> by JAMIE MOSES

A million years ago I worked at Record Theatre for $2 an hour putting stickers on vinyl 45 singles. While the money barely paid for my Budweiser addiction, it was one of the best jobs I ever had because I was able to explore more music than I could ever afford to buy. Happily, Record Theatre is still a thriving record store even after the birth of the iPod and music downloads. We thought we’d ask friends at Record Theatre for some holiday gift staff suggestions to share with you.

Brandon Delmont recommends Bob Dylan—The Cutting Edge 1965-1966 (6CD Deluxe Edition Box Set).

“It’s some of the most important rock music ever recorded and it’s very interesting to get insight into the writing and recording process of the songs from the era and how the songs evolved. I don’t think ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ would have made the impact on our culture if it had stayed a waltz.”

Nick Reid recommends The Velvet Underground—Loaded: Re-Loaded 45th Anniversary Edition (5CD/1DVD Box Set).

“I’m recommending this because it’s beautiful. Beautiful packaging, beautiful music. It functions as both a coffee table book and a well-curated and extensive reissue of one of the greatest records of all time.”

Kelly Mordaunt recommends Mark Lanegan—One Way Street (5LP Box Set).

“Most of these records have been out of print for a long time and were fetching ridiculous collector’s prices. Lanegan is an often-overlooked talent and therefore somewhat of a cult figure. He’s one hell of a songwriter.”

Dan Organ recommends David Bowie—Five Years 1969-1973 (13LP Box Set).

“This box contains all the studio recordings from 69-73 as well as singles, B-sides, and live material including the last live performance in the Ziggy Stardust persona. The importance of this material cannot be emphasized enough. If you are looking for a larger gift for a loved one, especially a music lover, I doubt you can find a safer (or more exciting) bet than this! Be it Mom or Dad, or a young relative just getting into music, who doesn’t love Bowie? And if they don’t they certainly will after listening to this set!”

Other recommendations from our staff

Small Faces—The Decca Years 5CD Box Set. (Celebrating the 50th anniversary of their debut! Fully remastered catalog from this great band under the supervision of drummer Kenney Jones.)

Grateful Dead—Fare Thee Well 3CD/2Blu-Ray Box. (Four original members—Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir—reunited at Chicago’s Soldier Field on 4th of July weekend for one of the most anticipated concert events in recent history.)

Beatles—1+ CD/2Blu-Ray Limited Edition Box Set. (The ultimate collector’s edition of The Beatles 1, featuring 27 chart-topping tracks on CD, all 27 promo videos on Disc 1, and an additional 23 videos on Disc 2, including alternate versions, as well as rarely seen and newly restored films and videos, plus an illustrated hardcover book.)

Some new releases we dig—released on glorious vinyl:

Adele—25

Kendrick Lamar—To Pimp a Butterfly

Kurt Vile—Believe I’m Goin’ Down