In celebration of today's release of Steven Spielberg's take on the sci-fi classic, War of the Worlds, we're giving away Jeff Wayne muscial version of the story!

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AVAILABLE IN TWO FORMATS:

- A digipak edition 2-disc hybrid SACD featuring 5.1 Surround Sound and stereo mixes plus expanded packaging

- The definitive 6-CD + 1-DVD collector's edition featuring the two discs in the digipak edition as well as four additional discs of remixes and rarities; additionally, the collector's edition will feature a "Making Of" documentary DVD with Jeff Wayne housed in a 76-page 12x12 hardback book

Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, is set to re-release Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds on June 21, 2005. The classic album will now be available in two formats, the original double album and a definitive 7-disc collector's edition package which are both released on hybrid SACD with 5.1 Surround Sound and stereo remastered mixes.

Since its original release in June of 1978, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War Of The Worlds has grown to become a classic, winning a new generation of devoted followers while still providing inspiration for faithful listeners from the past decades. Inspired by the HG Wells novel, the album features a compelling blend of progressive rock, classical, and literary influences, coupled with narration from Richard Burton and outstanding performances by some of the biggest artists of the 70s, including David Essex, Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) and Julie Covington.

The album has enjoyed huge success and critical acclaim across the globe with over 12.5 million records sold. The War Of The Worlds initially spent over 260 consecutive weeks in the UK albums charts alone and has reappeared consistently through the years.

In June, for the first time, die-hard fans will be able to get their hands on the comprehensive collector's package – a 7-disc definitive version of The War Of The Worlds.

The first two discs are hybrid Super Audio CDs featuring a 5.1 multi-channel Surround Sound mix and a stereo remix of the original double album.

For the 5.1 remix the original album was painstakingly re-built from the 70 plus multi-track tapes, sound by sound, track by track, entirely remixed and brought into the digital domain delivering the most superior sound technology can provide. To hear the album in full Surround Sound is truly a mind-blowing experience.

Disc 3 is devoted to the best club remixes of the album from 1979-2005.

Discs 4-6 include never-before-heard rarities, outtakes and unreleased tracks from the original recording sessions including on disc 6 the entire, unabridged Richard Burton performance of which only 40% made its way on to the original album.

Finally, disc 7, a DVD, features a brand-new 75-minute ‘Making Of' documentary, which includes rare video footage and also a sneak peak into Jeff Wayne's upcoming animated CGI version of this harrowing tale.

And who could forget those beautiful yet disturbing paintings from the original album? A 12x12 80-page bound booklet will also be included containing the original images and biographies and other additional information on the history of the classic novel and album. All of these features will be housed in a beautiful and imposing packaging -- the Collector's deluxe package is something to treasure and display for future generations of fans to discover and fall in love with.

In addition to the collector's edition, the original double album will also be reissued on hybrid SACD with the new stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound remastered audio from the collector's edition and expanded album artwork.

Jeff Wayne, commenting on remixing the album in 5.1 Surround Sound added:

"Mixing my musical version of The War of The Worlds in the new SACD format was something else entirely, and has proven to be one of the true highlights of my career as a composer, arranger, conductor and producer.

The end result, in my opinion, is nothing short of spectacular – the listener IS in the recording with a Martian invasion in Victorian England happening all around you. The power and the glory of SACD as a music delivery platform is no doubt here to stay, and deservedly so."

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds is released in double album version as well as the collector's edition from SONY BMG on June 21, 2005.

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