CD sets can keep holidays in tune
Sunday, November 19, 2006
BY KIRA L. SCHLECHTER
Of The Patriot-News
CDs are becoming more and more obsolete these days. Folks are giving music lovers gift cards for iTunes and other online downloadable sites in lieu of an actual disc.
But let's face it -- there's nothing quite like unwrapping that small square package and finding a brand-new collection of music ready and waiting for your starved ears.
And when it comes to a boxed set, you have to have the complete package in your hands -- liner notes, photos and all. Imagine trying to download nine CDs? Impossible.
So we'll put off the CD's ride into the sunset of technological oblivion for one more year and make a few suggestions for gifts sure to satisfy any music fan you might know:
"Chinese Democracy," Guns n' Roses, if indeed it comes out Tuesday as a source at Rolling Stone has claimed. The band's manager says, however, that it will come out on some Tuesday this year. The band's label, Geffen, however, says no dice. Aw, who am I kidding? Just give 'em an Amazon gift card instead. Maybe next year ... "These Days," country star Vince Gill's ambitious four-CD set of all-original material, each one in a different style.
"Nine Lives," Robert Plant -- a whopping nine-CD box set of all his post-Led Zeppelin material, plus a DVD of all his videos. (Will someone buy this for me? I've been good!)
"Perception," the umpteenth Doors box set, this with the band's six CDs, all remastered and all containing previously-unreleased bonus material, and six DVDs. It marks their 40th anniversary.
"Ace, Gene, Peter and Paul," a box set of the solo CDs by each member of KISS, first released back in the '70s. If your vinyl copies have had it, here's your chance to have them all in one spot. The box set "Alive!" also is an option for KISS-heads this season.
"Endless Wire," The Who's first studio album since 1982. It might have generated so-so reviews, but it could be the last time we get new material from them, so enjoy it while you can.
Holiday CDs by James Taylor ("At Christmas"), George Strait ("Fresh Cut Christmas," available only at Hallmark stores), and Sarah McLachlan ("Wintersong"), any of which would be welcome in the collections of those who start playing holiday music the day after Thanksgiving.
And for all you cool parents: If you're sick of the usual gooey lullaby collections, go a little edgier with "Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Metallica" or its grungier counterpart "Lullaby Renditions of Nirvana." Or go arty with "Lullaby Renditions of Coldplay" or "Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead." Or truly send your tot to sleep with "Lullaby Renditions of Pink Floyd."
Source:
http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1163631318124140.xml&coll=1
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