Preston Frazier’s Best of 2019 list of box sets, reissues and live albums includes Yes and their former drummer Bill Bruford, Toto and their former drummer Simon Phillips, Linda Ronstadt and and Prince, among others:
SIMON PHILLIPS – PROTOCOL (JAZZ ROCK): Master drummer Simon Phillips took a break from new music in 2019 to give us a look back at the output from his Protocol band. This six-disc Best of 2019 entry covers the first incarnation of the group through Protocol IV. If you missed any of the original releases, the remastered set with new liner notes and new artwork is well worth the investment. Even more intriguing are the two bonus discs of unreleased songs and demos. How songs like “Funk Tune #1” and “Zawinul” went unreleased is beyond me.
LINDA RONSTADT – LIVE IN HOLLYWOOD (POP ROCK): This recently discovered audio diary from Linda Ronstadt’s HBO performance in 1980 is the perfect combination of classic stellar songs (“Blue Bayou,” “Willin,'” “You’re No Good”) with a classic L.A. band (Russ Knunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Bill Payne et. al.) combine with one of the best singers of any era. The results are breathtaking. Linda Ronstadt’s work clearly stands the test of time.
EMERSON LAKE AND PALMER – THE ANTHOLOGY [1970-1998] (PROG ROCK): If you are a hard core fan of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer, this vinyl Best of 2019 honoree is for you, as you’ll experience these songs like you’ve never heard them before. If you’re a casual Emerson Lake and Palmer fan like me, The Anthology will take you down a sonic rabbit hole which will inspire not only reliving each of the songs in the Emerson Lake and Palmer catalog but also solo work by the namesakes. Either way, you won’t be disappointed as The Anthology is a must have for friends of ELP and vinyl fans. It’s another great tribute to the late Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, as well.
BILL BRUFORD – EARTHWORKS COMPLETE (PROG / JAZZ): I am again enchanted by Bruford’s writing and arranging skills. This project gives a peek behind the wizard’s curtain like no other. It’s a brief, yet intriguing journey as Bruford’s demos become full-fledged band arrangements. If you are a fan of jazz combos, jazz drumming and/or Bill Bruford, the Earthworks Complete set is for you. The four DVDs also give you a first-hand view at his majestic playing. Unfortunately, Bill Bruford isn’t playing live anymore, but it’s great to have this box to relive his work at one of its many peaks.
PRINCE – THE ORIGINALS (R&B / FUNK): How many new Prince releases have there been in 2019? While I love the deluxe treatment of 1999, I’m more intrigued by The Originals. Where else can you get Prince doing a version of “Holly Rock” which surpasses Shelia E’s, or get the extra juice from “Jungle Love”? We all know Prince was a genius. The Originals reminds of of how much we miss him.
YES – YES 50 LIVE (PROG ROCK): Yes, another live Yes album. Yes, the 53rd version of “Roundabout.” Yes, the Jon in the group is Davison not Anderson. Yes, the recording includes two long-time Yes keyboardists, one of whom is revered, but neither is named Wakeman. And yes, 50 Live confirms that Yes is still the world’s greatest progressive rock band.
RONNIE LANE – JUST FOR A MOMENT (ROCK): This long-overdue box set focusing on the music of Ronnie Lane, who died in 1997 from complications related to MS, is a welcome treat. Covering the Small Faces bassist’s career from 1973 to 1997, this Best of 2019 entry is a reminder of what a strong songwriter and arranger Lane was. It also points to his remaining influence on contemporary rock music. Just For a Moment includes four Ronnie Lane solo albums, and all the singles from the time period. There are also lyrics and a fold-out poster with the six discs. As an alternative, there’s a one-disc (or 2LP) best-of set – but then you’ll be missing out on goodness such as “How Come (Alternative Take)” and “The Joint Is Jumping.”
TOTO – ALL IN (POP / ROCK): You don’t need the remixed version of Toto IV, but remastered versions of Toto, Hydra and Turn Back are all worth the price of admission. This 13-disc box set also includes a never-before-released live disc from 1980, featuring the original lineup. This band of so-called session musicians were amazing, even at this early stage in their career. Toto also gives us 10 newish songs. While four were offered as singles in 2018-19, they have never been included in this format. “In a Little While” and “Chase the Rain” from the Old is New disc sound as good as any classic Toto song, and make me miss the band even more.
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