4 comments about Walking to New Orleans.

1. This astonishing collection sounds great but I do have a gripe or two. For one, where's "Li'l Liza Jane" and for another, I would have loved to have heard a live version of Hank's Jambalaya 'cause Fats rips the song up live.
   The omission of "Liza" is especially glaring since it was recorded for Imperial...
   
   Imperfect as it is, this collection will keep you rockin' and rollin' with the Fat Man and insofar box sets go - this is a fine collection.



2. you know, i love simplicity. i love fats domino's music because, to me, he had that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" style. i love that type of stuff when it is good...............and this is beyond that and then some. i STRONGLY recommend this box set. it is actually worth all the hard-earned bucks that you will be spending.



3. 16 RIAA certified million sellers( at time of their release) and 9 #1 hits on Billboards R&B charts-nothing else needs to be said.How dare a radio dj say this man never had a #1 hit when he hit that spot 9 times on BB's R&B chart. This is the essential Fats Domino collection- for the roots of Rock and Roll are contained within.



4. Fats Domino is one of the most important figures in the history of pop music, creating a large body of work with Imperial Records that remains some of the most ground-breaking, entertaining music ever recorded. A pioneer and master of New Orleans rhythm & blues and early rock n' roll, this box set is a great introduction to his work.

   This box set replaces the 1991 box set, "They Call Me The Fat Man," and in some ways, it's superior, in others, it isn't. The packaging is certainly poorer: a sturdy, neat box with jewel cases is replaced by a digipak wallet, and the nice photo on the front is now a cartoonish, tracing of the same photo with a cartoonish logo (this would've been more appropriate on a Happy Meal). What makes this set better is the sound and track selection. All but 18 tracks from the 1991 box set are duplicated, and the 18 'replacements' are a little better overall, emphasizing rhythm & blues over pop. Furthermore, the sound is much better and completely remastered. The 1991 box set was very poor. Despite using good sources, poor remixing and processing (in some cases, it seems like they were going for a fake stereo effect where they were unable to do any remixing) sabotaged a lot of tracks. That's not the case for this box set.

   There is a cheaper alternative in the recent 20-track best of, which is more suitable for casual fans and those on a stricter budget. For committed fans, the 8 CD Bear Family box set is the best (and better sound despite the age of the set), being both complete and expensive. There's also a few Ace CD's from the UK that collect all the singles up to the late 50's (therefore missing the latter day hits), also in better sound but without the sped-up sound that was applied after the mixing stage (the original records had this sped-up sound, but Fats doesn't seem to favor it). Depending on how much music you want and how much money you've got, any of these are great introductions to a living legend.

No comments about Shout, Rattle and Roll.

5 comments about Zombie Heaven 4-CD Box Set.

1. It's all here. All the songs the Zombies ever recorded, well about 99% of them anyway. In all honesty Zombie Heaven is the greatest sounding Zombies collection ever put out. And all the songs are in their original mono or stereo mixes.
   
   If you are a Zombies fan this is an indispensable addition to your collection.



2. You know , I paid well over $50 for this when it came out .....I still don't regret it , but at less than a Jackson , you'd better snatch this up ! A lovingly assembled and performed package bulging with unreleased tracks and the like. B_U_Y I_T N_O_W !!!



3. Everyone else has already praised the Zombies to the high heavens (as they should) but I was just browsing around and was stunned to see the 17.98 price. For over 100 tracks of some of the finest 60's pop ever? I bought mine around ten years ago, and it was at least $70, and money well spent. Don't hesitate; buy this thing now.



4. The music is classic, its the expensive box thats a little hard to deal with, I suggest a better & cheaper solution
   1. Get "The Decca Stero Anthology" (48 Tracks)
   2. Get "Odessey & Oracle Deluxe Edition" (22 Tracks)
   
   Zombie heaven only boasts about 7 studio tracks that can't be found in the tracks of these two, yes it has lots and lots of different versions that arent here, but the best versions can be found in these two, and better still, the tracks on "The Decca Stero Anthology" are remixed in stereo! which the zombie heaven versions are not.
   If your a zombie fanatic or a completist with money to burn, go ahead and get Zombie heaven. If you want the best versions of all but 7 of their songs in remixed stereo, and don't care for live tracks you can do no wrong in what I'm suggesting. Do you really want to spend upwards to $40 extra just for 7 songs and a disc of live tracks and a bunch of alternate takes and a pretty booklet?
   The 7 Tracks, not included in my suggestion are:
   1.Girl help me
   2.I could spend the Day
   3.Come on time
   4.one day i'll say goodbye
   5.I dont want to worry
   6.A love that never was
   7.Out of the day
   
   You won't be dissapointed no matter what you choose.



5. The Zombies where one of the most under rated British groups of the 60's. They had a jazz tinged style that was different to most beat groups of the day, founded on Colin Blunstone's magical voice and Rod Argent's keyboards. Zombie Heaven is a marvellous collection that does the Zombies' legacy justice.

5 comments about Instant Live: Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek.

1. As good as any more thoroughly produced live album, this August 10, 2003 recording of the Allman Brothers Band's concert in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a real treat.
   The sound is excellent, and the mix, which puts Warren Haynes in one speaker and Derek Trucks in the other, is equally fine. The band is right there in front of you. And both lead vocalists, Gregg Allman and Haynes, are in fine form.
   
   Some of the "Instant Live" albums have the band sounding a little ragged for the first couple of songs, until they find the right gear, but not so here in Walnut Creek. The opener, "Don't Keep Me Wonderin'", is tough and tight, and it is followed by an excellent take on Elmore James' "Done Somebody Wrong" and a soulful "Come And Go Blues" from "Playin' Up A Storm", Gregg Allman's third solo album.
   
   But the somewhat rarer tracks are of course the most interesting. The ABB were touring in support of the then-recent "Hittin' the Note" album at the time, and it's a bit of shame that there aren't a couple more songs from that excellent album to be found here...only three, one of which is an extravagant forty-minute take on the "Instrumental Illness" featuring Californian funk and soul saxist Karl Denson.
   But the fine Freddie King-cover "Woman Across The River" sounds terrific, a gritty vocal by Warren Haynes and some sizzling lead guitar playing, and disc two opens with a beautiful "Old Before My Time", Gregg Allman's intense, haunting and quite beautiful country/folk lament, one of his finest lyrics, and one of his best vocal performances as well.
   
   Other highlights include, well, the rest of the album. Okay, I've never been very fond of "Dreams", even if Branford Marsalis does appear on this live rendition, and fifteen minutes of "Whipping Post" may be five too many. But you can't beat these wonderful, intense performances of songs like "Gambler's Roll" (from the "Seven Turns" album), the funky "Wasted Words" (from "Brothers and Sisters"), and the wonderful re-done Gov't Mule-number "Soulshine" which has Haynes and Allman sharing lead vocals.
   
   And the covers are highly enjoyable as well. Nobody can really match Howlin' Wolf himself on the awesome "Who's Been Talkin'", but the ABB go a long way towards making it their own, just like they did with Muddy Water's "Hoochie Coochie Man", by not trying to emulate the Wolf too closely. They do a slightly mellower, more soul-flavoured take on the song instead, and Gregg Allman provides a magnificent vocal. "One Way Out" is a classic live feature for the ABB, a wonderfully tough, funky 50s blues number originating with either Elmore James or Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II). And blues singer Susan Tedeschi, the wife of nine-years-younger guitar slinger Derek Trucks, guests on a nice, personal rendition of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice (It's All Right)", providing the lead vocal.
   And finally, as a bit of a surprise, the band do an extremely credible and very enjoyable "Into The Mystic", the old Van Morrison soul-fusion-piece. Tremendous vocals by Warren Haynes and a top-notch performance by the entire band. Van the Man should be proud.
   
   Great sound, great mix, great band, and a terrific set list. What more could you ask for?
   4 3/4 stars. A couple of hours very well spent indeed.



2. Yippee. Pass that roach, snap your Bic, this is a real concert, unedited and the boys are hot! The inclusion of Saxophonists Marsalis and Densen was a bonus for the crowd.



3. With the advent of Instant Live, the Allman Brothers made most shows available in pristine soundboard quality to listeners. This show from the 2003 tour was one of the best shows of a remarkable tour. The band was touring the new Hittin' The Note record, and much of the tour was played with Karl Denson as opening act, reflecting (I think) some of Derek Trucks musical sensibilities. In addition Warren Haynes is pushing the band to add more cover tunes.
   
   As a result we get wonderful tracs like Who's Been Talking, Into the Mystic and a fantastic version of Don't Think Twice featuring Susan Tedeschi. The aforementioned Mr. Denson takes a star turn on Instrumental Illness and Branford Marsalis joins the bad for Dreams and Whipping Post. Mixed in with new tracks from Hittin' The Note the band brings back Done Somebody Wrong, Come and Go Blues and a wickedly funky version of Wasted Words.



4. Another awesome IL recording from ABB's 2003 tour, and this one is a keeper. A nice rendition of "Come and Go Blues", a rare appearance of "Gambler's Roll" a emotional version(as usual) of "Soulshine" make this one a winner. "Don't Think Twice" with vocals by Susan Tedeschi is downright chillin', not to forget a beautiful outing of "Into The Mystic" sung by Mr.Haynes. Just wish other bands would follow ABB and release their live shows. Then again, few bands can match their quality live.



5. This is one of many "instant Live" CDs that the Allmans do annually now. They are in top form with many strong song selctions and with Gregg in fine voice. An added bonus is Mrs. Derek Trucks (Susan Tedeschi) joining the band for her rendition of Dylan's "Don't think twice. it's allright". Barnford Marsalis joins the Allmans for 2 cuts at end of the night and he is great saxophonist and it's great to hear classic like Dreams and Whipping Post with a world class saxophonist behind them. Wasted Words and "old before my time" are 2 songs you will not easily find on Allamn Brothers live Cds also. They issued many Instant Lives from 2003 so pick one that's special like this one.

5 comments about Shades 1968-1998.

1. Don't even bother with a single disc Deep Purple greatest hits if you really like this band; just as the Beatles or Led Zeppelin are worth more than a single disc collection. This box set has so many highlights, it just shows the magnitude and scope of this great band Deep Purple.
   
   The down side, the collection only goes as far as 1998, a bit outdated. But not a problem for those wanting only the Blackmore era. I'd also agree with other reviewers who thought there were too many photos of the Coverdale and Hughes (MKIII) era. That too struck me the first time I looked through the booklet. But, who really sits around just looking at the photos all the time.
   
   The up side, tons of great studio and live performances and the sound quality is really good and consistent, considering all the years and production values.
   
   
   Disc 1 highlights: Hush, Kentucky Woman, Anthem, Hallelujah, Speed King, Child In Time, Black Night, Into the Fire (Live '70), and No No No (Live '71).
   
   Disc 2 highlights: Strange Kind Of Woman, Fireball, Demon's Eye, No One Came, Highway Star, Smoke On The Water, Pictures Of Home, Space Truckin'.
   
   Disc 3 highlights: Smoke On The Water (Live '72), Lazy (Live '72), Woman From Tokyo, Mary Long, Smooth Dancer, Burn, Sail Away, Stormbringer, Lady Double Dealer (Live '75) and Comin' Home.
   
   Disc 4 highlights: Knocking At Your Back Door, Perfect Strangers, Call Of The Wild, Bad Attitude, Hard Lovin' Woman (Live '87), The Battle Rages On, Anya (Live '93), A Castle Full Of Rascals and Seventh Heaven.
   
   Recommended.



2. There are things that should have done a little differently, such as, less photos of MKIII (Coverdale/Hughes era) and more MKII (Gillan/Glover era), after all, MKII were together far longer, but, you'd never know that by Rhinos booklet. Probably the folks involved in making the booklet, knew very little about Deep Purple.
   
   The good news, the music is pretty spot on. Perhaps a few more from the Steve Morse era (1996-) would have given this collection a better balance. But, that's the way these box set running orders go. Besides, most people will probably want more of the "classic rock" era.
   
   Overall, a great introduction to one of the great rock bands.



3. Let's breakdown Darth Kommissar's review sentence by sentence
   
   Darth writes: For nearly four decades, Deep Purple has been one of the world's finest rock and roll bands - no questions asked. (Insert DT comment here). Yes, I guess the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's would be four decades, not nearly four but actually four decades. And if you are writing your review in 2004, I guess you could say it's five decades now!
   
   Darth writes: The band has released several albums, live albums, compilations, and box sets. This is one of the band's many box sets. (Insert DT comment here) I really cannot counter this because its fact. Usually a box set is released once a band has established itself once they've released "several albums, live albums, compilations".
   
   Let's breakdown the Pro's / Con's
   PROS:
   -This set spans Deep Purple's entire career, from their debut material in the late sixties right up to material from the Ian Gillan reunion. (Insert DT comment here...Yes it's true he hit the nail on the head with that comment, but actually the Gillan reunion happened in 84 and again in 93 and this goes past that to 98)
   
   -Most of the band's big hits are here for your listening pleasure. (Insert DT comment here...could you mention a few of the hits, I know them but do you?)
   
   -A number of underrated masterpieces are also contained in this set. (Insert DT comment here...could you please name a few of these so-called underrated masterpieces please?)
   
   -There are tons of rare tracks here, including single versions of songs which are otherwise, outside this set, unavailable on compact disc! (Insert DT comment here...I'm confused on this part...read the cons section below)
   
   -The set consists of many discs of Purple classics. (Insert DT comment here...Darth you've kinda pointed this out already, but please mention a few classics)
   
   CONS:
   -The band couldn't decide whether they wanted to do a career-spanning retrospective or a rarities set. They should have done both of these things separately, not in the same set. (Insert DT comment here...sounds like a good old Darth whine, can't ever satisfy this reviewer who more than likely didn't pick up this box set)
   
   -Honestly, how many people are going to want to pay this much money for the sake of a few rare tracks? Most big fans already own all of the band's albums. (Insert DT comment here...But wait Darth, just a moment ago you mentioned in your Pro's section the following -There are tons of rare tracks here, including single versions of songs which are otherwise, outside this set, unavailable on compact disc...now I'm confused are there or anren't there rarities...I want to buy this but I'm confused by you!)
   
   OVERALL:
   Overall this is a good set, but if you already own all of the band's albums, it's not really worth buying this for the sake of only a few rare tracks. Still, the material featured here is excellent, and stands as solid proof that Deep Purple is one hell of a rock band. (Insert DT comment here...there he goes again...I think he's positive about it only having a few rarities now).
   
   DT's Overall...first off this is an awesome set. Worth every penny...People of have made Darth Kommissar a top 50 reviewer should pull their heads out their butts, and listen to reviewers who actually listen to the music and not just wanting to review every single thing on Amazon like they own it. This guy reviews everything. He'd give a turd 5 stars if he could find something positive and negative to write about it. Reviewer beware!!!



4. If your looking for a collection that has a little of everything forget all the single disc collections and buy this. Four cd's containg album tracks rarities and 2 versions of Smoke On The Water (studio & Live). Features all 4 lead vocalists (Nick Simper, Ian Gillan, David Coverdale & Joe Lyn Turner). If you have the extra pocket change and want comprehensive Purple buy this set!!!



5. the one aspect that makes this boxset different from others is the rare outtakes, and the different uk versions that are included on this set. if anyone is an avid Deep Purple fan as myself, then one probably owns most of the already released many times over tracks. the one track that could have been left out and replaced with a track like soldier of fortune is hush '88. I still prefer Rod Evans and Nick Simpler's version of Hush than Ian Gillian's version. His waaaaa wailing doesn't quite fit the style of his rendition. I am no where saying that Ian Gillian isn't a great vocalist. his voice just does not fit the style of this song. it is kind of like david lee roth trashing a beach boys' classic california girls. i prefer to listen to DLR's and the cradle will rock, which really rocks. over all, this is a superb set, well put together. there could have been a couple of more tracks put together for a fifth disc, but i guess there being no fifth disc is better than having a flopped out concert added with less than suitable sound quality as they had done with Elvis' boxset from a flopped out venure in his early days out in Las Vegas. or Should I say Lost Vegas?

2 comments about Pandora's Box (Dlx).

1. I am very pleased with the service and the item was shipped in very good shape and in a timely manner.



2. i'M THE FIRST ONE TO REVIEW THE 4TH, BUT CERTAINLY NOT FINAL, RE-PACKAGE OF THE 1990 AEROSMITH BOX SET, SO HERE GOES...
   WHAT YOU GET: A FANCY NEW PACKAGE MADE TO LOOK LIKE A HARDBOUND BOOK WITH THE SAME OLD BOOKLET FROM THE ORIGINAL BOX GLUED IN IT. LOUDER SOUND, NOT REMIXED, REMASTERED, OR "SUPER BIT MAPPED" (SBM MEANS NOTHING FOLKS, IT'S A SONY THING THAT THE SUITS MADE UP TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE THERE IS SOME KINDA IMPROVEMENT GOING ON). THE DBS ARE CRANKED UP SO THE DISCS SOUND GOOD ON A CHEAPIE DORM ROOM TYPE STEREO BUT FLAT AND LIFELESS ON A "REAL" STEREO. THE DISCS THEMSELVES HAVE CORNY NEW SILKSCREENS TO FURTHER MAKE THIS SET "DEFINITIVE". THEY SHOULD HAVE CALLED THIS SON-OF-A-GUN "pandoras book" it would have made more sense.
   I can'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GUTS THOUGH. CLUNKER FREE AEROSMITH. FROM STONERS TO COKE-HEADS AND BACK AGAIN, RAGS TO RICHES TO RAGS, KILLER RIFF, MIGHTY SCREAM, RINSE, REPEAT... SONY CAN'T SCREW IT UP, OH, THEY TRY... SQUASH THE BASS, DE-STEREOIZE HERE, RE-EQ THERE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S 'SMITH, THE ONLY 'SMITH, THE ROCK N' ROLL 'SMITH (PRE-MTV). IF YOU DON'T GOT IT, GET IT, ANY FORMAT'LL DO, THEY'RE ALL COOL.
   AEROSMITH ARE THE ONLY BAND I KNOW OF THAT MAKES 40 YEAR OLDS WANT TO "DO IT" IN THE BACK SEAT OF A CAR, BUZZIN ON MALT LIQUOR .... DOES LIFE GET ANY COOLER?

5 comments about Hollybilly: Buddy Holly 1956 - The Complete Recordings.

1. Admittedly, this set is for the completist, but Buddy Holly was magnificent both as a musician and a vocalist. Plenty of these come from rare acetates (that's all that exist in many cases) and the complete Owen Bradley sessions are here in great quality (it's a shame Bradley didn't have a clue as what to do with Holly). The real treat is the Clovis demos (Norman Petty's studio truly must have been state-of-the-art) because those tracks, especially "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" really shine on their first ever undubbed debuts (it was overdubbed for a 60s release to "modernize" it...to call that unneccessary is an understatement). The sound quality varies greatly depending on the source material, but with the professional recordings (the Clovis demos and the Bradley sessions) I have never heard them sound better. Something tells me these sets from the El Toro label will be the Holy Grail of Buddy Holly recordings one day.



2. Nearly 50 years after his death, unheard Buddy Holly tracks still emerge despite the comprehensive, but now rare Vigotone bootleg set from the 1990s. On the present set, a new version of "Rock Around with Ollie Vee" (November, 1956) and some new demos from Clovis add to the listening pleasure. Sound is generally good and often superior to the Vigotone set. While looking forward to El Toro's next Buddy Holly set for 1957 (and perhaps ones for 1958 and 1959?) two minor irritations, a lack of track sources and details to the extent known and a total running time of 77 mins that could've been put on a single CD at less cost.
   As noted in a variety of web discussion sites - until Universal/MCA resolve the legal issues around Buddy Holly's recorded estate that began immediately after his untimely death and continue to this day - sources such as Vigotone, El Toro and the endless recompilations of the MCA recorded estate will have to do until the ultimate annotated box set with the total Lubbock, Clovis, New York and "Apartment" sources included appears. Hopefully this will happen before the CD format disappears and while Buddy's remaining fans still have their hearing!



3. Great service; great CD. Buddy Holly is timeless.



4. Buddy Holly was a excellent artist. His singing was amazing, I loved his screams, and the way he played his guitar. He wrote some amazing songs in his short life. His drummer, Jerry Allison was one of the best rock drummers in the early days and very underrated. Holly has plenty of greatest hit collections out but which one to get? I cant tell you. I do own all of his work expect one song. Anything that doesnt have the picks in it would be a great start.



5. For those who are dying to find out what is actually on this CD
   
   Track Listings
   Disc: 1
   1. Baby Won't You Come Out Tonight
   2. Love Me
   3. Don't Come Back Knockin'
   4. Midnight Shift
   5. Blue Days Black Nights
   6. Rock Around With Ollie Vee
   7. Rock Around With Ollie Vee
   8. Because I Love You
   9. Changing All Those Changes
   10. I Guess I Was Just A Fool
   11. It's Not My Fault
   12. I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down
   13. Rock A Bye Rock
   14. Girl On My Mind
   15. That'll Be The Day
   16. Ting A Ling
   17. I'm Changin' All Those Changes
   18. I'm Changin' All Those Changes
   19. Modern Don Juan
   Disc: 2
   1. You Are My One Desire
   2. You Are My One Desire (1)
   3. Rock Around With Ollie Vee
   4. Honky Tonk
   5. Good Rockin' Tonight
   6. Brown Eyed Handsome Man
   7. Bo Diddley
   8. Rip It Up
   9. Blue Monday
   10. Blue Suede Shoes
   11. Shake Rattle And Roll
   12. Ain't Got No Home
   13. Holly Hop
   14. Bo Diddley
   15. Brown Eyed Handsome Man
   16. Have You Ever Been Lonely
   17. Have You Ever Been Lonely
   18. Have You Ever Been Lonely
   19. Have You Ever Been Lonely 2
   20. Gone
   21. Gone 1
   22. Gone 2

5 comments about The Complete Studio Recordings.

1. This box set delivers as promised; it's the 6 studio albums by The Doors while Morrison was alive. Perfect. Plus a 7th disc of rare and extra stuff that is a nice bonus. I'd rather have regular CD cases over the paper "LP" sleeves because of durability, but the little cardboard album replicas are cool while they last. The book contains some good essays on each album, but I would have liked more studio notes and details about the sessions and recording. This is a five star box set because it's all of the Doors' albums, of which most are five star albums themselves. I got this box set used here on Amazon for $24 - a great deal for 7 CDs in all. I've been a fan of the Doors for decades, and am very happy I finally got them all on CD to replace my old, scratched, worn out LP records. If you love the Doors and want all of their albums at once, this box set is perfect. The remastered CDs in this box set do sound better than my previous Waiting For The Sun and self-titled debut The Doors CDs and are a clear upgrade in quality.



2. El producto es muy bueno. Para los fanaticos de The Doors es algo invaluable. Lo único es que se habla de las grabaciones completas en estudio, pero los que compramos el box set sabemos que no es verdad. Hace falta los dos lanzamientos que hicieron The Doors luego de fallecido Jim, full Circle y Other voices. Así Jim halla muerto y sea una figura representativa del grupo, The Doors continuó su obra, la cual en mi opinión sigue siendo muy buena. Por supuesto, se debe evitar comparar la voz de Jim con la de sus compañeros. En conclusión sugiero la compra de este producto y adquirir por aparte los trabajos faltantes, incluso se puede añadir American Prayer. Para compensar la ausencia de los dos discos, el box set nos trae un CD con rarezas musicales del grupo.



3. I have this and The Doors Box Set, both are awesome! For the car I have Legacy: Absolutely The Best. The complete studio recordings is 7 cd's. 6 remastered studio albums and an Essential Rarities disc culled from the other 4 disc box set. It's a great bonus disc for this set. Alot of the "hodge-podge" box sets (as I call them) have an Essential disc such as Janis 18 Essential songs which is culled from a box set. In this case it gives this box set some non-studio stuff to spice it up. And it does just the right trick!
   
   Originally, I bought this to replace my Doors cd collection. A friend of mine got this and I was able to compare sound quality between what I had on cd (first generation discs) and what was now available. I was also concerned 'Would this be the last time I'd need to upgrade?' And the answer is yes. I think I'm hearing as close to what was on the original albums (vinyl) as possible. That and the benefits of the digital media, it's all good.
   
   The box set itself is nice with full-color artwork, a nice booklet, 7 cd's in what appear to be their original album artwork complete with little slipcases for the cd's like the vinyl used to have. If I only had ONE box set, this one was done right.
   
   Personally, I like both types of boxsets. The ones including a bunch of remastered cd's are always nice for an upgrade or first place to start. The hodge-podge style is more for the die-hard fan and includes studio, live, alternate cuts, previously unreleased goodies, warts and all. These type generally make the artist more tangible in a human sort of way.
   
   All and all this is a very good set and worth every penny.



4. Im surpised at the rating of this boxset. This is a 5 star boxset. Each album as it was originally released. Each album comes in a cardbox replica of the original LP with a paper sleeve. All lyrics are included. Many photos inlcuded, some unreleased. Good liner notes. Top notch remasters. Complete studio recording of the Doors with Jim Morrison (lets face it folks, without him, is a different ball game). That is my definition of a 5 star package. These are the minor flaws I found. 1) Still, we dont have any mono mixes of the albums. 2) The booklet is glued and comes apart after a few readings. 3) I also had to re-glued my mini LPs, not enough glue was applied. 4) I think 100 dlls for 7 discs is a little pricey for Cds that can be purchased separately at a lower price. All things considered, the box set is the way to go to get all the Doors albums.



5. A band like The Doors rarely ever comes around, a band so original, inspired and of such abstract thought that they cause your jaw to hit the floor in awe. Though you can get a mild interpertation of what the band is about through a greatest hits disc, your money is better spent investing in a box set as such, which contains all six of the bands stuido albums and a bonus sampler from another box set which contains several rarities including an unreleased song. The set itself is beautifully packaged, each CD in an LP like case including a protective sleeve around the disc complete with the artwork on it each disc cover is that of the original record label. Depsite what many have said and will say this is worth your money, and if you go and look at your local CD store the prices of these CD's individually are much more expensive contrary to the belief that this set is not even a value.

5 comments about Oldies But Goodies: 250 Legendary Hits.

1. After reading many of the reviews, I just wanted to mention that the sound quality is excellent. Digitally remastered and sounds better than anyone could have remembered. Secondly if this is not your kind of music i.e. you dont like oldies or fun 50's music this is NOT for you. For the rest of you out there, this is better than most collections out there for the mere reason that it covers so much and sounds so good
   
   You will be the hit of any party with this collection seeing as you have over 200 songs and they are so much fun.....This collection was made and produced by Art Laboe, and if you dont know who that is, just google him and find out..



2. THIS UNIQUE OLDIES BOX SET BRINGS BACK MANY MEMORIES OF MY YOUTH. I GREW UP LISTENING TO THE SAME SONGS AND ARTISTS FOUND IN THIS COLLECTION. NIGHTIME WOULD FIND ME LYING IN BED WITH MY TRANSISTOR RADIO PRESSED AGAINST MY EAR. I GREW UP LISTENING TO THE EXACT SAME MUSIC FOUND IN THIS OUTSTANDING COLLECTION. I BUY TONS OF MUSIC BUT THIS BOX SET WILL ALWAYS REMAIN MY MOST WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT.
   
   FM DJ FROM THE MIDWEST



3. I bought one of these for a Christmas present for my brother and one for me. We're both connoiseurs of this music.

   When all was said and done, there is most certainly some good stuff here, and it's fairly representative of that era. But quite frankly, there are way too many 2nd and 3rd rate cuts included to make this set worth owning.

   I played mine so few times that I don't even know where it is any more. I'm especially sorry I gave one to my brother for Christmas. He deserved better.




4. This fantastic oldiescollection represents the"soundtrack of my life"! Every song is proofthat rock-n-roll is hereto stay!A must for every collector! Rock on,



5. I found only Vol. 3 of the boxed sets (78 songs, though the box says 80) in a retail store. Some of the artists are not the ones I remember, but perhaps they were the first to record a particular song.

5 comments about The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983.

1. Before I set down my comments on this 3-disc set I read carefully through the other reviews and while couldn't disagree with the first few 5-star posts, I had made up my own mind that this didn't quite fill the bill for that maximum rating. I had also begun to form the essence of my review when I came to that by Greg Brady, and wouldn't you know it, he essentially (no pun intended) took the words right out of my mouth regarding this so-called "essential" collection. One of at least three on the market purporting to be the essential Johnny Cash collection.
   
   I realize that trying to come up with 75 tracks for an artist with 135 Country hit singles (123 to the end of 1983 - the period covered here), to go along with almost countless memorable album cuts, is a Fool's Errand, and that no matter what the producer ultimately selects, there will always be the "yeah ... but where's such-and-such" reaction.
   
   Even so, it seems that this particular producer tried too hard to evenly split the many styles of this great, unique artist and, in so doing, also made it somewhat uneven by placing several selections out of sequence, and placing them in spots on the discs where we have already started to hear some subtle differences in style. For example, I Got Stripes and Five Feet High And Rising was a double-sided 1959 hit on Columbia, but whereas Five Feet High is at track 26 on Disc 1, I Got Stripes doesn't show up until track 10 on Disc 2. There are several more such examples.
   
   Also, as Greg Brady points out, why not go to 1985 and include his last # 1 hit, Highwayman? But then, of course, we would also have complained about not seeing the only other # 1 left out, There You Go, which hit the top spot in late 1956/early 1957. It's B-side, the pretty good Train Of Love (# 7) is also omitted.
   
   What you do get here are 48 of his 123 hits from 1955 to 1983, including twelve # 1's which spent, in total, 63 weeks at that position, or an average of 5 weeks per hit (that's exactly the number spent at # 1 by There You Go, whereas Highwayman only spent one week there in 1985).
   
   Disappointing by their absence (as far as my opinion goes), in addition to those mentioned above, are: So Doggone Lonesome (# 4 flip of Folsom Prison Blues); Come In Stranger (# 6 1958 flip of Guess Things Happen That Way); Straight A's In Love (# 16 1960); The Matador (# 2 1963); It Ain't Me, Babe (# 4 late 1964 with June Carter Cash); the hilarious political satire The One On The Right Is On The Left (# 2 early 1966); Jackson (# 2 early 1967 with June); Rosanna's Going Wild (# 2 late 1967/early 1968); If I Were A Carpenter (# 2 early 1970 with June); A Thing Called Love (# 2 late 1972 with The Evangel Temple Choir); and Any Old Wind That Blows (# 3 late 1972/early 1973).



2. This is an absolutely terrific compilation of songs. After Live at Folsom Prison, this is the one Johnny Cash album that you want to own. Three CDs filled with all of Johnny's greatest classics, and terrific recordings of each.



3. 
   This is a great gift for any "Johnny Cash" fan.



4. dont bother with the new 4 disc set, all you need is right here. classic cash without the american recordings. yay!



5. In my view, a box set should be an overall look at an artist's career that encompasses the cream of their "hit" material plus the best album sides and a little bit of material that examines the breadth of their experimentalism. This box set has a lot of great songs, but that's more because Cash is a phenomenal artist than that this makes the best case for his work.
   
   First off, this set is at least a disc short...period. Cash hit the Top 40 country charts 104 times between 1955-1988. This set wasn't released until 1992 so there's no reason they couldn't have included material from all the way across this span. We'll be charitable though...after all many of those are songs that might not be remembered by the Cash faithful...so we'll cut that number back to top 20 songs only. That leaves 49 Top 20 hits of which 21 are missing.
   
   The most egregious omissions are the #1 "Highwayman" (with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings) and several hit duets with June Carter Cash ("It Ain't Me Babe","Long-legged Guitar Pickin' Man","If I Were a Carpenter") and Waylon Jennings (#2 1978 hit "There Ain't No Good Chain Gang"). Any song that hit the Top 10 is likely to be remembered by any big fan of an artist and should have made this box.
   
   Outside of that, there are some artistic highpoints that probably should have made the set, too: his duet with George Jones on "I'll Say It's True" from the SILVER album, his historic duet with Mother Maybelle Carter on 1973's "Pick the Wildwood Flower", "Bury me Not on the Lone Prairie" from his Old West concept album, patriotic recitation "Ragged Old Flag", the eerie acappella "Another Man Done Gone" (with June from folk album BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS) and late period environmental anthem "Don't Go Near the Water" (from BOOM-CHICKABOOM).
   
   BOTTOM LINE:
   This is still a must buy for any Cash fan. But I'm hopeful that in the next decade, they'll update with a 5 CD set that adds in material from the Mercury and Def American years as well as more concept album material and the missing hits from this set. Until then, buy this and cherish what we DO have here.
   
   4 1/2 stars