The other day we’d mentioned that The Kinks’ first three U.K. albums were being expanded across the pond. Amazon’s U.K. pages had track listings for the double-disc sets, but there wasn’t much in the way of annotations. If a song popped up twice, was it an alternate mix? A live version? A demo? We didn’t know, so we didn’t say much.

Now, U.K. site Spin CDs has put up track listings for Kinks, Kinda Kinks and The Kink Kontroversy, and while there’s still a small bit of speculation to be had, the track lists seem clear enough that The Second Disc feels comfortable enough to report on it.

In traditional Universal form, the deluxe editions look pretty hefty, if not bursting with unheard gems. Generally, each album is presented with one disc of the original LP and another of non-LP singles and B-sides, demos, outtakes and live BBC sessions. (Kinks is presented differently, having both a mono and stereo mix available.) Many of the bonus cuts have been presented elsewhere, from the Castle reissues that were released in England in the late 1990s to 2008′s massive Picture Book box set. A couple of alternate versions and a few of the BBC tracks are presented for the first time anywhere on these sets, as you’ll see below.

Ordering info and the full track lists are after the jump. Of course, if you see anything that should be changed, let us know in the comments.

The Kinks, Kinks: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary/Universal (U.K.), 2011)

Disc 1: Mono LP, singles and extra tracks

1. Beautiful Delilah
2. So Mystifying
3. Just Can’t Go to Sleep
4. Long Tall Shorty
5. I Took My Baby Home
6. I’m a Lover Not a Fighter
7. You Really Got Me
8. Cadillac
9. Bald Headed Woman
10. Revenge
11. Too Much Monkey Business
12. I’ve Been Driving on Bald Mountain
13. Stop Your Sobbing
14. Got Love If You Want It
15. I Believed You (Demo)
16. I’m a Hog for You Baby (Demo)
17. I Don’t Need You Any More
18. Ev’rybody’s Gonna Be Happy (Alternate)
19. Long Tall Sally
20. You Still Want Me
21. You Do Something to Me
22. It’s All Right
23. All Day and All of the Night
24. I Gotta Move
25. Louie Louie
26. I’ve Got That Feeling
27. I Gotta Go Now
28. Things Are Getting Better

Disc 1, Tracks 1-14 from Pye LP NPL 18096 (U.K.), 1964
Disc 1, Tracks 15-16 from Picture Book (Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (U.K.), 2008
Disc 1, Track 17 was a bonus track on Essential/Castle Communications reissue (ESM CD 482), 1998
Disc 1, Track 18 previously unreleased
Disc 1, Track 19 was a single A-side – Pye 7N 15611 (U.K.), 1964
Disc 1, Tracks 20-21 released as Pye single 7N 15636 (U.K.), 1964
Disc 1, Track 22 was the B-side to “You Really Got Me” – Pye 7N 15673 (U.K.), 1964
Disc 1, Tracks 23-24 from Pye single 7N 15714 (U.K.), 1964
Disc 1, Tracks 25-28 from Kinksize Session EP – Pye NEP 24200 (U.K.), 1964

Disc 2: Stereo LP, BBC sessions and extra tracks

1. Beautiful Delilah
2. So Mystifying
3. Just Can’t Go to Sleep
4. Long Tall Shorty
5. I Took My Baby Home
6. I’m a Lover Not a Fighter
7. You Really Got Me
8. Cadillac
9. Bald Headed Woman
10. Revenge
11. Too Much Monkey Business
12. I’ve Been Driving on Bald Mountain
13. Stop Your Sobbing
14. Got Love If You Want It
15. Don’t Ever Let Go
16. I Don’t Need You Anymore (Mono)
17. Bald Headed Woman (U.S. Mono Mix)
18. Too Much Monkey Business (Alternate Take)
19. Got Love If You Want It (Alternate Take)
20. Meet The Kinks (BBC Session)
21. Cadillac (BBC Session)
22. Ray Talks About “You Really Got Me” (BBC Session)
23. You Really Got Me (BBC Session)
24. Little Queenie (BBC Session)
25. I’m a Lover Not a Fighter (BBC Session)
26. All Day and All of the Night (BBC Session)
27. Ray Talks About the USA (BBC Session)
28. I’ve Got That Feeling (BBC Session)

Disc 2, Tracks 1-14 released as Pye LP NSPL 83021 (U.K.), 1964
Disc 2, Tracks 15-16 from Picture Book (Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (U.K.), 2008
Disc 2, Track 17 from You Really Got Me - Reprise R 6143 (U.S.), 1964
Disc 2, Track 18 was a bonus track on Essential/Castle Communications reissue (ESM CD 482), 1998
Disc 2, Tracks 19, 24-25 and 28 previously unreleased
Disc 2, Tracks 20-23 and 26-27 from BBC Sessions 1964-1977 – Sanctuary SANDD010 (U.K.), 2001

The Kinks, Kinda Kinks: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary/Universal (U.K.), 2011)

Disc 1: Original LP (released as Pye NPL 18112 (U.K.), 1965)

1. Look for Me Baby
2. Got My Feet on the Ground
3. Nothin’ in the World Can Stop Me Worryin’ ‘Bout That Girl
4. Naggin’ Woman
5. I Wonder Where My Baby is Tonight
6. Tired of Waiting for You
7. Dancing in the Street
8. Don’t Ever Change
9. Come On Now
10. So Long
11. You Shouldn’t Be Sad
12. Something Better Beginning

Disc 2: Singles, demos and BBC sessions

1. Ev’rybody’s Gonna Be Happy
2. Who’ll Be the Next in Line
3. Set Me Free
4. I Need You
5. See My Friends
6. Never Met a Girl Like You Before
7. A Well Respected Man
8. Such a Shame
9. Wait Till the Summer Comes Along
10. Don’t You Fret
11. I Go to Sleep (Demo)
12. When I See That Girl of Mine (Demo)
13. Tell Me Now So I’ll Know (Demo)
14. A Little Bit of Sunlight (Demo)
15. There’s a New World Just Opening for Me (Demo)
16. This I Know (Demo)
17. See My Friends (Alternate)
18. Come On Now (Alternate Vocal)
19. You Shouldn’t Be Sad (BBC Session)
20. Tired of Waiting for You (BBC Session)
21. Ev’rybody’s Gonna Be Happy (BBC Session)
22. This Strange Effect (BBC Session)
23. Hide and Seek (BBC Session)

Disc 2, Tracks 1-2 released as Pye single 7N 15813 (U.K.), 1965
Disc 2, Tracks 3-4 released as Pye single 7N 15854 (U.K.), 1965
Disc 2, Tracks 5-6 released as Pye single 7N 15919 (U.K.), 1965
Disc 2, Tracks 7-10 from Kwyet Kinks EP – Pye NEP 24221 (U.K.), 1965
Disc 2, Track 11 was a bonus track on Essential/Castle Communications reissue (ESM CD 483), 1998
Disc 2, Track 12 was a bonus track on Essential/Castle Communications reissue of The Kink Kontroversy (ESM CD 507), 1998
Disc 2, Track 13, 17-19 and 23 previously unreleased
Disc 2, Tracks 14-16 from Picture Book (Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (U.K.), 2008
Disc 2, Tracks 20-22 from BBC Sessions 1964-1977 – Sanctuary SANDD010 (U.K.), 2001

The Kinks, The Kink Kontroversy: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary/Universal (U.K.), 2011)

Disc 1: Original LP (released as Pye NPL 18131 (U.K.), 1965)

1. Milk Cow Blues
2. Ring the Bells
3. Gotta Get the First Plane Home
4. When I See That Girl of Mine
5. I Am Free
6. Till the End of the Day
7. The World Keeps Going Round
8. I’m on an Island
9. Where Have All the Good Times Gone
10. It’s Too Late
11. What’s in Store for Me
12. You Can’t Win

Disc 2: Demos, outtakes and BBC sessions

1. Dedicated Follower of Fashion
2. Sittin’ on My Sofa
3. I’m Not Like Everybody Else
4. Mr. Reporter (Outtake)
5. Dedicated Follower of Fashion (Alternate Stereo Take)
6. Time Will Tell (Outtake)
7. And I Will Love You
8. I’m Not Like Everybody Else (Alternate Vocal)
9. All Night Stand (Demo)
10. Milk Cow Blues (BBC Session)
11. Ray Talks About Songwriting (BBC Session)
12. Never Met a Girl Like You Before (BBC Session)
13. Wonder Where My Baby is Tonight (BBC Session)
14. Pete Talks About Records (BBC Session)
15. Till the End of the Day (BBC Session)
16. A Well Respected Man (BBC Session)

Disc 2, Tracks 1-2 released as Pye single 7N 17064 (U.K.), 1966
Disc 2, Track 3 was the B-side to “Sunny Afternoon” – Pye 7N 17125 (U.K.), 1966
Disc 2, Tracks 4, 6-7 and 9 from Picture Book (Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (U.K.), 2008
Disc 2, Track 5 was a bonus track on Essential/Castle Communications reissue (ESM CD 507), 1998
Disc 2, Tracks 8, 12 and 16 previously unreleased
Disc 2, Tracks 10-11 and 13-15 from BBC Sessions 1964-1977 – Sanctuary SANDD010 (U.K.), 2001

• Those upcoming deluxe reissues of the first three Kinks LPs in the U.K. this April are coming to American record stores too! They’ve been set for April 12, one week after the British release date. (Thanks to MusicTAP for the tip!)
• Buried at the bottom of a press release touting the forthcoming Big Audio Dynamite reunion tour – no doubt spurred on in part by last year’s pretty great deluxe reissue of their first album – there’s a mention that Legacy is working with B.A.D. on more Legacy Editions of their catalogue. No word on what’s being planned specifically, but this was enough to get your catalogue correspondent to listen to “The Globe” a few times this morning.
• Slicing Up Eyeballs’ love-hate affair with remasters of the My Bloody Valentine catalogue continues, as remastered editions of Isn’t Anything and Loveless are delayed yet again. Even I didn’t have it that bad with the Duran Duran catalogue.
• It’s been awfully quiet from Rhino lately, but the label is putting out a soundtrack with some stuff that might be of interest to Deadheads. The Music Never Stopped, an upcoming father-son drama starring J.K. Simmons, will feature tracks by The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Steppenwolf and Crosby, Stills & Nash – and three of those Dead tracks are previously unreleased live cuts. The collection is out now digitally and will arrive in physical form on March 29. Hit the jump to check out the track list.

Various Artists, The Music Never Stopped: Music from the Motion Picture (Rhino, 2011)

1. Till There Was You – Peggy Lee
2. Uncle John’s Band – The Grateful Dead
3. Sugar Magnolia (Live @ Capitol Theater, Port Chester, NY – 2/24/1971) – The Grateful Dead
4. I Threw It All Away – Bob Dylan
5. Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf
6. Mellow Yellow – Donovan
7. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby, Stills & Nash
8. Not Fade Away/Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad (Live @ Manhattan Center, New York City – 4/5/1971) – Grateful Dead
9. Truckin’ (Live @ Deer Creek Music Center, Noblesville, IN – 7/15/1989) – Grateful Dead
10. Touch of Grey (Live @ the Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ, 10/14/1989) – Grateful Dead
11. Ripple – Grateful Dead
12. Summer Song – The Tulips
13. Gabriel’s Theme – Paul Cantelon

Track 1 from Latin ala Lee! (Capitol, 1960)
Track 2 from Workingman’s Dead (Warner Bros., 1970)
Tracks 3 and 9-10 previously unreleased
Track 4 from Nashville Skyline (Columbia, 1969)
Track 5 from The Second (ABC Dunhill, 1968)
Track 6 from Mellow Yellow (Epic, 1967)
Track 7 from Crosby, Stills & Nash (Atlantic, 1969)
Track 8 from Grateful Dead (Warner Bros., 1971)
Track 11 from American Beauty (Warner Bros., 1970)
Tracks 12-13 are score tracks

This year’s deluxe reissues of The Kinks’ first three LPs were among the more surprising and better-received catalogue projects in 2011. And the second wave of deluxe editions is on its way from Universal U.K.!

Expansions of the band’s Face to Face (1966), Something Else by The Kinks (1967) and Arthur (or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969) are due out June 20 with the usual features (mono and stereo mixes, non-LP singles, BBC sessions and other rare and unreleased goodies). Of course, the influential The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968) was given the triple-disc treatment by Sanctuary U.K. in 2004, but one wonders whether any others might be in the planning.

Initial reports mentioned an expansion of Muswell Hillbillies (1971), the band’s first LP for RCA after departing Pye, but did not mention the beloved Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneyground, Part One (1970). However, thanks to the great reporting of Mike Segretto at Psychobabble, we know that reissue producer Andrew Sandoval will likely be producing a reissue of Lola pending approval from Ray Davies.

In the meantime, pre-order links and track lists reside beyond the jump!

The Kinks, Face to Face: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary/UMC (U.K.), 2011)

Disc 1: Mono LP and extras

1. Party Line
2. Rosie Won’t You Please Come Home
3. Dandy
4. Too Much on My Mind
5. Session Man
6. Rainy Day in June
7. A House in the Country
8. Holiday in Waikiki
9. Most Exclusive Residence for Sale
10. Fancy
11. Little Miss Queen of Darkness
12. You’re Looking Fine
13. Sunny Afternoon
14. I’ll Remember
15. Dead End Street
16. Big Black Smoke
17. This is Where I Belong
18. She’s Got Everything
19. Little Miss Queen of Darkness (Alternate Take)
20. Dead End Street (Alternate Take)

Disc 2: Stereo LP and extras

1. Party Line
2. Rosie Won’t You Please Come Home
3. Dandy
4. Too Much on My Mind
5. Session Man
6. Rainy Day in June
7. A House in the Country
8. Holiday in Waikiki
9. Most Exclusive Residence for Sale
10. Fancy
11. Little Miss Queen of Darkness
12. You’re Looking Fine
13. Sunny Afternoon
14. I’ll Remember
15. This is Where I Belong
16. Big Black Smoke
17. She’s Got Everything

Disc 1, Tracks 1-14 from Pye LP NPL 18149 (U.K.), 1966
Disc 1, Tracks 15-16 from Pye single 7N-17222 (U.K.), 1966
Disc 1, Track 17 from Pye single 7N-17314 (U.K.), 1967
Disc 1, Track 18 from Pye single 7N-17573 (U.K.), 1968
Disc 1, Track 20 from Picture Book box set – Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (U.K.), 2008
Disc 2, Tracks 1-14 from Pye LP NSPL 18149 (U.K.), 1966
Disc 2, Tracks 16 and 19 from Sunny Afternoon - Marble Arch MALS 716 (U.K.), 1967
Disc 2, Tracks 15 and 17 from The Kink Kronikles - Reprise 2XS-6454 (U.S.), 1972
All other tracks possibly previously unreleased

The Kinks, Something Else by The Kinks: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary/UMC (U.K.), 2011)

Disc 1: Stereo LP and extras

1. David Watts
2. Death of a Clown
3. Two Sisters
4. No Return
5. Harry Rag
6. Tin Soldier Man
7. Situation Vacant
8. Love Me Till the Sun Shines
9. Lazy Old Sun
10. Afternoon Tea
11. Funny Face
12. End of the Season
13. Waterloo Sunset
14. Susannah’s Still Alive
15. Autumn Almanac
16. Sand on My Shoes
17. Afternoon Tea (Alternate Version)
18. Mr. Pleasant (Alternate Version)
19. Lazy Old Sun (Alternate Vocal Version)
20. Funny Face (Alternate Stereo Version)
21. Afternoon Tea (German Stereo Mix)
22. Tin Soldier Man (Alternate Backing Track)

Disc 2: Mono LP and extras

1. David Watts
2. Death of a Clown
3. Two Sisters
4. No Return
5. Harry Rag
6. Tin Soldier Man
7. Situation Vacant
8. Love Me Till the Sun Shines
9. Lazy Old Sun
10. Afternoon Tea
11. Funny Face
12. End of the Season
13. Waterloo Sunset
14. Act Nice and Gentle
15. Mr. Pleasant
16. Susannah’s Still Alive
17. Autumn Almanac
18. Harry Rag (Alternate)
19. David Watts (Alternate)
20. Afternoon Tea (Canadian Mono Mix)
21. Sunny Afternoon (BBC Session)
22. Autumn Almanac (BBC Session)
23. Mr Pleasant (BBC Session)
24. Susannah’s Still Alive (BBC Session)
25. David Watts (BBC Session)
26. Love Me Till the Sun Shines (BBC Session)
27. Death of a Clown (BBC Session)
28. Good Luck Charm (BBC Session)
29. Harry Rag (BBC Session)
30. Little Woman (Backing Track)

Disc 1, Tracks 1-13 released as Pye LP NSPL 18193 (U.K.), 1967
Disc 1, Tracks 14-15 from The Kink Kronikles - Reprise 2XS-6454 (U.S.), 1972
Disc 1, Track 19 from U.K. reissue of Something Else - Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 480 (U.K.), 1998
Disc 1, Track 21 from German edition of original LP – Pye/Hitton HTSLP 340044 (DE), 1967
Disc 2, Tracks 1-13 released as Pye LP NPL 18193 (U.K.), 1967
Disc 2, Track 14 from Pye single 7N-17321 (U.K.), 1967
Disc 2, Track 15 from Pye single 7N-17314 (U.K.), 1967
Disc 2, Track 16 from Pye single 7N-17429 (U.K.), 1967
Disc 2, Track 17 from Pye single 7N-17400 (U.K.), 1967
Disc 2, Track 20 from Pye single 828 (CA), 1967
Disc 2, Tracks 26-29 from The BBC Sessions 1964-1977 - Sanctuary SANDD10 (U.K.), 2001
Disc 2, Track 30 from U.K. reissue of Face to Face - Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 479 (U.K.), 1998
All other tracks possibly previously unreleased

The Kinks, Arthur (or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire): Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary/UMC (U.K.), 2011)

Disc 1: Stereo LP and extras

1. Victoria
2. Yes Sir, No Sir
3. Some Mother’s Son
4. Drivin’
5. Brainwashed
6. Australia
7. Shangri-La
8. Mr Churchill Says
9. She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina
10. Young and Innocent Days
11. Nothing to Say
12. Arthur
13. Plastic Man
14. This Man He Weeps Tonight
15. Drivin’ (Alternate Mix)
16. Mindless Child of Motherhood
17. Hold My Hand
18. Lincoln County
19. Mr Shoemaker’s Daughter
20. Mr Reporter
21. Shangri-La (Backing Track)

Disc 1, Tracks 1-12 released as Pye LP NSPL 18317 (U.K.), 1969
Disc 1, Track 13 from Star Parade - SR International 79343 (NE), 1969
Disc 1, Track 14 from The Great Lost Kinks Album - Reprise MS-2127 (U.S.), 1973
Disc 1, Tracks 16 and 19 from U.K. reissue of Face to Face - Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 511 (U.K.), 1998
Disc 1, Track 17 and Disc 2, Track 16 from Pye single 7N-17678 (U.K.), 1969
Disc 1, Track 20 from U.K. reissue of Face to Face - Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 479 (U.K.), 1998
Disc 2, Tracks 1-12 released as Pye LP NPL 18317 (U.K.), 1969
Disc 2, Track 13 from Pye single 7N-17724 (U.K.), 1969
Disc 2, Track 14 from Pye single 7N-17812 (U.K.), 1969
Disc 2, Track 15 from Pye single 7N-17776 (U.K.), 1969
Disc 2, Track 17 from Pye single 7N-17514 (U.K.), 1969
All other tracks possibly previously unreleased

This weekend offered so much news that we couldn’t wait to share it all with you!  From the first-time release of Dave Davies’ “lost” 1969 album to Kritzerland’s restoration of a classic Italian film score and Analogue Productions’ new Pink Floyd SACD, we’ve got something for everyone to kick off the week!

• Why Pink Floyd?  EMI answered that question with the May 10 announcement of a stunning new reissue campaign for the legendary band.  Now, another component of that series is confirmed to be on the way.  The eagerly-awaited 5.1 mix of 1975’s masterpiece Wish You Were Here, the band’s ninth studio album, will arrive on hybrid SACD on November 7.  The releasing label is Analogue Productions, the same company behind the recent Nat “King” Cole SACD remasters produced in association with EMI.  James Guthrie has mixed the original album into 5.1 surround sound and Gus Skinas has produced.  The SACD is arriving on the very same day as the Experience and Immersion editions of the album, the latter of which will also contain Guthrie’s mix on both Blu-Ray (96 kHz/24-bit resolution) and DVD (in both 448 kpbs normal resolution and 640 kpbs high resolution).  In addition, the Immersion edition will offer the album’s original quadraphonic mix on DVD.  For those fans of Wish You Were Here not willing or able to shell out for the Immersion edition, this single-disc, stand-alone SACD route seems a terrific way to make Guthrie’s 5.1 mix more widely available.  As this is a hybrid SACD, it is playable on all CD players, but will (of course) only play in stereo for those utilizing the CD layer.  Wish You Were Here, the 5.1 Analogue Productions SACD, is currently available for pre-order at Acoustic Sounds here.

• Pietro Germi’s Divorce, Italian Style remains one of the most beloved comedies in the Italian cinema canon, and its success wasn’t unrecognized in America.  The 1961 film won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, and was nominated for both Germi’s work as a director and Marcello Mastroianni’s turn as Actor in a Leading Role.  The film starred Mastroianni as a Sicilian nobleman who desires to marry his cousin (!) but there’s one small problem with the plan: he’s married.  With divorce then illegal in Italy, he tries to set his wife up to have an affair, so he can catch her, murder her, and receive a legal “slap on the wrist” for an honor killing.  (Yes, it’s a comedy!)  The prolific composer Carlo Rustichelli (1916-2004) supplied the original score, which is receiving its debut on CD today from Kritzerland.  Though based on the 1962 United Artists album presentation, the Kritzerland edition features additional, never-before-released music.  Producer Bruce Kimmel told Film Score Monthly’s discussion board that “we had the album master and we also had another reel that had stuff – most of what was on that reel was from the album master, but there were some additional cues, a couple of alternates and we squeezed about ten additional minutes. I love the score and I love the film. I think people just forget how popular it was – it’s a little shocking it’s never been on CD before.”  Divorce, Italian Style follows the label’s reissue of Dave Grusin’s score to the 1967 film Divorce, American Style, whose title was inspired by the Germi film.  (We’ll have a review of that soundtrack up later this week!)  It’s available as a limited edition of 1,000 units only, and can be ordered directly from Kritzerland here.

Hit the jump for the full scoop on Universal’s upcoming Lost Album for Dave Davies of the Kinks!

• Universal U.K. has been the recipient of a great deal of acclaim for its ongoing series of 2-CD expanded Kinks remasters, with each title making available mono and stereo mixes (where applicable) as well as rare and previously unreleased vault material.  Now, a most unexpected addition to the Kinks catalogue appears to finally be happening.  Amazon.com and SpinCDs.com are showing a U.K. release date of September 26 (October 4 in the U.S.) for a new compilation which is set to include Dave Davies’ “lost” 1969 album.  According to the brief initial statement, The Lost Album, or The Album That Time Forgot, “combines all his great work for the band as well as his highly underrated solo material.”  It continues, “A one-disc set with artwork by award winning designer Phil Smee and notes by Kinks fan club’s Russell Smith contains a complete selection of well known Davies compositions as well as rare mono and alternative takes from Dave’s career with the band and on his own.”  (The album has also been known to fans as A Hole in the Sock of Dave Davies and The Album That Never Was.)  Though a few tracks have trickled out over the years, including a few on the 1973 Reprise compilation The Great Lost Kinks Album (“Groovy Movies,” “There Is No Life Without Love,” “This Man He Weeps Tonight”), this will mark the first release of the 13-track album in its original (albeit expanded) form.  It appears that the original single versions of “Death of a Clown,” “Susannah’s Still Alive” and “Lincoln County” will also be included.  We promise a full run-down of the album’s contents in the near future; in the meantime, you can pre-order and peruse the full track listing here.

It’s been a banner year for the Kinks.  Under the supervision of reissue producer (and Monkees guru!) Andrew Sandoval, Sanctuary and Universal U.K. have rolled out an impressive series of Deluxe Editions bringing together mono and stereo album versions, single and EP tracks and related ephemera from the Kinks’ Pye Records heyday.  Now, that campaign has gotten a bit bigger in scope, with the announcement of The Kinks in Mono.  This new box set, due in the U.K. on November 29,  follows in the footsteps of similar packages for The Beatles and Bob Dylan, and includes the band’s first seven LPs in seven individual digipaks.   But that’s not all.  An eighth disc compiles the Kinks’ original mono EPs and the ninth and tenth discs are devoted to “Mono Kollectables” rounding up the remaining mono material including unique international single versions.

The Kinks in Mono, appropriately enough, kicks off with 1964’s self-titled Kinks.  “You Really Got Me” heralded the electric birth of these British Invasion rockers, while “Stop Your Sobbing” was just one other instant classic on the set.  Like many albums of the time, Kinks combined familiar R&B covers by the likes of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley with the band’s original material, primarily the work of one Raymond Douglas Davies.  That original voice became even more distinct with the albums that followed.  The box set continues with further excursions through R&B, pop, rock and finally Davies’ innovative concept albums: Kinda Kinks and The Kink Kontroversy (both 1965), Face To Face (1966), Something Else (1967), The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968), and Arthur, or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire (1969).

What’s new to this set?  Hit the jump!

As each of the albums has already been expanded by Sanctuary in 2-CD editions (3 CDs for Village Green) including the original mono mixes and numerous bonus tracks, the main attraction may be the discs of bonus material.   The two discs of “Mono Kollectables” promise international single mixes from outside of the United Kingdom, including tracks from 1970′s Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One, otherwise not represented in the box.  Purists may be pleased, too, at having the individual 1964-1969 mono albums in their original configurations.   Each of the ten CDs is housed in a digipak, encased in a rigid “Dansette” box to hold the digipaks and the 32-page accompanying book.  The book has been designed in the style of a traditional British pop “annual.”   All tracks have, of course, been remastered for the recent campaign, and those masterings have been used here.  Producer Sandoval has confirmed, however, that Village Green (definitively remastered and expanded some years ago) will feature a new mono remastering created expressly for this box set.

For certain, this is going to be a kinksized fall.  The Kinks in Mono joins Dave Davies’  Hidden Treasures, a.k.a. The Lost Album, which is due on October 31 in the United Kingdom, one month earlier than the box set.  Containing more true rarities, it can be considered an appetizer for the box and the evenutal next round of deluxe reissues!

Are you sold on this mono set for your enjoyment all through the day and all of the night?  U.S. and U.K. pre-order links follow, as well as the full track listing!  You’ll be able to own The Kinks in Mono on November 29!

The Kinks, The Kinks in Mono (Sanctuary/Universal, 2011 – U.S./U.K.)

CD 1: Kinks (Pye NPL-18096, 1964)

1. Beautiful Delilah
2. So Mystifying
3. Just Can’t Go To Sleep
4. Long Tall Shorty
5. I Took My Baby Home
6. I’m A Lover Not A Fighter
7. You Really Got Me
8. Cadillac
9. Bald Headed Woman
10. Revenge
11. Too Much Monkey Business
12. I’ve Been Driving On Bald Mountain
13. Stop Your Sobbing
14. Got Love If You Want It

CD 2: Kinda Kinks (Pye NPL-18112, 1965)

1. Look For Me Baby
2. Got My Feet On The Ground
3. Nothin’ In The World Can Stop Me Worryin’ ‘Bout That Girl
4. Naggin’ Woman
5. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
6. Tired Of Waiting For You
7. Dancing In The Street
8. Don’t Ever Change
9. Come On Now
10. So Long
11. You Shouldn’t Be Sad
12. Something Better Beginning

CD 3: The Kink Kontroversy (Pye NPL-18131, 1965)

1. Milk Cow Blues
2. Ring The Bells
3. Gotta Get The First Plane Home
4. When I See That Girl Of Mine
5. I Am Free
6. Till The End Of The Day
7. The World Keeps Going Round
8. I’m On An Island
9. Where Have All The Good Times Gone
10. It’s Too Late
11. What’s In Store For Me
12. You Can’t Win

CD 4: Face to Face (Pye NPL-18149, 1966)

1. Party Line
2. Rosie Won’t You Please Come Home
3. Dandy
4. Too Much On My Mind
5. Session Man
6. Rainy Day In June
7. A House In The Country
8. Holiday In Waikiki
9. Most Exclusive Residence For Sale
10. Fancy
11. Little Miss Queen Of Darkness
12. You’re Looking Fine
13. Sunny Afternoon
14. I’ll Remember

CD 5: Something Else by the Kinks (Pye NPL-18193, 1967)

1. David Watts
2. Death Of A Clown
3. Two Sisters
4. No Return
5. Harry Rag
6. Tin Soldier Man
7. Situation Vacant
8. Love Me Till The Sun Shines
9. Lazy Old Sun
10. Afternoon Tea
11. Funny Face
12. End Of The Season
13. Waterloo Sunset

Disc 6: The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society (Pye NPL-18233, 1968)

1. The Village Green Preservation Society
2. Do You Remember Walter Mono
3. Picture Book
4. Johnny Thunder
5. Last Of The Steam Powered Trains
6. Big Sky
7. Sitting By The Riverside
8. Animal Farm
9. Village Green
10. Starstruck
11. Phenomenal Cat
12. All Of My Friends Were There
13. Wicked Annabella
14. Monica
15. People Take Pictures Of Each Other

CD 7: Arthur, or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire (Pye NPL-18317, 1969)

1. Victoria
2. Yes Sir, No Sir
3. Some Mother’s Son
4. Drivin’
5. Brainwashed
6. Australia
7. Shangri-La
8. Mr. Churchill Says
9. She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina
10. Young And Innocent Days
11. Nothing To Say
12. Arthur

CD 8: The EPs (Kinksize Session – Pye NEP 24200, 1964, Kinksize Hits- Pye NEP 24203, 1964, Kwyet Kinks – Pye NEP 24221, 1965, Dedicated Kinks – Pye NEP 24258, 1966)

1. Louie Louie
2. I Gotta Go Now
3. Things Are Getting Better
4. I’ve Got That Feeling
5. You Really Got Me
6. It’s Alright
7. All Day And All Of The Night
8. I Gotta Move
9. Wait Till The Summer Comes Along
10. Such A Shame
11. A Well Respected Man
12. Don’t You Fret
13. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
14. Till The End Of The Day
15. See My Friends
16. Set Me Free

CD 9: Mono Kollectables, Disc One

1. Long Tall Sally
2. You Still Want Me
3. You Do Something To Me
4. Beautiful Delilah (Alternate Mono Mix)
5. I’m A Lover Not A Fighter (Alternate Mono Mix)
6. Bald Headed Woman (US Mono Mix)
7. Ev’rybody’s Gonna Be Happy
8. Who’ll Be The Next In Line
9. I Need You
10. Never Met A Girl Like You Before
11. Sittin’ On My Sofa
12. I’m Not Like Everybody Else
13. Dead End Street
14. Big Black Smoke
15. Act Nice And Gentle
16. Autumn Almanac

CD 10: Mono Kollectables, Disc Two

1. Afternoon Tea (Canadian Mono Mix)
2. Susannah’s Still Alive
3. Wonderboy
4. Polly
5. Lincoln County
6. There’s No Life Without Love
7. Days
8. She’s Got Everything
9. Hold My Hand
10. Creeping Jean
11. Plastic Man
12. King Kong
13. Mindless Child Of Motherhood
14. This Man He Weeps Tonight
15. Australia (Australian Single Version)
16. Lola
17. Berkeley Mews
18. Apeman
19. Rats
20. Apeman (European Single Version)

The origin of each “Kollectable” track hasn’t been released yet.  We have included currently available information above.

Another Monday release date, ostensibly to get the jump on an abbreviated week with the Thanksgiving/Black Friday holiday! And it’s another big week, to be sure.

The Rolling Stones, Some Girls: Deluxe Edition (Rolling Stones/UMe)

Whether you think it’s the last truly great Stones album or not, it’s hard to deny that this is the biggest of the deluxe releases this week. (That super-deluxe edition, with a bonus DVD and vinyl, doesn’t disprove the notion, either.)

Bob Seger, Ultimate Hits: Rock and Roll Never Forgets (Capitol)

Seger’s Greatest Hits (1994) was the biggest selling catalogue album of the last decade. So it stands to reason that this two-disc set, boasting more than a few rare and unreleased classics, would do just as well, right?

Michael Jackson, Immortal (Epic)

Not only Michael’s greatest hits, but his best material, remixed and reimagined for the new Cirque du Soleil show. Shameless plug: a full review from me will be up, courtesy of our friends at Popblerd, later today. But I can tell you this – if you love Michael, and remember how much fun it was to lose yourself in Michael’s music, this one’s for you.

Rush, Sectors 1-3 (Mercury/UMe)

Three box sets of Rush’s entire discography for Mercury, from 1976 to 1987. Fifteen albums, five per box, with one of the albums in each box also included as a surround-sound DVD. (That part’s still kind of confusing to me, too.)

The Kinks, The Kinks in Mono (Sanctuary U.K.)

Ten discs of mono Kinks, includes their first seven albums and three discs of EP and single material. And I didn’t make a single Kinks “K” joke in there at all!

Lady Gaga, Born This Way: The Collection (Streamline/Kon Live/Interscope)

My pick for the best mainstream pop album of the year (although it’s quite further down the list of overall albums) is expanded with a new remix album and live DVD (also available separately, because Gaga is good to her little monsters like that).

The Grateful Dead, Dick’s Picks Vol. 34-36 (Real Gone)

More reissued gems from our new friends at Real Gone: the last three volumes of Dick’s Picks, originally released in 2005.

Warren Zevon, Bad Luck in Dancing School (Friday Music)

Long out of print, Zevon’s 1980 album is remastered and reissued on compact disc.

Styx, Pieces of Eight (Vinyl) (Friday Music)

All you renegades and blue collar men will love this vinyl reissue of the 1978 classic.

Ed Ames, Christmas with Ed Ames/Christmas is the Warmest Time of Year / David Rose, The David Rose Christmas Album (Real Gone)

Three adult contemporary classic holiday albums presented on two CDs.

Another Kinks-size box is on the way.

Following the recent, well-received series of deluxe album reissues and the limited-edition Kinks in Mono box set, Universal U.K. and Sanctuary Records have announced the latest project celebrating the quintessentially English rockers.  Due on August 13, the 5-CD/1-DVD box set The Kinks at the BBC isn’t the first survey of the band’s BBC live recordings, but it’s by far the most comprehensive.  It has been compiled from all of the existing recordings made by The Kinks still residing in the British Broadcasting Corporation’s archives, and includes “a raft of sessions and live recordings from throughout the band’s career including the rare concert and unheard session recordings,” according to the label.  In addition to the five CDs’ worth of audio tracks, a DVD will present live appearances from programs including Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test.  And no fear!  If this is too much Kinks for you, a 2-CD “Best Of” distillation will also be offered.

Sanctuary first packaged the Kinks’ BBC recordings in 2001 as BBC Sessions 1964-1977 (06076 84504-2).  This 35-track compilation, remastered by Andy Pearce and Ray Davies himself, included many of the band’s most iconic songs like “You Really Got Me,” “All Day and All of the Night” and “Waterloo Sunset.”  As the group’s early recordings were supplemented with seasoned session players, the live recordings often had a raw dimension that the more polished studio cuts lacked.  The Kinks’ association with the BBC was a long one, and especially in the early days, covers were played alongside originals.  As “You Really Got Me” was climbing to number one, the band recorded its first BBC session on September 7th, 1964 at London’s Playhouse Theatre.  The Kinks’ last BBC performance to date took place just over thirty years later, on October 8, 1994.  A total of 24 visits were made by the band to the media giant’s studios.

Hit the jump for details!

All of the band’s many faces were captured by the BBC.  The December 13, 1965 broadcast was the first to feature entirely self-penned songs, and although it was the eighth BBC session in roughly one year, it was also the group’s last for over year-and-a-half.  When the Kinks returned to the BBC in the summer of 1967, gutsy R&B and blues would take a backseat to the increasingly original songs being written by Ray Davies.  As “pop” was ceding to “rock” and artists exerting more control, artists became more reluctant to re-record hits for the radio.  The practice had begun due to what was called “needle time”:  due to an agreement between the BBC and the various unions, the playing of commercial recordings was extremely limited in order to ensure work for the BBC’s in-house engineers and musicians.  “Needle time,” too, was becoming a thing of the past.  When the Kinks entered the Beeb’s studios the same week The Village Green Preservation Society was released in November 1968, only the album’s title song was played live, with other selections from the actual album played in remixed or overdubbed form.  (The irony of the “needle time” practice is that it led to many remarkable performances from artists like The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, all of whom have had BBC compilations released.)

BBC sessions became less frequent for the band in the 1970s.  A couple of sessions were recorded for legendary DJ John Peel, and as the BBC turned its attention to airing full “in concert” specials, the Kinks were naturally invited to participate.  The first such special arrived in July 1974, and a second one came three years later.  The Old Grey Whistle Test/Sight ‘n’ Sound 1977 Christmas Eve special was broadcast on Radio 1 and BBC 2 television.  Despite its success, The Kinks wouldn’t return to the BBC for a whopping seventeen years!

Still, this fertile and active period of recording from Ray Davies, Dave Davies, Mick Avory, Pete Quaife and their compatriots should provide quite the treasure trove for this exhaustive box set.  The Kinks at the BBC is due in the U.K. on August 13.  Seeing how quickly The Kinks in Mono box set sold out last year, you might want to pre-order now!  The fine folks at AltSounds (via KindaKinks.net!) and The Steve Hoffman Music Forums were among the first to reveal the track listing, which we have for you, just below!

The Kinks, The Kinks at the BBC (Sanctuary/Universal U.K., 2012)

CD 1

1. Interview: Meet The Kinks – Saturday Club -The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
2. Cadillac – Saturday Club – The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
3. Interview: Ray Talks About ‘You Really Got Me’ – Saturday Club, The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
4. You Really Got Me – Saturday Club – The Playhouse Theatre, September 1964
5. Little Queenie – Saturday Club – The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
6. I’m A Lover Not A Fighter – Top Gear – The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
7. Interview: The Shaggy Set – Top Gear – The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
8. You Really Got Me – Top Gear – The Playhouse Theatre, October 1964
9. All Day And All Of The Night – Top Gear – The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
10. I’m A Lover, Not A Fighter – Saturday Club – Piccadilly Studios, 1964
11. Interview: Ray Talks About The USA – Saturday Club – Piccadilly Studios, 1964
12. I’ve Got That Feeling – Saturday Club – Piccadilly Studios, 1964
13. All Day And All Of The Night – Saturday Club – Piccadilly Studios, 1964
14. You Shouldn’t Be Sad – Saturday Club – Maida Vale Studios, 1965
15. Interview: Ray Talks About Records – Saturday Club – Maida Vale Studios, 1965
16. Tired Of Waiting For You – Saturday Club – Maida Vale Studios, 1965
17. Everybody’s Gonna Be Happy – Saturday Club -Maida Vale Studios, 1965
18. This Strange Effect – “You Really Got…” – Aeolian Hall, 1965
19. Interview: Ray Talks About “See My Friends” – “You Really Got…” Aeolian Hall, 1965
20. See My Friends – “You Really Got…” Aeolian Hall, 1965
21. Hide And Seek – “You Really Got…” Aeolian Hall, 1965
22. Milk Cow Blues – Saturday Club – The Playhouse Theatre, 1965
23. Interview: Ray Talks About Songwriting – Saturday Club -The Playhouse Theatre, 1965
24. Never Met A Girl Like You Before – Saturday Club – The Playhouse Theatre,1965
25. Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight – Saturday Club, The Playhouse Theatre,1965
26. Interview: Meet Pete Quaife – Saturday Club, The Playhouse Theatre,1965
27. Till The End Of The Day – Saturday Club, The Playhouse Theatre,1965
28. A Well Respected Man – Saturday Club, The Playhouse Theatre,1965
29. Where Have All The Good Times Gone? – Saturday Club, The Playhouse Theatre,1965
30. Love Me Till The Sunshines – Saturday Club -The Playhouse Theatre, 1967
31. Interview: Meet Dave Davies – Saturday Club -The Playhouse Theatre, 1967
32. Death Of A Clown – Saturday Club -The Playhouse Theatre, 1967
33. Good Luck Charm – Saturday Club -The Playhouse Theatre, 1967
34. Sunny Afternoon – Top Gear – Maida Vale Studios, 1967
35. Autumn Almanac – Top Gear – Maida Vale Studios, 1967
36. Harry Rag – Top Gear – Maida Vale Studios, 1967
37. Mr. Pleasant – Top Gear – Maida Vale Studios, 1967
CD 2

1. Susannah’s Still Alive – Top Gear -Maida Vale Studios, 1967
2. David Watts – Top Gear – Maida Vale Studios, 1967
3. Waterloo Sunset – Top Gear – BBC Piccadilly Studios, 1968
4. Interview: Ray Talks About Working – Top Gear – BBC Piccadilly Studios, 1968
5. Days – Top Gear – BBC Piccadilly Studios, 1968
6. Interview: Ray Talks About Solo Records – Saturday Club – Playhouse Theatre, 1968
7. Love Me Till The Sun Shines – Saturday Club – Playhouse Theatre, 1968
8. Monica – Saturday Club – Playhouse Theatre, 1968
9. Interview: Ray Talks About “Village Green” – Saturday Club – Playhouse Theatre, 1968
10. The Village Green Preservation Society – Saturday Club – Playhouse Theatre, 1968
11. Animal Farm – Saturday Club, Alternative version – Playhouse Theatre, 1968
12. Where Did My Spring Go? – “Where Was Spring?” – The Riverside Studios, 1969
13. When I Turn Off The Living Room Lights – “Where Was Spring?” – The Riverside Studios, 1969
14. Plastic Man – Symonds on Sunday, Alternate Version – Aeolian Hall, 1969
15. King Kong – Symonds on Sunday, Alternate Version – Aeolian Hall, 1969
16. Do You Remember Walter – Symonds on Sunday, Alternate Version – Aeolian Hall, 1969
17. Symonds on Sunday Interview: Ray Talks About Rumours – Aeolian Hall, 1969
18. Victoria – Dave Lee Travis, Alternate Version – Camden Theatre, 1969
19. Mr Churchill Says – Dave Lee Travis, Alternate Version – Camden Theatre, 1969
20. Arthur – Dave Lee Travis, Alternate Version – Camden Theatre, 1969
21. Interview: Ray Talks With Keith Altham – Dave Lee Travis – Aeolian Hall,1970
22. Lola – Dave Lee Travis, Alternate Version – Aeolian Hall,1970
23. Mindless Child Of Motherhood – Dave Lee Travis – Aeolian Hall,1970
24. Days – Dave Lee Travis, Alternate Version – Aeolian Hall,1970
25. Apeman – Dave Lee Travis, Alternate Version – Aeolian Hall,1970
26. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues – John Peel Session – Kensington House, 1972
27. Holiday – John Peel Session – Kensington House, 1972
28. Skin And Bone – John Peel Session – Kensington House, 1972

CD 3

1. Supersonic Rocket Ship – John Peel Session – Kensington House, 1972
2. Here Comes Yet Another Day – Dave Lee Travis – Alternate Version 1973
3. Demolition – John Peel Session – Langham Studios, 1974
4. Mirror Of Love – John Peel Session – Langham Studios, 1974
5. Money Talks – John Peel Session – Langham Studios, 1974
6. DJ Alan Black Introduces In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre
7. Victoria - In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
8. Here Comes Yet Another Day – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
9. Mr. Wonderful – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
10. Money Talks – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
11. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
12. Mirror Of Love – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
13. Celluloid Heroes – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
14. You Really Got Me / All Day And All Of The Night – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
15. DJ Alan Black Talks About “Preservation Act 2″
16. Daylight – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
17. Here Comes Flash – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
18. Demolition – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
19. He’s Evil – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
20. Lola – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
21. Outro - In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974
22. Skin And Bone / Dry Bones – In Concert at The Hippodrome Theatre, 1974

CD 4

1. Alan Freeman Introduces The Kinks Christmas Concert
2. Juke Box Music – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
3. Bob Harris Introduction – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
4. Sleepwalker – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
5. Life On the Road – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
6. A Well Respected Man – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
7. Death Of A Clown – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
8. Sunny Afternoon – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
9. Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
10. All Day And All Of The Night – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
11. Slum Kids – The Kinks Christmas Concert, at the Rainbow Theatre, 1977
12. Celluloid Heroes – The Kinks Christmas Concert, at the Rainbow Theatre, 1977
13. Get Back In The Line – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
14. The Hard Way – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
15. Lola – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
16. Alcohol – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
17. Skin And Bones / Dry Bones – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
18. Father Christmas – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
19. You Really Got Me – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre, 1977
20. Interview: Ray Talks To Johnny Walker – Maida Vale Studios, 1994
21. Phobia – Johnny Walker session – Maida Vale Studios, 1994
22. Interview: Ray Introduces “Over The Edge” – Maida Vale Studios, 1994
23. Over The Edge – Johnny Walker session – Maida Vale Studios, 1994
24. Wall Of Fire – Johnny Walker session – Maida Vale Studios, 1994
25. Till The End Of The Day – Johnny Walker session – Maida Vale Studios, 1994

CD 5

1. All Day and All The Night – Emma Freud session – Maida Vale Studios, 1994
2. Waterloo Sunset – Emma Freud session – Maida Vale Studios, 1994
3. I’m Not Like Everybody Else – Emma Freud session – Maida Vale Studios,1994
4. Till The End of the Day – Emma Freud session – Maida Vale Studios,1994
5. You Really Got Me – Emma Freud session – Maida Vale Studios, 1994
6. Louie Louie – Saturday Club -Live at The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
7. Stop Your Sobbing – Saturday Club – Live at The Playhouse Theatre, 1964
8. Milk Cow Blues – “You Really Got…” -Live at Aeolian Hall, 1965
9. Milk Cow Blues – Saturday Club Live at The Playhouse Theatre, December 1965
10. I Am Free – Saturday Club – Live at The Playhouse Theatre, 1965
11. Susannah’s Still Alive – Saturday Club – Live at The Playhouse Theatre, 1968
12. Days – Saturday Club – Live at The Playhouse Theatre, 1968
13. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion / A Well Respected Man / Death Of A Clown – Late Night Line-Up: Colour Me Pop – Recorded at BBC Television Centre, 1968
14. Sunny Afternoon – Late Night Line-Up: Colour Me Pop – Alternate Version
15. Two Sisters – Late Night Line-Up: Colour Me Pop – Alternate Version
16. Sitting By The Riverside – Late Night Line-Up: Colour Me Pop – Alternate Version
17. Lincoln County – Late Night Line-Up: Colour Me Pop – Alternate Version
18. Picture Book – Late Night Line-Up: Colour Me Pop – Alternate Version
19. Days – Late Night Line-Up: Colour Me Pop – Alternate Version

DVD

1. You Really Got Me – The Beat Room, BBC Television Centre,1964 [Film]
2. Got Love If You Want It – The Beat Room – BBC Television Centre,1964 [Film]
3. Sunny Afternoon – A Whole Scene Going On – BBC Television Centre,1966 [Film]
4. Lola – Alternative Version , Top Of The Pops, 1970 [film]
5. Ape Man – Alternative Version, Top Of The Pops, 1971 [Film]
6. Have A Cuppa Tea – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1972 [Film]
7. Come Dancing – Alternative Version, Top Of The Pops, 1983 [Film]
8. Scattered – Live on The Late Show, 1993 [Concert Film]
9. Over The Edge – Live on Later With Jools Holland, 1993 [Film]
10. Informer – Live on Later With Jools Holland, 1993 [Film]
11. Till The End Of The Day – Later With Jools Holland, BBC TV Centre 1993 [Film]
12. You Really Got Me – Live on Top Of The Pops, 1994 [Film]
13. Till The End Of The Day – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
14. Waterloo Sunset – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
15. Top Of The Pops – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
16. The Money-Go-Round – Alternative Version – Live The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
17. Sunny Afternoon – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
18. Virgin Soldiers – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
19. Mr. Wonderful – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
20. She Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
21. Alcohol – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
22. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
23. You Really Got Me – Live at The Rainbow Theatre, 1972 [Film]
24. Victoria – In Concert, BBC Television Theatre, 1973 [Film]
25. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues – In Concert, BBC Television Theatre, 1973 [Film]
26. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion – In Concert, BBC Television Theatre,1973 [Film]
27. Lola – In Concert, BBC Television Theatre, 1973 [Film]
28. Holiday - In Concert, BBC Television Theatre, 1973 [Film]
29. Good Golly Miss Molly – In Concert, BBC Television Theatre, 1973 [Film]
30. You Really Got Me / All Day And All Of The Night – In Concert, BBC Television Theatre, 1973 [Film]
31. Waterloo Sunset – In Concert, BBC Television Theatre, 1973 [Film]
32. Village Green Preservation Society - In Concert, BBC Television Theatre, 1973 [Film]
33. You Really Got Me / All Day And All Of The Night – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
34. Sleepwalker – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
35. Life Goes On – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
36. Stormy Sky – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
37. Celluloid Heroes – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
38. Muswell Hillbillies – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
39. Full Moon – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
40. Life On The Road – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
41. Juke Box Music – The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1977 [Film]
42. Juke Box Music – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
43. Sleepwalker – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
44. Life On the Road – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
45. A Well Respected Man – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
46. Death Of A Clown – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
47. Sunny Afternoon – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
48. Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
49. All Day And All Of The Night – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
50. Slum Kids – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
51. Celluloid Heroes - The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
52. Get Back In The Line – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
53. The Hard Way – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
54. Lola – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
55. Alcohol – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
56. Skin And Bones / Dry Bones – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
57. Father Christmas – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
58. You Really Got Me – The Kinks Christmas Concert, Rainbow Theatre,1977 [Film]
59. Interview: Dave and Ray Davies – The Alan Price Show, 1968 [Film]

Bob Dylan, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (Mobile Fidelity)

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is issuing newly-remastered stereo hybrid SACDs of classic Bob Dylan albums, and today’s release is the 1963 Freewheelin’, Dylan’s second long-player.  Read more here.

Incubus, HQ Live (Legacy)

Incubus’ Summer 2011 live concert performances are preserved on this deluxe set, available in single-CD + DVD, double-CD + DVD and exclusive Best Buy editions.  Read more here.

Kinks, At the BBC (Universal U.K.)

This komprehensive, kink-size box set offers 5 CDs and 1 DVD of live, klassik Kinks dating between 1964 and 1994.  Read more here!

Gilbert O’Sullivan, Off Centre / Life & Rhymes (Salvo)

The beloved Irish troubadour’s 1980 and 1982 albums are reissued and expanded by Salvo Music as part of the label’s ongoing deluxe series!

Mike Oldfield, Platinum / QE 2 / Two Sides (Universal U.K.)

The Tubular Bells artist is celebrated by Universal U.K. with expanded editions of Platinum and QE2, respectively Oldfield’s last album of the 1970s and first of the 1980s, plus a new double-disc overview, Two Sides: The Very Best of Mike Oldfield.  Read more here.

Original Cast Recording, Call Me Madam (RCA Victor/Masterworks Broadway)

Irving Berlin’s 1950 Broadway musical starred Ethel Merman, but Decca Records wouldn’t release the Merm from her recording contract to appear on RCA’s original cast album.  So Merman recorded her own Madam set opposite Dick Haymes, and the rest of the cast joined Dinah Shore for RCA’s album.  This digital/CD-R release is the first authorized reissue of the Shore album in the CD era.  Read more here.

Original Cast Recordings, Candide (1956) / Children of Eden / Cinderella (1957) / Forever Plaid / Grease (1994) / The Most Happy Fella / On the Twentieth Century / Parade / Side Show

Sony’s Masterworks Broadway repackages an array of cast albums already on CD from the Columbia and RCA Victor catalogues.  Some may feature new artwork and/or photographs, but contents of the CDs are identical to past editions.  Still, if you’ve missed out on any of these titles, here’s your chance to pick them up again in new, specially-priced digipaks.

Various Artists, Joey’s Song, Volume 2 / Joey’s Song for Kids, Volume 2 (Omnivore)

Rosanne Cash, Mark Olson and Gary Louris are among the musicians fighting epilepsy with these new benefit compilations from Omnivore.  We’ll have the full rundown later today!

Various Artists, The Music City Sessions Volume One: Richmond Experience (Omnivore)

Lost funk from the Bay Area gets found on a new series of LPs beginning with today’s release of Richmond Experience!  We’ll have more on this entire series tomorrow!

Jaws (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy)

Okay, this one doesn’t usually fall in our purview, but we’ve already covered the Blu-ray debut of everybody’s favorite shark here, and why not?  John Williams’ dark, suspenseful and altogether memorable score will surely sound better than ever on this edition celebrating Universal Pictures’ 100th Anniversary!

Wow!  Was it just over a year ago when a rather dubious report began circulating (that, shockingly, was picked up by many otherwise-reputable publications) that proclaimed the death of the CD was secretly scheduled by the major labels for 2012?  Well, 2012 has come and (almost) gone, and it might have been the most super-sized year in recent memory for reissues, deluxe and otherwise, from labels new and old.  Here at the Second Disc, we consider our annual Gold Bonus Disc Awards a companion piece to Mike’s own round-up over at Popdose, and we endeavor to recognize as many of the year’s most amazing reissues as possible – over 80 worthy, unique titles.  We also hope to celebrate those labels, producers and artists who have raised the bar for great music throughout 2012. As we’re literally deluged with news around these parts, these ladies and gentlemen prove, week after week, the strength and health of the catalogue corner of the music world.  We dedicate The Gold Bonus Disc Awards to them, and to you, the readers.  After all, your interest is ultimately what keeps great music of the past alive and well.

With that in mind, don’t forget to share your own thoughts and comments below. What made your must-have list in 2012? Without further ado, let’s celebrate 2012′s best of the best. Welcome to the Gold Bonus Disc Awards!

Which releases take home the gold this year? Hit the jump below to find out!

All winners are in bold, and we’ve linked to our original reviews and features in the body of each category’s text.

BEST SURROUND SOUND REISSUE

Deep Purple, Machine Head: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (EMI)
Emerson, Lake and Palmer, ELP and Tarkus (Razor and Tie)
Jethro Tull, Thick as a Brick: 40th nniversary Edition (EMI)
King Crimson, Larks’ Tongues in Aspic: The Complete Recordings (DGM)
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Southern Surroundings: The Ultimate Skynyrd Collection (Universal)

Honorable Mention:

Eric Clapton, Slowhand: 40^th Anniversary Edition (Universal)
Rush, 2112: Deluxe Edition (Mercury)

Alas, a new high-resolution format still hasn’t taken hold of the music industry (sorry, Neil Young!  Maybe next year!), and high-resolution and surround sound reissues are still, generally, a niche.  A small stream of surround sound reissues, however, has continued to appear, often as part of larger super deluxe box sets.  (For those favoring high-res stereo audio, Mobile Fidelity has done a fine job carrying the torch on SACD, and Audio Fidelity will join the fray early in 2013.)  Steven Wilson did much of the heavy lifting this year, crafting splendid new multi-channel mixes for two titles from Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP and Tarkus), one from Jethro Tull (Thick as a Brick) as well as for our winner, King Crimson’s Larks’ Tongues in Aspic.  Larks’ was released both in a colossal 15-CD edition and a CD/DVD combo thankfully including the new surround mix.  Wilson’s work proves that surround sound can still be an effective tool for creating a completely new and utterly enveloping sonic environment even for a classic recording we all thought we knew.  Special mention should also be made of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Southern Surroundings, which featured a disc of new 5.1 remixes from the dean of surround mixing, Elliot Scheiner.  EMI also did a fine job with the affordable, compact deluxe edition of Deep Purple’s Machine Head, which nonetheless presented five discs of content including a DVD with stereo, quadraphonic and 5.1 mixes.  With any luck, Wilson, Scheiner and their compatriots will have further opportunities to turn out yet more impressive work in 2013.

BEST HISTORICAL REISSUE

Johnny Cash, The Complete Columbia Album Collection (Columbia/Legacy)
Woody Guthrie, Woody at 100: The Centennial Collection (Smithsonian Folkways)
Hugh Martin, Hidden Treasures: Songs for Stage and Screen 1941-2010 (Harbinger)
Elvis Presley, A Boy from Tupelo (Follow That Dream/RCA)
Various Artists, Listen, Whitey! The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965-1973 (Light in the Attic)

This category looks at some of the most historically significant titles of the year, box sets or single discs that placed their music in cultural perspective.  Harbinger Records celebrated the life of the great composer/lyricist/arranger Hugh Martin (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Boy Next Door”) in a remarkable anthology that should be required listening for all fans of the American Songbook, while Smithsonian Folkways offered 3 CDs with a lavish book to summarize the career of a great American writer from a very different tradition: Woody Guthrie.  (The Martin collection arrived too late in 2011 to be covered in last year’s round-up; hence its inclusion here.)  Light in the Attic proved music’s power to shock and inspire with an incendiary companion CD to Pat Thomas’ book Listen, Whitey! and Legacy Recordings told much of the story of America itself via the complete Columbia albums of troubadour Johnny Cash.  But the Gold Bonus Disc goes to A Boy from Tupelo: The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings, a 3-CD, 99-track box set chronicling Elvis Presley’s first-ever recordings at Sun Records.  The 500+-page hardcover companion book, written by producer Ernest Mikael Jorgenson, details virtually every happening in Presley’s life in this seminal period in which he ascended to stardom.  There’s never been a box set quite like this one and it may be the ultimate testament to an artist for whom the sky truly was the limit.

BEST ANTHOLOGY – SINGLE GROUP OR ARTIST

The Association, The Complete Warner Bros. and Valiant Singles Collection (Now Sounds/Cherry Red)
Lee Hazlewood, The LHI Years: Singles, Nudes and Backsides 1968-1971 (Light in the Attic)
Jackson 5, Come and Get It: The Rare Pearls (Hip-o Select)
The Spinners, Truly Yours: Their First Motown Album with Bonus Tracks (Ace)
Mary Wells, Something New: Motown Lost and Found (Hip-o Select)

Honorable Mention:

Dion, The Complete Laurie Singles (Real Gone Music)
Carole King, The Legendary Demos (Hear Music/Rockingale)

In 2012, labels continued to offer anthologies that were more than just the typical “Greatest Hits” offering.  Ace expanded the Motown debut of The (Detroit) Spinners with so much bonus material that the CD hardly qualifies as simply an expanded album reissue, instead chronicling the group’s formative days at Motown.  Two Hip-o Select collections, from Mary Wells and the Jackson 5, dug into the Motown vaults to create sets of incredibly high-quality material that was overlooked the first time around.  (Special kudos to Hip-o for being so forthcoming on the Wells set, indicating that this compilation collects all available unreleased material from the star artist.)  Light in the Attic launched a reissue campaign for Lee Hazlewood’s LHI Records label with an appropriately quirky introductory disc, and Now Sounds compiled the complete Valiant and Warner Bros. singles of beloved harmony pop songsters The Association into a subtly spectacular and artful, period-appropriate package.  It takes home our Gold Bonus Disc Award.

BEST ANTHOLOGY – VARIOUS ARTISTS

Action! The Songs of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart (Ace)
The Art of the 12-Inch, Volume Two (ZTT/Salvo)
Country Funk 1969-1975 (Light in the Attic)
Make It Your Sound, Make It Your Scene: Vanguard Records and the 1960s Musical Revolution (Ace)
Philadelphia International Box Set (Harmless)

Ace has always excelled at the art of the Various Artists anthology disc, making it no surprise that the label wins the Gold Bonus Disc for its excellent 4-CD box set dedicated to the folk music revolution at Vanguard Records and the label’s transition into other genres including rock.  Ace also scored mightily with its ongoing Songwriters and Producers series, tackling entries from Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Laura Nyro, Allen Toussaint and others, all with the same high hallmark of quality.  Light in the Attic’s Country Funk made a case for that unique subgenre, and Salvo recognized the artistic merits of the 12-inch mix with the best of the best from the ZTT catalogue.  Harmless Records’ Philadelphia International 40th Anniversary campaign has seemingly stalled, but the label did manage to issue a 10-disc box set of magnificent soul music.  While its idiosyncratic song sequencing and incomplete annotation (no credits for arrangers?!?) kept it from becoming the definitive document of the label, it still brought a number of tracks to CD for the first time and taken as a whole, is a fine overview of the House that Gamble and Huff Built.

THE HIDDEN TREASURE AWARD – ORIGINAL ALBUM REISSUE

Ronnie Dyson, One Man Band (Purpose Music Vaults)
Bert Jansch, Heartbreak (Omnivore Recordings)
Sam Phillips, Martinis & Bikinis (Omnivore Recordings)
Carly Simon, Spoiled Girl (Hot Shot/Cherry Red)
Lon and Derrek Van Eaton, Brother (RPM/Cherry Red)

Honorable Mention:

Daughters of Albion, Daughters of Albion (Now Sounds/Cherry Red)
The Moving Sidewalks, The Moving Sidewalks: The Complete Collection (RockBeat)
Ray Stinnett, A Fire Somewhere (Light in the Attic)

Is there any better gift from a reissue label than a rediscovery of a forgotten album?  Occasionally, the results may even surprise the artist, and such was the case with Hot Shot Records’ new edition of Carly Simon’s Spoiled Girl.  Simon had written off the album as an example of eighties excess, but the deluxe reissue from Big Break’s Hot Shot label put it under the microscope with a comprehensive essay and an assortment of bonus tracks that revealed it as a lost diamond in the rough.  Purpose Music Vaults came out swinging in 2012 with three new reissues including a top-drawer album from Ronnie Dyson and producer Thom Bell; listening to the album today, it’s impossible to guess why One Man Band didn’t score mightily upon its initial release.  The esteemed folks at Omnivore Recordings breathed new life into neglected classics from Sam Phillips and the late Bert Jansch, just two of the many, mighty fine reissues presided over by the label in 2012.  And RPM did right by the first-ever Apple Records title to be licensed out for reissue, Lon and Derrek’s Van Eaton’s Brother, featuring some Fab participation.  It was a very good year, indeed.

THE HIDDEN TREASURE AWARD – ANTHOLOGY

Alex Chilton, Free Again: The 1970 Sessions (Omnivore Recordings)
Mark Lindsay, The Complete Columbia Singles (Real Gone Music)
Dan Penn, The Fame Recordings (Ace)
Barbra Streisand, Release Me (Columbia)
B.J. Thomas, The Complete Scepter Singles Collection (Real Gone Music)

Honorable Mention:

Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders, The Complete 1973 Fantasy Recordings (Fantasy/Concord)
Earl Van Dyke, The Motown Sound: The Complete Albums and More (Hip-o Select)
Various Artists, Surf Age Nuggets (RockBeat)

Thank you, Real Gone Music, for proving your dedication to classic interpretive singers of the 1960s and 1970s with releases such as the definitive singles collections for Mark Lindsay and B.J. Thomas.  Thank you, Barbra Streisand, for finally opening your vaults for a collection of songs that lived up to the highest standards you have set in your career.  Thank you, Ace, for opening up the Fame Records vaults for an ongoing series including this illuminating look at the solo recordings of famed (no pun intended) songwriter Dan Penn (“The Dark End of the Street,” “I’m Your Puppet”).  And thank you, Omnivore Recordings, for compiling Alex Chilton’s 1970 recordings into one definitive edition, Free Again.  The late Big Star frontman earns this year’s Hidden Treasure Award (Anthology).

REISSUE OF THE YEAR (ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM)

Follies: Original Broadway Cast Recording (Kritzerland)
The Genius of Lionel Bart (Sepia)
The Good Old Bad Old Days: Original London Cast Recording (Kritzerland)
Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett: The CBS Television Specials (Masterworks Broadway)
Liza Minnelli: Live at the Winter Garden (Masterworks Broadway)

Since its original release, fans have gnashed their teeth at Capitol Records’ truncation of Stephen Sondheim’s sprawling score to the musical Follies.  Producer Bruce Kimmel was able to see beyond the famously flawed album, however, to create a new listening experience.  Though he couldn’t add any material, he could remix the LP from the ground up, bringing new clarity to an album everybody thought they knew.  The result earned this year’s Gold Bonus Disc Award as Reissue of the Year (Original Cast Album).  Good work was all around, though.  Masterworks Broadway surprised fans with long-awaited reissues of classic performances from Liza Minnelli and the team of Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett, and Sepia remembered The Genius of Lionel Bart with a lavish 3-CD set devoted to the Oliver! songwriter’s musicals via songs and performances both familiar and previously unheard.  Kritzerland also delivered some love for the British musical comedy with a fantastic reissue of Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse’s infectious score to The Good Old Bad Old Days.

REISSUE OF THE YEAR (SOUNDTRACK)

Marvin Gaye, Trouble Man: 40^th Anniversary Expanded Edition (Hip-o Select)
Jerry Goldsmith, Star Trek: The Motion Picture / Various Composers, Star Trek: The Original Series (La-La Land)
Henry Mancini and Charles Strouse, The Molly Maguires (Kritzerland)
Miklos Rosza, Ben-Hur (Film Score Monthly)
John Williams, Hook (La-La Land)

Honorable Mention:

Krzysztof Komeda, Rosemary’s Baby (La-La Land)
Francis Lai, A Man and a Woman (Kritzerland)
Henry Mancini, Charade and Hatari! (Intrada)
Henry Mancini, Santa Claus: The Movie (Quartet)
Various Composers, Walt Disney’s Cinderella/The Lost Chords: Cinderella (Walt Disney Records)

Bigger isn’t always better – but often, it is!  The soon-to-be-dormant Film Score Monthly label topped a previous multi-CD reissue of Miklos Rosza’s classic score to Ben-Hur with an even more deluxe 5-CD edition, while Kritzerland unearthed a completely unheard score from Charles Strouse to supplement an expanded reissue of Henry Mancini’s underrated, atypical and lovely score to The Molly Maguires.  (The Pink Panther man received arguably more love this year from the major film score labels than any other composer, and those labels paid tribute to the great composer with impressive releases.  Intrada navigated a rights minefield to premiere the original film tracks to Charade and Hatari! for the very first time on an audio release and teamed with Disney for Condorman on CD; Kritzerland reissued the long out-of-print Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation in remastered sound; Quartet dedicated three CDs and nearly 3 hours to Mancini’s epic work on Santa Claus: The Movie, and also unveiled the funky Revenge of the Pink Panther and the rich Sunset.  Even La-La Land got into the Mancini act with his classy score to Mommie Dearest.)  These releases are as deserving as any mentioned here.)  Hip-o Select gave funk, soul and soundtrack fans a treat with the first-ever release of the actual film tracks to Marvin Gaye’s Trouble Man score along with rare alternates and the original LP presentation.  The sheer volume of material on Santa Claus was perhaps rivaled only by La-La Land’s remarkably comprehensive 3-CD reissue of Jerry Goldsmith’s score to Star Trek: The Motion Picture, not to mention the label’s 15-CD (!) box set containing the original television soundtracks to Star Trek: The Original Series.  LLL takes the award for boldly going where no label has gone before with this Trek duo, but each of the above-named labels should take a bow.

REISSUE OF THE YEAR (JAZZ AND VOCALS)

Louis Armstrong, Satchmo at Symphony Hall (Hip-o Select)
Johnny Mathis, Mercury Records reissue series (Real Gone Music)
Matt Monro, Matt Uncovered: The Rarer Monro (EMI Gold)
Wes Montgomery, Echoes of Indiana Avenue (Resonance)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 50th Anniversary Collection (Columbia/Legacy)

Honorable Mention:

The Brecker Brothers, The Complete Arista Albums Collection (Arista/Legacy)
Duke Ellington, The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection 1951-1958 (Columbia/Legacy)
Bill Evans, Live at Art D’Lugoff’s Top of the Gate (Resonance)
Judy Garland, The Amsterdam Concert: December 1960 (First Hand)

For jazz and vocal fans, there was an embarrassment of riches this year.  The Matt Monro Estate continued its devotion to the legendary singer with a budget-priced but altogether deluxe 2-CD anthology, Matt Uncovered: The Rarer Monro, of rare and unreleased recordings.  This incredible set further displayed Monro’s tremendous versatility and taste as a vocalist.  Hip-o Select expanded an original concert LP from Louis Armstrong to two packed discs as Satchmo at Symphony Hall, while Resonance Records made its mark with releases including some incredibly rare, early material from guitarist Wes Montgomery.  Columbia’s Legacy division impressed with both Complete Albums box sets from artists such as Duke Ellington and The Brecker Brothers, as well as with anthologies like the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s eclectic 50th Anniversary Collection.  Our award here, however, goes to Real Gone Music for its excavation of the near-complete, long-unavailable and never-before-reissued Mercury Records catalogue of Johnny Mathis.  Though a Christmas album was unavailable for licensing and a few stray tracks are missing (we hope Real Gone might in the future include those rare U.K. sides on a Mathis project), this reissue program was top-notch in every department, and even involved Mathis himself.  These albums were beautifully remastered and well-annotated to create a series that thrilled devotees of the artist and of great American popular music.

REISSUE OF THE YEAR (POP/ROCK/R&B ALBUM – NON-BOX SET)

The (English) Beat reissue series (Edsel)
Everything But the Girl reissue series (Edsel)
Janis Joplin, The Pearl Sessions (Columbia/Legacy)
Salsoul Records reissue series (Big Break/Cherry Red)
Dionne Warwick, Dionne and Heartbreaker (Big Break/Cherry Red)

Honorable Mention:

Bob Mould and Sugar reissue series (Edsel)
My Bloody Valentine reissue series (Sony U.K.)

One positive trend that can be detected in the above two categories is how more and more labels are committing to an artist’s entire catalogue, or a healthy segment thereof.  Of the many catalogues taken under the Edsel umbrella, the releases from Everything But the Girl and The Beat were comprehensive, lovingly-assembled and lavishly packaged.  (As with the Johnny Mathis titles above, artist participation was paramount, and the loving touch of EBTG’s Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn shone through on Edsel’s amazing reissues of their early albums.)  Legacy justified another reissue of Janis Joplin’s Pearl with some exciting outtakes, while Big Break Records set the gold standard for single-disc reissues with Arista titles from Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin, and a visit to the Salsoul Records archives, proving the timelessness of classic soul, R&B and disco.  Like Edsel and Real Gone, Big Break has involved an incredible number of artists, producers, arrangers and musicians in their reissues, including heavy hitters like Clive Davis and Barry Gibb.  BBR’s dedication to creating the definitive document of each album reissued is laudable.

REISSUE OF THE YEAR (POP/ROCK/R&B ALBUM – SUPER DELUXE ALBUM BOX SET)

Peter Gabriel, So: Immersion Edition (Real World)
Paul and Linda McCartney, The Paul McCartney Archive Collection: Ram (MPL/Concord)
Rage Against the Machine, XX (Legacy)
Paul Simon, Graceland: 25th Anniversary Edition (Legacy)
The Velvet Underground and Nico, The Velvet Underground and Nico: 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (Universal)

Honorable Mention:

Michael Jackson, BAD 25 (Epic/Legacy)
Pink Floyd, The Wall: Immersion Edition (EMI)

The super-sized reissue of a single LP is a trend that shows no sign of abating, so we’ve expanded our categories this year to recognize these Super Deluxe Editions in their own field of competition.  Each of the titles listed above utilized a different method to achieve the same result: a meaningful expansion of an original album.  Peter Gabriel controversially omitted a number of related singles and material to his So box set, but the box nonetheless lived up to its “Immersion” tag.  Paul McCartney’s Archive Collection continued with a classy repackaging of Ram, and Universal had fans salivating with a load of unreleased material for its reissue of The Velvet Underground and Nico.  Demo and live material fleshed out Legacy’s edge-of-your-seat, riveting box set edition of Rage Against the Machine’s impassioned debut album, and although Paul Simon wasn’t overly generous with unreleased music, the new box set of Graceland takes home our Award for beautifully and honestly putting the album in perspective with a no-holds-barred video documentary, an audio mini-documentary and a comprehensive book of liner notes.  Graceland: 25th Anniversary Edition is also to be commended for including all bonus material from previous reissues, a practice which we hope to see continue in future such boxed editions.

REISSUE OF THE YEAR (POP/ROCK/R&B – BOX SET)

Cilla Black, Completely Cilla 1963-1973 (EMI)
Blur, 21 (Parlophone/EMI)
Glen Campbell, American Treasure (Surfdog)
Johnny Cash, The Complete Columbia Album Collection (Columbia/Legacy)
The Kinks, At the BBC (Sanctuary/Universal)

Honorable Mention:

Cheap Trick, The Complete Epic Albums Collection (Epic/Legacy)

Box sets not dedicated to a single album were no less stunning in 2012.  EMI rounded up the complete George Martin productions for singer Cilla Black in a budget-priced set that put many of its more expensive counterparts to shame.  Though much larger and more expensive, Blur’s limited edition 21 box included all seven studio albums plus more than five hours of unreleased material including 65 never-before-heard songs on 18 CDs and 3 DVDs!  It was one of the most comprehensive collections of the year, as was Universal’s 6-disc (5-CD/1-DVD) box set dedicated to The Kinks’ BBC recordings.  Surfdog jumped into the catalogue fray with American Treasure, collecting the best of Glen Campbell’s long career with rare treats on DVD and a wonderful, first-of-its-kind disc collecting Campbell’s session work for Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys and others.   Although it disappointed with its lack of discographical information, this exemplary box set with its leather-bound, closed-with-a-belt design is one of the year’s most unusual objets d’art, not to mention a well-deserved tribute to the artist.  But our Gold Bonus Disc Award goes to Johnny Cash’s Complete Columbia Album Collection.  Though this award did go to the biggest box (63 CDs!), it’s still quality over quantity where The Man in Black is concerned.  There weren’t many rare extras, relatively speaking, but the collection lived up to its name and included each official Columbia album within its purview in beautiful sound quality, plus comprehensive credits for each LP.  Taken as a whole, it’s a monumental box set for an artist whose stature is nearly unmatched.

This year’s Gold Bonus Disc Awards are dedicated to those artists we lost in 2012 including (but not limited to) Richard Adler, Bob Babbitt, Fontella Bass, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Dave Brubeck, Dick Clark, Ray Collins, Don Cornelius, Hal David, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Robin Gibb, Andy Griffith, Greg Ham, Marvin Hamlisch, Levon Helm, Whitney Houston, Etta James, Davy Jones, Jack Klugman, Scott McKenzie, Johnny Otis, Earl Scruggs, Ravi Shankar, Robert B. Sherman, Donna Summer, Doc Watson, Kitty Wells, Andy Williams and Adam “MCA” Yauch.

Coming next week: Mike and I are back in full swing in the New Year with the usual array of news and reviews!  ‘Til then, we raise a glass to you, our readers and friends, for another year of good health and great music.  Trust us: there’s some mind-blowing stuff on the way in 2013!  Happy New Year, and let the music play!

For The Kinks’ first album with RCA Records, Ray Davies didn’t stray too far from the style which he had perfected.  Muswell Hillbillies, the band’s ninth studio album, was named after Muswell Hill, the area of North London that Davies and brother Dave once called home.  Like The Kinks’ classic Village Green Preservation Society before it, Muswell concerned itself with themes relevant to British life, wryly addressing working-class conditions and the changes affecting the populace.  Sanctuary Records is planning an expanded 2-CD edition of Muswell Hillbillies, with its release currently scheduled for October 7.  (A July date seems to have evaporated from the calendar.)

Muswell Hillbillies touched on many of the musical styles which had fascinated Davies, from tough R&B-influenced rock and roll to country and British music hall. The Kinks – Ray on guitar and vocals, Dave on guitar and vocals, John Dalton on bass, John Gosling on piano and Mick Avory on drums – were joined by brass section The Mike Cotton Sound, led by trumpeter Cotton.  Yet despite naturally continuing themes previously explored on Kinks records, Muswell Hillbillies wasn’t an auspicious debut for the band at RCA.  Acclaim from publications like Rolling Stone and Stereo Review appeared to have a negligible impact on sales.  The 12-song LP failed to chart at all in the United Kingdom.  It fared better in the United States, reaching a peak of No. 48.  The biting album opener, “20th Century Man,” was released as a single in the U.S. only, backed by “Skin and Bone.”  Ray Davies’ sharp condemnation of the modern world’s ills missed the Billboard Hot 100, hitting No. 106.

Hit the jump for more details, plus the full track listing and pre-order links!

This latest Kinks reissue, helmed by producer Andrew Sandoval, continues Sanctuary’s acclaimed series of Kinks releases, though much has changed for the label since the last entries.  As part of the deal which allowed Universal to take over EMI, Universal was obliged to sell Sanctuary to BMG Rights Management.  It’s unclear how this change has affected the reissue program, or whether further changes will occur down the road.  The new Muswell carries over the two bonus tracks from the album’s previous CD reissue (“Mountain Woman” and “Kentucky Moon”) and adds another eleven tracks to the second disc.  These odds and ends include demos, alternates, remixes and live tracks related to the originally album.

Sanctuary is planning Muswell Hillbillies for October 7 release in the United Kingdom, and one week later in the United States.  You can pre-order below at both Amazon U.K. and Amazon U.S., and watch this space for further information as it develops!

The Kinks, Muswell Hillbillies (RCA (U.S.) LP LSP-4644, 1971 – reissued Sanctuary, 2013) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

CD 1

1. Twentieth Century Man
2. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
3. Holiday
4. Skin and Bone
5. Alcohol
6. Complicated Life
7. Here Come the People in Grey
8. Have A Cuppa Tea
9. Holloway Jail
10. Oklahoma USA
11. Uncle Son
12. Muswell Hillbilly

CD 2

1. Lavender Lane
2. Mountain Woman
3. Have A Cuppa Tea (Alternate Version)
4. Muswell Hillbilly (1976 Remix)
5. Uncle Son (Alternate Version)
6. Kentucky Moon
7. Nobody’s Fool (Demo Version)
8. 20th Century Man (Alternate Instrumental Take)
9. 20th Century Man (1976 Remix)
10. Queenie
11. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues (Live At Kensington House – 1972)
12. Holiday (Live At Kensington House – 1972)
13. Skin and Bone (Live At Kensington House – 1972)

Tony Bennett, Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas 1964 (RPM/Columbia/Legacy)

Previously exclusive to The Complete Collection box set, Bennett’s first headlining act in Sin City is now available for standalone purchase. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Alex Chilton, Electricity by Candlelight: NYC 2/13/97 (Bar None)

The late Big Star frontman had a talent that not even a power outage at New York’s Knitting Factory could blot out, as this spontaneous, covers-heavy release showcases. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The Kinks, Muswell Hillbillies: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary)

The Kinks’ ninth album (and first originally recorded for RCA) gets a two-disc reissue worthy of any 20th century man you might know. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Alabama/Johnny Cash/Neil Diamond/George Jones & Tammy Wynette/Gladys Knight & The Pips/Martina McBride/Barbra Streisand/Andy Williams, The Classic Christmas Album (Legacy)

Following the success of last year’s wave of mid-priced holiday compilations, another eight are coming to fill your stockings with Christmas cheer.

Alabama: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Johnny Cash: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Neil Diamond: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
George Jones & Tammy Wynette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Gladys Knight & The Pips: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Martina McBride: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Barbra Streisand: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Andy Williams: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Various Artists, CBGB: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Omnivore)

This 20-track compilation for the new film about the legendary New York club features some of the biggest bands who played that stage, plus a recording by founder Hilly Krystal and a new version of Blondie’s “Sunday Girl.” (Rhino will distribute a digital version in the future with exclusive tracks.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

This summer, you’ll have good reason to be kinda krazy about the Kinks. U.K. magazine Uncut is reporting that the band is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a deluxe reissue series beginning on August 18. That’s the date when the long-awaited 2-CD edition of 1970’s Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One will arrive in stores from BMG Rights Management (current owner of Sanctuary Records).

The expanded edition of Lola is being shepherded by the noted producer, historian and Kinks archivist Andrew Sandoval. Sandoval has previously been responsible for a number of 2-CD reissues and box sets from the legendary British band – most recently the 2013 overhaul of 1971’s Muswell Hillbillies. Lola, The Kinks’ eighth studio album, has long been one of the most requested titles in this series. It spawned the Top 10 U.S. hit “Lola” and U.K. Top 5 “Apeman,” and although the LP didn’t fare well in the group’s native England, it earned Top 40 status in America.

Lola, primarily written by Ray Davies with a couple of key contributions from Dave Davies (“Strangers” and “Rats”), will be paired in the new edition with 1971’s Percy. The latter was composed entirely by Ray as the soundtrack to director Ralph Thomas’ comedy film starring Hywel Bennett, Denholm Elliott, and bombshells Britt Ekland and Elke Sommer. The Kinks’ soundtrack, featuring orchestral arrangements by Stanley Myers, has aged considerably better than the movie itself, which involves a transplant of a rather sensitive male organ. Both Lola and Percy will boast bonus content.

What bonus material will you find here?  Hit the jump!

The original 13-track Lola album will be bolstered by seven previously unreleased bonus tracks including alternate versions of the title track, “Apeman” and “Got to Be Free” as well as instrumentals of “The Contenders” in demo form and “This Time Tomorrow,” and the songs “Anytime” and “The Good Life.” (Sanctuary’s previous single-disc reissue included the mono single mix of “Lola” and acoustic demos of “Apeman” and “Powerman.” While the “Lola” 45 mix has been appended to Disc 2 here, the “Apeman” and “Powerman” demos appear to be missing.

Disc 2, kicking off with the 13-track Percy soundtrack album, adds ten bonus tracks, six of which are previously unreleased. Of the previously released material, you’ll find the mono single versions of “Lola,” “Apeman” and “Rats” from Lola and the mono film mix of Percy’s “The Way Love Used to Be,” first released in 1998. The six unreleased tracks are a remix of “Dreams” from Percy, unique mono versions of Lola’s “Powerman,” “The Moneygoround” and “Apeman,” and “God’s Children” and its finale reprise in the Percy mono film mixes. This edition appears to have orphaned the mono film mix of “Moments” and the alternate versions of “The Way Love Used to Be” from the prior CD reissue.

The expanded Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround has been remastered by producer Sandoval from the original master tapes, and promises a booklet including new liner notes and memorabilia images. It’s due on August 18 from BMG, with more titles expected to be announced for the fall! You can peruse the track listing below and we’ll update with pre-order links as soon as they become available!

The Kinks, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary/BMG, 2014) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Links TBA)

CD 1: Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround Part One plus bonus tracks

1. The Contenders (2.42)
2. Strangers (3.18)
3. Denmark Street (1.59)
4. Get Back in Line (3.04)
5. Lola (4.01)
6. Top of the Pops (3.39)
7. The Moneygoround (1.43)
8. This Time Tomorrow (3.21)
9. A Long Way from Home (2.26)
10. Rats (2.38)
11. Apeman (3.51)
12. Powerman (4.16)
13. Got to Be Free (2.59)
14. Anytime (3.32)
15. The Contenders (Instrumental Demo) (3.00)
16. The Good Life (3.16)
17. Lola (Alternate Version) (5.16)
18. This Time Tomorrow (Instrumental) (3.17)
19. Apeman (Alternate Stereo Version) (3.40)
20. Got to Be Free (Alternate Version) (2.02)

Tracks 1-13 originally released on Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One, Pye LP NSPL 18359, 1970 Tracks 14-20 previously unreleased

CD 2: Percy plus bonus tracks

1. God’s Children (3.17)
2. Lola (Instrumental) (4.42)
3. The Way Love Used to Be (2.12)
4. Completely (3.39)
5. Running Round Town (1.03)
6. Moments (2.56)
7. Animals in the Zoo (2.19)
8. Just Friends (2.35)
9. Whip Lady (1.18)
10. Dreams (3.42)
11. Helga (1.53)
12. Willesden Green (2.25)
13. God’s Children (End) (0.28)
14. Dreams (Remix) (3.21)
15. Lola (Mono Single) (4.06)
16. Apeman (Mono Single) (3.52)
17. Rats (Mono Single) (2.40)
18. Powerman (Mono) (4.25)
19. The Moneygoround (Mono Alternate Version) (1.39)
20. Apeman (Alternate Mono Version) (3.40)
21. God’s Children (Mono Film Mix) (3.16)
22. The Way Love Used to Be (Mono Film Mix) (2.04)
23. God’s Children (End) (Mono Film Mix) (0.49)

Tracks 1-13 originally released on Percy, Pye LP PSPL 18365, 1971
Tracks 14, 18-21, 23 previously unreleased
Tracks 15-17 originally released on various singles, 1970
Track 22 originally released on Percy, Castle CD ESMCD 510, 1998

The Kinks, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary/BMG, 2014) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

The Kinks’ 1970 classic is expanded with a second album – 1971’s Percy – plus an array of bonus tracks (many previously unreleased) on a new 2-CD set!

Mary Poppins: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – The Legacy Collection (Walt Disney Records) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

Walt Disney Records’ deluxe Legacy Collection unveils its second release – a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious 3-CD expansion of Mary Poppins that promises to be the most comprehensive presentation of the Sherman Brothers’ score yet!

Randy Bachman, Vinyl Tap Tour: Every Song Tells a Story (ILS)

Randy Bachman of Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive renown, is “shakin’ all over” with this new release of his 2013 hometown concert at Winnipeg’s Pantages Playhouse Theatre!  This greatest hits-centric set – featuring “Undun,” “No Time,” “Laughing,” “No Sugar Tonight,” “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” “Takin’ Care of Business” and more – updates a similarly-titled program of Bachman’s from over a decade ago, and melds music with Bachman’s stories behind the songs!  It’s available in a DVD/CD set as well as a standalone CD.  Features Bachman’s band including Marc LaFrance on drums and vocals, Brent Howard Knudsen on guitars and vocals, and Mick Dalla-Vee on bass and vocals.

CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Blu-ray:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Esther Phillips, Black-Eyed Blues/Capricorn Princess (Soul Brother) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Two of Esther Phillips’ CTI/Kudu LPs – including the long out-of-print Capricorn Princess – are combined on one CD from the U.K.’s Soul Brother label!

High Inergy – Turnin’ On / Switch – Switch (BBR)

High Inergy: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Switch: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Big Break continues its series of Motown reissues with 1977’s Turnin’ On from High Inergy and the self-titled 1978 set from Switch!  Full rundowns of both titles are coming soon!

Dimitri Tiomkin, Wild is the Wind: Music from the Motion Picture (La-La Land)

La-La Land is now shipping its 2-CD expansion of the original soundtrack to the 1957 Hollywood drama, and this set features both the original film recordings composed by Dimitri Tiomkin and the re-recorded Columbia Records soundtrack release including the title song performed by Johnny Mathis!

The Criterion Collection: All That Jazz (Dual-Format BD/DVD Edition) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The Criterion Collection has a lavish new edition of Bob Fosse’s 1979 film All That Jazz on tap!  The deluxe BD/DVD edition includes a variety of special features illuminating just how the innovative director/choreographer/auteur turned the movie musical on its ear with the shocking, and shockingly autobiographical, motion picture.

It’s going to be a Kink-sized autumn on both sides of the Atlantic. Legacy Recordings, newly-exclusive licensor of The Kinks’ 1971-1985 catalogue for North America, is kicking things off on October 14 with the release of The Essential Kinks, a 2-CD career-spanning retrospective of the group’s music for Pye/Reprise, RCA, Arista and Columbia. Then, on November 10, Legacy follows with a Legacy Edition CD/DVD set celebrating the band’s 1971 album Muswell Hillbillies. One week later on November 17, Sanctuary Records (BMG/InGrooves in the U.S.) has a 5-CD box set coming. The Anthology 1964-1971 has been curated by longtime Kinks historian Andrew Sandoval and includes roughly a full disc’s worth – 23 tracks – of previously unissued material. Finally, Legacy has already made available 16 Kinks albums as high-resolution digital downloads in North America via HDTracks, from Muswell Hillbillies through Return to Waterloo (1985) and Come Dancing with the Kinks (1986).

“I’ve never heard a Kinks song I didn’t like,” writes David Bowie in his new liner notes penned for The Essential Kinks. This truly stuffed package – with 48 songs on 2 CDs – begins with 1964’s U.K. chart-topper/U.S. Top 10 hit “You Really Got Me” and concludes with 1993’s “Phobia,” The Kinks’ final original single to date. In between, you’ll find most of The Kinks’ hits including “All Day and All of the Night,” “Tired of Waiting for You,” “Sunny Afternoon,” “Waterloo Sunset,” and “Come Dancing,” plus live renditions of “’Till the End of the Day,” “Where Have All the Good Times Gone” and “Lola.” (The group’s MCA period of 1986-1989 is the only label affiliation which is overlooked here.)

The Essential Kinks will be followed by a Legacy Edition of Muswell Hillbillies on November 10. The band’s ninth studio album, it was named after Muswell Hill, the area of North London that Ray Davies and his brother Dave once called home. Like The Kinks’ classic Village Green Preservation Society before it, Muswell concerned itself with themes relevant to British life, wryly addressing working-class conditions and the changes affecting the populace. A Deluxe Edition was released by Sanctuary and Universal in 2013, which presented the original album on its first disc and fourteen bonus cuts on its second disc.

The upcoming Legacy Edition retains eight of the thirteen bonus tracks on the 2013 Deluxe Edition, dropping three BBC radio performances from The John Peel Show (“Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues,” “Holiday” and “Skin and Bone”) and the 1976 remixes of “Muswell Hillbilly” and “20th Century Man.” It then adds a separate DVD with thirteen previously-unreleased performances: two songs from a January 1972 broadcast of The Old Grey Whistle Test and eleven from BBC’s Live at the Rainbow program from July 1972.

After the jump, we’ll explore The Kinks Anthology 1964-1971. Plus we have track listings and pre-order links for all titles!

Producer/historian Andrew Sandoval, who has been responsible for the recent string of Kinks deluxe album reissues (most recently the 2-CD edition of Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One and Percy), delivers The Kinks Anthology 1964-1971 on November 3 in the U.K. and two weeks later stateside. This 5-CD box set boasts remastered versions of some of the group’s most celebrated tracks, plus rare demos, interviews, alternate mixes, session outtakes, a reported 25 previously unavailable tracks, an exclusive 7-inch single and copious, newly-written liner notes.

This set, dedicated to the band’s first years, follows other lavish Kinks box sets in recent memory including 2011’s The Kinks in Mono and 2012’s The Kinks at the BBC, as well as the 2008 box set Picture Book, a 138-track/6-CD career-spanning anthology. The first two discs of the new set are in mono, and compiler Sandoval promises many songs will make their stereo debuts, plus fresh remastering from the original tapes. The set has been curated with the assistance of Ray and Dave Davies and Mick Avory. Ray has hinted at a rapprochement with Dave in recent months, so perhaps this box set is one step on that road.

The Kinks Anthology 1964-1971 is due in the U.K. on November 3 and on November 18 in the U.S.; it can be pre-ordered at the links below along with Legacy’s The Essential Kinks and Muswell Hillbillies: Legacy Edition!

The Kinks, The Essential Kinks (Legacy, 2014) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

CD 1:

1. You Really Got Me
2. Stop Your Sobbing
3. All Day and All of the Night
4. Tired of Waiting For You
5. Nothin’ In This World Can Stop Me Worryin’ ‘Bout That Girl
6. Ev’rybody’s Gonna Be Happy
7. A Well Respected Man
8. Dedicated Follower of Fashion
9. Who’ll Be The Next In Line
10. Set Me Free
11. See My Friends
12. Sunny Afternoon
13. Dead End Street
14. Death of a Clown
15. Autumn Almanac
16. David Watts
17. Waterloo Sunset
18. Days
19. The Village Green Preservation Society
20. Do You Remember Walter?
21. Picture Book
22. Victoria
23. Apeman
24. Strangers
25. 20th Century Man
26. Supersonic Rocket Ship
27. Celluloid Heroes

CD 2:

1. Here Comes Yet Another Day
2. You Don’t Know My Name
3. Till the End of the Day (Live)
4. One of the Survivors
5. Sweet Lady Genevieve
6. Everybody’s a Star (Starmaker)
7. Life on the Road
8. Sleepwalker
9. Life Goes On
10. A Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy
11. Father Christmas
12. (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman
13. Lola (Live)
14. Where Have All The Good Times Gone (Live)
15. Better Things
16. Destroyer
17. Come Dancing
18. Don’t Forget to Dance
19. Do It Again
20. Living On A Thin Line
21. Scattered

The Kinks, Muswell Hillbillies: Legacy Edition (Legacy, 2014) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. TBD)

CD 1: Original Album (RCA Victor LP SF 8243, 1971) and bonus tracks (Tracks 13-20 previously issued on Sanctuary 373 493-3, 2013)

1. 20th Century Man
2. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
3. Holiday
4. Skin And Bone
5. Alcohol
6. Complicated Life
7. Here Come The People In Grey
8. Have A Cuppa Tea
9. Holloway Jail
10. Oklahoma U.S.A.
11. Uncle Son
12. Muswell Hillbilly
13. Lavender Lane (previously unreleased in North America)
14. Mountain Woman
15. Have A Cuppa Tea (alternate version) (previously unreleased in North America)
16. Uncle Son (alternate version) (previously unreleased in North America)
17. Kentucky Moon
18. Nobody’s Fool (demo) (previously unreleased in North America)
19. 20th Century Man (alternate instrumental take) (previously unreleased in North America)
20. Queenie (backing track) (previously unreleased in North America)
21. Muswell Hillbillies US radio spots (previously unissued) (previously unreleased in North America)

DVD:

1. Have A Cuppa Tea
2. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
3. Till The End Of The Day
4. Waterloo Sunset
5. The Money-Go-Round
6. Sunny Afternoon
7. The Virgin Soldier March
8. She Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina
9. Alcohol
10. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues

Tracks 1-2 from The Old Grey Whistle Test – BBC TV 4 January 1972
Tracks 3-10 from Live at the Rainbow – BBC TV 21 July 1972

The Kinks, Anthology 1964-1971 (BMG/InGrooves, 2014) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

CD 1:

1. I’m A Hog For You, Baby – The Boll-Weevils (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) First issued on Picture Book, Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (8 Dec 2008)
2. I Don’t Need You Anymore (demo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinks – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary/Universal 275 627- 4 (28 Mar 2011)
3. Ev’rybody’s Gonna Be Happy (demo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinks – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary/Universal 275 627-4 (28 Mar 2011)
4. Long Tall Sally (Richard Penniman, Robert Blackwell, Enotris Johnson) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15611 (7 Feb 1964)
5. I Took My Baby Home (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15611 (7 Feb 1964)
6. You Still Want Me (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15636 (17 Apr 1964)
7. You Do Something To Me (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15636 (17 Apr 1964)
8. You Really Got Me (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15673 (4 Aug 1964)
9. It’s All Right (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15673 (4 Aug 1964)
10. Beautiful Delilah (alternate mono mix) (Chuck Berry) First issued on The Kinks In Mono, Sanctuary/Universal 277 694-4 (27 Dec 2011)
11. Just Can’t Go To Sleep (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinks, Pye LP NPL 18096 (2 Oct 1964)
12. I’m A Lover, Not A Fighter (alternate mono mix) (Miller) First issued on The Kinks In Mono, Sanctuary/Universal 277 694-4 (27 Dec 2011)
13. Little Queenie (Live At The Playhouse Theatre, 1964) (Chuck Berry) First issued on Kinks – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary/Universal 275 627-4 (28 Mar 2011)
14. Too Much Monkey Business (alternate take) (Chuck Berry) First issued on Kinks – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary/Universal 275 627-4 (28 Mar 2011)
15. Stop Your Sobbing (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinks, Pye LP NPL 18096 (2 Oct 1964)
16. All Day And All Of The Night (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15714 (23 Oct 1964)
17. I Gotta Move (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15714 (23 Oct 1964)
18. I Gotta Go Now (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinksize Session, Pye EP NEP 24200 (27 Nov 1964)
19. I’ve Got That Feeling (Live At Piccadilly Studios, 1964) (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinks – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary/Universal 275 627-4 (28 Mar 2011)
20. Tired Of Waiting For You (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15759 (15 Jan 1965)
21. Come On Now (alternate mix) (Ray Davies) First issued on Picture Book, Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (8 Dec 2008)
22. Look For Me Baby (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinda Kinks, Pye LP NPL 18112 (5 Mar 1965)
23. Nothin’ In The World Can Stop Me Worryin’ ‘Bout That Girl (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinda Kinks, Pye LP NPL 18112 (5 Mar 1965)
24. Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinda Kinks, Pye LP NPL 18112 (5 Mar 1965)
25. Don’t Ever Change (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinda Kinks, Pye LP NPL 18112 (5 Mar 1965)
26. You Shouldn’t Be Sad (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinda Kinks, Pye LP NPL 18112 (5 Mar 1965)
27. Something Better Beginning (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinda Kinks, Pye LP NPL 18112 (5 Mar 1965)
28. Ev’rybody’s Gonna Be Happy (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15813 (19 Mar 1965)
29. Who’ll Be The Next In Line (Session Excerpt – Backing Track Take One) (Ray Davies) Previously Unissued
30. Who’ll Be The Next In Line (alternate mix) (Ray Davies) Previously Unissued
31. Set Me Free (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15854 (21 May 1965)
32. I Need You (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15854 (21 May 1965)
33. Interview: Clay Cole Meets The Kinks Recorded June 17, 1965 Previously unissued

All tracks in mono.

Tracks 5 – 13, 15 – 19 & 21 – 33 Produced by Shel Talmy
Tracks 14 & 20 Produced by Bernie Andrews

CD 2:

1. See My Friends (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15919 (30 Jul 1965)
2. Never Met A Girl Like You Before (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15919 (30 Jul 1965)
3. I Go To Sleep (demo) – Ray Davies (Ray Davies) First issued on Kinda Kinks, Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 483 (30 Mar 1998)
4. A Little Bit Of Sunlight (demo) – Ray Davies (Ray Davies) First issued on Picture Book, Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (8 Dec 2008)
5. Tell Me Now So I’ll Know (alternate demo) – Ray Davies (Ray Davies) Previously unissued
6. When I See That Girl Of Mine (demo) – Ray Davies (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kink Kontroversy, Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 507 (30 Mar 1998)
7. There’s A New World Just Opening For Me (demo) – Ray Davies (Ray Davies) First issued on Picture Book, Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (8 Dec 2008)
8. This Strange Effect (Live At Aeolian Hall, 1965) (Ray Davies) First issued on BBC Sessions 1964-1977, Sanctuary SANDD010 (12 Mar 2001)
9. Hide And Seek (Live At Aeolian Hall, 1965) (Paul Winley, Ethel Byrd) First issued on Kinda Kinks – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary/Universal 275 632-6 (28 Mar 2011)
10. A Well Respected Man (Ray Davies) First issued on Kwyet Kinks Session, Pye EP NEP 24221 (17 Sep 1965)
11. Such A Shame (Ray Davies) First issued on Kwyet Kinks Session, Pye EP NEP 24221 (17 Sep 1965)
12. Don’t You Fret (Ray Davies) First issued on Kwyet Kinks Session, Pye EP NEP 24221 (17 Sep 1965)
13. Till The End Of The Day (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15981 (19 Nov 1965)
14. Where Have All The Good Times Gone (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 15981 (19 Nov 1965)
15. Milk Cow Blues (John Estes) First issued on The Kink Kontroversy, Pye LP NPL 18131 (26 Nov 1965)
16. I Am Free (Dave Davies) First issued on The Kink Kontroversy, Pye LP NPL 18131 (26 Nov 1965)
17. The World Keeps Going Round (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kink Kontroversy, Pye LP NPL 18131 (26 Nov 1965)
18. I’m On An Island (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kink Kontroversy, Pye LP NPL 18131 (26 Nov 1965)
19. You Can’t Win (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kink Kontroversy, Pye LP NPL 18131 (26 Nov 1965)
20. Time Will Tell (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kinks’ Greatest Hits – Dead End Street, PRT KINK 1 (14 Oct 1983)
21. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion (Session Excerpt – Takes 1-3) (Ray Davies) Previously unissued
22. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion (single version) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17064 (25 Feb 1966)
23. Sittin’ On My Sofa (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17064 (25 Feb 1966)
24. She’s Got Everything (Backing Track Take Two) (Ray Davies) Previously unissued
25. She’s Got Everything (alternate mono mix) (Ray Davies) Previously unissued
26. Reporter (version one) (Ray Davies) First issued on Picture Book, Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (8 Dec 2008)
27. All Night Stand (demo) – Ray Davies (Ray Davies) First issued on Picture Book, Sanctuary/Universal 5313049 (8 Dec 2008)

All tracks in mono.

Tracks 1, 2, 10- 26 Produced by Shel Talmy
Tracks 8 & 9 Produced by Keith Bateson

CD 3:

1. Sunny Afternoon (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17125 (3 Jun 1966)
2. I’m Not Like Everybody Else (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17125 (3 Jun 1966)
3. Dandy (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on Face To Face, Pye LP NPL 18149 (28 Oct 1966)
4. Party Line (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on Face To Face, Pye LP NPL 18149 (28 Oct 1966)
5. Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on Face To Face, Pye LP NPL 18149 (28 Oct 1966)
6. Too Much On My Mind (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on Face To Face, Pye LP NPL 18149 (28 Oct 1966)
7. Session Man (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on Face To Face, Pye LP NPL 18149 (28 Oct 1966)
8. Most Exclusive Residence For Sale (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on Face To Face, Pye LP NPL 18149 (28 Oct 1966)
9. Fancy (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on Face To Face, Pye LP NPL 18149 (28 Oct 1966)
10. Dead End Street (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17222 (18 Nov 1966)
11. Big Black Smoke (alternate stereo mix) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17222 (18 Nov 1966);   This Mix Previously Unissued
12. Pleasant (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17314 (21 Apr 1967); This Mix Previously Unissued
13. This Is Where I Belong (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17314 (21 Apr 1967); This Mix Previously Unissued
14. Village Green (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on French Pye EP PNV 24191 (May 1967); This Mix Previously Unissued
15. Two Sisters (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on French Pye EP PNV 24191 (May 1967); This Mix Previously Unissued
16. Waterloo Sunset (Session Excerpt – Backing Track Take Two) (Ray Davies) Previously Unissued
17. Waterloo Sunset (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Something Else By The Kinks, Pye LP NSPL 18193 (15 Sep 1967)
18. Act Nice And Gentle (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17321 (5 May 1967); This Mix Previously Unissued
19. Harry Rag (stereo) (Session Excerpt) (Ray Davies) Previously Unissued
20. Harry Rag (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Something Else By The Kinks, Pye LP NSPL 18193 (15 Sep 1967)
21. Death Of A Clown (stereo) – Dave Davies (Ray Davies, Dave Davies) First issued on Something Else By The Kinks, Pye LP NSPL 18193 (15 Sep 1967)
22. Love Me Till The Sun Shines (stereo) – Dave Davies (Dave Davies) First issued on Something Else By The Kinks, Pye LP NSPL 18193 (15 Sep 1967)
23. David Watts (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Something Else By The Kinks, Pye LP NSPL 18193 (15 Sep 1967)
24. Tin Soldier Man (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Something Else By The Kinks, Pye LP NSPL 18193 (15 Sep 1967)
25. Afternoon Tea (alternate stereo mix)(Ray Davies) Previously Unissued
26. Funny Face (stereo) – Dave Davies(Dave Davies) First issued on Something Else By The Kinks, Pye LP NSPL 18193 (15 Sep 1967)
27. Lazy Old Sun (alternate stereo mix)(Ray Davies) Previously Unissued
28. Susannah’s Still Alive (stereo) – Dave Davies(Dave Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17429 (24 Nov 1967)
29. Good Luck Charm (stereo) – Dave Davies(John A. Koerner) First issued on Hidden Treasures, Sanctuary/Universal 277 765-3 (26 Sep 2011); This Mix Previously Unissued

Tracks 1 – 9, 11– 20, 23 & 24 Produced by Shel Talmy
Tracks 10, 21, 22, 25 – 29 Produced by Ray Davies

CD 4:

1. Autumn Almanac (mono)(Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17405 (13 Oct 1967)
2. Lavender Hill (mono)(Ray Davies) First issued on The Great Lost Kinks Album, Reprise LP MS 2127 (25 Jan 1973)
3. Rosemary Rose (stereo)(Ray Davies) First issued on The Great Lost Kinks Album, Reprise LP MS 2127 (25 Jan 1973)
4. Wonderboy (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17468 (5 Apr 1968)
5. Polly (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17468 (5 Apr 1968)
6. Lincoln County (stereo single version) – Dave Davies (Dave Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17514 (30 Aug 1968); This Mix Previously Unissued
7. Did You See His Name? (stereo with alternate ending) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kink Kronikles, Reprise LP 2XS 6454; This Mix Previously Unissued
8. Days (Session Excerpt) (Ray Davies) Previously Unissued
9. Days (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17573 (28 Jun 1968)
10. Misty Water (alternate mix) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Great Lost Kinks Album, Reprise LP MS 2127 (25 Jan 1973); This Mix Previously Unissued
11. Do You Remember Walter (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, Pye LP NPL 18233 (22 Nov 1968)
12. Picture Book (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, Pye LP NPL 18233 (22 Nov 1968)
13. Johnny Thunder (stereo remix) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary SMETD 102 (28 Jun 2004)
14. Big Sky (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, Pye LP NPL 18233 (22 Nov 1968)
15. Animal Farm (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, Pye LP NPL 18233 (22 Nov 1968)
16. Starstruck (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, Pye LP NPL 18233 (22 Nov 1968)
17. Pictures In The Sand (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Great Lost Kinks Album, Reprise LP MS 2127 (25 Jan 1973)
18. People Take Pictures Of Each Other (European stereo mix) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, Pye LP NSPL 18233 – France, Sweden & Norway pressings (Oct 1968)
19. Interview: Ray Davies talks about Village Green Preservation Society (mono) First issued on The Kinks At The BBC, Sanctuary/Universal 279 721-8 (21 Aug 2012)
20. The Village Green Preservation Society (Live At The Playhouse Theatre, 1968) (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on BBC Sessions 1964-1977, Sanctuary SANDD010 (12 Mar 2001)
21. Hold My Hand (stereo) – Dave Davies (Dave Davies) This mix first issued on Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary/Universal (20 Jun 2011)
22. Creeping Jean (stereo) – Dave Davies (Dave Davies) This mix first issued on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society – Deluxe Edition, Sanctuary SMETD 102 (28 Jun 2004)
23. Berkeley Mews (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Then, Now And Inbetween, Reprise LP PRO 328 (Jul 1969)
24. Till Death Us Do Part (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Great Lost Kinks Album, Reprise LP MS 2127 (25 Jan 1973)
25. When I Turn Out The Living Room Light (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Great Lost Kinks Album, Reprise LP MS 2127 (25 Jan 1973)
26. Where Did My Spring Go (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued on The Great Lost Kinks Album, Reprise LP MS 2127 (25 Jan 1973)
27. Plastic Man (stereo) (Ray Davies) This mix first issued on Star Parade, SR International LP 79343 (1969)
28. King Kong (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17724 (28 Mar 1969)
29. This Man He Weeps Tonight (mono) (Dave Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17812 (12 Sep 1969)
30. Reprise US Tour Spot (stereo) Previously Unissued

Tracks 1 – 18, 21 – 29 Produced by Ray Davies
Tracks 19 & 20 Produced by Bill Bebb

CD 5:

1. Victoria (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17865 (5 Dec 1969)
2. Some Mother’s Son (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire, Pye LP NSPL 18317 (10 Oct 1969)
3. Drivin’ (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17776 (20 Jun 1969)
4. Shangri-La (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17812 (12 Sep 1969)
5. She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire, Pye LP NSPL 18317 (10 Oct 1969)
6. Young And Innocent Days (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire, Pye LP NSPL 18317 (10 Oct 1969)
7. Mindless Child Of Motherhood (stereo) – The Kinks Featuring Dave Davies (Dave Davies) This mix first issued on Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire, Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 511 (25 May 1998)
8. Lola (mono) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 17961 (12 Jun 1970)
9. Apeman (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued as Pye Single 7N 45016 (20 Nov 1970)
10. Strangers (stereo) (Dave Davies) First issued on Part One: Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Pye LP NSPL 18359 (27 Nov 1970)
11. Get Back In The Line (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Part One: Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Pye LP NSPL 18359 (27 Nov 1970)
12. Anytime (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Part One: Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround – Deluxe Edition, BMG (2014)
13. This Time Tomorrow (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Part One: Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Pye LP NSPL 18359 (27 Nov 1970)
14. A Long Way From Home (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Part One: Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Pye LP NSPL 18359 (27 Nov 1970)
15. Powerman (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Part One: Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Pye LP NSPL 18359 (27 Nov 1970)
16. Got To Be Free (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Part One: Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Pye LP NSPL 18359 (27 Nov 1970)
17. Dreams (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Percy, Pye LP NSPL 18365 (26 Mar 1971)
18. Moments (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Percy, Pye LP NSPL 18365 (26 Mar 1971)
19. The Way Love Used To Be (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Percy, Pye LP NSPL 18365 (26 Mar 1971)
20. God’s Children (stereo) (Ray Davies) First issued on Percy, Pye LP NSPL 18365 (26 Mar 1971)

All tracks produced by Ray Davies.

Diana Ross, Why Do Fools Fall in Love / Silk Electric / Ross / Swept Away / Eaten Alive / Red Hot Rhythm and Blues (Expanded Editions) (Funky Town Grooves)

Why Do Fools Fall in Love: Expanded Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Silk Electric: Expanded Edition  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Ross: Expanded Edition  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Swept Away: Deluxe Edition  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Eaten Alive: Deluxe Edition  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
Red Hot Rhythm and Blues: Deluxe Edition (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Funky Town Grooves has remastered and expanded all six of Miss Ross’ RCA albums, first released between 1981 and 1987 during what turned out to be an extended hiatus from Motown.  These editions are loaded with rarities and remixes; see full details here!

Foreigner, The Complete Atlantic Studio Albums 1977-1991 (Atlantic/Rhino) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Rhino boxes up 7 CDs from Foreigner, including five U.S. multi-platinum smash LPs and hits like “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,”  and “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

The Kinks, The Essential Kinks (RCA/Arista/Legacy)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Legacy kicks off its Kinks campaign (kampaign?) with this 48-song, 2-CD anthology featuring just about every Kinks hit except for the original studio recording of “Lola.”  (A live recording from 1979 takes its place.)  Every track has been newly (and splendidly) remastered by Vic Anesini, and the deluxe 28-page booklet include liner notes from David Bowie and critic Bob Mehr, plus appreciations from Iggy Pop, Howard Kaylan, Creed Bratton, Pete Townshend and many more!

Jaco Pastorius, Anthology: The Warner Bros. Years (Warner Bros./Rhino) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Rhino has 2 CDs and 22 tracks from jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987) drawing on the albums Word of Mouth, Invitation and The Birthday Concert plus tracks on which Jaco joined Mike Stern and Airto Moreira and one previously unreleased bonus track, “Donna Lee,” from 1981.  Bill Milkowski, author of Jaco: The Extraordinary And Tragic Life Of Jaco Pastorius, provides new liner notes.

Ozzy Osbourne, Memoirs of a Madman (Legacy)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

2-LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

This career spanning release features 17 of the Black Sabbath legend’s greatest hit singles compiled in one place for the first time in his career and will be available in a single CD, two-LP set and two-LP picture disc set configurations. The companion 2-DVD set includes classic music videos, plus previously unreleased and out-of-print live performances, and interviews from his solo career.

Sly Stone, I’m Just Like You: Sly’s Stone Flower 1969-1970 (Light in the Attic) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

During those creatively fertile days of the late 1960s, producer-arranger-composer Sly Stone couldn’t be confined to work with his band Sly and the Family Stone, so he formed the Stone Flower label and production company.  Stone Flower released a handful of tracks on its own label as well as on Scepter and Atlantic by the artists Little Sister, Joe Hicks, and 6ix; those are collected here along with ten previously unissued songs.  The sound on these tracks recalls the Family Stone’s groundbreaking There’s a Riot Goin’ On thanks to Sly’s use of the early Rhythm King drum machine/beat box.  Light in the Attic packages this fascinating and essential chapter of the Sly and the Family Stone story with a 52-page booklet including a new interview by Alec Palao with Stone himself.  Also available on vinyl.

Dean Martin, The Essential Dean Martin (Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

Legacy has 40 tracks on 2 CDs from the king of cool, Dean Martin.  Though this compilation concentrates on Dino’s Reprise years, five key Capitol cuts are included as well as one late-period single at Warner Bros. Records.  You’ll hear “Volare,” “That’s Amore,” “Sway,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” “Memories Are Made of This,” “Houston,” “I Will” and many more on this set which has been remastered by Vic Anesini and annotated by James Ritz.

Meat Loaf, ICON (UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Universal’s budget-priced ICON series is back with a new entry for Meat Loaf.  This odd volume features six of the eleven tracks from 1993’s smash hit comeback Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell and four songs from its follow-up, 1995’s Welcome to the Neighborhood.  “Hot Patootie (Bless My Soul)” from Rocky Horror rounds out the 11-song compilation.

White Christmas: Diamond Edition Blu-ray with CD (Paramount) (Amazon U.S.)

This new Blu-ray edition of the 1956 musical film has, among its bonus features, a 12-song CD featuring Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney, with guest appearances by Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Judy Garland. Eight of the songs on this exclusive bonus CD are previously unreleased.

Miles Davis, Bitches Brew (Hybrid SACD) (Mobile Fidelity) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The great trumpeter’s revolutionary 1970 jazz-rock double album arrives on stereo hybrid SACD as part of Mobile Fidelity’s series of Davis reissues.

Madeleine Peyroux, Keep Me In Your Heart For A While: The Best Of Madeleine Peyroux (Rounder) (Amazon U.S.)

Here’s the very first compilation release in the singer-songwriter’s 18-year career, including tracks from the Rounder, Atlantic and Decca/Emarcy catalogues. Keep Me in Your Heart will include one previously unreleased song, the Warren Zevon title track which appeared in 2011’s independent film Union Square. Liner notes by former Atlantic Records A&R man Yves Beauvais, complete the package of the chanteuse’s greatest performances.  A 2-CD edition is also available from Amazon U.K. with 27 tracks vs. the domestic version’s 15.

Billy Strayhorn, Out of the Shadows (Storyville) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

This 7-CD/1-DVD box set from venerable label Storyville turns the spotlight on a man who preferred to remain in the shadow of his close friend, collaborator and benefactor, Duke Ellington.  62 of Strayhorn’s compositions are presented here, both with and without Duke’s company, featuring such personnel as Art Tatum, Tommy Flanagan, Johnny Hodges, Clark Terry and Ben Webster plus Strayhorn and Ellington.  Tracks were recorded between 1939 and 2007; see here for more details!

Swing Out Sister, The Essential Swing Out Sister (Salvo) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

This set has 17 tracks from the Manchester band formed in 1985 including their breakout hit “Breakout” and more originals and covers like “La La Means I Love You,” “Am I the Same Girl” and “The Windmills of Your Mind.”  This survey of the sophisti-pop duo’s career concludes with a previously unreleased “Big Band” version of “Forever Blue,” a track arranged in its original version by Jimmy Webb.

Bob Seger, Ride Out (Capitol) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

The Detroit rocker returns with his first studio album since 2006 and seventeenth overall.  It’s available in a variety of formats including deluxe edition CD, vinyl and a Target exclusive with two bonus tracks.

Jerry Goldsmith, Our Man Flint/In Like Flint: Original Motion Picture Scores (Intrada)

Intrada brings two of Jerry Goldsmith’s grooviest scores to CD for the very first time, remastered from the recently discovered original 20th Century Fox stereo album session masters! Differing from the Varese Sarabande release of soundtrack highlights from these spy capers, this single disc offers both classic original albums exactly as Goldsmith recorded them.  For more background, see Joe’s review of Our Man Flint at The Digital Bits!

Michel Legrand, Summer of ’42/The Picasso Summer: Original Motion Picture Scores (Intrada)

Here’s the world premiere expanded release of two “summer” Michel Legrand soundtracks including his Oscar-winning score for Summer Of ’42 (1971).  Legrand’s complete score runs just 17 minutes, so to fill the original Warner Bros. soundtrack album, 30 minutes of his score for the 1969 film The Picasso Summer was included.   Intrada premieres the entire 55-minute Picasso score on the second disc of this 2-CD set, while the original album assembly of his “Picasso Suite” also plays intact on CD 1, following Summer Of ’42.

It’s that time of year again!

Announcements are finally coming in for Record Store Day’s annual Black Friday event happening on Friday, November 28. Rather than storming malls and big box stores, maybe you’ll want to pay a visit to your favorite local independent record store for an assortment of exclusive vinyl goodies.  Legacy Recordings certainly hopes you will; the label’s roster for Black Friday’s RSD event includes titles from heavy-hitters including David Bowie, Joe Satriani, Miles Davis, Dave Matthews Band, Elvis Presley, The Kinks and Jimi Hendrix!

And that’s not all! Longtime readers know that Christmas is our favorite time of the year at Second Disc HQ!  We’ve already filled you in on Joe’s two holiday-themed projects due on November 4 from Real Gone Music – Robert Goulet’s Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings and the long-awaited reissue of The Williams Brothers Christmas Album featuring Andy and his brothers – and today, it’s Mike’s turn!  Fresh from his work on a pair of exciting Ghostbusters-related projects – the sold-out glow-in-the-dark EP of Ray Parker Jr.’s immortal title song and a brand-new, Stay Puft super deluxe marshmallow-scented (yes, you read that right!) vinyl release from Ray Parker, Jr. and Run-DMC – Mike is delivering a little Wham! for the holidays as co-producer of a 12-inch red and green vinyl single featuring both the classic “Last Christmas” and a previously unreleased instrumental mix!  Trust me – no Christmas party will want to be without this one!

Hit the jump to explore Legacy’s full slate of Black Friday Record Store Day titles, all of which will be available at a participating RSD retailer on Friday, November 28! And watch this space for more announcements coming soon!

All information presented directly from Legacy’s press release!

Aaliyah, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number – 2-LP – White Vinyl, 180-Gram

Twenty years ago, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number introduced the world to the stunning talent of Aaliyah. Her sensuous, soulful vocals, combined with the writing and production skills of R. Kelly, established her as one of R&B’s brightest stars. This collectible 2-LP edition of her debut is pressed on white 180-gram vinyl and features the Top 10 hits “Back & Forth” and “At Your Best (You Are Love)” plus the rare international bonus track “The Thing I Like.”

Bessie Smith – At The Christmas Ball – Red 7” Single

Legacy celebrates the 2014 holiday season with a classic vinyl single by the Bessie Smith, the Empress of the Blues, featuring her classic “At the Christmas Ball” c/w “Jazzbo Brown from Memphis Town” pressed on on a red vinyl 7″ 45 RPM single featuring a replica of the original Columbia 78 RPM label. Bessie Smith is the subject of a new biopic, starring Queen Latifah, coming in 2015.

Dave Matthews Band, Recently EP – Double 10″ Vinyl

This individually numbered limited edition of the Dave Matthews Band’s Recently EP marks the first ever vinyl release of this music.  The deluxe double 10″ includes the original EP and the rare “Pumpkin Recently” promo as well as a free download of both versions.

David Bowie, “Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)” c/w “Tis A Pity She’s A Whore” – 10″ vinyl single

Two new tracks from music legend David Bowie on a 10″ vinyl single. [The A-side will feature on Bowie's new collection Nothing Has Changed, due from Legacy on November 18. - JM]

Joe Satriani, Joe Satriani EP – 12″ Vinyl 45 RPM 180-gram, 30th anniversary edition

This 30th anniversary edition of Satriani’s self-titled 5 song debut showcases the magic that helped Joe secure his deal with Relativity Records. This “one man band” recording is remarkable in that every sound on the 5 songs was made on an electric guitar, from tapping on the tuneups for drums and percussion to detuning the guitar to replicate the lower bass sounds.  This RSD exclusive is individually numbered and remastered on 180 gram vinyl.

Miles Davis, “Blue Xmas” – 7″ 45 RPM blue vinyl single

In 1962, Miles Davis, Gil Evans and bebop singer Bob Dorough turned the holiday season on its ear with “Blue Xmas,” a jazzy original mocking the commercialism of the Christmas season. This recording, along with “Devil May Care,” another Dorough original recorded by Davis and Evans, is being released by Legacy for Record Store Day Black Friday 2014 as a 7″ 45 RPM blue vinyl single in a brand-new picture sleeve. “Blue Xmas” is featured in Jingle Bell Rocks!, a new documentary about alternative holiday songs to be released this year by Oscilloscope Laboratories.

OutKast, “Player’s Ball” – 10″ Translucent Green Vinyl

OutKast proved “the South got something to say” when they returned to the stage earlier this year after an eight-year absence. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of their unique sound and influential Southern hip-hop movement with their breakthrough debut single “Player’s Ball” on 10” translucent green vinyl. This limited, numbered single features a rare extended version of the track alongside two tracks from the duo’s acclaimed 1994 debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.

Wham!, “Last Christmas” – 12″ Translucent Red/Green Vinyl

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Wham!’s “Last Christmas”–the much-covered yuletide perennial penned and produced by George Michael–with this limited edition 12″ translucent red/green vinyl single which includes a previously unreleased instrumental version of the Wham! seasonal classic, perfect for Christmas karaoke under the mistletoe.

Wu-Tang Clan, “C.R.E.A.M.” – 10″ Die Cut Picture Disc on 120-gram Vinyl

The lyrical mastery and groundbreaking production technique of the Wu-Tang Clan changed the hip-hop scene forever. Legacy Recordings celebrates the 1994 release of their single “C.R.E.A.M.”—hailed as one of the greatest rap singles by The Source, Rolling Stone and Time—with a limited collectible vinyl single die-cut n the shape of the group’s iconic logo and backed with the single’s original B-side “The Mystery Of Chessboxin’.”

The following will be released as RSD exclusives before their release to general retail at a later date:

Elvis Presley, Showroom Internationale 2-LP 180-gram 12-inch vinyl

The film Elvis: That’s The Way It Is provided fans with their first real glimpse of Elvis performing at an absolute peak of his vocal prowess in August 1970.   This individually numbered, 17 -song, 2 LP set features the King’s full August 12, 1970 dinner show and includes 13 previously unreleased on vinyl performances.

Jimi Hendrix, Hear My Music 2-LP 200-Gram Audiophile 12″ vinyl

This limited edition, individually numbered 2-LP set, pressed on 200-gram audiophile vinyl by QRP, features a treasure trove of unreleased Jimi Hendrix studio recordings from 1969. Hear My Music is an authorized Jimi Hendrix “bootleg” issued by Dagger Records.

The Kinks, Muswell Hillbillies 2-LP 180-gram vinyl

Released in 1971, The Kinks’ Muswell Hillbillies found the quintessentially British band painting a vivid portrait of working class life in North London, with a sonic palette that drew from turn-of-the-century British music hall and American country styles. Rolling Stone would call it Ray Davies’ “signature statement” as a songwriter. This deluxe 2LP edition features the original album paired with a bonus vinyl disc of rarities and outtakes from the original album sessions as well as BBC sessions recorded for John Peel.

Various Artists, American Hustle Soundtrack 2LP – 1 Red, 1 Blue Colored 150-gram vinyl

The soundtrack to the blockbuster film is now a 2 LP gatefold (on red & blue vinyl) with 6 songs not found on the CD version.  The soundtrack featuring tracks by America, Bee Gees, Electric Light Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Elton John, Tom Jones, Jeff Lynne, Donna Summer, and Wings.

The Monkees, The Monkees: Super Deluxe Edition (Rhino Handmade) (Exclusively available directly from label)

It’s Monkeemania all over again: Davy, Micky, Peter and Michael are back with a 3-CD expansion of their debut album featuring 100 tracks – 45 of which are previously unreleased!

ABBA, Gracias Por La Musica: Deluxe Edition (Polar/Universal) (Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K.)

ABBA is saying “Thank You for the Music” – in Spanish!  The band’s Spanish-language 1980 album Gracias Por La Música is going deluxe with 5 bonus tracks, plus a 40-minute DVD featuring vintage promo clips and previously unreleased television material.

The Kinks, Muswell Hillbillies: Legacy Edition (Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Legacy has a new edition of 1971′s Muswell Hillbillies on tap as part of its new Kinks kampaign.  It retains eight of the thirteen bonus tracks on the 2013 U.K. Deluxe Edition, dropping three BBC radio performances from The John Peel Show (“Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues,” “Holiday” and “Skin and Bone”) and the 1976 remixes of “Muswell Hillbilly” and “20th Century Man.” It then adds a separate DVD with thirteen previously-unreleased performances: two songs from a January 1972 broadcast of The Old Grey Whistle Test and eleven from BBC’s Live at the Rainbow program from July 1972.

Pink Floyd, The Endless River (Columbia)

CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. 

Single CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

In early 1993, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright created more than one hundred pieces of music by jamming together and recording the results.  The trio then honed the pieces at Gilmour’s studio, played them live for 2 days at Olympic Studios in Barnes with additional players (Guy Pratt on bass, Jon Carin on keyboards and Gary Wallis on percussion), returned to Astoria, and worked further with co-producer Bob Ezrin.  The resulting LP, after lyrics and vocals were added, was The Division Bell.  Rumors abounded of a separate ambient album created from the remaining ethereal instrumentals, but nothing came of it until now.  Gilmour and Mason re-entered the studio earlier this year and added further instrumentation to the tracks they originally created with the late Richard Wright.  Pink Floyd describes The Endless River as 60% new, with the other 40% drawn from those original 1993 recordings.  Gilmour describes the record as follows: “The Endless River has as its starting point the music that came from the 1993 Division Bell sessions. We listened to over 20 hours of the three of us playing together and selected the music we wanted to work on for the new album. Over the last year we’ve added new parts, re-recorded others and generally harnessed studio technology to make a 21st century Pink Floyd album. With Rick gone, and with him the chance of ever doing it again, it feels right that these revisited and reworked tracks should be made available as part of our repertoire.”

Rush, R40 (Concord/Rounder)

DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

This 10-DVD or 6-BD box set tells the story of Rush through live performance material recorded over the years,with an emphasis on the period of 2003-2013.

Whitney Houston, Live (Arista/Legacy)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Clive Davis has overseen this first official live release for the late, great Whitney Houston, which includes some of the diva’s most beloved onstage performances recorded between 1983 and 2009.

Queen, Queen Forever (Hollywood)

CD: Amazon U.K.
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

This new anthology features three previously unissued recordings (including “There Must Be More to Life Than This” with Michael Jackson) and other off-the-beaten path selections.

Roger Taylor, The Lot (Omnivore)

The Queen drummer’s own solo career is captured in this lavish 13-disc complete box set.

Blood Sweat and Tears, Child is Father to the Man – 5.1 Surround SACD (Audio Fidelity) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Link TBD)

Al Kooper’s long-shelved 5.1 surround mix of Blood, Sweat and Tears’ stunning jazz-rock debut finally makes an appearance on hybrid SACD thanks to Audio Fidelity!  Bob Ludwig masters Kooper’s 5.1 mix, while Steve Hoffman has remastered for the stereo presentations.

Eric Clapton, Pilgrim SACD (Audio Fidelity) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. Link TBD)

Steve Hoffman remasters Eric Clapton’s 1988 studio album Pilgrim for hybrid stereo SACD!

Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair: Super Deluxe Edition (Mercury)

Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

2-CD Deluxe Edition (Discs 1 & 2 below only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Vinyl (Original Album): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Blu-ray Audio (Stereo and 5.1 Mixes): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Mercury has a variety of formats coming for Tears for Tears’ landmark 1985 album, including a 4-CD/2-DVD box set!

Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company: 10th Anniversary Limited Collectors Edition (Hear Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Hear Music repackages Ray Charles’ Grammy-winning duets album for a second time this year, retaining the two bonus tracks and DVD documentary from the previous edition and adding director Taylor Hackford’s 2004 motion picture Ray on a second DVD.

Worzel Gummidge: The Musical – Original London Cast Recording (Stage Door) (Amazon U.K.)

Stage Door Records remasters and expands the Original 1981 London Cast Recording of Keith Waterhouse, Willis Hall and Denis King’s musical comedy to CD for the first time.

Various Artists, Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes (Harvest) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

What happens when you give a notebook filled with never-before-recorded Bob Dylan lyrics to producer T Bone Burnett and a musical collective featuring Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops), Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and Marcus Mumford (Mumford & Sons)?  You get Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes, a 2014 companion to the recent issue of the original, legendary recordings made by Dylan and The Band.

The Kinks, Anthology 1964-1971 (BMG/InGrooves, 2014) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Producer Andrew Sandoval (the recent The Monkees: Super Deluxe Edition) helms this kink-sized 5-CD kollection of hits, demos, interviews, alternate mixes, session outtakes, 25 previously unavailable tracks, an exclusive 7-inch single and copious, new liner notes!

Dionne Warwick, Finder of Lost Loves: Expanded Edition (Arista/Funky Town Grooves) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

This 2-CD edition of Warwick’s 1985 album features a bonus disc with 12 additional tracks – three rare single versions and nine previously unreleased recordings, including the Barry Gibb-produced Heartbreaker outtake “Broken Bottles” and two alternate versions of the Burt Bacharach/Carole Bayer Sager title track featuring Dionne joined by Luther Vandross!

Aretha Franklin, Aretha: Expanded Edition (Arista/Funky Town Grooves) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

FTG adds a staggering 19 bonus tracks to create a 2-disc edition of The Queen of Soul’s 1986 album featuring “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” – including rare remixes of five songs as well as the Aretha Megamix!  It appears that the companion disc – an expanded edition of Through the Storm – won’t be available until next month.

The Manhattans, Black Tie / Forever by Your Side (Columbia/Funky Town Grooves)

Black Tie: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Forever: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

FTG continues its series of reissues from The Manhattans’ catalogue with expanded editions of the legendary vocal group’s 1981 and 1983 albums of silky R&B!

Trip Shakespeare, Applehead Man / Are You Shakespearienced? (Omnivore)

Applehead CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Applehead Translucent Red Vinyl & Download Card: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Are You... CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Are You… Translucent Green Vinyl & Download Card: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Omnivore remasters and expands the first two albums from Minnesota band Trip Shakespeare – the training ground for John Munson and Dan Wilson, two members who would later go on to form Semisonic!

Foreigner, The Best of Foreigner 4 and More (Sony) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Just two months ago, on October 3 and 4, 2014, Foreigner took the stage at Atlantic City’s Borgata.  Now, highlights from those concerts are being released on one budget-priced ($5.99 as of this writing!) CD including the hit songs from 1981’s landmark Foreigner 4 and other favorites. Tracks include “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods: 2-CD Deluxe Edition Soundtrack (Walt Disney Records) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Okay, this isn’t a reissue, but we’re looking forward to it all the same.  This week, Walt Disney Records releases the original soundtrack to the new film version of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s 1987 Broadway musical Into the Woods, featuring Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt and future Late Late Show host James Corden.  The 2-CD edition features all of Sondheim’s songs plus the film’s orchestral underscore.

Original Broadway Cast Recording, The Last Ship (UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Sting recently stepped into his Broadway musical The Last Ship for a limited run through January 24; here’s a chance to experience his songs for the musical as performed by the original cast of Michael Esper, Jimmy Nail, Fred Applegate and others.  Sting himself is heard on a bonus track singing “What Say You, Meg?” from the show’s impressive score.