Wham!, Bob Dylan, Pet Shop Boys, David Bowie: 2023 Archival Music Releases So Far

Now that we are both in the throes of summer and the midpoint of 2023, it seems like an ideal occasion to survey some of the archival music and reissues that havde already been released in the last few months or will see the light of day soon. To catch up on what you may have missed (and think about what to possibly get when the Christmas holiday shopping season rolls around), here’s a partial list of several notable releases from the music vaults—including those by Bob Dylan, Pet Shop Boys, Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell and Queen’s Brian May.

Rush

Signals

UMe

In a continuation of a stylistic direction that began with Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures, Signals, Rush’s 1982 album, emphasized shorter compositions and the growing presence of the synthesizer in the Canadian progressive rock trio’s music. It became another commercially successful record buoyed “Subdivision” and “New World Man,” both of which became staples of classic rock radio. To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Signals was reissued as a Super Deluxe Edition featuring the 2015 remaster of the album on CD for the first time as well as on vinyl and Blu-ray; four 7-inch vinyl singles of “Subdivisions,” “New World Man,” “Countdown” and “The Weapon”; and a hardbound book containing lyrics and new illustrations from Hugh Syme, who designed the original record.

Various Artists

Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968 (50th Anniversary Edition)

Elektra/Rhino

The 1960s weren’t just the era of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Motown and Stax—it was also the decade that included DIY garage rock and power pop acts. Such short-lived groups as the Electric Prunes, the Standells, the Nazz and the 13th Floor Elevators never really achieved enduring commercial success, but they released astoundingly great singles that laid the groundwork for punk in the 1970s. Fortunately, those bands’ music was assembled by then-Rolling Stone journalist (and future Patti Smith Band guitarist) Lenny Kaye for the now-legendary double-record compilation Nuggets in 1972. Fifty years later, Nuggets—which set the standard for multi-artist compilations such as the Now That’s What I Call Music series—was recently released as a 5-LP collection featuring the original double album plus a planned second volume that didn’t see the light of day.

Wham!

The Singles: Echoes From the Edge of Heaven

Sony Music

(July 7)

The arrival of this new compilation by the ’80s British pop duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley coincides with the late Michael being recently named a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and an upcoming Netflix documentary about the act. Echoes From the Edge of Heaven collects all the singles from Wham!’s hit-making career—among them “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Wham! Rap,” “Club Tropicalia,” “I’m Your Man,” “Everything She Wants,” “Freedom” and the beloved holiday standard “Last Christmas.” Echoes From the Edge of Heaven will be available in a variety of configurations: a special 10-CD box set; 2 LPs; 1 CD; and digital.

Pet Shop Boys

Smash

Rhino/Parlophone

As Pet Shop Boys, the British synthpop duo of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have been a consistent singles machine going back to their 1985 #1 hit “West End Girls.” Nearly four decades later, Pet Shop Boys have racked up memorable hits including “Opportunities,” “What Have I Done to Deserve This,” “Rent,” “Go West” and most recently “Dreamland.” Smash features every single released by Tennant and Lowe—an upgrade from previous the PSB compilations Discography and Pop.

Joni Mitchell

At Newport

Rhino

(July 28)

One of 2022’s unforgettable musical highlights was the surprise return of Joni Mitchell to the stage at the Newport Folk Festival—her first performance in 20 years. That moment—which featured guests Brandi Carlile, Wynonna Judd, Marcus Mumford, Celisse, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius, and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes—has now been captured in this new release. Co-produced by Carlile and Mitchell, At Newport showcases the icon revisiting some of her classic songs like “Both Sides Now,” “The Circle Game,” “Help Me” and “A Case of You.”

Bob Dylan

Shadow Kingdom

Columbia/Legacy

First streamed as an acclaimed concert film in July 2021, Shadow Kingdom, which saw Bob Dylan revisiting some of his classic material, is now available as a standalone soundtrack. Among some of the 14 on this set—personally chosen by the songwriter himself—are “Forever Young,” “Tombstone Blues,” “Watching the River Flow,” “Queen Jane Approximately,” and “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” as well as an instrumental titled “Sierra’s Theme.”

Daft Punk

Random Access Memories—10th Anniversary

Columbia/Legacy

Daft Punk’s 2013 swansong album was also the French duo’s biggest record as it won the Grammy for Album of the Year—buoyed by the massive hit “Get Lucky” (featuring Pharrell and Nile Rodgers). On its 10th anniversary, Random Access Memories was reissued with additional 35 minutes’ worth of previously unreleased music, including outtakes of “Give Life Back To Music” and an alternate version of “Touch.”

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Wainwright

UMe

Rufus Wainwright’s 1998 self-titled debut album catapulted the Canadian singer-songwriter to international recognition and acclaim. With such songs as “Foolish Love” and “April Fools,” its romantic-sounding and sophisticated pop music was an antidote to alternative rock’s declining fortunes and the rise of boy band music and nu metal during the late ‘90s. To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Rufus Wainwright has been brought back as a digital-only release with three previously unheard tracks from the sessions as well as cuts from the 2011 limited edition House of Rufus box set.

Eric Clapton

The Definitive 24 Nights

Rhino

Riding high from the success of his 1989 album Journeyman, and prior to the massive success of 1992’s MTV Unplugged special and record, Eric Clapton did a run of 18 (then later expanded to 24 shows) at the esteemed Royal Albert Hall—performances that were captured in a 1991 live double album collection. For those shows, Slowhand performed in three different configurations: a rock band, a blues outfit or an orchestra. Now that special occasion is being revisited with an expanded version of 24 Nights, containing six hours of music with 35 previously unreleased tracks.

Owsley

Owsley

Real Gone Music

Power pop wasn’t exactly in vogue in the late 1990s during the era of boy bands and nu metal. But the late musician Will Owsley, who had worked with Amy Grant and Shania Twain, defied those trends with perhaps one of the most criminally underrated albums of that decade. Track after track from his self-titled debut, which is now being reissued on vinyl for the first time is melodic pop-rock goodness, including such standouts as “Oh No the Radio” and “Coming Up Roses.” For fans of classic power pop, Owsley is essential listening and hopefully spur a revival of interest in the singer’s music.

The Dream Syndicate

History Kinda Pales When It and You Are Aligned: The Days Of Wine and Roses

Fire Records

The Dream Syndicate’s 1982 full-length debut album, The Days of Wine and Roses, is without question the alt-rock band’s most popular and recognized recording. With a distinct edgy sound that was a combination of the Velvet Underground, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Neil Young, the record put both the group and Los Angeles’ Paisley Underground scene on the map. Last year during their tour, the Dream Syndicate led by singer/guitarist Steve Wynn performed the now-classic album in its entirety. Now marking the album’s 40th anniversary is a new boxed set featuring 54 tracks recorded by the original lineup—Wynn, Dennis Duck, Kendra Smith and Karl Precoda—31 of them previously unreleased.

Marshall Crenshaw

Field Day

(July 14)

In 1982, Marshall Crenshaw put out his self-titled debut album that was met with critical acclaim; it was a throwback to classic Beatles and ’60s/’70s power pop. The 1983 follow-up, Field Day, didn’t suffer the sophomore jinx as it turned out to be a perfect companion to its predecessor—highlighted by more classics “Our Town” and especially the gorgeous “Whenever You’re on My Mind.” In honor of its 40th anniversary, the record is being issued again with several never-before-released bonus material.

Brian May + Friends

Star Fleet Project: Special 40th Anniversary Edition

Hollywood Records

(July 14)

Part of the ongoing Brian May Gold Series, the long-awaited reissue of 1983’s Star Fleet Project was the legendary guitarist’s first project outside of Queen, based on the Japanese sci-fi TV show. Under the moniker of Brian May + Friends, the original three-song mini-album featured an all-star lineup of May, Eddie Van Halen, Alan Gratzer, Phil Chen and Fred Mandel. To mark its 40th anniversary, Star Fleet Project will be re-released this time as a comprehensive set containing music from the two-day recording sessions. Said May in a press statement announcing the new reissue: “It’s been very exciting to open up the vault to find these tapes where, in the blink of an eye, I’m trading licks with my friends including the fantastic Ed Van Halen. It’s highly emotional, especially since Ed is sadly no longer around. We have since also lost Phil – so the rest of us cherish these fleeting moments together.”

David Bowie

Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture 50th Anniversary

Rhino/Parlophone

(August 11)

On July 3, 1973, during a show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, David Bowie shockingly announced to the crowd that it would be the last-ever performance by Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from the Mars band. Director D.A. Pennebaker (Don’t Look Back) captured the concert on film, which has since been screened and its soundtrack made available. Fifty years later, both the entire movie and its audio equivalent have been fully restored for this special golden anniversary; this new soundtrack edition contains the inclusion of “Round and Round” featuring the late Jeff Beck for the first time.

Little Feat

Sailin’ Shoes

Dixie Chicken

Rhino

One of the greatest rock bands of all time, Little Feat, fronted by the late Lowell George, crafted several exceptional albums during the 1970s—among them Sailin‘ Shoes and Dixie Chicken. It was on the latter album that introduced the expanded and now-classic lineup of George, Paul Barrere, Bill Payne, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney and Richie Hayward. Collectively both records featured some of Little Feat’s beloved songs like “Dixie Chicken,” “Sailin’ Shoes,” “Fat Man in the Bathtub,” “Trouble,” “Willin’” and “A Apolitical Blues.” On those albums’ respective 50th anniversaries, Rhino has now put out deluxe editions with previously unreleased studio and live recordings.

John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy

Evenings At The Village Gate: John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy

Impulse!/Verve

(July 14)

This new archival set containing live performances from both John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy during the former’s 1961 residency at the Village Gate is truly historic. Recently unearthed from the archives of the New York Public Library of the Performing Arts, this recording—featuring performances of such works as “Impressions,” “My Favorite Things” and “Greensleeves”—highlights the brief but memorable collaborations between these the two jazz greats, along with McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and Reggie Workman.

Billy Idol

Billy Idol

UMe

(July 28)

After the breakup of the British punk rock band Generation X, lead singer Billy Idol re-emerged as a successful solo star beginning with his 1982 self-titled full-length debut; it has several of his well-known hits in “White Wedding” and “Hot in the City.” To commemorate its 40th anniversary, the self-titled Billy Idol album will return as an expanded collection containing an extended remix of “White Wedding: and a 1982 concert from the Roxy.

Stevie Nicks

Complete Studio Albums and Rarities

Rhino

(July 28)

The title of this new Steve Nicks retrospective set says it all: it spans the Fleetwood Mac singer’s solo discography from 1981’s Bella Donna to 2014’s 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault in both vinyl and CD formats. A highlight from this collection are the rarities that feature non-studio album material such as “Sometimes It’s A Bitch” (from the 1992 Time Space compilation), “Sleeping Angel,” and covers of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’ and Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.”

ABC

The Lexicon of Love

UMe

(August 14)

The classic New Wave album that propelled Britain’s ABC to stardom is getting a 40th-anniversary reissue via the half-speed LP vinyl format. Led by their dashing singer Martin Fry, the Trevor Horn-produced Lexicon of Love generated hit songs in “The Look of Love” and “Poison Arrow.”