On the record: Music gifts for Christmas

Dec 14 2009 By Polly Weeks

As Christmas draws closer, why not reach for the best music releases and treat your friends and family to some top tunes. Guaranteed to be better received than that reindeer jumper, here are 10 of the best...

Perfect for: Your mum or sister

When Take That first stepped onto the pop scene in 1990, it would have been impossible to predict just how successful they would become. Hailed as the greatest ever boy-band, Gary, Mark, Jason and Howard have staged an incredibly successful comeback. Live they're still just as good as they were in the 1990s, and this double CD proves the point. Taken from a Wembley Stadium show, not only will it bring back memories for anyone who was lucky enough to see them perform, it's also a consolation prize for the many who were unable to get tickets. In addition to the Wembley performance there are live tracks from an Abbey Road Studios session, including Patience, Shine and Rule The World.

Queen - Absolute Greatest

Perfect for: Your rockin' dad

Freddie Mercury may have tragically died in 1991 but his music lives on, and you'll be hard-pushed to find anyone out there who isn't a fan of Queen. The Absolute Greatest includes all the Queen hits you'd expect. Opening with We Will Rock You and going onto We Are The Champions, the hits continue until the album closes with Bohemian Rhapsody. Fans of the band may have these songs already, but not all on one album. Every song chosen is a well-known classic, and when put together this album makes the perfect Christmas album gift.

George Michael - Live In London DVD

Perfect for: Your aunt and uncle

He was one of the biggest stars of the 1980s, and his music is still just as popular. When George Michael played sold-out dates at London's Earls Court Arena on August 24-25 in 2008, the crowd probably didn't realise they would go on to feature on this, his Live In London DVD. Made up of two discs, the first features his classic hits including Father Figure, Waiting, I'm Your Man, Faith and Careless Whisper. The second disc is a documentary on the singer, together with three other tracks. This is a great collection item for all George fans out there.

Nirvana - Live At Reading (Deluxe Edition CD & DVD)

Perfect for: Your indie-loving siblings

They were kings of the grunge scene, and when Kurt and co took to the stage at Reading Festival in 1992, the performance would go on to gain legendary status. Which is why now, 17 years later, this release will be number one on indie fans' Christmas wish list. Never-seen-before footage makes the DVD a great gift, and is perhaps something for nieces and nephews who are just developing a taste for the genre. The NME voted the gig as the No 1 moment in Nirvana's history, and it also took the top spot in a Kerrang! feature on the 100 gigs that shook the world. A must for all 1990s rock fans. The CD has 24 tracks and the DVD additionally includes Love Buzz.

The Supremes & Four Tops - Magnificent: The Complete Studio Duets

Various Artists - Motown The DVD

Perfect for: Your mum and dad

If your dad is a fan of soul, and Motown in particular, it's worth investing in either one of these releases. The Supremes & Four Tops' double album features duets that the two legendary bands performed, including Hello Stranger, River Deep, Mountain High and Without The One You Love. The Motown DVD features 18 full-length TV performances from over 50 years of the label's history. Including Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and Gladys Knight & The Pips, it highlights how important Motown Records has been in shaping the modern-day music industry.

OMD with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra - Electricity DVD

Perfect for: 1980s culture-loving aunts and uncles

If you're after a present which is that little bit different, it could be worth investing in this DVD. Synth pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark took to Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall on June 20 and performed alongside a 75-piece orchestra. While the performance includes songs such as Enola Gay and Joan Of Arc, don't expect them to sound like they did in the 1980s - the orchestra dominates proceedings. This makes for an altogether different band performance.

Radio 1's Live Lounge - Volume 4

Perfect for: Your kids and friends

If your loved one is a fan of pop, then why not look at the latest in the series of Radio 1's Live Lounge albums. Artists such as Lady Gaga, Lily Allen and U2 perform their own material - and highlight what strong singers they are. In addition, there are plenty of covers such as Florence & The Machine's beautiful take on Beyonce's Halo and Kasabian tackling Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape. You'll be hard-pushed to find a more interesting pop album out there - just make sure you take a sneaky listen to the album before you wrap it up!

Hannah Montana - The Collection

Various Artists - High School Musical: The Collection

Various Artists - The Magic Of Disney

Perfect for: Children and families

'Tis the season to get back in touch with your childhood and, of course, to treat the little ones in your life to something special. There are three great Disney releases out this year. There's no doubting the impact Zac Efron and co have had on young girls over the past couple of years. High School Musical and Hannah Montana are global success stories, and now box sets of the music from both are available. The Magic Of Disney will leave classic Disney fans satisfied - included on the album are tunes from Sleeping Beauty, The Lady And The Tramp, The Jungle Book and Mary Poppins. It will suit all ages.

The Beatles - The Beatles Box Set: Remastered In Stereo

Perfect for: That special muso in your life

This collection will set you back a few pennies, but if you have money to spend this Christmas and want to buy something special for your music-loving nearest and dearest, you won't go far wrong with this 16-disc box set. Each of the Beatles' original 13 albums have been remastered, and the sound quality is every bit as impressive as the price tag would suggest. There are also two CDs titled Past Masters which feature non-album tracks. A great package for Beatles fans.

Susan Boyle - I Dreamed A Dream

Perfect for: Granny

When this Scottish lady stepped up to the stage on Britain's Got Talent, it was a life-changing moment for the 48-year-old. She went on to dominate media coverage, not just in the UK but Stateside too. Even Piers, Amanda and Simon couldn't have imagined she would become an instant global superstar. Her album I Dreamed A Dream has become the UK's fastest-selling debut album of all time. It includes Wild Horses, Cry Me A River, You'll See and Daydream Believer - and what's more, her versions of the classic songs live up to the hype.