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 Jimi Hendrix Experience Live in Maui 1970: Review

Thanks to today’s studio technology, the original, elusive hour-and-40-minute concert recording has been enhanced and released on a two-CD set.

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Cameo-Parkway Records’ ’60s Dance & Soul Compilations: Review

A trio of new collections highlight the dance crazes that emanated from artists like Philly’s Chubby Checker and Dee Dee Sharp, plus classic soul.

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Bee Gees’ Rare Performances Collected in New Box Set: Review

The sound quality and performances are excellent, many different from the well-known studio versions. And the set lists cover lots of territory.

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Nick Mason Re-Psychedelicizes Early Pink Floyd on New Live Release: Review

Don’t come here looking for ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ or ‘The Wall.’ The drummer’s focus is solely on the earlier, more trippy Floyd material.

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A New Set Offers a Magical Mystery Tour of Trippy Beatles Covers: Review

The program begins with a big built-in advantage: because these are Beatles covers, it delivers one great number after another.

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Little Richard’s ’70s Comeback Albums: Review

Though not on a par with his best work, these records leave no doubt that Richard’s flamboyant personality and high energy level remained intact.

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The Explorers Club Channels the ’60s/’70s on 2 New Albums

One disc is so reminiscent of classic rock that you might feel as if you’ve heard the tunes somewhere before. The other pays a more direct tribute.

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Dion Sings ‘Blues with Friends’: Review

Dion has periodically dipped into a blues bag. On his new set he teams up with Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison & more for a full album of blues.

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Gordon Lightfoot Goes ‘Solo’ on 1st New Studio Set Since ’04: Review

The new release, the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter’s first since 2004, occasionally sounds like a collection of demos.

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Dylan in Nashville: ‘Travelin Thru’ Box Set Reviewed

Most amazing of all is Dylan’s voice, now a silky baritone. “When I stopped smoking,” he said, “my voice changed…I couldn’t believe it myself.”

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