Phil Spector Box for $14.99 at Amazon

My pal Kent B. recently steered me toward Amazon's super discount on the Phil Spector Back to Mono box set.

Released in 1991, this four-disc set chronicles the building of the brilliantly troubled producer's "Wall of Sound" from 1958 through 1969. Disc one begins with the Teddy Bears' chart-topper "To Know Him Is To Love Him," the title of which was taken from Spector's dad's tombstone (he committed suicide when Phil was still a kid). All of the great Ronettes and Crystals singles are here, too, including "Be My Baby," "And Then He Kissed Me" and the extra-creepy "He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss)." Back to Mono also includes key tracks from the Righteous Brothers, Ben E. King, Ike and Tina Turner and Sonny Charles & the Checkmates.

Disc four contains the great A Christmas Gift for You, which hit stores on the day JFK was killed. That wasn't exactly good for sales, but the album eventually came to be regarded as a classic. I find almost all Christmas pop songs grating and pointless, but Spector's treatment actually puts me in the mood.

All this can be yours for just $14.99 plus shipping. Act now - unless you have a moral issue with possibly giving money to an alleged murderer!