Thursday, October 21, 2021

Essential box sets & multi-disc releases: The Beatles, Jimmie Vaughan, 'R&B in DC 1940-1960', Dolly Parton

Halloween is still a few weeks away but the list of incredible box sets, deluxe reissues and special audio collections is enough to fill any music lover's holiday wish list. Essential new collections from The Beatles, Jimmie Vaughan, Al Stewart, Rory Gallagher, Dolly PartonThe Bootheels and more are available now. 


Artist: 
The Beatles
Title: Let It Be Special Edition [5 CD/Blu-ray] (Capitol)
You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, classic rock
Tell me more: The six-disc Let It Be Special Edition shines an immersive and welcome spotlight on The Beatles' twelfth and final studio album. Originally released on May 8, 1970  almost a month after the British quartet's official break-up and in connection with the documentary film of the same name  Let It Be has been revisited via several new configurations that collectively go a long way to overcome the controversial history of the album. The six-disc "Special Edition" includes new mixes by Giles Martin and Sam Okell, as well as two audio CDs of outtakes, jams, rehearsals and studio chat; the legendary 14-track Get Back album featuring Glyn Johns' previously-unreleased 1969 mix and a Blu-ray with Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and PCM Stereo are included along with a 100-page hardback book with in-depth essays, track-by-track recording information, a wealth of unseen images and a foreword by Paul McCartney. It is an understatement to note how incredible this collection is; the original "Let It Be" was produced by the late Phil Spector, who included excerpts of studio chatter, orchestral and choir overdubs to several tracks that have always been controversial; indeed in 2003 McCartney spearheaded Let It Be... Naked as a more stripped down version of the album sans Spector's sonic ornamentation. In addition to this comprehensive look at the creation of "Let It Be," Beatles fans are being treated to "The Beatles: Get Back" film directed by Peter Jackson coming to Disney+ in November. In addition to the 6-disc edition reviewed here, Let It Be 50th Anniversary editions are available as a 5 LP box set, picture disc, 1 LP, 2 CD, 1 CD and digital versions. Information: TheBeatles.com



Artist: 
Jimmie Vaughan
Title: The Jimmie Vaughan Story (The Last Music Co.)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Kim Wilson, Delbert McClinton
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/guitar great Jimmie Vaughan didn't let the occasion of his 70th birthday earlier this year go to waste. Rather the Austin, Texas-based legend has issued the phenomenal The Jimmie Vaughan Story, a limited-edition five CD collection that is one of the most terrific anthologies in memory. The range of material truly celebrates Vaughan's singular career. All of disc one and most of disc two focus on his memorable recordings with The Fabulous Thunderbirds with highlights including the authentic slow blues of "She's Tuff" and enticing "Why Get Up" along with enduring radio favorites like "Wrap It Up" and "Tuff Enuff." As I journeyed through the hours of tracks I gained an even greater appreciation of Vaughan's approach and love of the blues. Highlights on the expansive set include the emotional "Cold, Cold Feeling" (with Albert Collins), rollicking "D/FW" (featuring Vaughan with his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan), the infectious "Boom Bapa Boom," nimble "He's Got A Key" (with Bo Diddley), previously unreleased "I Don't Live Here Anymore" (with Delbert McClinton), the driving Chicago blues nugget "Boom Boom" (with John Lee Hooker) and "Deep End" (with blues harp hero James Cotton). Several killer tracks ("Six Strings Down," "SRV Shuffle") honoring his late younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan (who died in an August 1990 helicopter crash) featuring Jimmie Vaughan with Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, B.B. King, Dr. John and Art Neville featured on the 1994 album "A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan" are welcome additions on the box set. Examples of Vaughan's work with Lou Ann Barton, Charlie Musselwhite, Susan Tedeschi, Lazy Lester, Billy F Gibbons, Little Milton and Sue Foley is also featured on the collection. As if all the music wasn't great enough, the box set comes with a 240-page book filled with historical photographs and details on his incredible career. Information: JimmieVaughan.com


Artists: 
Billy Eckstine, Lloyd Price, The Clovers, Baby Dee, The Four Dots, more
Title: R&B in DC 1940-1960: Rhythm & Blues, Doo Wop, Rockin' Rhythm And More (Bear Family)
You might like if you enjoy: Ringo Starr, The Beatles, classic rock
Tell me more: There is little doubt that 2021 is a special year when it comes to the release of memorable box sets. Look no further than R&B in DC 1940-1960: Rhythm & Blues, Doo Wop, Rockin' Rhythm And More, a massive 16-CD bo set that includes a 352-page hardcover book. Loaded with 472 tracks, there is approximately 20 hours of music on the singular collection. Highlights abound across this title, including hundreds of long-out-of-print recordings remastered from the best available audio sources. Among this listener's favorites is the gentle vocal approach of the Lyles Brothers' "Rain [Chant of the Rain]," intoxicating swing rhythms of the Billy Eckstine and His Orchestra on "Lonesome Lover Blues," Baby Dee's tender "Like He's Never Loved Me Before" and sassy "It Feels So Doggone Good," The Syncopators' rapid fire "Mule Train," Frank Motley's swing era gem "Dual Trumpets Bounce" and the Clovers' beautiful "Here Goes A Fool." Please note that R&B in DC 1940-1960: Rhythm & Blues, Doo Wop, Rockin' Rhythm And More is a limited and numbered edition of only 1,500 copies. Watch a short video on this outstanding title HERE. Indeed, an exhaustive effort went into putting together this stellar collection and my review only scratches the surface of the countless hours discerning listeners will spend getting to hear and learn more about this full-fledged survey of Washington, D.C.'s contribution to the rise of R&B music spanning from the swing era to the beginning of '60s and '70s soul.  Information: bear-family.com




Artist: 
Dolly Parton
Title: Dolly: The Ultimate Collection (Time Life)
You might like if you enjoy: Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson
Tell me more: Dolly Parton is one of modern music's most beloved and legendary artists. Her long career is celebrated across the six disc DVD Dolly: The Ultimate Collection. Parton's skills as singer, songwriter and cultural icon are on display across this expansive collection. Highlights on the title  which includes 824 minutes of content  include 11 episodes of Parton's 1980s variety show (with the celebrated likes of Oprah Winfrey, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and Burt Reynolds appearing), a 2009 "Live from London" concert, and a disc featuring Christmas specials including "A Down Home Country Christmas With Mac Davis and Burl Ives, and "Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show." There is also a 2019 BBC documentary ("Dolly Parton: Here I Am") and a number of music videos featuring the "Queen of Country" on the title. Information: TimeLife.com.



Robert Kinsler

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