Box sets

TORI AMOS; "A Piano: the Collection" (Rhino) *** 1/2

To celebrate her nearly 15 years playing on the fringes of the music business, Tori Amos and Rhino Records have created her first five-CD box set. Not only do fans hear such famous Amos works as "Silent All These Years," "Winter," "Cornflake Girl" and "Lust," but remixes of "Cruel," "Playboy Mommy," "Bliss" and alternate mixes of "Precious things," "Crucify," "Flying Dutchman," "Caught a Lite Sneeze" and "Mother." Previously unreleased treasures include "Dolphin Song," "Peeping Tommi" and "Not David Bowie," along with a piano-keyboard box cover and a 60-page book. — Scott Iwasaki

LOUIS ARMSTRONG; "The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong" (Time Life) ****

This is a fabulous set for Satchmo fans, two audio discs with cuts ranging from the 1930s to the '60s, including "What a Wonderful World," "Hello, Dolly," "Mack the Knife" and many more — as well as a DVD, which is the real prize here. The latter shows him performing through those four decades on his horn and singing in that rapturous rasp, and he's a joy to watch. — Chris Hicks

THE BEE GEES; "The Studio Albums 1967-1968" (Rhino) *** 1/2

A decade before the phenomenal "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, the Bee Gees were just another British group hitting the United States, doing Beatle-esque '60s pop. Barry, Robin and the late Maurice Gibb had a knack for catchy hooks and lyrics that stuck in the mind. This box set features extended versions of the trio's first three albums, along with extensive bonus features. Songs include "New York Mining Disaster 1941," "I Started a Joke," "Massachusettes," "To Love Somebody" and alternate takes on certain songs, along with "All My Christmases Came at Once," "Come Some Christmas Eve or Halloween" and a medley of "Silent Night/Hark the Herald Angels Sing." Good pre-'70s collection. — S.I.

BIG BILL BROONZY; "Amsterdam Live Concerts 1953" (Munich) ***

Acoustic-blues guitarist Bill Broonzy started with the violin, moved onto guitar at 22, and became a big name in the Netherlands and Europe after World War II. These two CDs are from appearances in February 1953, and show Broonzy at his performing best with traditional folk/blues: "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad," "Willie Mae," "Down by the Riverside," "John Henry," "The Midnight Special," "Louise, Louise Blues." — S.I.

THE BYRDS; "There Is a Season" (Columbia/Legacy) ***