5 comments about The Lady Sings.

1. Billie Holiday changed how we hear women sing. In recorded music, she essentially redefined vocal pop music by introducing a more personal and immediate singing style. She also changed how we think about phrasing, basing hers on instrumental music rather than the rhythms and cadences of pronunciation. But quite apart from all that, Billie Holiday is just an absolute joy to listen to - one of those timeless artists whose music can be enjoyed in any situation, surroundings and at any time of day. Everybody should have some Billie Holiday in their CD collection. Hers is an instantly recognizable and likable sound, so deeply embedded in the fabric of popular music that pop itself is no longer imaginable without Billie Holiday. All subsequent jazz singers, and most subsequent blues and r&b vocalists, owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude. This four-disc box set is dirt cheap and contains all the seminal early records from the 1930s and 40s - the decades when she was at the peak of her vocal power and invention. Everything has been restored impeccably from the best copies available. (Subsequent recordings sound better because recording technology had improved considerably, but Billie's voice began to reflect her drug and alcohol consumption, and her performances were no longer as elastic or accomplished.)



2. This recording has all of the Commodore Recordings, and most of Columbia, and Decca Masters. It doesn't include any of her Verve years. If you get this and the complete Verve masters, It should take care of all but the extreme Lady Day obsessive compulsives.



3. I didn't expect the quality of the music to be so good, but I have no complaints (very clear with no static, etc). You get around 99 songs for a fraction of what they would cost on iTunes. I have always loved her music and was delighted to see so many songs in one collection.



4. The music is great, but I was VERY disappointed to receive the set because the box that holds all of the CDs is smashed on one side. It is VERY unattractive.



5. Nobody sings the blues quite like Billie Holiday. This boxed set represents the best value for money, not only for the quantity of music and the extensive liner notes, but also for the sound quality and the fact that this contains music recorded for several different record labels (Brunswick, Vocalion, Commodore, Okeh, Columbia, Capitol, Decca) between 1935 and 1949. Billie continued to record great music in the fifties (for Verve, Clef and Norgran) but that music is not represented here.

   Billie had plenty of hits on the American pop charts between 1935 and 1938 (when she was with Teddy Wilson), after which she had just four more hits, none of them reaching the top ten. However, the passage of time has added substantially to her credibility as many blues, jazz and R+B singers cite Billie as one of their influences. Her first hit was What a little moonlight can do, a song I first came across via a Crystal Gayle cover. I didn't realize the song's origin at the time but I've heard several versions since. I love them all but Billie's is the definitive version.

   Billie's other classic hits included here are These foolish things, A fine romance, The way you look tonight, I can't give you anything but love, I've got my love to keep you warm, This year's kisses, Carelessly (her only number one hit), How could you, Moaning low. Mean to me, Easy living, Me myself and I, Sailboat in the moonlight, Nice work if you can get it, My man, You go to my head, I'm gonna lock my heart, Strange fruit, God bless the child and Trav'lin' light. Some big hits are omitted including Twenty-four hours a day, Who loves you and Pennies from heaven, but I'm not complaining. Some of the songs that Billie is best remembered for didn't chart at all.

   Although the hits became rare after 1938, this was not due to the quality of the music. Listen to Billie's versions of such classic standards as I gotta right to sing the blues, Night and day, Body and soul, Let's do it, All of me, Love me or leave me, It's a sin to tell a lie, As time goes by and You're my thrill (to name a few). And, of course, there's the classic That old devil called love, revived by Alison Moyet in the eighties, when it became a UK number two hit for Alison.

   If you only buy one collection of Billie's music, make it this one. You might begin by asking yourself if you really want five hours worth of Billie's music - but eventually, you are likely to ask yourself if it's enough.

1 comments about The Rocky Horror Picture Show 15th Anniversary.

1. I have Been a fan of this movie since I was 9 years old. Discovering the phenomenon I wanted more and more of this movie and it's music. This out-of-print classic box set of this great soundtrack has it all!
   
   You have the Original Roxy Cast Album which sold out shows in L.A. The Movie Soundtrack Album with Two Bonus Tracks. A collection of Rocky Horror casts from around the world including the songs deleted from the Original film soundtrack Once In A While, Sword of Damocles, and Planet Schmanet, Janet.
   Plus, The coolest part of the box set, a disc with rare music tracks from several of the films stars. With three selections from the SOundtrack Shock Treatment.
   
   Box Set also includes a fabulous color photo book with Notes and rare behind the scenes action.
   
   This is a great buy.

2 comments about Sentimental Journey.

1. In keeping with nearly all the releases in this series, the compilers have been careful to ensure that all the music was more than fifty years old, thereby ensuring that performance royalties aren't paid on the music although songwriting royalties are still payable. Such are the idiosyncrasies of British copyright laws, but it helps to explain why the price is so low for a 4-CD boxed set that comes with a well-researched 48-page booklet. Of course, Doris recorded a lot of music prior to 1956, so much so that plenty of great songs have been omitted even as it is. Nevertheless, this is the most comprehensive collection that you'll find of Doris Day's early music that you'll find outside of the Bear Family boxed sets. There are four of those covering her entire career It's Magic, Secret Love, Que Sera, Sera and Move Over Darling and they can't be beaten for quality or completeness, but most people can't afford thewm.
   
   The first fourteen tracks on CD 1 feature Doris as the lead singer with Les Brown's band. In such a capacity, Doris was outstanding but the difference between these recordings and her later music is very noticeable, especially as the Les Brown tracks are very jazzy and Doris only sings on aboutt half of each track, the other half being instrumental. The most famous track that Doris recorded with Les Brown was, of course, Sentimental journey (which Doris later re-recorded as a solo singer in the sixties, though of course that version isn't here). It spent nine weeks at number one in the American charts. Another song that Doris recorded with Les Brown, My dreams are getting better all the time, spent seven weeks at number one. They had other big hits together, most notably Till the end of time (though Perry Como's version did even better, spending ten weeks at number one), You won't be satisfied and The whole world is singing my song.
   
   After Doris left Les Brown, her first big hit eas Love somebody, a duet with Buddy Clark that made number one in America. Doris didn't have to wait long for her first big solo whit, It's magic (from Romance in the high seas). Perhaps surprisingly, it didn't make number one, peaking at two, but it's certainly stood the test of time well. Over the next few years, Doris had many American hits of which My darling my darling, Again, Bewitched, Shanghai, A guy is a guy, Sugarbush (with Frankie Laine), Mister Tap Toe, Secret love and If I give my heart to you all made the American top ten, with two of them (A guy is a guy, Secret love) going all the way to number one.
   
   Doris had many other hits that didn't make the top ten but are equally interesting. Several versions of Powder your face with sunshine were released as singles, but Evelyn Knight's version was the one the public most wanted; it spent several weeks at number one. Let's take an old-fashioned walk is a duet with Frank Sinatra. Doris had a top twenty hit with the country-ish Quicksilver, but Bing Crosby and the Andrews sisters had a much bigger hit with the same song. A bushel and a peck, like Powder your face with sunshine, was popular among singers and several versions were released; Doris again lost out to the competition, this time the winner being a duet by Perry Como and Betty Hutton. Doris was the first to chart with When I fall in love, yet it only just made the American top twenty. The liner notes state that Doris lost out in Britain to Jeri Southern who (it is claimed) had the British hit with When I fall in love. As there were no recognized record charts in Britain at the time (they started a few months later), they must be referring to unofficial charts, perhaps compiled on a test basis before the official charts began, or to sheet music charts. If the latter, how do they know which singer inspired the sales of sheet music?
   
   When record charts eventually started in Britain, Doris had a few hits but not many. Among them were three top ten hits (My love and devotion, Black hills of Dakota, Ready willing and able) that did better in Britain than America, while Secret love made number one in Britain as it did in America. In 1955, Doris starred in the Ruth Etting biopic, Love me or leave me, which gave her further international hits via the title track and I'll never stop loving you.
   
   Later hits (including Whatever will be will be que sera sera) are outside the scope of this boxed set, but this very strong compilation includes all of Doris Day's British and American hits up to 1955, together with many other wonderful songs. Unless you're ready, willing and able to buy the Bear Family boxed sets, this is as good as it gets for the first half of Doris ay's career.



2. Doris is a great singer and actress. She is good at the making of mood.
   This Box set includes 4CDs and a commentary book. It is a very precious thing.

2 comments about The Original Jazz Masters Series, Vol. 4.

1. Part of this set and some of Vol. 2 of the collection stay in the player nearly all the time. You buy this and you have found musicians that are true masters.



2. This compilation represents all that is good in music. From the heart of Armstrong to the soul of Ellington, this collection is pure to the genre of Jazz.

5 comments about Four Decades of Song.

1. I really was just looking for one song- What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life, but for the price, I got 3 discs. I am enjoying all 3 and have not really noticed any poor sound quality.



2. If you're looking for some of Shirley's Biggest Hits like " Never Never Never" or "Diamonds are forever" this box set is not for you. It includes some wonderful highlights from her unique career, disc 2 features many songs from her "The Magic Is you" album, most songs here were out of print for many years. I was surprised to hear Shirley's version of "Emotion" (or "Amoureuse"). Her own interpretations of "Feelings", "You are the sunshine..." The Way We Were", "All In Love Is Fair", etc remain unforgettable until today.



3. Some of her best work, not easily found elsewhere. The gem is 'Born to Lose' which I heard her do live some years back. A definite plus for any Bassey fan. Only reason I didn't rate a '5' is that some of the tracks need a remastering due to some minor tape hiss.



4. I bought this two years ago because it contained the 1976 song "Emotion," which I had on an album in my early teens. It is a great, great performance. Her new 'remix' album is just as good. It looks like "History Repeating" and that Shirley Bassey's great talent has brought about a renewal of interest in her work.



5. Four Decades of Song is a 3 CD Box set that is price so low that it seems like a steal. I thought for that price how could I go wrong and I was right the quality of the CD is great and the songs WOW! Shirley sure can belt them out. One of the nice things about this CD box set besides the outstanding value is the selection of songs it has many songs which I have been unable to find on CD before. I have been listening to these CD at work everyday for the last 5 months and still love hearing it. You can never go wrong if you like Bassey and this Box set proves it once again. Get it and I think you will love it also.

3 comments about 75th Birthday Celebration.

1. Your favorite Seer was not always this knowlegable. No. He learned his craft from the very highest of Seers, namely John the word wise and Grete the care less icon. I learned alot from them since we both lived in Zeutheniatown some time ago. They wrote your favorite Seer and asked me, "Metamorpho, how come you review things that we have no idea of? Haven't we taught you better than that"? And the answer is, yes of course. Thereby, or fore, I am reviewing this incredible collection from Ella's early days.
   What could I possibly add that hasn't been said about the greatest of jazz singers- Ella Fitzgerald? I would give this 7 or 8 stars easily if I had them to give. What an incredible vocalist! It is no wonder she is considered the best at her craft. She swings, she ballads, and her voice becomes an instrumental instrument in the mix. It is an amazing thing this Ella discovered. She could be a vocalist as well as part of the band- and this is extraordinary when you consider the conventions that were in place when she started. She became a part of the music- and no artist was better at this than Ella.
   She croons, she scats, she swoons- all with that indelible crystal clear vocal. Ella is the very highest watermark in jazz vocals and it's not likely there will be another one like her.
   But - in regards to this collection; every one of the songs is a gem. I have been busy listening and when I think I've gotten the best nuance that she gives in song, another one comes along to give me equal awe. We have here "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" which began her career and other wonderful renditions of "It's Only a Paper Moon", "Oh, Lady Be Good", "How High the Moon", "I Got the World On a String", "Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own" and etc. etc. The list goes on. Insofar as great American music is concerned, the great lady Ella Fitzgerald covered it.
   This double c.d set is great stuff. She's got premier jazz bands behind her that compliment in every way. The essence of backing with the singer has never been more perfect. Ella's singing is pure and perfect. I can't say enough about this wonderous artist. She gets into the synapses of your mind and soon you are a convert to this music. No matter what kind of music you listen to- eventually you get to Ella. Such an unassuming lady but the very best at her craft. How could you not love her?
   I have to admit that, despite all the great songs here, I really like "Mr. Paganini". Why? Who knows? But Ella sings it, and that may be reason enough.
   This c,d, set is a treasure and one of the finest examples of the great American tunes of this, or any era. When you want to loved- play Ella. When you want to be coddled-play Ella - when you want the ease that life can bring- play Ella. Yes- it's really that simple.
   This is proof postive that there is great music around, no matter what the era or what is popular at the time. There have been great things done outside of you personal life span so get with it. Discover what has gone before you - it is equally, if not better than what the mass mind machine would want you to listen to. Ella was the real thing- and we are all very lucky to have her - now and for always.
   I know that this music merely scratches the surface of all that she's done - but believe me that it's a fine starting point for new discovery and appreciation for a true American treasure.
   Buy this. It will make you feel great about yourself. Make you feel great about being alive to appreciate it.
   
   As always Ella - I love you.......
   
   Your Metamorpho



2. Box sets and greatest hits compilations are the audio equivalent of a Whitman's Sampler; there's a lot to choose from and you may not like everything in it. Those compiling box sets face the challenge of what to include and exclude which is complicated when the artist has as lengthy and prolific a career as Ella Fitzgerald. Suffice to say it would be hard to get any two Ella Fitzgerald fans to agree on a track listing as they'll differ on interests such as which era, which genre, which styles, and other issues. Most of what's included here are some of her better known tracks from 1938 to 1955; her most productive years and a pretty broad span of time! There certainly are tracks here I'd exclude and others I'd have like to seen included, but "75th Birthday Celebration" is a good survey of Ella as an artist during her years with the Decca label, albeit an incomplete one. And like the Whitman's Sampler there's enough here to give you an idea of what you like and can pursue elsewhere. The recordings were re-mastered and sound much better than other re-re-releases and the accompanying booklet provides a nice amount of information on Ella and her career. A great starting point!



3. The recording career of Ella Fitzgerald remains one of the greatest in all popular and jazz music. Her recordings remain definitive among those of her contemporaries. While her Verve recordings (1956-1966) hold pride of place in her vast catalogue, it should not be forgotten than her recordings for other labels have equal merit. These include those she made for the Decca label (1936-1955).

   This fine compilation of the best of her Decca recordings provides some fine examples of her work for label while displaying the development of the greatest female singer in popular and jazz music of the 20th Century. Beginning with the girlish sounds of her work with Chick Webb from the 1930's through to be-bop sides of the 1940's and the lush ballads of the 1950's, this compilation presents a fine sampling of her work.

   The tracks were personally selected by Milt Gabler, producer of much of the material found here. The extensive liner notes and beautiful packaging add much to the overall appeal of this set which was released in tribute of the first lady of song on her 75th birthday. It is a must for all fans of this remarkable singer as well as those interested in hearing material from the first two decades of her recording career.

5 comments about Verve Story 1944-1994.

1. For his tireless, effective, and classy promotion of first-rate musicians, Norma Granz must surely be one of the great cultural influences of our century, even if no one but jazz types know of him. More admirable (because courageous and selfless)is that he absolutely forbade racial segregation in his audiences and for his musicians. Granz was famous for making sure that ALL his musicians received first-class treatment, without distinction.

   And what first-class music his people made! From the "Jazz at the Philharmonic" series to his long tenure with Verve (which he founded), Granz brought together the very, very best jazz musicians, under the best conditions, and let them play what moved them.

   This collection is a fine, fine introduction to what Granz accomplished--and extraordinarily fun to hear.

   If you're looking for a great intro to jazz, you could do worse than to start here. (For pedagogical purposes, Ken Burns' five-CD set, "The Story of America's Music," is more comprehensive, and it has much to commend it. Listening to that set, though, requires an interest in being educated, as much as an interest in listening to jazz--some of the discs are jarringly uneven in tone, mood, style, and sound quality.)




2. What is jazz? Dixieland? Big-band? Kenny G? (Perish the thought!
   Forgive me for such heresy!)

   I write this review about halfway
   through the stunning Ken Burns "Jazz" chronicle on PBS
   (January 2001) - I felt compelled to get this set out for my
   late-night listening, and am glad I did!

   This 4-CD set contains
   almost 5 hours of great jazz performances by the giants - Louis
   Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz,
   Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson... well, you can read the
   list.

   Sound quality is awesome, especially considering that some of
   these recordings are over 50 years old. Verve obviously wanted this
   to be a quality product, to commemmorate their golden anniversary.
   And the performances - if you have NOT heard them before, you will be
   alternately slack-jawed with amazement and grinnin' like a possum
   eatin' a sweet potato!

   Jazz aficionados will probably already have
   most of this material - none of it is new or unissued, all of it is
   classic jazz. If you're like me - you've had some exposure to jazz
   and want to add some good stuff to your collection - you can't go
   wrong with this set. If you get picked to be on Survivor Island, you
   just might want to take it with you... I would!




3. the best compilation of jazz music ever! this is a must for all music lover and you'll know after you've listened



4. I scored this at a used "rock&roll shop for 20 bucks. Little did they no the value. This is totally awesome. The best part is the "assortedness" of it. I was leary of sound quality, but it is very good. The version of Dizzy's "Manteca" is almost worth the price. The only person missing is Kenton, but as we know, he wasn't a verve man. BUy it, its worth it.



5. I spotted this album in a friend's jazz collection. It has become a favorite of mine. Its perfect to give as a gift. Great listening, and a wonderful intro to Jazz.

2 comments about Capitol Records Concept Albums.

1. First there was the original "Concepts" box set. Then a few years later they released another remastered (?) version of the same box set. And finally in 2004 they released this. Kind of. It was only available online or something? Also it's odd. Box sets of the "complete" type are typically for collectors. Yet this one appears to be more budget oriented and priced. Stranger still, this version is different from the prior two version because it doesn't include two albums: Tone Poems, and Jolly Christmas. Weird.
   
   But hey, it's more for the mass-market right? Budget priced, smaller package. Well...actually this one is really more collectable...why?
   
   Well, first of all it reproduces all the original LP jackets. Yes! Mini-LPs!! With all the original artwork, front and back -- Beautiful!! There's more -- there's no Concept busting bonus tracks!!! Hey, less is more. Remember these were Frank's concept albums. That means, the whole album was programmed from start to finish by Frank for damn good reasons. Bonus tracks, while nice, kill the concept. The other two versions of "Concepts - the box set" offered the exact same versions of these albums that Joe-Blow-not-the-collector could buy individually at any record store. The exact same ones. And those versions have bonus tracks and plastic jewel cases - Bleck - and big collector prices. They do NOT have the cardboard, mini-LP reproductions...with original artwork! They do not.
   
   So, that's why Capitol records is tough to collect. They're a mess. Other labels appear to have a good grip on their artists' catalog and a solid knowledge of what their clientele want. Capitol appears to be running around like the building is on fire. I guess the MP3-boom gave them a beating...who knows, I really don't know. But much of their catalog gets shoddy treatment.
   
   Anyway, this box set is great. It's affordable and has a collectors' charm. Its super slim packaging makes these 14 quintessential, must own, masterpieces quite handy. Put a copy in your glove compartment. Perhaps one in your purse. Sure, while I would have preferred a more luxurious and crafted package to house these works...hey...it's Capitol. More importantly, everything inside is done right. Well...
   
   As for the mastering job on these albums...who knows. There's no documentation. I'm positive it's the same as the 1998-2002 Entertainer of the Century "Bob Norberg remasters," that appear in the second version of "Concepts" and individually in stores everywhere. But remember, in THIS version of the box set, you get mini-LP sleeves, original artwork, and no intruding bonus tracks!!! - Not available anywhere else but here.
   
   So, they range from 20-bit to 24-bit and from "slightly-improved" to "slightly butchered." But hey, it's Capitol. You can read the reviews of the individual Capitol albums contained herein to learn more about the Norberg releases.
   
   In a nutshell, I don't find the Norberg releases to be very pristine. There's no room, no ambiance, and in many cases the noise reduction so shades the high-end, that strings sound horribly muffled and indistinguishable. In some spots I could mistake a string ensemble for some voices humming. On some albums the hi-hats and brushwork almost disappear. I guess there's some added texture and definition, probably the result of higher bit-rates and compression, but these are not hi-end, or hi-fi remasters at all. Hopefully this set will land in the hands of a Chuck Granata and crew, and get professionally restored and packaged. But hey, it's Capitol, and for now it's all we got and probably the best version of these albums on CD to date.
   
   (NOTE: The very first version of "Concepts," contained the versions prior to 1992, has better mastering then the Norbergs do, but uses older technology to do so...so it sounds a tad thin...but way cleaner. Yeah, fun isn't it? But they too use the same jewel cases, same bonus tracks as the Norbergs - and do NOT have the mini-LP sleeves.)
   
   But these performances are beyond essential, and if you don't already have them all...you're missing things. And for the collectors who do have these albums -- do you have the original LP artwork restored and the no-bonus track - just the facts - versions of these albums yet?
   
   You better get on it.



2. Unfortunately, the track information for each CD is not included in the Amazon summary, so it makes it hard to research this set. These albums are remastered re-releases of the original albums, which means that they are missing most of the bonus tracks that are on the 2000 box set and the individual releases. It might be that one or two albums had the full set, but most of the albums only had the originals from what I could tell.
   
   This set is also missing the Christmas and orchestral albums that have been included in previous boxes, which may or may not matter to you.
   
   That aside, both the packaging and the sound quality on this set are outstanding. The set is very compact, just a small black box with the fourteen CDs in reproduction sleeves of the original LP sleeves. I don't consider myself an audiophile or anything, but the sound was very clear and had the depth to it that is often missing in modern recordings.
   
   If you're looking for good remasters of the original releases, without any frills or bonus material, then this is a great set for you. If you'd rather have all 16 albums with bonus material, then you might want to think about spending the extra cash for the older release, which is still floating around.

5 comments about Artist of the Century.

1. it's exactly what it says it is. original tracks, etc. came in fine condition. on this occasion it was just what amazon said it was. if ya like da king, u need dis here album.



2. If you only want one Elvis Presley cd in your collection, the three cd "Artist Of The Century" is the one to get. Three discs filled with 75 classics from The King, from the bigs to the rare cuts.
   
   The collection spans Elvis's entire career from 1954 to 1976. You get all the standard hits, including "That's All Right", "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", "Love Me Tender", "Jailhose Rock", "It's Now Or Never", "Suspicious Minds", "Burning Love" and everything else. You also get a plethora of rare tunes known only to the massive fans who own every album. These songs are a great way to get a casual fan to get into Presley.
   
   There are a few flaws. One is that none of the discs filled the proper time limit. The first two disc don't even break 70 minutes and the third barley crosses over 70. Stuff like "Edge Of Reality", "Too Much", "Viva Las Vegas", "A Little Less Conversation", "Crying In The Chapel", "How Great Thou Art", "Let It Be Me", "Suspicion", "Ask Me", "(Such An) Easy Question", "Stranger In The Crowd", "T-R-O-U-B-L-E", "Way Down" and "Moody Blue" could've all been added to make the collection even stronger.
   
   Also, as someone pointed out, the packaging is awful. The booklets are difficult to read and the jewel cases leave something to be desired.
   
   The sound quality is very good and the set is surprisingly cheap. This is the perfect place for a beginning Elvis fan to start.



3. I read about this collection in a music magazine that was doing an entire issue on Elvis. It highly reccomended the collection and as all of my Elvis records are vinyl, I was very excited at the prospect of a collection of CD's featuring the cream of his life's work. I was not disapointed...
   
   This really is an excellent value for money package. 3 cd's (75 songs) featuring the king at his best. The collection really is an anthology covering the young Elvis on disc 1, (starting with the Sun years) and moving through to the "middle-aged" Elvis on disc 2 and finishing with the elder Elvis on disc 3.
   
   All the major hits are here, but what really sets the collection apart, are a number of lesser known blues and gospel inspired tracks. This really is the cream of Elvis and I was delighted to discover recordings I'd never heard before.
   
   With each cd comes a booklet providing notes on each song (very interesting reading) and quotes from various artists such as John Lennon and Bob Dylan.
   
   Elvis fans won't be disapointed and those who want to discover what an amazing and versatile performer Elvis was will love this too.



4. This three-CD set is a study in contrast.

   First, and most important, this is The King. Elvis Presley is presented at his versatile best, with foot-tapping, hip-swinging rockers, heart-tugging ballads, socially-conscious cerebral cuts from late in his career, and even a token appearance by a Christmas melody. The tracks are originals and the remastering is excellent. It's not an anthology, and his marvelous movie-music is conspicuously absent, but seems to have been replaced by very hard to find early offerings and excellent covers of other artist's hits, again from late in his career.

   The down-side to the set is the absurd packaging. The CDs are set in "base-only" jewel cases which are glued to a cardboard cover. The individual booklets (one for each of the three CDs) are also glued into place, facing their respective CD. The result is that the booklets cannot be removed for ease of reading, the jewel cases are basically useless, and the unwieldy cardboard package (10 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches high) has the portability of a brick.

   That problem notwithstanding, the heart of this collection is the music, and that heart beats loud and strong. Considering the price, this set is a superior value.

   Just remember to pick up a few loose jewel cases when you order "Elvis Presley - The Artist of the Century." You'll need them.




5. The quality is so good on these tracks, you would never believe that some of them are 50 years old! This set really made me a fan. I'm only 34, but my mother used to play Elvis' 8-tracks in the 70's, I remember when he died and I even visited Graceland in '95 (my first visit), but these 3 CDs opened my mind to all that is "ELVIS". Put your headphones on and prepare to be blown away!

2 comments about Stardust: The Complete Capitol Recordings 1955-1959.

1. I usually think folks go overboard when they give a product 5 stars, but in this case, it deserves every one! The mastering of the CDs is excellent (I'm guessing, but CDs 1-4 appear to be all mono and CDs 5-11 are a mix of mono and binaural). However, in this time period, mono recording was at its peak and most people wouldn't even know that they aren't binaural recordings unless you brought it to their attention.
   
   Nat was a world-wide singer/performer, unlike some of his peers who only had a fan base in the United States and/or Europe. There's quite a bit of Spanish language material in this set which gives the box an "international" flavor.
   
   The large, thick book that comes with the set is well-written and has many, many excellent color and b&w photos of Nat from the period.
   
   According to the publisher, many of the tracks are presented for the first time without the overdubbing on the original releases. Regardless, Nat's voice is pure and sweet and he knows how to play that piano!
   
   Expensive? A bit, but if you are going to ever treat yourself to an extravagance, this is it. If you have the means, I highly suggest you procure this set! By the way, this appears to be the first of a two-box set collection. I can't wait for the second!



2. I just got this yesterday, and since it's an 11 cd set with a more than 200 page coffee-table sized book, I've only just begun to enjoy it. So, this is a very preliminary review, which I'll perhaps update later.
   
   So far, however, I'm glad I spent the money on this set, and I think any Nat King Cole fan out there would feel the same way. It's a lot of money, true, but a lot of the albums and songs on this set are out of print, including such classic albums as St. Louis Blues, where Nat King Cole and the legendary Nelson Riddle recorded what--for me--are some of the definitive versions of these songs. There are 290 songs on this set, among them some of the greatest Nat King Cole ever recorded, including Autumn Leaves, Let's Fall in Love, Just You Just Me, Caravan, Stardust, and on and on. His voice and piano playing are worth this kind of deluxe treatment.
   
   And the book by Will Friedwald is lavishly illustrated and beautifully written.
   
   The sound quality on the first disc is outstanding, and I'm sure the other discs will be the same.
   
   As I said, I just got it, but so far it's nothing short of fantastic for a Nat King Cole fan.
   
   
   
   PS A quick update from early 2008...
   
   I've now owned this set for almost two years and I love it. It has excellent sound quality throughout. The hardcover coffee table book is a treasure. It's so huge that I'm still exploring it and finding new favorite songs. Really expensive, but well worth it for any Nat King Cole fan!