Listmania!
Fave Reissues of the Last Few Years - PART 5
By an Amazon.com customer
Common OneCommon One by Van Morrison
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $6.04
His inner-peace and mysticism album from 1980 given a fabulous 2008 remaster with two excellent bonus tracks. See detailed review...
Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings...Plus!Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings...Plus! by Neil Diamond
Buy new: $18.97 / Used from: $14.93
2002 beautifully realised Erick Labson remasters, 3 CDs, 74 tracks, all his Uni label albums from 1968's "Velvet Gloves & Spit" to 1972's "Moods" with some of the live "Hot August Night" double set too. His best music...
Be Yourself TonightBe Yourself Tonight by Eurythmics
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $3.34
I've never understood why this masterpiece of pop & soul from 1985 hasn't been more praised? This 2006 remaster has fantastically upgraded sound, a tri-gatefold digipak and 6 very good bonus tracks. Brill.
This Is SoulThis Is Soul by Various Artists
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $41.60
This staggeringly iconic Atlantic comp is given a gatefold repro card sleeve, a 2007 Rhino remaster, a 12-page informative booklet & a juicy 17 bonus tracks - and all at mid-price! Wow!
RaintownRaintown by Deacon Blue
Buy new: $23.98 / Used from: $9.99
Their rock-melodic-soulful 1987 debut on CBS finally given the remaster & bonus package its long deserved on this superb 2CD LEGACY EDITION. It indeed feels like Spencer Tracy now...
Ma Kelly's Greasy SpoonMa Kelly's Greasy Spoon by Status Quo
Buy new: $22.99 / Used from: $24.96
The first real incarnation of their no-nonsense heads-down rock-boogie came on this long-forgotten 1970 UK Pye Records album. This remastered 20-track 2003 version is bolstered up with superb non-album singles, BBC performances and even pictures the rare black & white poster that came with the original LP
If the Jasmine Don't Get You the Bay Breeze WillIf the Jasmine Don't Get You the Bay Breeze Will by Vince Martin
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $9.99
An impossibly rare & folky-beautiful US-only album from 1969 on Capitol given a gorgeous 2008 remaster by Revola. Vince Martin was part Fred Neil, part Tim Buckley & part Gram Parsons. Stunning reissue with beautiful sound...
Complete Blue Horizon SessionsComplete Blue Horizon Sessions by Champion Jack Dupree
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $13.25
2CDs, 38 Tracks, 2 Full Albums, Non-Album Single Sides, Unreleased Live Stuff. Features ace contributions from STAN WEBB of CHICKEN SHACK with PAUL KOSSOFF and SIMON KIRKE of FREE - and even includes the fab guitar work of MICK TAYLOR from THE ROLLING STONES. See detailed review...
Anyway the Wind Blows: The AnthologyAnyway the Wind Blows: The Anthology by J.J. Cale
Buy used from: $9.99
2CDs, 50 tracks, many remastered for the first time and even rare previously unreleased stuff too (a first at the time). This is a fantastic way to discover the deceptively brilliant J.J. Cale - and all of it as refreshing as a cool breeze...
The J. Geils BandThe J. Geils Band by J. Geils Band
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.21
Their 1970 bluesy debut album on Atlantic with Peter Wolf's great vocals, J. Geils fab axework and especially Richard "Magic Dick" Salwitz on Harmonica. Check out "Serves You Right To Suffer". Great remaster.
Learning to CrawlLearning to Crawl by Pretenders
Buy used from: $5.29
I waited years for Rhino to remaster their catalogue and this ballsy reisue doesn't disappoint. Gatefold card sleeve, bonus tracks, huge sound - so overlooked as an album. Chrissie and her crew have always been the balls...
David Clayton-ThomasDavid Clayton-Thomas by David Clayton-Thomas
Buy new: $29.99 / Used from: $47.23
1st solo album for the BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS vocalist from 1972 - a 2006 straightforward remaster - gatefold card digipak - liner notes. His version of Gram Parsons "She" is gorgeous. See detailed review...
ExodusExodus by Bob Marley & the Wailers
Buy new: $29.98 / Used from: $14.79
Astonishingly clear and muscular sound on this 2CD DELUXE EDITON. Marley's wonderful and iconic 1977 Island Records masterpiece. The 12" singles and bonuses are cool too. But it's the beautiful remastered sound that will blow you away...
Excitable BoyExcitable Boy by Warren Zevon
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $6.48
Probably his best and most consistent of albums. Waited years for Rhino to beef this peach up with a decent remaster and they have. The sound is fantastic. Acidic lyrics, astute observations and great tunes. Also check out the pre Talking Heads funk of "Nighttime In The Switching Yard". Fantastic stuff...
Classic MastersClassic Masters by Robbie Robertson
Buy used from: $5.07
Contains 4 tracks from 1994’s “Music For Native Americans” and 9 from 1998’s “Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy” (both on Capitol). All tracks are superbly remastered - five are a mixture of remixes and new versions. Really great sound and liner notes by the great man. See detailed review...
The Complete Blue Horizon SessionsThe Complete Blue Horizon Sessions by Top Topham
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $8.19
Based around his rare 1970 "Ascension Heights" LP (all instrumental) - this 2008 Blue Horizon reissue is the usual top standard - great remaster, bonuses, liner notes, classy looking outer card wrap. See detailed review...
Inarticulate Speech of the HeartInarticulate Speech of the Heart by Van Morrison
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $6.40
1983 Mercury Records album with many ethereal floating instrumentals on it and the stunning "Rave On John Dunne" - a 2008 remaster with 2 bonus tracks - alternate versions. See detailed review...
The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1 by Randy Newman
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $3.46
An extraordinary album - he reworks his own songs with mostly just him and a piano. Beautifully recorded - and now the tunes have a stark power about them. If you're not a convert, then give this a listen...
Roosevelt Sykes Sings the BluesRoosevelt Sykes Sings the Blues by Roosevelt Sykes
Buy new: $15.49 / Used from: $3.58
A 5" card repro of his US-only ultra-rare 1962 album on Crown Records reissued and remastered in 2006 by Ace Records of England. Part of their "Hip Pocket" series - see review - and also a full list of the card-repro "Hip Pocket" issues in Listmania.
Pinball and Other Stories: The Best of Brian ProtheroePinball and Other Stories: The Best of Brian Protheroe by Brian Protheroe
Buy new: $12.98 / Used from: $32.68
19-track compilation, features songs from his 3 Chrysalis albums (1974, 1975 and 1976) and 3 from later dates. Beautiful sound. Very 10cc in places. See detailed review...
Pacific Ocean Blue (Legacy Edition)Pacific Ocean Blue (Legacy Edition) by Dennis Wilson
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $11.00
Available only for a short time on CD (let alone original vinyl), this pricey rarity has had the honours done it by Sony's LEGACY EDITION. They took care and pride with this and it shows. Superb.
Blues from Laurel CanyonBlues from Laurel Canyon by John Mayall
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $9.03
Like the famous 'dog & dustbin' front cover of Fleetwood Mac's debut UK album (also from 1968), I only have to see the gatefold sleeve of John Mayall's "Laurel Canyon" and I'm all soppy. This 2007 remaster is the best ever version - and with tasty extras too...
Best of Immaculate FoolsBest of Immaculate Fools by Immaculate Fools
Buy new: $10.98 / Used from: $5.48
A cheap and cheerful way of getting most of their superb "Dumb Poet" album on A&M from 1987 on CD (7 tracks worth). Now here's an 80's album I'd love to see a DELUXE EDITION of?
Ozark Mountain Daredevils/It'll Shine When It ShinesOzark Mountain Daredevils/It'll Shine When It Shines by Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Buy new: $26.97 / Used from: $14.93
Their 1973 self-titled A&M Records debut album doubled up with its 1974 follow-up - both in their entirety. Great sound, very detailed liner notes, nice card wrap. Fun, melodic, even moving in places - I've always loved the Ozarks.
GoldGold by The Temptations
Buy new: $14.97 / Used from: $9.49
Lethal combo on this one. You get 2CDs with a near faultless track line-up - clear Erick Labson remastering - and even an unusually detailed track-by-track inlay. Fantastic music and an absolute bargain price too.
Black and BlueBlack and Blue by The Rolling Stones
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $6.95
It's not best Stones album by any means, but it absolutely is the best 'sounding' remaster of all the 2009 issues (Tattoo You is close). The whole album now rocks and is huge all of a sudden. The one true blemish is of course their woeful cut of Lou Donaldson's reggae track "Cherry Oh Baby". The remaster though will help you forget that...
Goats Head SoupGoats Head Soup by The Rolling Stones
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $6.77
Following the fantastic run of "Beggars", "Bleed", "Sticky" and "Exile" was never going to be easy... and in 1973 GHS got slated... It didn't help either that it was very badly recorded. That improved a tad on the 1994 Virgin CD, but this is far better. "Winter" is brill as is "Coming Down Again". Unfortunately they've put on the censored version of "Star Star".
Everybody Knows This Is NowhereEverybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $7.46
2009 HDCD remaster worth waiting for - docked a star for lack of extras, but up there with real quality in the sound department. See detailed review...
After the Gold RushAfter the Gold Rush by Neil Young
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.97
2009 HDCD remaster with superb sound quality. Booklet reproduces the original album lyric fold-out poster. Mid price too. A winner. See detailed review...
HarvestHarvest by Neil Young
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.34
The "Greatest Hits" set of a few years ago showed how good 3 of the "Harvest" tracks could sound - well that same sonic improvement has been applied for the whole album and the result is shockingly good. The booklet apes the textured feel of the album sleeve and lyric insert. A HDCD winner. See detailed review...