Although there isn't much in the way of new music in this week's releases, tributes and greatest hits are all the rage.
Willie Nelson follows last week's The Clash with "The Essential Willie Nelson." The album, which contains a number of original recordings remastered, contains two discs, which features Julio Iglesias, U2 and Aerosmith.
The New York Dolls releases "20th Century Masters -- Millennium Collection: The Best of the New York Dolls," which celebrates the band's six-year stand. Including hits such as: "Pills," "Trash" and "Puss 'N Boots."
Leadbelly releases a "Best of," this time around a deluxe edition, that features Nirvana made famous, "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," "Noted Rider" and fan favorite "Big Fat Woman." Spiritualized releases "The Complete Works, Vol. 1" and Drugstore releases it's "Songs for the Jet Set & Collector Number One."
When is the last time you broke down and bought a box set? In fact, when is the last time a worthy box set was released? Big Country releases the second series of singles in "Singles Collection 2" which include remastered, remixed and additional B-side recordings. If you can't afford the box set or you just seem to own everything in it, try "Rarities III." Both are essential pieces for Big Country fans and are a great tribute to Stuart Adamson who died recently, committing suicide after his long struggle with alcohol. He was 43.
Tribute albums include various artists paying tributes to Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Smiths and two given to The Rolling Stones.
Live releases include: Zeke's "Live and Uncensored," which features over 25 hard rocking live tracks, two discs by Fleetwood Mac "Live in Boston" volumes 1 and 2 and Concrete Blonde "Live in Brazil." The Buzzcocks also releases a self-titled live album "Buzzcocks (Merged)" with 12 classic tracks from the groups 28 year catalog.
A hard-core rapper star FBC and Big G release debut albums "Born To Hustle" and "Kepping It Real."
Other new releases include: Scandinavian rockers Gluecifer's "Basement Apes," The Stupids' "Stupid is as Stupid Does," Biohazard's "Kill or Be Killed" and Side Effect's 10th album "Full Effect."
Elysia Smith
