DICKEY BETTS - The Collectors #1 - Let's Get Together [USA rock 2002 - 2001] 2009 Retroworld FLOATM6039

This set essentially pairs two different Dickey Betts solo projects into a double-disc package, both previously released. The first, The Collectors #1, is a rarities set from Betts' Great Southern project. The feel is loose, and the music ranges from the Celtic "Beyond the Pale" to the loose Western swing feel on a cover of Billy Joe Shaver's "Georgia on a Fast Train," the shuffling country reading of Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up in Blue," and a B.B. King-inspired reading of "Change My Way of Livin' #2." Essentially this is the acoustic side of Great Southern, proving Betts didn't need to plug in his Les Paul to shine. The second disc in the series Let's Get Together was originally released in 2001 on his Free Falls Entertainment label. The Dickey Betts Band was formed in the aftermath of his being fired from the Allman Brothers Band in 2001. Betts wasted no time assembling a stellar unit of players who were as capable of throwing down in the studio as on the road. This set, with its amazing range of music from hard blues and jump and Gypsy swing jazz to country-rockers and rhythm & blues shuffles is crackling with energy. The most notable cuts on it are his originals "Tombstone Eyes," "One Stop Be-Bop," and "Rave On" (not the Buddy Holly tune). [A side note: this set was re-released in 2007 with the albums in reverse order, but aside from that, it's exactly the same collection.]

Betts

GRATEFUL DEAD - Cornell 5.8.77 [USA classic rock] 2017 Rhino Records 081227942557

Recorded on May 8, 1977, at Barton Hall, Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York. It was released as a three disco CD album and as a five disc vinyl album on May 5, 2017.

The Grateful Dead played more than 2,000 concerts, but none continues to spark interest and provoke discussion quite like the band’s performance at Cornell University’s Barton Hall on May 8, 1977. It is one of the most collected, traded, and debated concerts by any band ever, has topped numerous fan polls through the years, and was a favorite of the group’s longtime archivist Dick Latvala, who stated: “Enough can’t be said about this superb show.” Even Uncle Sam got into the act in 2011 when the recording was “deemed so important to the history and culture of the United States” that a copy was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

Cornell

THE KNICKERBOCKERS - The Challenge Recordings [USA garage beat 1965-68] 2015 Sundazed SC 11220

Meticulously mastered from the original analog master tapes and acetates, the entire set is produced in glorious mono, including previously unheard mono mixes. Taken together, the discs and notes provide a portal back to when a three-minute single could change the world, if only temporarily. Take a step back in time and rediscover the band that launched Coxsackie's (and the world's) premier reissue label! Brothers Beau and John Charles, from Bergenfield, NJ, formed The Knickerbockers in 1962. Taking their name from Knickerbocker Road in nearby Tenafly, NJ, the band went through various lineups until vocalist/saxophonist Randell joined in 1964. Along with drummer Jimmy Walker, this is the quartet singer/songwriter Jerry Fuller ('Travelin' Man,' 'Young Girl,' 'Lady Willpower') caught at Albany, NY nightspot, the University Twist Palace. Fuller signed them to Los Angeles indie label Challenge and they recorded three albums for the label, full of self-penned classics along with carefully selected covers. The Challenge Recordings - 4 Compact Disc Boxed Set.

Knickerbockers

MYSTICS - Dandies Are Back [Switzerland power pop 1983] Lolita 5009

Recorded 1983 at THC - Geneve - Sixty Lausanne - Berwick London (Nigel Barker) Very special thanks: Pierre Tuyns (Courtesy of Barracudas, Kingsnakes, Satellits, Zero Heroes. All great guys!) 

Mystics

THE KLIEK - Feel Good [NL garage revival 1993] Screaming Apple RecordsSCACD 105

Fantastic Dutch garage- and 1960s influenced band from Amsterdam, 1987 to 1996. 

The Kliek