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.

Lulu’s ‘Gold’ Reviewed: More Than ‘To Sir With Love’

Her material is mostly excellent and certainly diverse. The compilation does her justice, although it skimps on the visuals and annotation.

Read More

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s ‘Déjà vu’ Deluxe: Review

The set offers an opportunity to reappraise this classic album and also peek behind the curtain, see how it came together.

Read More

Allman Brothers Band’s ‘Down in Texas ’71’: Review

If you’re hungry for more early-era ABB, this set is worth a look. Its program includes both originals and a handful of classic blues covers.

Read More

Lynyrd Skynyrd at Knebworth 1976: Review

The concert is well preserved on this release, which features 11 numbers, among them “Gimme Three Steps,” “Workin’ for MCA” and “Call Me the Breeze.”

Read More

‘Bob Dylan 1970’—New Treasures from the Vaults: Review

This is your chance to be a fly on the wall and listen in as Dylan explores his options, tries out different voices and delivers a wide variety of songs.

Read More

Tommy James and the Shondells Complete—Review

With 17 Top 40 hits, and covers by everyone from Springsteen to Dolly Parton, they were a major act. Now, finally, all of their work is in one place.

Read More

Joni Mitchell’s ‘Archives’ Collected in a New Boxed Set: Review

Like Dylan before her, Mitchell transitioned almost overnight fromimpressive but derivative covers artist to an original singer/songwriter

Read More

Steve Forbert Tips His Hat to ‘The Father of Country Music,’ Jimmie Rodgers

The two Mississippi singer-songwriters share more in common than a birthplace. Forbert brings a contemporary, personal touch to these American classics.

Read More

Fleetwood Mac ‘1969 to 1974’ Revisited in New Boxed Set: Review

The collection includes seven complete studio albums featuring the early lineups of the band, before they became a household name.

Read More

Jesse Colin Young Gets it Together on New Acoustic Solo Album

The recent material is excellent, but longtime fans will likely be most interested in the re-recordings of Youngbloods classics and early Young solo tunes.

Read More