5 comments about The Doo Wop Box, Vol. 2.

1. Rhino hit the mother lode when they released the first "Doo Wop Box", but doo-wop is such a rich musical genre that there was plenty of gold left to mine, and they've reaped a sizeable haul in "The Doo Wop Box, Vol.2". They included some veritable gems omitted from the first box such as the Rivileers' "A Thousand Stars In the Sky", "Crazy For You" by the Heartbeats, "You Baby You" by the Cleftones, "The ABCs of Love" by the Teenagers (I always thought this was their best song, followed by "I Want You to Be My Girl"), "Pretty Little Girl" by the Monarchs, "The Woo-Woo Train" by the Valentines (Bye-bye, baby, move on down the line), "Castle In the Sky" by the Bop-Chords, "We Belong Together" by Robert and Johnny (one of the least known and most under-appreciated doo-woop groups -- these guys were great), and the hauntingly beautiful "Bad Girl" featuring Smoky Robinson's incomparable tenor as lead singer with the Miracles. But this volume also explores the flip side of some records that were less known than their original hit sides, such as "Hey Señorita" by the Penguins (the other side of "Earth Angel"), "I'll Be Forever Loving You" by the El Dorados (the flip side of their hit "At My Front Door"), and "Two People In the World" by Little Anthony and the Imperials, the flip side of -- and way better than -- their hit song "Tears On My Pillow". My friends and I, coming up in the 1950s, always said the DJs pushed the wrong side of that record.
   
   Like the first volume, "The Doo Wop Box, Vol. 2" spans the period from 1955 to 1962, and the earlier tracks are better than the late ones, when much of the street spontaneity that gave doo-wop its attraction had been diluted by wannabe groups that didn't understand what it was all about. The last disc on this set is probably the weakest of the four. But there's more than enough in the first three to make up for it.
   
   Could this set have been improved? As I said in my review of the first Doo-Wop Box, if only Rhino had included two tracks by Nolan Strong and the Diablos, "The Wind" and "You Are", two of the greatest doo-wop songs ever recorded, I'd be in doo-wop paradise. But this set is very, very good. And for comic relief, check out a track on the second disc, a hysterical piece by the Chips called "Rubber Biscuit". Second only to the Cadets' laugh classic "Stranded In the Jungle" (nobody ever topped that one), it's the funniest doo-wop song ever written.
   
   Judy Lind



2. While all of the music is good, there are only a few well know songs so I feel it was a big waste of a lot of money.



3. The Doo Wop Box, Vol. 2 takes up where the excellent Box #1 left off.
   For the most part the songs are great, with the notable exception of The Falcons "I Found A Love" which suffers from not being doo-wop (it's proto-soul) and having terrible sound to boot. But only one clunker out of 101 is a pretty good batting average!
   The rest of the songs are great and the recording quality is excellent.
   This is a must-have set for fans of the genre.



4. Many of these songs are not commonly found on other CD collections. They are all the original versions and are of excellent quality. A couple of them are the same songs as on a Time-Life doo wop CD I bought over 10 years ago and the difference in sound quality is amazing.



5. Most of the great classics of the genre are on the first Doo Wop Box, so Volume II has far fewer readily familiar titles to its credit. But if anything, the relative obscurity of most of these songs makes the second collection fresher and rootsier than the first. It definitely reaches deeper into the doo-wop canon.
   
   Although few of this collection's songs were hits, many of the artists were successful elsewhere in their careers. There are lots of one-hit wonders represented here with their non-hits, quite a few of which have held up better than their more famous song(s). There are also at least two great entries in the "before they were famous" category: "Bad Girl" by the Miracles (about two years before "Shop Around" put them on the map); and the delightfully lush "Dear One" by the Scarlets, featuring a pre-Five Satins Fred Parris. Speaking of the Five Satins, the less famous of their two hits, "To The Aisle," is also here.
   
   The collection is a pretty good mix of ballads and uptempo numbers, but it's heavier on the ballads. There is a surprising number of jazz and pop standards from long before the rock era (it's easy to forget that doo-wop didn't start out as proto-bubblegum!), but some of these are among the collection's best. Standouts include The Larks' "My Reverie," The Moonglows' "Secret Love," and the album's finale, The Classics' "Till Then." A more uptempo entry, The Four Tunes' rendition of "Marie," is less convincing but a lot of fun.
   
   Of course, plenty of the ballads are in the more familiar '50s rock and pop style: The Vocaleers' "Is It A Dream," The Hearts' "Lonely Nights," Robert and Johnny's "We Belong Together," and especially The Five Keys' "My Saddest Hour" are sure to conjure your favorite necking-in-the-backseat scene (as are dozens of other songs included here; those are just my favorites). There are quite a few fast songs thrown in as well, to keep things from getting too misty. My favorites among these are The Cleftones' "Heart and Soul" (did you know that song had words?!), The Falcons' "You're So Fine," "In My Heart" by The Timestones, and The Spaniels' fast but still silky rendition of "Stormy Weather."
   
   And there's more where that came from in all of the above categories. If you liked the first set, don't be gunshy about this one just because you don't know as many of the songs.

5 comments about We're Gonna Rock - We're Gonna Roll.

1. Unbelievably wonderful and affordable compilation. The only place I've found to get so many original versions of songs that were covered by other artists. Especially the original rythm and blues version of "Tryin' to Get to You". I would recommend this to anyone and not just Roots music fanatics. This is one heck of a collection!!



2. A great box set and at very affordable price. Well worth the money and a great addition to and rock-a-billy fans collection. Lots of good info on the liner notes. Kind of like gettin' a musical history lesson!
   
   The Mean Eyed Cat
   KNON 89.3
   Dallas, Texas



3. "We're Gonna Rock - We're Gonna Roll" is an excellent audio history of how Rock & Roll came to be.
   The set is divided into four genres: R&B, DooWop, Rockabilly and finally good old early Rock & Roll.
   The tunes selected are truly representative of their era and genre (with the exception of the rockabilly CD which leans more towards hillbilly swing) and the sound quality is excellent.
   Also included is a highly informative liner notes booklet.
   As with all the box sets I've gotten from Proper, this set offers great music and an excellent value.



4. Trying to keep the hyperbole to a minimum is darn near impossible when the topic is the superlative (oops--there I go!) box set, WE'RE GONNA ROCK - WE'RE GONNA ROLL. Five stars simply aren't enough to grade this collection-- its that good!
   
   There are 118 tracks here (not 70) on 4 CDs. The discs are stored in reinforced paper sleeves, each cover is uniquely illustrated. A 67 page booklet is included; this contains photos and plenty of details on each song. There's also a color catalog from PROPER records to tempt you with many of their fine box sets. All this is packaged in a box that looks like it could barely accomodate 2 CDs, let alone four, plus literature.
   
   Each CD has a theme: #1 is BLUES & RHYTHM, #2 is JUMPING & DOO WOPPING, #3 is called HILLBILLY BOPPING and the last CD is entitled IT'S ONLY ROCK 'N' ROLL.
   
   If you love rhythm & blues, rockabilly and early rock & roll, by all means . . . buy WE'RE GONNA ROCK - WE'RE GONNA ROLL. You won't regret it!
   
   PLAYLIST:
   
   DISC 1--
   (2:54) That's All Right - Arthur Crudup
   (2:51) Hound Dog - Big Mama Thornton
   (2:10) Party Girl - T-Bone Walker
   (2:28) Pledging My Love - Johnny Ace
   (2:47) Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris
   (2:24) Mystery Train - Little Junior's Blue Flames
   (2:16) We're Gonna Rock - Cecil Gant
   (2:50) Rock And Roll - Wild Bill Moore
   (2:44) Rockin' At Midnight - Roy Brown
   (2:35) Rock The Joint - Jimmy Preston
   (3:00) Shake Rattle & Roll - Big Joe Turner
   (2:30) Rock And Roll - Laverne Ray
   (2:53) Why Do You Waste My Time - Tiny Grimes
   (2:34) Shake Holler & Run - John Lee Hooker
   (2:41) I Need You I Want You - Jack The Bear Parker
   (2:04) Teenage Baby - T-Bone Walker
   (2:28) Rockin' With Red - Piano Red
   (2:46) Train Kept A-Rollin' - Tiny Bradshaw
   (2:51) I Got A Woman - Ray Charles
   (2:51) Hey Little Girl - Billy Wright
   (2:39) Let's Rock A While - Amos Milburn
   (2:35) I Wanna Know (What Cha Doin' Down There) - Dolly Cooper
   (2:37) The Fat Man - Fats Domino
   (2:47) Bee's Boogie - Smiley Lewis
   (2:32) Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Lloyd Price
   (3:15) Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - Stick McGhee
   (2:26) Country Girl - Dave Bartholomew
   (3:07) The Hucklebuck - Paul Williams
   (2:39) We're Gonna Rock We're Gonna Roll - Wild Bill Moore
   
   DISC 2--
   (2:32) 60 Minute Man - The Dominoes
   (3:08) Ting A Ling - The Clovers
   (2:54) Gloria - The Cadillacs
   (2:07) Hold Me! Squeeze Me! - The Orioles
   (2:38) Hearts Of Stone - The Jewels
   (2:25) Mama (Your Daughter Told A Lie On Me) - The Five Keys
   (2:30) Mary Lee - The Rainbows
   (2:51) Can't Do Sixty No More - The Du-Droppers
   (2:39) Never - The Dundees
   (2:46) Rock Me All Night Long - The Ravens
   (2:31) Such A Night - The Drifters
   (3:05) A Thousand Stars - The Rivileers
   (2:09) Ling Ting Tong - The Five Keys
   (2:56) Earth Angel - The Penguins
   (2:29) One Minute Julep - The Clovers
   (2:30) Ooh Baby - The Teardrops
   (2:25) Honey Love - The Drifters
   (2:54) Shoo Doo Be Doo - Bobby Lester & the Moonlighters
   (2:30) No Help Wanted - The Crows
   (2:34) Fool Fool Fool - The Clovers
   (2:37) Trying To Get To You - The Eagles
   (2:45) My Loving Baby - The El Dorados
   (2:06) Bounce - The Spaniels
   (2:30) Sexy Ways - The Midnighters
   (2:36) Boot 'Em Up - The Du-Droppers
   (2:46) Bip Bam - The Drifters
   (2:51) Roll Roll Pretty Baby - The Swallows
   (3:05) She Rocks - The Cardinals
   (2:43) Lovey Dovey - The Clovers
   
   DISC 3--
   (2:46) Move It On Over - Hank Williams
   (2:51) I'm Movin' On - Hank Snow
   (2:46) Birmingham Bounce - Hardrock Gunter
   (2:41) Tennessee Saturday Night - Red Foley
   (2:14) Tennessee Jive - Johnny Horton
   (2:43) Rompin' & Stompin' - Curtis Gordon
   (2:22) TT Boogie - Charlie Adams
   (2:17) Blue Ribbon Boogie - Chuck Murphy;
   (2:27) Oakie Boogie - Jack Guthrie
   (2:33) Juke Joint Mama - Jimmy Swan
   (2:30) Hot Rod Race - Arkie Shibley
   (2:33) Hot Rod Mama - Jimmy Dolan
   (2:19) Too Old To Cut The Mustard - The Carlisles
   (2:33) I Ain't Nothin' But A Tom Cat's Kitten - Wayne Raney
   (2:53) The Band's A-Rockin' - Johnnie Lee Wills
   (2:44) Slick Chick Boogie - Porky Freeman
   (2:13) White House Blues - Bill Monroe
   (2:11) Juke Joint Johnny - Lattie Moore
   (2:16) Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down - Maddox Bros & Rose
   (2:43) Sugarfoot Rag - Hank Garland & His Sugar Footers
   (3:24) Guitar Boogie - Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith
   (2:31) The Nashville Jump - Chet Atkins
   (2:11) Stratosphere Boogie - Jimmy Bryant
   (2:11) Don't Drop It - Terry Fell
   (2:08) Good Deal Lucille - Moon Mullican
   (2:24) Louisiana Swing - Bud Hobbs
   (2:46) Louisiana Boogie - Merle Travis
   (2:11) Wild Cattin' Woman - Lee Bonds
   (2:41) Hound Dog - Betsy Gay
   (2:36) There's A Leak In This Old Building - Brother Claude Ely
   
   DISC 4--
   (2:51) Rocket 88 - Jackie Brenston
   (2:40) Rockin' Is Our Bizness -The Treniers
   (2:46) Work With Me Annie - The Midnighters
   (2:13) Gee - The Crows
   (2:26) Sh-Boom - The Chords
   (2:48) Love Me - Willy & Ruth
   (2:59) Riot In Cell Block #9 - The Robins
   (2:40) Crazy Man Crazy - Bill Haley and the Comets
   (2:43) Please Don't Leave Me - Fats Domino
   (1:55) Rock The Joint - Jimmy Cavallo
   (2:21) The House Of The Blue Lights - Merrill E. Moore
   (2:23) Gonna Dance All Night - Hardrock Gunter
   (2:42) There's Gonna Be A Ball - Rudy Grayzell
   (2:04) Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Elvis Presley
   (2:23) My Sweet French Baby - Jimmy Logsdon
   (2:13) My Gal Gertie - Dub Dickerson
   (2:20) Real Rock Drive - Bill Haley and the Comets
   (1:56) I Love You Madly - Charlie & Ray
   (2:32) Shake Rattle And Roll - Bill Haley and the Comets
   (3:02) Money Honey - The Drifters
   (2:43) Blue Monday - Smiley Lewis
   (3:10) Tweedle Dee - LaVern Baker
   (2:54) Teardrops From My Eyes - Ruth Brown
   (2:30) Such A Night - Bunny Paul
   (2:17) Rock A Beatin' Boogie - The Treniers
   (2:53) Shake A Hand - Faye Adams
   (2:40) Honey Hush - Big Joe Turner
   (2:55) Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean - Ruth Brown
   (1:57) That's All Right - Elvis Presley
   (2:13) Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and the Comets



5. Any collection that starts with Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right Mama" and ends with Elvis's version, and then "Rock Around the Clock" as its finale has something to offer. This is an encyclopedic view of where rock and roll came from, and there are a lot of suprises no matter what you think you know. The real plus is, it's more than just a catalog; this is one of the most entertaining collections I've ever bought. I especially like the "Hillbilly Bopping" set, which builds on the four-disc Proper Records box, "Hillbilly Boogie". Great music for the car.

5 comments about The Look of Love: The Burt Bacharach Collection.

1. Without a doubt, this is the best album that I have ever owned...well maybe next to Steely Dan's Aja, which was the first I ever owned. I love the lyrics, the tempo changes and the genius that is Burt Bacharach and Hal David. This album is even more haunting for me since the untimely death of Burt's daughter Nikki. Nikki was one of my favorite songs, even before I ever knew who it was written for, but even more so now. All the Dionne Warwick hits plus Tom Jones, Trini Lopez, Bobby Goldsboro, Dusty Springfield et al, this is a must have for any true Bacharach afficianado.



2. Fantastic Voyage, Ursula Andress, AM Radio, Sean Connery, Paisley, Man From Uncle...
   
   In short, Burt Bacharach represents pop culture of the 1960's. At it's apogee. Like a moon shot Bacharach's gorgeous melodies and Hal David's brilliant lyrics spanning the decade from the Blob to Movie of The Week. From Bobby Vinton to the Age of Aquarius. Sock Hop to Woodstock.
   
   Essential: Frankie Valli, Beach Boys, Beatles, Stones, Airplane, Sinatra... Bacharach.
   
   Great music of... and beyond... it's era. Timeless... as long as Anyone Has A Heart and The World Needs Love.
   
   This is MUSIC. Not hip hop. Orchestral, composed, inspired.
   
   Genius.



3. WOW. This series of albums is wonderful PLUS A whole CD of Dionne Warwick doesn't hurt!
   
   I'm amazed at how many of these songs i've forgotten but when I hear a few notes I recall the entire song... sort of like I had amnesia or something! Its amazing that so many of the songs in this list are in the mainstream ... still after as much as 40 years!
   
   This is a definite BUY



4. my late uncle hipped me to ole burt. i love what he did with a track.........those percussive horns, man!!!!! i dig this. although i do not like all the joints on here, it's a good thing to have. what stands out for me on here are the lou johnson joints. i especially love REACH OUT FOR ME. more standouts for me are IT'S LOVE THAT REALLY COUNTS (IN THE LONG RUN) by the shirrelles and PLEASE STAY by the drifters. now i like some of the dionne warwick songs on here, but in the liner notes, i think her reasons for doing some of those songs were ridiculous. i thought it was her on WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE. i had no idea that it was a white lady. amazing vocal arrangement. another that just came to mind is DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART. actually, that is like my fave on here. i wished that they would've put dionne warwick's version of YOU'LL NEVER GET TO HEAVEN IF YOU BREAK MY HEART ON HERE though. the stylistics did their thing, but i prefer the original. all in all, it is wonderful, but then again, it is another reason i am a skeptic whenm it comes to box sets.



5. This is not a "greatest hits" set, though many of Bacharach's greatest hits are contained here. Rather, it's a fascinating historical view of the progression of the songwriter(s) through four decades. It is truly instructive to listen to some of the less well-known pieces. The book that is included in the box set is an essential component: The writers really knew what they were talking about, and I've spent hours reading along with the (very detailed) descriptions of each song's history.
   
   Highly recommended.

No comments about Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980.

5 comments about Golden Era of Rock 'n' Roll: 1954-1963.

1. Back in the mid-1950s when rock 'n' roll took off like a runaway rocket, doo-wop pretty much ruled the airwaves. You'll find the best of these in the first two Doo Wop Box collections. But there was plenty of great rock 'n' roll by both black and white artists that didn't fall into the doo-wop category, and some of the best of that is represented here. The first disk, covering 1954 to 1957 is the best of the three. This is where you'll find Bill Haley's all-time classic "Rock Around the Clock", Big Joe Turner's original "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (Haley recorded it later, but Turner's is the best), Chuck Berry with "Maybelline", Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-Lula", Carl Perkins's unforgettable "Blue Suede Shoes" (Well you can knock me down, step on my face, slander my name all over the place, you can do anything that you wanna do, but uh-uh, honey, lay offa my shoes), Little Richard screaming "Bob-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bam-boom" on "Tutti Frutti", Shirley and Lee letting the "Good Times Roll", the incomparable Bo Diddley singing his signature song, Laverne Baker with "Jim Dandy", and the Cadets' hysterical "Stranded In the Jungle" that used to have me on the floor laughing every time I listened to it.
   
   The second disk covers 1958 to 1960 and has some great tracks including Jerry Lee Lewis with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", Mickey and Sylvia's "Love is Strange", the Del Vikings' "Come Go With Me", The Elegants singing "Little Star", the Coasters' hilarious "Yakety Yak", and the Flamingos' exquisitely beautiful "I Only Have Eyes For You".
   
   The third disk goes from 1960 up to 1963 and is the weakest of the three, but there is still some very good stuff on here: Ray Charles with "What'd I Say?", Richie Valens singing "La Bamba" which was the flip side of the more popular "Donna" and was way better than "Donna" (some of the DJs back then had a bad habit of pushing the wrong side of some records), The Skyliners with "Since I Dont Have You", Wilbert Harrison's "Kansas City", Brenda Lee with "Sweet Nothin's", and Gary U.S. Bonds singing "A Quarter To Three". The rest of the third disk is more or less forgettable, but the first two make up for the weakness of the third.
   
   I'm giving the collection four stars instead of five because of a couple of appalling omissions. First, of course, is the absence of Elvis Presley who had an enormous impact on rock 'n' roll and no golden era collection can be called complete without at least two of his early hits (I'd go with "Dont Be Cruel" and "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You"). Secondly, no Ike and Tina Turner. How in the world could they leave out "A Fool In Love"? And third, a couple of songs don't represent their artist's best. The Everly Brothers, for instance, are on here with "Bye Bye Love" which was their first hit, but "Wake Up Little Suzie" was by far the better record.
   
   Taken as a whole, though, "The Golden Era of Rock 'n' Roll" is a very good collection indeed. For those old enough to remember it, listening to these CDs will bring back a lot of good times and good memories. For the young folks, it's a great introduction to early rock 'n' roll.
   
   Judy Lind



2. This is a great set of all original songs. Excellent sound quality. Well worth the money.



3. This collection has most of the greatest Rock 'n' Roll songs of the 50s and early 60s. There are even the songs that you know you've heard but couldn't have put a name to!
   The fact that there is no Elvis is no drawback as any Rock 'n' Roll fan should probably have a classic Elvis record anyway!
   The best compilation around.



4. About half of the songs on this CD are essentials, in my opinion; which makes this collection a bit more worth the cost than many others I have seen and/or bought. The liner notes have some very good insight in there as well. Overall, if you need a collection for a history of early rock, this CD set is worth having as part of that collection, and certainly more worthy than many you find in stores.



5. I bought this CD set in order to play it at my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary...it was PERFECT!!! I downloaded it onto my ipod to play during the party and then gave the CD set to them as a gift. Now they can enjoy all the music from their era and their party!!

5 comments about Nine Lives (Box Set).

1. Very neatly packaged and nice re-mastering too. All of Mr. Plant's solo CD's with bonus tracks, plus a DVD. A great vehicle for the casual fan to get well acquainted with his solo work.



2. All of Plant's solo work (even the dreaded Shaken and Stirred), with plenty of live cuts and bonus tracks on each disc, plus a full-length bonus dvd with all the promo videos and some live footage. A bit expensive, but when you cost it out you're getting a better value than if you bought all the titles one at a time. A must-have if you're a serious Plant fan.



3. I love this package and the problem with saying what I like about it is that EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!
   
   People seem to forget that they are only giving their opinions in reviews like this. It is alright to say a particular track is the best ever but the package is spoiled by the inclusion of another track, because guess what? Someone else will like that track.
   
   Previous people have said that there were 'mistakes' but some of those mistakes are Robert's quoted favourite albums. I don't think saying that I love a particular album will get anyone to buy this, nor that I hate one but what I will say is that Robert's music, just like Led Zeppelin, has been a great discovery for me and it's all here, honest and laid bare and so different and yet with a continuous thread running though it that is Robert Plant.
   
   There are songs and tunes to ponder and dance to and rock out on and the extra tracks are gems in my opinion and really add to the cd, as does the interview with Robert and the twenty promotional music videos. the packaging is beautiful and I think one of the best ways to present ten cds and a book so they don't take up too much space. The cost of the package works out as a medium priced meal in a restaurant (near me anyway) and I think for all the listening pleasure it has and will afford me in the future, plus the compact nature of it, it was cheap at twice the price.



4. Aside from the duplicity of releasing a box set including his prior CD coming out a year before AND relesing all these CD's seperately with the same identical bonus tracks the set really ignores the whole set of songs from CD 2 of "Sixty Six To Timbuktu" while including some lame live tracks. This could have been done so much better but I imagine the money hungry bean counters will release another, more inclusive boxset next year! just like The Doors and their numerous sets! RIP OFF!



5. The preceeding reviews are adequate for you to determine if this package is for you or not. There's really not much new to say, but I did want to reiterate one or two things.
   
   The first thing is, the remastering. I did a back to back comparison of "Principle of Moments" last night. This is my favorite Plant work, and was the one I most wanted to hear.
   
   The truth is, it really isn't all that different. Once again, they've simply boosted the volume of the disc. So, you put in the remastered disc and set the volume, ansd then put in the original disc, and you can barely hear anything.
   
   Turn up the volume on the original disc though, and you have pretty much the same sound as the new one. It's got the same clarity, the same detail. Perhaps there are minor differences, slightly tighter bass, a minute bit of detail more, but honestly, it's not anything to get excited about.
   
   So in all honesty, the "remaster" is a bit of a red-herring. It's a shame, because that was the main pull for me.
   
   As for the bonus DVD - the hour documentary is reasonably interesting, although it's far too brief. Plant only talks about songs that have accompanying videos, which means my favorite tracks never get a mention. And with only and hour, he doesn't get to give any real details about the various periods the albums were made in.
   
   As for the 20 something videos - they're all here. The good news is, they're in stereo, DTS 5.1, and Dolby 5.1. Always a nice bonus that.
   
   The bad news is, they videos themselves are all basically unwatchable. That embarassing 80's stuff is cringeworthy to the extreme, and Plant mostly makes a fool of himself.
   
   The packaging is great.
   
   The individual releases have the full liner notes taken from the box set included, so if you simply go for the titles you care about, you don't miss anything.
   
   Still - if you're a Plant fan why not grab this? It's not ASTONISHING - but it's pretty good and complete.

5 comments about Dreams.

1. This is a great compilation for any AB fan. 'Lots of old favorites and very well put together.



2. This is a hard product to find in any store, but if you do find dreams in a store you are one lucky SOB. Buying dreams was money well spent, not only do you get great best of and as well as songs from there earlier recordings you get a booklet of all the history on the allman brothers. I would definitely say if your a allman brothers fan this is one for the collection.



3. Great compilation and valuable addition to my ever-expanding Allmans collection. Lots of unreleased stuff. Eg, 'Statesboro Blues' is a studio version. I was hoping that 'I'm gonna move to the outskirts of town' was from the Fillmore but its from 'Live at Ludlow Garage'. Never mind. It was on a Fillmore set that came out on the Greatful Dead label some time back and has been deleted as far as I know. (anyone wishing to sell that album, please contact me).
   
   My only bitch is the way its packaged. Instead of a small box with the cd's packaged one behind the other, the cd's are packed beside each other so you have a LP-sized box to find room for. Having said that, I think they did it that way so you get a decent-sized booklet which has all sorts of cool pics in it and track information.
   
   Anyway, buy it. Its worth it. Lots of goodies there for the serious ABB fan and lots of tracks from 'related bands'.
   
   I would love to give you a full tour of the set but my wife is calling. "Yes my petal, coming ....."



4. This is just the way box sets should be made. First of all, I think box sets are not designed for casual fans but for the devoted ones. And this one has enough of the classic stuff, enough of some unreleased gems and everything else that made Allmans what they are (Hour glass, Allman Joys, solo Gregg and Dickey, etc.). That is the reason any devoted fan should buy this collection. Also it's good sequencing, and makes a pretty good listening experience (many compilations simply don't do that). So 5 stars for this one.



5. If you like allman brothers you will love this.I had it on cassette and
   wore them out.amazon has the cds for $33 which is the best price I have
   found.

5 comments about Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Live 1975-1985 (Dlx).

1. Live albums. Some artists shine. The live recordings show why they are so popular when they hit the road. Others should run screaming when their record label or their manager suggests a live project! Springsteen is one of the former. He and his band have always had a reputation as a killer live act. Live 1975-1985 shows that their reputation is well deserved.
   
   By the time these cds were released just before Xmas, 1986, Springsteen had made seven records, including one double. This is sixteen sides of music. Each was a classic. There are about forty songs on this live collection. If you subtract five non-Springsteen songs we are left with thirty-five live songs. That would be about two songs for each LP side! Thus, these three discs should contain la crème de la crème. Discs one and two certainly get us off to a great start. The cuts are primarily from concerts heard between 1975 and 1980. Unfortunately, thereafter, for me at least, the set runs out of steam a little as we are given seven songs from Born in the USA - my least favourite of his first seven records. However, all in all, I shouldn't quibble with the song selection. After all, my favourites are not necessarily yours.
   
   The singing and the playing are, as one would expect, first class throughout. Bruce is always in good voice. The E Street Band is as tight as it is in the studio. The balance between vocals and instruments is mixed perfectly. The base and drums rumble deeply, the piano tinkles brightly, the vocals are clear, the guitar solos are crisp. All is in balance. The pacing of the songs, often so screwed up in live performances - too damned fast - is right on. Several songs are actually slowed down to great effect (e.g. Thunder Road).
   
   Live albums are often only for the diehard fans. This set is an exception. If you own no other Springsteen records and you are looking for an introduction this would be a great start. I cannot honestly say that I am a huge Springsteen fan. Although I have nearly all of his releases I do not think about him the way I think about, for instance, Van Morrison or Elvis Costello. Having admitted this, I must also admit that every time I spin a Springsteen record I am surprised by my reaction. I start to listen and expect to enjoy the experience. I end up believing that he is one of the great talents of all time.



2. This album has taken all the best live performances and put them into one album... since they are all live the have woven the tracks from one to the other seamlessly so this album seems like a live concert...
   great album.



3. The BOSS is the best in the BIZ. I love his music and I finally wore out the cassette copy of this music I recieved from my sister back in the early 90's. I am sure I will listen to this CD for decades to come.



4. 
   I ordered the boxed set of Springsteen Live: 1975-85. I had this set on casette years ago when it came out. I literally wore it out.
   This item was delivered to me promptly and I am well on my way to wearing it out....Thank you .....Velma



5. The product arrived in good time and was exactly as described. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again from this vendor.

5 comments about Peel Slowly and See.

1. Heroin, sadomasochism, paranoia, hangovers, seductive ladies and a big banana on the cover. The Velvet Underground was unique in 1967 -- even if it never made big sales -- and remains unique to this day, no matter how many bands are influenced by them. Not bad for an arty band with zero mainstream appeal!
   
   Lou Reed tears through a variety of songs, ranging from gritty hard rock to strange ballads. The most memorable song here is undoubtedly slashing, exotic S/M ode "Venus in Furs" ("Comes in bells, your servant, don't forsake him/Strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart"). Elsewhere, he dips into pure rock in the desperate "Run, Run, Run," but takes a softer turn with surreal junkie ballads and the eerie, soft "Sunday Morning."
   
   However, German ex-model Nico -- who departed the band in hazy circumstances after this album -- leads with her seductive monotone. She only had a handful of songs, but they remain some of the best: singsong "Femme Fatale," steady and slow "All Tomorrow's Parties," and the exquisite ballad "I'll Be Your Mirror."
   
   The Velvet Underground was probably the first real art band in rock history, formed at a time when megabands like the Rolling Stones were at their peak. But they couldn't have been more different from the heavily-publicized bands -- creepy, dark, and both beautiful and ugly. The Velvet Underground was the reverse of mainstream.
   
   The music isn't complex, but it is strangely compelling -- the wiggling guitar at the beginning of "Black Angel's Death Song," or the tambourines Nico played in her songs. Nowhere else could musical compositions like "Sunday Morning" -- the delicate tune reminiscent of a music box -- seem so haunting as they do here.
   
   The vocals are excellent, although listeners will probably like one or the other. Lou Reed's high thin voice is a sharp contrast to Nico's accented, husky croon. (Nico left the band after this album, which is a shame), but it's the writing that makes it stand out The songwriting is outstanding, and since the frank references to kinky sex and drugs are nowhere near as shocking now as they were then, the raw quality of the songs can shine.
   
   The sparse, slithering music and excellent singing add solidarity to the reputation of the Velvet Underground as a classic. Dark and brooding, debut album "Velvet Underground and Nico" is an exceptional album.



2. Hard to criticize the great music on this box set, but there are some missteps in the track listings and packaging. You would expect the demos, live tracks, & extras from the respective time periods to be at the end of the official releases, right? Not so. It's also disappointing that this isn't the box set that includes everything that is commercially available.
   
   On disc 1 there are demo versions exclusive to this release. We are all excited to hear new Velvet's material, but it's mostly Cale singing the same verse over and over accompanied by Reed on acoustic guitar. Interesting, but you won't be anxious to hear this more than a couple of times.
   
   On disc 2 there's the short version of All Tomorrow's Parties (Single Version) which is before The Velvet Underground & Nico. There is no reason for this to start the disc; it's the shorter, lesser version of the song. The huge bonus on this disc is the live track Melody Laughter, which is VU live w/Nico; wish there was more tracks like this on here.
   
   Disc 3 features demos and live tracks before the main release that is White Light/White Heat. Again, all of these tracks should be at the end of the official release. The live tracks Guess I'm Falling In Love and Booker T. are particularly noteworthy, but are awkward listens before the showcase release.
   
   Disc 4 has a live version of What Goes On and you get to hear the "closet" version 2 tracks later. A minor annoyance, but still. The live and bonus tracks on this are outstanding.
   
   Disc 5 I have little to complain about. Loaded precedes all of the great extras.
   
   On to the packaging. Comes in a great book shelf worthy cardboard case w/a vinyl peel off banana that encloses the discs themselves which are in plastic cases as opposed to the annoying cardboard digipacks that are customary these days. There is also the awesome 80 page booklet w/musings from the Velvets as reported by David Fricke. What is disappointing about the packaging is that the original LP covers are reduced to thumbnails on the back of the cds. These are replaced, on the front cd cover, by scans of the analog tape cases w/hand written notes; very cool, but not worthy enough to replace the original covers.
   
   In conclusion, lots to like here, but my big gripe is I wanted an all inclusive box set w/track listings that were suitable to my tastes.



3. Must have for all Lou Reed fans. The bonus tracks really throw it over the top.



4. Astonishing in its diversity, this influential album appeared like a supernova and endures as a classic because of the quality of the songs. With the exception of the discordant Black Angel's Death Song and to a lesser extent European Son, every song is underpinned by a lovely melody line.
   
   This is especially evident on the melancholic Sunday Morning, the resigned Femme Fatale and the wistful All Tomorrow's Parties, but by no means lacking on more confrontational tracks like Venus In Furs or Heroin. I'll Be Your Mirror has the same folky feel as Sunday Morning, while the roughness of Black Angel and European Son (the latter dedicated to poet Delmore Schwarts, one of Reed's heroes) has become more digestible as the mainstream has caught up with this pioneering work.
   
   The voice of Nico, the archetypical Teutonic Blonde, adds a strange and eerie dimension to the album as a whole. These songs have often been covered; to name just a few of my favorite interpretations: Sunday Morning by OMD, Waiting For The Man by John Cale and Nico on various of their solo albums, Femme Fatale by Propaganda, All Tomorrow's Parties by June Tabor on Freedom and Rain, There She Goes Again by REM on Dead Letter Office.
   
   The legacy of the VU, and of this album in particular, may be observed in the beautiful sonic sojourns of bands like inter alia Mercury Rev, My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain, Sonic Youth, and Swans. The "Banana" album remains a monument to the fierce spirit of rock 'n roll.



5. I regret that i got carried away by the recommendations given on my previous purchases as well as the other reviews on this compilation
   "Peel slowly and see" is definitely one of the worst in my collection.
   
   It sounded more like a jam session by a not so talented garage band! Do i say more.
   Can i have my money back or atleast exchange the same for some better music?

5 comments about Asylum Album Box Set (9CD).

1. This Box houses the first six Eagles Albums {"Eagles" through to "The Long Run"} with the two disc: "Eagles Live" and a single: "Please Come Home For Christmas/Funky New Year". It is a Limited Edition Set at 20,000 produced. There are no extras included herein, no outtakes, no demos, no newly discovered live tracks. These are reproduced versions of the Albums {and Gatefolds} in paper sleeves.
   
   For folks that only own Greatests Hits Collections, this is the proper way to fill in all the gaps between 1972-1980. This Set is indeed a bit "Pricey" when compared to buying these CD's separately, but with a bit of shopping knowledge, this can be found for a reasonably price. I purchased mine at a Record Collectors Show, brand new in the shrink rap for $60.00.
   
   These CD's sound great, and are packaged as LP reproductions, {Mini Sleeves} with all the Original Graphics intact {Smaller, wear glasses!} As I have never been a fan of CD Hardcases that break so easily, for me this is the way to keep this Music together in one spot, and in the correct format.
   
   If you want to take pokes at the Band for their Music, their Dramas, Their Political Beliefs or their Haircuts...That is indeed your business.
   But for me, the Peak of Country/Rock and or Folk/Rock or even California/Rock, is right here on these Albums. The Eagles didn't kill the "Dream" that started in 1965 with the first record by The Byrds, they lived that dream like nobody else could. Just check out History between 1972-1980, so much changed during those years, just about everything changed within that brief time span, as did The Eagles.
   Great Band, Great Production, Great Packaging, Great Price? Yes, if you shop around.
   Four Stars !!!



2. You're probably already an Eagles fan if you're reading this. This review is about the construction of this boxed set edition, not the music. If amazon allowed half stars I'd give it a 3.5.
   
   It's a good looking collection, with each CD sleeve duplicating the original vinyl album in great detail. The gatefold album covers are well made, but the inner and outer sleeves of the other discs are far too fragile. I'm sure they will start tearing, even though I take immaculate care of my music collection. Also, the textured white cover of _On the Border_ sits in between the dark _Desperado_ and textured dark _One of These Nights_, and the covers are rubbing off on each other.
   
   The other drawback is that the text is mostly illegible because of the small size and the variety of fonts. But that's always an issue with these "vinyl replica" type CD sleeves.
   
   I had put off buying the Eagles on CD for a long time, so since I found this set at a good price I'm glad I finally have it. Just be aware that you'll need to be very careful with it.
   
   (For quality comparison, the Doors box set from 1999 and Queen's The Crown Jewels box set have very nice, well made miniature album sleeves.)



3. excellent set of cds.......all they made and then some other versions. very enjoyable. if you like the eagles you will love this



4. The people who should pick this up are the ones who want to get the Eagles catalog remastered in one shot and want the original style packaging. The songs are classics and there's a lot of stuff that you won't get on the greatest hits package (although "Very Best of" manages to cover a lot).
   
   But for a very limited edition that has a higher pricetag, Don, Glenn, Joe and Tim should have autographed each set (because it is their devoted fans likely buying the set), even if it meant raising the price on the set even higher.
   
   I also think that the entire set should've been a CD/DVD collection, as a lot of rare footage exists from this era as well, some of which has been shown on VH1 Classic. I just think it's far more fun to just watch the archive footage with its flaws than the flawless "Hell Freezes Over" concert.
   
   The "bonus" CD should've had the "Get You In The Mood" B-side from "Take It Easy" that they have never put out on CD.
   
   The only other thing I can think of is that "Eagles Live" should include more songs as the original 2 LP release had time constraints. Hopefully one day they can do a proper "Eagles Live" box set to cover the original Eagles with Leadon/Meisner as well as the Felder/Walsh/Schmidt lineup, because a lot of great songs they'd done live were left off.
   
   I think that because they have been putting out more repackages than new material (they really don't need to put anything out to justify touring), I don't see it appealing to anyone who already has all their CDs to begin with.
   
   Bottom line: The Eagles have repackaged themselves one too many times (the DVD-Audio version of "Hotel California" probably the only repackage worth its weight) , yet they have a lot of live material in the vaults that are far worth exploring than yet another repackage of what we've all heard many times over as well as concerts they've recorded for TV and have on film.
   
   But DO watch out for the Eagles "Farewell I" DVD to be released sometime in June 2005 and shown on network TV.



5. By now most of us have the all of the albums, even the remastered ones on this box set. Many of us (not me) bought the Very Best of the Eagles collection last year, not to mention the last box set, or "Hell Freezes Over", or Eagles Live...
   
   Or the previous two greatest hits cds. It goes on and on, and so far no sight of their long awaited "new" studio album.
   
   So why are Glenn, Don, Joe and Timmy hitting us with still another remastered, repackaged set of the same old songs? And why are people still willing to pay the big bucks their albums always run???
   
   "How Long", a marvellous, country-rocking Frey-Souther composition, was an early Eagles live staple. How come it has never seen the light of day on a recording? There's no reason why they couldn't include it on this set, except maybe that Henley and Frey would still prefer to besmirch the contributions of Leadon and Meisner (and Felder too).
   
   Don't you think it is high time to release that (not-so) new studio album, and give us new music, Henley??? You talk about CORPORATE GREED, DON, so what do you call this over [...] dollar turkey?
   
   Glenn, are you listening too?
   
   Either get those creative juices flowing again, boys, or cut the prices or the [...] You are millionaires so many times over it isn't funny.
   
   Unless Bernie and Randy are benefiting from this, don't bother. Or get yourself a Chris Hillman,(who has a wonderful new album coming out very soon) Herb Pedersen, Bernie Leadon, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, or even a Burrito Deluxe cd. At least these musicians are keeping the honored tradition of California Country Rock alive. Glenn Frey and Don Henley sure ain't.