With the holiday season in full swing a parade of deluxe reissues and box sets are available. I am also recommending one of the finest studio releases of 2017 (Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie) in honor of Christine McVie; the legendary singer-songwriter of Fleetwood Mac fame passed away on Nov. 30. I am also recommending a new music-minded title from Paul Gorman. Any of these releases would make a great gift for a favorite classic rock music fan.
Artist: Neil Young
Title: Harvest — 50th Anniversary Edition Box Set (Reprise)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Nils Lofgren, Band of Horses, David Crosby
Tell me more: Neil Young's February 1972 release Harvest remains a powerful and timeless masterpiece. Indeed, Young's third solo album's outstanding track listing extends from the worldwide hit single "Heart of Gold," bona fide symphonic wonders "A Man Needs A Maid" and "There's A World" to the country rocker "Alabama," otherworldly "Needle & The Damage Done" and introspective masterpiece "Old Man." Now the album is the focus of a well-deserved reissue, Harvest — 50th Anniversary Edition Box Set. In addition to the remastered original album, the deluxe reissue — available on vinyl and audio CD — includes three outtakes from the original Harvest sessions (the countrified "Dance Dance Dance," wistful "Journey Through The Past" and yearning "Bad Fog"), two DVDs and a hard bound book. The first DVD is "Harvest Time," a revealing two-hour, unreleased film shot during the making of Harvest, and includes footage at Young’s Broken Arrow ranch in Northern California, plus the recording sessions in Nashville and London. The second DVD is an unreleased BBC In Concert live performance from February 1971. The hard bound book that accompanies the box sets includes 40 photographs, many of which have never been published before, and liner notes by Joel Bernstein. The vinyl box comes with a lithograph and a poster; the audio CD format contains the poster. Information: NeilYoungArchives.com.
Title: Sail On Sailor - 1972 (Capitol Records/UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: The Beach Boys, classic rock
Tell me more: The Beach Boys' 60th Anniversary celebration continues with the release of Sail On Sailor - 1972, a collection that revisits the landmark 1972 albums Carl And The Passions and Holland. This 6CD set features a 48-page book with extensive liner notes, rare photos and more. The expansive collection includes remastered versions of the original albums along with outtakes and session highlights from the original "Mount Vernon and Fairway" EP from Holland, plus a previously unreleased 1972 concert from Carnegie Hall. What's more, the title includes dozens of studio and live additional tracks, sessions and alternate versions. In all, it contains 105 tracks, 80 of which are previously unreleased. In addition to the 6CD Super Deluxe Edition, Sail on Sailor - 1972 is available as a 5LP+7-inch EP vinyl box set. A true treasure. Information: TheBeachBoys.com.
Title: Live at the Fillmore, 1997 (Warner Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Tom Petty
Tell me more: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers played 20 nights at the famed Fillmore in San Francisco in 1997. Six of those concerts were professionally recorded and the newly-released Live at the Fillmore, 1997 features highlights from those shows captured 25 years ago. As the so-called "Fillmore House Band," Petty and company were able to vary their setlist each night; as a result a mix of their beloved hits, deep album cuts and artful covers (including classics from Chuck Berry, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and more) are featured across Live at the Fillmore, 1997. The collection also features special performances with The Byrds’ front man Roger McGuinn and blues legend John Lee Hooker. The 4CD deluxe edition includes 58 tracks (35 of which are covers) totaling more than four hours of music. Also included in that edition is a 32-page booklet (with previously unseen photographs), three custom guitar picks, a replica All Access laminate, and even an embroidered patch. Live at the Fillmore, 1997 is available as a 4CD box set, a 3LP box set and an expanded 6LP box set. Information: TomPetty.com.
Title: Buckingham McVie (Atlantic Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie
Tell me more: A breezy and sumptuous album that captures the magic of Fleetwood Mac's Rumors, the first-ever collaboration between Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie was one of 2017's biggest and most welcome surprises. Sadly, Buckingham McVie would also prove to be the final new studio album featuring McVie (who passed away at the age of 79 on Nov. 30, 2022). With 10 terrific songs performed with shimmering arrangements that showcase the affecting voices of Buckingham and McVie, the riches include the infectious "Feel About You," lush "Red Sun," power pop-mining "On With the Show" and piano-anchored ballad "Game of Pretend." A wonderful tribute to the artistry of both McVie and Buckingham. Information: buckinghammcvie.com.
Rock 'n' Roll Read
Author: Paul Gorman
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Hardcover: 400 pages
Tell me more: Irish writer Paul Gorman has penned an important and revealing book on the evolution and growth of the music press. As part of that account — chronicled across "Totally Wired - The Rise and Fall of the Music Press" — Gorman views the role of not only the noteworthy writers and groundbreaking publications that featured their work, but the photographers and artists themselves who all contributed to the field in essential ways. Gorman's comprehensive exploration of the music press includes the evolution of the area through the explosion of rock 'n' roll, mod, the Summer of Love, punk, pop, glam, dance music, R&B, hip hop and more. Fully illustrated with rare and legendary magazine artwork, this is definitely a n immersive read for lovers of not only music, but popular culture. Information: ThamesAndHudsonUSA.com.
Robert Kinsler
