Recordings
Best Classic Bands offers smart, informed and unbiased assessments of the latest rock album releases and reissues to offer readers guidance on what sounds they might enjoy.
The Rolling Stones’ ‘Licked Live in NYC’: Review
The band–world champs at mining the vault–is in fine form throughout this 2003 gig that includes many familiar tracks and a handful not heard as often
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ABBA’s ‘Album Box Set’ is the Ultimate Guilty Pleasure
The box boasts ABBA’s irresistible wall of sound, which incorporates soaring melodies, terrific vocal work, hooks galore, and inventive use of synthesizers.
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The Rolling Stones Go Small with Big Results on ‘El Mocambo 1977’
This Toronto recording, capturing a gig played for 300 lucky souls and featuring both hits and obscurities, ranks with the best of the Stones’ live LPs.
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Led Zeppelin’s Epic Live ‘How the West Was Won’
The chart-topping three-disc set, remastered in 2018, culls the best material from three June 1972 Los Angeles–area concerts.
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Mark Knopfler’s ‘The Studio Albums 1996–2007′: Review
The music is well recorded, but if you’re looking for the arena rock and guitar pyrotechnics that characterized Dire Straits, you may be disappointed.
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Judy Collins’ 1st-Ever Album of All-Original Songs: ‘Spellbound’ Reviewed
After more than half a century and 55 albums, the singer has finally released a full album of her own compositions. Our reviewer approves.
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‘The Trogg Tapes’: Beyond ‘Wild Thing’
The newly reissued 1976 LP, featuring original lead singer Reg Presley, showcases both the rocking side and the gentler tunes of the British band
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Elvis Costello Pumps It Up on ‘The Boy Named If’: Review
Costello is in fine form and his backup band, the Imposters, still cooks. His trademark vocals and colorful vignettes continue to fascinate
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David Bowie’s ‘Brilliant Adventure’ Box Set: Review
While the new collection is not the high point of the recent series of Bowie boxes, it does have a lot to recommend it including a BBC Radio concert from 2000
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David Bowie’s Brilliant Last Will and Testament
Bowie’s final album, ★ (Blackstar), ruminates on mortality with some of his most challenging artistry, and a serious statement about life and death
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