The era of physical music product is winding down, or so the numbers say. But you wouldn’t know it by the plethora of new boxed sets clogging retail shelves this holiday season. Here’s a guide to some of the more notable multidisc packages released this year (listed alphabetically by artist):
AC/DC, “Backtracks” (Sony Legacy, $39.98): For those who can’t get enough Bon Scott-era AC/DC from the ’70s (and I heartily endorse your obsession), this troll through the band’s rarities will provide the necessary fix. About half of the music on this two-CD, single-DVD compilation resurrects Scott in all his leering, sneering glory. The latter-day stuff with Brian Johnson on vocals is of less interest, though “Big Gun” is helpfully salvaged from the “Last Action Hero” soundtrack.
The Beatles, “The Beatles” (EMI, $259.98) and “The Beatles in Mono” (EMI, $298.98): The first remastering of the Beatles catalog in 20 years definitely perks up the sound, with cleaner articulation of the instruments and more oomph in the rhythm section. Paul McCartney’s bass lines and the vocal harmonies are revelatory, but make sure you play it on a decent sound system. The package itself is underwhelming: There are no bonus tracks, and perfunctory mini-documentaries accompany each disc. The stereo discs can all be bought individually. That’s unfortunately not the case with the mono set, which is the real prize for collectors.
Dolly Parton, “Dolly” (Sony Legacy, $49.98): The exaggerated physique and personality sometimes obscure Parton’s accomplishments as a singer, songwriter and guitar player. This four-disc set gives her career the overview it deserves, from hard-core country classics to crossover pop; all that’s missing are her recent acoustic recordings, which rank with her finest work.
Pearl Jam, “Pearl Jam 1990-1992: Ten Collector’s Edition Box Set” (Sony Legacy, $199.98): If you were one of 12 million people who bought the Seattle quintet’s debut album when it came out in 1991 and helped put “grunge” into the popular lexicon, this “Collector’s Edition” is all that and more. Despite Kurt Cobain’s early criticism of the band as corporate rock, “Ten” holds up just fine, a sturdy piece of Generation X introspection housed inside classic, ’70s-style arena-rock riffing. This massive, felt-wrapped package includes the original CD remastered, a Brendan O’Brien remix CD version with unreleased tracks, four vinyl LPs that include a 1992 concert, a DVD of the band’s “MTV Unplugged” performance and even a cassette of the original demo. And then there are assorted souvenirs, a scrapbook, even a Mookie Blaylock pro-basketball trading card (as every PJ fan knows, Mookie Blaylock was the band’s original name).
R.E.M., “Live at the Olympia in Dublin” Limited Edition (Warner, $99.98): A “working rehearsal” at a Dublin club in 2007 found the band re-energized as it debuted songs from its forthcoming album, “Accelerate,” and dug into its early-’80s material. Includes extensive liner notes by Peter Buck.
The Rolling Stones, “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert 40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set” (Abkco, $59.98): The Stones at the height of their powers at Madison Square Garden in November 1969, only weeks away from the debacle of Altamont that brought the peace-love-drugs decade crashing to a close. This three-CD, one-DVD box expands the original live album, easily the Stones’ best concert document, with five unreleased tracks on CD and DVD, plus a disc of the powerhouse opening acts: B.B. King and Ike and Tina Turner. The latter nearly steals the show.
Rod Stewart, “The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998” (Rhino, $64.98): The take on Stewart’s career is that of a great start followed by a fall into self-parody. “Sessions” tells a different tale through unpolished outtakes, demos and rarities. It suggests that Stewart still had soul to burn even through his jet-set years — unfortunately he or his handlers chose to suppress it.
Neil Young, “Archives Vol. 1: 1963-1972” (Reprise, $349.99): This first volume of the massive Young archival boxed set series is best experienced in the pricey 10-volume Blu-ray version. The new technology turns the Young archive into an interactive platform incorporating music, video and text, and opens an Internet portal to capture additional content as it is unearthed. A hardcover book and Young’s first movie, “Journey Through the Past,” unavailable since 1973, make this a must-own for the singer’s most committed fans.
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greg@gregkot.com
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