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ENTERTAINMENT

Gift of music: Get in tune with recent releases

John Benson
Correspondent

The holiday season has arrived, which means it’s time to start freaking about all of the shopping you need to complete in a short period of time.

Gift box with headphones

If you’re looking for “Help!” in order to have a “Merry Christmas, Baby,” look no further than getting that someone special a CD or DVD of their favorite artist. Here’s a look at some new music-related releases that could help cross names off your long list.

Alternative

The Flaming Lips, “Heady Nuggs 20 Years After Clouds Taste Metallic 1994-1997” (Warner Bros.), CD. Fans of the Flaming Lips will be flipping out when they hear the 20th anniversary deluxe release of the imaginative band’s influential 1995 album, “Clouds Taste Metallic.” The marrow of the release is invariably the rarities discs titled “The King Bug Laughs (Oddities and Rarities),” “Due To High Expectations The Flaming Lips Are Providing Needles For Your Balloons” and a previously unreleased live recording.

Garbage, “Garbage Deluxe Edition” (UME), CD. Garbage arrived on the music scene in the mid-’90s when grunge was dead and the Alanis Morissette zeitgeist was about to begin. The Shirley Manson-led outfit hit a high water mark on its self-titled debut with singles “Queer,” “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains.” However, the deluxe portion of the new release offers cursory interest with its “g-sides” compilation.

Green Day, “Heart Like a Hand Grenade” (Reprise), DVD. If you’re shopping for a fan of Green Day, there’s no doubt the recently released documentary “Heart Like a Hand Grenade,” is a must. Once thought of as a lost film, the project gives viewers an insider’s view of vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool recording their punk-rock opera “American Idiot.”

Spoon, “Gimme Fiction” (Merge), CD. A decade has passed since Spoon appeared to be the next “It” band with its impressive album “Gimme Fiction.” Sadly, the promise of Spoon wasn’t delivered in subsequent releases. As for this recently released double-disc deluxe anniversary effort, there isn’t much here — a re-mastered album and unreleased demos — that warrants repeat listens.

Blues

Robert Cray, “4 Nights of 40 Years Live” (SKH), CD/Blu-ray/DVD. Underrated blues guitarist Robert Cray celebrates his four-decade long career with “4 Nights of 40 Years Live,” which includes not only live cuts from various concerts but also a video documenting his rise to prominence with clips from the San Francisco Blues Festival, a Dutch TV show and four live performances. The highlights are testimonials from Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Jimmie Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt.

Children’s Music

Various Artists, “We Love Disney” (Verve), CD/DVD. A stylistic mashup of sorts is the best way to describe the artists and material covered on the newly released “We Love Disney.” Artists giving classic Disney songs a modern facelift include Jason Derulo’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and Gwen Stefani’s “Rainbow Connection.”

Christmas Music

Brian Setzer Orchestra, “Rockin’ Rudolph” (Surfdog Records), CD. The holiday season is all about swinging. At least that’s what the Brian Setzer Orchestra has planned with its new 12-track seasonal album “Rockin’ Rudolph.” The brass-friendly affair doesn’t stop rocking with highlights including, well, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Yabba-Dabba Yuletide” and “Rockabilly Rudolph.”

India.Arie “Christmas With Friends” (Capitol), CD. Neo soul artist India.Arie teams up with Joe Sample for her holiday debut, “Christmas With Friends.” The 10-track album includes collaborations with Brandy, KEM, Tori Kelly, Dave Koz, Trombone Shorty and Kirk Whalum. Highlights includes the romantic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” featuring Motown artist KEM, as well as a bluesy “Merry Christmas Baby” with Michael McDonald.

Kenny Rogers “Once Again it’s Christmas” (Warner Music Nashville), CD. The country music legend may be calling it quits soon, but not before releasing his first new holiday project in 17 years. “Once Again it’s Christmas” finds Rogers joined by the likes of Alison Krauss, Jennifer Nettles, Home Free and Jim Brickman. Invariably, grandparents who fondly recall the singer’s smooth voice will enjoy every note of the new album.

Matthew and Gunnar Nelson “This Christmas” (Digitally Sound Records), CD. Odds are fans of Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (if there are any still out there) weren’t asking for the blond-haired ’90s duo to release a holiday album. Nevertheless, the twosome recently delivered just that with “This Christmas,” which in one fell swoop could be the gag gift you’ve been looking for.

T. Graham Brown, “Christmas with T” (Mansion Entertainment), CD. As surprising at it may sound, country/gospel/soul singer T. Graham Brown has never released a holiday album. That all changed with the brand-new “Christmas with T,” which finds the Grammy Award-nominated artist delving seamlessly into classics such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

Train, “Christmas In Tahoe” (Sunken Forest Records), CD. It was five years ago that Train rolled out its lackluster Christmas song “Shake Up Christmas” from its “Save Me, San Francisco” album. Perhaps the Pat Monahan-led band incorrectly felt emboldened by the effort because now Train has released its debut holiday album, “Christmas In Tahoe.” For good or bad, the 15-track effort is exactly as you’d expect a Train seasonal album to sound.

Classic Rock

The Beatles, “Beatles 1+” (Capitol), CD/ Blu-ray/DVD. Oftentimes, classic bands employ a thinly veiled money grab by releasing old material disguised as new. This is not the case for The Beatles’ brand-new “1+,” which includes restored promotional films and videos with new stereo and surround audio mixes. The 27-track audio CD of No. 1 hit singles is accompanied by a second disc with 23 videos that invariably will leave fans feeling fine.

Jay Blakesberg, “Hippie Chick: A Tale of Love, Devotion & Surrender” (Rock Out Books), book. Despite (or perhaps because of) the fact the coffee table photography book is viewed as antiquated, here’s a perfect surprise gift for the special jam-band music fan. You know, the crazy aunt who still channels the Summer of Love ethos. San Francisco-based photographer Jay Blakesberg presents 232-pages filled with photos of patchouli-wearing women in their grandeur.

Jimi Hendrix, “Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church” & “Freedom: Jimi Hendrix Experience Atlanta Pop Festival” (Legacy), CD/Blu-ray/DVD. Even though Jimi Hendrix died more than 40 years ago, seemingly every year something new is unearthed and released from the guitarist’s catalog. This past year that list includes two worthwhile projects: the documentary “Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church” details the artist’s 1970 appearance in Atlanta, with an accompanying live recording documenting the magic experienced on stage. The laidback singer delivers memorable performances of “All Along The Watchtower” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).”

Lynyrd Skynyrd, “One More for the Fans” (Loud and Proud), CD/DVD. At this point, Lynyrd Skynyrd fans thought they had pretty much everything from the archetypal southern rock band. It turns out the outfit had a trick up its sleeve with an all-star (Gregg Allman, Cheap Trick, Jamey Johnson, O.A.R. and more) concert celebrating its legacy. Highlights of the triple-disc “One More for the Fans” include Johnny Van Zant singing “Travelin’ Man” along to video of his late brother, Ronnie, as well as Aaron Lewis’ “Saturday Night Special.”

Neil Young, “Bluenote Café” (Reprise), CD. Prior to Neil Young “Rockin’ in the Free World,” the singer-songwriter dabbled with a funkier sound heard on his 1988 album “This Note’s for You.” Fans of this era will be happy to hear Young has opened his archives for the double-disc concert release “Bluenote Café,” which captured his subsequent tour of the album. Highlights include the hit single “This Note’s for You,” as well as an amazing 10-minute jam of “Tonight’s the Night.”

Queen, “Queen: A Night at The Odeon” (Hollywood Records), CD/Blu-ray/DVD. A year after Queen released a 1974 concert, the band is back with yet another live album that finds singer Freddie Mercury atop of his game. The “Queen: A Night at The Odeon” set list is heavy with “A Night at The Opera” material, including “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Diehard fans will treasure a medley that includes Gene Vincent’s “Be Bop A Lula.”

Robin Gibb, “Saved By The Bell — The Collected Works of Robin Gibb: 1969-70” (Rhino), CD. While on the surface the title alone may initially confuse, say, anyone from the Gen X generation or younger, the truth is most baby boomers probably don’t get the reference nor care. This three-disc box set covering Robin Gibb’s hit 1985 solo album “Robin’s Reign” features alternate takes and previously unreleased material that invariably caters to a niche audience.

Yes, “Yes: Live from Seventy-Two” (Rhino), CD. You know the one uncle who on cue spends every Thanksgiving complaining prog-rock act Yes isn’t in the Rock Hall? Here’s the release for him: “Yes: Live from Seventy-Two” finds the adventurous band atop of its game in 1972 with a compilation set list featuring radio classics “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Close to the Edge” and “Roundabout” alongside fan favorites such as “And You and I” and killer jam “Clap/Mood For A Day.” For the serious fan, there’s also a 14-disc box set featuring seven concerts from the era in their entirety.

Country

The Charlie Daniels Band, “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” (Smith Music Group), CD/DVD. It’s only fitting that The Charlie Daniels Band, which first received national attention after its appearance in feature film “Urban Cowboy,” returns to the Lone Star State for concert release “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas.” Filmed at the huge Texas honky-tonk, the 14-track effort naturally includes “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” as well as a memorable cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.”

George Strait, “The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium” (Eagle Vision), Blu-ray/DVD. Considering his career includes 60 No. 1 singles and more than 78 million albums sold, it’s fitting that country music superstar George Strait’s latest concert release was taped at the massive AT&T Stadium. Just the stars alone (Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride) help remind us why we’ll always remember Strait.

Rock

Melissa Etheridge, “A Little Bit of Me: Live in L.A.” (Shout! Factory), CD/Blu-ray/DVD. Fiery rock singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge documents the final show of her “This is M.E. Tour” with the concert recording “A Little Bit of Me: Live in L.A.” The Grammy Award-winner includes her hits such as “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One,” as well as underrated new track “Monster.” Diehard fans will enjoy the behind-the-scenes footage.