There are amazing things happening in the CD world – the album may be dead but the wake is getting increasingly wild.

Perhaps it's always like this when a societal shift occurs: before the new can take over, the old has one huge blow-out. And that's what seems to be happening with the humble CD. Now is the era of the boxed set and there are some truly jaw-dropping packages out there.

This latest flourishing kicked into high gear four years back with The Beatles' boxes: 16 CDs, remastered and presented in either mono or stereo. They sold remarkably well worldwide and someone twigged: baby boomers have a bunch of cash and want extravagant souvenirs of their youth.

Now boxed sets are all over the place; whether it's 22 ‘James Bond' films or the latest Beatles box (Fiftieth anniversary this time – 12 albums in both mono and stereo, one in just stereo). There's a pile of excessive options out there, try some of these...

A new Eric Clapton box, Give Me Strength: The '74/'75 Recordings, includes expanded versions of three albums released during that time (461 Ocean Boulevard being the key one), an extra live album, a CD of jams with Freddie King and a blu-ray with 5.1 and quadrophonic mixes.

If you're into The Who, both Tommy and Qaudrophenia have recently been released in 4CD versions (including demos, live performances and more). Van Morrison's Moondance also gets 4 CDs, including eight takes of ‘Caravan' for the truly obsessive. The Band, with guest appearance from Bob Dylan, have turned their 1972 live album Rock of Ages into a 4CD plus DVD collection while The Beach Boys celebrated last year's fiftieth anniversary tour with new album and a 6CD retrospective.

Or try the Paul Simon box (15 CDs), Blue Oyster Cult (15 CDs), or how about 17 CDs of Harry Nillson (which only covers 10 years of his output). But those guys are mere beginners compared to Uncle Bob. Dylan's Complete Album Collection – wittily subtitled Vol. 1! - includes 47 CDs, which should keep anyone going for a while.

However, even Bob has to bow before The Masters. John Cash's Complete Columbia Album Collection contains 59 albums and a mass of bonus songs across 63 discs. Miles Davis has a boxed set with the same name – 71 CDs. How soon is Christmas?

And, still catching up on some late-released local albums from 2013, we have a review of the first volume of Dave Roy's 4CD collection (it was a busy year for Mr Roy...). Like most CDs it's tricky to find in physical stores so, if you're interested in obtaining a copy, contact Dave via email: [email protected].

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