Audiophile Digital

The Who
The Who Sell Out
Polydor 02577 11420 (five CDs + two 7in singles; mono/stereo)

Didn't see this coming: a five-CD set for what isn't even remotely their best? What could the vaults yield? Here are mono and stereo versions of the original album with bonus tracks on a CD each, one CD of unreleased tracks, a CD called 'The Road To Tommy', and a fifth of unreleased Pete Townshend demos. The pic sleeve singles contain the earlier 'Magic Bus' and Sell Out's one classic, 'I Can See For Miles'. Gubbins include a sticker, posters, etc, and, amusingly, two 45rpm adapters. Their fans will wallow in this, but some might find the concept album nature irritating and dated. Forget that: the sound is superb, while the music shows why The Who deserve mention alongside The Beatles, The Stones and The Kinks. KK

The Georgia Satellites
Ultimate
Cherry Red Records QCDLEMT239 (three discs)

Hot damn, I loved this band! Like The Black Crowes (reviewed last month), Dogs D'Amour and others inspired by the joyous, loose rock of The Faces, Delaney & Bonnie and the like, this southern outfit was a breath of fresh, boogiefied air in the second half of the 1980s – one of the dullest, most gutless periods in rock history. This pack contains their three albums with the Dan Baird lineup, plus a generous 19 live and studio bonus tracks. Fabulous originals and well-chosen covers formed their repertoire, but if the only thing they ever did was the mind-blowing 'Keep Your Hands To Yourself', they earned a place in the rock pantheon. £20 for three CDs? Buy it. KK

Paul Simon
Still Crazy After All These Years
Mobile Fidelity UDSACD 2212 (stereo SACD)

Simon's fourth solo album, from 1975, may be overshadowed by Graceland, but was no less fecund. Surrounded by a panoply of studio geniuses including Steve Gadd, Richard Tee, Toots Thielemans, Phil Woods and too many others to list, with Phoebe Snow on vocals, he gave us '50 Ways To Leave Your Lover', the lush title track and a reunion with Art Garfunkel on the exquisite 'My Little Town'. This is an absolute gem, but take my advice: get in contact with your local vinyl supplier as soon as you can and order the pending One-Step vinyl edition if you love this album as much as I do. But if this proves too late, Mobile Fidelity's SACD should suffice. KK

The Rosenberg With Tim Kliphuis
Live
STS Digital 601111102

Alert the media! An STS CD with actual liner notes! You'll want to know this sublime two-guitar/double bass/violin set was recorded on audiophile-approved kit and the sound is precisely what you would hope to hear: delicate, natural, all-strings renditions of a smattering of originals plus Cole Porter's 'Night And Day', some traditional tunes, 'How High The Moon', a tribute to Chick Corea and more. The sound is unplugged gorgeousness, but it's about spatial authenticity too, for this CD recalls the best of the audiophile albums of the 1970s and '80s. (STS has also issued Live on LP and open-reel tape, if those are your preferred listening formats.) KK