Gentle Giant - Three Piece Suite (Steven Wilson Mix, 2017) [24-96]

Following the highly successful releases of the Steven Wilson's remixes of The Power And The Glory and Octopus, Steven has now remixed a specially curated selection of songs and compositions from the band's first three albums (Giant, Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends) presented in both 5.1 surround sound and stereo. Only a few songs from each of the band's first three albums are known to exist as multi-tracks, with the rest presumably lost, and it is these nine tracks - plus the previously unreleased pre-debut song 'Freedom's Child' - that have been remixed by Steven Wilson for this very special release. 'Three Piece Suite' includes the songs 'Giant', 'Nothing At All' and 'Why Not' from the first album Giant, 'Pantagruel's Nativity', 'The House, The Street, The Room' from the second album Acquiring The Taste, and 'Schooldays', 'Peel the Paint', 'Mr. Class And Quality' and 'Three Friends' from the album Three Friends. The previously commercially unreleased song 'Freedom's Child' is from the first recording sessions with legendary producer Tony Visconti. The liner notes contain an essay by noted journalist Anil Prasad, in which Gentle Giant's members reflect upon the writing and recording sessions. Furthermore, Steven Wilson and Tony Visconti share their observations about the early days of this unique collection of timeless music from one of progressive rock's most influential bands.

T. Rex - 1973 : Whatever Happened to the Teenage Dream? (4 CD, 2023) [24-44]

After the thrilling rush of 1972, during which Marc Bolan and T. Rex ruled the musical world with a glittery fist, 1973 proved a different kind of year. Tired of glam and looking for a new sound, Bolan turned to the sounds of America for inspiration. Determined to become a star there, he led the band on a number of tours and along the way understood that fans wanted harder and less poppy music; he also fell in love with the soul and funk beaming out over the nation's airwaves. 1973: Whatever Happened to the Teenage Dream? is a four-disc set that captures what happened when Bolan and the band turned away from glam and went in search of something else. It contains both the Tanx album, which was recorded in late 1972, and 1974's Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow, recorded in 1973. Alongside them are non-LP singles, demos Bolan made at home, Zinc Alloy outtakes, the 1973 single credited to Big Carrot, and the aborted sessions for a Sister Pat Hall record.

The Band - Stage Fright (1970/2014) [SACD ISO]

Stage Fright is the third studio album by Canadian-American group The Band released in 1970. Much more of a rock album than its predecessors, it was a departure from their previous two efforts in that its tone was darker and featured less of the harmony vocal blend that had been a centerpiece of those two albums. It also included the last two recordings by the Band of new songs credited to pianist Richard Manuel; both were co-written with guitarist Robbie Robertson, who would continue to be the group's dominant lyricist until the group disbanded in 1976. Nonetheless, the tradition of switching instruments that had begun on the previous album continued here, with each musician contributing instrumental parts on at least two different instruments.

 

Little Richard - King Of Rock And Roll: The Complete Reprise Recordings [3 CD, 2004/FLAC]

 

Little Richard was not the only original rock & roller to attempt a comeback in the late '60s and early '70s, but he may have been the one to take the greatest musical risks. Fats Domino merely updated his sound (albeit in a charming fashion), Jerry Lee Lewis refashioned himself as a hardcore country singer, and Chuck Berry pandered with "My Ding-A-Ling," but Little Richard pushed himself on his three albums for Reprise, all of which were collected -- along with his contributions to Quincy Jones' 1972 Dollar$ soundtrack album, non-LP singles, session outtakes, and a complete unreleased album from 1972 called Southern Child -- in 2005 by Rhino Handmade for the triple-disc set The King of Rock and Roll.

 

VA - The Story of British Folk - From Fairport Convention to Johnny Flynn (2 CD, 2010/FLAC)

Two CD compilation that charts the story of Folk music in the UK from Martin Carthy, who equivalent to Bob Dylan in the US, is the pioneer of the UK Folk revival, through Fairport Convention and the Folk Rock movement, right up to contemporary artists carrying on the rich tradition such as Noah And the Whale, who reached #5 in the UK Album charts. Whether you're drinking cider in the sun at a festival or just interested in getting to know some of the pioneers and artists that have made folk what it is today and influenced the last 40 years of popular music in Britain.