ARCHIVES ALIVE: The Beach Boys aren’t the...

ARCHIVES ALIVE: The Beach Boys aren’t the only classic-rockers digging through the vaults these days. PolyGram Records is celebrating Eric Clapton’s 25th anniversary as a recording artist with “Crossroads,” a mammoth six-album (four CD) set which will hit the stores April 4. The collection, expertly compiled by PolyGram special projects director Bill Levenson and accompanied by a 32-page book with photos, an essay and discography, features 73 digitally remastered tracks, many rare or never-before released. Even at a steep $44.98 list price ($54.98 for CD), the collection is a loyal fan’s delight. Offerings include unreleased nuggets from every way-station of Clapton’s career, beginning with the Yardbirds’ (a 1963 demo of “Honey in Your Hips”), Cream (“Steppin’ Out”), Blind Faith (“Sleeping in the Ground”), a 1974 duet with Peter Tosh (“Whatcha Gonna Do”) and loads of rare or unreleased Derek & the Dominoes material, highlighted by “Roll It Over,” a B-side of the first Dominoes single that was produced by Phil Spector and pulled days after its release.