Out This Week / 22 September 2014

George Harrison  / The Apple Years 1968-1975 (box set)

A new George Harrison box features six remastered albums (also available separately) and an exclusive DVD. An great looking book is also included with notes from Kevin Howlett. 

David Bowie / Sound + Vision 4CD box

The 2003 ‘reboot’ of David Bowie‘s original 1989 Sound + Vision box added an extra disc to take fans through the ’80s and into the early nineties, and unlike the forthcoming Nothing Has Changed it features a few well chosen Tin Machine tracks (a good thing – really). Eleven years ago the high cost meant upgrading wasn’t a priority, but this new repackage at a crazily cheap price means this is now highly recommended. 

Thompson Twins / Remixes & Rarities (2CD)

A year on from the best-selling Paul Young set, SDE Editor Paul Sinclair has put together this Thompson Twins compilation for Cherry Pop. Approved by Tom Bailey (he’s interviewed in the booklet) this features six tracks new to CD (i.e. not on the Edsel reissues) as well as classic remixes newly remastered from the original tapes. 

David Bowie / Knock On Wood 7″ pic disc

The 40th Anniversary David Bowie picture disc releases  continue. Knock on Wood is taken from the David Live album and is backed with Rock ‘N’ Roll With Me from the same LP. Both tracks are the 2005 Tony Visconti mixes which means this is their vinyl debut.

• • UK Pre-order: Knock On Wood (Live) / Rock ‘N’ Roll With Me (Live) 
• • USA Pre-order: Knock On Wood – Live (40th Anniversary Picture Dis

George Harrison / All Things Must Pass (2CD)

If you’re not going to get the George Harrison Apple Years box set at least do the decent thing and ensure you pick All Things Must Pass – if it’s not in your collection. The artwork thankfully reverts back to the original brilliant, pithy black and white cover and while this doesn’t add to the bonus tracks from the 2001 reissue, it has been newly (and more sympathetically) remastered. This is packaged in a six-panel gatefold wallet with the original poster/lyric sheet recreated.

• • UK Order: All Things Must Pass (2014 reissue – 2CD)
• • USA Order: All Things Must Pass [2014 reissue – 2CD]

Leonard Cohen / Popular Problems

The Canadian singer-songwriter celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday and today sees the release of Popular Problems, Leonard Cohen‘s thirteenth studio album.

• • UK Order: Popular Problems
• • USA Order: Popular Problems

Erasure / The Violet Flame  (2CD Deluxe)

Vince Clark and Andy Bell’s sixteenth (!) Erasure album has received great reviews and this deluxe addition adds a CD of live tracks.

• • UK Pre-order: The Violet Flame (Deluxe 2xCD)
• • USA Pre-order: The Violet Flame (Deluxe 2xCD)

Sting / The Last Ship (DVD)

Sting is filmed (along with 14 other musicians) performing original songs from his 2013 album The Last Ship at The Public Theater in New York City. 

• • UK Pre-order: The Last Ship Live At The Public Theatre [DVD] [2014]
• • USA Order: Last Ship – Live at the Public Theater