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Tracy Chapman followed her star-making self-titled debut a year later with CROSSROADS. Given the singer-songwriter's previous success, the 1989 Elektra collection was cut in Hollywood with some pretty impressive SoCal musical guests, including guitarist Danny Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and Neil Young. But as before, Chapman's considerable appeal lies in her heartfelt performances and incisive lyrics, and from such songs as “Subcity,” the Nelson Mandela-themed “Freedom Now” and the titular Modern Rock hit, these 10 originals do not disappoint. Tracy Chapman was born in this day in 1964, and we'll wish her a happy birthday with the platinum-certified CROSSROADS.

 “Something became fully formed at that point,” recalled Emmylou Harris of the personnel and performances on LUXURY LINER. “The instrumentation of the Hot Band reached a kind of peak.” You can't help but be impressed by the credits on the 1976 collection, which include guitarists James Burton, Albert Lee and Rodney Crowell, fiddler Ricky Skaggs and supporting vocalists Dolly Parton and Nicolette Larson. The talent in the studio was matched with first-class material ranging from country and rock chestnuts (“Hello Stranger,” “(You Never Can Tell) C'est la Vie”) to more contemporary compositions like former mentor Gram Parsons' title track and Townes Van Zandt's “Pancho and Lefty,” which remains a staple of Harris' concerts to this day. LUXURY LINER is the singer's best-selling solo record to date as well as a personal favorite, making it the perfect way to wish Emmylou Harris a happy birthday.

The Grateful Dead forged its legend on the road, traveling countless miles between 1965 and 1995 to perform a world record 2,318 shows, and the band's refusal to ever play a song the same way twice has endeared them to generations of fans. Made for die-hards and newbies alike, THE BEST OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD LIVE is the ultimate concert collection, a two-disc set with recordings selected from the band's official live albums on Warner Bros. and Arista, plus a few tracks from their many archival live releases. From "St. Stephen" (off the group's first official live album, 1969's LIVE/DEAD) to the poignant "So Many Roads" from the band's final concert at Chicago's Soldier Field in July of 1995, the 19 tracks on THE BEST OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD LIVE confirm that "there is nothing like a Grateful Dead concert." 

Two years after her previous album (and on the heels of a popular James Bond theme song), Carly Simon made a triumphant return with BOYS IN THE TREES. The 1978 Elektra set was produced by Arif Mardin, who brought a touch of R&B and the cream of New York session players to the proceedings. Also joining Carly in the studio were husband James Taylor (who co-wrote two numbers and harmonizes on the Everly Brothers classic “Devoted to You”) and Doobie Brother Michael McDonald (on Top 10 hit duet “You Belong to Me”). With such well-crafted originals as the title track, Simon's songwriting skills also came to the fore, and BOYS IN THE TREES is still insightful and moving 40 years after its release.
 

Manchester beat group The Hollies were performing in Liverpool when a rep from The Beatles' label, Parlophone, caught their act and signed them up. Cut at Abbey Road Studios, the quintet's debut, STAY WITH THE HOLLIES, arrived in 1964. The collection reflects the band's live set with plenty of rock and R&B favorites from across the Atlantic, including “Talkin' 'Bout You,” “Lucille” and the group's first U.K. Top 10 hit, “Stay,” as well as a terrific original (“Little Lover”). And if the band's trademark harmonies had yet to fully blossom - Allan Clarke's voice dominates here – the instrumental work is strong throughout. STAY WITH THE HOLLIES offers an exciting look at the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers' beginnings, and we'll give it another spin now to celebrate Clarke's birthday.

New Zealand in the 1980s was a hotbed of alternative pop, and among that scene's leading lights were The Chills. Following a series of acclaimed releases for local imprint Flying Nun, the band signed to Warner Bros. subsidiary Slash and issued the equally wonderful SUBMARINE BELLS in 1990. From the aptly titled opener “Heavenly Pop Hit,” it's clear that singer-songwriter Martin Phillipps and company have lost none of their talent for memorable melodies, atmospheric arrangements and quirky-but-resonant lyrics; coupled with punchy production (courtesy of Gary Smith), these dozen originals are pretty much irresistible. SUBMARINE BELLS may have only topped the chart in New Zealand, but indie fans everywhere ought to have this one on their radar.

Among the most successful R&B duos of all time, Sam Moore and Dave Prater were at the top of their game when they cut SOUL MEN in 1967. Recorded at the Stax studio in Memphis, the pair got strong support from ace instrumental outfit Booker T. & the MG's and producers Isaac Hayes and David Porter. The Hayes-Porter team also contributed material to the collection, most notably the Top 10 title track, which earned Sam & Dave a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It's the most famous of these 11 songs, but far from the sole highlight; “Hold It Baby,” “Broke Down Piece Of Man” and “I've Seen What Loneliness Can Do” all put the performers' gritty, gospel-infused style to excellent use. There's not a dull moment on SOUL MEN, making it an ideal tribute to Prater, who passed away 30 years ago today.

Some of the most exciting music made in America at the end of the 1960s came from Detroit, thanks to bands like The Stooges, The Alice Cooper Group … and the MC5. The “Motor City Five” had already kicked out the jams on a live album before heading into the studio with producer Jon Landau to see if they could capture their high-energy attack in a more controlled setting. The resulting 1970 album, BACK IN THE USA, answered that question with a resounding “yes.” Along with nods to rock's raucous past (like the Chuck Berry-penned title track) and the MC5's revolutionary roots (“The American Ruse”), the set provided a template for the punk rock to come with such driving songs as “Tonight” and “Shakin' Street.” Packed with incendiary power, BACK IN THE USA was named one of the 500 greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone.

Chicago has been a concert force for more than 50 years, thrilling its legion of fans with performances that never disappoint. The new CHICAGO: VI DECADES LIVE (THIS IS WHAT WE DO) celebrates the hitmakers' live legacy with previously unreleased concert recordings including several deep cuts that have never appeared on any of the band's live albums. The songs on the 4-CD/1-DVD collection were recorded between 1969 and 2014, and feature the band's entire 1970 Isle of Wight show along with select performances spanning six decades. The DVD features a concert that was originally broadcast on the German music television show Rockpalast in 1977. Chicago's ability to amaze audiences is one reason the band is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and that talent is on full display on CHICAGO: VI DECADES LIVE.

From its iconic cover shot to the final notes of “Lady Grinning Soul,” ALADDIN SANE captures David Bowie near the peak of his glam rock powers. Once described by the performer as “Ziggy goes to America,” the 1973 collection was recorded with the classic Spiders from Mars lineup (guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder and drummer Mick "Woody" Woodmansey) and reflects Bowie's experiences on the road in the U.S. the preceding year. Ranging from the fractured jazz of the title song to such tough rockers as “Panic in Detroit” and hit single “The Jean Genie,” these 10 tracks brim with invention and self assurance. Released 45 years ago today, ALADDIN SANE has been cited by Pitchfork as one of the greatest albums of the 1970s, and we couldn't agree more.