Holiday Gift Guide: The Boss' Memoir, Dylan Goes Electric Box Set, a Stylish Record Bag and More
Dec. 12, 2016
In the weeks leading up to the holidays, we're going to tip you off to some music-related recordings, books, gadgets, clothing items and more that we've hand-picked from the vast depths of Amazon. The fourth week of our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide also features the story of Van Halen's wild early days, a chic way to display LPs at home, and a gadget that lets you create your own music box melodies. And check out our previous installments for our earlier picks.
Bob Dylan Live in 1966 Box Set
Celebrate Bob Dylan, reluctant Nobel Laureate, with a giant 36-disc set of recordings from 1966, when he both thrilled and enraged audiences by daring to plug in, with backing courtesy of the Band. The Royal Albert Hall performance from this tour is available as a standalone record, as well. ($106.39 for the box set, $12.25 for the single performance)
Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen's Memoir
At a stout 510 pages, the Boss goes in deep on his own life with his memoir, tracing the path from his humble New Jersey roots to the stadium-filling, best-selling, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducee that he's become. He also pontificates about the conflict between staying true to one's origins while building the confidence and swagger to assure yourself that this many people deserve to know the things you have to say. ($19.50, hardcover)
Manhattan Portage DJ Bag
Need something to lug around all the record you've been scooping up while crate digging around town? This Manhattan Portage DJ bag should do the trick. With a sturdy and minimal design, this bag holds around 20 records, has a solid strap to free up your arms. ($69.00, available in various sizes and colors)
Kikkerland Make Your Own Music Box Kit
This music gadget allows you to create your own melody by punching holes in the music paper strips provided. A simple melody strip and instructions are included. Ideal for creative kids and budding composers alike. ($14.71)
AllMusic Subscription
To keep the lights at AllMusic, we have to run ads. There's no way around it, and it's been a fact of life online since the days of 14.4 modems and NCSA Mosaic. The thing is, these ads can get more and more elaborate over time, and loading them can bog down a site. That's why we offer paid subscriptions to AllMusic: for $16 a year, all the ads are gone. Poof. It helps us directly and noticeably speeds up the site for you, so it's a real win/win. ($16/year)
Album Cover & LP Frame by MCS
Everyone has a favorite album cover and with so many vinyl collectors out there, this frame is a nice way to display a desert island disc. Unlike most frames that just display the cover itself, this version also allows the LP itself to be on display, so not only do you get to show off the cover, but the center label as well. The only thing left to decide is whether you like the deep cuts on side B better than the hits on side A. ($27.50)
Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal
A meticulous documentation of the initial David Lee Roth era of Van Halen including the Van Halen brothers' upbringing, Diamond Dave's transformation from wannabe to preening, strutting cock-rocker, and a nearly-endless series of frustrated bassists. From high school parking lot gigs and backyard shows busted by the cops, to the boys fake skydiving in to a major outdoor festival. ($12.88, paperback)
Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon launched its own streaming service this fall, and just expanded into the U.K., Germany and Austria. Echo owners and Prime subscribers get deep discounts on the $9.99/month service, which gives you access to tens of millions of songs, whenever you want them. There's also a $14.99/month family plan, which allows unlimited streaming for up to six users. (Monthly subscription)
Bob Dylan Live in 1966 Box Set
Celebrate Bob Dylan, reluctant Nobel Laureate, with a giant 36-disc set of recordings from 1966, when he both thrilled and enraged audiences by daring to plug in, with backing courtesy of the Band. The Royal Albert Hall performance from this tour is available as a standalone record, as well. ($106.39 for the box set, $12.25 for the single performance)
Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen's Memoir
At a stout 510 pages, the Boss goes in deep on his own life with his memoir, tracing the path from his humble New Jersey roots to the stadium-filling, best-selling, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducee that he's become. He also pontificates about the conflict between staying true to one's origins while building the confidence and swagger to assure yourself that this many people deserve to know the things you have to say. ($19.50, hardcover)
Manhattan Portage DJ Bag
Need something to lug around all the record you've been scooping up while crate digging around town? This Manhattan Portage DJ bag should do the trick. With a sturdy and minimal design, this bag holds around 20 records, has a solid strap to free up your arms. ($69.00, available in various sizes and colors)
Kikkerland Make Your Own Music Box Kit
This music gadget allows you to create your own melody by punching holes in the music paper strips provided. A simple melody strip and instructions are included. Ideal for creative kids and budding composers alike. ($14.71)
AllMusic Subscription
To keep the lights at AllMusic, we have to run ads. There's no way around it, and it's been a fact of life online since the days of 14.4 modems and NCSA Mosaic. The thing is, these ads can get more and more elaborate over time, and loading them can bog down a site. That's why we offer paid subscriptions to AllMusic: for $16 a year, all the ads are gone. Poof. It helps us directly and noticeably speeds up the site for you, so it's a real win/win. ($16/year)
Album Cover & LP Frame by MCS
Everyone has a favorite album cover and with so many vinyl collectors out there, this frame is a nice way to display a desert island disc. Unlike most frames that just display the cover itself, this version also allows the LP itself to be on display, so not only do you get to show off the cover, but the center label as well. The only thing left to decide is whether you like the deep cuts on side B better than the hits on side A. ($27.50)
Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal
A meticulous documentation of the initial David Lee Roth era of Van Halen including the Van Halen brothers' upbringing, Diamond Dave's transformation from wannabe to preening, strutting cock-rocker, and a nearly-endless series of frustrated bassists. From high school parking lot gigs and backyard shows busted by the cops, to the boys fake skydiving in to a major outdoor festival. ($12.88, paperback)
Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon launched its own streaming service this fall, and just expanded into the U.K., Germany and Austria. Echo owners and Prime subscribers get deep discounts on the $9.99/month service, which gives you access to tens of millions of songs, whenever you want them. There's also a $14.99/month family plan, which allows unlimited streaming for up to six users. (Monthly subscription)