5 comments about Clash on Broadway.

1. Well, here it is - your Clash collection. Get _London Calling_, and get this. You will be set for a good couple of years, maybe for good. It's not often that I tell people to basically forget about buying an artist's albums and go straight to the boxed set, but in this case, it's the way to go. The compilers have done a great job, and there are just too many essential b-sides, promo tracks, etc. to possibly collect any other way.
   
   If you decide down the road that you want to be a completist, _Sandanista_, _Super Black Market Clash_, _Combat Rock_, and _Give 'em Enough Rope_ will be out there waiting for you. But don't be surprised if you find that you've heard most of the best tracks already... they're on here.
   
   Oh yes, and download a copy of "Remote Control" too. That's the one major item missing from this set.



2. Forget about the LP tracks. In fact, I'm not sure why a few tracks from the LP's were included here. What matters is the rare stuff.
   
   This set compiles all kinds of awesome rarities, like the EP tracks and B-sides found on "Black Market Clash" and "Super Black Market Clash." You get the original versions/mixes of classics like Armagideon Time, Bankrobber, and This Is Radio Clash, plus other amazing non-album tracks such as The Prisoner, City of the Dead, Gates of the West, etc.
   
   Also, when this came out, it was pretty much the only way for us Americans to get our hands on the tracks from the Clash's debut LP that were left off the American version - Cheat, Protex Blue, 48 Hours etc. Now the UK version has been reissued in the States, so that takes the advantage away from Clash on Broadway in this regard.
   
   Broadway also includes a cuople phenomenal tracks that had never been released before: "One Emotion" and "Midnight to Stevens." Essential Clash listening, only available here.
   
   The only thing this comp is missing, oddly, is the instrumental "Listen," and the classic "Capital Radio Two"! That song was WAY better than "Capital Radio One" - way louder, way tougher, and with a way better and funnier ending. These songs are only available on "Super Black Market Clash."
   
   So, the conclusion is, if you pick up this compilation, Super Black Market Clash, and all the Clash's full length albums, you'll have everything you need. And you do, definitely, need it all.



3. Since the release of their debut album in 1977, The Clash has become one of the most important and influential bands in rock history. They are the greatest punk band of all time. They may not have been the most punk. There is a big difference between being the most punk and the greatest punk band (I just wanted to point that out), and The Clash is the greatest punk band. No band from 1977-1983, with the possible exception of The Ramones, has had such an impact on rock music as The Clash. Here's the part where I justify this claim: The Police and U2 (many people would consider these two bands as the greatest of 1977-1983) are a couple of the greatest bands ever; we all know that. They were more commercially successful, but how many people decided to start a band after hearing either of those guys. How many successful bands had a direct influence from either the Police or U2, or tried to create a sound much like theirs. The numbers don't even compare to The Clash. The Clash did so much for music and were one of the most important and popular bands of one of the most important movements in rock.
   
   The point of the above paragraph is to give a good idea of the impact and importance of The Clash. Not only that, they were talented musicians, probably the most talented of all the famous bands of the original Punk movement. Their music, combined with the political edge they gave, is shown throughout the entire "Clash On Broadway". This box set shows better than all other greatest hits cds, that The Clash deserve the spot in rock history. In the "Clash On Broadway", there is the snarling early punk they started out playing, to the more artistic and masterful works they created later on in their incredible career. All the greatest songs from all the albums are here, including the great Eps. Just about every song from the debut album is here, and so is most of "London Calling". Eleven out of the nineteen songs are on this set, but it's enough to give anyone the idea of what the album is like and about. "Clash On Broadway" gives an incredibly detailed look at all the different musical styles The Clash played: from straight-up punk rock (just about all of CD 1), to the more experimental and studio demanding songs that are on "London Calling", "Sandinsta", and "Combat Rock".
   
   The other great thing about this set is that along with the three Cds, there are two big booklets. One is of all the lyrics, and the other has all kinds of great information, including quotes from the band members and others about each song. I would highly recommend "Clash On Broadway". Even for people who don't like punk, this is just great music, and I think anybody could really enjoy and appreciate this.
   
   Stand Out Songs: The list is just too long



4. This set may not have every realevent Clash song but it is an excellent overview of their career. Better than any of the greatist hits collections and comes with a nice booklet on them.



5. After the last US election we all have to wake up to injustice and the need for the compassion of the Dalai Lama and the Passion of The Clash (no pun intended).
   
   As a 50s and 60s person I grew up with Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddly, Bob Dylan, and the Stones. You can imagine my consternation when Disco hit the big time -- I skipped most of the 70s -- then I heard The Clash.
   
   They were great punk band. They were a great rock band. They were earnest, truthful, forceful. More importantly, unlike some of the punk and rock icons, they had a real soul. In a world drowning in Ronald Reagan's war against "welfare queens" while he transferred wealth to corporate drag queens -- they were alive and focused on the real issues. In a business full of stars only interested in sex and drugs they gave us a third way. They, like Dylan addressed the problems of the day -- racism, economic opportunity, poverty, nuclear war, terrorism, injustice.
   
   Hey, about this record -- just get it and listen to White Riot, What's My Name, Career Opportunities, London Calling, the Clampdown, Guns of Brixton, and Straight to Hell -- just try to not care -- try to go back to your old ways and habits -- you will not be able to go back -- you are now The Clash and your are on a mission to make the world a fairer and more decent place -- No fear brothers and sisters.
   
   Sure U2 is great, Pearl Jam holds their own. I am not sure of Green Day will emerge as the band of the 2000s -- they all have a long way to go even carry the Clash's luggage.

5 comments about The Finer Things.

1. This reminds us how much Steve Winwood did for music & the music industry. Many people are living a comfortable retirement overlooking Haight & Ashbury from the talents of musicians like Steve Winwood. He reminds the old vets of R&R how great he was, even at the young age of The Spencer Davis era, & up to today's new releases. This Box Set repsents those early years & is a great introduction for the ones that weren't born when Dear Mr. Fantasy was the hit song of the season. The sad reminder is how much we lost with the loss of Wood & Capaldi. If you enjoy grass roots music and talent or want to be introduced to it at its best, this CD set is a good start. Its not music hidden or covered up with digital tweeking. This man & his band mambers played "Music" - Not A Computer Software Program that can make any fool sound good. Thank goodness for people like Steve Winwood, Robert Palmer, Eric Clapton & the likes of John Mayall. Not lip sincing acts such as Madonna & Ashlee Simpson. Maybe one day raw talent will once again be required before you can accept a Grammy.



2. Because his own career has had a lot of variations over 3 decades (going into a fourth), it was inevitable that they'd have to put it all in one place.
   
   You hear the portrait of a young soul man in the Spencer Davis Group, the experimentalist in Traffic, the supergroup Blind Faith and Ginger Baker's Air Force and lesser known projects like Go and Aiye-Keta and finally the 80s pop superstar that sounds older but just as good as he did in his earlier recordings. That's not even counting sessions with Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Howlin' Wolf, B.B.King, Lou Reed, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Jimmy Buffett, Phil Collins, and countless others which speaks volumes about his demand and generosity as a keyboardist.
   
   But the bulk of material focuses on 3 different bands.
   The Spencer Davis material contains the classic "Gimme Some Lovin" and "I'm A Man". Keep in mind that he was 16! If the "blue eyed soul" applied anywhere, he'd be one of the first to come to mind.
   
   25(!) tracks come from the Traffic era, which he was barely 19(!!). Dave Mason's hits "Feelin Alright" and "Hole In My Shoe" aren't on here (but are on 2 Traffic compilations), and the 2 eras of Traffic (they broke up for a while) are covered nicely.
   
   In between Traffic's breakup, a one off project named Blind Faith was formed with Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Rick Grech. Being that "Presence of the Lord" was EC's is left off here, but "Can't Find My Way Home" and a bulk of the album is here, including a cover of "Under My Thumb". But what comes next is some of Winwood's best music, a reformed Traffic with an entirely new funkier free form sound that you could tie into bands like Phish, String Cheese Incident or Dave Matthews Band..."Glad/Freedom Rider", "Empty Pages", "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" and some cuts from "When the Eagle Flies".
   
   After Traffic disbanded, Winwood would have to find his own footing as a solo artist. The end of the third CD features tracks from his debut solo album that's purpose was more about transition than anything else.
   
   But the fourth CD starts off with hit single "While You See A Chance" from "Arc of A Diver" (which contains 5 tracks from the album), which has the formula that he'd follow through the 80s. "Talking Back to the Night" has just a couple of cuts, but t"Your Silence is Your Song" taken from an 80s soundtrack is worth a listen.
   
   The next 6 tracks hail from "Back in the High Life" and "Roll With It" and should be the most familiar, the final track "One and Only Man" ending the collection from "Refugees of the Heart", the only track from that CD represented here. The Traffic reunion "Far From Home", his solo "Junction Seven" and "About Time" not represented in this box set.
   
   However, what would be great is if he could put out a retrospective DVD. The Spencer Davis Group has a video planned for next month, there was a Traffic Live in Santa Monica on VHS, his own solo career had around 20 videos, as well as the other appearances on TV over the years.
   
   It would also be great if he put out a 2 CD "best of" that would cover around 30 songs.



3. This 4 CD set shows how really good Stevie was in the 60's and 70's and how really bad music overtook him and almost everyone else in the 80's. The first 3 CDs show what the young genius could do. He played with three terrific bands and created some of the best jam band, jazz and drug influenced music of the generation. The fourth CD is a sad reflection of electronic drums, synthesized keyboards and awful mixing that was the 80's. Underneath the noise I think there might be some good songs. 3 out of 4 ain't bad!



4. This 4CD, 63 song set provides extremely thorough coverage of Steve Winwood's career from the early 1960s up to his last Island Records album in 1986, including numerous tracks from his work in such memorable bands as the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, as well as his later solo recordings. Significant chunks are included from virtually all his Island albums, together with a small taster from his first two Virgin Records albums in 1988 and 1990.

   Inevitably there are one or two other favourite tracks which one might feel merited inclusion, but this is undoubtedly a very effective career retrospective, with the principal emphasis being on the Traffic years. The collection does not purport to give thorough coverage of Winwood's solo work (although more than a quarter of the music is from his solo albums), and at present no comprehensive compilation from 1977 onwards is available, largely due to his change of record labels.

   This is such a detailed account of Winwood's recordings that it is likely to be of interest only to dedicated fans, but for these it will be a real treat. As well as the superb music there is a beautifully illustrated book with a detailed account of Steve's career and full musician credits for each track. Highly recommended.




5. Like my title says, "Finer Things" is simply the best box set ever put together. While many many many artists nowadays have put together some kind of box set, few artists truly deserve one. Steve Winwood, however, I'm happy to say is one of them. This is mainly due to the fact that he's been in a lot of bands as well as having a successful solo career. Because of this, he's very difficult to compile in a one CD collection and in fact, nobody has ever tried. Sure there's been a great Spencer Davis collection, a number of Traffic compilations of varying degrees of value, and a good collection of solo songs that cover his solo debut through his biggest seller, "Back In The Highlife." However, there is no single collection aside from this one which covers his Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, solo and, Traffic work in one place. And frankly, this can only be done in four CD's. Universal did release a new Steve Winwood CD that covers the early part of his career (Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, and Traffic) a few months ago under that "Millenium Collection" banner but to get a true retrospective, you really need the solo material which is great as well. Perhaps Universal is planning a second Millenium Collection for Steve?

   This collection has all the songs you know, but even rewards the serious fan with fantastic rarities, especially from the Blind Faith period. Every Winwood fan must hear the live cover of the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb" at least once and the electric version of "Can't Find My Way Home" is absolutely essential, perhaps even better than the classic acoustic version--no joke. The only thing I would have liked to have seen--and this is a minor detail--is "Here Comes A Man" from Traffic's 1994 album which came out a year before this box set. But the bottom line is that this collection is not to be missed if you're a big fan of all stages of his work. However, if you want to save a few bucks, you can get the Millenium Collection CD and "Chronicles" to get a decent bare-bones overview of his career in 2 CD's.

5 comments about In a Word: Yes (1969 - ).

1. This boxset is a very good complete set for someone like myself, who has enjoyed Yes over the years, but is not an obsessive collector of their work. I have owned the Yes Album, and I have borrowed other albums from friends over the years, and taped or burnt copies of them. I have always wanted a more complete set of their work on CD, such as with the Led Zeppelin box set - but was not compelled to purchase many CDs of individual albums. Due to the length of many of the songs, a two disc best of would not work for me, I don't want the single versions or edited tracks. The book and the packaging are terrific, and the sound is incredible.
   
   If you are a completeist or obsessive, this is NOT for you. I hope (and am sure) that someday there will be a boxset of rarities or even better live shows from over the years for you.



2. I'm suprised more people here aren't mentioning the absolutely puzzling omission of what are considered some of the greatest Yes tracks--"The Fish", "And You And I" and "Awaken". Tracks like "Release Release", "Clap" and "Hold On" could have easily been cleared for these. "On The Silent Wings Of Freedom" and "Hearts" are two other big tracks missing here, which is a shame since the remastering is the best so far for the Yes catalogue. With 5 discs spanning their entire career and an excellent overview of the post-YesYears period right up to their last studio release "Magnification", they had a chance to really get it perfect, but the set falls short. As mentioned by a few others, some live versions of the tracks would also have been nice, although I suppose we have the three-disc live box for that. You can't really go wrong with the music--Yes are *the* definitive prog band, and their evolution and metamorphosis from album to album is good to hear in chronological order. Only the late 80s/early 90s period sags, but they came back strong with "The Ladder" and "Magnification".
   
   I suppose if you're already a Yes fan it's just best to get the remastered albums with bonus tracks, especially from the 1971-77 period, and "90125, "Keys To Ascension, "The Ladder" and "Magnification" afterwards. The bonus cuts on the earlier albums, especially "Relayer" and "Going For The One", are quite good. But they had a chance here to really put everything together in one box so fans and newcomers wouldn't have to do that, and they botched it a bit. I got it anyway, but ended up burning my own 5-disc compilation from this one, deleting a few of the lesser tracks (five cuts from "Time And A Word"? C'mon...) and adding "Fish", "And You And I", "Awaken", "On The Silent Wings Of Freedom", "Hearts" and replacing "The Revealing Science Of God" with "Ritual".



3. There were other Yes box sets, but I like this "In a Word: Yes (1969 - ) the best. This box set is not for a Yes fanatic, but this box set is a nice introduction piece to a beginneer Yes fan. Pristinely remastered these cds sound great. A few unreleased tracks thrown in are good additions but a few more familiar Yes tracks such as "The Fish", "And You And I", would have been better. "In a Word: Yes (1969 - )" is a nice well rounded 5 cd box set with a nice expansive literature book. If the missing tracks bother the more serious Yes fan, then by all means try to get all the Yes remastered cds. For the beginner Yes fan "In a Word: Yes (1969 - )" is a nice introduction. Serious Yes fans will get this box set set as only a completist would. I got "In a Word: Yes (1969 - )" at a nice price, so it was worth it, I did'nt have to break the bank to buy it. "In a Word: Yes (1969 - )" has its negatives but it is worthwhile listen, to a rock group that helped define progressive rock. This box set covers the career of Yes very well despite some omitted songs. If the omitted songs bother you, buy all the Rhino remasters. The Rhino remasters are worth it, because the remastered sound is great sounding and the linear notes are very interesting.



4. It's hard to find anything I don't like about "In a Word: Yes (1969- )", the 5-disc box set from prog-rock veterans, Yes. It's beautifully packaged in a compact long box digi-book (with Roger Dean artwork) that includes a spine-bound book with over 90 pages of photos, facts, and two essays (or is it Yessays?) on the band's 30+ year history. All of the songs have been digitally remastered to sound crisp, tight, and better than ever.
   
   Disc 1 starts with the surprisingly good and Yes sounding early recordings, and ends with five songs from the hugely popular "The Yes Album".
   
   Discs 2 and 3 feature music from the "classic years". This is the Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford/Alan White era. I would have liked to have seen the majestic "And You and I" from "Close to the Edge" included, but that it wasn't is forgivable, because these two discs still deliver the goods from the classic years, including the other two-thirds of "Close to the Edge", the biggies from "Fragile", their fantastic eleven-minute version of Simon and Garfunkel's "America", "The Revealing Science of God" from "Topographic Oceans", and "The Gates of Delirium" from "Relayer".
   
   Disc 4 includes selections from "Drama" and the commercially sucessful "90125", including "Owner Of A Lonely Heart". The songs are in order and they all sound great.
   
   Disc 5 includes their most recent 1990's and 21st century recordings, and surprisingly is the disc I listen to most. Being a fan of the classic years, I had never heard any of these songs before. This stuff is great! It's as good as anything they have ever done. This disc, and the set, ends perfectly with the uplifting "In the Presence Of" from 2001's "Magnification". WOW! What a song that is!
   
   You won't be disappointed at all with "In a Word: Yes (1969- )". In fact, you'll be pleasantly surprised, especially if you haven't heard from Yes since "90125".



5. Along with Pink Floyd, Yes defined the prog rock era of the late 1960s' and early 1970s', and along with Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jethro Tull and a select few others, they were one of the reigning classic rock bands of the era.
   
   Unlike those aforementioned counterparts, Yes never quite had the impact that they had, despite being just as good as them. It's a shame, because in their prime, Yes were brilliant. And even once they fell from their artistic as well as commercial crest, they still produced solid music.
   
   For proof of this, look no further than the 5 cd boxed set "In A Word: Yes (1969). Complete with many Yes classics, lesser known album tracks and a rarity or two, this is the ideal Yes compilation, regardless of price. The sound quality on every song is astonishing (for those who can't stand hearing "Roundabout" for the millionth time, just give it one more spin just to hear it sound better than ever), and the liner notes, complete with excellent essays by Cameron Crowe (who used two classic Yes tunes in my favorite movie, "Almost Famous"), Chris Welch and Bill Martin, are a dream come true for Yes fans.
   
   This boxed set is definitely bar none the finest Yes collection on the market, and should appeal to both die hards and new fans. Should you buy this set? In a word: YES!

5 comments about The Collection, Vol. 4: Nashville Skyline/New Morning/John Wesley Harding.

1. After his motorcycle accident and during his recovery, Bob Dylan, according to what I've read, spent hours and hours recording with the band in New York in that Big Pink house. Many years later, probably because of all of the bootlegs of these sessions, some of those recordings would be officially released as The Basement Tapes but for some reason, Dylan decided not to put that stuff out when it was fresh. Instead he went down to Nashville and in a few short days wrote all new material, hired three Nashville musicians and recorded John Wesley Harding and who could have believe that in such a short time, such a masterpiece could be created. This record is truly a testament to Dylan's genius.
   
   I've also read that Dylan has said on many occasions that his songs are what they are, that the words are out there for everybody to hear, that there are no hidden meanings, no secret messages, but I have to say on the second song on this record, "As I Went Out One Morning," that I can't help but picturing the "fairest damsel that ever did walk in chains," as America. It seems to me that Dylan is saying that Tom Paine would be so disappointed at what she has become. Also, this record is peppered with Biblical references, maybe this is a glimpse of Slow Train off in the future, maybe not, but were those references messages or was Dylan just into reading the Bible when he did this record. Actually it doesn't matter, because this is one of the best records to come out of the last century. "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest" is just one heck of a story. "Down Along the Cove" is one heck of a love song. "John Wesley Harding" just one heck of a ballad. Every song on JWH is great. Can I say it just one more time? John Wesley Harding is just one heck of a record.
   
   I suppose after the success of JWH Bob Dylan thought going back to Nashville and recording another album was a good idea. I'm wondering if all these years later, if he still feels that way. I know Nashville Skyline was a commercial success, that "Lay Lady Lay" was a top ten hit as a forty-five, but, for me at least, there is something missing here. This is a happy record, recorded by a happy man. At least that's they way it seems to me and that's not the way I like to think of Dylan best. I see him as, if not a leader of his generation, a poet at least. I love the dark lyrics of his earlier work. Love the work that comes after Skyline, well not all of it, but most of it.
   
   The recording of "Girl from the North Country" with Johnny Cash is interesting, but out of place with the rest of the record. I have the Dylan Cash bootleg and have put that song with the rest of the record on my iPod and there it works well, but not here I don't think. I do love "Tell Me that it isn't True," where Dylan is questioning the fidelity of his woman (well the woman in the song anyway). I also particularly like "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" and "I Threw it All Away." "Lay Lady Lay," the big hit from the record has never been a favorite of mine, but many Dylan fans like it. Actually, "One More Night," is a great song too, so even though this is a short record, there are several good songs on it.
   
   Also, Dylan has a new country type crooning voice here, way more so than JWH. I've heard it said that Dylan claims this was because he'd been cutting back on cigarettes at the time. Still, this sounds like an awful lot like a plain old country and western record to me. That's not necessarily bad, but it's way different for Dylan. But then he is famous for not ever being the same. Record after record, he changes. That's part of what makes him the genius he is.
   
   New Morning came out only four months after what many considered to be the disaster that was "Self Portrait" and those fans who thought Dylan went south with that record were glad to have him back with this one. So much so, that they perhaps over praised the record. It is good, this record is, but it's no John Wesley Harding or Highway 61. Still it's a five star recording of all original material that chronicles where Bob Dylan was in 1970.
   
   "If Not For You", which was covered beautifully by George Harrison on All Things Must Pass and by Olivia Newton John, who had a huge hit with it, is a love song that I've played over and over again. It's just simply beautiful. "The Day of the Locusts" is a four minute dirge about when Dylan had to put on a cap and gown (he didn't want to) and go to Princeton to accept an honorary diploma. "Time Passes Slowly" is a song about time passing. Duh. "Time passes slowly when you're lost in a dream." "Time Passes slowly when you're searching for love." "Time passes slowly when you're lost in the daylight." "Time Passes slowly, then fades away." Only Dylan could string ideas like that together in a little over two minute song.
   
   "Went to See the Gypsy," is a nice song about Dylan's meeting with Elvis Presley and "The Man in Me," seems to be a song about how a man sees himself through his lover's eyes. But the real gem on this record is "Sign on the Window." "Sign on the porch says three's a crowd." Was Dylan talking about his fans and how they wouldn't leave him alone. Seems that way to me, but what do I know? Maybe it's about what my good friend Sophie says it is, a New Beginning for Bob Dylan. "That must be what it's all about." So says Dylan, So says Sophie. Either way, it's a great song. Actually the whole record is pretty good.



2. What an awesome selection of Dylan tunes. There are 3 CD's here; put them on "random" on your CD player and you won't regret your purchase. I bought this because my CD of Nashville Skyline went missing; saw this great collection and can't say enough about what a great trio of CD's this is.



3. My older brother thinks "John Wesley Harding" is the best Dylan album ever. Is it? I don't know. "Blood on the Track," "Desire", "Highway 61" and "Blonde on Blonde" are all records I like better, but right after them, I'd but "JWH" maybe tie it with "Oh Mercy." Don't get me wrong. JWH is a must own album. Not only because you can see here how he transitions into his country period with "Nashville Skyline" and "New Morning," but because it's a record that plays on in your head long after you've turned of the CD player. JWH was not only a change of direction in Dylan's music, but it was written while he was recovering from his motorcycle accident, so one could also assume his life was taking a new direction as well. I'm not sure about that, but I would think a long recovery would make you think about life and what it's all about, that's what this record seems to be about anyway. At least that's what I take away from it.
   
   Dylan goes country on "Nashville Skyline" and he does it well. This is a record far too short. Good songs here, but not enough of them. It seems like you've just put the CD in the player and it's over. But other than the fact that there isn't as much music here as on a normal Dylan CD, I have no complaints. Dylan is in fine voice here, sort of a country, high pitched twang that works very nicely. He tells these songs of love and loss with such sincerity, such honesty. But then he attacks everything he does that way, so it should be no surprise. This is just a wonderful, if a bit too short, record.
   
   Some of the best lyrics of Bob Dylan's career are tucked away on "New Morning, a record that sadly hasn't been as popular as some of the rest of his music. Maybe because it's a bit spiritual with the gospel singers who sing background on some of the songs. Maybe it's because some of the songs really are spiritual and Dylan makes no attempt to hide it, like he did so successfully on "John Wesley Harding." Maybe it's because he has a bit of that "Nashville Skyline" country voice some people (I'm not one of them) didn't like. But none of those are reasons to give this record a pass. If you are one of those who gave it a listen one time or two years ago, please take my advice and give it a listen now, because I think you'll find that you've misjudged this record. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. It'll be like discovering a brand new Bob Dylan record.



4. My favorite song on JWH is "Dear Landlord." It's a lament driven by a soulful piano that will reach right into your soul. You can just feel the desperation the singer is crying about. "Only a Hobo," is another song where Dylan sings from the view of someone less fortunate. "I've served time for everything except begging on the street." What a line. You can just see this hobo Dylan sings about, a shyster, con man, often down and out on his luck. A hobo without regret and some advice to give, "Stay free from petty jealousies, live by no man's code, and hold your judgment for yourself, lest you wind up on this road." Dylan's hobo, like Dylan himself, is a lot of things, but a beggar he is not. Then there is the excellent song about that western outlaw, turned somewhat of a saint in the title song of this record, "John Wesley Harding" is Dylan accurate in his portrayal of the outlaw, well he misspelled his name, maybe that's a clue. Dylan is always doing that, surprising us and fooling us. This is an excellent record, full of fine music, double entendres and maybe some simple advice on how to live your life, like these outstanding words, "Live by no man's code."
   
   NASHVILLE SKYLINE is a nice record, good to put on when you want to relax with a glass of wine and a good book. I know that's not the usual way one would listen to a Dylan record, but this is not a usual Dylan record. "Nashville Skyline" is full of uplifting, twangy songs, plus it has the Dylan mega hit on it, "Lay, Lady Lay which has always been a favorite of mine. I also like "Peggy Day" an awful lot as well as the duet Dylan sings with Johnny Cash, "Girl From the North Country." That song is just sublime. "Tonight I'll be Staying Here With You," is another sublime song about the narrator's lost love that will pull a tear from the driest eye, if you're a sentimental girl like me anyway. Then there is "Tell Me that it isn't True" another song about lost love, well a love about to be lost anyway, as the narrator is asking his girl about another man. Yes this is, at least up to now, a totally new direction for Bob Dylan, but it's a direction I kind of like.
   
   There are spiritual overtones on this NEW MORNING and that is fine with me. Bob Dylan has always worn his beliefs on his sleeve. He puts it all out there and if you don't like it, tough. Well, in this case I like this record just fine. Bluesy sometimes, jazzy sometimes and always with those Bob Dylan lyrics you can take at face value the way Dylan says you're supposed to, or you can read all kinds of things into his words. Did he mean this? Did he mean that? It seems Bob Dylan is like a chameleon, so many different things to so many different people, but that's also okay by me, because he has been making the best stuff to listen to on my record player and now my CD player for the last three decades.



5. John Wesley Harding -- A Record that is Always New
   
   I just love this record. A solid rocker with a country flavor. The music is tone down quite a bit from "Blonde on Blonde" but it's still got many songs with a driving beat. The most famous song on JWH has to be "All Along the Watchtower." Jimi Hendrix did such a great job with his cover of that song. Dylan himself, still plays it all the time, changing it as he's always changing himself. "As I Went Out One Morning", is my favorite. Dylan sings about what America as all about and how Tom Paine would be so disappointed if he were around today. That's my read on the song anyway, you may have yours. So many of Dylan's songs are open to different interpretations. My next favorite song is "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest." It seems that Dylan just loves to showcase his humor. There is just so much going on in this record, it's almost impossible to take in. I've been listening to JWH for years and years and it's always fresh and I always seem to be finding something new, a new way to look at one of these songs.
   
   Nashville Skyline -- A Pure Joy to Listen to
   
   I love the guitar work on this record, especially on "Nashville Skyline Rag" and "Country Pie." I love the country flavor, but then I've always been a fan of country music. I'm a huge Dolly Parton fan and I like George Jones too. So, liking Bob Dylan as much as I do and since my husband has him playing in our house an awful lot, this tends to be one of my favorites of his. True there are no protest songs here, not hard driving rock, no secret messages, no songs that you can interrupt in a number of ways. This is a very straightforward record with very straightforward music that is just a pure joy to listen to.
   
   New Morning -- A Truly Fabulous Record
   
   It's true he came from a small town in Minnesota, but Bob Dylan went on to conquer the world. He is the poet of more than one generation and some of his best stuff is on this records. "Went to See the Gypsy" and "Three Angels" are two of my favorites. The haunting "Ooo, Ooo, Ooo" (I don't know how else to describe them) vocals in the background of "If Dogs Run Free" are just chilling and they really set of the song which is my favorite song on the record. Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention "If Not For You", which is done just wonderfully on this record. I like the way George Harrison does it as well. In fact I just got the Bangledesh Video for my birthday and Bob and George perform it on the extras part of the video. It's just a fabulous song, one of many on this fabulous record.

1 comments about The Collection: Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J./The Wild, the Innocent &....

1. You have probably owned these volumes separately on LP, 8 Track and cassette, but if you haven't bought them yet on CD, get them all together. It all sounds as fantastic as you remember.

5 comments about Singles 1965-1967.

1. OK, let me start by acknowledging that I'm one of those people who believe that The Rolling Stones ceased to be relevant after Brian Jones died. So there's that. Also, I bought many of these singles back in the day in the original picture sleeves (including the EPs which I bought direct from a supplier in England). So seeing them in miniature after all these years (my record collection is long gone) was a treat. Also, I'm basically boycotting those ridiculous Rolling Stones reissue CDs that offer nothing to me as a consumer that I didn't have on my original LPs 40 years ago. (Man, has it been that long?) So, given all that, I was thrilled when this set was (finally) issued. The years 1965-1967 are (to me) the Golden Age of The Rolling Stones - their artistic peak years. The songs included in this set are almost all classics. The packaging is fabulously fun. I love the idea of packaging the CDs as miniature versions of the old 45s (much like the earlier Kinks sets) and the booklet is actually informative. So skip those insulting reissues (until somebody is willing to do them up right with bonus tracks and a meaningful booklet) and get this set instead. It rocks!



2. This is one of the most fantastic exposures of the modern art of making music.
   Touching all the corners of the magic world of the seven keys of expression, The Stones comes in colours with all the flowers of the evergreen.
   The language of creativity at his high peak. A fantastic trip from "Satisfaction" to "The Lantern", exploring the eleven houses of light where The Stones hide his real soul from themselves.
   Like the myth of Dorian Gray .... his real face before the snake bites the golden apple of temptation ... As the poet said, in another time and another place, "the laburnum will be as yellow next june as it is now . . . but we never get back our youth... our limbs fail, our senses rot . . . youth, youth, there is absolutely nothing in the world but youth." Against the dullish contemporaneity .... a solution always satisfactory: PAINT IT BLACK!



3. An eleven(11) disc-box set with JUST two songs on each CD.You read that correct. Their used price is good, for WHAT you get here. Strictly for the completists and die-hards. Although,you get plenty of old Stones classics that I, personally haven't heard in ages.Anyone else remember the bluesy "Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man"? It was the flip side of the "Satisfaction" 45 vinyl single. Had to have been maybe my second 45 I ever bought. Other goods are "Get Off My Cloud", the psychedelic gem "Paint It Black", "Mother's Little Helper", "She's A Rainbow" among many others. Only downside is that you'll need to get up and walk over to your stereo and CHANGE each 2-track CD. Otherwise, it's great. Semi-recommended.



4. The purpose of this review is to completely compare the contents of "Singles Collection: The London Years" to the 3 "Singles" box sets which as a group contain the same songs plus more. There are some good comparisons in the other reviews, but also several omissions and inaccuracies, so hopefully this 1-to-1 comparison will clear things up a bit as to what songs are included on each, and which "missing" songs can also be found on the other ABKCO CD's, particularly "More Hot Rocks: Big Hits & Fazed Cookies". Each of these collections is rather expensive, so hopefully this may help you decide which sets you really need or want.
   
   To settle one thing first though, the songs on the "Got Live If You Want It" EP contained in the "Singles 1963-1965" box set are NOT included on the full length CD "Got Live If You Want It". They share the same title but that's all, and were actually two different releases. Buying the full length CD will NOT get you all the same songs on the EP as indicated in another review. With that out of the way.....
   
   "Singles 1963-1965": "Singles Collection: The London Years" contains all of the songs included in this box set, with the exception of 3 original British EP's exclusive to the box set. The first EP contains You Better Move On (also available on "December's Children") and Poison Ivy, Bye Bye Johnny & Money (all 3 also available on "More Hot Rocks: Big Hits & Fazed Cookies"). The second EP (originally titled "5 X 5") contains If You Need Me, Empty Heart, 2120 South Michigan Avenue, Confessin' The Blues and Around & Around, all of which are also available on the "12 X 5" CD. The third EP (the afore mentioned "Got Live If You Want It") contains early live versions of We Want The Stones, Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, Pain In My Heart, Route 66, I'm Movin On & I'm Alright, none of which are available on any other CD (with the possible exception of I'm Alright which may or may not be the same version included on the full-length "Got Live..." CD).
   
   Conclusion: Both "The London Years" and "Singles 63-65" contain the early single/B-sides Come On (also available on "More Hot Rocks") as well as I Want To Be Loved, I Wanna Be Your Man & Stoned which aren't available on any other ABKCO CD. So both sets contain 3 songs not included elsewhere, plus the box set includes the live EP. So the deciding factor between "The London Years" and "Singles 63-65" would appear to be the live EP.
   
   "Singles 1965-1967": "Singles Collection: The London Years" contains all of the songs included in this 2nd box set, with no exceptions. Both contain the single/B-sides Long Long While & We Love You (also available on "More Hot Rocks") and Sad Day & Who's Driving Your Plane? which aren't available on any other ABKCO CD. So both sets contain 2 songs not included elsewhere. No further conclusions.
   
   "Singles 1968-1971": "Singles Collection: The London Years" contains all of the songs included in this 3rd box set, with a few unique exceptions. The third box set additionally contains Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (also available on "The Rolling Stones Now!") and three non-ABKCO B-sides + 3 remixes exclusive to the box set. The B-sides are the Ry Cooder instrumental Natural Magic (from the film "Performance" soundtrack...Memo From Turner was the A-side) and Bitch & Sway which were the B-sides to Brown Sugar & Wild Horses. My guess is the licensing rights to these B-sides belong to Virgin Records, etc. and hadn't yet been negotiated when "The London Years" was originally released back in 1989. The remixes appear to be 3 different "rap" style remixes of Sympathy For The Devil. The box set also contains a bonus DVD (see the item description for more on that).
   
   Conclusion: Both "The London Years" and "Singles 68-71" contain the B-side Child Of The Moon (also available on "More Hot Rocks") and Brown Sugar & Wild Horses (also available on "Hot Rocks 1"). So the deciding factor between "The London Years" and "Singles 68-71" would appear to be the three non-ABKCO B-sides, the three remixes and the DVD contained in the box set.
   
   Final Conclusion: For the completest collector who has to have absolutely everything on CD, you basically have 2 choices. Buy all 3 box sets, or buy "Singles Collection: The London Years" and the two box sets "Singles 63-65" & "Singles 68-71" (a lot of duplication, though "The London Years" runs a little cheaper than the box sets + you don't have to change CD's as often).
   
   A slightly cheaper option if you're mainly interested in completing the ABKCO Rolling Stones "canon" not released on the regular studio full-length CD's is to buy "Singles Collection: The London Years" and "Singles 1963-1965". You'd only be missing the three non-ABKCO B-sides and the 3 Sympathy For The Devil remixes.
   
   A cheaper option still, if you're only interested in the very early singles & live EP and can live without a few later ABKCO B-Sides, is to buy "More Hot Rocks: Big Hits & Fazed Cookies" and "Singles 1963-1965". With those 2 you'd only be missing Sad Day, Who's Driving Your Plane? and the three non-ABKCO B-sides and the 3 remixes.
   
   In truth, the 2nd & 3rd discs of "Singles Collection: The London Years" make an interesting listen because each is primarily made up of A & B sides not included on the regular studio CD's. So they're almost like listening to independent CD's without repeating too many songs you'll hear when listening to the other albums. The 2nd disc from "More Hot Rocks" and also "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" do the same, only with different selections of songs, so comparing these two further is highly recommended as well.
   
   Decisions, decisions. Hope this helps.



5. Though the 1968-1972 is by far the best period in Stones history, that period had the Stones worrying more about finely crafted albums - which they did - then releasing 45s. Back when they did play the singles market, their best material came out between 1965 and 1967. Some of rock's greatest singles are here. Satisfaction? Check. Get Off My Cloud? Yup. 19th Nervous Breakdown? That's there, too. Paint It Black? You got it. Mother's Little Helper? Yeah. As Tears Go By? They got that, too. Let's Spend the Night Together/Ruby Tuesday (a double a-side)? We got it. She's a Rainbow? Yeah.
   Okay, so some of this hasn't held up well. There's a good reason why some b-sides have been lost to history, and the In Another Land/The Lantern single has been justly forgotten. Oh well, still pretty good.
   Oh, the packaging sucks. Just figured I'd say that.

2 comments about The Collection.

1. What's with the album cover? I guess the photographer/cover art designer missed the memo that you don't need to make Ann & Nancy look like smack addicted lesbians to sell the album. The music will sell the album on merit itself.



2. All three of these ablums are good, but the best Heart album "Dreamboat Annie" was strangely left out. Little Queen is the highlight of the three. There are several extra tracts that have been added to all three CD's, which most of them are worthly of listening to. The liner notes by Nancy are short but insightful. These three albums are the rock and roll of Hearts bygone era, which they really rocked out! It is so cool to hear two sisters who can rock with the best of the best. Their is not anyone who can come close to these two women in their abilities, they are unbelievably talented. I love Ann Wilson's sassy way of singing in these earlier recordings, she's so cool. A must to any Heart fan and a great introduction to any Heart newbie.

5 comments about The Complete Sun Recordings 1955-1958.

1. What can one say re JC? He was the master and this 3 cd set proves it. I was more a modern JC fan, think teh American series. that and his greatest hits. and for sure i was not and am still not a country music fan. this is definately something different. recorded at the legendary sun studio in memphis. those who did not quite fit the nashville country mold were relegated to the lesser "nashville west" memphis music scene. at least one other music icon cut his teeth at teh same place as JC, a yong man from Tupelo. if you want to hear great pioneering rock and roll get this collection



2. My father has been a lifelong Johnney Cash fan and after we saw the movie, He mentioned several times that there was a album collection of Cash's early recordings with the sun label that he could never find in the stores.
   
   I did a Amazon search on Johnney Cash and this CD popped up. I took a chance and ordered it....This present was a hit! I would recemmend this for all hardcore Johnney Cash fans. I have never heard the CD, but I get rave reviews for giving it as a present.



3. Johnny in his early days. Packaged nice and it has all
   of Johnny's early recordings. What a talent!!



4. From the liner notes:
   
   "After Johnny left Sun, many of these recordings were overdubbed in different ways. Choruses, additional instruments, echo, and applause were added at various times. However, as Johnny proved during his last years, nothing beats the sound of Johnny Cash with just the simplest of backings. And so, for this collection, we have removed virtually all the overdubs, allowing you to hear the Sun recordings exactly as they were first captured."
   
   Buy this collection today!!! One version of every song recorded by Johnny Cash at Sun, in the least dubbed form available. Perfect!



5. The music is great, and the set is well produced. I'm glad to own this. Why 4 stars? Because each disc is about 45 minutes long. All 61 performances could easily fit onto 2 discs.

5 comments about The Rubble Collection, Vol. 1-10.

1. Rubble Vol 1-10 has some tracks well worth the money (ex. Lovley People, Bluebird Wood, Place In The Sun and Upside Down)but in all the cd's only have maybe 3-4 worth wild tracks on each CD. But I guess it depends on what you like. It is a good stepping stone to see what kinda psych. sound you would enjoy, because it has about everything on it.



2. To compare this set with "THE NUGGETS". Would be somehow missing the point.
   I feel that the NUGGETS sets are somewhat for the extrovert. Or someone who has a casual interest in the music that didn't quite make it. And wants to impress friends.
   This rubble set along with 11-20. Can do no wrong in my eyes. For someone who is more into music in all its experimental states from a past but most productive era. We are talking psycadelia at its finest (Not just by the bands that just missed out because of under promotion).But by bands that had Zilch promotion. But were experimenting as they wished(IE Noone told them what the formula was!)
   Check out the Dutch bands on Volume 9. It's all there in a box. And this Box set is a Must buy! Along with 11-20.
   BTW> Elitists may say DON'T BUY! (They want to keep this music to themselves) No way! I say. Everyone should hear these sounds.



3. Some silly person wrote that the Nuggets II album had all you needed and wanted, so that there would be no reason to buy this. Wrong: the utterly obscure and wonderful freak beat stormer Grey by The Hush is not there, the over the top tounge in check psychedelic gem Nightmares in Red by the Brain is not there or the not so obscure psychedelic groove classic 10000 Words In A Cardboard Box by Aquarian Age is not there. I could go on and on. Not all here is fantastic, but hey you get 10 Cds with some really hard to get stuff, so what the @#$# do you expect. To compare this compilation to the Sundazed Psychedelic Microdot Volume 1 collection or the "Teenage Shutdown" series tells us more about the mind-altering substances that person have been using the last decades, than anything about this classic series of albums from the early 80s. Though I like both series mentioned, the Rubble stuff is in a league of itself. Now if you don't have much freak-beat/psychedelic stuff you might do well to dig into the two Nuggetsboxes, which truely are for the novice (make sure you get Floyd's Pipers while you're at it), the Rubble albums were never intended for beginners, but for people who have a habit to support and find it harder and harder to get one's kicks. Well this then is the real thing and if you really want to impress your friends with cool stuff they have never ever heard of then this box is for you. Run and buy.. AND SO SAY ALL OF US.............................



4. No...the previous reviewer is not correct in asserting that the songs on here are on Nuggets. Some important ones are, but not all of them. Actually some very very essential songs are in this box which do not appear on the Nuggets series.

   That is not to take away anything from the brilliant Nuggets box sets. They are great. But not the end all.

   I must admit, there is quite a bit of British psych which I will take a pass on...especially the horrendous endulgence on the harder edged soul/r&b/pysch fusions from 68-72. Some of this stuff appears on Nuggets as well.
   Some great stand outs here though by Cymbaline/Spencer Davis Group/The Attack/Wild Silk and others which you wont find on Nuggets.

   I do agree with other poster though...get your hands on some Sundazed Records issued stuff...coming in October...THE GURUS!!!




5. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this collection when I first found out about it- How could I go wrong? Well, sadly I did and it was quite an expensive lesson... I'm constantly on the look-out for obscure 60's gems and I've found quite a few that totally blew me away but... sadly "Rubbles" isn't one of them. I don't want to say that the collection is a total waste as there are quite a few very strong tracks that'll certainly hold your attention, the problem is that these tracks are all included on the far superior Nuggets II collection surrounded by much stronger and more consistant material. Pick up the Nuggetts II collection, S.F Sorrow by The Pretty Things and the reissue of the Tomorrow cd (with the extra tracks)and you'll have hours and hours of great listening ahead---for anyone looking for great Psychedelic compilations that feature some pretty obscure stuff, check out the Arf Arf label (some really great stuff here) as well as the Sundazed Psychedelic Microdot Volume 1 collection---for some REALLY obscure stuff, check out the "Teenage Shutdown" label...

5 comments about Shine On.

1. As I approached my completion of college there are two things that come to mind when I look back, finishing school and Pink Floyd. I have always liked Pink Floyd, but it wasn't until 2000 that I really got into them. A guy I knew who ran a record store called me and said, "Hey, I just got the Shine On box set, I will sell it to you cheap if you want it!" So I dragged myself down their and picked it up. I had most of the music on there, but it was the singles I was after at the time...This is a must for any serious Pink Floyd fan, if you are one and you don't have this...maybe you should, because some day soon these things are going to be rare.



2. Quienes busquen en Shine On, una recopilación completa, les advierto que mejor no lo compren, ya que este box set es una selección de ciertos discos de PF. La diferencia? Un buen libro de pasta dura y con la historia y lyrics del grupo, además de postales de colección, un cd con un par de canciones inéditas y una caja para los cd's los mismos que vienen en una caja negra especial.
   
   Este box set es sólo para fanáticos. Si eres un fanático indiscutible de PF y si ya lo has convertido en tu religión, entonces debes de tenerlo. Vale la pena.



3. Pink Floyd released their 9-CD box set Shine On in November of 1992.
   The box was released to commemorate the band's 25th anniversary as a recording act.
   Compiling a box was not an easy task. Instead of pulling songs from each album, the band (mainly guitarist/singer David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason and keyboard player Rick Wright) with some help from estranged bass player/singer/lyricist Roger Waters and the extra help from longtime friend James Guthrie and Doug Sax remastered seven chosen albums which represented the best of the band's history.
   Obviously, the classics were picked (Meddle, The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall) and one transition album (A Saucerful of Secrets) and the band's comeback (A Momentary Lapse of Reason) and all were digitally remastered from the original master tapes.
   Since there were no outtakes, the band released their first five singles on a bonus disc called The Early Singles which uses the mono mixes of the songs. Four of the songs had not ever been released on album in the US("Candy and a Currant Bun", "Apples and Oranges" (unreleased in the US), "It Would Be So Nice" and "Point Me at the Sky" (unreleased in the US)), three not ever on CD ("Paintbox", "Julia Dream" and "Careful With That Axe Eugene") and three had been on CD in the US ("Arnold Layne", "See Emily Play" and "The Scarecrow").
   I first got this box set for Christmas in 1992 and was a great box set and made the original late 80s CDs and the Mobile Fidelity discs sound pale in comparison. Also, the book was excellent as it had some rare photos and historical info about each album and the artwork was superb.
   This box set went Platinum immediately but is unfortunately out of print in the US as the band is no longer on Columbia (the band nullified its contract after Columbia complained about lack of new material as the band was about to release The Wall Live Is There Anybody Out There? in 1999 so Pink Floyd manager (the late) Steve O' Rourke switched licensing rights of the band's music back to Capitol/EMI worldwide since the band owns the master tapes to their music and not the label).
   Highly recommended if you are a newbie to Floyd but good luck finding it!



4. This is mainly to clarify what a previous poster wrote about re-releasing thid with the digital remastering. When I got this set way back in 1992, for Christmas, this set was the only place you could find these CDs with digital remastering. (That was the selling point) It was my understanding that the digital remasters of the same albums in their stand alone form were not released until 1994-1997, and that those remasters were simply the same as the shine on set, so in fact, there is no difference in sound quality between these CDs and the stand alone versions (with the exception of the XXth & XXXth Anniversary releases of DSOTM. This was verified when I bought new copies of all of the discs in this set, in order to obtain the artwork available in the stand alone versions.



5. This collection is not a compilation like Echoes. It is comprised of eight albums (A Saucerful of Secrets, Meddle, Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, Two discs of The Wall, and 1987's A Momentary Lapse of Reason)chosen and then put into one box set. There is no Ummagumma or Live From Pompeii. Since this was released way back in 1992, it would be nice if they were to reissue Shine On with new digital mastering.