What'S Your 20: Essential Tracks 1994-2014

Nonesuch Records will release two new Wilco collections on November 24 in conjunction with the influential Chicago band s 20th anniversary. The first, Alpha Mike Foxtrot, is a 4-CD/4-LP/DIGITAL-box-set of rare studio and live recordings collected from the band s extensive audio archives. The second, What s Your 20, is a 2-CD/DIGITAL compilation of essential tracks culled from the band s previously released studio recordings.

Both collections are produced by Grammy-nominated producer Cheryl Pawelski, co-founder of Omnivore Recordings, whose credits include Big Star s Keep an Eye on the Sky, The Band s A Musical History and Townes Van Zandt s Sunshine Boy: The Unheard Studio Sessions and Demos 1971 1972. These are the first compilations of Wilco music of any kind.

Like a lot of fans, I had collected these straggling tracks over the past two decades of following Wilco s every move, Pawelski said. Alpha Mike Foxtrot includes almost every unique, essential performance that appeared on soundtracks, tribute albums and B-sides and there are probably a few surprises for even the sharpest collector. This set presents an alternate history of the band, kind of a sideways view, and ultimately, it s a super-fun listening experience.

Alpha Mike Foxtrot features 64 pages of liner notes that include track-by-track recollections from Tweedy, notes by band members Nels Cline and John Stirratt, and reflections from members of Wilco s extended professional family. The booklet also showcases dozens of archival and never-before-seen photos from a wide array of photographers chronicling all phases of the band s career.

What s Your 20 gathers songs from Wilco s eight studio albums plus two songs from Mermaid Avenue, the collection of Woody Guthrie-penned tunes set to music by Wilco and Billy Bragg.