Author: Paul Sinclair

Elvis and Stevie Ray Vaughan boxes get wallet-friendly reissues

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Elvis Presley / The Complete '50s Masters 5CD box set
Booksets are great quality and shelf-friendly


Sony are to reissue and repackage a number of box sets in October at new budget price points. Elvis Presley, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Rod Stewart are among the artists whose titles are being re-released in the so-called ‘booksets’ which are DVD sized, contain a minimum of four discs, and come with extensive booklet notes. Each of these sets will be retailing at under £20.

Elvis Presley / The Complete '50s MastersElvis Presley / The Complete ’50s Masters
[Pre-order coming soon]

This five CD set (originally from 1992) collects together 126 Elvis tracks (and one interview) from the 1950s – effectively his entire output before going to join the army in 1958. It comes with a 48-page booklet.

Stevie Ray Vaughan / SRV 3CD+DVD box setStevie Ray Vaughan / SRV [Pre-order]

This 3CD + DVD anthology was originally released back in 2000 and features Stevie Ray Vaughan’s music from 1977-1990, including many previously unreleased live recordings, alternates and outtakes. It comes with a DVD which contains six previously unissued songs from the 1989 Austin City Limits show. All in all, 54 tracks, with 36 unissued when originally released.

Rod Stewart / The Great American Songbook / 4CD setRod Stewart /  The Great American Songbook [Pre-order]

The first four volumes (a fifth has since been issued) of Stewart’s Songbook releases, collected in one set. It Had To Be You, As Time Goes By, Stardust, and Thanks For The Memory are the titles in question, and together they bring 55 tracks of crooning from the singer, who once used to write songs..

The Blow Monkeys / Deluxe reissue track listings in full

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The Blow Monkeys / 2CD Deluxe Editions on the way
The Blow Monkeys’ first two albums expanded to 2CDs

Further to the announcement on this blog last week about the forthcoming reissues from The Blow Monkeys, we can now reveal the track listings in full, for both Limping For A Generation and Animal Magic.
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Mark Knopfler / Privateering deluxe edition review

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Mark Knopfler / Privateering Deluxe Edition review
Deluxe 3CD book edition

Mark Knopfler‘s seventh solo album (issued on 3 September) has been given a multi-format release. It’s available as a standard two-CD edition (it’s a double album), a three disc deluxe edition, and a three-CD+DVD+vinyl+download Super Deluxe Edition box set.

The deluxe edition (reviewed here) is arguably the best value (around £17) with its book packaging, and bonus CD containing five tracks “live from rehearsals”. This bonus disc, incidentally, is not available on the Super Deluxe set – that set comes with a three-track bonus disc of album session tracks.
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The Blow Monkeys 2008 Japan box

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The Blow Monkeys / Japanese box set

With the recent good news from Dr Robert that expanded Blow Monkeys reissues are on the way, we thought you might like a look at the Japanese mini-LP CD (vinyl replica) reissues from 2008. If you read the post about Japanese box sets in the summer, you will be aware that Japanese retailer Disk Union offer these sets with exclusive, high quality boxes, using officially licensed artwork (you have to buy all the reissues to get the box – for free). Although only available in Japan, there is normally a brisk trade on eBay around the time of release.
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The Jam / The Gift super deluxe edition / more details

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The Jam / The Gift Super Deluxe Edition Box SetMore details have emerged about the forthcoming The Gift super deluxe edition box set from The Jam. The four disc box will include 13 unreleased demos and alternate versions on disc two, while the third CD offers a complete concert from the last ever Jam tour – 23 tracks remasterd. The DVD provides promo clips and various live performances, including a Danish TV special.

The original UK vinyl came in a lilac and white stripped paper back and the outer slip case for this set reflects that design with “The Jam – A Gift” written on it. A nice touch.
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Heaven 17 / The Luxury Gap Expanded 2CD+DVD Deluxe Edition

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Heaven17 / The Luxury Gap 2CD+DVD deluxe edition

Heaven 17‘s second album The Luxury Gap will be reissued in similar fashion to debut Penthouse and Pavement back in 2010, with a three-disc deluxe edition scheduled for 22nd October.

A bonus CD of remixes will sit alongside a DVD of promo videos and live performances from 2009. The packaging will be the familiar ‘lift-off lid’ box used for many EMI deluxe editions, most recently the two-CD version of the Pet Shop Boys’ Elysium. Expect postcards and a booklet within.

PRE-ORDER The Luxury Gap 2CD+DVD deluxe edition

Track listing

CD 1

  • 1. Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry
  • 2. Who’ll Stop The Rain
  • 3. Let Me Go
  • 4. Key To The World
  • 5. Temptation
  • 6. Come Live With Me
  • 7. Lady Ice And Mr Hex
  • 8. We Live So Fast
  • 9. The Best Kept Secret

CD 2

  • 1. Let Me Go (Extended Mix)
  • 2. Temptation (Extended Mix)
  • 3. Who’ll Stop The Rain (Extended Mix)
  • 4. We Live So Fast (Extended Mix)
  • 5. Come Live With Me (Extended Mix)
  • 6. Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry – Parts 1 & 2
  • 7. Let Me Go (Instrumental)
  • 8. Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry (Extended Dance Version)
  • 9. Temptation – Brothers In Rhythm Remix

DVD

Promo Videos

  • 1. Let Me Go
  • 2. Temptation
  • 3. We Live So Fast
  • 4. Come Live With Me
  • 5. Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry

Night Of The Proms – Hannover 16/12/09

  • 6. Temptation
  • 7. Come Live With Me
  • 8. The Best Kept Secret / Let Me Go

The Blow Monkeys / First two albums being expanded

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The Blow Monkeys / Limping For A Generation Expanded Edition
Debut album 'Limping For A Generation'

Dr Robert of  ’80s pop favourites The Blow Monkeys, has revealed via twitter that the band’s first two albums – 1984’s Limping For A Generation and Animal Magic from 1986 – will be reissued by Cherry Red Records in November this year.

Both deluxe editions will include demos and unreleased tracks, and ‘the doctor’ himself revealed some titles of the unheard material, such as Soulboy in Slumber from the Limping For A Generation period, and Guess I Love Her Now from Animal Magic. Remixes and B-sides should help fill up what will almost certainly be 2CD releases.

Hopefully Cherry Red will restore the original front cover to Limping.. (see above) which wasn’t used on the CD issue back in the eighties. A rare Japanese mini-LP CD reissue from 2008 was the first time the correct cover was used for a CD release.

Below: Digging You Scene from Animal Magic, on Top Of The Pops

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3CiTVjjpTw

Led Zeppelin / Celebration Day

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Led Zeppelin / Celebration DayPossibly the worst kept secret in rock, Led Zeppelin are to officially release their 2007 one-off performance at London’s O2 Arena in high definition and with surround sound. Initially, only as a theatrical release at cinemas across the globe, but surely a Blu-ray release (maybe with CD) will follow shortly after. Here’s the trailer below to get you in the mood:

ABBA CD+DVD Deluxe Edition

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ABBA / Deluxe Edition CD+DVDIf you thought ABBA‘s deluxe reissue series was at an end with the release of The Visitors earlier this year, then think again.

The deluxe editions continue, and this time we go back to 1975, for an expanded edition of the group’s third studio album, simply entitled ABBA. The hit singles featured on the record include Mamma Mia, SOS and I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.
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Duran Duran / A Diamond In The Mind / Live in concert 2011 / Review

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Duran Duran / A Diamond In The Mind Live In Concert
Duran Duran photographed by Stephanie Pistel

Once they left the eighties behind, Duran Duran‘s grip on commercial success loosened dramatically. 1990’s glossy Liberty was a poor start to the new decade, with second single Serious failing to penetrate the UK top 40 (a career first). This wake up call prompted a back-to-basics approach with the band decamping to a home studio in Battersea, London (know as ‘Privacy’) with producer John Jones. The triumphant transatlantic top 10 single Ordinary World and the similarly successful ‘The Wedding Album‘ was the result of their efforts. The band then lost momentum and credibility by messing around with the Thank You covers project, which eventually saw a 1995 release. John Taylor left, and by 1997 EMI in the UK refused to release Medazzaland their ninth studio album and later parted company with the band.
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Jethro Tull / Thick As A Brick / 40th Anniversary reissue

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Jethro Tull / Thick As A Brick 40th Anniversary reissue
Click to enlarge

EMI has announced the release of a 40th anniversary edition of Thick As A Brick, the hugely successful 1972 album by Jethro Tull.

The two-disc (CD+DVD)  reissue will feature a new 2012 stereo mix, (mixed by Steven Wilson), plus a DVD containing DTS & Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mixes and a high resolution stereo (96/24) version of the new mix, alongside a hi-res flat transfer of the original 1972 mix. The only bonus track is a 1972 radio ad. A hi-res surround mix is notable by its absence.

This set comes with a small (7 ½”x 5 ½”) 104 page hardback book, which includes the original newspaper over 40 pages, an article about the album and rare photos.

A two-LP set will also be available combining the original Thick As A Brick 2012 mix, and Ian Anderson’s recent Thick As A Brick 2, both as 180gm audiophile pressings and available for the first time in vinyl . The package also has a 72-page 12 x 12″ book all held in a hard card slipcase.

Both formats due out on 5 November 2012.

Pre-Order links

Thick As A Brick / Thick As A Brick 2 double vinylThick As A Brick and Thick As A Brick 2 Double vinyl set
UK Pre-order: Double vinyl set
GERMANY Pre-order: Double vinyl set

Thick As A Brick 40th Anniversary 2-disc set
UK Pre-order: CD/DVD set
USA Pre-order: CD/DVD set
GERMANY Pre-order: CD/DVD set

CD:

1. Thick As A Brick (Part 1) (2012 Remix)
2. Thick As A Brick (Part 2) (2012 Remix)

DVD:

1. Thick As A Brick (Part 1) (5.1 Mix DTS & Dolby Digital)
2. Thick As A Brick (Part 2) (5.1 Mix DTS & Dolby Digital)
3. Thick As A Brick (Part 1) (2012 Remix)
4. Thick As A Brick (Part 2) (2012 Remix)
5. Thick As A Brick (Part 1)
6. Thick As A Brick (Part 2)
7. Radio Ad (2012 – Remaster)

Massive Attack / Blue Lines reissue

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Massive Attack / Blue Lines reissue - vinyl, hi-def and more
Picture of the deluxe box, with 2xLP, CD+DVD and poster

Massive Attack‘s 1991 debut Blue Lines will be reissued on 19 November 2012. The group have announced via their Facebook page that the album has been “rebuilt from the original tapes, remixed and remastered”.

This  2012 remix and remaster will be available on a single CD format, standard and high resolution digital downloads, and as a Deluxe Box which will contain the CD, DVD with 96K/24 bit high resolution audio files, the album split over two 180g vinyl LPs and the original 24” x 18” Blue Lines promo poster. Both formats will be packaged in 5” and 12” card mailers, respectively, with the album’s artwork screen-printed per the original release.

Tracklisting:

CD/DVD:

  • Safe From Harm
  • One Love
  • Blue Lines
  • Be Thankful For What You’ve Got
  • Five Man Army
  • Unfinished Sympathy
  • Daydreaming
  • Lately
  • Hymn Of The Big Wheel

2LP:

  • A1. Safe From Harm
  • A2. One Love
  • A3. Blue Lines
  • B1. Be Thankful For What You’ve Got
  • B2. Five Man Army
  • C1. Unfinished Sympathy
  • C2. Daydreaming
  • D1. Lately
  • D2. Hymn Of The Big Wheel

Swing Out Sister interview

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Swing Out Sister / Interview around It's Better To Travel reissue

 

Swing Out Sister‘s classic 1987 debut, It’s Better To Travel, was reissued this summer as a deluxe 2CD package. I spoke to the band – Andy Connell and Corinne Drewery – in late June about the reissue, and some of that interview was published as an in-their-own words track-by-track guide to the album in July.

Here, for your pleasure, is more of that interview, where the couple talk at some length about their musical beginnings, how the debut album came about and the pop stardom that followed.

SuperDeluxeEdition: How did the reissue of It’s Better To Travel happen?

Andy: Universal approached us which was nice. If we seemed cautious about these things it’s usually because in the past they’d just tell us that they are putting something out. They are not obliged to consult, they just have to notify. Not particularly Universal over here, but the compilations they’ve put out [in the past] are not what we would have chosen to do. And I think that’s true of a lot of artists who don’t have control over their back catalogue.
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Keane / “Upstairs At United” / Special four-track 12inch vinyl release

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Keane / Upstairs At United, Vol 5 / 12" vinyl
Click to enlarge

Keane will be releasing a special 12-inch vinyl record next week that was recorded straight to analogue at the historic United Record Pressing plant in Nashville, Tennessee.

This release will be Volume five in the series entitled ‘Upstairs At United‘. The band recorded four tracks (It’s Not True , Sea Fog, Silenced By The Night, Fly To Me) in stripped back fashion in a single take direct to ¼ inch tape then cut at 45 RPM.

The vinyl will be presented in a Kraft-style packaging and includes session specific inserts with colour photos from the recording session, and comes in archival quality re-sealable poly bags.

Upstairs at United, Vol. 5 is out on 18 September and can be bought via keanemusic.com.

Upstairs At United, Vol 5

Side A:
1) It’s Not True
2) Sea Fog

Side B:
1) Silenced By The Night
2) Fly To Me