Release Round-Up: Week of June 14 - The Second Disc (2024)

Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

David Bowie, Rock 'n' Roll Star (Parlophone/Rhino)

5CD/BD:Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada
LP:Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada

This new 5CD/1Blu-ray collection from the late David Bowie follows 2019'sConversation Piece(which shed light on the 1968-1969David Bowie/Space Oddityera) and 2022'sDivine Symmetry(which chronicled the twelve months leading up to December 1971's release ofHunky Dory).Rock 'n' Roll Star!takes an in-depth look at Bowie's path toThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars, beginning in February 1971 and going through the album's June 1972 release up to Ziggy and The Spiders' October 1, 1972 concert at the Boston Music Hall. The set's five CDs boast more than two dozen previously unreleased tracks, encompassing demos, tracks recorded with the Arnold Corns band, home rehearsals, two full discs of radio and television performances, and single versions, plus session outtakes and alternate takes newly mixed by the original album's producer, Ken Scott. The Blu-ray Disc offers the 2012 remaster of the originalZiggy Stardustalbum in 96/24 PCM Stereo and the 5.1 surround version from 2003 in 96/24 DTS-MA (Master Audio). Single versions and the complete contents of CD 5 (the outtakes and alternative versions) are also included in 96/24 PCM Stereo. Lastly, the Record Store Day releaseWaiting in the Sky (Before the Starman Came to Earth), an early version of the album, is included in 96/24 PCM Stereo. This assembly features four songs that ultimately weren't included on Ziggy plus a unique sequence. Two books round out the lavish package. Get the track listing and more here. Watch this space Monday for our full review!

Paul McCartney & Wings, One Hand Clapping (MPL/Capitol/UMe)

2CD:Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada
2LP:Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada
2LP/7":Official Store

One of Paul McCartney's oft-bootlegged live performances will finally get an official release this summer: the soundtrack to his 1974 "rockumentary"One Hand Clapping. This acclaimed performance with Wings, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in the wake of the release ofBand on the Run, will be available on two CDs or two LPs, featuring the 15 songs used in the special and another disc of 12 songs recorded during the four-day session that birthed the program. A bonus 7", available exclusively with online orders, will include a further six solo performances by McCartney, recorded on the final day in the backyard at Abbey Road and featuring versions of "Blackbird," "Country Dreamer," and a few snippets of covers ("Twenty Flight Rock," "Peggy Sue"). A Dolby Atmos mix by Giles Martin and Steve Orchard will be available to stream as well. Though 10 of these tracks have been included as bonus cuts on entries in the former Beatle's 2010s-era reissue campaignThe Paul McCartney Archive Collection, this is the first time theOne Hand Clappingaudio has been released on its own and in proper context. Returning in August 1974 to the legendary London studio where nearly all of The Beatles' discography was cut to tape, McCartney and Wings - his wife Linda on keyboards, guitarists Denny Laine and Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton - had just come off a fruitful Nashville session that produced a future U.S. hit single ("Junior's Farm"), whileBand on the Run - Wings' third album - was in the middle of a seven-week run atop the U.K. charts, definitively proving McCartney's post-Fabs career was safely assured. Read more here!

Little Feat, Feats Don't Fail Me Now: Deluxe Edition (Warner/Rhino)

3CD:Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada
2LP:Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada

Last year, Rhino reissued Little Feat's seminal second and third albums,Sailin' Shoes(1972) andDixie Chicken(1973), asdeluxe, expanded editions. Now, the label is following those with a similar presentation of the California group's fourth LP, 1974'sFeats Don't Fail Me Now, on 2 CDs or 3 LPs. Both versions feature a remastered edition of the original album plus rare and previously unreleased outtakes and alternate versions, with all audio sourced from the original two-track stereo and multitrack tapes. The CD set additionally premieres a previously unheard recording of Little Feat live in Paris, recorded in 1975. And that's not all. On the same date (June 14), Rhino.com will offer an exclusive CD,Live at the Rainbow '75, with another previously unreleased show, this time from the legendary London venue. Read more here.

Seal, Seal: Deluxe Edition (Warner/Rhino)

2CD/Blu-ray:Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada
2LP:Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada

Available as a 2CD/Blu-ray or 2LP set,Seal(known colloquially but unofficially asSeal II, to differentiate from his self-titled debut from three years earlier) will include the newly remastered original album plus a bonus disc of unreleased alternate versions of the album's biggest hits and most treasured songs, plus rare non-LP material like the Japan-only single "Love is Powerful" and covers of Jimi Hendrix ("Manic Depression," "The Wind Cries Mary") and The Steve Miller Band (Seal's hit version of "Fly Like An Eagle," included on the blockbuster soundtrack to the Michael Jordan/Looney Tunesmash-upSpace Jam). Five of those bonus tracks, all previously released, will be included as the fourth side to a new vinyl pressing of the album (a milky-white color variant of which will be available at Barnes & Noble), and the Blu-ray included with the 2CD edition features new hi-res stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes of the original album. A previously unreleased alternate of "Kiss from a Rose," one of the album's biggest and most belated hits, is streaming now. Get more info here!

Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA (Columbia/Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Despite the existence of outtakes, session material, and rare remixes - don't miss Mike's interview with Born dance remix guru Arthur Baker! - the only Born in the USA 40th anniversary release appears to be this colored vinyl presentation of the original album with an expanded booklet and lithograph.

George Benson, Dreams Do Come True: George Benson Meets Robert Farnon (Rhino)(Amazon U.S./Amazon U.K./Amazon Canada)

The superstar guitarist-singer debuts a previously unreleased album from 1989 in CD, vinyl, and digital formats.Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnonpaired Benson with the Canadian composer-conductor-arranger whose most famous clients include Frank Sinatra (Sinatra Sings Songs from Great Britain), Tony Bennett (Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album), and Lena Horne (Lena: A New Album). Benson, on guitar and vocals, joined Farnon and his orchestra for a selection of classic standards from the first chapter of The Great American Songbook (Joseph Kosma, Jacques Prevert, and Johnny Mercer's "Autumn Leaves," Mack Gordon and Harry Warren's "At Last," Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's "My Romance," Paul James and Kay Swift's "Can't We Be Friends") and the next chapter (the Paul Mauriat-popularized "Love Is Blue," Leon Russell's "A Song for You," The Beatles' "Yesterday"). All were rendered in Farnon's trademark lush style. Randy Waldman has been tapped by Benson to add overdubs and choral arrangements to complete the album. Read more here. UPDATE: THIS RELEASE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK UNTIL JULY 19.

Melanie, Arabesque (Cleopatra) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Melanie's 1982 album Arabesque returns as part of Cleopatra's ongoing reissue series for the late singer-songwriter; it features eight bonus tracks, new cover artwork, and new liner notes. A vinyl version of the original album sequence follows on July 5.

Truth, Truth (Sundazed) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Sundazed excavates this psychedelic gem from the catalogue of Motown veteran Mickey Stevenson's People label. Stevenson produced the 1970 album along with fellow Motown alums Clarence Paul and Leon Ware, while members of the Wrecking Crew contributed their talents in the studio. Available on CD and LP.

The Hollywood Stars,Starstruck (Rum Bar Records) (Bandcamp)

'70s rockers The Hollywood Stars are back with an all-new album - their first in 47 (!) years. The new album was recorded by frontman-singer-songwriter Scott Phares and drummer Terry Rae (founding members in 1973), bassist Michael Rummans (who joined in 1976), and guitarists Jeff Jourard and George Keller (both members since 2023). As an early member of The Motels, Jourard co-wrote that band's second single, "Total Control," with Martha Davis. He also played guitar on 1976's Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Rummans' Hollywood bona fides are also strong: he played with the pre-fame Rick James in the L.A. band Salt and Pepper in 1969! Glammy power-pop at its best, Starstruck is available in various bundles and formats at Bandcamp.

Jack Tempchin, More of Less (Blue Elan) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Singer-songwriter Jack Tempchin (writer or co-writer of such classic songs as "Peaceful Easy Feeling," Already Gone," "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing)," and "The One You Love") returns with a new studio album - his thirteenth. More of Less was produced by Jeff Larson (whose own Adobe Home album is also out now). Available on CD and digitally and on vinyl directly from the label.

Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs, Vagabonds, Virgins, and Misfits (BMG) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Longtime Heartbreakers guitarist (and recent Fleetwood Mac member) Mike Campbell's band, The Dirty Knobs, releases their third album this week featuring guest appearances from Graham Nash, Chris Stapleton, Lucinda Williams, and fellow Heartbreaker Benmont Tench. Available on CD, LP, and digitally.

Janis Siegel and Yaron Gershovsky, The Colors of My Life: A Cy Coleman Songbook (Club44) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel and Yaron Gershovsky reteam for this tribute to legendary composer Cy Coleman, offering up a host of his classic melodies including the title song, "The Best Is Yet to Come," "Witchcraft," and "Why Try to Change Me Now."

Stereophonic: Original Cast Recording (Masterworks) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

The most Tony-nominated play in Broadway history - the awards are doled out this Sunday, June 16 - releases an original cast recording featuring the songs of Arcade Fire's Will Butler for the play's fictional, Fleetwood Mac-esque band which is breaking apart at the seams trying to record their new album. Stereophonic is written by David Adimi and stars Will Brill as Reg, Andrew R. Butler as Charlie, Juliana Canfield as Holly, Eli Gelb as Grover, Tom Pecinka as Peter, Sarah Pidgeon as Diana, and Chris Stack as Simon. All cast members sing and play on this record as they do eight shows a week at the Golden Theatre.