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.

Dire Straits’ ‘Live: 1978–1992’ Is a Must-Have Boxed Set: Review

The eight-CD (or 12-LP) set, which comes with a 16-page booklet, is a treasure trove of great rock performances.

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‘We Can Work It Out’ (An Anthology of Beatles Covers): Review

The 3-disc anthology collects covers of Beatles tunes by Mary Wells, the 5th Dimension, the Supremes, Count Basie and even Mae West!

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The Kinks’ ‘The Journey Part 2’ Mixes Hits & Deep Cuts: Review

The latest Kinks Kompilation features both hits and obscure tracks, chosen by the former band members.

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Nektar 50th Anniversary ‘Remember the Future’ Box: Review

Even without their light show, the music on this prog classic is enveloping.

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A New Edition of Violent Femmes’ Celebrated Debut: Review

The folk-punk trio’s 1983 debut album was their best-selling, and is widely and understandably viewed as its best moment.

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The Willie Nelson Star-Studded 90th Birthday Concert: CD/Blu-ray Review

Now, here’s a guy who knows how to throw a party! And what a guest list: Keith Richards, Neil Young, Tom Jones & more.

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The Essential ‘Memphis Blues Box’: Review

This exhaustive 20-CD set took 13 years to compile and comes with a 360-page hardcover book. Definitive is an understatement!

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A New Edition of Pink Floyd’s ‘Atom Heart Mother’: Review

Their fifth album wasn’t nearly as successful as later effort like ‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ but there’s much here worth considering.

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Bob Marley & the Wailers’ ‘Catch a Fire’ Revisited: Review

With classic tracks like “Stir It Up” and “Slave Driver,” this 50th anniversary release is an essential component of any reggae collection.

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‘Looking for the Magic’ Anthology Collects Power Pop from the 1970s: Review

A 3-disc collection offers choice cuts from within the loosely defined genre, by Raspberries, Cheap Trick, Dwight Twilley & more.

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