Buddy Iahn has a recap of this week’s Notable Releases
Elton John has announced the forthcoming release of Elton: Jewel Box. Released on November 13th via UMe/EMI, Elton: Jewel Box is an unrivaled collection containing 148 songs spanning 1965 to 2019 on 8 CD, 4 LP, 3 LP, 2 LP, digital download, and streaming formats. The project is the ultimate exploration into John’s extensive back catalog. The sets cover deep cuts, rarities from the earliest stages of his and Bernie Taupin’s musical journey, B-sides spanning 30 years, and songs discussed in his best-selling, critically acclaimed 2019 memoir Me. The 8 CD box set comes in a beautiful hardcover book with the discs housed in the back, all wrapped in an outer slipcase. Each section comes accompanied by extensive notes, including a track-by-track commentary by John for the Deep Cuts discs.
Platinum-selling duo Maddie & Tae announce their first ever holiday release, We Need Christmas, available October 23rd via UMG Nashville. The six track project features two originals and four holiday classics. Limited edition We Need Christmas merchandise and autographed memorabilia is available for pre-order through their website.
On November 13th, Locomotion/Interscope Records will release Yungblud’s sophomore album, Weird! Fans who pre-order the digital album will instantly receive “God Save Me, But Don’t Drown Me Out,” plus the recently released “Weird!” and “Strawberry Lipstick.” New merchandise is available at Yungblud’s website, where fans can pre-order the album in CD, vinyl and cassette formats.
Rascal Flatts is commemorating their milestone 20th anniversary year with Twenty Years of Rascal Flatts – The Greatest Hits, to be released on October 2nd on CD and 2 LP via Big Machine Records and Disney Music Group/Lyric Street Records. The collection offers some of the trio’s biggest and most sentimental smash-hits throughout the years featuring 13 of their 17 No. 1 singles and undeniable fan favorites.
Capitol Records will release Sam Smith’s new album, Love Goes, on October 30th. The album’s 17 songs were written over the course of the past two years with the pandemic giving Smith a fresh perspective on the album that’s impacted both its title and the recording of tracks. Besides digital, Love Goes will be available on CD, 2 LP and clear cassette.
Rhino has announced that it’s digging into the Joni Mitchell archives for a new series that kicks off October 30th. Joni Mitchell Archives Vol 1: The Early Years (1963-1967) features nearly six hours of unreleased home, live, and radio recordings that flow chronologically to paint a rich portrait of Mitchell’s rapid growth as a performer and songwriter during the period leading up to her debut album. This treasure trove of unheard audio includes 29 original Mitchell compositions that have never been released before with her vocals. The collection will be available as a deluxe 5 CD set as well as digitally.
On October 16th, Tanya Tucker is releasing Live From The Troubadour on October 16th on the one year anniversary of Tucker’s historic, standing-room only set from which it originates. In October 2019, Tucker was in the midst of resurgent visibility and acclaim generated by her Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings produced album While I’m Livin’, released two months earlier – so the brief stand in front of the West Hollywood tastemaker crowd took on a palpable air of significance. The set features 15 songs spanning her career and will be available on CD and 2 LP. A limited edition pink, black and blue splatter 2 LP will be available via Tucker’s webstore. Each one is numbered and signed by the singer with only one thousand available worldwide. Fans can also purchase the optional While I’m Livin’ turntable mat with 16-ounce felt and custom printed dye sublimation.
