LIFESTYLE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013 38Music Review The Beatles, “On Air - Live The Velvet Underground, At the BBC, Vol. 2” (Universal) “White Light/White Heat” “The Beatles: The BBC Archives 1962-70,” by Kevin Howlett (Harp- erCollins) 45th Anniversary edition eatles fans, rejoice: More live rarities from the Fab Four are (Polydor/Universal) Bon the way to stores. Nearly 20 years after the first volume of long- ho knew that the release lost BBC recordings sold millions of on Dec 10 of the 45th copies, a second volume is here, Wanniversary super Box sets from the and with it, a coffee table book with deluxe edition of The Velvet rare photos and heretofore unseen Underground’s “White Light/ historical documents chronicling White Heat” would come after the the band’s interaction with the BBC. death of the band’s figurehead Beatles, Like the first volume, “On Air - Live Lou Reed. This concoction of live at the BBC, Vol. 2” is chock full of live tracks, studio cuts and rare out- covers of other acts’ hit record- takes is probably the best eulogy ings, including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Carl Perkins. The sound quality that could be written for the rock the Dead, ranges from crystal clear to exceedingly rough. Not all of the 275 performances genius, and as record sales spike the Beatles did were preserved by the broadcaster. Some had to be tracked for Reed’s solo material, fans and down from fans’ home recordings, but the raw exuberance of Paul McCartney the curious should do themselves screaming a hyper rocked-out version of the ballad “Beautiful Dreamer” is a a favor and check out this box set. more historical nugget in its own right. Fans of The Velvet Underground There’s tons of on-air banter between all four mop tops and their radio will savor previously unreleased versions of their classic tracks such as “Begin- hosts, showing John Lennon’s wry wit and irreverence at an early stage in the ning to See the Light” and live versions of “I’m Waiting for The Man” where you band’s career. Outtakes of the band playing “I Feel Fine” are included, showing can almost feel the sweat dripping down your neck while at New York’s The how the deliberate feedback introduction wreaked havoc with the BBC’s finely- Gymnasium in 1967. calibrated equipment, causing a technician to ask for multiple takes. The “BBC What is striking but not surprising about the collection is the vast variety of Archives Book” by Kevin Howlett, one of the leading experts on the Beatles, the tracks, which epitomizes The Velvet Underground. The title track is chug- traces their meteoric early rise with rare photos and even rarer documents ging rock ‘n’ roll with distorted guitars and Reed’s nonchalant tones jumping from the BBC, including the group’s original audition form, and an evaluator’s between low and drawling and playfully high. “The Gift” surges in with spoken report afterward: “John Lennon: Yes. Paul McCartney. No.” And on the off- word, and “Stephanie Says” is so gentle and melodic it could be a lullaby, deli- chance you have any money at all remaining after these two, the first volume cate drum beats laced with harmonizing vocals. of BBC recordings has been re-mastered and re-released as well. Grateful Dead, The Beach Boys, The Ramones, “Sunshine Daydream” “Made in California” “The Sire Years 1976-1981” (Rhino) (Capitol) (Rhino) ow many reviews ith its bright reak out your leather biker of archival Grateful yellow cover jacket and put on your best HDead releases be- Wand yearbook- Bpunk-rock snarl for this gin with some variation of style format, the outside six-disc set from the genre’s this sentence: If you only of The Beach Boys’ American pioneers. All the songs own one Grateful Dead six-CD set “Made in Cali- that made you want to grow your concert, make sure it’s fornia” already evokes hair long and play power chords this one? OK, so let’s get a sunny California are here: “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Sheena it out of the way early: If vibe. The music takes is a Punk Rocker,” “Gimme Gimme you only own one Grateful you all the way there, Shock Treatment” and “I Wanna Dead concert, it wouldn’t with a 50-year, career- Be Sedated.” “The Sire Years” be a bad idea for it to be spanning collection that comprises the Ramones’ first six Aug. 27, 1972, a benefit includes home demos albums: 1976’s “The Ramones,” show released as the box (complete with the 1977’s “Leave Home” and “Rocket set “Sunshine Daydream.” band-member brothers to Russia,” 1978’s “Road to Ruin,” Amid the roughly 100 arguing) and new ar- 1980’s “End of the Century” and archival Grateful Dead releases so far, what makes “Sunshine Daydream” rangements of beloved hits. Accompanied by more than 30 pages of 1981’s “Pleasant Dreams.” stand out? glossy vintage photos and interviews with the original sextet (Brian Each album has its standout tracks - the ones you loved back in high school First, it’s not just the concert, which plays out over three discs and Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and David or whenever you discovered these shaggy-haired New Yorkers. features the Dead in their prime. There’s also the movie, filmed on a Marks), “Made in California” is the ultimate collectible for any Beach The albums are presented with the original song order, cover art and ar- shoestring budget to capture the hastily organized benefit show to help Boys fan. rangements, making the collection familiar, if beloved, territory. It’s nostalgic support the Springfield Creamery, owned by Ken Kesey’s brother, in Eu- Lounge into the lush harmonies on a cappella versions of “Can’t and comprehensive, but probably redundant for most Ramones fans. gene, Ore. Long available in previous edits as a grainy bootleg, the film Wait Too Long,” “Slip on Through” and “This Whole World.” Dig the old is beautifully restored here on DVD. The deluxe edition, available only radio spots from the 1960s and rare live studio recordings of “Wen- through the Grateful Dead’s website, comes with a well put-together dy” and “When I Grow Up (To Be a Man).” Boogie in your bikini to 30-minute documentary featuring interviews with many of those who more than a dozen live tracks, many from ‘60s and ‘70s performances. were a part of putting the show together, including Merry Prankster All the classics are here - “California Girls,” “Surfin’ USA,” “Barbara Ann,” and concert emcee Ken Babbs and counter culture icon Wavy Gravy. “I Get Around” - plus newer hits like “Kokomo,” and some 130 songs in between, comprehensively illustrating the California band’s longtime Sly and the Family Stone, and lasting impact on pop music. “Higher” (Epic/Legacy) Duane Allman “Skydog: The Woody Guthrie, “Woody fter a thorough listen to the “Sly and the Family Stone: Duane Allman Retrospective” Guthrie: American Radical AHigher” box set, you’ll quickly realize they’ve made a lot of funky music, but not all of (Rounder) Patriot” (Rounder) it is worth a second listen. For ig in and dig it, Given Woody Guth- every heart-warming “Everyday Duane Allman rie’s restless nature, People,” there is “Luv ‘n Haight,” completists (you it’s amazing he sat still replete with corny horn work and D a lackluster approach to funk. For know who you are). The long enough to record seven-CD set “Skydog: The five hours of songs each “I Want to Take You Higher,” Duane Allman Retrospec- and conversation with and its soul-lifting spirit, there is “I tive” doesn’t include every folklorist Alan Lomax. Just Learned How To Swim,” which note Allman ever played, Those 1940 sessions by is Sly Stewart’s funk-tinged surf but it probably comes the Library of Congress song that is fun. Maybe once. close enough. “’Skydog” are included on the six- That’s what you have in this sums up the prolific CD set “Woody Guthrie: reasonably comprehensive, four-CD collection that includes 17 previously guitar wizard’s tragically American Radical Pa- (perhaps thankfully) unreleased tracks: a band bristling with talent and ex- brief, sprawling career in triot.” In some of his ear- perimentation, which occasionally struck gold, and sometimes not. Songs like comprehensive fashion, liest recordings, Guthrie “What’s That Got To Do With Me,” about a love gone wrong, is epic in scope, making it a testament to discusses his youth, the with sweeping horn-driven crescendo interspersed with bits of dramatic pause the depth and breadth of his incomparable talent. Dust Bowl, bankers, out- and odd vocal insertions. If you like odd, this collection with be full of gems for The set was co-produced by Allman’s daughter, Galadrielle, born laws and life as a frontier troubadour. His snicker is a delight, while you. Most Family Stone fans, however, will likely be content with a single disc shortly before her father died in a 1971 motorcycle crash. Along with his retelling of family misfortunes during the Depression is wrench- of greatest hits by the funk super group, forgoing the filler. his best-loved music as a member of the Allman Brothers Band and ing. And when he lists famous Hollywood stars from Oklahoma with Derek & the Dominos, there are samples of his session work with Hall of provincial pride, he sounds like someone’s slightly daft uncle. Famers Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, and with obscure artists such Guthrie’s commentary provides fresh context to the music that Fleetwood Mac, “Fleetwood as Johnny Jenkins, Eric Quincy Tate and many, many more.