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). On May 29, Columbia and Legacy will bring 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…
The Weekend Stream: April 4, 2026
Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. The elder British/Irish rock contingent is alive and well, with new music from U2, Peter Gabriel and Ringo Starr plus new remixes from Sting; there’s also quite a bit of country (from Jim Reeves and Ricky Skaggs to…Disney?) and jazz (Monk, Maynard and more) to go around. U2, Easter Lily EP (Island) (Apple / Amazon) More prolific (and present) than they’ve…
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The Weekend Stream: March 7, 2026
Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts, plus new works from legacy acts and even some personally curated favorites. There’s new and old works from three of the best British white guys to ever do it, plus a boatload of Hugh Masekela treasures, a legendary punk session and plenty of exciting ’70s country nuggets. Sting, Mercury Falling (Expanded Edition) (A&M/UMe) (Apple / Amazon) For the 30th anniversary of Sting’s fifth studio album – a quirkier affair than previous, with tracks…
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Release Round-Up: Week of December 5
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles out today! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Judy Collins, The ’60s Singles (Second Disc/Real Gone) 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…
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Sting Sets Sail with Expanded Reissue of ‘The Last Ship’
The ship of Theseus is a classic paradox of thought that asks whether an object is truly the same after all its component pieces have been replaced. That’s not exactly the case for Sting’s musical The Last Ship, but he is once again revisiting the song score he’s tinkered with several times over the last decade in a new expanded edition due this winter. Coming to 2CD, 2LP and digital on December 5 ahead of a new series of worldwide performances, this new edition of the singer/songwriter’s 2013 concept album take on The Last…
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The Weekend Stream: August 16, 2025
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. A soft-rock legend says farewell on his own terms, a Broadway star channels one of mid-century pop’s greatest voices, plus everything from video game music to “jazz-tinged” alt-pop oddities is headed your way this week! Stephen Bishop, THIMK (Life’s a Bish) (Apple / Amazon) Stephen Bishop is billing THIMK as his final studio album – a decision he explains in the spoken word track that concludes the set –…
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The Weekend Stream: July 12, 2025
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This one has it all: Sting, a family named King, one Boss, two Deborahs, 311, ’00s power-pop nuggets, an actress with a killer voice singing on England’s hottest balcony – and a trailer for our most-anticipated music documentary of the month! Sting, The Dream of the Blue Turtles (Expanded Edition) (A&M/UMe) (Apple / Amazon) Concurrent to its SHM-CD release in Japan (alongside other previous digital-only deluxe editions), Sting’s 1985 solo…
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The Weekend Stream: June 21, 2025
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. A classic film score gets remixed for a major anniversary; a modern jazz great reunites two-thirds of a classic rock band; and it’s funny how time flies for Tears for Fears. All this, plus morsels of news on potential reissues from Bruce Springsteen and Duran Duran, and two tributes to singers we lost this week. John Williams, JAWS (Original Motion Picture Score – Remastered) (Back Lot Music) (Apple /…
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Love is the Seventh Wave: Sting Digital Deluxe Editions to Make CD Debut in Japan
Starting in 2021 and continuing annually, albums in Sting’s solo catalogue have been reissued with bonus tracks for various anniversaries. This year, fans have asked themselves if that will continue, and, perhaps, if this material will ever receive a physical release. The answers appear to be “yes” and “yes, if you’re willing to import from Japan.” On July 11, Universal Music Group Japan will issue SHM-CD editions of the former Police frontman’s …Nothing Like the Sun (1987), The Soul Cages (1991), Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993) and Brand New Day (1999) with bonus discs of B-sides, remixes and edits – along…
Soundtrack Watch: Bond Back on Vinyl At La-La Land, Intrada Unsheathes Kamen’s ‘Three Musketeers’
A new month kicks off with a bonanza of soundtrack reissues from La-La Land and Intrada – including more planned activity from the world of James Bond. La-La Land has made three archival titles available for sale from yesterday (June 1). First is a vinyl edition of their remastered CD of John Barry’s score to Goldfinger. The third James Bond film (and the second to be scored by the British composer/arranger) scored big with the series’ first-ever title theme, co-written by Barry, Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse and sung with paint-peeling gusto by…
The Weekend Stream Extra: A Guide to ‘MTV Unplugged’ on Paramount+ (Part 1)
Welcome to a special Sunday feature of The Weekend Stream, which takes a look at one of MTV’s great live music programs thanks to a recent reissue of one of its best-known episodes. We’re kicking off a five-part deep-dive on every episode of MTV Unplugged that’s currently streaming on the station’s parent streaming network Paramount+! If the music video was the most significant concept MTV introduced back in 1981, the word “unplugged” might come in a close second. In 1989, as the cable station began slowly diversifying their blocks of video programming –…
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Release Round-Up: Week of April 25
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Neil Young, Oceanside/Countryside (Reprise/NYA) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Neil Young is unveiling another once-lost album with the release of Oceanside Countryside which arrives on CD today following its vinyl release.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…
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The Second Disc’s Guide to Record Store Day 2025: Our Favorite Picks
Tomorrow, Record Store Day is once again upon us! It’s that time of year where music lovers and vinyl flippers get together at their favorite physical music retailers and wait in line to snag some treasured albums – almost all of which are pressed on vinyl instead of CD (or, you know, sold on secondary marketplaces for above their retail value). This year, the list tops out at over 300 titles, so there’s very nearly something for everybody. It wasn’t easy to narrow our choices down to around 20 titles, but here…
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Every Move He Makes: Sting Plans Multiple Formats of ‘3.0 LIVE’ Album
Sting is chronicling his latest back-to-basics tour with a multi-format live album – and you’ll have to be quick (and lucky) to hear it all. The British rocker embarked on the 3.0 Tour last year; true to its name, Sting assembled a trio – having not toured with that few backing members since his days in The Police – consisting of longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas. The result, which came to North and South American theaters as well as festival dates in Europe, was not only a faithful take…
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Their Latest Trick: Dire Straits Expands ‘Brothers in Arms’
Dire Straits’ biggest album is getting expanded for its 40th anniversary. 1985’s Brothers in Arms will be available 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…
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Elvis Costello, Elton John, John Lennon, Sting Feature on UMG’s Record Store Day Slate
Universal Music Group’s 2025 Record Store Day roster is heavy on British rockers: Elvis Costello, John Lennon, Elton John, Sting, Queen, Mark Knopfler, and The Verve among them! But there’s also some highly-anticipated items from The Killers and Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Passengers, a.k.a. U2 and Brian Eno, among the other highlights. Visit RecordStoreDay.com for the full list of participating retailers you can visit on Saturday, April 12, to join in the festivities. Elvis Costello, The Kings of America Live At The Royal Albert Hall (Third Man – limited to 2,000 units) EC…
The Weekend Stream: September 28, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. There’s a lot of killer stuff on the list today, including two new singles from rock icons, a digital expansion of one of Sting’s best-loved albums, live David Bowie coming from the vaults, a Stevie Wonder syllabus and much more! The Cure, “Alone” (Polydor) (iTunes / Amazon) For the first time in 16 years, The Cure are set to release a new album. Songs of a Lost World is out November…
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The Weekend Stream: September 14, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week brings new songs from two of our ’80s favorites, a reissue from a rock supergroup, the first release from a hard-working film composer and a new stand-up comedy album with a little something extra. Duran Duran, “New Moon (Dark Phase)” (Tapemodern) (iTunes / Amazon) Friday the 13th was a perfect day for this to drop! Duran Duran will reissue last year’s spooky, ethereal Danse Macabre – a…
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The Weekend Stream: September 7, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week, there’s new tracks from pop royalty (and rock court jesters), plus expansions and rarities from The 5th Dimension, The Alan Parsons Project, and a very exciting treat for fans of The New Christy Minstrels! Stevie Wonder, “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” (Republic) (iTunes / Amazon) A gentle, unifying acoustic number from the 74-year-old Motown legend might be easy enough to dismiss as pap. But consider…
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The Weekend Stream: July 20, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week’s got a new single by a comedy icon, some more Duran Duran EPs, a recent Paul McCartney 7″ making its way to streaming and so much more. “Weird Al” Yankovic, Polkamania! (Way Moby) (iTunes / Amazon) Ten summers ago, pop’s parody king released his 13th (and likely final) album Mandatory Fun, and even got a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 for his trouble. A lot of songs have become…
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Many Miles Away: The Police Plan ‘Synchronicity’ Box with Unreleased Demos, Outtakes and Live Material
More than 40 years after the release of their final album, The Police will offer a massive expansion of their fifth studio effort, 1983’s blockbuster Synchronicity. Available July 26, 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…
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Still on the Line: Ace Collects Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb Collaborations, Glen’s “Ghost on the Canvas” Revisited with All-Star Duets
From the time singer-guitarist Glen Campbell recorded “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” in 1967, he became forever linked with the words and music of Jimmy Layne Webb. Formerly a staff songwriter for Motown’s Jobete Music arm, Webb had placed songs with big names (The Supremes) and lesser-known talents (Danny Day, The Contessas) when he attracted the ear of Soul City Records’ Johnny Rivers. The “Poor Side of Town” and “Memphis, Tennessee” singer was the first to release a version of “Phoenix,” on his 1967 album Changes. Within a year, he…
Nice to Be Around: Extensive John Williams Box Set Released in France
If you’re a Second Disc reader, you’re no doubt aware of the immense musical power film composer John Williams has over us (and people like us!). Even a casual fan surely knows his most familiar works for the screen, from Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Jurassic Park and Harry Potter; the films of Steven Spielberg (JAWS, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler’s List); themes for everything from Superman to the Olympics. He’s picked up five Oscars (53 nominations, second only to Walt Disney), 25 Grammys, the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award (the only composer to receive the honor),…
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She Is the Champion: Dolly Parton Unveils “Rockstar,” Featuring All-Star Cast Including Elton John, Peter Frampton, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Lizzo, Miley, Many More
“If I’m gonna be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m going to have to earn it,” Dolly Parton commented upon her 2022 induction into the Cleveland hall. She promised that a rock and roll album was on the way, and today, she made good on that promise…with what essentially amounts to two such records! On November 17, Dolly’s own Butterfly Records in association with Big Machine will release Rockstar, a whopping 2-CD or 4-LP collection with 30 songs featuring some of the biggest names in the genre including Sting,…
In the Moonlight: La-La Land Returns with New Williams Expansion, Unused Score Releases
Not long after La-La Land Records issued one of their best archival soundtrack batches for Black Friday 2022, they made a stunning proclamation: after one release in January, the label would take a long break. Any third-party music licensing post-COVID has been a challenge, and the label sought to take a breather, offer some great sales, restock some old favorites and let the rights and clearance pipelines unclog with time. And unclog they have! The label’s first batch of titles in nearly five months includes a special expansion of an underrated score…
