From Amy Winehouse to Elton John and Elvis Costello & The Attractions: Box sets of the year 

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From the Amy Winehouse collection to Elton John’s favourite album tracks and Elvis Costello & The Attractions, the best box sets of the year

By Tim De Lisle for Event Magazine

Published: | Updated:

Christmas is coming: the discs are getting fat. A musical box set always makes a tempting present, and this year we may even have time to listen to it. Here are seven handsome sets to go with Sade’s This Far, reviewed last month (★★★★). 

Unless otherwise stated, they’re out now and the prices are from roughtrade.com. Let’s try to keep our record shops in business.

 

Elvis Costello & The Attractions: The Complete Armed Forces (three LPs, three 10in records and three singles, £199.99 from recordstore.co.uk) ★★★★★

A special album returns in a spectacular edition with posters, postcards, live recordings and Costello’s notebooks realised as pulp novels

Elton John: Jewel Box (eight CDs, £89.99, or four LPs, £74.99) ★★★★

His gift is his song, and these 148 are for you. They comprise Elton’s favourite album tracks, rarities from his days in bands, B-sides, hits featured in his memoir – and plenty of gems

His gift is his song, and these 148 are for you. They comprise Elton’s favourite album tracks, rarities from his days in bands, B-sides, hits featured in his memoir – and plenty of gems

John Prine: Crooked Piece Of Time – The Atlantic And Asylum Albums 1971-1980 (seven CDs, £39.99) (seven CDs, £39.99) ★★★★★

Prine, who sadly died of Covid-19, began his working life as a postman. Then he started delivering folk songs that glow with humanity

Prine, who sadly died of Covid-19, began his working life as a postman. Then he started delivering folk songs that glow with humanity

Amy Winehouse: 12×7 (12 vinyl singles, £99.99, out Friday) ★★★★★; The Collection (five CDs, £17.99, out November 27) ★★★★

Spend on the singles or snap up the albums, including Back To Black, for a song

Spend on the singles or snap up the albums, including Back To Black, for a song

Joni Mitchell: Archives Vol 1 – The Early Years 1963-1967Archives Vol 1 – The Early Years 1963-1967 (five CDs, £69.99) ★★★★

Opening with House Of The Rising Sun, the young Joni is just another wannabe folkie, but soon she’s crooning Both Sides Now. Fitfully fascinating

Opening with House Of The Rising Sun, the young Joni is just another wannabe folkie, but soon she’s crooning Both Sides Now. Fitfully fascinating

Dire Straits: The Studio Albums 1978-1991 The Studio Albums 1978-1991 (six CDs, £19.99, or eight LPs, £117.99) ★★★★

How are the mighty forgotten. These titans of the 1980s faded away fast, but Mark Knopfler’s riffs and character studies stand the test of time

How are the mighty forgotten. These titans of the 1980s faded away fast, but Mark Knopfler’s riffs and character studies stand the test of time

The Divine Comedy: Venus, Cupid, Folly & Time Venus, Cupid, Folly & Time (24 CDs, £134.99) ★★★★★

Not content with staging the socially distanced gig of the year, Neil Hannon has now remastered his life’s work. His wit and warmth could get you through the winter

Not content with staging the socially distanced gig of the year, Neil Hannon has now remastered his life’s work. His wit and warmth could get you through the winter