The Stray Cats, Peter Frampton, Jellyfish and Kenny Howes are among the greats featured on new CD collections.

Fall 2012 is providing an endless number of fantastic new releases for music lovers. The Stray Cats, Peter Frampton, Jellyfish and Kenny Howes are among the greats featured on new collections.

Artist: The Stray Cats

Title: Live At Montreux 1981 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)

You might be interested in buying this if you like: Elvis Presley, the Blasters, Lee Rocker.

Tell me more: The Stray Cats didn’t launch rockabilly music, but the New York trio sure revived the ‘50s-spawned style and introduced it to an entire new generation of music lovers in the early 1980s. The excitement of the Stray Cat’s arrival on the international music scene is celebrated in spades on the newly-issued DVD “Live At Montreux 1981.”

The restored picture quality is enhanced by viewers being able to listen to the concert film via DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Stereo. In addition, what’s not to love about watching singer-guitarist Brian Setzer, upright bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom tear through “Rumble In Brighton,” “Stray Cat Strut,” “Rock This Town” and other high-octane rockers. “Live At Montreux 1981” is also available on digital video. Information: www.eaglerockent.com.

Artist: Peter Frampton

Title: FCA! 35 Tour: An Evening With Peter Frampton

You might be interested in buying this if you like: “Frampton Comes Alive,” Humble Pie, Ten Years After.

Tell me more: Available on CD, DVD and Blu-ray, fans of Peter Frampton’s seminal 1976 album “Frampton Comes Alive” can immerse themselves in “FCA! 35 Tour: An Evening With Peter Frampton.”

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of that legendary disc, Frampton embarked on a worldwide tour that spanned 2011 and 2012. Each concert date included two sets, the first featuring the complete performance of “Frampton Comes Alive!” and the second showcasing a selection of material from throughout his long career. The fantastic concert film includes potent versions of originals such as “Show Me The Way” and “Baby, I Love Your Way,” as well as moving covers of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Information: www.eaglerockent.com.

Artist: Jellyfish

Title: Stack-a-Tracks (Omnivore Recordings)

You might be interested in buying this if you like: Radiohead, Cheap Trick, Shoes.

Tell me more: Fans of the seminal early ‘90s power-pop outfit Jellyfish have had two big reasons to cheer in 2012. In July, a concert album, “Live at Bogart’s 1991” was released. Now Omnivore has unearthed another treasure; “Stack-a-Tracks” is a collection of fully-mixed instrumental mixes of the band’s best-known albums, 1990’s “Bellybutton” and 1993’s “Spilt Milk.”

Unheard for two decades, Omnivore has released a deluxe package featuring the 22 choice cuts on two discs (all transferred from the original 1/4-inch masters). This is an individually-numbered edition of 2,500 units housed in a digipak with new artwork, this is a great gift idea too. Information: www.OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Kenny Howes

Album: Tornadoes Here & Past

(Yeah! Records)

You might be interested in buying this if you like: Fountains of Wayne, early Who, Jellyfish, The Smithereens

Tell me more: Kenny Howes is back! “Tornadoes Here & Past” marks an especially strong return for the Rickenbacker-toting singer-songwriter-guitarist and thankfully picks up where he left off with 2004’s “Lady Friend.” The first track on the disc, “Cannot Remember,” begins with a shimmering instrumental intro before a blast of pure melodic song craft sets the sonic tone for the rest of the album.

Fans of rousing power-pop will thrill as they listen to the driving “Slip On By” and “Foxy Jackie.” There is plenty of star power on the album, with Smithereens frontman Pat DiNizio joining Howes on the haunting “Juvenile Sage,” while lead guitarist Marty Willson-Piper of The Church adds some magic on the shining “Pour Your Heart Out To Me.” Just in time for Christmas, “Tornadoes Here & Past” is also available on red vinyl! Information: http://www.reverbnation.com/kennyhowes.

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