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Released in 1993, “Artifacts” is an epic 5-CD compilation of newly unearthed Beatles rarities presented in chronological order. 124 choice outtakes, live concert tracks, demos, overdub sessions, and rehearsals covering the group's known recordings from 1958 through 1970 -- it's essentially a best-of the Beatles' unauthorized output, from what were then the best-known sources of every track represented. The box also comes with a fully illustrated and annotated 24-page booklet providing information (where known) about each song and each performance. It was unlike any bootleg presentation seen before it. "Artifacts" and its sequel (another 5 CDs worth of material released in 1994) were clearly the prototype for the authorized collection of Beatles outtakes (“The Beatles Anthology”) issued by EMI in 1995. The official Beatles vault releases have made much of what is found on the “Artifacts” boxes obsolete, however, there are some tracks found on the bootleg box sets that don’t appear on “Anthology,” making it a worthwhile addition to any Beatles collection. This is the first 5 CD box set in the series with complete booklet and packaging scans at 600 d.p.i.

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One of rock's most enduring and insightful parodies, brilliantly mirroring The Beatles' career, “The Rutles” is the soundtrack to the spoof documentary television film “All You Need Is Cash,” which aired on NBC in the U.S. on March 22, 1978. The brainchild of Neil Innes and former Monty Python member Eric Idle, the film is beloved by Beatles fans worldwide and even features a cameo from George Harrison as a TV reporter. This expanded CD issued in 1990 adds six tracks to the 14-track vinyl version first released by Warner Bros. in 1978.

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The fifth album by The Monkees gets the deluxe treatment with a superb 3-CD reissue containing the original stereo album, the first CD release of the rare mono LP mix, plus 64 rarities, many previously unreleased. Peaking at #3 on the Billboard album charts in 1968, it was the first Monkees album not to reach #1. It was held out of the top spot by a pair of Simon and Garfunkel albums (The soundtrack to “The Graduate” and “Bookends”). Features “Daydream Believer” and “Valleri.” With complete booklet and packaging scans.

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George Harrison’s third studio album following the break-up of The Beatles was recorded in September and October 1974 and rushed to stores in time for a North American concert tour by Harrison and friends (Nov. 2 - Dec. 20, 1974). The album received decidedly mixed reviews but sold well, reaching #4 on the U.S. album charts. It features the hit singles “Dark Horse” and “Ding Dong, Ding Dong,” which reached #15 and #36 respectively. This is the Japanese pressing, TOCP-65543.

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A stunning achievement. This long-awaited six CD box set contains all of Buddy Holly’s official studio recordings (his Decca, Brunswick and Coral sessions) as well as pre-fame home recordings made when he was 12 to 15 years old, and home recordings taped a few months prior to his death. There are six previously unreleased tracks, including most of an August 1955 session, plus another 11 recordings previously unreleased in the U.S. 203 tracks in all from the influential rock 'n' roll legend. Essential.

The final George Harrison album issued under his contract with Apple Records (EMI), “Extra Texture (Read All About It)” was also the final album of new material by any artist released on Apple Records. Released on September 22, 1975, the album featured the Top 20 hit “You.” “Extra Texture” and its predecessor, 1974’s “Dark Horse,” remain the only two rock albums by Harrison not remastered and expanded. It reached #8 on the U.S. album charts.

George Harrison’s third studio album following the break-up of The Beatles was recorded in September and October 1974 and rushed to stores in time for a North American concert tour by Harrison and friends (Nov. 2 - Dec. 20, 1974). The album received decidedly mixed reviews but sold well, reaching #4 on the U.S. album charts. It features the hit singles “Dark Horse” and “Ding Dong, Ding Dong,” which reached #15 and #36 respectively.

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In the late spring of 1972, after numerous invitations to reunite, the elusive Dion DiMucci finally agreed to perform – for the first time in 12 years -- with the original members of the Belmonts in a one-off concert as part of a rock and roll revival show to be held at Madison Square Garden. The date was June 2, 1972. The arena was sold out and the atmosphere was electric. The legendary Bronx, New York-based vocal group had earned a reputation not only for topping the charts but for creating some of the most vital and exciting doo-wop music on the American scene. With songs such as “I Wonder Why,” "A Teenager In Love" and "Where or When," Dion and The Belmonts earned their place in the history books, while the group's pioneering role in the development of rock 'n' roll underscored their enduring accomplishments. For this magical night Billy Vera and his band would be the backing band. “It was like an earthquake. You could literally feel the stage shake.” - Billy Vera

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The underground release of the first two volumes of "Ultra Rare Trax" stunned the Beatle loving world. No one had heard bootlegs with this kind of startling clarity before. Issued on the Swingin' Pig label in 1988, they were the first widely distributed bootleg CDs. Their stunning sound quality and content set a reference standard that just about every CD issued since has been measured against. These six amazing “Ultra Rare Trax” CDs are what excited Beatles fans in 1988 and 1989, years before EMI put out the official “Anthology” CDs. And while the "Anthology" series made these CDs obsolete, they are a piece of Beatles history and an absolute MUST for Beatles fans.

This is a real rarity for Badfinger fans. It is the 72-minute CD of tracks that came with the book “Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger” by Dan Matovina issued in August, 2000. This is about as scarce as things gets. The paperback book with the CD is currently listed at Amazon for $140 US.

19 tracks. With Booklet scans at 600 d.p.i.

Extraordinary career-spanning compilation contains all of comedian Allan Sherman recorded output for Warner Bros. Records plus some rarities. The only project missing is 1964’s classical romp with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, “Peter And The Commissar,” which was issued by RCA.

Absolutely worth a listen.

Highly recommended tracks: “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh” (on CD 3) and “You Went The Wrong Way, Old King Louie” (on CD 2).

Limited Edition box set (now out of print). 149 tracks. 6 CDs. With complete booklet and packaging scans at 600 d.p.i.

It is believed that upon its initial release this ill-advised final album of new material by The Beach Boys sold fewer than 1,000 copies. A year later the album was remixed and shortened and issued by EMI in the UK to little public interest. Because so few copies were pressed to begin with the album has become something of an overpriced collector’s item at eBay and Amazon.

Upon its initial release this album was savaged by critics and even die-hard Beach Boys fans treated it as if it were a Mike Love solo album masquerading as a band project.

There are several songs worthy of release, but for the most part the album suffers from weak lyrics and song choices, and a noticeably over-loud 80’s style drum machine and synthesizers which take over every song. It’s as if the group bought some cheap Karaoke masters and just came in to sing vocals.

Recorded near the beginning of her 3 ½ season run on the popular NBC-TV variety show “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In,“ Lily Tomlin’s debut album was a showcase for her most popular character, the wisecracking, snorting telephone operator Ernestine. Recorded live at the Ice House in Pasadena, California, in 1970, the album was released on Polydor Records in February 1971. It peaked at #15 on the Billboard Top Album charts and stayed in the Top 200 for 25 weeks. “This Is A Recording” was named 1971’s Best Comedy Recording at the Grammy Awards and Tomlin became the first woman to win this award for a solo recording. With scans at 600 d.p.i.

Scarce 1991 UK EMI limited edition 4-track CD single featuring one recording each from Mary Hopkin, Billy Preston, Jackie Lomax and Badfinger. This was issued to celebrate the release of selected Apple Records catalog titles on compact disc for the first time.

The second album from rockabilly trio Stray Cats did not include a hit single, but "Baby Blue Eyes" was strong enough to have been issued as one. Instead of releasing their two UK albums intact, their new American label (EMI America) took songs from their first two Arista Records albums in the UK and created a hybrid album -- much like what Capitol Records did with the first two UK albums by The Beatles in creating "Meet The Beatles." They would include six songs from "Stray Cats" and five from this album plus the previously unreleased "Built For Speed" to act as the title track. Scans at 600 d.p.i. Arista 254 019