Deseret News | Box sets

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Box sets

Published: Friday, Dec. 7, 2007 12:50 a.m. MST

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Amazingly, this is Ike and Tina Turner's first box set. It was a triumph for Tina to break away from the terribly abusive relationship, but there was no denying the brilliance of the music the two made together, collected in this three-CD set. From the duo's first hit "A Fool in Love" to trademark remakes "Come Together," "I Want to Take You Higher" and, of course, "Proud Mary." In all, 49 tracks. — S.I.

FRANKIE VALLI & THE 4 SEASONS; "Jersey Beat, the Music of Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons" (Rhino) ***

Who can forget those falsetto vocals on "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll" and "Stay"? Valli and his group have been honored with their own three-CD, one-DVD set. From those early hits to Valli's solo works — "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "My Eyes Adored You," "Grease" — this set examines the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's career. The DVD features performance clips from "The Steve Allen Show," "Hullabaloo" and more. — S.I.

LUTHER VANDROSS; "Love Luther" (Epic/J Records/Legacy) ***

Soul singer Vandross passed away July 1, 2005, after years of health problems. The Grammy winner is now remembered with this four-CD collection, packed with 56 songs that show why he had a loyal following. Previously unreleased tracks — rehearsal sessions, live performances, demos — make this the ultimate collection. — S.I.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS; "The Brit Box: UK Indie, Shoegaze and Brit-Pop Gems of the Last Millennium" (Rhino) ****

The rise of college radio took place after the mid-'80s and went through the mid-'90s. During this time, such seminal pop bands as The Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen and the Smiths found audiences from the punk and new-wave scenes. Those groups cleared the way for My Bloody Valentine and Lush, who are considered "Shoegazer" bands because they rarely looked out into the audience when they played. From there, it opened up to such Brit-pop groups as Suede, Elastica, Supergrass and The Catherine Wheel. All are in this four-CD box set that took years to compile. — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "The British Beat: Best of the '60s" (Shout! Factory) ***