Amazon Canada
6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (signed print) / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Arthur Baker-presented Dance Masters series follows generous box sets on Shep Pettibone and Baker himself with a new overview of John “T.C.” Luongo, who parlayed working in and around the Boston club scene into more than a decade of 12″ remix work, first for some of the greatest R&B artists crossing over into disco, and then fusing cutting edge dance sounds to a new generation of MTV-savvy rock acts. The list of cuts given the extended treatment here is formidable, from Dan Hartman’s influential “Vertigo/Relight My Fire” and soulful sides by Johnny Mathis, Melba Moore, and Patti LaBelle to takes on Huey Lewis and The News’ “I Want a New Drug,” Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face,” ABC’s “The Look of Love,” Tina Turner’s “The Best” and so much more. As with the other volumes in the Dance Masters series, this one has been coordinated and compiled by catalog producer Wayne A. Dickson and Baker (who also writes a foreword to the set’s liner notes essay by Alexis Petridis). Luongo offers track-by-track commentary along with rare photos from his personal collection. The 4CD set will feature 43 tracks in total, with a 6LP box set showcasing 36 tracks (some of which are different mixes or songs entirely) and a double vinyl featuring 16. (Amazon U.K. will have limited quantities of the box set editions with a signed print.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Target (pink vinyl)

Barbra Streisand looks back on her remarkable recording career with Evergreens: Celebrating Six Decades on Columbia Records.  The vocalist’s 1963 debut The Barbra Streisand Album took home the Grammy Award for Album of the Year as well as Best Vocal Performance – Female, inaugurating a tenure on Columbia Records that has (so far!) encompassed 36 studio albums as well as live sets, collections, box sets, cast recordings, and soundtracks. This new retrospective features 22 songs hand-picked by Streisand, almost entirely eschewing her hit singles in favor of songs which were chosen by the artist to “exemplify her emotional connection to these melodies and lyrics – each holding a special place in her heart and memory.”  Spanning The Barbra Streisand Album through 2018’s striking Walls, these songs add up to an alternate history of Streisand in the studio, taking listeners through each of her many eras.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Barnes and Noble

Yentl: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition celebrates the Platinum-certified soundtrack to the film for which Barbra Streisand made history as the first woman to direct, write, produce, and star in a Hollywood studio movie. The upcoming 40th Anniversary Edition features the original album on the first CD and a bonus disc of 15 tracks, nearly all previously unreleased. The centerpiece of this disc are nine demos recorded in Streisand’s living room with composer Michel Legrand on piano.  (Alan and Marilyn Bergman provided the lyrics.) These intimate performances were recorded on a cassette deck, with the star-writer-director providing narration to introduce each song. Other bonuses include previously unreleased studio versions of “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” and “Several Sins a Day,” the single version of “Papa, Can You Hear Me?,” the reprise of “This Is One of Those Moments,” the performance with Rabbinical chorus of “Where Is It Written,” and the original End Titles.  Barnes and Noble will exclusively carry the expanded Yentl vinyl.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscover Music (yellow vinyl)
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Cranberries’ third album, from 1996, gets the deluxe, expanded, and remastered treatment with a smattering of previously released bonus material beside two discs of almost entirely unreleased studio outtakes and live material. The album, newly remastered by John Dent, will be available in the 3CD set as well as single and double vinyl configurations; the former features the original European album track list while the 2LP set adds the two studio B-sides from the CD (including a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way”) and the three unreleased demos with Tim Palmer.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Coming as a 3CD or 4LP set on February 24, 2024 but available digitally now, the new expansion of Mariah Carey’s 1993 Music Box features the original 10-track album expanded with international bonus track “Everything Fades Away”; a disc of studio material, including the unheard teaser “Workin’ Hard,” rare and new remixes, her hit cover of the Lionel Richie-penned “Endless Love,” a duet with Luther Vandross; live appearances on Top of the Pops and a never-before-released re-recording of “Hero” from 2009; and a 10-track set from a New York theater showcase recorded a month before the album’s release. The redesigned cover features a full image of Mariah as seen cropped and up close on the original sleeve. (A myriad of behind-the-scenes video footage will be added to the artist’s YouTube channel this week, including making-of mini-documentaries and other trivia-packed clips.

Earlier this year, Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music celebrated the extraordinary legacy of The Spinners with the release of The Complete Atlantic Singles: The Thom Bell Productions 1972-1979, collecting a whopping 43 single sides on two CDs.  Now, SoulMusic Records and Cherry Red are continuing the Spinners party with a comprehensive box set chronicling that halcyon period with eight expanded albums on 7 CDs.  Ain’t No Price on Happiness: The Thom Bell Studio Recordings (1972-1979) brings together every one of The Spinners’ studio albums in that span of time, all produced, arranged, and conducted by legendary maestro Thom Bell.  All told, the set co-produced by SoulMusic Records’ David Nathan and TSD’s Joe Marchese contains 92 tracks (including 25 bonus tracks consisting of single edits, non-LP sides, remixes, and The Spinners’ very first Atlantic Records session) plus comprehensive liner notes by Marchese.  Read more here.

Earlier this year, Green Hill released the first volume of Olivia Newton-John’s duet series.  Now, a second volume from the late, great superstar arrives with two previously unreleased duets (“I’m Counting On You” with Johnny O’Keefe and “I Will Be Right Here” with David Campbell) and ten favorites (“Tenterfield Saddler” with Peter Allen, “Wishin’ and Hopin'” with Dionne Warwick, “Rest Your Love on Me” with Andy Gibb,  “Everybody’s Someone” with Cliff Richard).

The prolific Mr. Morrison returns with a new studio album – his 45th overall and second this year, following Moving on Skiffle – that salutes classic rock and roll.  Accentuate the Positive features his renditions of such favorite tunes as the jaunty title track, “You Are My Sunshine,” “Sea of Heartbreak,” “Red Sails in the Sunset,” “Lucille,” “Blueberry Hill,” and “Shake, Rattle, and Roll.”  Chris Farlowe and the late Jeff Beck are guests.  Available on 2CD, 2LP, and digitally.

Ringo Starr is back with a new EP, his fourth such release in three years.  Starr penned the original songs with Bruce Sugar and welcomed Steve Lukather and Joe Williams of Toto, and Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell of The Heartbreakers among the guests.  Paul McCartney has contributed an original song, too: “Feeling the Sunlight.”  Available on CD, 10-inch LP, cassette, and digitally.

For just over two decades, Kirsty MacColl was one of England’s most uniquely talented female rock singer/songwriters. This fall, nearly a quarter century after her passing, a new box set examines her career in-depth.  See That Girl (1979-2000) is an 8CD set loaded with 161 singles, rarities, remixes, live cuts and duets – including 47 previously unreleased recordings. Produced in partnership with the singer’s estate, the set features two gatefold sleeves of discs and a 60-page hardback book packed in a 24 cm x 24 cm slipcase. Inside the book are new notes by journalist Jude Rogers as well as contributions and remembrances from collaborators Billy Bragg and Johnny Marr, former husband Steve Lillywhite and Dave Robinson, the executive who helped kickstart her career by signing her to Stiff Records.

The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 brings newly remastered and repressed LP versions of Joel’s final six studio albums – Glass Houses (1980), The Nylon Curtain (1982), An Innocent Man (1983), The Bridge (1986), Storm Front (1989) and River of Dreams (1993) – plus the debut vinyl pressing of Joel’s classical compositions set Fantasies & Delusions (2001) and the premiere audio release of his beloved Live from Long Island concert special, broadcast 40 years ago. All the audio has been transferred from original analog and digital sources by Joel’s longtime mastering engineer Ted Jensen, with lacquers cut at Sterling Sound by Joe Nino Hernes. As with 2021’s first vinyl box, an accompanying booklet will feature a new essay by Rob Tannenbaum alongside rare photos and era-appropriate memorabilia.​

8CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
12LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

When Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits reissued their classic catalogue in a box set in 2020, it only covered studio recordings. Now, a companion box will feature their live material, including 29 unreleased tracks.  Live 1978-1992 will offer expansions of two classic Dire Straits concert albums (1984’s Alchemy: Dire Straits Live and 1993’s On the Night, one of the last releases before their dissolution), the 1993 companion EP Encores, 1995’s Live at the BBC compilation and, for the first time anywhere, an album drawn from sets at The Rainbow Theatre in London at the end of 1979. The set, available on eight CDs or a dozen LPs, will include new liner notes from Paul Sexton focusing on Dire Straits as a live act.

 

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Experience Hendrix and Legacy travel back to the Summer of Love to premiere a never-before-bootlegged concert from the Hollywood Bowl when The Jimi Hendrix Experience was opening for The Mamas and The Papas. Jeff Slate provides the liner notes for the new release which has been overseen by Janie Hendrix, John McDermott, and Eddie Kramer.  The latter restored the audio which has been mastered by Bernie Grundman.  In addition to CD and digital releases, Hollywood Bowl: August 18, 1967 will be issued on individually numbered 150-gram vinyl.  The package will include previously unpublished photos by Ed Caraeff, Henry Diltz, and Allen Daviau from the evening. These include performance shots as well as candid images of the band with The Mamas & The Papas, DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, and manager Chas Chandler.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

NKOTB’s 2008 reunion album returns in a 15th anniversary Revisited edition which feature the original album and nine bonus tracks on CD or two LPs, including the unreleased fan favorite “Coming Home” and a new remix of the track “Dirty Dancing” recorded with K-pop outfit SEVENTEEN. Digital editions will include a further eight bonus tracks, including four unheard songs from the album sessions.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP/12″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

One of reggae’s most enduring international releases gets the deluxe treatment this fall, with a new reissue of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Catch a Fire. The 50th anniversary set (available on three CDs or three LPs with a single-sided bonus 12″) brings together Marley’s first album for Island Records along with an unreleased 1973 concert at London’s Paris Theatre, unreleased session versions (similar to material featured on a 2001 deluxe edition of the album) and three widely-bootlegged tracks from another live show in Edmonton, North London. The bonus 12″ is single-sided, with the other featuring an etching of the original album sleeve, built to open like a Zippo lighter; the more familiar worldwide image of Marley smoking a spliff will be used on the general packaging.

 

Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops’ The Ultimate Pops Christmas Party! lives up to its title with 2 CDs and 35 tracks of yuletide cheer in the grand and lavish Boston Pops fashion.  Spanning 1949-1971, The Ultimate Pops Christmas Party! includes two full albums: the original 1959 Pops Christmas Party in RCA’s Living Stereo splendor and 1969’s new-to-CD Christmastime in Carol and Song.  The latter found Fiedler away from Boston and conducting in New York with some very special guests: legendary soprano Leontyne Price and beloved pop duo Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. The Ultimate Pops Christmas Party! premieres the original recording of “Sleigh Ride” on CD as well as numerous festive rarities from various singles and albums over the years including such classics as the Pops’ original version of Leroy Anderson’s “The Christmas Festival,” “The Toy Trumpet” with Al Hirt, and highlights from Babes in Toyland and The Nutcracker Suite.  TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes, and everything has been beautifully remastered by multiple Grammy winner Andreas K. Meyer and Ben Hadley at Swan Studios NYC.  In addition, the 24-page booklet designed by John Sellards features original album artwork and previously unpublished photos of Fiedler in a festive mood.

The Great Songs of Christmas: Masterworks Edition brings together 18 lush selections primarily drawn from the original, long out-of-print series of LPs, featuring the most beloved carols of all time as performed by the greatest classical artists of the 20th century.  These legends include Leonard Bernstein and The New York Philharmonic, Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, opera greats Richard Tucker, Robert Merrill, and Anna Moffo, cellist-conductor Pablo Casals, and Erich Leinsdorf and The London Symphony Orchestra with The Roger Wagner Chorale.  Half of the tracks are new to CD, and most of the rest can be fiendishly tough to find on out-of-print compilations.  This volume of The Great Songs of Christmas has been freshly remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision, and the deluxe 24-page booklet designed by John Sellards features new, track-by-track liner notes by Joe Marchese and rare photos of the artists.

Mercury Studios brings a 2003 Little Feat concert to a 2CD/BD set as well as digital video.  Previously issued on DVD in 2004, this release marks a significant upgrade for the concert film, as it’s being made available on Blu-ray for the first time.  The lineup includes Bill Payne, Paul Barrere (guitars/vocals), Sam Clayton (percussion/vocals), Kenny Gradney (bass), Richie Hayward (drums/vocals), Fred Tackett (guitars/trumpet), and Shaun Murphy (vocal/percussion). (Shaun was one-half of Stoney and Meatloaf opposite the future Bat Out of Hell superstar.)  Running at over 134 minutes, the Blu-ray not only includes the full concert, but a bonus 11-minute documentary Little Feat Close Up in St. Louis, in which the band members reflect on the band’s history to that period in time.

Guitarist-singer-songwriter Tim Easton, a fixture on the Americana scene, revisits his 1998 debut album Special 20 in a new 25th anniversary edition.  Produced by Brad Jones and Robin Eaton, the Nashville-recorded album introduced Easton’s rock-and-roll-meets-folk voice, with songs inspired by his college days as well as his time in Europe as a street troubadour.  The long out-of-print Special 20 will be reissued on both vinyl and CD.

Singer-songwriter-musician Tim Easton’s 2013 studio album Not Cool returns to CD and vinyl from Black Mesa Records.  Recording in Music City, Easton welcomed veterans (bassist Joe Fick, guitarist JD Simo and drummer Jon Radford), and newcomers (violinist Megan Palmer and guitarist Sadler Vaden) alike to record the LP that ended up on American Songwriter‘s “best-of” list for the year.  The album of which Easton remains proud (“Not Cool is the record, from start to finish, that I call my best album”) is ripe for rediscovery.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Even before but especially after her explosive pop comeback in the 1980s, Tina Turner more than earned the mantle of Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This fall, a new career-spanning compilation from Rhino will reaffirm that title, with 55 of her singles (and a few rarities) on one album. Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll spans Tina’s 1975 cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” – issued on Acid Queen, her second solo album (and last before escaping her physically and emotionally abusive relationship with former husband and creative partner Ike Turner) – all the way to a remix of signature song “What’s Love Got to Do with It” created by Norwegian dance musician Kygo, an international hit in 2020.  The album’s sole new track is a stunning new version of “Something Beautiful.” Originally titled “Something Beautiful Remains” and issued on 1996’s Wildest Dreams, the basic tracks have been revisited and re-worked by Terry Britten, co-writer of “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and a key collaborator on the albums Private Dancer (1984), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) and Break Every Rule (1986). The album’s packaging – both 3CD and 5LP versions – include a newly-penned foreword from friend and duet partner Bryan Adams.  A 1LP cutdown offers highlights only.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

70 years ago, in 1953, Frank Sinatra made the move from Columbia Records to the Capitol label.  Having chafed under the direction of Columbia’s pop guru Mitch Miller, the future Chairman of the Board sought – and received – creative freedom at the Tower on Hollywood and Vine.  Co-founded by songwriter Johnny Mercer, Capitol provided an artist-friendly environment in which Sinatra could, and would, thrive.  Frank Sinatra: Platinum, a 2CD, 4LP, or digital overview of The Voice’s time on the Capitol roster, celebrates that remarkable affiliation between artist and label.  The remastered collection also debuts a handful of alternate takes.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Barnes & Noble (Exclusive Green Vinyl)

O Christmas Three:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Chicago’s new 13-song compilation Greatest Christmas Hits draws on all four of the band’s Christmas releases, blending holiday classics with the band’s original compositions including Robert Lamm and the late Billy Hinsche’s “(Because It’s) Christmastime,” Neil Donell and Don Breithaupt’s “All Over the World,” and Lee Loughnane and John Durrill’s “Merry Christmas, I Love You.”  Dolly Parton is the only guest star, as her duet on “Wonderful Christmastime” has been reprised.  On the same date, Rhino reissues one of those original four albums, O Christmas Three, on CD.

Standard CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Standard Black Vinyl LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Amazon-Exclusive Green Vinyl LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Various Vinyl Exclusives (Including MLB): The Rolling Stones Shop
CD/Blu-ray Box (contains Atmos and hi-res stereo mixes on Blu-ray): The Rolling Stones Shop
B&N Exclusive Variant CD: Barnes & Noble
Target-Exclusive Purple Vinyl: Target.com

Hackney Diamonds, The Rolling Stones’ first album of original material since 2005 and first album since 2016, arrives in a variety of formats (a mere handful of which are noted above).  It marks the Stones’ first-ever album without Charlie Watts, though the late drummer is represented via recordings made before his death.  Hackney Diamonds’ plethora of formats ranges from standard CD and LP to vinyl variants for every Major League Baseball team (!) as well as a Japan-exclusive edition with bonus track.

Back to the Future, currently filling seats at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, is expanding its original London cast recording starring Olly Dobson and Roger Bart (currently reprising his role as Doc Brown in New York) with an entire bonus disc of demos and early versions of the score’s songs by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard.

A Vince Guaraldi classic premieres on CD and vinyl.  This 50th anniversary of the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving features the pianist-composer’s complete score for teh television special plus bonus material as remixed and remastered from the original, recently-discovered multitrack tapes. Featuring Guaraldi joined by Mike Clark on drums; Seward McCain on electric bass; Tom Harrell on trumpet; and Chuck Bennett on trombone, the soundtrack has been remixed by Terry Carleton, restored and mastered by Vinson Hudson, and produced by Sean and Jason Mendelson.

4CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Craft Store (picnic meadow green)

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This remarkable new 4CD/1BD box set invites listeners to hear The Sound of Music anew.  The first two discs represent the complete musical score as heard in the film, from the orchestral prelude and Julie Andrews’ iconic “The Sound of Music” – yes, that word is overused, but it certainly qualifies here! – all the way to the climactic reprise of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and the “End Cast” titles. The program closes with vintage audio interviews with Rodgers, Wise and Charmain Carr, who played the Von Trapp’s eldest daughter Liesl.  The third disc presents a fresh remaster of the original 1965 soundtrack LP along with a few archival bonus tracks – most of them previously released, other than a demo of “I Have Confidence” sung by none other than Marni Nixon, who played one of the nuns and also famously served as the singing voice behind Natalie Wood in the Wise-directed 1961 adaptation of West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn in 1964’s My Fair Lady (a role Andrews originated but was passed over, allowing her to secure her Oscar-winning turn in Mary Poppins.) The fourth disc, meanwhile, is chockablock with extras: alternate takes of key songs and instrumentals of the major musical numbers, nearly all previously unreleased. (The set boasts a total of 42 unreleased tracks, including some pieces of score that did not make previous reissues.) Simply put, this box is the last word on the beloved soundtrack to The Sound of Music.  The Blu-ray offers stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes.  “Highlights” editions are available on CD and LP.

Shooter Jennings and The Werewolves of L.A. are celebrating the late, great Warren Zevon on a new set which includes their reinterpretations of such Zevon favorites as “Excitable Boy,” “Carmelita,” “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me,” “Lawyers, Guns, and Money,” and, of course, “Werewolves of London.”  Available on CD, LP, and digitally. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Joe Jackson has channeled a new persona for What a Racket!  The album celebrates the songs of one Max Champion, a mysterious English music hall star of the early 20th century. “These were wonderful songs in their time, but they’re surprisingly modern, too,” Jackson comments in the press release. “Sometimes it’s almost as if Max is speaking, from his London of the early 20th century, directly to us in the early 21st.”  Hmm…What a Racket!, featuring the vocalist accompanied by a 12-piece band, arrives on CD, LP, and digital formats.

MCA/UMe marks the 45th anniversary of Olivia Newton-John’s Totally Hot by returning the Platinum-certified LP to CD, vinyl (black and exclusive red), and digital formats.  Produced by John Farrar, the album features the hits “A Little More Love” and “Deeper Than the Night” as well as covers of The Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin'” and Eric Carmen’s “Boats Against the Current.”

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Primary Wave delivers a new Christmas compilation from the legendary Bing Crosby.  Its 14 tracks encompass a dozen previously unreleased tracks from the Crosby archive plus the David Bowie duet “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” and more.  The set curated and annotated by Robert S. Bader additionally includes duets with Kathryn Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald.  Available on CD, LP, and digital formats.

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LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music

Real Gone Music presents a newly-remastered edition of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme’s joyous 1964 Christmas classic That Holiday Feeling!  Their son David Lawrence has written an introduction, and TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the liner notes.  The album has been remastered for vinyl by Eric Boulanger at The Bakery under the supervision of David Lawrence.

Neil Young re-presses the long out-of-print 8CD version of his first, expansive Archives box set, originally released in 2009.  This reissue replicates the original’s unique “Garypak” packaging designed by Young’s longtime art director, the late Gary Burden.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

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One of pop music’s most notorious strange-but-true tales has been memorialized in a gripping new documentary – and there’s a new compilation to go with it, too. The Best of Milli Vanilli (35th Anniversary) offers 14 tracks (and three remixes) from the infamous European duo, who shot to international acclaim with a slate of classic pop tunes and crashed back to earth when it turned out that neither member sang a note on the records. It’s not the first time the duo have been immortalized on a CD compilation: there was a 2006 disc, Greatest Hits, released in Europe, and a budget compilation issued by Sony Music in Europe in 2013 and even in America two years later. But this is, for all intents and purposes, one of the more “official” audio retellings of that story.

Neil Young has teamed with legendary producer Lou Adler (The Mamas and The Papas, Carole King’s Tapestry, The Rocky Horror Picture Show) for an album unlike any other he’s recorded.  Before and After features Young revisiting some of the lesser-known gems in his discography, arranging them into a 48-minute suite meant to played continuously.  The sequence is career-spanning, from his first Buffalo Springfield appearance “Burned” through “Don’t Forget Love” from 2021’s Barn.  One previously unreleased song, “If You Got Love,” debuts.  The album will be available in four formats: vinyl LP; clear vinyl LP (available only from independent record stores and Young’s Greedy Hand online store), Blu-ray Disc featuring Dolby Atmos mix, binaural mix, and Hi-Res 96/24 stereo; and CD.  As always, Hi-Res digital audio is available at Xstream download store through Neil Young Archives and other providers.

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Back in 2018, Rhino Records compiled Aretha Franklin’s The Atlantic Records 1960s Collection, bringing together the Queen of Soul’s first five, groundbreaking studio albums for the label originally released between 1967 and 1969 plus bonus material.  Now, BMG is picking up where that set left off with A Portrait of the Queen.  The new collection, available on 5 CDs or 6 LPs, contains Franklin’s first five studio sets from the new decade: This Girl’s In Love With You (1970); Spirit In The Dark (1970); Young, Gifted And Black (1972); Hey Now Hey (The Other Side Of The Sky) (1973); and Let Me In Your Life (1974).  Like the earlier 1960s collection, A Portrait of the Queen will include copious bonus material including alternate takes, outtakes, non-LP single sides, and demos, totaling more than two dozen rarities on CD and ten on vinyl.  (All of the bonus material has beThe albums in both the vinyl and CD versions of Portrait of the Queen have been remastered from the original analog master tapes by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering and Michael Graves at Osiris Studio, respectively.  Omnivore Recordings’ Cheryl Pawelski has produced the set which features new liner notes by SoulMusic Records’ David Nathan and Billboard‘s Gail Mitchell.

Pop acts of the ’80s didn’t get much more quintessentially British than Bucks Fizz. Assembled for a memorable winner at the Eurovision Song Contest, the vocal quartet scored 11 Top 20 hits in England throughout the decade – none of which never made a whisper near the U.S. charts. But if you’re an anglophile in search of an education, Cherry Red’s got you covered with a generous new 5CD collection – just in time for the holidays. The Land of Make Believe: The Definitive Collection lives up to its name, gathering 39 single sides from Bucks Fizz plus a dozen 12″ mixes and a further 31 previously unreleased tracks: all original instrumental backing tracks and vaulted remixes. It’s all packed in a heavy-duty digipak offering a 28-page booklet of liner notes, photos and discographical notes.

Sony Classical offers a new look at Leonard Bernstein with this 12CD hardcover book-style box set.  The main selling point of Maestro on Record isn’t the music – though it’s thoughtfully curated as and powerful today as when it was recorded – but rather the photos.  Of roughly 21,000 photos related to Bernstein in the Sony Music Archives, producer Robert Russ and his team have selected hundreds (many previously unpublished) to document Bernstein’s life and work, year by year, in this hefty 224-page tome.  Most of the photos here were taken by the legendary Don Hunstein, the Columbia staff photographer who shot over 100,000 photos for the label between 1955 and 1986.  Bob Cato, Hank Parker, Sandy Speiser, and Art Maillet are among the other photographers represented.  The 12 CDs are thematically organized and collectively paint a fine portrait of Bernstein’s wide-ranging Columbia repertoire. Audio has been beautifully remastered by Andreas K. Meyer at Swan Studios NYC and Martin Kistner,

The new cast recording of Broadway’s current smash hit revival of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street starring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford – currently streaming – comes to 2 CDs on December 15 and to 3 LPs in March 2024 from Reprise/Arts Music.  Produced by musical director Alex Lacamoire and co-produced by director Thomas Kail, the album preserves the acclaimed cast’s rendition of Sondheim’s thrilling score with the original, 26-piece orchestrations of Jonathan Tunick.  Both the CD and LP versions will include a deluxe, 40-page booklet with liner notes by Peter Marks, the full libretto, and production photos.  Gaten Matarazzo, Jordan Fisher, Ruthie Ann Miles, Maria Bilbao, Jamie Jackson, John Rapson, and Nicholas Christopher round out the principal cast of this stunning revival.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Paul McCartney U.S. Shop
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD / Paul McCartney U.S. Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Paul McCartney U.S. Shop

Paul McCartney is celebrating 1973’s beloved Band on the Run for its 50th anniversary in a new reissue featuring the original album one on disc alongside a set of vintage alternate mixes of the project on the second disc. These “underdubbed” versions, lacking the expansive orchestration of the final album, were sourced from a rough mix prepared by original engineer Geoff Emerick on October 14, 1973.  The 2CD set has a foldout, double-sided Linda McCartney Polaroid poster while the slipcased 2LP version has two posters.  In addition, a half-speed-mastered 1LP edition (like the 2CD and 2LP editions, mirroring the U.S. track listing with “Helen Wheels” included) will arrive as mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road.  Finally, a Dolby Atmos mix by Giles Martin and Steve Orchard will hit digital services.  (The basic 2-disc configuration will, of course, also be released digitally.)

Earlier this year, on April 29 and 30, a variety of artists came together in the Hollywood hills to celebrate Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday.  Now, those star-studded evenings have been captured on a 2CD/1BD set with audio as well as a concert film.  The 39 performances include appearances from Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Keith Richards, Tom Jones, Kris Kristofferson, George Straight, Dwight Yoakam, Rosanne Cash, Willie’s son Lukas, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Dave Matthews, Norah Jones, Snoop Dogg, Booker T. Jones, Bob Weir, and others. Willie himself takes part on numerous duets including “We Had It All” with Richards, “Pancho and Lefty” with Strait, “Are There Any More Real Cowboys” with Stills and Young, and “Stardust” with Jones.  A 2-LP, 21-track highlights collection is also available on vinyl.

When You Fall in Love: Lost Columbia Masters 1977-1982 rounds up eighteen rarities from the late, great Andy Williams.  Over a dozen never-before-heard recordings premiere here which teamed Andy with producers, songwriters, and arrangers including Steve Dorff, Paul Vance, Kerry Chater, Bob Esty, Bill Justis, Gene Page, Dick Glasser, Robby Adcock, and Steve Popovich including original songs and covers of ABBA (“The Way Old Friends Do”), The Everly Brothers (“So Sad”), and Brenda Lee (“Losing You”).  A handful of rare singles premiere on CD here, too, including renditions of the Tom Snow-penned “You,” the Francis Lai-composed soundtrack theme “The Music’s Too Sweet Not to Dance” from Love Story sequel Oliver’s Story, and the Bob Esty-helmed disco version of original Love Story classic “Where Do I Begin.”  For the Love of Benji theme “Sunshine Smiles” also premieres here in a previously unreleased version arranged and produced by frequent Williams collaborator Nick DeCaro.  All tracks on When You Fall in Love: Lost Columbia Masters are mixed and remastered from the original tapes by Ted Carfrae, and the 20-page booklet designed by John Sellards features new annotation by TSD’s Joe Marchese.

Rod Stewart teams with pianist-bandleader Jools Holland for a return to the standards milieu, this time with an emphasis on swing.  The result looks to be an eclectic collection of favorites including Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Brigadoon showstopper “Almost Like Being in Love,” tunes associated with Nat “King” Cole (“Walkin’ My Baby Back Home”), Doris Day (“Sentimental Journey”), Louis Prima (“Oh, Marie”), and even Patti Page (“The Tennessee Waltz”), and more.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.

Neil Young brings Dume to vinyl for the first time.  The 16-track double album with Crazy Horse was assembled for Young’s second volume of Archives from material recorded during the sessions for 1975’s Zuma and features both outtakes and songs from that album – in essence, creating a new, more expansive version of Zuma minus one song (“Through My Sails”) and plus seven others.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The new 3CD or 4LP expansion of Mariah Carey’s Music Box (released digitally in fall 2023) features the original 10-track album expanded with international bonus track “Everything Fades Away”; a disc of studio material, including the unheard teaser “Workin’ Hard,” rare and new remixes, her popular cover of the Lionel Richie-penned “Endless Love,” a duet with Luther Vandross; live appearances on Top of the Pops and a never-before-released re-recording of “Hero” from 2009; and a 10-track set from a New York theater showcase recorded a month before the album’s release. The redesigned cover features a full image of Mariah as seen cropped and up close on the original sleeve.​

The legendary Dion DiMucci teams with a number of his favorite ladies – including Carlene Carter, Susan Tedeschi, and Shemekia Copeland – for this new album filled with blues, country, and rock-and-roll.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.

2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP (Amazon Exclusive Black and Bronze Swirl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Rolling Stones’ 2002-2003 Licks World Tour was one of The World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band’s most innovative.  To celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary (and the release of the career-spanning compilation 40 Licks), venues would come in three different sizes: small theatres, arenas, and stadiums.  Setlists would be scaled to the size of each venue, with the theatre settings giving the band the most freedom to perform lesser-known gems in addition to their major hits.  Mercury Studios releases one of those intimate shows when Live at The Wiltern comes to various formats including 2CD/DVD; 2CD/Blu-ray; 2CD; and 3LP (including standard black and Amazon-exclusive Black & Bronze Swirl).  The DVD & Blu-ray have the same tracklisting as both the 3LP and 2CD releases.  The rarities-oriented show also features a guest appearance from opening act Solomon Burke, The King of Rock and Soul. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (Exclusive Orange Vinyl)

In 1971, Alice Coltrane performed at Carnegie Hall at a gala benefit for the Integral Yoga Institute.  Supported by Kumar Kramer and Tulsi Reynolds, playing harmonium and tamboura, respectively, and a large ensemble comprising two saxophonists (Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp), two bassists (Jimmy Garrison and Cecil McBee), and two drummers (Ed Blackwell and Clifford Jarvis), pianist-harpist-composer Coltrane captivated with two compositions from her recent album Journey in Satchidananda and two from her late husband, John Coltrane.  Now, this concert is being released for the very first time as part of the Year of Alice, a year-long initiative from Verve and Impulse! Records and The John & Alice Coltrane Home.  Available on 2CD, 2LP, and digitally.

Melissa Manchester celebrates 50 years since her 1973 album debut Home to Myself with this new studio album, her first since 2017’s The Fellas.  RE:VIEW looks back on that extraordinary career with new arrangements and renditions of her classic songs, including “Midnight Blue” with Dolly Parton and “Whenever I Call You Friend” with her co-writer Kenny Loggins and saxophonist Dave Koz.  Melissa also debuts her own recording of “Confide in Me,” originally recorded by Diana Ross.  Gerald Albright guests on the touching “Just You and I.”  These ten songs add up to a warmly nostalgic yet always contemporary journey with one of music’s most remarkable artists.  Available on CD and digital/streaming.

4CD/DVD: 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

Just months after the career-spanning compilation The Queen of Rock and Roll, Parlophone and Rhino will reissue another one of the late Queen’s classic albums in several deluxe formats: 1993’s What’s Love Got to Do with It.  The companion album to the biopic of the same name, the 4CD/1DVD set will include the remastered original album – including two tracks left off U.S. pressings – along with a bonus disc of remixes and rarities, including an unreleased single edit of Tina’s cover of The Trammps’ “Disco Inferno” and an unheard a capella vocal of her re-recording of “Proud Mary.” The last two CDs and DVD include What’s Love Live, a concert film recorded at San Bernardino, CA’s Blockbuster Pavilion in 1993 but only released on VHS and laserdisc in Europe. (Three promo videos will round out the DVD content.) The box also features a 24-page booklet and poster. A cutdown 2CD edition will be available, featuring the first two CDs of album and remix material; a new vinyl pressing will be issued, as well.

Edsel continues its chronological collections of Belinda Carlisle’s albums with this Cornucopia. The 4-CD book-style box starts off with two discs of mostly “orphaned” tracks released largely between 1987 and 2021: B-sides, non-album and greatest hits-exclusive cuts, covers of John Lennon (“Jealous Guy”), Carpenters (“Bless the Beasts and the Children”), and the Sex Pistols (“Submission”), and even an octet of recordings Carlisle and producer Gabe Lopez have put together for various projects released by Edsel. (One A-side has squeaked on these discs: the single mix of Carlisle’s cover of Freda Payne’s “Band of Gold,” issued as a single from her debut Belinda with added background vocals from Payne herself.)  Over the next two discs, the box flips mostly from B-sides to A-sides, offering two dozen unique edits and mixes of material largely drawn from her strongest period as a hitmaker from 1987 to 1993, including “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” “I Get Weak,” “Circle in the Sand,” “Leave a Light On,” “(We Want) The Same Thing,” “Summer Rain,” “Runaway Horses,” “Live Your Life Be Free” and others. Cornucopia closes with 11 versions of these and other hits, recorded live in various concerts and issued as single B-sides.  While the first two Decades volumes have included oft-reissued albums only, this set is handy one-stop shopping for those interested only in Carlisle’s “bonus material.”  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Verve reissues Miss Simone’s 1985 “comeback” album, recorded after her return from time spent in Barbados and Liberia, on CD, LP, and digital formats.  The eclectic album includes Simone’s adaptation of the Gershwins’ and DuBose Heyward’s “Porgy” as well as Bob Gaudio and Jake Holmes’ “For a While” (written for Frank Sinatra’s Watertown) and two of her own compositions, “I Sing Just to Know That I’m Alive” and “Fodder on Her Wings.”  New artwork replaces the original cover photograph of, well, Nina’s back.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Red Vinyl: Amazon U.S.

The simply-titled Best of Bruce Springsteen arrives with 18 tracks on CD and LP and 31 on digital formats. The concept is straightforward, bringing together hits and favorites from 1973’s Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ through 2020’s Letter to You. Each of The Boss’ studio albums from that span is represented on the CD/LP other than 1992’s Lucky Town, 2005’s Devils and Dust, 2006’s We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, 2009’s Working on a Dream, 2012’s Wrecking Ball, and 2014’s High Hopes. Springsteen signature songs “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight),” “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road,” “Badlands,” “Hungry Heart,” “Born in the USA,” and “Dancing in the Dark” are all present.

John Entwistle’s solo material – between and after his time as founding bassist of The Who – is being compiled into a new box set from Edsel.  The Ox collects six of his solo albums – Smash Your Head Against the Wall (1971), Whistle Rymes (1972), Rigor Mortis Sets In (1973), Mad Dog (1975), Too Late the Hero (1981) and The Rock (1996) – along with 29 previously released bonus tracks, including demos, B-sides and other rarities. (The track lists mirror individual reissues of these albums from 2005, as distributed by Castle Music in the U.K. and Sanctuary in the U.S.) A 28-page booklet includes full album credits and liner notes by Alan Robinson. Each disc is packaged in a gatefold mini-replica of its original album sleeve, with albums and booklet housed in a clamshell case.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The new, deluxe expansion of Billy Idol’s 1983 LP Rebel Yell will pair the original U.S. Top 10 album – which spawned the hit “Eyes Without a Face” and beloved singles “Rebel Yell,” “Flesh for Fantasy” and “Catch My Fall” – with a bonus disc featuring seven unreleased demos and outtakes, a modern remix of one track, and on the CD, an assortment of additional rarities from a 1999 remaster of the album.

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The Border, Willie Nelson’s 152nd (!) overall album per Texas Monthly, features four new Nelson/Buddy Cannon compositions plus the Rodney Crowell-penned title track, Crowell and Will Jennings’ “Many a Long and Lonesome Highway,” and more.  Produced by Cannon, The Border features Willie Nelson (lead vocals, Trigger) supported by Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Bobby Terry (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar), James Mitchell (electric guitar), Jim “Moose” Brown (Wurlitzer, B-3 organ, piano, synthesizer), Fred Eltringham (drums, percussion) and Barry Bales (upright bass); backing vocals are by Buddy Cannon and Melonie Cannon.  Available on CD, LP, and digital formats, plus a Barnes and Noble orange vinyl exclusive, and a Willie Nelson webstore vinyl exclusive with a 12 x 12″ lyric booklet with liner notes by Mikal Gilmore and photos by Pamela Springsteen.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Blue Note Tone Poet series expands Sonny Rollins’ classic live trio album recorded in New York City on November 3, 1957 with two different rhythm sections: Donald Bailey and Pete LaRoca (afternoon set), and Wilbur Ware and Elvin Jones (evening sets).  Produced by Rudy Van Gelder, Rollins’ sets formed the first live album recorded at the Village Vanguard.  The concerts were issued over two volumes in 1987; this is the first time all of the material has been brought together on one collection as newly remastered from the original tapes by Kevin Gray.  The booklet features rare photos by Francis Wolff and a new interview with Rollins conducted by Don Was.  Available on 2 CDs or 3 LPs.

5CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

This new 5CD/1Blu-ray collection from the late David Bowie follows 2019’s Conversation Piece (which shed light on the 1968-1969 David Bowie/Space Oddity era) and 2022’s Divine Symmetry (which chronicled the twelve months leading up to December 1971’s release of Hunky Dory).  Rock ‘n’ Roll Star! takes an in-depth look at Bowie’s path to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars, beginning in February 1971 and going through the album’s June 1972 release up to Ziggy and The Spiders’ October 1, 1972 concert at the Boston Music Hall.  The set’s five CDs boast more than two dozen previously unreleased tracks, encompassing demos, tracks recorded with the Arnold Corns band, home rehearsals, two full discs of radio and television performances, and single versions, plus session outtakes and alternate takes newly mixed by the original album’s producer, Ken Scott. The Blu-ray Disc offers the 2012 remaster of the original Ziggy Stardust album in 96/24 PCM Stereo and the 5.1 surround version from 2003 in 96/24 DTS-MA (Master Audio).  Single versions and the complete contents of CD 5 (the outtakes and alternative versions) are also included in 96/24 PCM Stereo.  Lastly, the Record Store Day release Waiting in the Sky (Before the Starman Came to Earth), an early version of the albums, is included in 96/24 PCM Stereo.  This assembly features four songs that ultimately weren’t included on Ziggy plus a unique sequence.  Two books round out the lavish package.

Light in the Attic continues the Nancy Sinatra Archival Series with her 1966 sophomore studio album. While a special vinyl edition will be issued for Record Store Day, the CD is available at wide release.  Remastered by John Baldwin, it includes two bonus tracks: “The Last of the Secret Agents?” and the previously unreleased “If Things Don’t Start Picking Up.”  The lavish booklet includes a Q&A between Nancy and reissue producer Hunter Lea plus timeline and previously unpublished photos from Nancy’s archive.

This new 4-albums-on-2-CDs set from TSD and SoulMusic Records via Cherry Red features:

• What Love Has Joined Together (1970) plus two new-to-CD bonus tracks;
• A Pocket Full of Miracles (1970);
• One Dozen Roses (1971); and
• Flying High Together (1972).

Only What Love Has Joined Together has previously appeared on CD, and that release is long out-of-print.  Two non-LP outtakes, “Paper People” and “(You’ve Got Me) Looking Through the Eyes of Love,” also make their CD debuts.  Audio has been remastered by Nick Robbins.  The 24-page booklet features new liner notes from TSD’s Joe Marchese drawing on new and archival quotes from Smokey Robinson, Claudette Robinson, Motown tape librarian Pat Cosby, and journalist Sharon Davis (a key player in the story of “The Tears of a Clown”) as well as detailed annotations from Motown historian Andrew Skurow.  Roger Williams has designed the artwork.

Legendary guitar hero and “Nashville Sound” progenitor Chet Atkins (1924-2001) is celebrated on this new release featuring contributions from James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Eric Clapton, Ashley Campbell, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs, Charlie McCoy, Atkins pals Tommy Emmanuel CGP and John Knowles CGP, and others.  Carl Jackson has produced.  A vinyl edition follows on May 3.

LITA has lined up an A-team of artists to celebrate the late Lou Reed.  The Power of the Heart is available in wide release on CD and as a Record Store Day exclusive on vinyl, and features Rosanne Cash, Keith Richards, Lucinda Williams, Rufus Wainwright, Rickie Lee Jones, Joan Jett, and others on a host of classic Reed songs.

Hempsteader: Live At The Calderone Concert Hall, Hempstead, New York, June 25, 1976 presents New Riders of the Purple Sage live onstage shortly after the release of the band’s MCA Records debut, New Riders.  In addition to vocalist-guitarist John “Marmaduke” Dawson’s originals (“Henry,” “Portland Woman” and “Glendale Train”), the album features covers of Otis Redding (“Hard to Handle”), The Rolling Stones (“Dead Flowers”), Jack Tempchin (“Fifteen Days Under the Hood”), Chuck Berry (“You Never Can Tell”), Loudon Wainwright III (“The Swimming Song”), and others.  Band archivist Rob Bleetstein has produced and annotated this release.  Available on CD and digitally.

Cleopatra has assembled a group of artists including Todd Rundgren, Steve Hillage, Carmine Appice, Ian Paice, Arthur Brown, and King Crimson’s Jakko M. Jakszyk and Mel Collins to recreate Crimson’s 1969 classic In the Court of The Crimson King.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.

Ian Hunter follows up his 2023 album Defiance Part 1 with a sequel subtitled Fiction.  He welcomes a host of guest artists including Johnny Depp, the late Jeff Beck, Lucinda Williams, and Brian May on this set of ten songs.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.  A unique vinyl edition with bonus tracks will be available as a Record Store Day exclusive.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Keep on Keepin’ On brings together expanded editions of all six of The Spinners’ Atlantic albums released after the Thom Bell years, including collaborations with producers Michael Zager, James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, Freddie Perren, and Leon Sylvers III:

• Dancin’ and Lovin’ (1979) plus six bonus tracks;
• Love Trippin’ (1980) plus three bonus tracks;
• Labor of Love (1981) plus two bonus tracks;
• Can’t Shake This Feelin’ (1981) plus three bonus tracks;
• Grand Slam (1982) plus two bonus tracks; and
• Cross Fire (1984) plus two bonus tracks.

Both Grand Slam and Cross Fire are making their worldwide authorized CD debuts on this collection.  Eighteen bonus tracks encompass single edits, 12-inch versions, and remixes.  As a special bonus, 1975’s Spinners Live! featuring lead singer Philippé Wynne has been included as a bonus disc, completing The Spinners’ 1973-1984 Atlantic Records discography following last year’s release of Ain’t No Price on Happiness: The Thom Bell Studio Recordings (1972-1979). Nick Robbins has remastered all of the audio, and the package (including replica wallets and Atlantic-inspired CD labels) has been designed by Roger Williams.  The deluxe 32-page booklet includes comprehensive, album-by-album notes by The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese drawing on exclusive quotes from John Edwards, Michael Zager, Tawatha Agee, and the late Henry Fambrough, to whom this set is dedicated.

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 Circle Be Unbroken,” “Come Go with Me,” and “A House Is Not a Home.”  Mavis Staples previously covered the latter Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic on her 1969 Stax/Volt solo debut.  Now, a document of the Staples’ African tour returns to CD and digital formats as Africa 80, restored and remastered by Michael Graves and featuring new liner notes by Tim Dillinger-Curenton.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
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Last year, Rhino reissued Little Feat’s seminal second and third albums, Sailin’ Shoes (1972) and Dixie Chicken (1973), as deluxe, expanded editions.  Now, the label is following those with a similar presentation of the California group’s fourth LP, 1974’s Feats Don’t Fail Me Now, on 2 CDs or 3 LPs.  Both versions feature a remastered edition of the original album plus rare and previously unreleased outtakes and alternate versions, with all audio sourced from the original two-track stereo and multitrack tapes.  The CD set additionally premieres a previously unheard recording of Little Feat live in Paris, recorded in 1975.  And that’s not all.  On the same date (June 14), Rhino.com will offer an exclusive CD, Live at the Rainbow ’75, with another previously unreleased show, this time from the legendary London venue.

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Seventeen of Eurodisco group Silver Convention’s most sought-after 45s from around the world, originally issued on various labels and often featuring exclusive mixes and edits unique to each country, are collected for the very first time on Get Up & Boogie: The Worldwide Singles.  The anthology also showcases the development of Silver Convention’s sound, which incorporated soul, R&B, and pop as well as disco and dance.  Among the many highlights on this floor-filling collection are “Get Up and Boogie (That’s Right)” (a U.S. No. 2 hit kept from the top spot by Wings’ “Silly Love Songs”), the infectious “San Francisco Hustle,” the sensual “No, No, Joe” (a moderate U.S. hit), Munich-meets-Philly collaborations “Spend the Night with Me” and “Get It Up” (arranged and conducted by The Monster Orchestra’s John Davis and featuring Don Renaldo’s Horns and Strings), and the non-LP side “Cafe au Lait.”  All of these rare singles have been restored and remastered by the Grammy-winning Osiris Studio, while TSD’s Joe Marchese has provided new liner notes.  Get Up & Boogie: The Worldwide Singles will be available on CD as well as digitally. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Asylum Albums (1976-1980) arrives on 5 CDs, 6 LPs, and digital formats, completing the Asylum period of Mitchell’s extraordinary career.  Whereas 1972-1975 represented the peak of Mitchell’s hitmaking years, 1976-1980 captured her in innovative, experimental mode.  Following the tour for 1975’s The Hissing of Summer Lawns, she embarked on a period of personal rediscovery and restless creativity which would manifest itself in the singular albums collected on this box set: Hejira (1976), Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter (1977), Mingus (1979), and the live Shadows and Light (1980). All four albums have been newly remastered by Bernie Grundman from the original analog stereo master tapes, and they’re housed in a box adorned with a portion of one of Mitchell’s paintings.  The full painting will be replicated as an insert in both the CD and LP packages.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

To coincide with a revival of the roller-skating sensation Starlight Express to London, Universal Music Recordings is reissuing a 1-LP “highlights” package of the original London cast recording on zoetrope vinyl.  This recording of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Richard Stilgoe musical preserves the performances of Stephanie Lawrence (Pearl), Frances Ruffelle (Dinah the Dining Car), Jeff Shankley (Greaseball), Ray Shell (Rusty), Jeffrey Daniel (Electra), Lon Satton (Poppa), and soul queen P.P. Arnold (Belle the Sleeping Car), among others.  The complete 1984 recording featured 28 tracks, 11 of which are reprised on this single-LP release.  A twelfth song, “Crazy,” has been appended from 1992’s The New Starlight Express, a much-publicized revision to the London production.  (When the combined London run of the original and new versions ended in January 2002, Starlight Express had run for 7,409 performances.)

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP/7″: Official Store

One of Paul McCartney’s oft-bootlegged live performances will finally get an official release this summer: the soundtrack to his 1974 “rockumentary” One Hand Clapping.  This acclaimed performance with Wings, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in the wake of the release of Band on the Run, will be available on two CDs or two LPs, featuring the 15 songs used in the special and another disc of 12 songs recorded during the four-day session that birthed the program. A bonus 7″, available exclusively with online orders, will include a further six solo performances by McCartney, recorded on the final day in the backyard at Abbey Road and featuring versions of “Blackbird,” “Country Dreamer,” and a few snippets of covers (“Twenty Flight Rock,” “Peggy Sue”). A Dolby Atmos mix by Giles Martin and Steve Orchard will be available to stream as well.  Though 10 of these tracks have been included as bonus cuts on entries in the former Beatle’s 2010s-era reissue campaign The Paul McCartney Archive Collection, this is the first time the One Hand Clapping audio has been released on its own and in proper context. Returning in August 1974 to the legendary London studio where nearly all of The Beatles’ discography was cut to tape, McCartney and Wings – his wife Linda on keyboards, guitarists Denny Laine and Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton – had just come off a fruitful Nashville session that produced a future U.S. hit single (“Junior’s Farm”), while Band on the Run – Wings’ third album – was in the middle of a seven-week run atop the U.K. charts, definitively proving McCartney’s post-Fabs career was safely assured.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Avril Lavigne’s first career-spanning retrospective, Greatest Hits, offers 20 tracks originally released between 2002 and 2022.  Though there are no new tracks on the set, all seven of her studio albums are represented, and one of the songs – the Yungblud collaboration “I’m a Mess,” featured on the digital deluxe edition of her 2022 album Love Sux – makes its physical debut here. The packaging will include new photos and a message from the singer.

Nik Kershaw’s long-awaited The MCA Years offers the most complete look at the British pop/rocker’s career in the ’80s, offering four remastered studio albums, four discs of B-sides and remixes, two discs of mostly unreleased live material, and a DVD of music videos and concert material. Both Human Racing and The Riddle were expanded in the early 2010s by UMC with remixes and live material. The MCA Years includes all of that and more: a dedicated disc of eight non-LP B-sides, a collection of 18 extended 12″ mixes, plus a further nine special single mixes and edits. (A healthy amount of this material is being released on CD for the first time.) The package closes out with the first complete release of a live show recorded by Kershaw at the end of 1984 at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. A dozen of those 20 tracks were included on a video release in 1985, which will be included on the box set’s accompanying DVD along with a baker’s dozen of original music videos. Kershaw has been involved in every step of the project, overseeing Tony Dixon’s new remasters of the material and offering insight into the material in new interviews conducted for the set’s liner notes.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The Cyndi Lauper documentary Let the Canary Sing bows on Paramount+ on June 4. Directed by Alison Ellwood, who helmed documentaries on The Go-Go’s and the Eagles, Canary traces Lauper’s life story from her upbringing in the New York borough of Queens, raised by a single mother; to her earliest attempts at a singing career which eventually bore incredible fruit with the multiplatinum She’s So Unusual (1983) and eight Top 10 hits across the decade of MTV. Her family life, charity work and forays into Broadway (writing the Tony-winning score to 2013’s Kinky Boots) are all covered in Technicolor detail, with Lauper’s signature wit guiding the way in interviews.  This new, 13-song vinyl companion release doubles as the first career-spanning Lauper retrospective, covering 1980-2010. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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4LP: Amazon U.S. (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)

Lindsey Buckingham’s earliest solo works are getting a box set from Rhino this summer.  True to its name, 20th Century Lindsey features remastered versions of the three albums the Fleetwood Mac singer/guitarist issued during the 20th century – 1981’s Law and Order, 1984’s Go Insane and 1992’s Out of the Cradle – plus a newly compiled disc of eight rarities. The set showcases Buckingham’s restless creative spirit that fueled a good portion of Fleetwood Mac’s discography, blossoming into wild and sometimes unexpected territory on his own. The eight tracks on 20th Century Rarities offer some crucial entries in Buckingham’s ’80s discography, including immortal soundtrack cuts for National Lampoon’s Vacation (the unforgettable theme “Holiday Road”) and Back to the Future (the nervy “Time Bomb Town”). There’s also a few rare remixes of “Go Insane” and “Slow Dancing” that were predominantly issued in Europe, and a rare reunion with former creative and romantic partner Stevie Nicks – “Twisted,” off the soundtrack to the 1996 action disaster flick Twister – that anticipated Buckingham’s second tenure in the band, from the 1997 live reunion The Dance until his second departure from the group in 2018. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Universal releases the soundtrack to the new Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black in different configurations: 1CD/1LP or 2CD/2LP.  The single-disc version offers a dozen cuts from Winehouse, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, The Shangri-Las, Minnie Riperton, and Nick Cave.  The double-disc sequence has all of the above plus songs from Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, The Specials, Thelonious Monk, Donny Hathaway, and The Libertines for a total of 26 songs. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
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For its 30th anniversary, Oasis’ Definitely Maybe returns a 2CD or 4LP set that pairs the remastered album with more than a dozen unreleased tracks. These primarily include the album’s scrapped 1993 sessions at Monnow Valley Studio in Wales with producer David Batchelor and subsequent work at Cornwall’s Sawmills studio. Creation Records co-founder Alan McGee and journalist Hamish MacBain have provided new liner notes, and the package features redesigned cover art on a slipcase. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Official Store
1LP Picture Disc: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

More than 40 years after the release of their final album, The Police offer a massive expansion of their fifth studio effort, 1983’s blockbuster Synchronicity.  The set will be available in multiple formats, each showcasing a wealth of rare studio and live bonus content. The centerpiece of the campaign is a 6 CD limited edition box set featuring B-sides and four discs of unreleased material, including demos, alternate mixes and takes, instrumentals, never-before-heard songs and a live concert from the Synchronicity tour. A 4LP box set will offer most of the B-sides and studio material on its bonus discs, and a D2C-exclusive colored vinyl set will include that set’s first two LPs. A 2CD set will include the remastered album and all B-sides from the bigger CD box, and a limited edition picture disc will offer the original album with an alternate running order.  Whew!  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Streaming may have rendered the traditional “greatest hits” album obsolete, but Little Big Town is bucking the trend with this new collection.  In addition to nine of the Alabama foursome’s most enduring hits, their Greatest Hits includes two re-recorded versions of songs from 2010’s The Reason Why: “Little White Church” (now featuring guest vocals from Miranda Lambert) and “Shut Up Train” (with a featured turn from Kelsea Ballerini), plus a new cover of Phil Collins’ “Take Me Home” recorded with longtime friends and this year’s tourmates, Georgia country-pop outfit Sugarland. (Both bands first played the track at the CMT Awards earlier this year.)  Available on CD, LP, and digitally. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Iconoclassic Records celebrates the life of former Survivor and melodic rock singer Jimi Jamison with its second release of previously unreleased material from the late artist: a country-flavored recording from 2007, entitled Jimmy Wayne Jamison.  After a return to Survivor in the 21st century, Jamison thrilled fans with 2007’s Crossroads Moment, a rock album reuniting the singer with Jim Peterik, Survivor’s co-founder and best-known creative engine, who’d not been a part of the group since 1996 (and so did not share time with the returning Jamison). But the throwback AOR sound of Crossroads was “hiding” a collection of material recorded before those sessions with much of the same team, including producers Peterik and his Ides of March bandmate Larry Millas, guitarist Mike Aquino, bassist Klem Hayes, drummer Ed Breckenfield and keyboardist Christian Cullen.  While some of the material might be familiar to Jamison/Peterik devotees – versions of “Alive,” “Heart of a Woman” and “I Wanna Touch You There” were released as extra tracks on Crossroads Moment and a subsequent bonus EP – all 11 recordings on Jimmy Wayne Jamison are previously unreleased, just like Iconoclassic’s unearthed debut solo album from the singer. Matt Wardlaw of Ultimate Classic Rock pens new liner notes, including interviews and track-by-track commentary from Peterik and Iconoclassic president Jeremy Holiday, who A&R’d the original sessions to this album and Crossroads Moment. The booklet also includes rare photos of Jamison in the studio. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

This new 5CD set (also available as a double vinyl album of highlights) showcases five crucial periods in which The King of Rock and Roll recorded in his adopted city of Memphis: the fiery 1953-1955 sessions at Sun Studio that first proved his worth as a singing sensation; a restorative 1969 session at American Sound Studios that remains to many his career highlight; a trek to Stax Studios in 1973; a celebrated show at the city’s Mid-South Coliseum recorded for a 1974 live album; and Presley’s final studio-quality recordings from 1976, taped from RCA’s mobile recording truck fed into the plush “Jungle Room” of his Memphis mansion Graceland.  Though none of the tracks are previously unreleased, four of the five discs – everything except the Sun sessions, for which no multitrack tape exists – have been restored and revisited by engineer and longtime Elvis catalogue associate Matt Ross-Spang. These new mixes present rawer versions of the original tracks without overdubs and sweetening that ended up on the final albums and singles – a “you are there” approach to the work. Like all of The King’s archival titles going back decades, this box was produced by Elvis authority Ernst Mikael Jorgensen; Memphis author Robert Gordon (a two-time Grammy winner for production and notes on last year’s Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos) contributes liner notes. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Cherry Red’s Robinsongs imprint celebrates late soul man Richard “Dimples” Fields for his first major release of the CD/digital era.  Dimples was an unusual figure on the soul music landscape: a self-proclaimed feminist who portrayed himself as a two-timing ladies’ man, whose quirky ballads including “She’s Got Papers on Me” and “If It Ain’t One Thing, It’s Another” were alternately earnest and humorous.  This set includes all three of Fields’ Boardwalk LPs – Dimples (1980), Mr. Look So Good (1982), Give Everybody Some (1982) – and his two RCA releases, Mmm… (1984) and Dark Gable (1985).  The Albums 1980-1985 is housed in an eight-panel digipak, and the 20-page full-color booklet includes new liner notes by TSD’s own Joe Marchese as well as credits and photos.  Oli Hemingway has mastered the audio. As an Amazon affiliiate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP (Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Verve Online Store (Blue Vinyl)

This previously unreleased performance from the late, great Louis Armstrong was recorded live on the BBC on July 2, 1968 while the legendary musician and singer was riding high thanks to the chart-topping success in Great Britain of “What a Wonderful World.” The 13-song set naturally includes that evergreen anthem penned by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, along with W.C. Handy’s “Ole Miss” – the very first composition he’s known to have played in public – as well as his landmark reading of “Mack the Knife” (an inspiration for Bobby Darin’s equally definitive interpretation), his Grammy-winning, chart-topping take on Jerry Herman’s “Hello, Dolly!” (which he would reprise opposite Barbra Streisand in the 1969 film adaptation of the musical), Herman’s follow-up “Mame,” and Terry Gilkyson’s Jungle Book showstopper “The Bare Necessities” from Armstrong’s then-recent album Disney Songs the Satchmo Way. Available on CD, LP, and digitally.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)

More than 30 years after Natalie Merchant took her final bow with 10,000 Maniacs, the band’s seminal set for MTV Unplugged is getting the reissued and expanded treatment.  Available on one CD or two LPs, this remastered presentation of the original multiplatinum disc adds three extra songs from the performance featuring another lead singer for a band who recently had gone solo: David Byrne of Talking Heads. They performed covers of Iris DeMent (“Let the Mystery Be”), a Jimmie Dale Gilmore country tune (“Dallas”), and “Jolene,” made famous by Dolly Parton.

Phil Collins’ fifth album, 1993’s Both Sides, is getting the deluxe treatment on vinyl. The 5LP box Both Sides (All the Sides) features the original album, demos, B-sides, and live tracks.  The 2016 CD expansion of Both Sides featured a mix of rare B-sides, demos and unreleased live material – an approach that stymied some fans for its lack of comprehensiveness. (All the uncompiled remixes and rarities were later issued on two digital-only collections.) Both Sides (All the Sides) amends this with its track list, offering all the tracks from that reissue and era-specific material from original singles “Both Sides of the Story,” “Everyday,” and “We Wait and We Wonder.” The original album is spread across two LPs, a third offers all the demos and most of the studio B-sides, the fourth includes all the live tracks from the 2016 expansion, and the fifth is a mixed bag of live B-sides, and odds and ends like Collins’ rendition of “I’ve Been Trying” from a Curtis Mayfield tribute album. (Only three live versions of “Hang in Long Enough,” “Hand in Hand” and “Doesn’t Anybody Stay Together Anymore,” released on a U.S. maxi-single, didn’t feature on any of those previous reissues.)  The slipcase features the album’s original cover artwork.

SoulMusic Records and The Second Disc celebrate Philadelphia girl group First Choice with Love Having You Around: The Gold Mind Recordings (1977-1980).  This 4CD collection features expanded editions of the trio’s three original albums for Salsoul’s Gold Mind imprint, plus a specially-curated bonus disc featuring various remixes and reinventions of their timeless, floor-filling repertoire. This clamshell box set features a 28-page, full-color booklet with photos, memorabilia, and four new essays including Craig Seymour’s fresh interview with Rochelle Fleming; TSD’s Joe Marchese’s exploration of the group’s ties to The Sound of Philadelphia; Tim Dillinger’s look at First Choice’s extraordinary legacy of remixes and contributions to the dance music landscape; and SoulMusic Records founder David Nathan’s personal reflections of the period in which the group flourished.  Nick Robbins has remastered all of the audio.

Chicago at the John. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C. (9/16/1971) arrives on 3 CDs, 4 LPs, and digital formats, preserving the band’s show in the U.S. capital.  The concert was recorded just eight days after the opening of the Kennedy Center.  Every track on this set is previously unreleased (including the first-ever performance of “Saturday in the Park” and an embryonic “Dialogue” without Part Two; neither song had yet been recorded) with the exception of “Goodbye,” which premiered in 2018 on Chicago: VI Decades Live.  The album, newly mixed from the original multi-track tapes by founding member Lee Loughnane and engineer Tim Jessup, boasts the classic Chicago lineup of Robert Lamm (keyboard, vocals), Terry Kath (guitar, vocals), Peter Cetera (vocals, bass), Danny Seraphine (drums), Lee Loughnane (trumpet, vocals), James Pankow (trombone), and Walt Parazaider (woodwinds, vocals). ​

Willie Nelson’s 76th studio album follows his 91st birthday and recent headlining spot on the Outlaw Music Festival tour (from which he was delayed due to illness).  Last Leaf on the Tree has been produced by his son Micah Nelson and features guest spots from Daniel Lanois and The Doors’ John Densmore as well as Willie’s longtime bandmate Mickey Raphael.  Songs have been plucked from the catalogues of Tom Waits, Warren Zevon, Neil Young, The Flaming Lips, Beck, Nina Simone, and Keith Richards, while Willie has revisited his own 1962 tune “The Ghost” and co-written “The Color of Sound” with Micah.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.  A deluxe colored vinyl version with an exclusive lithograph is available directly from Willie’s webstore.

Polydor and Deram are revisiting David Bowie’s 1967 debut album featuring “Uncle Arthur,” “Rubber Band,” and “Silly Boy Blue” as a 2CD set.  Alas, the 2010 Deluxe Edition remains the gold standard for this title, with 53 tracks on 2 CDs including the original mono and stereo albums plus 25 bonus tracks.  This new reissue has the 14-song stereo mix only plus 16 bonus tracks, all but two of which are on the 2010 release.  The two “new” bonus tracks are “The Laughing Gnome” (Vocal Take 1 / Mix One) and “Space Oddity” (“Love You Till Tuesday” Full-Length Mono Version).  Both of these were included – and the latter premiered on – the 2023 vinyl-only box set Laughing with Liza: Vocalion and Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus.  This digipak edition also includes a 12-page booklet.  Three color vinyl versions were also issued earlier this summer, each with an exclusive track listing.

Rick Astley’s third studio album, 1991’s Free, was his first not produced by the Stock-Atiken-Waterman team.  Instead, Astley and Gary Stevenson helmed the album which earned a Gold certification in the U.K. and yielded the top ten hit “Cry for Help” on both the U.S. and U.K. charts.  This 2CD reissue has a new Abbey Road remaster of the original album plus a generous 18 bonus tracks including previously unreleased tracks, single versions, B-sides, remixes, and instrumentals.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Barnes & Noble

Barbra Streisand’s landmark 1967 Christmas album featuring “Jingle Bells?,” “White Christmas,” and “My Favorite Things” returns to vinyl in a newly remastered edition with one bonus track, the English-language version of “Gounod’s Ave Maria” previously available only on a Starbucks compilation CD.  Barnes and Noble will carry an exclusive white vinyl pressing.

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Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Barnes & Noble

Barbra Streisand’s 2001 Christmas album – only her second, following 1967’s A Christmas Album – makes its premiere on vinyl.  The album features David Foster and Linda Thompson’s “Grown Up Christmas List,” Stephen Sondheim’s “I Remember,” and Frank Loesser’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” among other selections in the inimitable Streisand fashion.  This release has been newly remastered.  Barnes and Noble will carry an exclusive red vinyl pressing.

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2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

An intergenerational meeting between two late blues guitar gods – Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan – will be revived on CD and vinyl in a new expanded package.  Originally recorded in 1983 and first released in 1999, In Session features the six-stringers trading licks on a Canadian television program of the same name, when King was a 60-year-old living legend and Vaughan a young upstart who’d turned heads with his licks on David Bowie’s Let’s Dance before releasing his own powerful debut Texas Flood with his trio Double Trouble.  In 2010, a CD/DVD was released that offered three additional performances filmed for the broadcast, including King’s signature “Born Under a Bad Sign,” the standard “I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town,” and another SRV tune, the title track to Texas Flood. For the first time, this 2CD or 3LP set will include all of that audio, presented in its original sequence.

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CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

To celebrate their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year, Foreigner will release a new greatest hits collection, including a previously unreleased track that reunites the group’s two most notable members. Turning Back the Time brings together 18 of the group’s most notable radio staples, including “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Urgent,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Juke Box Hero,” “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Say You Will” and others. The set will also include two tracks from the group’s 2009 effort Can’t Slow Down; “The Flame Still Burns,” off a 2016 vinyl EP of the same name; and the title track – a 1996 outtake that serves as the first Foreigner track to feature founding guitarist Mick Jones and original vocalist Lou Gramm since 1994’s Mr. Moonlight. Available on CD or 2 LPs.

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2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Craft Recordings will commemorate seven decades since one of Miles Davis’ most pivotal early years with a new 2CD or 4LP compilation that brings everything he recorded in that period together.  Miles ’54: The Prestige Recordings offers 20 tracks from several unforgettable sessions, with luminaries like pianists Horace Silver and Thelonious Monk, drummer Art Blakey, saxophonist Sonny Rollins, and vibraphonist Milt Jackson offering their talents in Davis’ ensembles. The package includes a new essay by writer Ashley Kahn and in-depth session notes from Dan Morgenstern. The package commemorates both the anniversary of these sessions as well as the 75th anniversary of Prestige Records, the label that released them.

17CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
17CD/5BD Deluxe Set: Official Store

This week’s biggest release is the long-awaited third volume of Neil Young’s long-running Archives series. Archives Vol. III (1976-1987), spans in its deluxe form a whopping 17 CDs and five Blu-rays boasting a broad array of songs and film footage: 15 unreleased songs, 121 unreleased tracks, and 11 full-length films (four of them unreleased). Housed in a box identical to Archives Vol. I (1963-1972) (2009) and Archives Vol. II (1972-1976) (2020), the set also includes a 160-page hardcover booklet “chronologically illustrated with archive materials, detailed descriptions of the music, and a fold-out timeline of the period,” and 14 custom digipak sleeves for each “album” and Blu-ray Disc. The deluxe set is limited to 5,000 copies; a less limited edition will feature just the CDs and a 36-page book of liner notes, housed in the same “Gary-pak” as the standard Archives boxes, designed by Young’s late designer Gary Burden.

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 assembled materials, from rare multitrack tapes to radio recordings (and even the archive of another major artist, one Bob Dylan!), this set continues the rich discoveries that netted Mitchell, producer Patrick Milligan, and mastering engineer Bernie Grundman Grammy Awards for Best Historical Album after the release of the inaugural box. As with other Archives boxes, the accompanying 36-page booklet will offer rare photos and a continuing conversation on this particular era between Mitchell and journalist-turned-filmmaker Cameron Crowe.

As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

CSNY’s September 20, 1969 concert at New York’s late, lamented Fillmore East – comprising both acoustic and electric sets – comes to a variety of formats including 1CD, 2LP, and digital/streaming.  It’s been sourced and newly mixed from the original multitrack tapes under the supervision of Stills and Young, and the vinyl versions are AAA (all-analog)-cut.

2CD/2LP/1BD/1-7″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

As the studio follow-up to his landmark triple album All Things Must Pass, George Harrison further explored his spiritual and physical selves on 1973’s leaner Living in the Material World.  It’s now returning from Dark Horse and BMG in a belated 50th anniversary edition comprising 2 CDs, 2 LPs, and a Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos mix.  It’s limited to 5,000 units worldwide.  The original album, newly remixed by Paul Hicks, will also be available in 2LP & 2CD Deluxe Editions, Limited Edition color vinyl versions (including an exclusive George Harrison Online Store purple vinyl LP), 1LP and 1CD standard versions, and digital/streaming.  The bonus tracks include alternate versions of every song and the outtake “Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond).”

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Black LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Red LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The British metal icons will reissue 1974’s Rocka Rolla – one of the first truly sanctioned releases of the first album by the group – with a brand-new remix from the original multi-track tapes by producer Tom Allom.  It’s available on CD, LP (black and red pressings), and digitally. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The Best of Ronnie Milsap gathers up 12 of the artist’s biggest hits from his first tenure at RCA, including “It Was Almost Like a Song,” “Any Day Now,” and “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life.” Craft’s parent company, Concord Music, acquired the rights to 16 of Milsap’s RCA albums from between 1977-2006 in 2019, and this is the first physical product to come from the acquisition (an expanded digital version of this compilation featuring 25 songs was released last June by Craft and is available now).  Paul Blakemore has remastered all tracks, and TSD’s Joe Marchese provides the new liner notes.  This is the same compilation released in 2020 as a vinyl Cracker Barrel exclusive; this marks its wide release. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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 election was held in the country, marking an official end to the apartheid state that had gripped the nation and became a flashpoint for activist musicians less than a decade before. On November 8 of that year, at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, Houston and her band took the stage to perform some of her greatest hits, from the ’80s chart-toppers “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and “So Emotional” to the killer run of singles from her soundtrack to 1992’s The Bodyguard.  The audio release – featuring highlights on the physical release and the full concert on digital streaming and download versions – is preceded by a concurrent limited theatrical screening of restored footage from the same set. It’s the first time anything from the show has been released; HBO aired Houston’s second show, taped at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on November 12, for a concert special; portions were later released on 2014’s Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances. The album closes with an unreleased studio version of “Love Is,” a track performed at the South African concerts. (The digital version will include a second mix of “Love Is” by gospel singer Carvin Winans.)  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

3CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP/4 7″: Rhino.com

Rhino’s Talking Heads revisitation won’t end with Stop Making Sense – they’ll release a new deluxe box set of the group’s 1977 debut album, featuring rare outtakes and B-sides, a live show and the album remixed in Dolby Atmos and surround, as overseen by the band’s keyboardist/guitarist Jerry Harrison.  The super deluxe edition of Talking Heads: 77 will come in hardcover book packaging that’ll feature 80 pages of rare archival photos and liner notes written by all four members of the band along with engineer Ed Stasium. Highlights in the bonus material include the band’s first single, “Love ➡️ Building on Fire,” acoustic versions of “Psycho Killer” and “First Week/Last Week…Carefree,” and several tracks from the group’s brief “pop experiment” phase, when this rather alternative record was nearly massaged into something more intentionally mainstream. (One of those versions, of closing track “Pulled Up,” is released here for the first time, along with an alternate of “Psycho Killer.”) Several vinyl variants will be available, including a double LP edition of the original album (on standard black or neon green, the latter exclusively at Barnes & Noble) and a 4LP version of the box set that also adds four replicas of the band’s first four 7″ singles.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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 a disc of demos and outtakes (six of them previously unreleased), a previously unissued show recorded in 1987 at Royal Albert Hall in London, and three discs of potpourri showcasing the effect of King of America on subsequent material, including various dabblings in American styles, in American studios, and with American musicians. The 12″ x 11.5″ package, produced by Costello and Steve Berkowitz, includes 57 pages of liner notes, including a lengthy essay by Costello on the making of the album plus rare and unseen photos. (A 2CD cut-down will be issued as well. For LP fans, the remastered original album will be pressed on 140-gram black vinyl, with a “gold nugget” variant exclusive to Costello’s official web store, uDiscover Music and The Sound of Vinyl.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
8LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Discs 7-8 from box): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Two years after its last entry, Legacy Recordings revives the Miles Davis Bootleg Series with a deep dive into some early ’60s live recordings that showcase the birth of his second great quintet. Miles in France 1963 & 1964: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8 brings together five sets on six CDs or eight LPs: three performances from the Festival Mondial du Jazz in the summer of 1963 and two performances over a day at the Paris Jazz Festival in October 1964. (The 1964 material – which features the unbeatable line-up of Davis on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams – will also receive its own standalone 2LP release on vinyl colored to look like the French flag.) Marcus J. Moore pens new liner notes for the set, housed in a slipcase box that includes the discs in their own gatefold jackets (three for the CD and four for the vinyl), a booklet (32 pages on CD, 20 on vinyl) and wrapped with a die-cut O-card. As always, the package is produced by Steve Berkowitz, Richard Seidel and Michael Cuscuna (one of the final projects he completed before his passing earlier this year) and mastered by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios in New York City. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

 

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The final solo album of Frank Sinatra’s remarkable career, 1984’s Quincy Jones-produced L.A. Is My Lady, returns in a newly-remixed edition which adds six bonus tracks, three of which are previously unreleased.​ As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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 expanded editions of the group’s five albums for the labels plus all of their released live performances at the Latin Casino with Margie Joseph and Major Harris:

• Blue Magic (1974) plus seven bonus tracks;
• The Magic of the Blue (1974) plus three bonus tracks;
• Thirteen Blue Magic Lane (1975) plus five bonus tracks;
• Mystic Dragons (1976) plus two bonus tracks;
• Blue Magic / Margie Joseph / Major Harris, Live! (Highlights) (1976); and
• Message from the Magic (1978) plus one bonus track.

The set features a total of 74 tracks including 18 bonus tracks: non-LP singles, edits, and remixes by Tom Moulton and Mike Maurro.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has penned the new liner notes which include interviews with producer/WMOT co-founder Alan Rubens and songwriter Vinnie Barrett.

3CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Among his final and most enduring acts as a musician, Jimi Hendrix purchased a Greenwich Village nightclub with the intention of transforming it into a recording studio. A new documentary tells that story of its creation, and the accompanying box set highlights an unreleased trove of recordings from his few but pivotal sessions there.  Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision, available as a 3CD or 5LP set, offers 39 demos and early takes from Hendrix’s summer 1970 sessions at the studio of the same name, recorded with a reconstructed version of The Jimi Hendrix Experience that included original drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Billy Cox, part of the guitarist’s short-lived Band of Gypsys project. (All but one of the tracks are previously unreleased.) A Blu-ray available with either version of the box will offer the feature-length documentary of the same name, directed by Hendrix archivist John McDermott and featuring new interviews with Cox, Steve Winwood (who was present at Hendrix’s first session in the studio), Hendrix’s engineer Eddie Kramer, and original studio staff members. As a further bonus, the Blu-ray will feature a new 5.1 surround mix of First Rays of the New Rising Sun, the 1997 reimagining of Hendrix’s planned fourth studio album, along with three remixed bonus tracks from Electric Lady sessions. The box will feature new liner notes alongside unpublished photos and copies of Hendrix’s handwritten song drafts. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Over the past decade, we here at TSD have happily partnered with Real Gone Music on an array of Christmas releases from such evergreen artists as Johnny Mathis, The Supremes, Chet Atkins, Connie Smith, and Robert Goulet.  But our newest yuletide title is from our biggest ever group – bigger than Mitch Miller and His Gang or Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra!  Now, we’re proud to reissue the very first Christmas album from a group numbering 360 members: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The original mono version of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sings Christmas Carols has been expanded with four rare period bonus tracks originally released between 1957 and 1959 (in stereo).  Everything has been newly remastered from the original Columbia Masterworks tapes by Mike Milchner at SonicVision, and a 12-page booklet contains new liner notes from TSD’s Joe Marchese which explore The Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s history of Christmas music.  The most wonderful time of the year has just gotten a bit more wonderful with the authorized CD premiere of this lost classic from “America’s Choir” that’s sure to enliven your Christmas morning. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

4K UHD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD / Mercury Studios
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD / Mercury Studios
2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Last November 17 and 18, Chicago celebrated the 55th anniversary of debut album Chicago Transit Authority at Atlantic City’s Ovation Hall (within the massive Ocean Casino Resort) with two marathon concerts touching on every facet of the band’s long career.  Now, the film of those concerts – featuring a number of special guests including Steve Vai, Robert Randolph, and Judith Hill – is coming to a variety of formats almost one year to the day, on November 22.  Mercury Studios will release Chicago & Friends’ Live at 55 on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, 4K UHD, 2CD, 3LP, digital audio, and digital video.  The 2-1/2-hour film (which previously was screened in theatres for a limited engagement and also seen on Public Television in an abridged version) preserves almost all of the original concert setlist save a couple of Christmas songs and a cover of The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour.”  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The Rolling Stones have long been famed for their “secret shows.”  One of those intimate gigs took place on June 8, 1999 when Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, and company took the stage at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, a 1903 music hall in the West London suburb.  In front of an 1,800-capacity crowd including such luminaries as Anita Pallenberg, Pete Townshend, Jerry Hall, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and Bob Geldof, the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band strutted their stuff just days before two sold-out shows at the 70,000-seat Wembley Stadium.  Mercury Studios releases the Empire show on Welcome to Shepherd’s Bush in a variety of formats:  4KUHD (a first for the Stones); Blu-ray + two-CD set; a 2-CD limited edition package of 15,000 worldwide; a 2-LP black vinyl package, and a direct-to-consumer 2-LP set pressed on 180-gram white vinyl.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Earlier this year, UMe celebrated the 40th anniversary of Bon Jovi’s debut album with an extras-packed digital deluxe edition. Just in time for Christmas, that set is getting a physical 2CD release.  The self-titled effort from the New Jersey rockers sports nine extra tracks, including previously unreleased early versions of debut single “Runaway” and new mixes of previously released live material from the band’s longtime engineer Obie O’Brien. The set is packaged in a standard jewel case. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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 have shared their tributes to her.  Nick Robbins has newly remastered all of the audio, and TSD’s Joe Marchese has joined compilation producer David Nathan to pen new liner notes; essays have also been provided by Kevin Goins and A. Scott Galloway.​​

Twilley, the power pop hero’s first solo album following two acclaimed albums with The Dwight Twilley Band, originally arrived in 1979 on Arista Records in the United States.  The late singer-songwriter (1951-2023) was joined by a core band including Bill Pitcock IV on lead guitar, Jim Lewis on bass and drums, and Noah Shark on percussion, with Greg Block joining on violin for “Runaway,” Jerry Naifeh playing drums on “Runaway” and “It Takes a Lot of Love,” and DTB’s Phil Seymour guesting on vocals for “Darlin’.”  Veteran arranger Jimmie Haskell was brought on to handle the string arrangements.  Twilley was very much in the vein of the DTB while emphasizing the breadth of the artist’s songwriting from crunchy pop-rockers to reflective ballads.  Iconoclassic’s reissue – fully authorized by the Twilley estate – is the album’s domestic CD debut.  A generous seven bonus tracks have been added to the release including five previously unreleased alternate takes, demos, and monitor mixes; and two new-to-CD single sides: the 7-inch version of “Out of My Hands” and the non-LP side of “Runaway,” “Burnin’ Sand,” which features Susan Cowsill on background vocals. Maria Triana has beautifully remastered Twilley from the original tapes, while the booklet includes both previously unpublished photos and a new essay by Howie Edelson.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

In 1994, Mary Chapin Carpenter was at the pinnacle of country music.  The singer-songwriter’s fourth album for Columbia, Come On Come On, was the biggest seller of her career.  Singles were still being released from that album in early 1994 and later in the year she released her next endeavor: Stones in the Road.  While it ultimately would not sell as many copies as Come On Come On, it would have higher chart success and garner prestigious awards.  Carpenter was backed by an A-list band on the self-penned album: keyboardist Benmont Tench, guitarists Lee Roy Parnell and Steuart Smith, and backing vocalists Trisha Yearwood, Shawn Colvin, and Linda Williams.  The lead single off the album, “Shut Up and Kiss Me” became Carpenter’s first No. 1 Country song (it hit No. 90 on the Pop chart). Other Country-charting singles were “Tender When I Want to Be” (No. 6), “House of Cards” (No. 21), and “Why Walk When You Can Fly?” (No. 45).  Another notable song was the title track which Joan Baez first covered in 1992.  The album would give Carpenter two other firsts: her first album to top the Country survey and the first to reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 when it hit No. 10.  Stones in the Road would then earn a Grammy for Best Country Album, and “Shut Up and Kiss Me” earned Carpenter her fourth consecutive Best Female Country Vocal Performance Grammy.  This reissue is the first time Stones has been released on vinyl.  For its 30th anniversary, Real Gone is expanding the album by adding the four tracks from the 1995 UK EP Live at Her Majesty’s Theatre.  This EP was recorded on December 4, 1994 in London (at the home of Phantom of the Opera, no less) and first aired on BBC Radio 2.  The four tracks include 3 songs from Stones and “This Shirt” from State of the Heart.  The songs are featured on Side 4 of Real Gone’s reissue.  Released with the full consent of support of Carpenter, Real Gone’s 2-LP vinyl edition comes on yellow highlighter vinyl.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

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 guests include Kenny Edwards and Chris Walden, founder of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra.  A vinyl edition was released as part of Record Store Day Black Friday. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Here’s the vinyl debut of of the most hotly-anticipated cast recordings of the season: Here We Are, the final musical to feature music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. (David Ives penned the book.) Bucking the recent trend of most cast recordings releasing digitally in advance of physical availability, both the CD and digital album arrived back in May. The album features David Hyde Pierce, Steven Pasquale, Denis O’Hare, Rachel Bay Jones, Francois Battiste, Tracie Bennett, Bobby Cannavale, Micaela Diamond, Amber Gray, Jin Ha, and Jeremy Shamos, plus Alex Gemignani conducting a 14-piece orchestra playing Jonathan Tunick’s orchestrations.  As the final time we’ll hear a new Sondheim score, this beautifully-produced album is a poignant preservation of a singular show.  The 2LP set is pressed on baby blue vinyl.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Target (with fold-out poster) / Barnes & Noble (alternate cover)
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Target (split green/pink)

What else can we say? Wicked just might be the most highly-anticipated film of the year, and here’s the soundtrack (featuring the songs heard in Act One of the long-running Broadway musical…fans of Act Two will have to wait until the next movie!). Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Michelle Yeoh are among the stars, along with a few surprise voices that you’ll find out if you seek out the track list on the cover – so use caution if you’re spoiler-averse! Available on CD, LP, and digital formats, including various retailer exclusives including Target and Barnes & Noble.  As an Amazon affilliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

4CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

A new deluxe version of Genesis’ prog classic The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway will be a multi-disc celebration – four CDs or five LPs, a Blu-ray Audio disc and a download card – of the group’s acclaimed work. Inside the box will be a new remaster of the original mix of the album, done by Miles Showell with assistance from Nick Davis (who remixed the band’s catalogue for stereo and surround in the ’00s); a remastered and restored performance of the full album at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles from 1975 (for the first time featuring the album’s closing track “It.” and two encore songs); three unreleased demos included as a digital download; and a high-resolution presentation of the original album as well as a new Dolby Atmos mix by Bob Mackenzie at Gabriel’s Real World Studios, working under the supervision of both Gabriel and keyboardist Tony Banks. A 60-page coffee table book rounds out the set, featuring new liner notes by Alexis Petridis (utilizing new interviews from every member of the band), rare images and replicas of tour programs, tickets and posters.

Perhaps the most fun release of the year – and certainly the sweetest – is this entry in Cherry Red’s ongoing series of themed compilations.  Pour a Little Sugar on It: The Chewy Chewy Sounds of American Bubblegum 1966-1971, on the Grapefruit imprint, brings together 91 tracks from the golden age of bubblegum music.  Naturally, there are plenty of songs with food allusions (“Yummy Yummy Yummy,” “Candy Apple Cotton Candy,” “Gingersnap,” and, of course, “Chewy Chewy” among them)…and artists with food in their names, too (1910 Fruitgum Co., Salt Water Taffy, The Rasberry [sic] Pirates, The Peppermint Trolley Company, Cartoon Candy Carnival, The Pinneaple Heard, The Marshmallow Highway, and even the Pastrami Malted…yuck!).  But this compilation is more than just another excuse to write off bubblegum as some lesser form of pop; instead, it’s the genuine craftsmanship behind these songs that shines through.  Compiler David Wells has dotted every “i” and crossed every “t,” including artists both expected (The Archies, Ohio Express, 1910 Fruitgum Co., The Lemon Pipers, Bobby Sherman) and some less so (Neil Diamond, The Electric Prunes, Sparks, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, and…The Velvet Underground?!), and the collection flows seamlessly.  There are rarities from Rupert Holmes (The Street People’s “Jennifer Tomkins” and “Thank You Girl”), Ron Dante (“Let Me Bring You Up,” “How Do You Know”), the Jeff Barry-produced Globetrotters (“Cheer Me Up,” “Bouncin’ All Over the World”), and numerous cuts from the Kasenetz-Katz factory.  While this offering might be too sugary for some, it’s just right for anyone with a taste for pop music at its well, chewy-chewiest!  (And the 48-page booklet with detailed, track-by-track annotations is worth the cost of admission.)

The road to Dwight Twilley’s second album, 1982’s Scuba Divers, was a long one.  Now, Iconoclassic Records is expanding that 10-track album with a whopping 15 bonus tracks (11 of which are previously unreleased) chronicling the arduous journey to Scuba Divers that began as the sessions for an album called Blueprint.  Vic Anesini has remastered all audio from the master tapes, Howie Edelson and reissue compiler/producer Jeremy Holiday provide the new liner notes, and Zox has supplied previously unpublished photos from the sessions for both Scuba Divers and Blueprint.

The Twilights formed in Adelaide, Australia in 1964 by guitarist Peter Brideoake, bassist John Bywaters, and Clem “Paddy” McCartney and future Little River Band co-founder Glenn Shorrock on lead vocals.  Shortly after forming, lead guitarist Terry Britten (who would go on to co-write such hit songs as “What’s Love Got to Do with It”) and drummer Laurie Pryor would join up as replacements for Kevin Peek and Frank Barnard, respectively.  Despite charting nearly a dozen successful singles in Australia, The Twilights didn’t see much success internationally – although two of its members went onto worldwide fame.  Compiler/mastering engineer Alec Palao has recently assembled a 3-CD complete collection of The Twilights’ recordings which has been released by Cherry Red’s Strawberry label.  In the introduction to his comprehensive liner notes (co-written with Victor Marshall), Palao quotes Glenn A. Baker’s assertion that they were Australia’s greatest pop group “as certainly The Easybeats were our greatest rock group.”  With these 96 tracks (including 13 previously unreleased cuts, mostly live performances), it’s hard to argue – although there’s plenty of rock (and roll!) on display, too.  The Twilights are probably best-remembered for their cover of The Velvelettes’ Motown favorite “Needle in a Haystack” (an Australian chart-topper) but there are also great versions of songs both familiar and lesser-known from the young Barry Gibb (“Long Life”), Goffin and King (“I Won’t Be the Same Without Her”), The Rolling Stones (“Satisfaction”), The Hollies (“Come On Home,” “What’s Wrong with the Way I Live”), Smokey Robinson and The Miracles (“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”), The Zombies (“She’s Not There”), The Beatles (“All I’ve Got to Do,” “Drive My Car”), The Who (“My Generation”), and Bert Berns and Wes Farrell (“Baby, Let Me Take You Home”).  But as Terry Britten grew as a songwriter, The Twilights were the beneficiaries.  Their 1968 album Once Upon a Twilight (heard here in both mono and stereo) featured 10 Britten originals – with Brideoake and Pryor each contributing a song – that show he’d successfully soaked up his early influences.  Palao believes the album “is likely the first pop-rock album to emanate from Australia that comprised wholly original songs,” and six decades on, these well-crafted pop nuggets still hold up.  With its blend of covers and originals and a comprehensive, context-based approach (a 32-page booklet is included), Twilights Time makes for an enjoyable listen and fascinating excavation of a long-lost band that provided the springboard for Glenn Shorrock and Terry Britten’s future successes.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Ring the Bells and Sing: with this new compilation, Esoteric Recordings takes a look at 1975 in progressive rock.  By compiler Mark Powell’s admission, “1975 is not often referred to as a year that produced a wealth of legendary music.”  He sets out to prove that assessment wrong with this 4-CD, 47-song compendium.  The set stresses the international reach of prog as well as the art of the album as opposed to the single; while many of these artists weren’t regular hitmakers, Powell stresses that they were filling theatres as well as college and university auditoriums, no longer underground but an important part of the rock music of the day.  Many of the names here are familiar to collectors of other Cherry Red/Esoteric releases (Barclay James Harvest, Hawkwind, Stackridge, Procol Harum, Renaissance).  Another Esoteric alum, Al Stewart, might not fit neatly into any one musical box – whether folk, pop, prog, rock, or even yacht rock! – but his “Modern Times” is a seamless inclusion here.  Of the other boldfaced names, Yes is represented with “Soon” (perhaps ironically, in its single version) and bassist Chris Squire is also heard on his own “Lucky Seven.”  Genesis’ Steve Hackett is represented with “Star of Sirius” and “Shadow of the Hierophant.”  Concentrating (mostly) on deep cuts, Ring the Bells and Sing serves as an alternative history of rock circa ’75.  Its accompanying 48-page booklet, with track-by-track annotations, is an essential part of the journey.  James Collins has remastered, and the whole thing is housed in a clamshell case that’s the perfect size to stuff a stocking!​

Neil Young is unveiling another once-lost album with the release of Oceanside Countryside.  The LP was recorded from May to December 1977; the first side comprised solo Young performances, while most of the second featured a full band. It never saw release, though.  Instead, Comes a Time hit store shelves in October 1978.  Both albums shared the same country-rock DNA as well as three songs (“Goin’ Back,” “Human Highway,” and “Field of Opportunity”) and some of the same musicians; Ben Keith (steel guitar), Rufus Thibodeaux (fiddle), Karl T. Himmel (drums), and Wrecking Crew veteran Joe Osborn (bass) are heard on both LPs. In addition, Tim Drummond plays bass and Levon Helm plays drums on O/C‘s “The Old Homestead.” Oceanside Countryside includes some tracks that are on the CD of the same name in Archives Vol. III, but the versions are not always identical and the track list here reflects the originally intended running order. ​The vinyl LP is due March 7 (delayed from February 14) while the CD hits stores April 25.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Picture Disc: Official Store
Liquid-Filled LP: Official Store
Cassette: Official Store

After celebrating their debut album with a deluxe edition last year, Bon Jovi will offer similar treatment to their biggest album: 1986’s Slippery When Wet.  The New Jersey rockers’ third LP (featuring “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name”) will be reissued in a variety of formats including a 2CD expansion with seven bonus tracks (nearly all of which are previously unreleased) as well as a picture disc, cassette and – novelty alert! – a clear vinyl pressing filled with liquid. Everything aside from the 2CD is limited in quantities – 1500 for the picture disc, 1300 for the “liquid disc” and 500 for the cassette – and available through the band’s official store. (The 2CD will be available at general retailers including Amazon.)  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

The Lee Mendelson family continues its series of debut releases from the Peanuts animation library with this premiere audio release of the score for 1975’s Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.  The 50th anniversary release includes Vince Guaraldi’s complete 22-cue score plus eight never-before-heard bonus tracks.  Guaraldi was joined on the sessions by Seward McCain on electric bass and Vince Lateano on drums for such treats as “Heartburn Blues” and an updated version of “Linus and Lucy.”  The album has been sourced from the original 2″ session tapes as transferred to a 192kHz/24bit master, mixed by Terry Carleton, restored and mastered by Vinson Hudson, and produced by Sean Mendelson and Jason Mendelson. The CD includes an 8-page insert, and the vinyl LP includes a 4-page insert. Both formats offer track-by-track notes by Sean Mendelson and Jason Mendelson as well as Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang.  Note that the LP boasts additional photos and memorabilia images.​

LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The soundtrack to director James Mangold’s critically acclaimed biopic A Complete Unknown, starring Golden Globe nominee Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan, arrives January 24 on vinyl in a 16-song edition featuring such highlights as “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Girl from the North Country,” “Maggie’s Farm,” “Like a Rolling Stone,” and “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.”  The full 23-song soundtrack follows February 28 on CD, with unique cover artwork.

Head First, originally intended to be Badfinger’s eighth album and third for Warner Bros. Records, was recorded in 1974 but shelved until 2000.  That release presented a rough mix by Apple Studios engineer Phil McDonald; now, 25 years later, it’s been remixed and remastered under the supervision of keyboardist Bob Jackson – the lone surviving member who played on the original album.  (Pete Ham, Tom Evans, and Mike Gibbins are also heard on the album; Joey Molland departed before sessions began.)  It’s out today on CD; a vinyl version was released late last year.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Eric Burdon and WAR’s The Complete CD Collection brings together the complete released output of the funk-soul band during the period in which it was fronted by ex-Animals vocalist Eric Burdon.  The 4-CD set has three complete albums: Eric Burdon Declares “War,” The Black-Man’s Burdon, and archival compilation Love Is All Around.  Bernie Grundman has remastered all albums.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Verve has unearthed Ella Fitzgerald’s June 30, 1967 concert at Oakland, California’s Coliseum at which she was backed by members of The Duke Ellington Orchestra and combined classic standards with such then-contemporary material as “Alfie” and “Music to Watch Girls By.”  The concert has been newly mixed and mastered from producer Norman Granz’s original tapes.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada​

To coincide with a newly-upgraded presentation of the original MTV Unplugged special (streaming on Paramount+), Surfdog is reissuing the original 1992 live album in an “enhanced” edition which boasts a slightly reorganized and expanded 2CD or 2LP sequence, a brand-new mix, and highlights from a never-before-heard audio interview with Clapton discussing the songs in his set shortly before playing them in that session.  (All of the musical material was previously released in 2013 on Rhino’s expanded edition of the album; that edition offered additional bonus tracks not included here.)  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

The Doobie Brothers are back with Walk This Road, the band’s first album of original material with Michael McDonald since 1980’s One Step Closer.  It’s also the Doobie’s first album ever of original music to fully feature the line-up of McDonald, Johnston, Simmons, and John McFee.  The title track, co-written by returning member Michael McDonald and album producer John Shanks, is a gospel-flavored slice of soul with guest vocals from Mavis Staples. Tom Johnston joined Shanks to pen the contemporary country-styled “Call Me,” while Shanks, McDonald, and Patrick Simmons contributed the evocative, haunting ode to “Lahaina,” the Maui town which was devastated by the 2023 wildfires. Mick Fleetwood (whose restaurant in Lahaina was among the properties destroyed by the fires), Jake Shimabukuro, and Henry Kapono (of Cecilio and Kapono) all guest on the latter.  In short, Walk This Road is a return to form for the classic band.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​​

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
9CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
9LP/4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Following an acclaimed, Grammy-winning deluxe edition of Wilco’s mainstream breakthrough Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, the same creative team has assembled a similarly lavish set for the band’s 2004 follow-up A Ghost is Born.  The deluxe set – made up of either nine CDs or nine LPs and four CDs – packages the album alongside a whopping 65 previously unreleased tracks, including two sets of studio outtakes, a live concert, and seven “fundamentals” from the band’s recorded workshops during this same period. A 48-page hardcover book features unpublished photos and new liner notes by Bob Mehr. (Mehr won a Grammy for his notes in the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot set, while Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and producer Cheryl Pawelski earned a Grammy for Best Historical Album.) A new 2LP pressing of the original album will be made available, as well as a 2CD expanded edition containing the album and first bonus disc of outtakes.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Stage Door Pop brings U.K. television personality Gloria Hunniford’s 1979 album A Taste of Hunni to CD for the first time, supplementing its array of classic pop favorites (“What the World Needs Now Is Love,” “The Way We Were,” “For the Good Times”) with four rare bonus singles.  Sir Cliff Richard provides a new introduction in the booklet.

5CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Pearl LP with art card: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Picture Disc: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Tina Turner’s smash 1984 “comeback”album Private Dancer – featuring the hits “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Better Be Good to Me,” the scintillating title track and more – will be reissued as a 5CD/Blu-ray deluxe box packed with rare B-sides, remixes, additional studio material from the Private Dancer era (including the unreleased “Hot for You Baby”), selections from two concerts, and restored live footage and music videos. A 2CD package will include the remastered album and an expanded version of the disc of the main single edits, B-sides and remixes, adding “Hot for You Baby” and two of the live tracks originally released as B-sides. (It’s all differently curated from a similar reissue from 2015, albeit utilizing the same mastering on the material from that set). Two vinyl variants will be available: the original album pressed on picture disc and pearl colored vinyl. (Both feature the album’s now-standard U.K. cover art, while an art card with the pearl set offers the portrait of Tina seen on American pressings.)​​

Omnivore is expanding the lone album from The Beckies, the band formed by Michael Brown (The Left Banke, Stories) and Scott Trusty along with Jimmy McAllister and Gary Hodgden (a.k.a. Gary West).  The Beckies Story brings together a remastered version of the original Sire LP and a cache of 13 previously unreleased demos including songs which didn’t make the album.  Good to Know: The Beckies Story has been freshly mastered by Michael Graves.  The new liner notes by compilation co-producer Daniel Coston features interviews with surviving band members.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Live at South East Music Hall, Atlanta, GA – 1/5/1978 Red LP (February 28): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Live at Longhorns Ballroom, Dallas, TX – 1/10/1978 White LP (March 28): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Live at The Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA – 1/14/1978 Blue LP (April 25): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Sex Pistols’ Live in the U.S.A. 1978 will mark the first complete and official releases of three of the punk quartet’s seven American concerts in January 1978. Presented for the first time in sequence are the tour’s opener at the South East Music Hall in Atlanta, Georgia on January 5, a particularly raucous performance at Dallas, Texas’ Longhorns Ballroom five days later, and the premature conclusion of both the tour and the band at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco on January 14, which ended with an essential onstage resignation by frontman John Lydon. The 3CD set features each album individually packaged in its own cardboard wallet, with a booklet of rare photographs. Each album will also have staggered standalone releases on vinyl (pressed on red, white and blue vinyl, respectively) as well as digitally, available February 28, March 28, and April 25 – the latter day also being the street date for the CD box.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: Rhino.com

Diamond Dave’s got a whole new shine, thanks to a new box set from Rhino. David Lee Roth’s The Warner Recordings 1985-1994 includes the four LPs (and one EP) the iconoclastic singer released outside of his concluding tenure as the vocalist for Van Halen. All of the albums have been newly remastered (though no bonus tracks are appended), and will be available at general retailers as a 5CD set. (Rhino’s official store will exclusively carry a vinyl version.)  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
Tri-Color LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Alternate Cover “Neon Angel” CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Elton John has teamed with Brandi Carlile as well as Bernie Taupin and producer Andrew Watt for his first studio album since 2021’s COVID-era The Lockdown Sessions and first with Taupin since 2016’s Wonderful Crazy Night.  Who Believes in Angels? features the epic title track as well as “Never Too Late,” “The Rose of Laura Nyro,” and “Little Richard’s Bible.” Available on CD, deluxe CD/DVD set (with studio footage and one bonus track on DVD as well as an expanded booklet and set of postcards), LP, and digitally.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Following the February 14 premiere of Melanie’s score to the unproduced musical Ace o’ Diamonds, Cleopatra presents the singer-songwriter’s Return to Carnegie.  This 2-CD set captures her 1978 concert at Carnegie Hall in which she was backed by a full band including the Brecker Brothers on horns.  Songs include “What Have They Done to My Song, Ma,” “Beautiful People,” “Ruby Tuesday,” and Peter Allen and Carole Bayer Sager’s “I’d Rather Leave While I’m in Love.”  Dave Thompson provides the new liner notes.

Rufus Wainwright had an eclectic 2024, encompassing projects including the West End musical Opening Night and this classical commission based on the text of Lord Byron’s “Darkness” and the Requiem Mass.  Warner Classics has issued the live recording of the premiere performance of the latter. Byron’s text is mostly narrated by an actor (in this case, Meryl Streep; a future California performance will be narrated by Jane Fonda) and is underscored by orchestra.  The Latin Requiem text is sung by a large mixed choir, children’s choir, and soprano (Anna Prohaska). Mikko Franck conducts.  Available on CD and vinyl (and already out digitally).​

The concert film Coastal, documenting Neil Young’s 2023 solo concert tour, will be released to cinemas on April 17; the next day, its soundtrack album arrives on CD, LP, and digital formats.  The 11-track album includes Young favorites such as “I Am a Child,” “Expecting to Fly,” “Comes a Time,” and “Vampire Blues.”

Van Morrison releases his first album of original material since 2022.  Remembering Now is anchored by “Down to Joy,” which was featured in director Kenneth Branagh’s film Belfast.  Its 14 songs feature the singer-songwriter’s trademark meld of blues, soul, jazz, folk, and gospel, and he’s supported throughout by Richard Dunn (Hammond organ), Stuart McIlroy (piano), Pete Hurley (bass), and Colin Griffin (drums and percussion).  Fiachra Trench has arranged strings, and other collaborators include Seth Lakeman, Michael Beckwith, and Academy Award-winning lyricist Don Black. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

More than half a century after its release, Pink Floyd’s arresting 1972 concert film – recorded in the ancient amphitheater of Pompeii – will be revisited as an audio and video product from Legacy Recordings. Pink Floyd At Pompeii – MCMLXXII restores Adrian Maben’s original film in 4K quality from recently located original footage, with new audio mixes by Steven Wilson. All versions – a 2CD, a 2LP, a DVD and a Blu-ray – will be released May 2, shortly after public screenings of the film on April 24, set to run in standard theaters and IMAX.

Craft Recordings delivers a newly expanded edition of 1964’s Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown, the first in a series of fateful collaborations between jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi and Charles M. Schulz’s lovable Peanuts characters.  The 2CD set offers a fresh remaster of Guaraldi’s initial nine compositions devoted to Charlie Brown and friends – including the immortal “Linus and Lucy” – and adds a bonus disc of 16 rare and unreleased outtakes. It’s the latest in an incredible bounty of discoveries from Guaraldi’s discography of late, including sonically upgraded reissues and premiere releases of many of the Peanuts soundtracks that would come after. Grammy-winning engineer Paul Blakemore has overseen the upgraded audio, with Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang supplying liner notes. (The original LP’s liner notes by producer Lee Mendelson and Ralph J. Gleason will also be retained.) In addition to this set, the first 14 tracks on the bonus disc will be released by Craft on sky-blue vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive.​ As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Saddle Creek Store (with bonus 7″)

Rilo Kiley – singer/keyboardist Jenny Lewis, lead guitarist Blake Sennett, bassist Pierre “Duke” de Reeder, and drummer Jason Boesel – is reuniting for a tour, and revisiting 2002’s The Execution of All Things on vinyl for the first time with updated artwork (a die-cut sleeve and poster) billed as the “Froken Lake Edition.” The standard vinyl product will be pressed on cloudy clear vinyl, while a limited edition, capped at 3,000 copies and sold directly from the Saddle Creek label will add a transparent 7″ with three B-sides from the album sessions. It’s due out April 25, just weeks before the tour begins.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rilo Kiley is reuniting, and on May 9 – the day before the band takes the stage at the Just Like Heaven Festival in Pasadena, CA – they’ll follow up a reissue of The Execution of All Things with That’s How We Choose to Remember It, an 11-track collection drawing from their four studio albums and one early EP from 1999-2007.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Cherry Red is getting the party started with Dame Shirley Bassey.  The label’s Strawberry imprint is releasing The Singer, a 3-CD collection filled with previously unreleased tracks, hits, and rarities primarily drawn from the “Goldfinger” chanteuse’s period with United Artists Records (1966-1980).  It’s been fully authorized by Dame Shirley herself, and audio has been restored and remastered by Richard Moore.  All told, 28 tracks premiere on this set, including Dame Shirley’s 1973 Royal Albert Hall show.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Dio’s The Complete Albums 1983-1993, a U.K. vinyl collection, chronicles the seven original studio and live releases from the legendary metal vocalist and his band. (Vertigo/Mercury distributed all the albums overseas, while Warner Music continues to handle this portion of the catalogue stateside.) The box offers new pressings of Holy Diver (1983), The Last in Line (1984), Sacred Heart (1985), the live EP Intermission (1986), Dream Evil (1987), and double-vinyl editions of 1990’s Lock Up the Wolves and 1993’s Strange Highways. These pressings use the latest masterings and have not been newly remastered or pressed for color vinyl; artwork has been faithfully reproduced, however, with replicas of the original album jackets and inner sleeves. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Looking Back – Living the Years is a new 16-track collection culling from nearly every one of Genesis co-founder Mike Rutherford’s albums with side project Mike + The Mechanics, for which he is the sole consistent member. (Every one of the band’s many vocalists will be represented on the set.) Marking 40 years since the group’s self-titled debut in 1985 – the same year Genesis bandmate Phil Collins’ own solo career attained critical mass with No Jacket Required – Living the Years is the first Mechanics release as part of a new Rutherford catalogue deal with Concord’s Craft Recordings imprint, who purchased the publishing and recorded rights of Rutherford, Collins and Tony Banks (as well as their trio work as Genesis) in 2022. The set hits CD and digital formats on March 14, with a 2LP set to follow April 4.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

A celebrated jazz guitarist, cornerstone of the Blue Note roster in the late ’50s and early ’60s and still-standing link to a thriving era in American jazz, Kenny Burrell will be celebrated this spring with a deluxe revisitation of his first live release.  On View at the Five Spot Café: The Complete Masters collects the original 1960 album, recorded in New York City with a killer quintet line-up, along with nine additional tracks from the same club dates – six of which are being released for the first time. Available on two CDs or three LPs – the latter an entry in the label’s ongoing Tone Poet reissue series – the expanded On View will be remastered by Kevin Gray from original analog masters recorded by Rudy Van Gelder. It’ll be packaged in a tri-fold tip-on jacket that comes with a booklet featuring unseen photos, liner notes by Syd Schwartz, and an interview between Burrell (93 years old and counting!) and Blue Note’s president, producer/musician Don Was.​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Legacy releases the soundtrack to the latest documentary by The Roots’ drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who picked up an Academy Award for his work on 2021’s Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) .  This new companion album to this highly-anticipated look at the life and legacy of Sly Stone features 21 favorite hits and album cuts, about half of which are unreleased alternate versions, mixes, or edits (including exciting plays with the original multi-track tapes by Brooklyn DJ and remixer J. Period).  It arrives on CD or 2 LPs.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

A rare concert team-up between one of the great blues-rock bands of the last four decades and one of the greatest guitarists of all time is getting revisited in a new 3CD or 6LP set (with 2LP highlights also available).  Originally released in 2000, less than a year after it was recorded, Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes’ Live At The Greek was a double album featuring the group and the former Led Zeppelin guitarist tearing through renditions of classics from the latter band’s catalogue, plus a heap of blues standards. Now it’s being expanded with additional 14 tracks, including soundcheck audio and – for the first time – Page sitting in on cuts from the Crowes’ discography. Original album producer Kevin Shirley has remixed and remastered this expanded presentation.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Smokey Robinson’s newest studio album finds him singing such warm favorites as “Lean on Me,” “What a Wonderful World,” “Be Thankful for What You Got,” and “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”  Available on CD, LP, and digital/streaming.

Following last year’s releases of Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and the singer-songwriter’s newest album, Can’t Outrun a Memory, Omnivore Recordings returns to the Grushecky discography with the worldwide CD premiere of The Iron City Houserockers’ 1981 album, Blood on the Bricks.  The band’s third album, it was produced by Steve Cropper and features “Friday Night,” “Saints and Sinners,” and more.  It’s been newly remastered by Michael Graves and expanded with 11 previously unreleased bonus tracks.  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written the new liner notes based on an interview with Grushecky.  The expanded edition will also be available digitally.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Though Airrion Love and Herb Murrell of The Stylistics parted ways long ago with original lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr., the duo have continued to make music under the Stylistics moniker. Now, Love and Murrell have released their most high-profile release since the split with Thompkins. Falling in Love with My Girl welcomes a host of special guests including Shania Twain, Ronnie Wood, Gene Simmons, Bill Champlin, Billy F. Gibbons, Ray Parker Jr., Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Steve Lukather, Tower of Power, Jay Graydon, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, Nathan East, and others. Jason Sharp, with The Stylistics since 2011, sings lead vocals. The double album of original material, produced by Tom Cridland, is available on CD and digital/streaming.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Omnivore Recordings has unearthed what they’re describing as the earliest full concert recording of Buck Owens and his legendary band onstage.  The Exciting Sounds of Buck Owens and His Buckaroos Live from Richmond, Virginia, 1964 arrives on vinyl – no CD version has been announced yet – with eighteen cuts from the Bakersfield group including renditions of “Act Naturally,” “Who’s Gonna Mow Your Grass,” “My Heart Skips a Beat,” and even “Twist and Shout.”  The recording has been newly restored and mastered by Michael Graves for this release. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

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1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Dire Straits’ biggest album is getting expanded for its 40th anniversary. 1985’s Brothers in Arms arrives in a variety of formats, including a 3CD or 5LP set that pairs the classic album with a live show from the period. The album, which featured two of the band’s biggest singles including the American chart-topper “Money for Nothing” and “Walk of Life,” will also feature 16 pages of liner notes offering new insight on the album through interviews with the band’s frontman/guitarist Mark Knopfler, keyboardist Guy Fletcher, and bassist John Illsley. (Among other formats, the album’s original vinyl edition, featuring edited versions of nearly every track on the album’s first side, will be reissued for the first time since its original release.) As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Cleopatra has rounded up previously unreleased studio outtakes, demos, and related live tracks from Melanie’s 1971 album Gather Me, the LP that introduced the chart-topping “Brand New Key” as well as the hit “Ring the Living Bell” and fan favorite “Someday I’ll Be a Farmer.”  This release includes new liner notes by the late artist’s manager Dave Thompson, and is packaged in a 6-panel digipak.​

Back in 2023, Iconoclassic released E Street Band founding keyboardist David Sancious’ rare, originally-withdrawn album Dance of the Age of Enlightenment on CD for the first time. Now, the label is continuing its association with the artist for a reissue of his 1981 album The Bridge. The album was originally issued on Arista in 1981 in the U.K. and Japan, while the 1982 American edition was released on Elektra. Iconoclassic’s worldwide CD premiere has a reversible insert with both covers (take your pick!), while the audio has been newly remastered by Sancious and Robert Frazza for this release.​

Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954-1963) gathers two CDs’ worth of previously unreleased performances from the late, great Patsy Cline. While some of these tracks have circulated as bootlegs, this release makes them officially available in optimal sound quality for the first time.  Curated by George Hewitt and designed by John Sellards, Imagine That offers both unheard versions of familiar songs and 15 tunes otherwise unreleased by Patsy.  A 56-page booklet tells the story in full.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

The latest release from Bill Evans on the Elemental label, Further Ahead: Live in Finland 1964-1969 collects never-before-released recordings of the late pianist, captured live in Finland during that time frame. A 28-page booklet puts this period of Evans’ career into perspective; songs include “Nardis,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Emily,” “Round Midnight,” and “Autumn Leaves.” Previously available on vinyl for Record Store Day. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Mingus In Argentina offers highlights from two shows near the end of the late composer-bandleader’s career in 1977, on which he’s joined by Ricky Ford (tenor saxophone), Jack Walrath (trumpet), Robert Neloms (piano), and Dannie Richmond (drums).​ This set features a 36-page booklet with liner notes by Brian Priestley.  Previously available on vinyl for Record Store Day.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Iconoclassic premieres Ian North (Milk ‘n Cookies)’s 1979 solo LP Neo in an expanded edition with two bonus tracks recorded at The Vortex in London.  Recorded at Ian Gillan’s studio, Neo features Steve Byrd and John McCoy, both of whom were recruited by the Deep Purple singer for his band Gillan.  Vic Anesini has newly remastered the audio from the original master tapes, and the 16-page color booklet boasts new liner notes from Ian North’s Milk ‘n Cookies bandmate Justin Strauss.​

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 executive-produced by The British Ambassador of Soul, David Nathan.  The lavish 68-page booklet features a 12,000-word essay by Marchese, drawing on previously unpublished interviews with Dionne Warwick and the late Burt Bacharach.  The booklet also features a moving personal reflection from Nathan, and an appreciation of Dionne’s groundbreaking The Magic of Believing by gospel and soul historian Tim Dillinger of God’s Music Is My Life.  The booklet is copiously illustrated with numerous photos as well as album artwork.  Each disc is housed within the slipcase in an individual wallet with detailed discographical annotations.  John Sellards has designed, and Nick Robbins has mastered.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Oh What a Beautiful World – by the numbers, Willie Nelson’s 77th studio album (!) and 154th album overall (!!) – finds the legendary singer tackling the songbook of Rodney Crowell.  The singer-songwriter’s work has been a touchstone of Nelson’s career since 1983, when he recorded his first Crowell composition; his most recent was cut in 2024 for The Border.  Produced by Buddy Cannon, Oh What a Beautiful World offers 12 Crowell tunes spanning 50 years of songwriting – including the title track performed as a duet between the two men. Available on CD, LP, and digitally.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The latest release in Cleopatra’s ongoing Melanie archival series spans fourteen recordings made between 1963 and 2016 including such children’s favorites as “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and “Rain, Rain Go Away.”  The singer-songwriter is joined by her children and grandchildren, who assembled this release and added vocals and instrumentation following Melanie’s death in January 2024.  It adds up to one of the most touching releases in this expansive, career-spanning series.  Available on CD, LP, and digital/streaming.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Barbra Streisand’s 37th studio album, The Secret of Life: Partners Volume 2, is a sequel to the superstar’s 2014 album.  This second volume of duets welcomes such guests as Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Sting, Paul McCartney, Josh Groban, Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande, Laufey, Seal, and Hozier. Walter Afanasieff and Peter Asher have co-produced The Secret of Life. Available on CD, LP (including Amazon-exclusive white vinyl), and digitally.​

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LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

La Streisand’s 37th studio album, The Secret of Life: Partners Volume 2, is a sequel to the superstar’s 2014 album.  This second volume of duets welcomes such guests as James Taylor, Sting, Paul McCartney, Josh Groban, Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande, Laufey, Seal, and Hozier.  Walter Afanasieff and Peter Asher have co-produced The Secret of Life.  Available on CD, LP (including Amazon-exclusive white vinyl), and digital/streaming.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

John Williams – The Anthology Vol. 1 (1969-1990) is the first of three massive box sets from Sony Classical celebrating the soundtrack maestro in his 93rd year.  It sets an impressive bar for the series: with Williams’ conducting work for the Boston Pops and others celebrated in a pair of box sets, this volume will offer a cross-licensed selection of Williams’ most essential soundtracks – 22 discs containing material from 28 films. Williams’ longtime archivist Mike Matessino is a co-producer for the project, and his high-quality remasters of many of the soundtracks are included here.  Some of the soundtracks reprise their expanded assemblies while others (most notably the Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies) are presented in their familiar album presentations; for the Star Wars films, it’s the original album presentations remixed from the original film recordings by Williams’ engineer Shawn Murphy, while the Indy discs are identical to their 2008 expansions by Music by John Williams director Laurent Bouzereau.  Steven Spielberg, Williams’ closest collaborator, pens a new foreword for the book, which will feature detailed essays on each score by Matessino and Williams authority John Takis.  When all three sets are complete, the collection will encompass 75 discs of Williams magic.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Universal’s overseas arm developed the Collected series as a line of compilations that would appeal to both casual and hardcore fans, combining an artist’s biggest hits with harder-to-find material. (For instance, a 2017 volume on Huey Lewis and The News offered rare edits and 12″ mixes, guest appearances and even a single track from the group’s pre-News existence as American Express.) Now distributed through the Music on CD label, Collected is still going strong – as evidenced by a forthcoming volume offering a comprehensive summary of the king of punk funk himself, Rick James.  Rick’s 3CD Collected volume offers his biggest and most soulful hits for Motown’s Gordy imprint, from “You and I,” “Bustin’ Out,” “Give It to Me Baby” and “Super Freak” to “Standing on the Top,” “Dance Wit’ Me,” “Cold Blooded” and “Ebony Eyes.” But that’s not all: the triple-disc offering shines a light on his earliest recordings with groups like The Mynah Birds and The Great White Cane, an album he produced for his backing group The Stone City Band, off-label duets and productions with Chaka Khan and comedian Eddie Murphy, highlights from his late ’80s work on the Reprise label, and even a selection of 12″ dance mixes. (By our count, about 10 of the 47 tracks are new to CD, and some of the material didn’t even make Motown and UMe’s digital box set of Rick James’ albums, issued alongside his posthumous memoirs in 2014.) As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Omnivore will offer an expanded reissue of the self-titled debut album from Christopher Cross, the unforgettable 1979 release that became a commercial juggernaut and propelled the unlikely star to the music business’ upper echelon. The CD or 2LP release features 11 bonus tracks including the rare non-album single “Mary Ann” and a slew of demos, six of which are made available for the first time anywhere – including several songs never before issued by Cross. (The set uses Bernie Grundman’s impeccable original album master, with engineer Michael Graves restoring the bonus material to prime condition.) The package features liner notes by journalist Gene Sculatti – the former editorial director of Cross’ then-label Warner Bros. Records – complete with new insights courtesy of an interview with the album’s producer Michael Omartian.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​​

Tracks II: The Lost Albums 1983-2018 (Columbia/Legacy, 2025)

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9LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Lost and Found: Selections from the Lost Albums (Columbia/Legacy, 2025)

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2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

More than a quarter century after releasing his first major vault project, Bruce Springsteen is back with a sequel that’s even bigger.  True to its name, Tracks II: The Lost Albums 1983-2018 promises not just a wealth of unreleased recordings from the Thrill Hill vaults, as 1998’s Tracks offered. This time, the rock icon presents seven full albums’ worth of material, sharing thematic and recording cohesion and even, in some cases, seriously considered for release at one time or another. The 7CD or 9LP set features a 100-page clothbound hardcover book offering notes on the albums by writer Erik Flannigan, an introduction penned by Springsteen, and scores of archival photos. A single CD or double LP, Lost and Found: Selections from the Lost Albums offers highlights from the full collection.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Springsteen’s Country will collect 20 covers of The Boss, some familiar (Johnny Cash’s “Johnny 99,” Steve Earle’s live take on “State Trooper”), some offbeat (a take on Tunnel of Love opener “Ain’t Got You” by Solomon Burke, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s version of beloved outtake “From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)”), and some altogether lesser known (Americana acts like Lera Lynn and The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow interpreting “Fire” and “The Rising”). The set was compiled by Sean Rowley, a well-known British DJ/presenter who happens to be one of the men on the album cover of Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. (Rowley previously assembled Ladies Sing The Boss for Ace.) As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

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2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Following a pair of compilations in 2023 chronicling earlier parts of their storied career, British rockers The Kinks have one more in the chamber to commemorate their 60th anniversary as a group, focusing on a period of transition and finality in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.  The Journey – Part 3 offers, on two CDs or two 180-gram LPs, a dozen favorites originally released on Arista Records between 1977 and 1984, including the band’s last worldwide smash, “Come Dancing.” The newly remastered selections – which, in a first for The Journey series, are curated by the band – will be paired with a never-before-released recording of one of the group’s final concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in the summer of 1993. Phil Alexander has penned new liner notes, with the Davies brothers and other band members offering track-by-track commentary.

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A collection of harder-to-find material from stalwart alt-rock duo They Might Be Giants – released on vinyl last year – gets a belated appearance on CD at general retail.  The Spine Surfs Alone: Rarities 1998-2005 includes the balance of two EPs: 2000’s Working Undercover for the Man, released only through the early digital service eMusic, and 2004’s The Spine Surfs Alone, an early release on the band’s own Idlewild Recordings label. The album is balanced out by a few single cuts, compilation appearances (including covers of Paul McCartney and a song from Hedwig and the Angry Inch), material from the mostly live album Severe Tire Damage (1998) and an unreleased instrumental version of “T-Shirt,” a song recorded during the sessions for TMBG’s 2005 children’s album Here Come the ABCs.​

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LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Back in 2018, Omnivore Recordings collected The Complete Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Recordings of jazz pianist-composer-Peanuts legend Vince Guaraldi.  Now, the label is breaking out one of the albums contained in that set for CD and vinyl reissue.  1968’s Oh, Good Grief! was built around his familiar compositions for Charles M. Schulz’s legendary characters, but those tunes were subtly updated as Guaraldi added electric guitar and electric harpsichord to his trio (piano/bass/drums) format.  Kevin Gray has remastered these vibrant new editions.

Hot on the heels of a successful London revival, the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the 2009 Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal is revisited for this special 2CD edition which premiered last year on digital services.  Composer Tom Kitt and co-producer Derik Lee have remixed the original album from the multitracks, bringing out new elements in both the orchestration and vocals, and revitalizing it with a newfound energy better reflective of the cathartic experience in the theatre.  Next to Normal, co-written with Brian Yorkey and starring Alice Ripley, J. Robert Spencer, and Aaron Tveit, explored mental illness in a frank and authentic fashion all too infrequently seen on stage; this newly-revitalized recording is a reminder of its searing score and the powerful emotions it conjures.​  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Neil Young’s latest album pairs the veteran singer-songwriter and bandleader with the group he’s dubbed The Chrome Hearts: Spooner Oldham (organ); Micah Nelson (guitar/vocals); Corey McCormick (bass/vocals); and Anthony LoGerfo (drums).  Produced by Young and Lou Adler, the album features ten new compositions by Neil.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally. an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The 2CD or 2LP Stax Revue: Live in ’65! expands a pivotal pair of concerts undertaken at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles 60 summers ago when the Memphis label – newly bolstered by a distribution deal with Atlantic Records – took several of its marquee acts to the West Coast (many for the first time) for a spirited club set packed with favorites by William Bell (“You Don’t Miss Your Water”), Rufus Thomas (“Walking the Dog”), his daughter Carla (“Every Ounce of Strength”) plus bands like Booker T. & The MG’s and Stax house band The Mar-Keys. What made the set’s timing truly striking was that, days after the shows went on from August 7 to 8, the L.A. neighborhood of Watts saw its population rise up to protest the racism and discrimination from the city towards its Black residents. (The uprising, quashed by the National Guard, resulted in 34 deaths; those five days of rebellion were commemorated in a label-sponsored music festival held in the city seven years later, called Wattstax.) The shows were first issued in truncated form in 1992; this set adds previously unreleased tracks (with three more songs on CD than on vinyl). As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Last year, Chrysalis reissued Bridge of Sighs, Robin Trower’s second album following his departure from Procol Harum, in an expanded edition timed to its 50th anniversary.  Now, the label is turning its attention to the guitar hero’s third solo set and highest-charting album in the U.S., 1975’s For Earth Below.  The expanded edition, due in 4CD, 2LP, and digital formats, is built around the newly remastered original album. It adds a previously unreleased alternative stereo mix (described as an “extended mix”) on CD 2; alternate takes, rehearsals, and BBC live performances on CD 3; and selections from the band’s L.A. Shrine Auditorium concert of March 16, 1975 on CD 4.  David Sinclair has penned the liner notes for the package, which will be in a hardcover book-style format.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Omnivore Recordings is reissuing, remastering, and expanding America’s Hearts, featuring “Sister Golden Hair,” “Daisy Jane,” and “Woman Tonight,” for its 50th anniversary. This new edition adds six bonus cuts to the original album’s dozen tracks.  Five of these are unreleased alternate versions and mixes of songs from Hearts including a unique arrangement of Bunnell’s “People in the Valley,” a stunning vocal-and-strings-only mix of “Daisy Jane” (spotlight both George Martin’s rich string charts and the band’s shimmering harmonies), an acoustic “Old Virginia,” and vocals-and-orchestra mixes of the evocative “Midnight” and the reflective “Seasons.”   The sixth bonus track is the rare Spanish-language single version of “Sister Golden Hair.”  TSD’s Joe Marchese has written notes for the release based on new interviews with band co-founders Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell.  Michael Graves has beautifully remastered the audio.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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8LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

What is jazz?  The question has been debated often, but now we know how Joni Mitchell might answer.  The legendary singer-songwriter’s Archives series is continuing with its first themed compilation, appropriately entitled Joni’s Jazz.  These 61 selections – available on 4 CDs or 8 LPs – draw from nearly every core album in the Mitchell discography with just a couple of exceptions (Clouds, Ladies of the Canyon) and reflect the breadth of the artist’s immersion into the jazz idiom in all its many varied forms.  Last year, in her liner notes to Archives Volume 4 (1976-1980), Mitchell teased, “People ask me my favorite of my albums, it’s going to be Joni’s Jazz.”  It’s not difficult to see why; many of her greatest songs and performances can be found among these 61 career-spanning and convention-shattering tracks. Orders placed directly via JoniMitchell.com will come with an exclusive art print.  ​As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Ruby Red LP (with “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” as bonus track: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

A reconfigured version of a Simple Minds box set released a decade ago will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s biggest international success, Once Upon a Time.  This new 5CD edition offers the original 1985 album (featuring the singles “Alive and Kicking,” “Sanctify Yourself,” “All the Things She Said” and “Ghost Dancing”) alongside two discs of single edits, remixes and B-sides, and the 1987 concert album Live in the City of Light. The discs will be packaged in three gatefold wallets alongside a booklet of liner notes featuring interviews with band members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, all housed in a clamshell box smaller than the 2015 release. (The set also does not include the DVD from the previous set, featuring a 5.1 surround mix of the album and a host of music videos.) Additionally, a ruby red gatefold vinyl pressing will be released on the same date, adding “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” – the band’s chart-topping hit from the soundtrack to The Breakfast Club – to the end of the first side. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Green Apple Quick Step’s Dizzy: The Medicine Label Anthology contains both of the band’s albums for the label as well as several bonus tracks.  In addition, each album is going to be released individually on vinyl. Founded in 1992, Green Apple Quick Step’s members included lead vocalist Tyler Willman, guitarists Daniel Kempthorne (a.k.a. Daniel J. Travanti of The Briefs) and Steve Ross, singer-bassist Mari Ann Braeden, and drummer Bob ‘Mink’ Martin.  Hailing from Tacoma, Washington, the group made the move to Seattle and got signed to the Medicine Label as grunge was beginning to hit the mainstream.  1993’s dark, moody Wonderful Virus reflected the alt-rock sound of the day while 1995’s Reloaded embraced a more commercial, accessible side of the group. Michael Graves has newly remastered the audio for all of the reissues.  Wonderful Virus will be released on red vinyl and Reloaded comes on white vinyl.  There are no bonus tracks on the vinyl reissues, but the 2CD set features 13 bonus tracks including 4 previously unreleased cuts.  In addition, the deluxe CD package contains a booklet with liner notes from our very own Joe Marchese that draw upon a new interview with Ty Willman. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

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LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

With Sly Stone fever at a high thanks to the recent documentary from The Roots’ drummer Questlove, High Moon’s The First Family offers a 1967 live set that just predates the band’s tenure with Epic Records​.  Previously available for Record Store Day, the concert comes to wide-release vinyl and CD.  Songs include “Funky Broadway,” “Baby, I Need Your Lovin’,” and “I Can’t Turn You Loose,” capturing the early days of a group destined to change the musical landscape.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

3CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rough Trade (Red) / D2C Exclusive (2LP/4×7″)
4LP: D2C Exclusive (and 4LP/2×7″)

Rhino is taking Talking Heads fans to the river with a new deluxe edition: a 3CD/Blu-ray edition of the group’s 1978 sophomore album More Songs About Buildings and Food.  The box includes the remastered original album alongside a bonus disc of rare studio material (including four unreleased alternate takes and a host of material included on previous expansions) and a live set recorded at the Entermedia Theatre in New York City (today a multiplex), just about a month after the album was released. Video of highlights from that same show feature on the Blu-ray, along with footage from a show later that year at the Sproul Plaza in Berkeley, CA, as well as the original in high-resolution stereo along with remixes in 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos by the band’s Jerry Harrison and engineer Eric “E.T.” Thorngren (who passed away last year). All four band members – Harrison, David Byrne, Chris Franz and Tina Weymouth – have co-signed the project, offering recollections of the period in the 60-page hardcover book packaging alongside rare and unseen photos. (The box follows up similar sets for debut Talking Heads: 77 and Stop Making Sense.) As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

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13CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

After a period of nearly four years, David Bowie’s series of “Eras” box sets is returning with a new, final volume.  I Can’t Give Everything Away (2002-2016) concludes the career-spanning chronicle of the shape-shifting superstar.  The new 13-CD or 18-LP box picks up where 2021’s Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001) left off, capturing the final years of an artist who never stopped innovating.

The set contains new pressings of:

• Heathen (2002);
• Reality (2003);
• A Reality Tour (recorded 2003, released 2010);
• The Next Day (2013);
• The Next Day Extra (2013);
• Blackstar (2016);
• and the No Plan EP (2017).

All but the last two have been newly remastered for this set. The set also premieres Montreux Jazz Festival: July 18, 2022 on 2 CDs and includes a sixth and final volume of Re:Call, featuring 41 tracks on 3 CDs.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

8CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
8CD (Gold Discs): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
14LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
14LP (Gold Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Oasis have announced a box set collecting new pressings of all their studio albums.  Ostensibly tied to the ongoing reunion tour (which kicked off in England to audience approval last week), Complete Studio Album Collection is exactly what it says: the band’s seven studio albums issued between 1994 and 2008, plus 1998 B-sides collection The Masterplan. With the exception of that rarities collection, which settled for No. 2, all of these releases topped the U.K. album chart and represent some of the most acclaimed and/or hyped rock seen in England in the ’90s and ’00s. There’s not a whole lot to say about these albums that’s not already been said, and mastering details are scarce – but both formats will be available as standard pressings as well as Amazon exclusives that press each album on gold-colored discs or vinyl.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Oasis have a slightly expanded edition of 1995’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? on tap, pairing a 2014 remaster of the album (which initially came with additional bonus material) with a bonus EP of new unplugged mixes of four of the album’s tracks (plus a non-album B-side, “Acquiesce”). The group’s songwriter/guitarist Noel Gallagher and Callum Marinho built these new versions from the original multitrack recordings in Noel’s London studio. The packaging will feature new liner notes as well as new artwork from original designer Brian Cannon, utilizing new photographs of some of the places seen in the original booklet. The set will be available on two CDs or three LPs.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Sunset Boulevard is a 5CD set showcasing Elvis Presley’s work at RCA Records’ Studio C in Hollywood – one of the more important studios he’d record in through his final recording years in the 1970s. Like Memphis before it, the set will feature new remixes by acclaimed engineer Matt Ross-Spang that will offer fresh remixes of familiar studio masters and rare outtakes. (A curation of those mixes will be pressed as a 2LP set.) The other half of the set finds Elvis and The TCB Band rehearsing for his legendary residencies in Las Vegas in 1970 and 1974. The box features rare archival photos and liner notes by Colin Escott, along with an introduction by Presley’s friend and confidante Jerry Schilling.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

 

This stunning new 6-CD box set brings together the late, great Marianne Faithfull’s Decca repertoire including the complete albums Marianne Faithfull; Come My Way; North Country Maid; and Loveinamist plus two discs of singles, non-LP B-sides, and rarities including previously unreleased tracks.  Everything has been newly remastered from the original tapes, and the liner notes feature exclusive commentary from the singer.  Andrew Batt has produced, compiled, and remastered the set, while Eric Terino has designed it, utilizing original images for the covers and artwork elements.  Marianne gave her stamp of approval prior to her passing earlier this year for this set which will finally put her Decca recordings into full perspective.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Iconoclassic delivers its fifth (!) catalogue title from the late, great rocker Dwight Twilley. Old Time Rock & Roll, billed as a collaborative title with Twilley’s longtime guitarist Bill Pitcock IV, features the locked-in pair leading a small ensemble through a killer assortment of classic rock covers, from songs made famous by Elvis Presley (“Little Sister,” “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care”), Little Richard (“Good Golly, Miss Molly”), and Bob Seger (the title track) to tunes by Sonny Curtis (“I Fought the Law”), Marc Bolan of T. Rex (“Bang a Gong (Get It On)”) and Wayne Cochran (“Last Kiss”). These tracks (and a few more Beatles covers) were issued under the name Out of the Box in 2009 for the Gigatone label, but this estate-blessed presentation brings the sessions into the Twilley discography done right: resequenced, remastered by engineer Maria Triana, and pressed onto professional compact disc for the first time, with a new black and white cover and liner notes drawn solely from quotes by Twilley and Pitcock about their professional collaboration.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. (gold) / Amazon U.K. (baby blue) / Amazon Canada (gold)

In just over 15 years of reporting at The Second Disc, it’s a sentence we never thought we’d write: Buckingham Nicks is getting its first-ever reissue.  The 1973 album from Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks – recorded and released two years before their pivotal acceptance into British rock band Fleetwood Mac – finally returns on CD, vinyl and digitally. Unavailable since its original release, this straight reissue of the album marks the first significant professional thaw since Buckingham was dismissed from Fleetwood Mac in 2018.   This release – mastered from the original analogue tapes by Chris Bellman – marks the first time the album has officially been available on CD or digitally. Bellman also cut lacquers for the standard vinyl re-pressing, available on gold wax for Amazon U.S. and baby blue for Amazon U.K. customers.  While no bonus tracks have been included, the album is likely to sound better than ever in this long-overdue digital-era premiere.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Coming to 2CD, 2LP, and digital formats ahead of a new series of worldwide performances, this new edition of Sting’s 2013 concept album take on The Last Ship offers 20 tracks from the original album release and cast recording, plus five new recordings, all resequenced to better reflect the current version of the score. Those new tracks are a re-recording of the song “Shipyard” (with new vocals by cast member Joe Caffrey alongside those from Jo Lawry and AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson), duets with operatic soprano Renée Fleming (“Ship of State”) and another principal cast member, Frances McNamee (“If You Ever See Me Talking to a Sailor”); the outtake “O’Brien’s Hymn,” and a new take on “Island of Souls,” which opens not only the show but Sting’s thematically-similar 1991 studio album The Soul Cages.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Definitive Croce gathers both albums the late Jim Croce recorded and released for ABC Records during his lifetime (You Don’t Mess Around with Jim and Life and Times) plus the posthumous I Got a Name – all recently remixed by engineer Paul Hicks (whose mixing and mastering work includes projects by The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison). All three were previously released on vinyl in similar color schemes to the upcoming vinyl package – bone white for Mess Around, sky blue for Life and Times and tangerine for I Got a Name – but this is these mixes’ first CD release. Both CD and LP formats will be housed in trifold sleeves showcasing the original album covers on the inside.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Play On: A Raspberries Tribute, from Think Like a Key Records, is no ordinary tribute.  Its roster is anchored by such all-time MVPs as Rick Springfield, John Waite, Foreigner’s Lou Gramm, The Bangles’ Debbi and Vicki Peterson, and Marshall Crenshaw, each paying tribute to Eric Carmen, Jim Bonfanti, Dave Smalley, Wally Bryson, Michael McBride, and Scott McCarl in his or her own inimitable style. Play On also features the illustrious likes of Cherie Currie of The Runaways, Kasim Sulton and Willie Wilcox of Utopia, ’70s TV stars and teen idols The Hudson Brothers, Shoes, singer-actress Karla DeVito, The Lemon Twigs, Darian Sahanaja and Rob Bonfiglio of The Brian Wilson Band and Al Jardine’s Pet Sounds Band, The Chefs (featuring Stan Lynch of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites) and rising star Tori Holub, who recently performed with Sulton and Todd Rundgren on the What the World Needs Now tribute to Burt Bacharach.  Musician and author Ken Sharp (Overnight Sensation: The Story of Raspberries), who co-produced this tribute with Fernando Perdomo, contributes two songs (the beautifully swooning “If You Change Your Mind” and pulse-pounding “I’m a Rocker,” both penned by Carmen).  All told, Play On boasts a whopping 37 tracks on 2 CDs, and four songs feature a special guest: none other than Jim Bonfanti.  He plays drums on “I Wanna Be with You,” “Tonight,” “If You Change Your Mind,” and “I Don’t Know What I Want.”  The late Eric Carmen is heard on the count-in to “Tonight.”  Wally Bryson’s son Jesse recreates his dad’s “Might as Well” off 1972’s Fresh.  The words “labor of love” come to mind for this electric, eclectic release.​

Blues band The Fabulous Thunderbirds – who had perhaps one of the least likely chart hits of the ’80s – will release a box set this year chronicling their most mainstream years and showcasing their original and best-known guitarist.  The Jimmie Vaughan Years: Complete Studio Recordings presents seven complete albums over four CDs: the Chrysalis releases The Fabulous Thunderbirds (1979), What’s the Word (1980), Butt Rockin’ (1981) and T-Bird Rhythm (1982), and the CBS Associated albums Tuff Enuff (1986), Hot Number (1987) and Powerful Stuff (1989). As an additional treat, the set also includes 13 never-before-released tracks from a 1978 session, co-produced by rock legend Doc Pomus and Joel Dorn for an unreleased debut. The discs are packaged in a 12″ hardcover book-style package packed with rare photos and liner notes by Bill Bentley chronicling the band’s history. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Two decades after Canadian crooner Michael Bublé enjoyed his first major chart breakthrough, the album that did so – 2005’s It’s Time – is being reissued for its anniversary.  It’s Time returns as a 2CD or 2LP set (the latter pressed on silver vinyl) with a dozen studio and live bonus tracks. Having come out at a time of considerable limited editions – some only available at certain American retailers from Target to Starbucks – this edition of It’s Time will offer all of those value-added bonus cuts in one place, alongside the radio version of unlikely hit single “Home” plus two unreleased outtakes: the original song “Just Like You” – which the then-29-year-old singer wrote when he was just 16 – and an interpretation of the Sammy Fain-Irving Kahal standard “I’ll Be Seeing You.” As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Omnivore Recordings
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Omnivore Recordings

The late, great Spike Jones’ side-splittingly spooky 1959 album In Stereo: A Spooktacular in Screaming Sound! returns from Omnivore Recordings in time for Halloween as freshly remastered from the original tapes.  Featuring a company including Paul Frees (Boris Badenov, The Haunted Mansion’s Ghost Host), Thurl Ravenscroft (“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” Tony the Tiger), Loulie Jean Norman​ (Star Trek), and George Rock (“All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth”), the Spooktacular became a favorite of the likes of Dr. Demento and “Weird Al” Yankovic.  Omnivore’s reissue offers new liner notes by TSD’s Joe Marchese, drawing on interviews with Spike’s children.  Available on CD and LP.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Horses (50th Anniversary Edition), available through Legacy Recordings, pairs Patti Smith’s classic LP with a further nine alternate versions and outtakes from the album sessions, including two selections from Smith’s demo tape for RCA Records. (Arista, unaffiliated with RCA at the time, ended up signing her for about a quarter-century.) A demo version of standout “Redondo Beach” was released on a 2002 compilation, but the others here – including the preview track “Snowball” and a cover of The Marvelettes’ “The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game” – are heard here for the first time. The deluxe Horses, available on CD, vinyl and digitally, prefaces the publication of Smith’s new memoir, Bread of Angels, in November.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

4CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
4LP/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

It’s no surprise that, as Hollywood prepares to tell the story of Bruce Springsteen’s most striking solo release, a box set is coming to tell the tale of the (literal) tape.  Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings are releasing Nebraska ’82, a new box set showcasing the start-to-finish journey of Bruce’s most stark collection of songs and the attempts to record them in a way befitting of their haunting qualities. The set – four CDs or four LPs and a Blu-ray – will offer two discs of almost entirely unreleased outtakes, both from that legendary home recording in Colts Neck, NJ as well as the now-mythic “electric” run-throughs of the songs with The E Street Band. Nebraska ’82 will also include a new solo performance of the album filmed by Thom Zimny earlier this year at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ and will close with that classic original album, newly remastered.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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5CD: Rhino.com
4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Little Feat’s The Last Record Album (1975), the group’s fifth LP and penultimate studio release in Lowell George’s lifetime, has been expanded by Rhino in multiple formats. The 4CD set pairs the original album (which doffed its hat to the acclaimed film The Last Picture Show in its title and artwork) with a bonus disc of studio rarities (half of which are previously unreleased) and adds an unissued live set at Boston’s Orpheum Theater recorded on Halloween of 1975. A 2LP set includes all the studio material in the CD box.  Though The Last Record Album was somewhat less cohesive, with fewer strong compositions, than the band’s previous efforts, there were flashes of classic Feat including Lowell George’s “Long Distance Love” (memorably covered by the aforementioned Nicolette Larson and later by Elvis Costello), “Down Below the Borderline,” and “One Love Stand”; Paul Barrere, Bill Payne, and Kenny Gradney’s “One Love Stand” (picked up by Carly Simon on her Another Passenger LP); and Payne and future wife Fran’s funky “Day or Night.”  A dozen demos, alternate takes, rough mixes, outtakes, and single versions – more than half of which are never before heard – add richly to the album’s lore, as does the live show which finds the band, as per the norm, stretching out and immersing themselves in the groove even more freely and fully.  The package includes new liner notes by Dennis McNally; the discs have been superbly remastered by Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch.  Note that the 4CD package takes the form of a small slipcase, with the original album and bonus disc in a six-panel digipak and the live show in a gatefold sleeve.

4CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Foreigner is bringing 4 to the fore with a new deluxe box set devoted to their blockbuster fourth album.  This new edition of 4 includes a fresh remix of the original 1981 album and three discs of unreleased material, including studio outtakes, unheard songs from the recording sessions, instrumental mixes, and selections from the band’s world tour of 1981-1982. A Blu-ray Audio includes the album remix (plus the newly-released “Fool If You Love Him,” available as the new single from the set below) in high-resolution stereo, as well as a new Dolby Atmos mix of the original 10-track LP. The stereo mix will also be available on a separate vinyl pressing. The digibook packaging includes more than 60 unreleased photos from the period.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

10 years, 10 songs: Atlantic Records is marking ten years of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton with a ten-track highlights album, available on CD or LP.  The vinyl package adds a poster featuring members of the original Broadway cast.  Amazon is offering an exclusive “Angelica’s Vinyl” pressing.

2CD/4LP/Blu-ray/7″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The 50th anniversary edition of the Pink Floyd classic is available in a variety of formats:

• A 2CD or 3LP set pairs the original album with nine bonus tracks: three from the “Immersion Edition” box set released in 2011 and six previously unreleased outtakes and alternate mixes.
• A deluxe box set includes the two CDs, four “crystal-clear” LPs (adding an extra 12″ with a pair of live tracks from the Immersion box), a replica Japanese 7″ single and a Blu-ray. That Blu-ray includes all the audio from the 2CD or 3LP set (so, minus those extra live tracks), plus an additional live bootleg, multiple alternate mixes of the album, vintage video projections by Storm Thorgerson, as well as a hardcover book of unseen photos from the period and replicas of a tour program and poster.
• The Blu-ray in that box will also be available separately.
• Finally, a digital edition includes all the stereo audio from the Blu-ray: the album, outtakes and live bootleg.​

​As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

On November 4, Paul McCartney releases Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run, an oral history of the superstar’s other band. The hardcover tome, created in collaboration with film director Morgan Neville and editor Ted Widmer, tells Wings’ story through text, photographs, a timeline, a gigography, a discography, and more. But the book is missing one thing: the music. Macca has that covered, too: on November 7, MPL, Capitol, and UMe will release the simply-titled Wings in a variety of formats.

Wings supersedes 1978’s perennial Wings Greatest as the go-to compilation for the band’s works. (2001’s Wingspan: Hits and History, despite its title, chronicled Macca’s solo material as well as that of the band.) A 32-track iteration arrives on 2 CDs, 2 LPs, or a Blu-ray (with Dolby Atmos, 5.1, and high-resolution stereo mixes) while a “highlights” version has 12 songs on 1 CD or 1 LP. All of the physical formats are accompanied by a booklet with an introduction from McCartney; the 3LP and 2CD editions have an expanded booklet (32 pages) adding photographs, artwork, and more. McCartney oversaw the package art with Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell of Hipgnosis, the same studio that designed artwork for such Wings releases as Band on the Run, Venus and Mars, and Wings Over America. Powell has also contributed album-by-album notes to the expanded booklet while Pete Paphides and Humphrey Ocean add text and original artwork, respectively. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (Crystal Glass clear vinyl)

The expanded edition of Blondie’s 1999 album No Exit pairs the remastered original album with a bonus disc featuring eight remixes and rarities – three of which are previously unreleased. Among the highlights is a new mix of “Hot Shot,” a Japanese bonus track from the album sessions; the mix is now streaming. (It’s one of four tracks included as a bonus side on the attendant 2LP vinyl release – the first time No Exit is available in this format.)  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

One of U.K. pop’s most beloved duos is looking back with a new compilation that succinctly surveys their many albums over the last 40 years.  The Best of Everything But the Girl offers 16 tracks from the pair on one CD or two LPs, spanning their debut single (a cover of Cole Porter’s “Night and Day”) all the way up to 2023’s Fuse – their first album in more than two decades. It includes U.K. hits like “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” and “Walking Wounded,” the fan favorite “Driving,” and of course, their international smash “Missing,” as remixed by Todd Terry. The tracks have been remastered for this album by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, and each format will include lyrics and complete credits in a booklet (16 pages for the CD and four for the 180-gram LP). As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP (black): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP (blue marble): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Picture Disc: Official Store

Prince’s estate will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Prince and The Revolution’s Around the World in a Day with a deluxe edition gathering all the non-LP material from the original release. Available in a variety of formats including 2CD and 140-gram 3LP editions, the set will feature the 1985 follow-up to Purple Rain, along with 13 non-LP remixes and B-sides – four of which will make their debut on CD. (The set includes no outtakes or unreleased Vault material.) Original mastering engineer Bernie Grundman has overseen the remastering along with engineer Chris James. Additional formats include the remastered album on standalone CD and black vinyl (with the CD featuring the 12″ extension of “America” as a bonus track, being present separately from the bonus disc on the deluxe version as well), picture disc and blue marble vinyl variants and a streaming-only Dolby Atmos mix. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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4CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Axis: Bold As Love is getting a little bolder this holiday season.  Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings will partner once again to issue a new deluxe edition of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s seminal second album from 1968. Retitled simply Bold As Love and available on four CDs or five LPs and a Blu-ray, the box set will include the original album in its original stereo and mono mixes (as well as newly created Atmos mixes by original engineer Eddie Kramer and Chandler Harrod), along with a wealth of rare outtakes and live tracks from the period (28 of which are previously unreleased). The package features new liner notes by David Fricke and the estate’s longtime historian John McDermott, as well as a new cover art sourced from a drawing of a dragon Hendrix made as a child, personally selected by his sister Janie.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Willie Nelson spent much of the summer out on the road with the Outlaw Festival, so it’s only appropriate that his new studio album is paying tribute to a fellow Outlaw.  Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle, available on CD, LP, and digitally, finds Young celebrating his late friend Merle Haggard, with whom he recorded three albums between 1983 and 2015.  Willie’s 78th original album, Workin’ Man features a host of Hag favorites including “Okie from Muskogee,” “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down,” “Today I Started Loving You Again,” “Mama Tried,” and “If We Make It Through December.”  Produced by Willie and Mickey Raphael, the album also shares the final recorded performances of longtime Family members Bobbie Nelson and Paul English.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

On the same date the label releases the group’s new album Rise, Iconoclassic has remastered and expanded the 1983 debut album from Art in America.  The progressive rock group – the first-known rock outfit to include a concert pedal harp as part of their core lineup! – teamed with Eddy Offord (Yes, ELP) for the CBS/Pavillion album which yielded the hit single and early MTV favorite “Art in America.”  This reissue has been expanded with two previously unissued live tracks (“Won’t It Be Strange,” “Insult the Fashion”) and has been remastered from the original tapes by Vic Anesini. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Art in America returns with a belated follow-up to the band’s 1983 debut (also available today in an expanded and remastered edition from Iconoclassic Records). Rise will be instantly recognizable to fans of the group, featuring Shishonee Flynn’s Lyon & Healy pedal string harp as well as such eclectic instruments as tambura and koto.  Shishonee and lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Chris Flynn are joined by drummer Dan Flynn and bassist/producer Jim Kuha.  These nine tracks originated in 1983 as demos for an abortive second album; in 2017, the recordings were transferred to the digital domain and then remixed, resulting in this release – a once-lost treasure, now found, from these progressive titans. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The late Charley Pride recorded this tribute to velvet-voiced soul crooner Brook Benton in the mid-1980s, but it went unreleased.  Now, Pride’s estate has unearthed his original recordings which were co-produced by Bob Pickering and recorded not in Nashville but in Dallas; Pickering has mixed and mastered them for this release which celebrates what would have been Benton’s 94th birthday on September 19.  (He died in 1988 at the age of just 56.) The label notes that “Other than digitally transferring, mixing and mastering the original multi-track performances, virtually no other post-production has been applied–no instrumentation has been added and no trendy artificial intelligence has been used to modify or enhance Charley’s vocals or the recordings in any way.”  Available on CD and digital formats.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The Cowsills’ legendary 1978 Cocaine Drain album – so named for John Hall’s composition – finally makes its official debut from Omnivore Recordings, filling in the missing chapter between the band’s sunshine pop roots and latter-day Americana reinvention.  Cocaine Drain was originally helmed by Chuck Plotkin, but when Bruce Springsteen and Darkness on the Edge of Town came calling, Val Garay took over to sequence, master, and finish the project.  Yet the recordings were never picked up by a major label and languished in obscurity, with some songs appearing in semi- or completely unofficial form.  Omnivore has reassembled the complete album (featuring songs by Bob Cowsill, Buzz Feiten, Wendy Waldman, and John Hall) and added five bonus tracks from the original sessions.  Michael Graves has mastered and restored the recordings, and Bob Cowsill and Brett Milano round out the package.  Available on CD and digital formats.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Look in My Direction: The Warner Bros. Recordings from Cherry Red’s Lemon imprint and TSD presents all of the late Nicolette Larson’s original studio and live albums for Warner Bros. Records on 4 CDs, produced by Ted Templeman (The Doobie Brothers, Van Halen) and singer-songwriter Andrew Gold (“Thank You for Being a Friend,” “Lonely Boy”), plus bonus tracks.  The box contains newly remastered editions of Nicolette (1978), Live at the Roxy (1979), In the Nick of Time (1979), Radioland (1981), and All Dressed Up and No Place to Go (1982) which collectively include such guests as Linda Ronstadt; The Doobie Brothers’ Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston, Tiran Porter, John McFee, and Bobby LaKind; Little Feat’s Bill Payne, Paul Barrere, and Fred Tackett; guitar gods Eddie Van Halen and Ronnie Montrose; Van Dyke Parks; Valerie Carter; Klaus Voormann; and many others.  The collection adds numerous bonus tracks including the Jim Burgess 12-inch Disco Mix of “Lotta Love,” the super-rare soundtrack cut “Summer Hearts” from National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Nicolette’s duets with Emmylou Harris (“Hello Stranger”), Christopher Cross (“Say You’ll Be Mine”), Steve Goodman (“The One That Got Away”), and The Doobie Brothers (“Sweet Feelin'”).  Ted Carfrae has remastered, and TSD’s Joe Marchese has penned the new liner notes.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Rupert Holmes’ delightfully witty and joyful adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance – reset to New Orleans with all of the jazz flavor that implies – comes to CD and digital.  The Tony Award-nominated production stars Ramin Karimloo as The Pirate King, David Hyde Pierce as (the very model of a modern) Major General Stanley, Jinkx Monsoon as Ruth, Samantha Williams as Mabel, and Nicholas Barasch as Frederic.​

4CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Zappa Online Store
2LP “Black Glitter” Vinyl Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Zappa Online Store
1LP “Blue Galaxy” Vinyl Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Zappa Online Store

Following last year’s deluxe expansion of 1974’s Apostrophe (‘) and the recent restoration of the same year’s concert film Cheaper Than Cheep, Frank Zappa’s archival team is turning the page to 1975 and expansively revisiting One Size Fits All in time for its 50th anniversary.  The guitarist-songwriter-bandleader-producer’s twentieth album (and fourteenth with The Mothers of Invention), it featured the by-then-familiar lineup of keyboardist George Duke, drummer Chester Thompson, percussionist Ruth Underwood, bassist Tom Fowler, and saxophonist Napoleon Murphy Brock.  One Size Fits All continued their jazz-rooted satirical explorations, and reached No. 26 on the Billboard 200.  It returns from Zappa Records and UMe in a variety of formats including 4CD/Blu-ray; 2LP; 1LP; and digital formats.​

Frank Sinatra’s 1955 classic of mood and melancholy, In The Wee Small Hours, returns to vinyl from UMe as an audiophile-quality Tone Poet edition sure to bring out the nuances in both Sinatra’s intimate vocals and Nelson Riddle’s masterful orchestrations.  This LP reissue of the original Capitol mono album was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a gatefold tip-on jacket featuring photos by William Claxton and Ken Veeder. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Craft Recordings is revisiting a halcyon period of The Bill Evans Trio.  Haunted Heart: The Legendary Riverside Recordings collects the complete studio recordings by the Bill Evans Trio lineup of Evans, bassist Scott LaFaro, and drummer Paul Motian. The 3CD or 5LP set presents the complete albums Portrait in Jazz (1960) and Explorations (1961) plus 26 alternate takes – 17 of which are previously unreleased. The set includes rare photos, an introduction by The Doors’ John Densmore, liner notes by Eugene Holley Jr., and remastered audio by Paul Blakemore. The vinyl version has had lacquers cut by Kevin Gray and is pressed on 180-gram vinyl.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

1LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / SING Market
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD / Sing Market

Frank Sinatra At The Hollywood Bowl 1943-1948 brings together eighteen tracks on CD and eleven on vinyl from the late legend’s early performances at the storied Hollywood venue. Recorded during Sinatra’s time at Columbia Records, the collection preserves Sinatra’s performances from various evenings and draws extensively on the Broadway repertoire of the era.  Jack Haley, the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, introduces Sinatra’s performance of Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne’s “Time After Time” at the August 8, 1948 Music for the Wounded benefit concert.  Charles L. Granata, Sinatra historian and producer of SiriusXM’s Nancy for Frank radio program between 2007 and 2021, has provided the comprehensive liner notes for SING’s release.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Let’s Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology is a new 2LP set offering 25 of the label’s most essential tracks from Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, and others. The set is curated by eminent drummer Steve Jordan, a known appreciator of the Chess legacy. The versatile percussionist cut his teeth playing in the house band for Saturday Night Live, and was plucked alongside a murderer’s row of session legends to keep the beat when cast members John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd started covering Chess sides and soul favorites as The Blues Brothers. He also served in the backing band for the all-star 1987 concert film Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll and has been a longtime collaborator with Keith Richards of Chess disciples The Rolling Stones – and when longtime drummer Charlie Watts elected to sit out of the last leg of the Stones’ No Filter Tour in 2021 shortly before his passing, he picked Jordan to take over his stool. Jordan has also penned liner notes for the collection sharing his lifelong personal appreciation for the music of Chess and its many backing musicians (who are credited in the gatefold).  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Chess Records Christmas Album offers 14 unique entries in the Christmas canon, from Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” and The Moonglows’ “Hey Santa Claus” to obscure soul, jazz, and gospel fare from the likes of The Soul Stirrers, Kenny Burrell, The Meditation Singers, Rotary Connection, The Salem Travelers, and more. (A particular standout is an instrumental take on “The Little Drummer Boy” by the studio group Lenox Avenue, which featured session legends Chuck Rainey and Richard Tee. It’s one of four new-to-digital tracks on the collection.) The Chess Records Christmas Album will be released simultaneously with Let’s Play Chess on November 14, available on blue frost vinyl, CD or digitally. We’re also pleased to share that the physical package includes liner notes by our own Mike Duquette!  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

4CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (with CD single)
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (with CD single)
2LP: Amazon U.S. (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD) / Official Store (with CD single)
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (with CD single)

FYC40 will reintroduce audiences to the Birmingham trio behind “Johnny Come Home,” “She Drives Me Crazy” and “Good Thing” on a multi-disc set that’s available on CD or vinyl. The most comprehensive version spans four CDs and a DVD, offering expanded editions of 1985’s Fine Young Cannibals and 1989’s The Raw & The Cooked, B-sides, remixes, music videos and live performances. (These are, of course, different track lists than the 2CD expansions of both albums issued in 2020.) Nine of the tracks, including vintage and new remixes, are previously unreleased. A 2CD edition offers an overview of hits and remixes – some of which are different to what’s on the 4CD/1DVD set, including the unreleased material. A crystal clear vinyl version offers the first dozen tracks from the 2CD version, and a black double vinyl includes all 18 cuts from the first disc of the 2CD set plus a side of remixes – most of which are edited versions of longer cuts on the previous sets, and many of which are previously unreleased and not on the other configurations. Phew! (And that doesn’t even cover the CD single of mostly unreleased “Johnny Come Home” remixes from 1990, available with purchases made on the band’s official store!) The deluxe set includes liner notes by Andrew Harrison and John Earls, while the standard sets seem to only feature notes by Harrison. (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

If you were intimidated by UMR’s See That Girl (1979-2000), an 8CD dive into the music of Kirsty MacColl released back in 2023, Edsel has licensed a new 2CD collection offering 30 songs from the same era.  Free World – The Best of Kirsty MacColl 1979-2000 is a well-curated mix of singles, B-sides, and fan favorites from the dearly missed British songstress, including the stellar debut “They Don’t Know”; hits like “A New England,” “Days” and “Walking Down Madison”; and team-ups with “A New England” songwriter Billy Bragg (“Darling, Let’s Have Another Baby”), Evan Dando of The Lemonheads (a take on Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day”) and, of course, MacColl’s off-kilter holiday team-up with The Pogues, “Fairytale of New York.” (A yellow double vinyl edition was released in 2024, offering four less tracks.) As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Brian Wilson’s triumphant April 2000 solo shows on the Sunset Strip at the Roxy ​return to CD and vinyl in these 25th anniversary expanded editions which also feature fully remastered audio and new artwork.  3LP, 2CD, and digital formats are all available.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

4CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Rolling Stones’ thirteenth studio album, 1976’s Black and Blue, reached No. 1 in the United States and No. 2 in the band’s native United Kingdom, and yielded a top ten hit single on both sides of the Atlantic with the ballad “Fool to Cry.” Now, it’s set for the super deluxe treatment, just shy of its 50th anniversary. Built around a brand-new remix by the ubiquitous Steven Wilson, the set will be released by Interscope and UMe in a variety of formats:

• • 5LP Super Deluxe Box Set;
  • 4CD Super Deluxe Box Set;
  • Limited Edition 5LP Marbled Vinyl Super Deluxe Box Set;
  • 2LP / 2CD (Album + Outtakes & Jams);
  • 1LP / 1CD (2025 Steven Wilson Mix); and
  • 1LP Zoetrope Vinyl.

The upcoming editions all feature the original album as remixed by Steven Wilson plus a disc of previously unreleased recordings.  The Super Deluxe CD and LP sets then continue with Live at Earls Court 1976, taken from the band’s six-night May ’76 residency at the (now-demolished) Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London.  Billy Preston, Ian Stewart, and Ollie Brown – all of whom played on Black and Blue – joined them for the concerts.  The 5LP and 4CD SDEs also include a Blu-ray Disc with Wilson’s new mixes in stereo and Dolby Atmos; stereo and Atmos audio of the Earls Court show; and a television broadcast of their Paris concert from just weeks later in June 1976.  These editions boast a 100-page hardcover book with liner notes by Paul Sexton, and a replica tour poster.  2CD or 2LP and 1CD or 1LP versions with Wilson’s new album mix only will also be available, along with a limited-edition zoetrope vinyl pressing.  A 5LP pressing on marbled “black and blue” vinyl will be available from select retailers, including the Stones’ official storefront, only. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Decca celebrates what would have been Luciano Pavarotti’s 90th birthday on October 12, 2025 – he died in 2007 at the age of 71 – with a new collection.  Novanta (that’s “ninety” in Italian!) is available in 4CD, 2CD, and 2LP iterations touching on his recordings of not only opera classics but sacred songs, Italian music, and even duets with pop and rock stars; the 4CD box features three discs of the late tenor’s “hits” and favorites plus one disc of rarities and previously unreleased tracks. The 2CD and 2LP formats offer 20 and 25 tracks, respectively. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2SACD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Decca premieres Luciano Pavarotti’s recital recorded in Llangollen, North Wales in 1995 on an audio-only format for the very first time. The concert commemorated 40 years since Pavarotti and his fellow choir members from Modena won first prize in the Choral Competition at the International Eisteddfod in 1955. The 75-minute program features operatic arias from Cavalleria Rusticana, Il trovatore, Macbeth, Manon Lescaut, and La traviata, and his beloved Neapolitan songs. It also includes what are believed to be the earliest recordings ever of Pavarotti, both from 1955, and an interview/audio documentary with the late tenor reflecting on his choir’s competition win. Recorded with the BBC Philharmonic (conducted by Leone Magiera), the Corale Rossini, and soprano Atzuko Kawahara, this concert preserves one of the superstar’s most moving performances.  The two hybrid SACD set (playable on all CD players) includes a 100-page, LP-sized book with interviews, essays, and photos.  Also available on 2 LPs.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music
Judy Blue Eyes Vinyl LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music

Judy Collins’ The ’60s Singles brings together, for the first time, the remarkable array of 45s on which the singer’s discography was built. With songs by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Randy Newman, Sandy Denny, Eric Andersen, and Joni Mitchell – including the international smash “Both Sides Now” – Collins’ early Elektra singles reflected a vast musical imagination, a hunger to explore material from rock to art songs, and a powerful social conscience.  Every one of these fourteen single sides is presented in its original single mix – most of which are unique mixes and edits, with the first ten songs in mono and the final four in stereo.  These versions have been out of print and unavailable for over five decades and all have been painstakingly restored for this collection.  Highlights include Collins’ first foray into folk-rock, the mono non-LP single of Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Keep It with Mine” featuring Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield; the rare promotional stereo mix of Joni Mitchell’s “Chelsea Morning,” different from the commonly-available stereo version; and two versions of the classic “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season).” Mike Milchner has remastered every track, TSD’s Joe Marchese has penned the new liner notes diving into the history of each song, and John Sellards has designed the package in the style of the era.  Available on both CD and “Judy Blue Eyes” vinyl (limited to just 1,000 units) from Real Gone Music and TSD.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

It’s more than All Right: Omnivore Recordings has revisited Christopher Cross’ early years for a first-ever collection of his original single releases from the U.S. and beyond.  The Worldwide Singles 1980-1988 offers 31 cuts on 2 CDs – many in new-to-CD single edit or mix form – from the singer-songwriter’s tenure on the Warner Bros. and Reprise labels, along with a couple of cuts from soundtracks (Arthur, of course) and compilations (The Official Music of the XXIIIrd Olympiad Los Angeles 1984) for good measure.  The A-sides are on Disc 1, with the B-sides on Disc 2.  Cross’ 1979 self-titled debut was the rare album in which virtually every song was ready-made for single release; Warner Bros. duly obliged with the irresistible and enduring likes of “Ride Like the Wind,” “Sailing,” “Never Be the Same,” “All Right,” and the Nicolette Larson duet “Say You’ll Be Mine” on 45.  (Shameless plug: TSD and Cherry Red’s Lemon Recordings have just issued Look in My Direction, a comprehensive set of all of the late Larson’s star-studded Warner Bros. albums.)  Cross picked up an Academy Award with Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen for “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” and five (!) Grammy Awards for his debut album including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year.  Though Cross’ subsequent releases weren’t met with the same success, his impeccable songcraft and musicianship remained intact.  Naturally, both are in abundance on this set.  (Co-writers here include John Bettis, Will Jennings, Michael Omartian, Steve Dorff, and Patrick Leonard.)  Among the lesser-known highlights of this crackling collection are “I Will (Take You Forever),” a duet with Les Miserables star Frances Ruffelle; “A Chance for Heaven,” the Olympics Swimming Theme that reunited Cross with Bacharach and Sager; and “Swept Away,” from a memorable, Hawaiian-set episode of ABC-TV sitcom Growing Pains.  Garrett Price, director of last year’s Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary (in which Cross is prominently featured), provides liner notes to the collection, remastered by Michael Graves and produced by Omnivore’s Cheryl Pawelski and Brad Rosenberger.  For all of the hits plus, you can’t do better than All Right.

As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / uDiscover Music (white LP with lithograph)

The Cranberries are partnering with UMe for the debut release of their 1995 performance on MTV Unplugged. Recorded at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with a string section during the promotion of No Need to Argue, the broadcast featured favorites from the new album (“Zombie,” “Ode to My Family”), the already-sterling “Linger,” a few songs that would appear on their next album, 1996’s To the Faithful Departed (“Free to Decide,” “I’m Still Remembering”), and the fan favorite “Yesterday’s Gone,” which never made any of their albums but was beloved enough to be licensed for inclusion on the last expansion of No Need to Argue.  Available on CD, LP, and digitally. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
6LP: Amazon U.S. (TBD) / Amazon U.K. (TBD) / Amazon Canada (TBD)

Smashing Pumpkins are revisiting the seven-time-Grammy-nominated Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness for its 30th anniversary, pairing the original, sprawling album with a new double album of unreleased live performances on the band’s ensuing tour in support of the record. It’ll be available as a 4CD or 6LP set.  So prolific were the Pumpkins in this period that a box of singles and B-sides, The Aeroplane Flies High, was released not long after Mellon Collie – and both albums were given lavish box set editions in 2012 and 2013, packed with unreleased studio and live material. (Similar treatment was recently afforded 2000’s Machina/The Machines of God, the band’s last album before a brief hiatus.) For this reissue, that extra material will be swapped out for 14 different live cuts recorded during the band’s Infinite Sadness Tour in 1996 – more than 80 minutes of material getting its debut release. The album’s classic cover has been redesigned for this new edition, with the vinyl version featuring luxe packaging that includes a hardbound book of liner notes, a tarot deck and lithographs, all in a velvet slipcase with cloth bag. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Site (with signed print)​

Prolific pop/rock/soul singer/songwriter Sananda Maitreya is set to release an artist-approved colored vinyl box set featuring remastered and slightly redesigned editions of his early albums for Columbia, originally released under the name Terence Trent D’Arby but now issued under his current name. Includes Into the Hardline According to… (1987 – translucent green), Neither Fish Nor Flesh: A Soundtrack of Love, Faith, Hope and Destruction (1989 – red), Symphony or Damn (Exploring the Tension Inside the Sweetness) (1993 – gold double vinyl) and Vibrator (1995 – blue double vinyl), each of which come with new liner notes from the artist.

5CD/Blu-ray: Official Store
8LP/Blu-ray: Official Store

KISS’ third album was one of their most down ‘n’ dirty, recorded over 10 days at Electric Lady Studios (with Casablanca president Neil Bogart as de facto co-producer alongside the band themselves) and clocking in at a taut 30 minutes (with long, silent grooves between each song on the original vinyl). While audiences had yet to really push the made-up camp-rockers into the mainstream, Dressed to Kill was one of the strongest arguments for their future dominance yet: the LP closed with the raucous anthem “Rock and Roll All Nite,” which would be heard at just about every KISS concert to come (several of which were recorded that year for the breakthrough album Alive!). This deluxe edition of Dressed to Kill is done up to the nines, offering the album newly remastered by Bernie Grundman; 23 demos and outtakes (including unissued songs “Mistake” and “Burning Up with Fever”); two unissued 1975 concerts, newly mixed by Eddie Kramer and featuring no studio overdubs; and a Blu-ray disc featuring the original album Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround and hi-res stereo plus newly restored promo videos of “Rock N’ Roll All Nite” and “C’mon and Love Me.”

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Originally released on vinyl and digital in 2022, this compilation from goth-rockers Siouxsie and The Banshees now gets a limited edition CD release. All Souls, compiled by frontwoman Siouxsie Sioux in celebration of the autumnal equinox, offers hits like “Spellbound” and “Peek-a-Boo” alongside rarer cuts like the non-LP B-sides “El Dia de Los Muertos” and an off-the-wall cover of Ben E. King’s “Supernatural Thing.”

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Clear Vinyl: Greedy Hand Store

Neil Young’s sixth album, released in 1975 but mostly recorded two years earlier, was the closer to his “Ditch Trilogy.” It remains one of his darkest works, responding in real time to the overdose deaths of Crazy Horse’s Danny Whitten and friend and roadie Bruce Berry with bleak songs and wearied vocals. This reissue features a redesigned cover and six bonus tracks, including the unreleased “Walk On” and an alternate take of the title track. (The other tracks, including the Joni Mitchell-assisted “Raised on Robbery,” are taken from Archives Vol. II, and the version of album cut “Lookout Joe” is also an unreleased version from 1973.)​

The acclaimed motion picture starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen, chronicling the making of Nebraska, now yields a soundtrack CD with White’s performances of such songs as “Highway Patrolman,” “Born in the USA,” “Atlantic City,” and “I’m on Fire.”  Nashville uber-producer Dave Cobb helmed the sessions which also feature Jake Kiszka and Sam F. Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet.  Available on CD, “Asbury Gray” double vinyl, and digitally.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

With little to prove by this point in her singular career, 1993’s A Single Woman found Nina Simone in fine form, delivering eclectic song choices from behind her piano, augmented here with a 50-piece orchestra. Featuring fare from Marilyn and Alan Bergman and Michel Legrand (“Papa, Can You Hear Me?” as written for Barbra Streisand in the film Yentl), Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein (“The People Who Live on the Hill”) and three by Rod McKuen (including the title track and “Love’s Been Good to Me”), it would be the last studio effort from the High Priestess of Soul, who passed away in 2003. Two years later, an expanded edition found even more unique material from the sessions, including takes on The Beatles (“The Long and Winding Road”), Prince (“Sign ‘O’ the Times”), Bob Marley (“No Woman, No Cry”) and Bob Dylan (“The Times They Are A-Changin'”). This definitive presentation includes all 17 tracks from that original re-release alongside four more unreleased alternates and outtakes from the session. The set’s informative and personal liner notes are written by British writer David Nathan, who – years before his reissue work on the SoulMusic label – founded a British fan club for her music in 1965.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

After putting the beloved British ska revivialists’ studio albums back into print, Rhino next takes The Beat’s complete BBC recordings – most for John Peel, some for Mike Read and David “Kid” Jensen – and compiles them into one set for the first time. (Some tracks had been released on a box set by Shout! Factory, others as bonus tracks on Edsel reissues.) Includes versions of favorites like “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Tears of a Clown,” “Hands Off… She’s Mine,” “Twist & Crawl,” “Ranking Full Stop,” “Too Nice to Talk To” and “Save It for Later.” This title will also be available as a limited vinyl set on Record Store Day Black Friday (the same day as this CD release).

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Five decades after he welcomed you to his nightmare, there’s a whole new way to enjoy Alice Cooper’s solo debut! Welcome to My Nightmare:  Live At The Forum, Los Angeles, 6/17/75 offers a fully unreleased vintage concert set of 18 tracks spanning not only Nightmare but hits from his time in the band of the same name, including “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “School’s Out,” “I’m Eighteen” and more. A vinyl version drops the same day as part of Record Store Day Black Friday festivities.

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The Flaming Lips performed their commercial breakthrough Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots in full at the Summer Freak Out festival in their hometown of Oklahoma City last year; the set is now set to be released on general CD as well as a double-vinyl edition for Record Store Day Black Friday.

This 4CD box set from the Bakersfield country hero (also available on 4 LPs for Record Store Day Black Friday) includes a full LP of rarities from the era including covers of “Things We Said Today,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”​

5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Enzyclopedia Volumes One and Two focus on the Neil and Tim Finn-founded group’s early years, coalescing around the material leading up to 1975 debut Mental Notes, which celebrates a half-century this year. The 5CD set features a plethora of material including remasters of Mental Notes and its sort-of follow-up Second Thoughts, a rework of the Mental material with Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera in the producer’s chair. Second Thoughts is also newly remixed for the set by Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner; he’s done similar work on parts of the band’s early-odds-and-ends compilation The Beginning of the Enz featured here and a new seven-track collection of rarities called Wide Angle Enz. (A 140-gram, triple-vinyl set will include the remastered Mental Notes and the remixed Second Thoughts and Beginning of the Enz.) It’s all been newly remastered by Phil Kinrade at AIR Studios in London, with vinyl lacquers cut there by Harry Rudkins. Each version comes with a 40-page book of rare photos, memorabilia and liner notes featuring new recollections by Tim Finn, Rayner, Manzanera, guitarist Wally Wilkinson and bassist Mike Chunn. (Packaging varies between both sets. Both formats come in a rigid slipcase featuring the Mental Notes artwork and an obi strip; the CDs are housed in a tri-fold sleeve, while the vinyl includes replicas of the original artwork for Mental Notes and Second Thoughts along with a redesigned cover for Beginning.)  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

1946’s It’s A Wonderful Life is considered by many to be the greatest holiday film ever made.  Frank Capra’s timeless story about someone coming to value their life starred Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.  Dimitri Tiomkin provided the score but Capra rearranged and cut up the music for the final movie.  Around a decade ago, film scholars began to reassemble the complete original score from acetates contained in Tiomkin’s archives.  The result was first released on CD by Kritzerland.  Real Gone has now brought it to vinyl.  The package includes a two-page insert with photos and credits.  It comes on “Zuzu’s Petals” vinyl and is limited to 1,500 copies.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​

Jim Peterik (The Ides of March, Survivor) teams with producer Ron Nevison (Jefferson Starship, Chicago) for an album of original songs featuring duet partners such as Jason Scheff (Chicago), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Cathy Richardson (Jefferson Starship), son Colin Peterik, and others.  Available on CD and digital formats.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Rhino is expanding the self-titled debut from The Power Station into a 4CD box set.  The Power Station DLX includes the remastered album (featuring the hits “Some Like It Hot” and a cover of T. Rex’s “Get It On (Bang a Gong)”) alongside three discs of bonus material, including unreleased “raw instrumental” versions, single mixes and live material, including the band’s performances from the charity concert Live Aid and an unissued full set from nearly a month later at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. The clamshell-cased collection includes a 12-page book of liner notes featuring liner notes by John Earls including new interviews with the band’s surviving members, John Taylor and Andy Taylor of Duran Duran. (The lineup was rounded out by vocalist Robert Palmer and CHIC drummer Tony Thompson.)  A recycled double-vinyl version will include the remastered album and a sample of the rarities on the second disc of the box. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Rhino’s Audiophile Edition of The Doobie Brothers’ smash 1973 album featuring “Long Train Runnin'” and “China Grove” includes four unique mixes: the original quadraphonic mix (previously available on the Doobies’ Quadio box set), surround guru Elliot Scheiner’s 5.1 mix originally released in 2001, a new Dolby Atmos mix, and the original album mix in high-resolution stereo.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)​

Looking for something new this Christmas season?  Vocalist/songwriter Anthony Nunziata, who’s played venues from Cafe Carlyle to Carnegie Hall, has delivered a gift that’s perfect for under the tree or as a stocking stuffer.  Recorded with producer Ryan Prewett in Nashville, Christmas and You brings Nunziata’s rich, warm tenor to a baker’s dozen of original holiday songs running the gamut from traditional pop to country, soul, classical, and folk.  These originals, co-written with an array of pop and country tunesmiths, are festive, heartfelt, and spirited. Nunziata is currently touring the U.S. with Christmas and You, but you can take the album home on CD and vinyl; it’s also streaming digitally.

Following its digital and CD releases, Lakeshore and Center Stage Records premiere the full soundtrack to writer-director Bill Condon’s recent big-screen adaptation of Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb’s Kiss of the Spider Woman on vinyl.  Starring Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh, the soundtrack features both classic songs from the original musical and “new” songs written for the show but originally unused in the final production including “Never You,” “An Everyday Man,” and “I Will Dance Alone.”  The film failed to meet commercial expectations, but its score remains as potent and powerful as ever.​

Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Cherry Red

Second Disc Records teams with Cherry Red’s Lemon Recordings imprint to release the first-ever collection of Leon Russell’s recordings for the Warner-distributed Paradise Records label.  The Paradise Years 1976-1981 presents, on four CDs, six full albums:

• Wedding Album: Expanded Edition – Leon and Mary Russell (1976);
• Make Love To The Music: Expanded Edition – Leon and Mary Russell (1977);
• Americana: Expanded Edition – Leon Russell (1978);
• Heart Of Fire – Mary Russell (1979);
• Life And Love – Leon Russell (1979); and
• The Live Album: Expanded Edition – Leon Russell and New Grass Revival (1981).

Seven bonus tracks have been added, all of which are new to CD.  These encompass the non-LP B-side “Anita Bryant” plus original single versions.  These albums have previously been available on CD only in bare-bones editions from Wounded Bird Records and in long out-of-print Japanese editions; this marks the first time they have been expanded.  All albums have been newly remastered by Nick Robbins, while the 28-page, full-color booklet features two new essays.  Music historian Charles Donovan chronicles the collaboration between Leon and Mary Russell, as well as Mary’s solo album Heart of Fire, including new reflections from musicians Gary Ogan, Richard Torrance, and Gene Meros.  TSD’s own Joe Marchese then explores Russell’s solo recordings at Paradise and his felicitous teaming with New Grass Revival.  Paul Bevoir has designed The Paradise Years, with cover artwork designed by John Sellards. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Following a 2025 Record Store Day Black Friday release, Linda Ronstadt’s The Early Years compilation comes to general retail on 2LP vinyl and single CD.  The set from Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists label brings together 15 songs from Ronstadt’s 1967-1974 Capitol Records period.  Selections include “Different Drum,” “Faithless Love,” “You’re No Good,” “Long, Long Time,” and “When Will I Be Loved.” As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

6CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Not long after dissolving The Jam, frontman Paul Weller was back with The Style Council, a loose collective more pointedly inspired by R&B and dance ideas, with more explicitly political lyrics. Fans embraced the change, putting singles “Speak Like a Child,” “Long Hot Summer,” “My Ever Changing Moods” and “You’re the Best Thing” into the U.K. Top 10. (“My Ever Changing Moods” also became a U.S. Top 40 hit, something The Jam didn’t have.) This new 6CD box set of 1984 debut album Café Bleu includes the remastered album, an expanded edition of the EP Introducing The Style Council and several discs of B-sides, rarities, and unissued demos, outtakes and live BBC cuts. A vinyl edition, on three LPs, features the remastered album, a smaller expansion of Introducing and highlights from the unreleased material. Both sets will feature new liner notes by veteran British music journalist Gary Crowley, a crucial champion of The Style Council early in his career.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (black): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (translucent orange/yellow): Amazon U.S.
2LP (marbled red): Graceland

Baz Luhrmann, the director of 2022’s blockbuster biopic ELVIS, uncovered scores of film outtakes of The King during production, including footage filmed for the concert/documentary films That’s the Way It Is and Elvis on Tour and audio of Presley describing his life and career. EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is a new film built from that footage, set to hit IMAX theatres on February 20 before a general release a week later; the accompanying soundtrack will include some of the live performances and some studio remixes created for the picture. Vinyl versions will follow in April, including exclusive color variants at Amazon and the store to Presley’s estate, Graceland.

After leaving Deep Purple, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore found success with his new band Rainbow. The ever-changing line-up was notable in its early incarnation for featuring Elf vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who would of course become a towering figure in metal as a singer in Black Sabbath and his own eponymous band Dio. The Temple of the King is a 9CD box set collecting the early Dio years of Rainbow, including the remastered studio albums Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and Rainbow Rising, three live sets from 1976 and a collection of rare tracks, including four unreleased tour rehearsals. It’s all mastered by Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham, housed in a 7″ package alongside 28 pages of original album artwork, rare photos, memorabilia, and new liner notes by writer Rich Davenport. It’s also slated to be the first in a series of Rainbow retrospectives at Edsel, with Blackmore’s full endorsement.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Tori Amos’ sixth album – her final for longtime label Atlantic – was a novel concept: 12 songs originally written and performed by men, changed in focus by her voice, arrangements and perspective. This remastered and expanded version features four extra tracks – two B-sides and two unreleased tracks – and the vinyl packaging will feature one of 12 covers taken from portraits within the original album art, each offering a “persona” she created for each song. (Bundles featuring each LP jacket plus a collectible poster are available on her official store as well as Rhino’s.)

Fronted by late singer/songwriter Terry Hall after his tenure in both The Specials and Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield’s short-lived but eclectic tenure stood out among the synthpop and New Wave of the mid-’80s, with winning acoustic arrangements and an appreciation for ’60s and ’70s songcraft. This 5CD/1DVD box offers a full look at the band through their two albums (1985’s Virgins and Philistines and 1987’s Deception), B-sides and single versions, and some 40 unreleased tracks including demos and live cuts – plus a thorough filmography featuring music videos and BBC live TV performances. John Earls’ liner notes combine vintage commentary from Hall (who died in 2022) and new recollections from his bandmates Toby Lyons and Karl Shale.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Released digitally last year, Peter Gabriel’s first performance at the World Of Music, Arts and Dance in England (which he founded) was a special treat for concertgoers, offering the live debut of nearly every track off his fourth album, released eponymously (and as Security in America) several months after this performance. The set features “San Jacinto,” “I Have the Touch,” “Shock the Monkey” and more.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Recorded toward the end of Peter Gabriel’s Growing Up tour in 2003, this special live-in-studio set from his Real World Studios was a treat for select members of his Full Moon fan club. Featuring cuts from the then-new Up (“More Than This,” “Darkness,” “Signal to Noise”) and fan favorites (“Games Without Frontiers,” “Digging in the Dirt,” “Shock the Monkey,” “In Your Eyes”), this physical version of a live set released digitally in 2025 is a worthy add to fans’ collections.

Real Gone delivers the definitive tribute to Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme with this 4-CD box set.  Previously available only as a Public Television pledge incentive, The Ultimate Collection has been curated by David Lawrence and is thematically arranged by disc.  It features highlights from Steve and Eydie’s vibrant discography from their early days at ABC-Paramount and United Artists through their halcyon period at Columbia Records, subsequent classics for Calendar, RCA, and MGM, and favorites from their own Stage 2 and GL Music labels. A number of rarities are featured, including Steve’s “You and I” (from Goodbye, Mr. Chips), “Being Alive” (from Stephen Sondheim’s Company), and Paul Williams and Roger Nichols’ “The Drifter.”   Disc 1 is dedicated to Duet Classics, while Disc 2 is focused on the solo Steve and Disc 3 on the solo Eydie.  The fourth disc features a bevy of Broadway favorites from the duo. The audio for the 4-CD box set has been mastered by Eric Boulanger at The Bakery.  A 24-page booklet designed by John Sellards accompanies the release, boasting numerous rare and previously unpublished photos of the artists as well as comprehensive liner notes from The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The classic Miles Davis box set – first released in the U.S. in 1995 – is getting spruced up for the Davis centennial.  This prime document of The Second Great Quintet – featuring Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, and Tony Williams – was recorded across seven sets on December 22 and 23, 1965 at the Chicago venue. This new 8CD edition mirrors the original release.  Each CD comes in its own newly-designed mini-gatefold jacket, with all discs housed in a gold foil-embossed slipcase. The 44-page booklet includes Bob Blumenthal’s original essay alongside new track-by-track liner notes and commentary by Syd Schwartz plus rare photography.  Also available on vinyl utilizing the original Mosaic release masters.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

An “appendix” to last year’s Enzyclopedia Volumes One and Two box set, this 2LP set features everything not included on the vinyl version of that box. It pairs a new remaster of sophomore album Second Thoughts by Phil Kinrade with the rarities collection Wide Angle Enz, featuring eight rare and unreleased live tracks and rough mixes (including a version of “Matinee Idyll (129)” that’s exclusive to this set).

Initially released as a clear LP with 7″ single for Record Store Day Black Friday in 2025, this collection of early archival material from acclaimed art-rockers Talking Heads is greatly expanded on CD with more than 30 additional archival tracks, including the band’s demo session for CBS Records and an assortment of live cuts before the group became a quartet. (A black vinyl version of the original RSD vinyl will be released the same day.)

A newly-assembled collection to commemorate the trumpeter’s upcoming centennial, The Best of Miles Davis offers eight hard-bop performances from Davis’ impressive run with his first great quintet (John Coltrane on tenor sax, pianist Red Garland, bassist PauL Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones) in 1955 and 1956. These recordings are all taken from the marathon sessions that yielded five LPs on the Prestige label from 1956 to 1961 that bolstered the quintet’s renown, even after Davis opted for new directions in the early days of his decades-long tenure for Columbia Records. (A Target-exclusive pressing is on aqua blue vinyl with a 5″ x 7″ print of Davis included.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Bob Dylan’s impressive songbook is celebrated as part of Ace’s Black America Sings series for the second time (after 2010’s How Many Roads compilation). This set offers 20 takes on favorites from across the folk songwriter and Nobel Prize winner’s mighty catalogue as sung by such luminaries as The Staple Singers, Billy Preston, Natalie Cole, Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, Solomon Burke, Merry Clayton and others, augmented by liner notes by Tony Rounce.

5LP: Official Store (Fan Pack with satin bomber jacket)
4LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (fan pack with T-shirt)

The Bad Boys from Boston return to where it all began with a deluxe edition of their 1973 debut album, which featured “Mama Kin,” “Make It” and eventual Top 10 hit “Dream On.” This reissue is coming across a variety of formats, including expanded CD and vinyl sets. They include a 2024 remaster of the original album, a 2024 remix of the same (overseen by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry with producer/engineer Zakk Cervini and producer Steve Berkowitz) and 17 unreleased tracks, including a period performance at Paul’s Mall in Boston and studio outtakes. A booklet in the vinyl versions feature liner notes by Rick Florino, featuring insight from all five band members plus Slash, Dolly Parton, Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Sully Erna (Godsmack).

5CD/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP (black): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP (galaxy): uDiscoverMusic.com / Zappa Online Store 

Frank Zappa’s final album with The Mothers of Invention was also a collaboration with frenemy and fellow iconoclast Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) – a bit of a transitional live-plus-studio album in Zappa’s always fascinating and often-unusual discography. (Other contributors include George Duke, Tom and Bruce Fowler, and Napoleon Murphy Brock plus newer recruits Terry Bozzio and Denny Walley.) The 5CD/1BD box set features the original album, bonus tracks and a new remix (from 16-track tapes) of the May 20 and 21, 1975 concerts at Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, TX, from which much of the original album was sourced. (Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround, and high-resolution 192/24 and 96/24 stereo mixes of Bongo Fury plus three bonus cuts appear on the Blu-ray.) Walley and Vaultmeister Joe Travers provide liner notes amid rare photos, and vinyl editions (with lithographs) are also available.

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The 1990 debut album by Bay Area collective Digital Underground was a lighthearted affair featuring the club classic “Doowutchyalike” and the immortal crossover hit “The Humpty Dance.” These new pressings feature the original album as it appeared on CD, plus a host of bonus tracks including a cassette-only bonus track, an instrumental of “The Humpty Dance” and the unreleased “Blue View.” (A fourth bonus cut, the extended cassette version of album track “Gutfest ’89,” appears exclusively on the 2CD, with a radio mix of “The Humpty Dance” rounding out the set’s digital versions.) The album’s original executive producer Atron Gregory pens new liner notes, and both physical packages include a gatefold sleeve with pop-up artwork of a recording studio, originally illustrated by the group’s longtime founder, the late Gregory “Shock G” Jacobs.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

George Michael’s landmark 1987 solo debut influenced generations of pop stars with smash hits like “I Want Your Sex,” “Faith,” Father Figure,” “One More Try,” “Monkey” and “Kissing a Fool.” Legacy Recordings is bringing the album back into print on CD and black and red marbled vinyl; while the bonus offerings are much thinner than the 2011 box set edition of the album, there is an out-of-print bonus track ending both physical pressings: the full, three-part 12″ mix of “I Want Your Sex.”

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The former Procol Harum guitarist’s acclaimed power trio live release gets a fresh look to celebrate its half-century mark! It’s been newly sequenced back into its original 12-song running order and remixed from the original multi-tracks by engineer Richard Whittaker. A 2CD set will include that expansion next to a new remaster of the original seven-track LP, while the vinyl includes the new mix across two LPs. Liner notes by David Sinclair include new interview quotes from Trower and drummer Bill Lordan alongside unseen photos from the concert and the period.

The latest archival CD from Iconoclassic Records of beloved power-popsmith Dwight Twilley is also the earliest chronologically, nestling between the release of the Dwight Twilley Band’s breakthrough debut Sincerely and follow-up Twilley Don’t Mind with a killer set at the world-famous Agora Ballroom in Cleveland on October 18, 1976. Unofficially, partially released more than 15 years ago, it’s now got the Twilley estate seal of approval, mixed from original multi-tracks by longtime band engineer James Barth, remastered by Vic Anesini and featuring one unheard track along with liner notes by Greg Roberson and Ralph Chapman.

Recorded after Jersey post-punk heroes The Bongos’ debut Drums Along the Hudson, this more stripped-down duo selection from its frontman Richard Barone and lead guitarist James Mastro (with Mitch Easter producing) may be somewhat quieter than the band’s other material, but it’s no less accessible. For this debut CD release, it’s been expanded with four unreleased bonus tracks and new liner notes from artists and producer.

This 2025 live album from Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts – a.k.a. Neil (guitar, pump organ, piano and vocals), Spooner Oldham (organ and piano), Micah Nelson (guitar, Stringman and vocals), Corey McCormick (bass and vocals), and Anthony LoGerfo (drums and vocals) features tracks from the near-entirety of Young’s career including “After the Gold Rush,” “Harvest Moon,” “Ohio,” and “Like a Hurricane.”  Available on CD and LP. (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

CD (Yellow Cover): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD (Standard Red Cover): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD (Red Disc): Rolling Stones Store
CD/Blu-ray: Rolling Stones Store / Amazon U.S. (Link TBD) / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Pink Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Blue Vinyl: Target.com
2LP White Vinyl + Art Print: Rolling Stones Store
2LP/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Cassette: Rolling Stones Store

Less than three years after Hackney Diamonds, The Rolling Stones are back with their 25th studio album.  Foreign Tongues is produced, like its predecessor, by Andrew Watt (Elton John, Paul McCartney).  Recorded at Metropolis Studios, the LP features guest appearances by McCartney, Steve Winwood, Robert Smith, and Chad Smith, and also includes the late Charlie Watts’ final recordings with the band.  Available on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats, plus a box set including a Blu-ray of surround mixes, with various variant editions on CD and vinyl. (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Everybody loves Dolly Parton…and South Carolina-based trumpeter-composer-arranger Matt White is no exception!  He’s paying tribute to Miss Parton with the upcoming release of Matt White’s Dolly, reimagining Parton’s famous compositions with a contemporary chamber music flair, an improvisatory spirit, and an appreciation for (and understanding of) the southern folk, country, and sacred traditions in which these songs were written. “She’s the greatest living American,” White shares, “because she embodies the things we hope this country can be — kindness, welcome, independence, and taking care of people.”  Matt White’s Dolly includes his reinventions of such Parton favorites as “9 to 5” (in three variations), “Jolene,” and “Down from Dover.”  White was also influenced by his immersion into Gullah culture and finding its connections to Parton’s music.  The album will be available on digital platforms as well as on CD.  Please click here to pre-save on your favorite platform, and click here to listen to the first single, “Down from Dover.”

Cherry Red’s Strawberry imprint celebrates the legacy of New York’s Lovin’ Spoonful with What a Day for a Daydream: The Complete Recordings 1965-1969.  This 7CD box set brings together all of the classic band’s albums originally released between 1965 and 1969 including two soundtracks, Zal Yanovsky’s lone solo record, and tracks from the Elektra compilation What’s Shakin’.  The core albums are presented in mono and stereo, and the set also appends the bonus tracks which originally appeared on the 2002-2003 BMG Heritage/Buddha reissues.  The set has been mastered by Alec Palao.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / ShopManilow.com
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / ShopManilow.com

Barry Manilow’s What a Time is the singer-songwriter’s first album of primarily original music since 2011’s 15 Minutes.  In the wake of the artist’s recent lung cancer diagnosis and current recuperation, the album takes on a reflective tone characterized by its first single, a cover of Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford’s “Once Before I Go” overseen by Manilow’s longtime collaborator, Clive Davis.  Barry’s collaborators on the album include songwriters Gary Barlow, Adrienne Anderson, Enoch Anderson, and John Bettis; and producers Babyface, Dave Cobb, and Michael Lloyd.  Manilow pal and veteran background vocalist Muffy Hendrix (with whom he memorably duetted on “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” on 1985’s Manilow) joins him on “When Somebody Says Goodbye.”  At least three bonus tracks will appear on various editions of the album including “Reunited” with Melanie Taylor on the CD from Manilow’s official shop; “Party to the Top” on the official shop vinyl and Amazon-exclusive vinyl; and “Cry for Coney Island” on the Amazon-exclusive CD.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Willie Nelson is back with what’s being billed as his 156th (!) studio album.  Dream Chaser, arriving from Legacy Recordings in all of the expected formats, precedes the soon-to-be-93-year old legend’s latest go-round headlining the Outlaw Music Festival this summer.  Dream Chaser features new tunes co-written with frequent collaborators Buddy Cannon and Mickey Raphael as well as “I Can’t Read Your Mind,” on which Nelson and Cannon share credit with none other than Bob Dylan.  (Though he joined the last two Outlaw Festivals, Dylan won’t be performing on this summer’s jaunt.)  Though Dylan and Nelson have sung together before, including on the 1993 duet “Heartland,” this marks their first co-composition.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

 

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com

To commemorate the Tony-winning musical’s 15-year anniversary on Broadway, Rhino is releasing a new edition of The Book of Mormon‘s Grammy-winning original cast album on both CD and 2 LPs.  The 2026 edition features expanded packaging containing lyrics, photos, and new liner notes by David Pogue drawing on commentary by Parker, Stone, Lopez, and musical director-arranger Stephen Oremus.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP (Bronze Elegance Edition): NeilDiamond.com

A new album from Neil Diamond is on the horizon…and we think it’s going to be so good, so good, so good!  The superstar singer-songwriter’s Wild at Heart is composed of nine previously unheard outtakes recorded with producer Rick Rubin in 2007 for the Home Before Dark album (which was released the next year) plus an alternate version of that album’s “Forgotten.”  Diamond was joined on the original sessions by a stripped-down quartet consisting of keyboardist Benmont Tench and guitarist Mike Campbell (both of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers) as well as guitarists Smokey Hormel and Matt Sweeney.  Wild will be available on CD (including a 2CD version with a disc of Diamond’s greatest hits), vinyl, and digital formats.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Clear Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Translucent Black Ice Vinyl): Independent Record Stores
Cassette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Friday, April 24 sees the release in theatres everywhere of Michael, director Antoine Fuqua’s biopic-slash-celebration of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.  Epic Records and Legacy Recordings are marking the occasion with the release the same day of Michael: Songs from the Motion Picture, a straightforward, 13-song soundtrack drawing on the period between The Jackson 5’s Motown debut and Jackson’s triumphant Bad (1987).  With just a baker’s dozen selections–all of which are previously released–the album serves as a Jackson sampler and a keepsake of the film but doesn’t add anything new to his discography.  The album is available on CD, LP, cassette (!), and digital formats, with various color variants of the vinyl version available.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
3LP: Verve Official Store

Eight-time Grammy-winning, Montreal-born pianist Oscar Peterson (1925-2007) recorded prolifically over the years, releasing studio and live albums throughout his lifetime on the Mercury, Verve, MPS, Prestige, Pablo, and Telarc labels, among others. Verve now adds a new title to his already voluminous discography with the debut of The Oscar Peterson Trio At Baker’s Keyboard Lounge on CD, LP, and digital formats.  The label captured the trio’s Friday evening sets at Baker’s for a live album that was ultimately shelved but now sees the light of day after 65 years.  The standard 1CD and 1LP edition offer highlights from the five sets performed that Friday evening in August 1960; a direct-to-consumer 3LP version mirrors the digital presentation with all five sets in order.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Michael Bublé supported his 2005 multi-platinum album It’s Time with an international tour that saw him make two stops, in August, at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre.  Those concerts formed the basis of his concert album released later that year, Live! Caught in the Act.  The original release consisted of a concert film on DVD and an audio sampler with eight songs on CD.  Now, for its 20th anniversary, Live! Caught in the Act is being reissued as a 2CD set (also available digitally) with the complete concert in audio form.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Ringo Starr returns with his second consecutive album co-produced by T Bone Burnett.  Long Long Road is recorded in Burnett’s signature organic style and  features collaborations with Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent.  The LP, available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats, includes six songs penned by Burnett along with Starr’s own compositions and a cover of Carl Perkins’ “I Don’t See Me in Your Eyes Anymore” – neatly calling back to the Perkins covers performed by Starr back when he was in a certain Fab Four!

Elemental delivers the first official CD release of the late, great Bill Evans’ Jazz 625 show at the BBC Television Theatre in Shepherd’s Bush, recorded on March 19, 1965 with Chuck Israels (bass) and Larry Bunker (drums). The program, featuring such classics as “Someday My Prince Will Come,” “Waltz for Debby,” “Nardis,” and “Who Can I Turn To,” has been transferred from the original tapes in the BBC archives and restored and mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab. The release includes an insert with rare photographs from the show and liner notes by author Marc Myers. Previously available on vinyl for Record Store Day. (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

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 Lemon Recordings imprint for Let the Sunshine In: The Soul City & Bell Albums 1967-1974.  This comprehensive 6CD collection brings together all of Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, and the late Ron Townson and LaMonte McLemore’s albums and singles for the Soul City, Bell, and Arista labels, plus bonus selections including live tracks, the group’s rare pre-5th Dimension single under their original name, The Versatiles, and their previously unreleased rendition of Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s “Hi-De-Ho.” Nick Robbins has newly remastered the audio.  Joe Marchese’s liner notes provide an oral history of the group based on a 2025 roundtable with McCoo, Davis, and LaRue; previously unpublished interviews with Bones Howe and producer John Florez; and archival quotes from McLemore, Townson, and others.  Topping it all off, Jimmy Webb has written a new introduction for the box set.  The deluxe booklet designed by John Sellards additionally boasts rare photos of the group. Let the Sunshine In: The Soul City & Bell Albums 1967-1974 is the ultimate celebration of the original 5th Dimension.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

On March 28, 2024, Billy Joel performed the 100th concert of his long-running residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden.  Just months later, on July 25, Joel brought down the curtain on the ten-year residency with its 104th date (and the singer-songwriter’s 150th overall show at the venue).  Now, Columbia and Legacy are bringing that landmark 100th show, featuring special guest Sting, to DVD and Blu-ray.  The 100th: Live at Madison Square Garden – The Complete Concert finds Joel in reflective yet rocking mode as he performs a string of his classic hits including “My Life,” “Vienna,” “New York State of Mind,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” “Piano Man,” and “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” along with his then-recent single “Turn the Lights Back On.”  (The ballad was his first pop single to hit the charts since 1997 and his first single release since 2007.)  The DVD and Blu-ray promise the complete concert, including the songs cut from the original CBS-TV broadcast (“The Downeaster Alexa,” “The Longest Time,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” with Sting, “Half a Mile Away,” “The Entertainer,” “Don’t Ask Me Why,” “Allentown,” “Nessun Dorma,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “Uptown Girl,” and “Big Shot”).  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s performance at the 2024 Sea.Hear.Now festival comes to CD after a Record Store Day release on vinyl.  The 3CD set features live renditions of such favorites as “Spirit in the Night,” “Thunder Road,” “Blinded by the Light,” “4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy),” and “Jersey Girl.” (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

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 into the before-and-after of the album: early song sketches, demos, outtakes, alternate mixes, 10 full live concerts and even more portions of shows – plus 128 pages of liner notes and rare photos, posters, replica tour laminates and other bonus swag. The package is overseen by Greg Fidelman and remastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering.

For the first time on a widely available physical format, this 2CD set captures two thrilling performances in which Oscar-winning composer John Williams conducts the United States Marine Band in 2003 and 2008. The set (first released as a longer, free download and first pressed on CD by the ensemble as a concert giveaway in 2023) also includes “For The President’s Own,” an original musical tribute to the Marine Band penned by the Maestro and recorded with them in 2013.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

The sophomore album from U.K.-formed post-punk/pop group Scritti Politti offered a new direction in British music: indebted to the organic sound of R&B with sleek electronic flourishes and a sheen of lyrical intellectualism. It also featured U.S. hit “Perfect Way,” which Miles Davis went bananas over. Remastered by Rough Trade in 2022 after they acquired the rights from bandleader Green Gartside, this expanded CD or double vinyl offers the four bonus tracks from the original CD release as well as two rare mixes of “Perfect Way” and an unissued dance version of French-only single “Lover to Fall.”

4CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com

Tina Turner’s long-running series of expanded editions continues with a new 30th anniversary 4CD/1Blu-ray edition of the late superstar’s 1996 album – and ninth solo studio release, overall – Wildest Dreams.  The deluxe set, featuring a remaster of the original album, adds a bonus disc of ten singles and remixes.  It continues with Turner’s July 20, 1996 concert at London’s famed Wembley Stadium on 2 CDs, while the Blu-ray (with remastered audio in 96/24 stereo and video upscaled from standard definition to 1080p) contains director David Mallet’s Grammy-nominated Live in Amsterdam/Wildest Dreams concert film.  A making-of documentary from 1998 is a bonus feature on the Blu-ray.  The box set’s booklet offers new liner notes from Jason Draper, incorporating interviews with “In Your Wildest Dreams” co-writer Holly Knight, manager Roger Davies, and producer Trevor Horn.  The campaign also sees the release of the remastered original album only on 2 LPs, 1 CD, and digital formats; and a cut-down version of the box with the album and bonus tracks on 2 CDs.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

CD: Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Target.com
LP (Blue Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP (Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Pink Floyd celebrates the era of the 8-track with a new compilation entitled (what else?) 8-Tracks.  The collection, available in the U.S. as a Target-exclusive CD as well as on vinyl and digitally, brings together eight (yup, eight!) tracks from the band’s seventies heyday including “Money,” “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Comfortably Numb.”  Steven Wilson has edited the tracks in an exclusive sequence, utilizing sound effects from the songs’ original multitrack tapes to create a continuous listening experience unique to this title.  Also exclusive is the concluding song, the full version of “Pigs on the Wing” from the original Animals eight-track cartridge.  This version contains a guitar solo from “Snowy” White which isn’t present on the standard Animals LP.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Legacy has a soundtrack to the Netflix sci-fi series starring Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodward, Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, and Clarke Peters.  The vinyl edition includes ten tracks while the CD doubles that number, but both formats offer a sampling of the classic rock and pop tunes heard in the show including Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” and “Born to Run,” Santana’s “Oye Come Va,” The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Do You Believe in Magic,” Heart’s “Barracuda,” Bob Seger’s “Night Moves,” and Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day.”  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Legacy brings together a career-spanning selections of tracks from Judas Priest – 10 on vinyl and 16 on CD – including such favorites from the metal titans as “Breaking the Law,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” “Electric Eye,” “Turbo Lover,” and “Painkiller.”  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)