WISHBONE ASH – At The BBC 1970 - 1988

The boxed sets and multi-disc reissues keep coming! First it was CDs that gave recorded rock a new lease of life, then came the revival of vinyl. But, as labels realised, they could expand individual albums with bonus material, and then do it again with unreleased, remixed, and not forgetting the ubiquitous 5.1 and now Dolby Atmos mix….

We’ve put together a selection of some of the best collections released this year that maybe you’ve missed or might influence your Xmas List. Many reinforce the standing of artists who can easily be overlooked in this fast-food/short attention age.

Now prise that clamshell open …

Our special thanks to Brian McGowan and Reissues Editor Joe Geesin.

STRAPPS – Bound For Glory (Complete Recordings 1976-1979)
Cherry Red [Release date: 19.09.25]

Joe Geesin noted that the band’s image got in the way of some great music and their output is re-evaluated on this 3-disc retrospective. ****1/2

DEEP PURPLE – Rapture Of The Deep (20th Anniversary Edition)
earMusic [Release date 05.09.25]

20 years on, as Joe indicates, the second to feature pianist Don Airey and fourth with guitarist Steve Morse. “With its new mix it’s better than ever…A cracking album now made even better, and a bonus disc with some demo recordings, a must for any fan.” ****1/2

JOE MEEK – A Curious Mind
Cherry Red [Release date: 29.08.25]

Brian McGowan writes that this release ”is another commendable step by the Cherry Red label in anthologising Joe Meeks’ considerable body of work.” This 3-CD set does justice to Meek’s legacy with 57 previously unreleased tracks. ****1/2

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL: The UK Pop Explosion 1967-69
Cherry Red [Release date 22.08.25]

For those who want to wallow in unashamed late-sixties pop nostalgia this 3-CD set (82 tracks) should fit the bill. The summer of love and beyond celebrated. As Brian writes: “…there’s a rich seam of quality pop running through this collection”. ****1/2

JIMMY WEBB – A Life In Words And Music
Cherry Red [Release date 25.07.25]

This 7-CD box set celebrates the albums Webb made for Reprise in the 1970s. As Brian says he never received the recognition as a solo performer and is best remembered as a songwriting titan for artists like Linda Ronstadt, Glen Campbell and Carly Simon. ****1/2

SEALS & CROFTS – Gold and Rainbows – The Warner Bros Years 1969-78
Cherry Red {Release date]

The seventies was a wonderful time for stellar singer songwriters, promoted via Warner Bros. and it’s imprint Reprise. Seals & Croft were very much part of the period and this 9 albums on 5-CD set captures key output although no bonus material. Brian McGowan writes: “…the quality of the music was the definition of consistency”. *****

WISHBONE ASH – At The BBC 1970 – 1988
Madfish [Release date 28.03.25]

Another Wishbone Ash box for those with deep pockets. 11 CD’s of never-before-heard sessions and live concerts restored and re-mastered, plus a DVD spanning the 1971, ’77 and ‘80 line-ups. Plus, of course, extensive liner notes. As Pete Feenstra summed up: “…a must for completists as well as those fans still catching up on the mark two band onwards”. ****

DAVID LEE ROTH – The Warner Recordings 1985-1994
Rhino [Release date 21.02.25]

This 5-CD set brings together EPs and albums recorded when Lee Roth was adrift from Van Halen. According to Joe Geesin “An essential part of any collection”. ****

Cherry Red website

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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 7 December 2025.

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Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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