Janis Joplin - Blow All My Blues Away 1962-1970 [10 CD, 2012/FLAC+320]

 

This set of archival recordings lets us witness the formation of arguably the most powerful and expressive voice in rock history. From the earliest known performances in the small bars of Texas to the first sessions with Big Brother to her mesmerizing live shows, Janis never left behind her raw roots. She drew upon them to impel emotional performances as if by exposing her pain she gained power over her past and transformed it into a gift. In these newly sourced pearls, we can hear as never before the birth and fast burning flame of Janis Joplin.

 

Carmine Appice - Guitar Zeus (25th Anniversary Box Set) (2021) [FLAC]

 As drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice set the grooves for the groundbreaking band's 1967 psychedelic debut. Post-Fudge, Bogert and Appice formed Cactus (seen as an influence on King's X and Van Halen). Post-Cactus, the rhythm section found Grammy-winning Guitar Hero Jeff Beck to form the first supergroup: Beck, Bogert & Appice (BBA). One of the premier showmen in rock, Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances, in addition to becoming a highly sought-after session drummer, recording with countless artists throughout his career.

In '76, he joined the Rod Stewart Band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart's biggest hits, "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" and "Young Turks". He would go on to form King Kobra, tour with Ozzy Osbourne and Blue Murder with John Sykes (Whitesnake) and Tony Franklin (The Firm).

Guitar Zeus 25th Anniversary Box Set is a massive collection of 4 LPs, 3 CDs and a full-color booklet with never-before-seen photos and interviews conducted by Martin Popoff. 35 tracks in all featuring Slash, Brian May, Ted Nugent, Yngwie Malmsteem, Neal Schon, Richie Sambora, Zakk Wylde and many, many more. With never-released tracks featuring Tommy Thayer of KISS and Derek Sherinian (ex Dream Theater). This is the ultimate collection for any guitar enthusiast; there is nowhere else you can find this many guitar greats on one release!

Grateful Dead - Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings [11 CD, 2005/FLAC + 320]

 

Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings is a limited edition box set (10,000 copies), released in November 2005, featuring four complete concerts by the Grateful Dead on 10 CDs. These concerts, performed on four consecutive nights from February 27 through March 2, 1969, were the basis for Live/Dead (rock's first 16-track live album). Thus, unlike Dick's Picks, Road Trips, Dave's Picks, and certain other of the band's archival series of live album releases, which are simply two-track stereo recordings made from the soundboard during the concert, the shows in the box set were all recorded on a 16-track multitrack recorder and were mixed down to stereo just prior to the box set's 2005 release.

Released separately was Fillmore West 1969, a three-disc distillation that included highlights of the four nights that did not appear on Live/Dead (with the exception of "Feedback" and the full-length version of "And We Bid You Good Night", which had appeared in truncated form on Live/Dead).

A bonus disc released with the set includes selections from two additional Fillmore West shows; June 8, 1969 and February 7, 1970. It also includes a blistering 30-minute version of "Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)" that was recorded on June 14, 1968 during the band's debut run of shows at Bill Graham's newly opened Fillmore East in New York, which had the Grateful Dead headlining over the Jeff Beck Group. Many of the band's recordings from 1968 have been lost and what remains is often incorrectly labeled.

 

 

VA - The Many Faces Of Queen (3 CD, 2018) [FLAC]

 

Few bands embodied the pure excess of the '70s like Queen. Embracing the exaggerated pomp of progressive rock and heavy metal, as well as vaudevillian music hall, the British quartet delved deeply into camp and bombast, creating a huge, mock-operatic sound with layered guitars and overdubbed vocals. Queen's music was a bizarre yet highly accessible fusion of the macho and the fey. For years, their albums boasted the motto "no synthesizers were used on this record," signaling their allegiance with the legions of post-Led Zeppelin hard rock bands. 

 In The Many Faces of Queen we will delve into the inner world of the legendary British foursome including their early recordings, collaborations and their fantastic repertoire. With remastered sound and fantastic artwork, The Many Faces Of Queen is an essential addition to your rock music collection. Disc One features early recordings by members of Queen including tracks by Smile, Larry Lurex (AKA Freddie Mercury), Eddie Howell featuring Brian May & Freddie Mercury and more. Disc Two features the songs of Queen as interpreted by rockers like Lemmy, Yngwie Malmsteen, Bob Kulick, Robin McAuley and many others. Disc Three includes symphonic interpretations of Queen classics like "Under Pressure," Love Of My Life," "We Are The Champions," and, of course, "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The Artwoods - Steady Gettin' It. The Complete Recordings 1964-67 (3 CD, 2014/FLAC)

 

The Artwoods (also sometimes known by Decca Records as the Art Woods) were an English rock band who formed in 1963 and were professionally active between 1964 and 1967. They were a popular live attraction, rivalling groups such as the Animals, although, despite releasing a clutch of singles and an album, their record sales never reflected this popularity.

Singer Arthur Wood, from whom the band took their name, was the eldest brother of Ronnie Wood (who later found fame with the Faces and Rolling Stones). Art Wood had been a vocalist with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated for a short period during 1962, simultaneously fronting his own group, the Art Wood Combo. When keyboardist Jon Lord and guitarist Derek Griffiths from Red Bludd's Bluesicians joined the Art Wood Combo, the Artwoods were formed. With Keef Hartley, formerly with Rory Storm & the Hurricanes, joining on drums and Malcolm Pool from the Roadrunners joining as bassist, in December 1964 the band turned professional, securing a residency at London's 100 Club and signing a recording contract with Decca Records. Colin Martin joined from the band the Ingoes, who changed their name to the Blossom Toes. Colin went on to work at Radio 2 where he produced the like of Terry Wogan, Ken Bruce and Gloria Hunniford and was later appointed as Head of Music at the station.

The intended debut single, a cover of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man", was shelved in favour of a rendition of an old Lead Belly song, "Sweet Mary". Although it didn't reach the charts, it got sufficient airplay to bring the band a lot of live work, including an appearance on the first live edition of Ready Steady Go!. Their second record, "Oh My Love", was another blues cover. Like its predecessor (and subsequent releases), it failed to chart. Their only chart single was "I Take What I Want", which reached No 28 on 8 May 1966.

The Artwoods were dropped by Decca at the end of 1966, and they signed a one-record deal with Parlophone, but their release "What Shall I Do" also had no success. Later in 1967, a final "one-off" single appeared on the Fontana label, with the band billing itself as St. Valentine's Day Massacre; but by the time of its release the Artwoods had effectively ceased to exist.

The Artwoods' early records today stand up well against the work of more successful groups such as the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds or the Birds (who included Art's younger brother Ronnie). But at the time they came out, despite appearances on programs like Ready, Steady, Go! their singles never seemed to connect with the record-buying public. The group broke up in mid-1967. Art Wood joined his brother Ted in the graphics-art business and continued to perform music on a semi-professional basis. He also played with the Downliners Sect. Keef Hartley went on to play with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Jon Lord became a founder member of Deep Purple.