Bledsoe: Forget downloads; Christmas needs boxes

Considering that the world seems to be going to digital downloads for music, you'd think that CD boxed sets would be on the wane. However, this year there's still plenty for music fanatics to hope for for Christmas. And, looking at a nice big box with a real booklet that you can relax with is so much nicer than words, pictures and music on a computer.

So here are some of the boxes, rated for the novice (is it all you'll need and represents the artist's body of work); the collector (is there enough that you don't already have?): and how good the music is overall:

"Revealed: The Unreleased Recordings," Hank Williams (TimeLife)

Just when you thought you'd heard everything by Hank Williams, somebody uncovers 143 previously unissued performances from the Mother's Best Flour radio shows. This three-disc set is the second installment of those recordings and contains some wonderfully casual recordings, complete with between-song banter, and each disc ends with a full radio program, including commercials. Williams is one of the best and most influential artists of the 20th century and this set is great. Novice: B. Collector: A. Overall: A.

"Thee Complete Midniters: Songs of Love, Rhythm & Psychedelia (Microwerks)

This 1960s East Los Angeles band is one of the great rediscoveries of working-class rock. Whether the group is covering hits or delivering originals (the instrumental "Whittier Blvd." is an unknown classic), Thee Midniters knew how to rock. This set gathers all the band's recordings (captured from vinyl copies), lovingly reproduces the band's original album covers and, while there's nothing groundbreaking, captures the innocence and hopefulness of the era. Novice: A. Collector: A. Overall: B

"The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998," Rod Stewart (Warner Bros.)

This four-disc box of studio outtakes is enlightening as to how Rod Stewart creates an album. The most enlightening thing? How on earth did he go from the lyrical mess that was the early version of "Maggie May" and turn it into one of pop's perfect songs? And, later on, why did he forsake some of these lovable casual takes (such as a nice version of John Martyn's "May You Never") for the overproduced dreck he sometimes released? This sometimes maddening collection could upend everything you thought about Rod Stewart - both good and bad. Novice: F. Collector: A. Overall: C.

"Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!," The Rolling Stones (Abkco)

"Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!" is one of the best live rock albums of all time. This three-CD, one-DVD set expands the disc with five extra songs, a disc of tracks from opening acts Ike & Tina Turner and B.B. King and includes a little documentary directed by the Maysles Brothers ("Gimme Shelter") that captures the Stones on stage and offstage, including a clip of Jimi Hendrix hanging out backstage with the band. Add in a hardcover book and some other goodies and this is a real treat. Novice: B. Collector: A. Overall: A.

"Live In New York," The Doors (Rhino)

These six discs capture all four shows that the Doors presented at New York's Felt Forum in 1970. Completists should love it, but, with four versions of several songs and some over-long between-song breaks, it's way beyond what any casual fan could tolerate. The performances, though, are often excellent - more because of the instrumentalists than vocalist Jim Morrison. Novice: D. Collecter: A. Overall: B.

"Backtracks," AC/DC (Columbia)

In the tradition of Chuck Berry, AC/DC's best songs are pretty much the same handful of tunes re-done, but re-done so well that you still love them. This set, though, emphasizes the band's limitations. Most of the rarities on Disc One should remain so. A disc of live tracks from 1977 to 2000 is far better, but still not essential. And the third disc is a set of videos and documentaries. Novice: F. Collector: B. Overall: C-.

" Dolly," Dolly Parton (RCA/Legacy)

This set not only covers Dolly Parton's most essential songs and hits up to 1993, but adds a selection of rarities (including Parton's first recordings) and previously unreleased tracks. The music is mostly terrific. All that keeps this four-disc from being a definitive collection is the lack of a disc of Parton's work post-RCA Records. Novice: A-. Collector: B. Overall: A-.

"Where the Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968," Various Artists (Rhino)

This four-disc set is a treasure of hard-to-find tracks from Los Angeles pop and rock. Treats include early recordings by Randy Newman, Nilsson, Tim Buckley, Van Dyke Parks, Warren Zevon and lots of acts you've forgotten or never heard of. Not every song is a gem, but each disc is full of great surprises. Novice: A. Collector: A. Overall: A-.

"Where Do You Come From? Where Do You Go?: 50 years," The New Lost City Ramblers (Smithsonian Folkways)

Of all the urban folk revival groups, it was the New Lost City Ramblers who really tried to keep the rural element. Mike Seeger, John Cohen, Tom Paley and, later, Tracy Schwarz traveled around the country collecting songs and styles and learning from old musicians. In fact, the terrific third disc on this set includes field recordings the band made of other artists, including Rev. Gary Davis, Dock Boggs, Sara and Maybelle Carter and Eck Robertson. Novice: A. Collector: C. Overall: B.

"Debut: The Complete Clef/Mercury Recordings, 1949-1951," Oscar Peterson (Verve)

Oscar Peterson was one of jazz piano's greatest artists. This sweet three-disc set collects Peterson's earliest work, including his debut at Carnegie Hall. While it was a few years before Peterson would hit his peak, these recordings are beautiful. Novice: D. Collector: C. Overall: A.

"Let Freedom Sing: The Music of the Civil Rights Era," Various Artists (TimeLife)

I have been looking for a recording of Ray Scott's "The Prayer" for nearly 40 years and here it is accompanied by some of the most vibrant soul and R&B, jazz, gospel, blues and pop music of the Civil Rights era. Some of it is incredibly rare. Some of it is easy to find, but it's one wild trip. Novice: A. Collector: B. Overall: A-.

"Keep an Eye on the Sky," Big Star (Rhino)

While the band was almost totally unknown during its 1971-'74 existence, Big Star has since become beloved and revered as masters of power pop. This four-disc set is packed with previously unreleased demos, alternate takes and a surprisingly good-sounding concert from 1973. The set also includes many of the essential cuts from the band's three discs and has an excellent book. Novice: A-. Collector: A. Overall: A-.

"Twelve Nights in Hollywood," Ella Fitzgerald (Verve)

Few singers have ever sounded so joyous and in control as Ella Fitzgerald. This four-disc set captures Fitzgerald at the peak of her power - three discs of Fitzgerald performing in May, 1961, and one recorded in June, 1962. By that point, Fitzgerald's repertoire was amazing - none of the songs on this set is repeated. Fitzgerald sounds like she's having a blast, and it's hard to not get caught up in her enthusiasm. Novice: C. Collector: B+. Overall: A.

"The Complete Commodore & Decca Masters," Billie Holiday (Verve)

If you're a big Billie Holiday fan, as I am, you already have this music from earlier releases. However, this set brings together Holiday's Commodore recordings and Holiday's gorgeous Decca recordings. A newcomer would need a sampling of Holiday's earlier Columbia recordings and later Verve recordings to get the full picture. Novice: D. Collector: D. Overall: A.

Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444 or bledsoew@knoxville.com. He is also the host of "All Over the Road" midnight Saturdays to 4 a.m. Sundays on WDVX-FM.

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