Music can be a saving grace for holiday shoppers. Chances are, someone in the family is a fan of some artist, and, while it’s becoming increasingly difficult to track down physical CDs in stores, most product can be swiftly purchased online.
So many people now forsake the CD for digital downloads, but as these specialty box sets attest, no MP3 can replace the range and beauty of a well-stocked anthology.
"Phil Spector Presents The Philles Album Collection" -- Forget about the craziness associated with Spector lately long enough to be transported to the glory days of his Wall of Sound classics. This seven-CD box set ($79.99) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Philles Record label – six discs are sheathed in mini-replica LP sleeves – and also showcases a rare collection of Spector B-sides. It's an awesome gathering of hits from The Crystals, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, The Ronettes, Darlene Love and more. For the more casual fan, there is "The Essential Phil Spector" ($13.99), a 2-CD pared-down version of the box set.
"Tony Bennett – The Complete Collection" -- He just set a record for the oldest living artist to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with his pleasant "Duets 2" CD, but that is a mere blip on the radar of Bennett's oeuvre. His scope spans 73 CDs. Considering that he's 85, that would be one release a year since he was 12 years old, or, in reality, a truly prolific adult career. This monumental anthology ($399, a Barnes & Noble exclusive) is a chronological presentation of Bennett's repertoire, from his 1952 debut through his revolutionary "MTV Unplugged" CD in 1994 to his "Duets" favorites. Also included are the previously unreleased albums "On the Glory Road" and "Live at the Sahara."
"Queen 40" (Volumes 1, 2 and 3) -- The allure of some bands never fades. And even though most people want to throttle the DJ who plays "We Will Rock You" at every sporting event, it would be hard to argue Queen's influence. To commemorate the band's 40th anniversary, its 15-album catalog has been reissued, remastered and packaged as volumes. A slew of rarities and oddities accompanies each set (demos, live versions, a backing track mix of "You're My Best Friend," an early version of "Ride the Wild Wind"), and for the truly nostalgic, a fold-out poster is included. Volumes 2 and 3 are Amazon.com exclusives. $49.99-$73.
Holiday CDs
"Glee, The Music, The Christmas Album: Volume 2" ($11.99) – Last year's festive offerings from the "Glee" gang turned out to be the fizziest arrival of the season. The cast vamps it up again with the sweet "All I Want for Christmas is You," while Lea Michele lays out a convincing take on Joni Mitchell's "River." But don't miss the perfect addition of "Christmas Wrapping," a funky cover of The Waitress' underappreciated gem.
Justin Bieber, "Under the Mistletoe" ($13.99) – Bieber set a Billboard record as the only male to debut at the top of the Billboard 200 with a holiday release. It's a well-earned achievement, as the 11-track CD is a well-produced bauble that pulls back when necessary, but isn't afraid to get silly. Bieber-born tunes "Only Thing" and "All I Want" resonate, while his wacky take on "Little Drummer Boy" is disposable fun.
Carole King, "A Holiday Carole" ($14.99) – Hard to believe this is King's first holiday album, but the iconic singer-songwriter wraps her unique voice around standards – "A Few of my Favorite Things" is stretched with a new melody and dusted with her light, jazzy touch – and originals – "Christmas Paradise" could have been a Gloria Estefan composition.
Michael Buble, "Christmas" ($18.99) – Though this is Buble's first holiday offering in eight years, the crooner and Christmas are a harmonious pair. With his big band swagger on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," an unusually sprightly "White Christmas" and the original "Cold Christmas Night," on which sleigh bells jingle and keyboards jangle, it's all a sparkly love-fest.
LIVE PERFORMANCES:
If purchasing discs isn’t part of your game plan, consider the gift of live music. A pair of tickets will slip easily into someone’s stocking, and you’ll be providing them the opportunity for a new memory. Tickets to all shows can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, 1-800-745-300 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Zac Brown Band
If you still need a New Year’s Eve activity, why not share it with the hometown country heroes? If you really want to make it a night, the “gold ticket package” ($249) includes a dinner buffet, beverages (some of them adult), music from Sonia Leigh and Nic Cowan and special ZBB goodies to commemorate the occasion.
8:30 p.m. Dec. 31. $37-$74. Philips Arena, Atlanta.
George Strait and Martina McBride
With the show a few days before Valentine’s Day, tickets to see the country aces could be a two-fer gift. Strait, by the way, now holds the record for the most No. 1 singles in music history, surpassing even Elvis Presley. His latest, “Here for a Good Time,” marks album No. 39. McBride is also riding a new release, “Eleven.”
7:30 p.m. Feb. 10. $69.50-$79.50. Gwinnett Arena, Duluth.
Roger Waters
We’re only going to say this once: If you missed Rogers’ re-telling of “The Wall” at Philips last fall, you must attend this encore performance. Anyone who did experience that masterful, mind-warping spectacle knows that it’s well worth a second helping.
8 p.m. June 13. $59-$203. Philips Arena.
Michael Jackson -- THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
Nothing by Cirque du Soleil is subtle or chintzy, so expect a celebration of the King of Pop’s legacy through dancing and acrobatics intertwined with his timeless music. Cirque is also known for its appealing oddness, so it’s no surprise to hear that the show uncovers Jackson’s “giving tree,” where “the secrets of Michael’s inner world are unlocked.”
8 p.m. June 29-30. $50-$175. Philips Arena.
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