Box sets

Finally! The late Waylon Jennings has his own box set, and it does him justice. Four CDs and a comprehensive booklet describe the man, his vision and his life. The first disc covers 1958-69, with such tracks as "Mental Revenge," "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line" and such early works as "Jole Blon" and "Stop the World (And Let Me Off)." Disc two is Jennings' early '70s works, and the third disc gets into his hit parade: "Good Hearted Woman," "Luckenbach, Texas" and "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" with fellow outlaw Willie Nelson, among others. — S.I.

JERRY LEE LEWIS; "A Half Century of Hits" (Sun Records/Time Life/Rhino) ****

Jerry Lee Lewis, the man known as "The Killer," has been around for more than 50 years. And this three-CD set, is jam-packed with 66 wild-and-crazy tracks. "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On," "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless," along with previous unreleased works are revitalized and remastered. Also included is a 40-page book providing historical and editorial accounts, along with an insightful and honest recorded track that has Lewis and the late Sun Records founder Sam Phillips discussing (arguing) about religion. — S.I.

WILLIE NELSON; "The Complete Atlantic Sessions" (Atlantic/Rhino) ****

"Rebel" and "Outlaw" were two of the more popular words used to describe Nelson. In 1971, his contract with RCA was coming to a close and he met Jerry Wexler, who would sign Nelson to Atlantic and set up the company's short-lived Nashville branch. Nelson released two albums. The first, "Shotgun Willie," which didn't chart but is considered a work of genius that ushered in "progressive country." The second, "Phases and Stages," had been rummaging through Nelson's mind since the '60s, a concept album about divorce. Also included here is "Live at the Texas Opry House," available in its entirety for the first time. — S.I.

ROBERT PLANT; "Nine Lives" (Swan Song/Rhino) ** 1/2

After the breakup up of Led Zeppelin and the death of drummer John Bonham, vocalist Robert Plant continued making music (as did guitarist Jimmy Page, while bassist John Paul Jones turned to business). Plant continued to hit the charts with a string of platinum and gold albums, and all eight of his solo albums, and one he recorded as a member of the Honeydrippers, have been collected into one box set. Also, a DVD of a 60-minute documentary about Plant's solo career and all the solo videos. — S.I.

THE PRETENDERS; "Pirate Radio 1979-2005" (Warner Bros./Rhino) ****