There are several important releases that are coming down the road that should be addressed apart from the normal soup of 2 liner notations that we do here. The three in mind are:
1) The Best of Fridays:
This series arrived way back in 1980 as ABC TV’s counter to NBC’s wildly popular Saturday Night Live. Surprisingly, Fridays not only entertained heavily, the borrowed formula of musical acts and hilarious skits gained a mass of fans that, to this day, still talk lovingly about the show and its stellar cast of comedians that included Michael Richards (Seinfeld), Melanie Chartoff (Parker Lewis Can’t Lose), and Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm). Even so, the rest of the cast were equally as entertaining.
Not only were there great hosts like Andy Kaufman (with an interesting incident), Billy Crystal, and William Shatner, there were a superb selection of musical guests that included Devo, Graham Parker and The Rumour, KISS, The Clash, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, and others.
And the skits: I still laugh about The Transphibians, Richards as an eccentric “ladies’ man”, and a wildly explosive kid in a sandbox infatuated with the war games of a military.
On August 6, Shout! Factory will release a collection of skits from the sixteen episodes that aired from 1980-1982. The DVD will include bonus features like a cast reunion, a look at the Kaufman incident, and photos. This has been a long time coming.
2)The RCA Album Collection – Harry Nilsson:
Harry Nilsson was a diamond among many precious stones. His work, both accepted within the tall walls of Top40, and by the lovers of FM music, and especially by the genuine fans (who will splurge to acquire this elaborate 17CD Box) is timeless. If you’re one of these fans, here’s what the Box will contain (and why you SHOULD get it!):
All fourteen of Nilsson’s albums are remastered and available here along with a wealth of bonus tracks, 65 in all, 26 of which are previously unreleased tracks. Those three newly compiled discs (Nilsson Sessions: 1967-1968, Nilsson Sessions: 1968-1971, Nilsson Sessions: 1971-1974) represent the hidden treasures of this massive Box containing 58 bonus tracks, 29 of them previously unreleased.
Each of the fourteen Nilsson albums here will not only include the Stereo versions but will include Mono cuts, and other bonus inclusions. This set is slated for release on July 30.
[To view the extensive track-listing of this set, click here and input ‘Nilsson‘ as the password. Otherwise, those who DIDN’T care to see the lengthy listings would be endlessly scrolling.]
3) Wings Over America – Paul McCartney and Wings:
Not long from now, fans of the already expansive Wings Over America album, will be given the opportunity to pick up a new issue of the album with remastering and bonus materials. On May 28, Hear Music will reissue the set in several formats including a massive, and definitive 3CD/1DVD Deluxe Edition with a massive 100-page leatherette bound book. In that set, 2 CDs represent the original album, 1 CD contains a live set from The Cow Palace (San Francisco), and the DVD containing the 75-minute television special, Wings Over The World. And there’s more there for you (check Amazon for the complete list if you’re interested).
The set will also be made available in standard 2CD sets and vinyl LP.
4) Rockshow – Paul McCartney and Wings:
After a brief run in the theatres, Rockshow will be made available to fans on DVD and BD via Eagle Rock. This set will be fully restored and remastered, with an available 5.1 mix that should please everyone. This previously released show, filmed at the Kingdome in Seattle was originally released in truncated form but will now be featured as the complete show. Rockshow is slated for release on June 11.
5) Legend Remixed – Bob Marley and The Wailers:
On June 25, Island will reissue Legend from Bob Marley and The Wailers in a Remixed Edition. The set will be known as Legend Remixed and will be made available as a CD, DD, and an LP. More information as it emerges for this title. But I know that you’re excited.
6) The Joker (40th Anniversary Edition) – Steve Miller Band:
On June 25, Capitol Records will reissue a timeless classic in the Steve Miller catalog, his incredible The Joker, originally released in October of 1973. I can still remember hearing “The Joker” on WLS-AM and being absolutely wowed by this great song. Needless to say, I went to work right away to gain the money to purchase this album. This is one set that I’m waiting for. It releases in both CD and LP formats. This 40th Anniversary set also releases in the UK on June 4.
7) Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Hot Rocks 1964-1971 clear vinyl LPs – The Rolling Stones:
On May 28, Abkco Records will reissue three prominent Abkco Stones titles (Beggars Banquet (1968), Let It Bleed (1969), and Hot Rocks 1964-1971 (1971), a collection of 21 Stones hits. All LPs will be pressed in 180g-weight clear vinyl, with Hot Rocks a 2LP set. BONUS: UMe will issue HD recordings (96k/24-bit) of Exile On Main Street, and Emotional Rescue, on June 11.
And to close out this day with some brief, emerging collectibles, we have two classic LPs coming that might be of interest to a few of you:
8) Five Leaves Left – Nick Drake:
Island Records will reissue Five Leaves Left on vinyl LP scheduled for July 2.
9) Nevermind – Nirvana:
Geffen Records have the landmark Nirvana album, Nevermind scheduled for LP reissue on July 9.
Great News about the Fridays show DVD.Would love to see the two Pretenders performances on there with the original lineup from ’81.You Tube has the clips posted.
Agreed, Tom. Even better, just release the entire Fridays set, uncut!
That Nilsson box looks amazing.
Per your request, I wanted to let people know that it was reported at one of the music sites online that an audiophile company I’ve never heard of before called Impex will be releasing a gold disc (with 4 bonus tracks) of Blood, Sweat amp; Tears-Child Is Father to the Man on July 16th. One of people involved will be Kevin Gray ( of Audio fidelity fame).