The reissues and recycling still come thick and fast, not least in the unashamed “reissue” of vinyl – another income stream for the record labels designed to extract more wedge from our hard-pressed wallets.

Here is our round-up of recommended multi-disc sets released in 2024, maybe suggestions for a hopeful Christmas List?

We’ve selected, in particular, releases that reflect artists and/or albums that have perhaps been overlooked over time and are worthy of reappraisal. In that sense, the recycling can be useful especially for the uninitiated. The hardcore can merely grit their teeth…

Our thanks to Brian McGowan and Joe Geesin.

TONY IOMMI featuring GLENN HUGHES – The 1996 Dep Sessions, Fused

The two albums guitar legend and Black Sabbath founder Tony Iommi recorded with bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes get a well deserved reissue, as well as a first time release on vinyl. Marvellous. Joe Geesin ****1/2

For lovers of rifftastic heavy rock

THE PRODUCERS (5-CD box set)

To call them a Supergroup would be a cliché. This collection of musicians transcends tired headlines. Brian McGowan ****

For lovers of superlative pop rock

BLACK SABBATH – Anno Domini 1989-1995 (4-CD box set)

Almost faultless. A Headless Cross poster and repro full tour program make a good start. Then the book, with notes from Hugh Gilmore, full of quotes from members of the band. Very informative. Joe Geesin ****1/2

For lovers of non-Ozzy Sabbath

THUNDER – The Complete EMI Recordings 1989-95 (7-CD boxset)

As a definitive snapshot of Thunder’s first six years in the public eye, this boxset will take some beating. Brian McGowan ****

For lovers of premier division classic rock

PALLAS – Eyes In The Night (The Recordings 1981-86) (7-CD boxset)

The DVD in itself is huge value for money. A now classic Neo-Prog band, at their best, strutting their stuff in front of a thousand fans. It doesn’t get much better than this. Brian McGowan *****

For lovers of melodic prog

AS I ROVED OUT – THE STORY OF CELTIC ROCK 1968-78 (3-CDs)

And there’s more, some household names… Wishbone Ash, Sandy Denny, Clannad, Gilbert O’Sullivan, David MacWilliams, and some who were equally talented, but were fated to fly below most people’s radar, like Trees, Huw Jones, East Of Eden, Shelagh McDonald, Hergest, Skibereen, and French contributors, Namnetes, Alain Samson and Kyaldan. Brian McGowan ****

For lovers of seminal folk rock

VARIOUS ARTISTS – I See You Live On Love Street, Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-75 (3-CD Boxset)

…Love Street compiles a faultless collection of tracks from a unique era in the history of popular music. And hearing it now, much of it seems just as relevant today as it did then. Brian McGowan *****

For lovers of West Coast jangly guitars, singer songwriters, and folk to rock transition.

MAMA’S BOYS – Runaway Dreams 1980-92 (5-CD boxset)

Grounded in Irish folk music, as members of the award winning McManus family collective, their conversion to hard rock came suddenly.

It was the sound – thanks to bands like Thin Lizzy, Rainbow and others – that was dominating the airwaves. The boys were not immune, and so the real story began. Brian McGowan ****

For lovers of Celtic rooted hard rock

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 6 April 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 8 April 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

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