December 2015 New Music Releases
This list of December 2015 new music releases syncs up with our looming gift-giving season, as a bundle of huge reissues arrive just in time for the holidays. We take a look at some of the most interesting of those upcoming projects, and also offer a peek into what's in store for early 2016.
Bruce Springsteen takes an in-depth look at The River, expanding the project into a four-CD/three DVD/Blu-ray box titled The Ties That Bind: The River Collection. Of special interest is the official debut of his original single-disc edition of this album, a foundation from which Springsteen later built a sprawling double-LP set in 1980.
Fleetwood Mac are taking a similar voyage through 1979's Tusk, which will be reissued in a five-CD/DVD/two-LP deluxe edition, a three-CD expanded edition and a single-disc remaster. Cream's singles have also been collected into a deluxe vinyl box, with remastered mono sound and new art.
Ringo Starr will be joined by an all-star cast on Lifetime of Peace & Love Tribute Concert, as Joe Walsh, Ben Harper and Starr himself reinterpret songs from both his solo career and his time with the Beatles.
Meanwhile, Van Morrison's three-year tenure with Them will be explored in a new 70-song, three-CD box. Included along with music from The Angry Young Them and Them Again are a slew of non-LP singles, an entire disc of demos and a 16-page booklet featuring liner notes by Morrison.
More information on these and other classic-rock releases can be found below. And remember to look at our updated list of 2015 New Music Releases for details on music issued throughout the year.
December 4
The Allman Brothers Band, Idlewild South: Deluxe Edition
Bruce Springsteen, The Ties That Bind: The River Collection
Cream, The Singles 1967-1970 (vinyl box)
Europe, War of Kings: Special Edition
Fleetwood Mac, Tusk (Expanded Edition)
Grateful Dead, Dick’s Picks Vol. 3 Pembroke Pines, Florida 5/22/77
Ringo Starr, The Lifetime of Peace & Love Tribute Concert
Roger Waters, Roger Waters The Wall
Roy Orbison, The MGM Years
Rush, A Show of Hands (vinyl reissue)
The Them [Van Morrison], The Complete Them 1964-1967December 11
Black Crowes, A Texan Tornado
Cheap Trick, Auld Lang Syne: New Year’s Eve Broadcast 1979 – Forum, L.A.
Joe Cocker, The Life of a Man – The Ultimate Hits (1968-2013)
Marty Balin, Good Memories: Tribute to Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship
Todd Rundgren & Utopia, Live at the Old Waldorf San Francisco – August 1978: Deluxe EditionDecember 18
Pantera, The Complete Studio Albums 1990-2000
January and Beyond
David Bowie, Blackstar
Paul Carrack, Soul Shadows
Rush, Feedback + Snakes & Arrows
Megadeth, Dystopia
Phil Collins, Face Value: Deluxe Edition; Both Sides: Deluxe Edition; Take a Look at Me Now: Collector's Edition
Elton John, Wonderful Crazy Night
Last in Line, Heavy Crown