Celebs deliver box sets galore

SOME HEAVY hitters in the world of stage and screen are serving up bountiful boxes of entertainment for your gifting and getting pleasure this holiday season. Several have been timed to auspicious anniversaries, others to technological advances (Blu-ray, higher-resolution surround sound) that argue for a remastering and revisit.

Brother Ray, Sister Aretha

To read official histories of Atlantic Records, you'd think two of its biggest stars were "nothing" before and after their stays at the label. The histories were maybe half right on Aretha Franklin, based on "Take a Look: Aretha Franklin Complete on Columbia" (Columbia, B). The label foisted lots of gooey Broadway show tunes and standards on her. Still, the woman could sing the phone book with positive results.

First three of the five discs on Ray Charles' (post-Atlantic) "Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles" (Concord, B+) are juicy and joyous, boasting the rock 'em, sock 'em "I Got a Woman" and "Let's Go Get Stoned"; amusing novelties like "Hard Hearted Hannah"; and amazing country-soul ballads "Cryin' Time," "Born to Lose" and "Ruby." Also a "must" for Charles fans, a newly compiled DVD of his shows "Live in France: 1961" (Eagle Rock, B+).

Their Lives

The title is misleading on the Billy Joel box "The Complete Albums Collection" (Columbia, A), because it doesn't include concert sets released since the classically scored "Fantasies and Delusions," which pretty much ended Joel's writing career. But his Tony Bennett-styled wedding present "All My Life" caps the bonus rarities disc.

Think brooding, romantic poet first and songwriter second, and it's a whole lot easier to get into Leonard Cohen, the gravel-voiced cult star who is paid homage to with the eight-CD "The Complete Columbia Albums Collection" (Columbia, A). This labeling holds true until his new album comes out in January.

Shock therapy

Legendary lost Brian Wilson/ Van Dyke Parks/Beach Boys masterwork "Smile" has finally surfaced as Wilson intended it, assembled from 1966-67 studio tracks. Wilson devotees will find the weighty "Smile Sessions" box (Capitol, B+) fascinating and harrowing as it eavesdrops on his magnificent obsession.

Definitely an influence on Wilson was "Wall of Sound" architect (and fellow back-to-mono campaigner) Phil Spector, bundled up on "The Phillies Album Collection" (Legacy, B-). Too bad there's none of the super stuff he did for hire. And liner notes lack insight, such as Spector's label roots in Philly.