First up, here are some ideas for book and music lovers:
Long Train Runnin’: Our Story of the Doobie Brothers
This book is a history of the band written by Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston, the band’s main songwriters and founding fathers.
Rock She Wrote: Women Write About Rock, Pop and Rap
This essay collection was edited by Evelyn McDonnell and includes writing from Patti Smith, Marianne Faithfull and Kim Gordon.
Other gift ideas include vinyl record earrings and a Victrola countertop jukebox with Bluetooth, radio, an auxiliary jack and color-changing lights.
Box set suggestions
If it’s music you want, here are some recommendations:
Blondie: “Against The Odds: 1974-1982”
This eight-CD set includes remixed and remastered versions of all six of Blondie’s albums with never-before-released songs, plus a 120-page discography and a 144-page hardback book.
Kiss: “Creatures of the Night”
This CD box set celebrates the album's 40th anniversary with 103 tracks, 75 of which have never been released. It also comes with bonus posters.
Little Feat: “Waiting for Columbus"
The original album is considered to be one of the greatest live albums of all time and one of our all-time favorites. Its 45th anniversary is being celebrated with an eight CD newly expanded deluxe edition and a remastered version of the original two-record set. It also includes three additional concert recordings from the same year.
Joni Mitchell: “The Asylum Years 1972-1975”
This set is the latest installment in Mitchell's archive series and includes remastered versions of "For The Roses," "Court and Spark" and "The Hissing of Summer Lawns." It also has a remastered version of another of our all-time favorites, the double live set “Miles of Aisles."
Kendrick Lamar: “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers”
Leave it to Kendrick to put out a box set for an album that isn’t even a year old. This set comes with the album pressed on gold vinyl and a sweatshirt.
Creedence Clearwater Revival: “At the Royal Albert Hall”
This long-lost 1970 recording of the band has been a holy grail for fans for years. This set includes the entire concert and a companion piece film that traces the band’s history.
Pink Floyd: "Pulse"
The historic 1994 concert was released as a Blu-ray and DVD deluxe box set with flashing LED lights on the spine. The complete live version of "Dark Side of the Moon" is included along with music videos, rehearsal footage and a 60-page booklet.
“Life Moves Pretty Fast: The John Hughes Mixtape”
We talked about this package a few months ago as it includes most of the soundtrack music from Hughes' 80s movies. These lost treasures from movies like “Sixteen Candles,” "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Weird Science” are must-haves for Hughes fans.
The Beatles: “Revolver”
This is the most talked about box set of the year. It features a terrific remix by Giles Martin, who is Sir George’s son, and Sam Odell. It includes a four-track EP, 31 session takes and home demos, and a 100-page book with a foreword by Paul McCartney. Critics have marveled at the remix, and we give it the year’s highest rating.
The Jazz Messengers: "Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk"
In 1967, Blakey took his band, which featured saxophonist Johnny Griffin and trumpeter Bill Hardman, into the studio with Thelonious Monk and recorded this six-song masterpiece. The second disc and the alternate takes are equally fantastic.
There are also box sets out by David Bowie, Elton John, The Beach Boys, Grateful Dead, The Notorious B.I.G., more Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Madonna, Neil Young and so much more.
Remembering an icon: Christine McVie
Christine McVie passed away on Nov. 30, 2022. Here are the highlights of her career:
- She joined the band Chicken Shack in 1967 and played on two albums.
- She received a Melody Maker Award as the UK’s best female singer in 1969 and again in 1970, which was the year she left Chicken Shack to join Fleetwood Mac.
- McVie was described as the glue that held the band together prior to Buckingham and Nicks joining the band in 1974.
- Over the years, Fleetwood Mac would have nine songs in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. Even though McVie wrote four of them, she is often overlooked.
- Overall, McVie was described as the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life.
