Wrap session: Check out these box sets for your music fan

• Elvis Presley, "Young Man With the Big Beat"-- These five CDs document Presley in 1956 -- the year he became a full-blown phenomenon, selling 10 million singles, 3 million EPs and 800,000 albums. It's anchored by Presley's first two CDs -- "Elvis Presley" and "Elvis" -- but also includes songs recorded in 1956, but not released on album until later (including "Hound Dog" and "Heartbreak Hotel"), a disc of outtakes, performances from three 1956 concerts, and audio interviews. This is the sound of rock 'n' roll being revolutionized. Rating: 4 1/2 stars

• Ray Charles: "Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles" -- Charles started out on Atlantic Records, but his career didn't really take off until he left Atlantic for a lucrative deal with ABC Records. This five-CD set compiles Charles singles for ABC from 1960-1973. So it has hits like "Georgia on My Mind," "Hit the Road, Jack" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." But what this set really demonstrates is the consistent quality of Charles's work through this period. Rating: 4 1/2 stars

• Howlin' Wolf: "Smokestack Lightning/Complete Chess Masters (1951 to 1960)" -- This 97-song set features several classic songs that established Wolf as a towering figure in blues ("Spoonful, " "Sittin' on Top of the World" and "Moanin' at Midnight"). There also are plenty of alternate takes of songs and superior album tracks, making this a great document of Wolf's first decade. Now let's see a box like this covering Wolf's post-1960 work. Rating: 4 1/2 stars

• Johnny Cash: "From Memphis to Hollywood: Bootleg, Vol. III" -- This two-CD set collects 53 mostly unreleased live performances from 10 shows that span 1956 through 1979. Of special note is a 1970 White House concert with a gospel slant. Many of Cash's famous songs are included in the shows, but what "Live Around the World" really Illustrates is Cash's range and growth as a live performer. Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Also recommended: Johnny Cash: "Live Around the World: Bootleg Vol. II"

• Etta James: "Heart & Soul: A Retrospective" -- Aretha Franklin may be the "Queen of Soul," but James is a close second. Spanning 1955-2008, this four-CD set covers everything from the lush balladry of "At Last" to the rough and tumble sounds of "Pay Back" and "Tell Mama," Few artists -- female or male -- can match James's command of R&B and soul in its various varieties. Rating: 4 1/2 stars

• The Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Winterland" -- A year after these 1968 shows, Hendrix disbanded his group, the Experience. But the trio of Hendrix, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell is in fine form on this four-CD live set, as they take tracks like "Foxy Lady," "Purple Haze" and especially "Are You Experienced?" to fresh and adventurous new places. Rating: 4 stars

• Miles Davis: "Miles Davis Quintet Live in Europe 1967" -- This three CD/one DVD set features unreleased performances by what many consider Davis's greatest band, (Wayne Shorter on saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums). Fans will love comparing multiple versions of songs like "Footprints," "Round Midnight" and "Mesquelero," while enjoying the classic Miles Davis Quintet in prime form. Rating: 3 1/2 stars

• The Temptations: "50th Anniversary Collection 1961-1971"/The Supremes: "50th Anniversary Collection 1961-1969" -- These two three-disc collections are the first releases to include every A and B side released by these two legendary vocal groups. The hits from each group are here, but so are lots of intriguing lesser-known songs. And one can literally hear both the Temptations and Supremes develop their signature sounds as the sets move from early singles to prime material. Ratings: Temptations: 4 stars, Supremes: 4 stars

• Pink Floyd: "Discovery Box" and other releases -- This was a great year for Pink Floyd fans. The "Discovery Box" collects remastered versions of all 14 of the group's studio CDs. Even more exciting for hardcore fans are reissues of three key albums -- "Dark Side of the Moon," "Wish You Were Here" and "The Wall" -- in expanded "Experience" sets and massive multi-disc "Immersion" packages filled with outtakes, concert recordings and more. Ratings: 4 stars

• Nirvana, "Nevermind" -- A two-disc reissue features the original groundbreaking album plus unreleased early recordings and rehearsals of "Nevermind" songs and outtakes from the recording sessions. For those who want more, a "Super Deluxe" edition also includes a previously unreleased concert recording from Halloween 1991 and producer Butch Vig's previously unreleased mixes of "Nevermind." The sets provide a fitting in-depth look at a CD whose reverberations are still being felt today. Rating: 4 stars

• Beach Boys: "The Smile Sessions" -- Planned as the followup to the classic 1966 Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" CD, "Smile," remains pop music's most famous unfinished album. Wilson eventually re-created what "Smile" was supposed to be on a 2004 CD. Now "The Smile Sessions" collects the actual Beach Boys recordings that were intended for "Smile." Available as a two-CD set or as an outtakes-filled box set, "The Smile Sessions" includes the closest thing to the original "Smile" that we'll hear. It's understandably a bit disjointed, but there are many moments of brilliance in these tracks -- as well as the outtakes in the box set. It's clear Wilson had the makings of a whimsical masterpiece in "Smile," and it's fascinating to hear Wilson as he tries to realize his vision for the album. Rating: 3 1/2 stars

• Rolling Stones: "Some Girls" -- Along with the original 1978 "Some Girls" album, this two-disc reissue also has a dozen unreleased bonus tracks from the period. They include some genuinely worthy songs, like the swaggering rocker "So Young," the slinky blues of "Keep Up Blues," the frisky country-fied track, "Do You Think I Really Care" and a rollicking cover of "Tallahassee Lassie." These tracks make the "Some Girls" reissue an essential addition to any serious Stones fan's collection. 4 1/2 stars

• R.E.M. : "Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982-2011" -- This 40-track collection hits the highlights of R.E.M.'s stellar catalog. Plus it features three fine new songs. Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Also recommended: R.E.M. "Life's Rich Pageant 25th Anniversary Edition" -- One of R.E.M.'s best CDs (and the disc in which the band's sound gained grandeur and power) is supplemented by a 19-track collection of demos that includes several tracks that didn't make the CD. Rating: ****

• Various Artists: "The Best of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum Live" -- Over the past quarter century, the all-star performances at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies have been nothing short of historic. And 51 such performances from a who's who of music royalty are featured in this highly entertaining three-CD set. Rating: 4 stars

• Various Artists: "Live From the Old Town School of Folk Music" -- More than 50 years of live performances from this famous Chicago venue's two locations are included on four CDs. The caliber of artists represented in this package says a lot about the talent that has passed through the Old Town School doors -- Pete Seeger, Odetta, Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco), Taj Mahal, Donovan, Dave Von Ronk, Robbie Fulks -- the list goes on. This is simply a treasure trove for fans of folk music -- and its related forms. -- Rating: 4 stars