Rock Music Gift Guide: Neil Young, Oasis, Record Plant Studios, Photographer Dennis Morris

In this column I highlight a notable deluxe reissue from Neil Young, as well as three outstanding coffee table hardcover books of interest to music fans.

Artist: Neil Young
Title: Tonight's The Night: 50th Anniversary Edition (Warner/Reprise Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Nils Lofgren
Tell me more: Fans of Neil Young, classic rock and modern-day Americana will all have a myriad of reasons to appreciate receiving a copy of the new remastered 50th Anniversary Edition of Young's 1975 album Tonight's The Night (the album was originally recorded on analog tape in 1973, and released two years later). To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the masterwork, six bonus tracks have been added to the title. The diverse range of material on the first half of the collection includes the haunting title track, bluesy "Speakin' Out," the deeply affecting piano- and harmonica-adorned "Borrowed Time," the gentle "Mellow My Mind," and countrified "Roll Another Number (For The Road)." The magic of the expanded set continues via stellar tracks including the dream-swept Americana folk rocker "Albuquerque," emotive "Tired Eyes," previously-unreleased original version of "Walk On," tender Gram Parsons-flavored "Wonderin'," and melodic Southern rock mining "Raised on Robbery (featuring Joni Mitchell) — the latter three cuts among the bonus tracks included on the collection. The 50th Anniversary Deluxe limited edition of Tonight's The Night is now available on vinyl, audio CD and digitally. Information: neilyoungarchives.com.

Rock 'n' Roll Reads

Title: Oasis: Trying To Find A Way Out Of Nowhere (1994-2009/2025)

Authors: Jill Furmanovsky and Noel Gallagher

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Hardcover: 304 pages
Tell me more: Oasis: Trying To Find A Way Out Of Nowhere chronicles the band Oasis through the skillful lens of photographer Jill Furmanovsky from the 1994 "Definitely Maybe" tour to the tumultuous 2009 "Dig Out Your Soul" tour and the band's triumphant 2025 return. The wonderful hardcover features more than 500 photographs, many of which appear in the volume for the very first time. In addition to Furmanovsky's signature images, Oasis singer-songwriter/guitarist Noel Gallagher penned the book foreword while Furmanovsky wrote an introduction; there are also three informative pieces by author Simon Spence, publicist and writer Johnny Hopkins, and music columnist Laura Barton that revisit Oasis' early, mid and late eras. Information: thamesandhudson.com.

Title: Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios

Authors: Martin Porter and David Goggin

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Hardcover: 352 pages
Tell me more: Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios offers a deep dive into the most notable and important recording studios of the 1970s. Authors Martin Porter and David Goggin — both veteran music journalists — used the memoirs and archives of studio cofounder Chris Stone, as well as interviews with more than 100 studio employees, music producers and recording artists to chronicle one of rock music's most seminal decades. From the Record Plant Studios' inception with the groundbreaking Jimi Hendrix recordings in the late 1960s to memorable '70s sessions with the celebrated likes of John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, the insightful writing and archival images brings album rock's golden era to life. Information: thamesandhudson.com.

Title: Dennis Morris Music + Life
Authors: Photographer Dennis Morris; text contributions by Stuart Hall, Sean O'Hagan, and Simon Baker & Shear Mavlian

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Hardcover: 272 pages

Tell me more: A retrospective of the amazing career of celebrated British photographer Dennis Morris, Music + Life is the first ever volume that combines Morris' incredible portraits of countless music legends (Bob Marley, the Sex Pistols, Grace Jones, Oasis, the Stone Roses and many more) as well as documentary-styled images examining race, culture and identity in 1970s Great Britain. Information: thamesandhudson.com.

Robert Kinsler

Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and II Out on February 13 on 4K UHD+Blu-ray

Check out the official media release below and artwork for the just announced "Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II"; also be sure to view the outstanding live concert video of Seal's performance of "Crazy"...Robert Kinsler

Mercury Studios Presents: Grammy Award-winning British Soul Icon Seal in

Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II

Celebratory Concert Film To Be Released In Multiple formats on February 13, 2026

View "Crazy" HERE

Pre-Order Link HERE

New York, NY (December 3, 2025) – Mercury Studios proudly announces Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II, a celebratory concert film from four-time Grammy Award-winning British soul icon Seal out February 13. Shot live at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas in 2024, this performance marks three decades since the release of Seal’s groundbreaking debut album, Seal, and its acclaimed follow-up, Seal II. Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II will be available in multiple formats, including a 4K UHD+Blu-ray combo pack, along with a Blu-ray+CD combo and digital audio and video.

The 10-track performance boasts classic chart-topping anthems such as “Crazy,” “Future Love Paradise,” “Killer,” and “Kiss From a Rose," as well as a few surprises. The concert also features Seal’s longtime producer, Grammy Award-winning producer, musician, and songwriter Trevor Horn (Yes, LeAnn Rimes, Belle and Sebastian), who joins his six-piece band as bassist and music director.

“He is this mentor that I’ve spent the last 34 years looking up to. He knows me as an artist better than anyone else,” Seal said. “Having him on tour caused me to bring a level of professionalism and discipline that I hadn’t had before.”

The hour-plus concert documentary directed by Keirda Bahruth (Hardcore Devo, Saturday Night Live, Bob and the Monster) includes intimate interviews with Seal and Horn, including a vignette of Seal reminiscing about his first appearance on the BBC’s legendary Top of The Pops television show in 1990. Back then, Horn’s wife and business partner candidly told Seal his performance was good but it didn’t connect.

Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II showcases a different artist, one who with unbridled passion and reverence for his decades-spanning body of work literally brings the music to the people. Throughout the concert, Seal steps off the stage to sing among fans and even pauses to sign autographs, transforming the show into a shared celebration of artistry and connection. “Where this tour is concerned, the one thing I didn’t see coming is rediscovering my purpose,” Seal said.

Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II is a stunning film that captures an artist at the top of his performance game.

Track Listing:

1. Crazy

2. The Beginning

3. Deep Water

4. Future Love Paradise

5. Bring It On

6. Prayer For The Dying

7. Killer

8. Kiss From A Rose

9. Get It Together

10. Love’s Divine

About Mercury Studios

World Class Music Content. Working with a global network of creatives and artists, Mercury Studios develop, produce, distribute and invest in award-winning content. We are filmmakers in the world of music.

Headquartered in London, with offices in LA and New York, current and recent projects include ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO directed by Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald, Grammy-winning, Academy Award and BAFTA award-nominated AMERICAN SYMPHONY, directed by Matthew Heineman for the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions/Netflix, REGGAETON: THE SOUND THAT CONQUERED THE WORLD / NBC Peacock, and IF THESE WALLS COULD SING, directed by Mary McCartney for Disney+.

Mercury Studios also produced and distributed performance capture films ANDREA BOCELLI 30TH: THE CELEBRATION, directed by Sam Wrench (Taylor Swift The Eras Tour) for global Theatrical and TV, BACK TO THE BEGINNING: OZZY’S FINAL BOW, for global Livestream and Theatrical, and QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL for IMAX and Disney+.

In 2025, Mercury Studios also hosted world premieres at the Tribeca Festival for METALLICA SAVED MY LIFE and JUST SING.

Mercury Studios represents the world’s leading catalogue of music-related content, consisting of thousands of hours of premium music-driven film and television programming.

Colin Blunstone - 'One Year And More: Live from Union Chapel' out now

One of rock's most beloved and enduring singers has just released "One Year And More: Live from Union Chapel"; get details on the deluxe collector's edition of the Colin Blunstone title below...Robert Kinsler

Colin Blunstone’s One Year Celebrated With Deluxe Collector’s Edition Box Set One Year And More: Live from Union Chapel Limited Edition • 2CD + DVD • Available Now via Gonzo Distribution Get Now (London, UK – November 21, 2025) -  One year ago, on November 25, 2024, legendary vocalist Colin Blunstone returned to London’s Union Chapel for a once-in-a-lifetime concert. Performing his landmark 1971 debut solo album One Year in its entirety…including “Say You Don’t Mind,” “Misty Roses,” and “Caroline Goodbye” alongside career favorites, Blunstone was joined by a full ensemble, featuring bandmates from the current Zombies lineup and former Strawbs, plus the Q Strings quartet for a spellbinding evening that instantly became part of his legacy. Blunstone relates “On the 25th of November 2024 I performed my first solo album “One Year” live in its entirety for the first time at London’s Union Chapel. Looking back this was not an undertaking to be taken on lightly knowing that “One Year” encompasses so many different genres of music. With very little rehearsal time my solo band (Dave Bainbridge, Søren Koch, Chas Cronk and Steve Rodford) and the incredible Q Strings took on the challenge without a moment's hesitation.” Now, to honor that unforgettable night, Gonzo Distribution proudly presents Colin Blunstone: One Year And More – Live from Union Chapel, a strictly limited collector’s edition box set, available now. Find the box set and more here. This exquisite release is designed for true connoisseurs: 2CD + full concert DVD, capturing the complete Union Chapel performance in pristine audio and video Luxurious gold foil–embossed box with gold satin lining Exclusive 24-page booklet with never-before-seen photographs of the concert that brought One Year full circle Each set includes an autographed and numbered certificate, underscoring its scarcity and value Blunstone, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 as the voice of The Zombies, has long been celebrated for his singularly silky and emotive vocals. His career, spanning more than six decades, bridges timeless Zombies classics (“She’s Not There,” “Tell Her No,” “Time of the Season”) with his solo masterpieces (One Year, Ennismore, Journey). Released in 1971, One Year remains a cult classic of British pop…listed in The Guardian’s “1,000 Albums to Hear Before You Die”...and has influenced artists from Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) to Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys), and even Jeff Buckley, whose A&R Rep cited Blunstone’s strings as an inspiration for Grace. With One Year And More – Live from Union Chapel, fans can finally experience Colin’s solo masterpiece reimagined, presented in a collector’s edition as timeless and elegant as the music itself. This is not just a release…it is an heirloom for anyone who values artistry, rarity, and legacy. And not to mention, it captures the ambience of the evening, perfectly. TRACKLISTING FIRST SET TIME TO MOVE WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKENHEARTED WILD PLACES LEVI STUBB’S TEARS TRACKS OF MY TEARS HUNG UP ON A DREAM ANDORRA ANY OTHER WAY OLD AND WISE I DON’T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES SECOND SET SHE LOVES THE WAY THEY LOVE HER MISTY ROSES SMOKEY DAY CAROLINE GOODBYE THOUGH YOU ARE FAR AWAY MARY WON’T YOU WARM MY BED HER SONG I CAN’T LIVE WITH YOU LET ME COME CLOSER TO YOU SAY YOU DON’T MIND JUST OUT OF REACH ORDER NOW

Blu-ray & DVD 2025 Gift Guide

In this column I highlight a number of music-minded titles from several different genres that would make great gifts for a favorite music lover.

Rock

Artist: Def Leppard

Title: Diamond Star Heroes: Live From Sheffield (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Def Leppard, Queen
Tell me more: On May 22, 2023, British rockers Def Leppard returned to their hometown to perform their second-ever stadium concert at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England. Diamond Star Heroes: Live From Sheffield is available on Blu-ray+2CD, 4K UHD, 2CD and 2LP. The 4K UHD version of the title marks Def Leppard's first-ever 4K release and includes "One Night Only Live At The Leadmill," a 13-track concert staged in front of an intimate crowd of 900 die-hard fans in 2023. Diamond Star Heroes: Live From Sheffield features a parade of Def Leppard's classics including "Let's Get Rocked," "Foolin'," Bringin' On The Heartbreak," "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Rock Of Ages" and "Photograph." Information: mercurystudios.co.

Artist: The Rolling Stones

Title: Black and Blue (Interscope/UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, classic rock
Tell me more: Nov. 14, 2025 marked the highly-anticipated reissue of The Rolling Stones' 1976 album Black and Blue. Available as a 5LP vinyl box set and a 4CD box set, both editions include a Blu-ray Disc, a 100-page hardback book and a replica tour poster. Black and Blue is The Rolling Stones' 13th studio album and features classic cuts including "Hot Stuff," "Hands of Fate" and "Fool To Cry." Among the bonus tracks featured on the collection are the rowdy "Shame, Shame, Shame" and several tracks featuring Jeff Beck. There is also a full live concert recording from the English band's six night residency at London's Earls Court Exhibition Centre as well as a previously unreleased TV broadcast of the Stones' 1976 show at Les Abattoirs in Paris, plus Dolby Atmos surround sound mixes of both the studio album and the live Earls Court concert. Information: rollingstones.com.

Artist: Peter Gabriel

Title: Taking The Pulse (Mercury Studios)

You might like if you enjoy: Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, elbow
Tell me more: Peter Gabriel's "Taking The Pulse" is an ambitious concert film that finds the groundbreaking English. artist and the New Blood Orchestra reworking 16 selections sans guitars, bass and drums. Working with arranger John Metcalfe, the concert filmed on Sept. 26, 2010 captured Gabriel, several backing singers and a full orchestra under the baton of Ben Foster performing at the legendary Arena di Verona in Italy. Directed by Anna Gabriel, "Taking The Pulse" fuses dazzling concert footage with dramatic lighting and artful graphics to deliver Peter Gabriel's theatrical vision across the 97-minute performance. Information: mercurystudios.co.

Opera & Classical

Artist: Andrea Bocelli

Title: The Celebration: 30th Anniversary (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Andrea Bocelli, Jon Batiste, Brian May
Tell me more: Marking three decades as a celebrated performer, Italian singer Andrea Bocelli's The Celebration: 30th Anniversary features the artist performing at the open air amphitheater Teatro del Silenzio (Theatre of Silence) in 2024 in his hometown of Tuscany with a star-studded lineup of stellar guests. The two-disc 4K UHD package features two shows — "The Celebration" and "30 Years of Musical Inspiration" collectively featuring more than 4 and a half hours of performances! Bocelli is joined by an 80-member orchestra along with a cast of more than 200 musicians including Ed Sheeran, Jon Batiste, Shania Twain, Brian May and others. In addition to the aforementioned 4K version, the title is also available via several other two-disc and four-disc deluxe formats. Information: mercurystudios.co.

Artist: Luciano Pavarotti

Title: The Lost Concert — Live at Llangollen 1995 (Mercury Studios)

You might like if you enjoy: Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, opera
Tell me more: The aptly-titled "The Lost Concert — Live at Llangollen 1995" is a previously-unavailable concert performance featuring the late Luciano Pavarotti recorded at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in North Wales in 1995. The historic concert event features Pavarotti performing with the BBC Philharmonic as well as soprano Atzuko Kawahara and Corale Gioachino Rossini. The winning concert event combines popular operatic arias and choruses as well as Neapolitan songs, one of Pavarotti's own compositions and orchestral interludes. The essential new title (set for release on Friday, Nov. 21) will be available on Blu-ray, TVOD and digital platforms. Information: mercurystudios.co.

Artists: Bryan Register, Catherine Foster, Annika Schlicht, more

Title: Tristan Und Isolde (Arthaus Musik)
You might like if you enjoy: German Opera, composer Richard Wagner 
Tell me more: German composer Richard Wagner once called love "the most beautiful of all dreams" and that observation likely fueled the creation of his 1865 masterwork "Tristan and Isolde." Now a production of the three-act opera starring tenor Bryan Register as Tristan and the Bayreuth-celebrated soprano Catherine Foster as Isolde is out on DVD. The filmed production also features singers Annika Schlicht, Andreas Jäpel and Dimitry Ivashchenko. The production was created for the stage of the State Theater in Cottbus, Germany. Running nearly four hours in German, the filmed version on the DVD has English subtitles provided. Information: mvdshop.com. 

Artists: Placido Domingo, Carlos Kleiber

Title: Carmen (Monad Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Placido Domingo, French opera
Tell me more: Fans of composer Georges Bizet's beloved "Carmen" are in luck. A historic 1978 production of the 154-minute opera conducted by Carlos Kleiber and starring then-young lyric tenor Placido Domingo (as Don Jose) and soprano Elena Obraztsova in the title role is now available on Blu-ray. The staging was completed by director Franco Zeffirelli (who also directed the production for TV) and the performance was captured at Vienna State Opera. This is a groundbreaking filmed version of Bizet's 1875 French opera. Information: monarda-music.com.

Robert Kinsler