Beatles catalog, Woodstock revue among many gems
The economy may have been in its worst recession since the Great Depression, but that didn’t stop record companies from putting out a bumper crop of box sets.
Here is a look at the best of the bunch, any of which would make great gifts this holiday season.
n The Beatles: The remastered Beatles album catalog (Capitol)
In a busy year for special releases, there was no more celebrated or hyped event than the release of the remastered entire Beatles catalog. It lives up to the hype, bringing new clarity to the greatest catalog of music from any act of the rock era.
n Various Artists: “Woodstock — 40 Years On: Back To Yasgur’s Farm” (Rhino Records)
This six-CD set is simply the most complete audio document yet of Woodstock. Its 30-plus previously unheard performances makes it well worth its rather substantial price.
n Richard Thompson: “Walking on a Wire, 1968-2009” (Shout Factory)
Thompson may well be the most underappreciated artist in all of rock. But this four-CD set is a great way to catch up on four decades of great songwriting and exceptional guitar work.
n Big Star: “Keep an Eye on the Sky” (Rhino)
For a band that only released three studio albums, it’s pretty amazing to think that Big Star could justify a four-CD box set. But with all the studio cuts, plenty of outtakes and a complete 1973 concert, this set delivers one power pop thrill after another.
n Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: “Live Anthology” (Reprise)
Anyone who has seen Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert knows this is one of rock’s very best live bands. This four-disc set captures the group in fine form. Still, even at 47 tracks, “Live Anthology” actually feels a bit thin. How about a sequel, Mr. Petty?
n Various Artists: “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum Live” (Time Life)
The highlights of annual induction ceremonies for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have generally been the all-star band performances. This three DVD set assembles 43 such memorable musical moments — plus, as an extra treat, induction speeches and footage from rehearsals. This may not be just like being there for the performances, but it’s not far off.
n Various Artists: “Where the Action Is: Los Angeles Nuggets – 1965-1968” (Rhino)
The latest addition to the series of “Nuggets” box sets (devoted mostly to obscure pop gems from the mid-to-late-1960s) centers on one metropolitan area — Los Angeles. There are definitely some misses here. But there’s enough quality on “Where the Action Is” to suggest that few cities had a more active and vibrant ’60s pop scene than Los Angeles.
n AC/DC: “Backtracks” (Columbia)
The venerable Australian band takes fans on a trip through its back pages with this set, with studio rarities, a bevy of live tracks and more. It’s telling that most of the material here is almost as essential as the band’s best albums.
n Elvis Presley: “Elvis 75 — Good Rockin’ Tonight” (RCA/Legacy)
This new four-CD set is hardly the first box set devoted to “The King.” And actually, the early 1990s sets, “The King of Rock ’n’ Roll” (covering his 1950s output) and “From Nashville to Memphis” (devoted to the 1960s), remain the definitive sets. But if you want a full career-spanning collection, “Elvis 75” is a good choice. It has all of Presley’s notable hits and a good sampling of the better album tracks from throughout his career.
n Dolly Parton: “Dolly” (RCA/Legacy)
Forget the big hair, this four-CD set proves that Parton was both an accomplished songwriter and a first-rate singer.
n The Rolling Stones: “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out: The Rolling Stones in Concert” (Abkco)
This set adds five unreleased tracks to the famous original live album and performances from opening acts B.B. King and Tina Turner, making a great live album even better.
n Hall & Oates: “Do What You Want, Be What You Are: The Music of Daryl Hall & John Oates” (RCA/Legacy)
The best-selling duo in pop history, Hall & Oates get a long-overdue career-spanning box set treatment.
n Frank Sinatra: “New York” (Reprise/Rhino)
Four CDs and one DVD give a career-spanning survey of Sinatra in concert at several venues in his favorite town, New York City. It’s a fine document of Sinatra’s mastery of jazz-inflected phrasing and his command of the live stage.
n Rod Stewart: “The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998” (Warner Bros.)
This four-CD set collects a bevy of alternate versions from Stewart’s vault of unreleased recordings. Much of it is well worth hearing.
n The Doors: “Live in New York” (Rhino)
This six-disc set captures the Doors live with four complete concerts from January 1970 — a wonderful document of the group’s late-era shows.
n Kenny Rogers: “The First 50 Years” (Time Life)
If you’re a fan of Kenny the crooner, this three-CD set is for you. Three new songs included here are an extra bonus.
n Hank Williams: “Revealed: The Unreleased Recordings” (Time Life)
This three-CD set collects the best of the country legend’s performances on WSM radio in 1951. The songs, spiced with commentary from Williams, offer an up-close, authentic look at Williams at an early career peak.
