Entertainment, Music - Marine Corps Times

Gift guide ’06: Best of the music box sets

This year’s box-set subjects range from The Byrds to Tori Amos, Fats Waller to Tiny Tim and Duke Ellington to the Dukes of Dixieland. Despite staggering variety that finds Goth compilations and funk collections sharing shelf space with toasts to jazz legends and bundles of Motown singles, one thing is clear: The shelf is getting smaller.

“I do believe the box set market is shrinking and shelf space is harder to come by,” says Jeff Jones, executive vice president of Legacy Recordings, the catalog and archive development area of Sony BMG Entertainment. “Releasing box sets in today’s market, especially since Tower Records is no longer with us, is getting more challenging.”

Legacy met the challenge on several fronts, in both traditional and novel approaches. The Sony-BMG merger allowed access to new vaults, yielding fresh takes on Waylon Jennings and Buddy Guy, the latter project pegged to his 70th birthday.

“We try to come up with event marketing whenever possible,” Jones says. “Thematically, I’m pleased with lots of our collections. So many high-level artists have been done, so you had to dig a little deeper in 2006 to find relevant box sets.”

The appeal of box sets, chiefly aimed at consumers 40 and older, begins with physical presentation: luxurious packaging, generous use of photos, a lavish booklet. Fans want a tactile experience, Jones says.

“They’ve come to expect previously unreleased music, insightful and informative liner notes, extras like DVDs, all those diverse things that would be impossible to gather on your own,” he says. “Those components have to be assembled in a unique way.”

Pop/rock

Jerry Lee Lewis, “A Half Century of Hits” (Time-Life, 3 CDs, $40)

Essence: The pioneer oversaw this first comprehensive retrospective, 66 tracks spanning his gospel, R&B and country range in addition to such rock landmarks as “Great Balls of Fire.”

Extras: Previously unreleased gems include not just outtakes and live tracks, but also Lewis’ heated spat with Sun Studio founder Sam Phillips and the first two songs Lewis recorded (at 16), “New Orleans Boogie” and Lefty Frizzell’s “Don’t Stay Away,” transferred from acetates.

Beatles, “Capitol Albums 2” (Capitol, 4 CDs, $70)

Essence: This second batch of U.S. reissues includes 1965’s “The Early Beatles,” “Beatles VI,” the “Help!” soundtrack and the American “Rubber Soul,” each in a replica sleeve. Every track is in stereo and mono. Of 92, 82 are in versions previously unavailable on CD.

Extras: A 60-page booklet with rare photos and historian Bruce Spizer’s notes.

Bee Gees, “The Studio Albums 1967-1968” (Reprise, 6 CDs, $75)

Essence: Superb pop (no disco) on the first three internationally released albums by the Gibb brothers, in mono and stereo.

Extras: Tons of unreleased tracks, illuminating notes and interviews with Barry and Robin Gibb.

Tony Bennett, “The Classic Collection” (Columbia/Legacy, 13 CDs, $170)

Essence: Massive 201-track set for diehard fans.

Extras: Many of the 12 albums are available only in this set. Also, an exclusive “The Singles Collection” disc.

Bjork, “Surrounded” (Rhino, 7 DualDiscs, $130)

Essence: The Icelandic singer’s six studio albums and soundtrack for “Drawing Restraint 9” are on the CD sides of the discs. The DVD sides hold music remastered in 5.1 surround sound plus 26 videos.

Extras: Bonus track “Petrolatum.”

Billy Bragg, “Volume II” (Yep Roc, 8 CDs/1 DV, $82)

Essence: Four latter-day albums by the British folk-rocker, paired with bonus CDs containing demos, live tracks and alternate versions.

Extras: Two DVD concerts, many unreleased tracks, lyric booklet.

Byrds, “There Is a Season” (Columbia/Legacy, 4 CDs/1 DVD, $55)

Essence: The second Byrds box has more Gene Clark songs, plus the familiar highlights.

Extras: Five unreleased live tracks, other rarities, 10 vintage TV clips on the DVD, appreciations from musicians Tom Petty and Gary Louris, notes by historian David Fricke.

Clash, “The Singles” (Epic/Legacy, 19 CDs, $80)

Essence: All 19 U.K. singles by the British punk band are here, including 1977 freebie Capitol Radio EP, in original-artwork sleeves with B-sides from 7-inch and 12-inch discs, some new to CD.

Extras: 44-page booklet has commentary by admirers from Pete Townshend to author Nick Hornby.

David Crosby, “Voyage” (Rhino, 3 CDs, $50/$30 for digital version)

Essence: Career sampler encompassing tracks from The Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in various combinations, recent band CPR and solo.

Extras: Disc 3 comprises 16 unreleased tracks; interactive booklet on digital version.

Doors, “Perception” (Rhino, 6 CDs/6 DVDs, $150)

Essence: The box, designed as a door with a peephole of spinning photos, holds each of the legendary L.A. band’s six albums in two forms: on remastered CDs and 5.1 surround-sound DVDs with additional audio and video content.

Extras: Loads. New song “Push Push,” photo suites, rehearsal footage, lyrics and bonus tracks.

Bruce Hornsby, “Intersections 1985-2005” (RCA Legacy, 4 CDs/1 DVD, $50)

Essence: Collection emphasizes collaborations and radical reinterpretations of his hits.

Extras: 26 unreleased cuts, most live, and a 22-track DVD.

“A Life Less Lived: The Gothic Box” (Rhino, 3 CDs/1 DVD, $65)

Essence: Bound in black, laced faux leather, this gathering of gloom explores the genre in 53 songs and 12 videos.

Extras: In liner notes, artists weigh in on the Goth pigeonhole, and how-to essays offer humorous Goth clubbing and dancing tips.

Roger McGuinn, “The Folk Den Project” (April First, 4 CDs, $47)

Essence: The former Byrds leader gathers evocative versions of 100 traditional songs (“Silver Dagger,” “Lilly of the West”) to culminate a decade-long project of preserving the music.

Extras: Recordings, remixes and remasters of original Internet-uploaded versions.

Tori Amos, “A Piano: The Collection” (Rhino/Atlantic, 5 CDs, $75)

Essence: A journey through the quirky enchantress’s career, starting with an extended version of “Little Earthquakes” and winding down with B-sides and a demo medley.

Extras: Alternate versions, remixes and rarities such as an “unedited” “Crucify Myself” and a soundcheck performance of “Sugar.”

Andy Partridge, “The Fuzzy Warbles Collectors Album” (Ape House, 9 CDs, $80)

Essence: The lavish set collects eight albums of songs, demos and musical sketches by the XTC auteur.

Extras: Game-box package, explanatory notes, stamp set and a disc of exclusive tracks.

Robert Plant, “Nine Lives” (Rhino, 9 CDs/1 DVD, $100)

Essence: Plant’s post-Zeppelin career is laid out in all nine solo albums with bonus tracks and a DVD with 20 music videos, an interview and rare performance footage.

Extras: Unreleased tracks.

Pretenders, “Pirate Radio” (Rhino, 4 CDs/1 DVD, $75)

Essence: 81 tracks ranging from hits to rarities and a DVD capturing 20 performances from 1979 to 1995.

Extras: A 60-page chronology with anecdotes by band members.

Frank Sinatra, “Vegas” (Reprise, 4 CDs/1 DVD, $80)

Essence: Five classic, unreleased shows spanning 1961 through 1978.

Extras: The DVD offers a complete Caesars Palace gig.

“That’s Entertainment!” (Turner Classic Movies Music/Rhino, 6 CDs, $90)

Essence: Tunes from all the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer screen gems, and studio documentaries.

Extras: 25 additional tracks and a disc of newly available outtakes.

Richard Thompson, “RT” (Free Reed, 5 CDs, $80)

Essence: Largely unreleased recordings organized thematically to display Thompson’s wide-ranging talents.

Extras: Book-length booklet, wide-ranging unissued covers.

Tiny Tim, “God Bless Tiny Tim” (Rhino Handmade, 3 CDs, $60)

Essence: Nearly 50 tracks of ukulele-accompanied warbling from the ’60s eccentric.

Extras: Unreleased tracks form the third disc and lavish booklet.

Yes, “Essentially Yes” (Eagle, 5 CDs, $50) out Dec. 5

Essence: Four late-period albums (1994-2001) from the enduring British progressive-rock band.

Extras: The fifth disc is an unreleased live concert from 2003.

R&B, blues, Latin

Buddy Guy, “Can’t Quit the Blues” (Silvertone/Legacy, 3 CDs/1 DVD, $50)

Essence: Guy’s career is traced from its beginnings in Louisiana through his days at Chess to recent collaborations with the likes of Eric Clapton.

Extras: 47 tracks include six unreleased. DVD features 90-minute documentary and 11 previously unseen live performances.

“The Complete Motown Singles, Vols. 4, 5, 6” (Hip-o Select, 6 CDs, $120 for 4 and 5; 5 CDs, $100 for 6)

Essence: The incomparable year-by-year vault excavation of Motown singles takes the series through 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Extras: Scads of unreleased or unavailable-on-CD tracks, copious notes, replica 45s.

Lorraine Ellison, “Sister Love” (Rhino Handmade, 3 CDs, $60).

Essence: Neglected soul star’s Warner Bros. albums from ‘60s and ’70s.

Extras: 24 unreleased tracks, including 14 1972 demos.

John Lee Hooker, “Hooker” (Shout Factory!, 4 CDs, $60).

Essence: The blues star is chronologically arranged in 84 tracks spanning 50 years and nearly 30 record labels.

Extras: Booklet with essays, tributes and rare photos.

“What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves, 1967-1977” (Rhino, 4 CDs, $65)

Essence: Seminal funk tracks, both obvious and obscure, from Atlantic, Atco and Warner Bros.

Extras: Book featuring rare photos and track-by-track analysis.

Jazz

John Coltrane, “Fearless Leader” (Concord, 6 CDs, $60)

Essence: 48 tracks from ‘50s sessions at Prestige.

Extras: 64-page booklet with complete discography, rare photos, liner notes, album artwork and session notes.

“Louis Armstrong: The Wonderful World of” (Time-Life, 2 CDs/1 DVD, $40)

Essence: 41 great vocal performances by the iconic trumpeter.

Extras: DVD has 17 rare filmed performances, 40-page booklet with rare and unpublished photos.

“Miles Davis: The Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions” (Fantasy, 4 CDs, $60)

Essence: The complete Prestige output of Miles’ legendary quintet with John Coltrane, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones and Red Garland.

Extras: A disc of unreleased radio and TV performances; booklet with rare photos and essays.

“Dukes of Dixieland: Timeless” (Leisure Jazz, 4 CDs, $42)

Essence: 58 tunes from 16 albums recorded between 1974-2006 capture the history of the New Orleans group whose music encompasses traditional jazz, Dixieland, blues, gospel, swing and pop.

Extras: A 20-page color discography.

“Duke Ellington: 1936-40 Small Group Sessions” (Mosaic, 7 CDs, $119)

Essence: It was during this period that Ellington and many of his legendary sidemen first created some of the most beloved compositions in music.

Extras: Among the 173 tracks are rare performances; an extensive essay by Ellington collector Steve Lasker; and his own rehearsal disc of “Echoes of Harlem.”

“Dizzy Gillespie: Verve/Phillips Small Group Sessions” (Mosaic, 7 CDs, $119)

Essence: The jazz great’s 1954-63 peak, with many new-to-CD tracks.

Extras: Booklet with track-by-track analysis, a biographical essay and rare photos. Eleven unreleased tracks.

“The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse! Records” (Impulse!, 4 CDs, $55)

Essence: This set outlines the label’s 1961-1976 span with such artists as Gil Evans, Count Basie, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus and, of course, John Coltrane.

Extras: A 32-page booklet with extensive liner notes by author Ashley Khan.

“Legends of Jazz With Ramsey Lewis” (LRS Media, 4 CDs/4 DVDs, $200)

Essence: Season 1 of the critically acclaimed television program.

Extras: A 224-page book.

“Sonny Stitt: Stitt’s Bits” (Prestige, 3 CDs, $30)

Essence: Complete Prestige recordings from 1949-1952 of saxophone giant and bebop pioneer.

Extras: Unreleased material plus liner notes by Harvey Pekar.

“Fats Waller: If You Got to Ask, You Ain’t Got It” (Bluebird/Legacy, 3 CDs, $35)

Essence: A thematically arranged look at Waller’s career.

Extras: Booklet with notes, biography, track commentaries, 40 unpublished photographs, DVD footage.

“Weather Report: Forecast: Tomorrow” (Legacy, 3 CDs, $50)

Essence: A 37-track retrospective of jazz fusion band led by Miles Davis alums Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter.

Extras: A 100-page book and concert DVD.

“George Winston: Complete Solo Piano Recordings 1972-2004” (Windham Hill/Legacy, 10 CDs, $130)

Essence: Supplanting a seven-disc 1996 box, this set contains 10 instrumental albums by the pianist.

Extras: Five of the albums have bonus tracks and downloadable, printable sheet music.

Country

“Legends of Country” (Shout! Factory, 3 CDs, $50)

Essence: 57 familiar hits serve as a classic country primer.

“Dolly Parton: The Acoustic Collection 1999-2002” (Sugar Hill, 3 CDs/1 DVD, $32)

Essence: The three roots-oriented albums that renewed interest in Parton’s artistry: “The Grass Is Blue,” “Little Sparrow” and “Halos and Horns.”

Extras: DVD has three videos and a performance with Norah Jones.