From a previously unreleased Rolling Stones concert movie documenting the band at the peak of their powers to a film examining John Lennon’s post Beatles days, there’s been a flood of rock music DVDs released in time for the holidays. Here’s a rundown of the best stocking stuffers for music aficionados this season.

LENNONYC

Like Martin Scorsese’s No Direction Home: Bob Dylan, LENNONYC is another superb entry in PBS’ American Masters Series that illuminates a pop culture icon. This revealing documentary covers Lennon’s time in New York City from 1971 until his untimely death in 1980.

Though at times LENNONYC covers the same ground as 2006’s The U.S. Vs. John Lennon, which detailed the musician’s legal battle to avoid deportation, it unearths some touching moments, from Lennon’s debaucherous “Lost Weekend” in Los Angeles to intimate recordings of the musician interacting with his son Sean.

Key Scene: Elton John describing how Lennon hopped onstage with the flamboyant pianist during a 1974 concert in Madison Square Garden to perform “Whatever Gets You Through the Night,” an act that led to the former Beatle’s reconciliation with his estranged wife Yoko Ono.

112 minutes, $24.95

Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)?

Since at one point Harry Nilsson was almost known more for being John Lennon’s drinking buddy than as an accomplished singer/songwriter, Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)? could be viewed as a companion piece to LENNONYC.

This superb documentary – which almost reaches the same heights as other fantastic films about rock music eccentrics like 2006’s The Devil and Daniel Johnston and 2005’s You’re Gonna Miss Me – follows Nilsson’s twisty career. Featuring interviews with the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and actor Robin Williams, among others, the film shines some light on the golden voiced Nilsson’s work from his Grammy winning version of “Everbody’s Talkin,’” which was the theme song for the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy, to the novelty hit “Coconut.”

Key Scene: The Smothers Brothers recall being heckled by a coked up and Cognac drunk Nilsson and John Lennon as the two comedians attempt to stage a comeback show in Los Angeles.

116 minutes, $15.99

The Avett Brothers Live, Volume 3

North Carolina’s The Avett Brothers have come a long way since their show here at Monterey Live in 2006. It’s obvious when the camera capturing this concert performance sweeps over the packed crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina’s 11,000 seat Bojangle’s Coliseum.

Essentially this is a homecoming show a month before the mostly acoustic act released their game changing I and Love and You, which introduced the group to a greater audience via super producer Rick Rubin.

While The Avetts perform four songs from I and Love and You, most of Live, Volume 3 finds the act digging deep into their back catalogue on numbers like opener “Pretty Girl From Matthews” off their unheralded 2002 album Country Was.

One of the best live acts around today, The Avett Brothers are known for shows that dig deep into heartfelt ballads and then switch gears for foot stomping strummers delivered with punk zeal. Though they are playing in a large venue, this concert film is intimate enough to catch the sweat dripping off each brother’s face.

Key Scene: In a frantic “Talk on Indolence,” the band head bangs and screams like a metal band.

80 minutes, $15.99

Crossroads Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2010

Air guitarists rejoice! Culled from this summer’s Crossroads Eric Clapton Guitar Festival, this four-hour, two-DVD set of highlights from the show includes lightning bolts of pedal steel from Robert Randolph & The Family Band, British Isles acoustic guitar via Bert Jansch, operatic instrumental work by Jeff Beck on a cover of Puccini’s aria “Nessun Dorma” and solos, solos and more solos.

Generous but exhausting in one sitting, the Crossroads DVD, which is hosted by actor Bill Murray, includes some inspired collaborations – Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang and Ronnie Wood goofing around on the Rolling Stones’ “Miss You”! – and saves room for some promising up and comers including Texas guitar slinger Gary Clark Jr.

Key Scene: After being brought onstage in a wheelchair, an initially feeble looking B.B. King is energized by performing his “The Thrill Is Gone” with Eric Clapton, Robert Cray and Jimmie Vaughan.

240 minutes, $29.98

Ladies & Gentlemen… The Rolling Stones

After a brief theatrical run in selected movie theaters in 1974, the concert movie Ladies & Gentlemen… The Rolling Stones, which was filmed as The Rolling Stones toured behind their gritty masterpiece Exile on Main Street, disappeared. Thankfully, it re-emerged with a DVD release this fall.

With all the numbers here exploding onstage like high-grade firecrackers, there’s nothing approaching a dud on this 15-song collection. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards share an obvious camraderie while trading vocals on “Happy” and “Dead Flowers,” while Mick Taylor nails guitar solo after solo with a diamond cutter’s precision.

Key Scene: A lurching “Midnight Rambler,” where a red stage light gives the band a truly sinister appearance as Jagger flogs the stage with a sash.

90 minutes, $14.98