As our world has been confronted with an unprecedented crisis, and the wheels of our society have ground to a halt, many of us have been marooned from the cultural stepping stones on which we navigate and relate to those around us—and which I, for one, took for granted. Major film and music releases continue to be postponed, and the return of live concerts seems, realistically, a long way off. As a result, for a lot of folks these few months have turned into a period of retrospection. We think back to better times; we look to greater minds; and we wonder if we will ever return to the way it once was.
Fortunately, with the recent announcement of three new anthology collections by some of music’s all time greats, it is clear that this retrospection is not reserved to just us mere mortals. Apparently, Robert Plant, David Bowie’s estate, and Elvis Costello all decided that now was a good time to offer us an invitation in looking back onto iconic moments of their legendary careers—and to that I say: HALLELUJAH!
Here’s a look into each of these projects, which should soon be the soundtrack to your extra time spent at home:
Robert Plant, Digging Deep: Subterranea, Es Paranza Records, Available NOW:
—As if being the lead singer for Led Zeppelin wasn’t enough, Robert Plant is one of the rare few who could go on to have a successful solo career that was not totally overshadowed by his legendary roots. In fact, through several iterations of his Band of Joy, his acclaimed work with Allison Krauss, his further partnerships with Jimmy Page, and several other creative endeavors, we have seen how deep Plant’s roots really go. Now in Digging Deep (which shares the name with his podcast), Robert Plant himself is looking back.
Here he has compiled a non-chronological, two disc anthology meant to span his solo career. In it, we are treated to performances from some of his best collaborators in Patty Griffin and Jimmy Page, and all in all, one is left with a first of its kind reminder of the depth of his artistry. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone he jokes, “When I listen to it, I wonder whether the guy who was singing and writing the lyrics ever had a rest. I mean, did he ever take a vacation?“ Fortunately for us, it doesn’t sound like it.
Digging Deep: Subterranea is available now!
David Bowie, Ouvrez Le Chien, Parlophone Records, physical release: Oct. 30, 2020, streaming NOW:
—On January 10, 2016, rock music lost one of its brightest stars—or should I say, Star-men. David Bowie broke the surly bonds of Earth and left behind five decades worth of iconic albums and an unmatched legacy as a glam rock pioneer, cultural supernova, and otherworldly artist. Further, though Bowie was known for his remarkable studio work, he is also remembered as one of rock’s greatest live performers. In commemoration of the latter, his estate in partnership with Parlophone Records, announced the release of David Bowie Brilliant Live Adventures – A Series of Six David Bowie Live Albums From the 1990s.
For the first time, fans will have the chance to own, on limited run vinyl and CD, six separate live Bowie concerts from the 1990s. Though they will be released one at a time through early 2021, the first offering, Ouvrez Le Chien from his 1995 Dallas Starplex Amphitheater concert, will be available in physical format on October 30th and has already been made available for streaming.
More info can be found on Bowie’s official store!
Elvis Costello, The Complete Armed Forces, Universal Music Enterprises, Nov. 6, 2020:
—On November 6th, just one week following the release of his upcoming record Hey Clockface, Elvis Costello via UMe will be revisiting his iconic third album Armed Forces with a comprehensive box set reissue. Though Costello has had dozens of amazing records over the course of his career, Armed Forces, released in 1979, remains consistently on the short list of his most beloved by fans and critics alike; and while this album has had past reissues, none have been nearly as comprehensive as this set. Included in the release are 9 vinyls that cover: the studio release, the singles, four live concerts, and a collection of B sides, demos, and outtakes. Further, there are also seven notebooks that contain new liner notes, handwritten lyrics, photos, and more.
If ever there was a time to do a deep dive into one of rock’s masterclasses in songwriting by one of its undisputed and spectacled poet laureates, it is on November 6th with the release of The Complete Armed Forces.
Happy Listening!
