The Beatles Stereo Vinyl Box Set —
If you're a Beatles completist who didn't receive the Fab Four's albums from a relative -- say one who saw the Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1966 (thanks, Aunt Cheri!) -- or pick them up in a used-record store, you can get them all in one fell swoop. These are based on the remastered 2009 versions, though tweaked for vinyl. (Capitol/EMI, 16 LPs including two double albums)
'My Life in Music,' Lalo Schifrin —
Even if you haven't heard of the famed film and TV composer, you've certainly heard his work: "Mission: Impossible," "Bullitt," "Dirty Harry," "Kelly's Heroes." This box captures the range of Schifrin's talents, including samples of his jazz and symphonic works. (Aleph, four CDs)
'The Casablanca Singles,' Kiss —
What was a cartoonish hard-rock band doing on a disco label? Making hit after hit after hit, actually, including "Rock and Roll All Nite," "Hard Luck Woman" and the band's foray into something resembling disco, "I Was Made for Lovin' You." Though the basic version consists of CDs, a limited-edition version of this box comes with 29 vinyl singles. Get out your 45 adapters! (Universal, 29 CDs)
Bill Withers boxed set —
Bill Withers' smoky voice played off a soul as warm as a spring day. Songs such as "Ain't No Sunshine," "Lean on Me" and "Lovely Day" offered a depth rarely heard on '70s AM radio. "The Complete Sussex and Columbia Albums" collects nine of Withers' albums and includes liner notes from the singer. (Sony/Legacy, nine CDs)
'Nuggets,' various artists —
Over the years, Rhino Records released three four-CD boxed sets based on "Nuggets," the 1972 double-album collection of garage bands. But here's the original as compiled by the great Lenny Kaye, finally on a standalone, remastered CD, with major hits such as "Dirty Water" and obscurities such as "It's-A-Happening." "A mushroom hangs above the ground. ..." (Rhino, one CD)
'When I See the Sun,' Codeine —
While other Sub Pop bands were cranking out angry grunge, Codeine -- which was based in New York, far from Sub Pop's Seattle base -- was undercutting the noise with a little dirgelike emo. (The unimpeachable Wikipedia describes them as "slowcore.") This set collects the band's three albums on three CDs as well as six LPs and includes "Numero's notoriously elaborate packaging and detailed liner notes," according to label Numero Group. (Numero, three CDs/six LPs)
'The Complete Studio Recordings,' Roxy Music —
Roxy Music was a band of opposites. On the one hand you had cool, detached Bryan Ferry, singing about cool, detached jet-setters (and then, eventually, becoming one himself). On the other you had the band, which was as tight as Mick Jagger's trousers. Ferry could occasionally lose himself in a wash of synthesizers, but the band never did. (Virgin, 10 CDs)
'Drop on Down in Florida,' various artists —
The Atlanta label Dust-to-Digital has made a business out of taking obscure -- often amateur -- recordings, cleaning them up and putting them in historical context. "Drop on Down in Florida," a much-expanded reissue of a set originally put out by the Florida Folklife Program in 1981, consists of folk recordings made in the late '70s, offering a glimpse into the lives of African-American field workers. (Dust-to-Digital, two CDs plus a 224-page hardback book)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band collection —
Preservation Hall is a New Orleans institution, a French Quarter jazz club known for its eclectic performers and inexpensive entrance fee. The cornerstone is the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and on "The Preservation Hall Jazz Band 50th Anniversary Collection" -- compiled and annotated by producer Ben Jaffe (son of founder Allan Jaffe) -- the band's history is detailed on such songs as "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," "St. James Infirmary" and, of course, "When the Saints Go Marchin' In." (Sony/Legacy, four CDs)
'Celebration Day,' Led Zeppelin —
More than a quarter-century after their 1980 breakup, Led Zeppelin (with Jason Bonham on drums) played a tribute concert to the late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. The 2007 show, at London's O2 Arena, is now available on a three-disc collection on both CD and DVD. (A deluxe edition includes a DVD of rehearsals.) Been a long time since they rock 'n' rolled. (Swan Song/Atlantic, two CDs/one DVD)
'The Incredible Mel Brooks,' Mel Brooks —
Is there anything Mel Brooks can't do? He's got the Big Four awards -- an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony -- he's directed some of the funniest movies of all time and he made hilarious ads for Ballantine Beer. "The Incredible Mel Brooks," a six-disc set, contains Brooks TV shows, Brooks singing, Brooks movie clips and "Hope for the Best, Expect the Worst." When you've got it, flaunt it. (Shout! Factory, five DVDs/one CD)
'Lawrence of Arabia' 50th anniversary edition —
Though nothing can compare with seeing the 1962 best picture Oscar winner on a (really) big screen, the new Blu-ray edition might be the next best thing: vivid colors, beautiful transfer, amazing detail ... and one of the greatest movies of all time. The collector's edition comes with the soundtrack, a coffee-table book and a film cel. Grab some popcorn and be overwhelmed. (Sony, three DVDs/one CD)
'Columbo: The Complete Series' —
Peter Falk played a shambling, seemingly absent-minded detective in this popular mystery series and deservedly received much of the credit for its success. But let's not forget the clever plots -- the perpetrator was revealed at the outset, and viewers got to watch as Columbo figured it out -- and the great guest stars, including Robert Culp, Ray Milland and Patrick McGoohan. (Universal, 34 DVDs)
'Homeland: The Complete First Season' —
If you're a latecomer to the Emmy-winning drama, this box is the place to start. Claire Danes plays a federal agent who believes a Marine (Damian Lewis), recently found alive in Iraq, has switched sides and is working with terrorists. Whether her suspicions are correct fuels the first season -- and continues to do so in the second, currently airing. But there's so much more, including romantic entanglements, changing allegiances and misleading clues. (Showtime, three DVDs)
'Elvis: Prince From Another Planet' —
In 1972, Elvis Presley performed at New York's Madison Square Garden. He hadn't become "Fat Elvis" yet -- in fact, he was still a notable performer and sold out the four shows. This three-disc set includes a DVD of documentary footage from the time, including home video of the performances. (RCA/Legacy, two CDs/one DVD)
'Universal 100th Anniversary Collection' —
From its original niche as the maker of classic horror films to its status as blockbuster producer, Universal Studios has plenty to show for its century in business. This collection features 25 of the studio's films, ranging from best picture Oscar winners to "The Fast and the Furious," which will either please a wide audience ... or earn hilarious reviews on Amazon. (Universal, 25 DVDs)
'Steve Martin: The Television Stuff' —
Once upon a time, Steve Martin was a stand-up comedian. Or, rather, he was the anti-stand-up comedian, with an act full of absurdist gags such as arrows through the head, "happy feet" and his bank-robbing cat. Before he gave it up, he made a handful of comedy specials full of wonderful, off-kilter moments. They're collected here, along with his talk-show appearances (the ones with David Letterman are standouts). (Shout! Factory, three DVDs)
'Doctor Who Limited Edition Gift Set' —
He's been traveling through time for more than a half-century, but it seems like it's only in the last few years that "Doctor Who" has gotten some overdue respect. This collection includes the Doctors played by Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith as well as extras such as a sonic screwdriver (the Doctor's Swiss army knife) and art cards. (BBC Warner, 41 DVDs)
