Rock & Roll Globe’s Best Reissues of 2024

There are various sides to the nature of acquisition, particularly when it comes to repurchasing albums one already owns.

The temptation to acquire bonus tracks and heretofore unreleased recordings makes it a mighty tempting proposition. On the other hand, the true completist often finds in necessary to have everything a favorite artist or ensemble has to offer, making the need to spend money on an album one already owns something of a necessity.

This year was an especially tempting year in terms of album reissues, but happily, in most cases, the purchasing proposition was almost a nobrainer.

Here, then, is a baker’s dozen albums that qualify as rightful reissues…

Neil Young Archives Volume III: 1976-1987 (Reprise Records)

Neil Young’s ongoing series of archival offerings makes it hard for even the most attentive fan to keep up, given the fact that new and old releases often roll out within weeks at a time. The 17 CD box set Archives Volume III followed closely on the heels of another recent offering titled Early Daze. Like the archival sets that preceded it, it mines a critical period in Young’s career, one that extends from the mid-’70s through the mid-‘80s. By that point, Young had expanded his efforts well beyond his early established sound as a nascent Americana rocker and modest balladeer and into the realms of experimentation. His detour into rockabilly and New Wave found many of his earlier fans abandoning interest, and the darkness that dominated the dark and dismal Rust Never Sleeps and Live Rust left others forlorn as well. So while Archives gleans from those efforts, it does include alternate and unreleased versions of seminal standards as well as the whole of the unreleased albums like Oceanside Countryside, Johnny’s Island and Summer Songs.

VIDEO: Neil Young unboxes Archives Vol. III

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Long After Dark: Deluxe Edition (Geffen)

Compared to his contemporaries, Tom Petty’s posthumous output has been relatively modest. With the exception of a few expanded re-releases, most of his recent offerings have primarily consisted of live albums, which challenges even the most ardent completists to determine what may be essential and what might be inconsequential. In this case, the two CD, one Blu-ray audio included in the revamp of what is arguably one of Petty’s best albums, is not only affordable but also essential. The extra offerings on CD two provide the complete picture of what went into the making of Long After Dark, courtesy of alternate versions, unreleased tracks and sessions culled from French TV. So too, the Blu-ray disc provides the audiophile with exquisite sound and a wholly new listening experience.

Elvis Costello King of America and Other Realms (UMe)

Released practically simultaneously with the eponymous set by the so-called Coward Brothers, the nom-de-plume for Elvis Costello’s partnership with T-Bone Burnett, King of America originally represented another milestone in Costello’s career. While the cynicism and skepticism that inspired Costello’s early post-punk output remind intact, King of America found him digging deeper as he offered irreverent observations about the state of the country which he would soon call home. Having mostly traded in his seminal backing band The Attractions for an ace backing band consisting of T-Bone Wolk and the legendary James Burton on guitars, Mitchell Froom on keys, bassists Ray Brown and Jerry Scheff, and drummers Ron Tutt, Earl Palmer, Mickey Curry and Jim Keltner, it represented Costello’s most ambitious effort yet and certainly one of his most memorable. Newly expanded into a choice of two-disc and six disc editions, it features the usual array of demos, outtakes and working sessions (the latter courtesy of three CDs of previously unreleased studio recordings featuring special guests Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Lucinda Williams, Larkin Poe, and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings), the remastered original album and a live concert from the Royal Albert Hall.

The Faces Faces at the BBC: Complete BBC Concert & Session Recordings (1970-1973) (Rhino)

Granted, this particular box set, consisting of eight CDs and a Blu-ray disc, isn’t necessarily a reissue per se, but given the fact that it contains nearly every song the Faces ever offered, courtesy of a series of recordings made for the BBC, it does serve as an anthology of sorts, one that spans the bulk of their career from 1970 up to and including their final sessions in 1973. While any number of the BBC’s top programs are represented — Top Gear, John Peel’s Sunday Concert, Sounds of the Seventies, Top Gear, et.al, — CD 5 also boasts a 13 song set that was never originally broadcast. Given that Rod Stewart and the lads (Ron Wood, Ian McLagan, Ronnie Lane and Kenney Jones were at their rowdy best in live performance, this collection ought to be considered essential even for those that own the original studio recordings. 

Paul McCartney & Wings One Hand Clapping (Capitol /UME)

Previous available only in bootleg form, One Hand Clapping offers a treasure trove of rare Wings material. In this case, the music served as a soundtrack to a documentary that detailed their seminal recordings in Studio 3 of London’s famed Abbey Road Studios. The sessions were casual and clearly impromptu, with Macca revisiting not only his own early solo work, but several Beatles songs as well — among them, “Let It Be,” The Long and Winding Road” and “Lady Madonna.” Also of note are the various Wings songs that never made it on to the band’s formal LPs, including “Junior’s Farm,” “Sally G,” “C Moon/Little Woman Love,” “Soily,” and “Let’s Love,” which was originally written for and covered by Peggy Lee. In a way, One Hand Clapping could be considered an early anthology of sorts, with various covers that reflects a certain spontaneity and impromptu improvisation that’s wholly different from the polished performances that followed later on.

The Blasters Over There: Live at the Venue, London – The Complete Concert (Liberation Hall) 

Of all the American bands that emerged in the post-punk era, The Blasters (Phil Alvin, vocals and guitar; Dave Alvin, lead guitar; bassist John Bazz; drummer Bill Bateman; Gene Taylor on piano; Steve Berlin on baritone sax; and Lee Allen on tenor sax) were among the mightiest. This particular album provided the proof. The new version expands the original six song EP originally released in October 1982 on Slash Records and includes any number of ramped up renditions of early rock and roll classics, among them, Jerry Lee Lewis’ “High School Confidential,” Edwin Bruce’s “Rock Boppin’ Baby,” Little Richard’s “Keep A Knockin’,” Roy Orbison’s “Go, Go, Go,” the Rockin’ R’s’ “Crazy Baby,” Slim Harpo’s “Got Love If You Want It,” and Pete Johnson’s “Roll ‘Em Pete,” all of which serve as prime examples of the band’s archival instincts. Known for keeping a connection between past and present intact, Over There is yet another testament to their timeless tenacity.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Live At Fillmore East, 1969 (Rhino)

Although lifted from the archives for the very first time, this concert collection could be considered simply another version of Four Way Street, which was originally released in close proximity to CSNY’s studio debut, Deja Vu. Nevertheless, it’s clearly of interest given the fact that the concert took place only a few weeks after their fabled set at Woodstock. So too, it draws on a diverse array of nascent material recorded by both CSN and CSNY, as well as from select solo offerings from each of the four musicians. As was their habit back then, the album is divided into acoustic and electric sets, but given their relative newcomer status, a certain amount of spontaneity creeps into the mix as well. It lends a casual feel to the show overall, and while the arrangements generally echo those of the albums, the fresh approach meshes well with the familiarity factor that pervades the album in its entirety. 

AUDIO: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Live at Fillmore East, 1969

John Entwistle Rarities Oxhumed Vol. 2 (Deko)

While John Entwistle tended to sta y stoically in the background and never competing with the Who’s singular showmen Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and Keith Moon, his role as the band’s unflappable bassist found him making an essential contribution to the group’s powerful performances. Indeed, as a secondary songwriter, he famously provided the group with such songs as “Boris the Spider,” “It’s Hard,” “Someone’s Coming,” “Had Enough,” “My Wife,” and “Heaven and Hell.” He was also the first member of the Who to step out on his own with a solo album, which subsequently led to any number of cult classics and a reputation as a prolific artist in his own right. Rarities Oxhumed Vol. 2 follows an initial offering of obscurities with a collection of live tracks, alternate mixes, solo Who tunes, and obscure offerings, the latter of which may be unknown to all but the most ardent Entwistle collector. Who’s next? Who knows…

Cracker Alternative History: A Cracker Retrospective (Cooking Vinyl) 

One of America’s great alternative combos, Cracker has somehow been denied the recognition they so decidedly deserve. Led by David Lowery and Johnny Hickman, the band can be credited with a prolific 30 year career, one in which modern rock, garage, country and Americana have all found a place in their musical mix. Despite nine studio albums to their credit, they haven’t offered an all new recording since 2014, although they continue to operate on the road as an active ensemble and offer solo albums to boot. Still, those that have missed them early on can console themselves with this two-CD set that collects alternative versions, re-recordings and live offerings as a means of archiving their career. Here again, even those collectors that own all their offerings up until now will find this an essential acquisition and a completist’s compilation. 

Unicorn Shed No Tear: The Early Late Unicorn (TLAK/Think Like A Key Music)

A folk rock combo of late ‘60s/early ‘70s vintage that started life as a band called The Late, Unicorn’s main claim to fame was an association with Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd. Gilmour was so enticed by the band that he produced and participated in the recording of the group’s initial album Blue Pine Trees and later utilized two of the band’s members on Kate Bush’s first recording, which he also produced. Nevertheless, despite several fine albums, the full fury of punk overshadowed their soft rock sound, and by the end of the ‘70s, they were no more. Happily then, this excellent collection bookends material recorded early on as The Late with their final sessions, titled Shed No Tear. Given the trouble and turmoil of the modern era, the opportunity to revisit Unicorn’s work allows for a relaxing respite. Former fans ought to be pleased with this revisit while newcomers may marvel at the fact they failed to take notice the first time around.

VIDEO: Shed No Tear: The Early Late Unicorn trailer 

The Iveys: How Much Is the Sky (Demos 1967 – 1969) (Y&T Music)/Badfinger Head First: 50th Anniversary Special Edition (Y&T Music)

Those with any knowledge at all of British Rock during its prime period of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s likely know the saga that befell Badfinger and how they were nurtured early on as one of the first bands signed to The Beatles’ Apple Records label. However many may not be aware of the fact that the band grew out of an earlier incarnation known as The Iveys. Consequently, these early, heretofore unreleased demos recorded by the four musicians that later found fame under the Apple umbrella ought to be of interest to diehard devotees and anyone interested in the evolution of power pop in general. With Y&T’s recent release of demos by Badfinger’s tragic duo, Pete Ham and Tom Evans, as well as the widely hailed tribute album dedicated to Ham’s music. With approval from the Ham and Evans estates, it also sets the stage for a re-release of Badfinger’s final studio set, Head First. The latter is overseen by Bob Jackson, a band member in their later incarnation and a successor of sorts to Pete Ham who tragically committed suicide four months after the latter album’s completion. Belatedly released by Snapper Records in 2000, it was doomed to obscurity, at least until now.

Thompson Twins Into the Gap: Deluxe Edition (BMG) 

Many folks may recall the Thompson Twins, given the fact that they were a prime mover during the era when hits by Duran Duran, Howard Jones, Pet Shop Boys, Tears For Fears and other like-minded outfits dominated the airwaves and the still nascent MTV. Thompson Twins claimed at least three chart toppers at that time — “Hold Me Now,” “Doctor Doctor” and “You Take Me Up” in particular. The 40th anniversary of their best selling album Into The Gap offers opportunity to revisit a time when unabashedly catchy music, often driven by electro-pulse rhythms, proved a guilty pleasure for some and a respite from the more serious sounds that were beginning to dominate album oriented radio. This revised edition features no less than 30 bonus tracks, including unreleased mixes, B-sides, extended versions and remixes as well. 

Lone Justice Viva Lone Justice (Fire)

Lone Justice are widely, and justifiably, credited with helping to Alt-Country, and, in turn, the burgeoning Americana scene. The first album to be credited to Lone Justice in nearly 40 years, and featuring the original band members Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni and Don Heffington — along with special guests Tammy Rogers, Joel-El Sonnier and Benmont Tench — Viva Lone Justice isn’t so much a reissue as a return of sorts and a reminder of what made this band the pride of L.A. and such a mighty influence to begin with. Happily for all those that remember this band fondly, Viva Lone Justice is all its title implies.

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Lee Zimmerman

Lee Zimmerman is a writer and columnist based in beautiful Maryville, Tennessee. Over the past 20 years, his work has appeared in dozens of leading music publications. He is also the author of Americana Music: Voice, Visionaries, and Pioneers of an Honest Sound, which will be published by Texas A&M University Press early next year.

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