Coming Soon: Star Wars: The Ultimate Soundtrack Collection

Out Jan. 8 on vinyl and CD.
The most acclaimed and enduring film music in Hollywood history, the original soundtracks of Star Wars Episodes I VI, are now issued by Sony Classical in a new box set, Star Wars: The Ultimate Soundtrack Collection that includes 10 CDs plus a DVD. All composed by John Williams, the legendary five-time Oscar®-winning composer, this unique collector set is being released just as the latest chapter in the saga, Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.

Star Wars: The Ultimate Soundtrack Collection includes the original six soundtracks in mini album jackets on 9 CDs, plus a bonus CD featuring a new audio interview with Harrison Ford (Han Solo) alongside an interview with John Williams. Also included is the DVD Star Wars: A Musical Journey, a one hour special hosted by actor Ian McDiarmid (Chancellor Palpatine) highlighting select musical themes alongside key sequences from the films. Rounding out the set are a fold-out poster and three collectable stickers.
 

The Beach Boys' magic transistor radio

While we're still on our transistor radio kick, let's take a listen to the Beach Boys' "Mt. Vernon and Fairway," a "fairy tale" by Brian Wilson about a boy and his magic transistor radio. It first appeared as a bonus EP in 1973's Holland LP.

The EP is now included on CD versions of the album.




New on DVD and Blu-ray this week: Avengers Age of Ultron; Outlander Season 1; George Gently Series 7; iZombie Season 1, more

Click the links to order discounted DVDs or Blu-rays from Amazon.









More transistor radios: The Beatles and Pepsi

Following up from yesterday's Pop Focus feature on transistor radios, here's a look at a radio familiar to anyone who's seen Albert and David Maysles' great documentary about the Beatles first visit to the U.S.

In the film, there are various scenes of the band, particularly of Paul McCartney, listening to American radio for the first time via a radio shaped like a Pepsi vending machine.

The story is that there were four of these radios awaiting the Beatles when they checked into their hotel suite. The band can be seen in the Maysles' film listening to one of them while traveling around New York via limousine. The band all gets a kick out of hearing their own music - and the antic announcements of New York's over-the-top DJs - over the air.

Here's what one of the radios looks like up close.







Pop Focus: Transistor radios

Back in the days before everyone did everything on their stupid phones, and before the days of Sony Walkmen and iPods, people - at least teenagers - listened to music on these things.

Yes, the sound was mono and kinda crummy, and most of these things only took one "ear phone." But the music hasn't been as good since they roamed the Earth in kids' shirts and back pockets.

Here's a look at some of the snazziest, plastic transistor radios we've seen in our online travels. What are your transistor memories?