Audiophile: Digital, December 2021

hfnalbum.pngThe Yardbirds
Roger The Engineer
Demon DEMRECBOX55 (three CDs, two 2LPs + 45rpm 7in single)

Who knew that one album could yield so many extras? Arguably the definitive display of the band's prowess with Jeff Beck on board: 'Over Under Sideways Down', 'The Nazz Are Blue' and ten more performances to treasure. Here are the mono and stereo mixes on separate CDs and 180g LPs, a 45 of 'Happenings Ten Years Time Ago'/'Psycho Daisies' and a third CD worth the price of the box: 16 tracks including Keith Relf solos, the 'Great Shakes' commercials and a previously unreleased mix of 'Turn Into Earth'. It's as lavish as the recent Kinks and Who sets, with an A2 poster and a 12x12in booklet, the superb notes by celebrated fans. Best of all? The remastering is a revelation even if you have owned a copy since 1966. KK

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Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul
Summer Of Sorcery Live! At The Beacon Theatre
Wicked Cool/Universal 02435 81046 (three discs)

Whether you know Steve Van Zandt via Springsteen or as Soprano Silvio Dante, it's clear his rock 'n' roll soul was honed in the 1960s. Like Ringo's All-Starr Band shows, this is guest-laden: Nils Lofgren, the Boss and others turned up. Recorded during 2019, mainly the final show at NYC's Beacon Theater, this joyful set lifts the spirits of those craving live music via 33 songs, originals mixed with cool covers, eg, the J Geils Band's 'Freeze Frame' with guest Peter Wolf. To show further Little Steven knows his stuff, who else has the sheer class to cover The Youngbloods' 'On Sir Francis Drake'? The sound too is superb. KK

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Ringo Starr
Zoom In
Universal 02435 60631; LP: 02435 58580

If you can get past Ringo's peace symbol/Churchillian V-sign shtick, you'll find this five-track lockdown exercise, falling somewhere between an EP and a full album, a more than pleasant diversion – more typical of his studio LPs than his All-Starr Band live releases. Indeed, I was reminded more than once of his best-selling eponymous LP (the one with 'Photograph'). Ringo's solo works always deliver killer drum sound: check out the last track, 'Not Enough Love In the World', to stretch your woofers. Meanwhile, Steve Lukather's guitar solo is a stunner, and the mastering was undertaken at Bernie Grundman's, so don't let this little gem pass you by. KK

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Tina Turner
Foreign Affair
Parlophone 190295 154943 (four CDs + DVD)

It must be the latest in musician's statements: reissuing and expanding an album into a multi-disc set. This stunner from 1989 captures Tina at her superstar-at-last peak, the original release kicking off with the fabulous Tony Joe White-penned 'Steamy Windows', followed by 'The Best' – how's that for 1-2 punch? It's fully remastered, augmented with B-sides, remixes, 12in singles mixes and an unreleased demo of 'The Best'. The DVD contains a concert filmed in Barcelona in 1990, with the music on its own on two CDs. The swanky 5x5in box is filled with goodies, including a photo card, booklet and facsimile 'passport'. KK

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