Box Sets of 2024: Part 2

Bob Dylan - The 1974 live recordings (27 CD)

"The 1974 live recordings celebrates his 50th anniversary return to touring that year. Featuring all professionally recorded shows from the artist’s 1974 performances backed by the band, the collection is available as a deluxe boxset across 27 CDs. It offers 417 previously unreleased live tracks – including 133 recordings newly mixed from 16-track tape, and every single surviving soundboard recording – along with new liner notes." (Amazon UK)

Neil Young - Archives. Vol. III, 1976-1987 (17CD)

"Neil Young's 'Archives Vol. III' includes recordings that show the unheralded sweep of Young's efforts from the 1976-1987 period of his journey. It is one of the most extensive anthologies in his recorded history. The set contains 17 CD's in 11 soft-paks which showcase 198 total musical tracks including 121 previously unreleased versions of live, studio, mixes, or edits, and 15 previously unreleased songs, available here for the first time ever. 62 tracks have been available on various recordings." (Amazon UK)

King Crimson - Red [50th anniversary edition] (2CD 2Blu-Ray)

"50th Anniversary editions of King Crimson’s classic 1974 album. 2 x Blu-rays featuring completely new mixes of the album in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD MA Surround & Hi-Res Stereo , all three mixes of the live album USA in Hi-Res Stereo, 5 audio restored bootleg concert recordings from the 1974 US tour making their debut on disc & the audio restored bootleg of the band’s final US show in Central Park NYC on July 1st, 1974. 2 x CDs feature new Stereo + instrumental mixes by Steven Wilson." (Amazon UK)

Mark Lanegan - Bubblegum XX (3CD)

" Beggars Arkive in conjunction with the estate of Mark Lanegan, celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Mark Lanegan's acclaimed 2004 album 'Bubblegum', with a remastered double LP edition of the original album and a 4XLP/3XCD release containing 40 remastered tracks, 12 of which are previously unreleased." (Amazon UK)

Ween - Chocolate And Cheese (Deluxe Edition) [3 x Vinyl]

"This 30th Anniversary Deluxe 3LP Edition finds the original album recut from the original master tapes by Bernie Grundman, alongside a special bonus disc curated by Dean and Gene Ween that includes fifteen previously unreleased demos of classic and soon-to-be classic tracks from their personal archives." (Flying Out)

Joni Mitchell - Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) (5CD)

"Continuing the musical exploration into Joni's jazz-inflected sounds, this set features unreleased studio sessions and alternate versions of hit tracks from the groundbreaking albums 'Hejira', 'Don Juan's Reckless Daughter', 'Mingus' and 'Shadows and Light', coupled with rare photos from the era. Packaged in a similar vein to previous sets in the series. Foreword by Meryl Streep." (Amazon UK)

Beastie Boys - Ill communication (30th anniversary edition) [3 x Vinyl]

"Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Beastie Boys’ multi-platinum Ill Communication album, this limited-edition deluxe reissue is a rare version of the album that was originally released as a limited run in 2009. Long out-of-print and sought after by fans and collectors, it features lenticular cover art and includes a bonus LP with 12 bonus tracks (remixes, B-sides and rarities), all housed in a rigid slipcase and pressed on 180g vinyl." (Amazon UK)

Faces at the BBC : complete BBC concert & session recordings 1970-1973 (8CD+1Blu-Ray)

"8CD/Blu-Ray box set featuring all of the band's surviving BBC recordings. Remastered with participation of band members Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones. Restored footage from April 1972 appearance debuts on Blu-ray." (Amazon UK)

David Bowie - Rock n roll star (5CD+1Blu-Ray)

"A 5CD and 1 Blu-Ray Audio set that explores David Bowie’s journey from February 1971 through the creation of the Ziggy Stardust character, the recording of the iconic THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS album, with radio sessions and TV performances, as well as live tracks from Ziggy and the Spiders’ 1st October 1972 show at the Boston Music Hall. Containing 29 unreleased tracks." (Amazon UK)

Oasis - Definitely Maybe (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) [4 x Vinyl]

"Oasis' debut album 'Definitely Maybe' (1994) celebrates its 30th anniversary. The fastest-ever selling debut in the UK on release, this seminal album marked the point when Oasis became a cultural phenomenon. Including the classic singles 'Supersonic', 'Live Forever' and 'Cigarettes & Alcohol', its songs sound as fresh and relevant as they did in 1994. CD format features the previously unreleased and discarded original recording session from Monnow Valley along with outtakes from Sawmills Studios plus a demo of 'Sad Song' featuring Liam's vocal - all mixed for this release by Noel Gallagher and Callum Marinho. (Amazon UK)

Cherry Red:

Can't seem to come down : the American sounds of 1968 (3CD)

"Follow-up to Grapefruit's hugely popular US 1967 anthology ''March of the Flower Children'. With hit singles, cult classics and tracks from 1968's key albums as the American music scene moved on from the Summer of Love. While psychedelia had been the dominant musical force in 1967, the scene fragmented the following year." (Amazon UK)

Heaven sent : the rise of new pop 1979-1983 (4CD)

" 4CD set exploring the evolution of the 'new pop' movement, 1979-1983. Compiled and curated by the team who brought you; 'Scared to Get Happy', 'The Sun Shines Here', 'Musik Music Musique' and other critically acclaimed compilations. Featuring The Human League, Fun Boy Three, Soft Cell, Scritti Politti, The Style Council, Heaven 17, The Cure and many more." (Amazon UK)

Cut me deep : a story of indie pop 1985-1989 (4CD)

"During the latter half of the '80s a new breed of guitar-orientated bands began to emerge in the UK - armed with an overt pop song craft sensibility, and enamoured with a conflicting post-punk spirit and adoration of the '60s, many of these unlikely acts - all anoraks, Dr Martens and charity shop chic - would go on to become Top 40 regulars and set the tone for music beyond these shores, culminating in 'The Stone Roses', an album that defined a generation." (Amazon UK)

Dearly beloved : a Prince songbook (3CD)

"This new 3CD digipack is the most comprehensive compilation to date of Prince's songs as recorded by other artists. Among the 52 tracks are many written and produced specifically for other acts, plus hit cover versions and obscure homages to the songwriting genius. Featuring major pop hits penned for The Bangles, Sheena Easton, Martika and more, plus R&B smashes for Nona Hendryx, André Cymone and Meli'sa Morgan, as well as lesser- known latter-day collaborations." (Amazon UK)

Moving away from the pulsebeat : post-punk Britain 1977-1981 (5CD)

105 tracks charting the British post-punk explosion 1978-1981. A compendium of familiar names, underground oddities and freshly excavated historical nuggets. Compiled by the team that brought you 'To The Outside Of Everything: A Story Of UK Post-Punk 1977-1981', the C86 series, "Shake The Foundations: Militant Funk & The Post-Punk Dancefloor 1978-1984' and many more box sets. Featuring band-by-band biographies and detailed sleeve notes. (Amazon UK)

Popscene : from baggy to Britpop 1989-1994 (4CD)

"90-track anthology tracing the development of indie music from the baggy sound of 1989 to the early days of the Britpop explosion in 1994. Includes many hit singles and cult rarities. Key artists include Blur, Pulp, Suede, The Stone Roses, Paul Weller, The La's, Primal Scream, Saint Etienne, Ocean Colour Scene, Happy Mondays, Manic Street Preachers, Supergrass, Ride, Sleeper, Gene, Echobelly, The Bluetones and Cast. (Amazon UK)

The real new Fall LP (formerly Country on the click) [5CD]

" 'The Real New Fall (Formerly Country on the Click)' is the 23rd studio album by The Fall, originally released in 2003. The subtitle is explained by the fact that the tracks were originally scheduled for release in April 2003 under the title 'Country on the Click'. Promotional copies were sent out and three of the new songs were previewed in the band's 23rd Peel Session, but Mark. E Smith was unhappy with the mix and decided it needed further work. This 5CD set contains the original album as well as Interim, a disc of b-sides and a live show from the time." (Amazon UK)

Fanny - The Reprise years 1970-1973 (4CD)

"4CD box set featuring pioneering '70s US rock band, Fanny, often quoted as the 'Godmothers of Women Who Rock'. Bringing together their repertoire from the period 1970 to 1973. The most comprehensive collection released in over 20 years, brings together the band's four studio albums, plus many of the band's single versions, B-sides and vibrant live performances from the period while signed to Reprise Records." (Amazon UK)

Roots rock rebels : when punk met reggae 1975-1982 (3CD)

"54 track 3CD clamshell box focusing on the period of time between 1975-1982 when reggae influenced and inspired punk in the UK. Featuring key tracks by The Clash, Burning Spear, Generation X, Culture, Public Image Ltd, Steel Pulse, The Specials, Dennis Brown, Ruts, Madness, Black Uhuru and many more. Plus a selection of obscure gems from the likes of 4th Street Orchestra, African Stone, Basement 5, Electric Guitars, Sir Horatio, Talisman, The Pop Group and Black Symbol." (Amazon UK)

John Cale - Ship of fools : the Island albums (3CD)

"New remastered 3CD clamshell box featuring the three albums and singles recorded by John Cale for Island Records. Includes the albums: 'Fear', 'Slow Dazzle' and 'Helen of Troy', with seven bonus tracks." (Amazon UK)

Curve - Unreadable communication : Anxious recordings 1991-1993 (4CD)

"4CD set comprising Curve's entire Anxious recordings output. Featuring the classic albums Dopplegänger and Cuckoo, plus singles, b- sides, remixes and live recordings. Produced with contributions from Dean Garcia and Toni Halliday. Sleevenotes from Lois Wilson. (Amazon UK)

Lazy days : the British progressive pop sounds of 1975 (3CD)

"Three CD set. 2024 instalment of Grapefruit's acclaimed year-by-year overview of the British rock and pop scenes of the 70s. A compendium of hit singles, intriguing misses, cult classics and key album tracks from 1975. While received wisdom is that 1975 was merely the calm before the following year's punk-instigated storm, there was plenty of vibrant, vital music being made in Britain and Ireland during that largely overlooked 12-month period." (Amazon.com)