Box-Set-O-Rama

Listening out of the box

The gift Season is upon us, which means the record labels are cranking out their deluxe box sets. It's a chance to buy expensive gifts -- for yourself and others -- and to reappraise careers. The Kronos Quartet is celebrating 25 years with their 10-CD 25 Years (Nonesuch); Columbia unearths alternate takes and other goodies on Bruce Springsteen: Tracks; Capitol delivers the good, the bad, and the ugly of John Lennon's solo career (including cranked studio chatter between Lennon and producer Phil Spector) in The John Lennon Anthology ; 32 Records delivers a lavish set for quintessential child-star-cum-show-biz-belter Judy Garland; Rhino gives us Ray Charles' country sides; and TVT salutes British pop geniuses XTC.

-- Jon Garelick