New Music Releases for August 2024

Two prog rock legends are set to make a triumphant return to record stores and streaming platforms. August 2024’s new music releases are shaping up to be remarkable, featuring prominent moments from Woodstock and a rare solo offering from one of the Rolling Stones co-founders.

Jon Anderson is making waves with the release of his first album of original songs alongside the Band of Geeks, a group of musicians he discovered on YouTube. Titled True, this album comes after several years of touring together, performing classic Yes songs. Anderson co-produced the LP with Band of Geeks bassist Richie Castellano, who also plays in Blue Oyster Cult.

A landmark moment for Alvin Lee and Ten Years After is also on the horizon. They delivered one of the standout performances at Woodstock in 1969, and for the first time ever, their complete set is being released. Titled Woodstock 1969, this album will drop just one day before the 55th anniversary of their iconic appearance.

Ian Anderson’s solo career is getting a comprehensive showcase with the release of a new 10-disc vinyl set titled 8314 Boxed. This collection includes two sequels to Jethro Tull’s seminal prog album Thick as a Brick. Both Thick as a Brick 2 from 2012 and Homo Erraticus from 2014 revisit the fictitious character Gerald Bostock, central to the original album’s story.

Rolling Stones fans will be thrilled to hear about Bill Wyman’s return with his first album in nine years. Titled Drive My Car, this release marks Wyman’s ninth solo effort. The former Stones bassist has either written or co-written five of the ten tracks, with the remaining songs penned by notable artists such as Bob Dylan and John Prine.

The August music release calendar is packed with exciting new albums. Here are some of the highlights:

Aug. 2
Brian Ray [Paul McCartney], My Town
Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, Now Playing (vinyl reissue)
Drive-By Truckers, Southern Rock Opera: 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (expanded 3CD reissue)
Howard Jones, Live at the O2 (CD/LP)
Quiet Riot, Metal Health (vinyl reissue)
Steve Hackett, Bay of Kings; Momentum (remastered vinyl reissues)
The Stooges, Now Playing (orange vinyl reissue)
Van Morrison, Be Just and Fear Not: Live at Orangefield
Velvet Underground, Now Playing (vinyl reissue)

Aug. 9
Bill Wyman [Rolling Stones], Drive My Car
Blue Oyster Cult, 50th Anniversary Live: Second Night
Dickey Betts, Live From the Lone Star Roadhouse, New York City 1988
Elvis Presley, Memphis (5CD box)
Jefferson Airplane, Woodstock Sunday August 17, 1969: 55th Anniversary (blue 3LP reissue)
Smashing Pumpkins, Rotten Apples: The Smashing Pumpkins Greatest Hits (2LP reissue)
Tom Verlaine [Television], Songs and Other Things (teal vinyl reissue)

Aug. 16
Gerry and the Pacemakers, I Like It: Anthology 1963-66 (3CD box)
Creed, Human Clay: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (expanded 2CD reissue)
Lindsey Buckingham, 20th Century Lindsey (4CD box)
Steve Forbert, Daylight Savings Time
Ten Years After, Woodstock 1969

Aug. 23
Alan Parsons Project, Pyramid (expanded reissue)
America, Homecoming (reissue)
Ian Anderson [Jethro Tull], 8314 Boxed (10LP box)
Jimi Jamison [Survivor], Jimmy Wayne Jamison
Jon Anderson [Yes], True (with Band of Geeks)
Steve Cropper, Friendlytown (with Brian May, Billy Gibbons, others)

Aug. 30
Hawkwind, In Search of Space (2CD/Blu-ray/LP reissues)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Wild God
Oasis, Definitely Maybe: 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Renaissance, Can You Hear Me: Broadcasts 1974-78 (3CD box)
Steve Wynn [Dream Syndicate], Make It Right
Various artists, Ring the Bells and Sing: Progressive Sounds of 1975 (4CD box with Yes, Gentle Giant, Al Stewart, Steve Hackett, Nektar, Renaissance, others)

September and Beyond
David Gilmour, Luck and Strange
King Crimson, Sheltering Skies: Live in Frejus, August 27th 1982
Steve Marriott [Small Faces/Humble Pie], Poor Man’s Rich Man: 1978-1987
Jimi Hendrix Experience, Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision (3CD/5LP/Blu-ray box)
Bob Dylan and the Band, The 1974 Live Recordings
Michael Schenker [UFO/Scorpions], My Years With UFO (with Axl Rose, Dee Snider, Slash, others)
Santana, Supernatural: 25th Anniversary Edition (red 2LP reissue)
Van Morrison, New Arrangements and Duets
Myles Kennedy [Slash], The Art of Letting Go
MC5, Heavy Lifting

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