5 comments about Perception.

1. If you are a Doors' fan then this is a new way of listening to them. Out takes and new versions of old favorites.



2. The DVDs do have DVD-Audio (MLP) 24bit 96khz 5.1 tracks for every song.
   
   I couldn't find this info before ordering (Amazon is not very good at properly describing hi-res audio products).



3. if you own a high end audio system w a dvd-audio player this set is a must have for any doors fan.the 5.1 versions are smokin hot, the 1st album not so much probably due to the quality of the original tapes but by the time you get to break on through or wishful sinful you will be weak in the knees, la woman is the same release that was independant some years ago with the kickoff of the dvd-a medium. but the collection is well worth it if you are an audiophile, the other reviews that tell you to purchase the old packages obviously do not have dvd-a players



4. Without getting into all the technical points of this boxed set, this boxed set sounds awesome. Liner notes are outstanding. A must for the Doors fan. This is all you need!



5. i cannot express enough HOW MUCH my husband LOVES this box set of the doors!!!! oh man, he thanked me a million times. it is not cheap, but worth EVERY penny! you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED with this. it makes a great addition to your own AUDIO and DVD collection and also makes a great gift. there are not enough hours in a day for him to sit and enjoy this enough!! he hates to go to bed and shut it off.

5 comments about The Doors Vinyl Box [180 Gram Vinyl].

1. This collection is everything I could hope it to be: A quality vinyl remastering with reproductions of the original packaging. Despite the negative comments of a few reviewers, I find the sound quality to be superb. It isn't perfect, but this is the best I've ever heard this music sound.
   
   If anyone was to re-issue the Doors catalogue, who better to do it than Elektra founder Jac Holzman, original Doors engineer Bruce Botnick and master of mastering Bernie Grundman? I have read all the criticisms but if the critics were to read Bruce Botnick's liner notes they would be more forgiving.
   
   This was not a simple re-mastering, but a restoration project. Some of the tapes were deteriorated which necessitated the use of digital equipment in the process. Sure, it isn't 100% analogue, but I certainly can't tell any difference.
   
   The choice to remaster at half-speed, as Mr. Botnick explains, had a tradeoff. The sound quality is superior throughout the frequency range, with the exception of the lowest frequencies. The 1960's vintage equipment was not able to reproduce those frequencies accurately at half-speed so there is an apparent lack of low end. I did A/B comparisons with two of my original albums, Strange Days and Soft Parade. The low end on this remastering was as good as the originals - it just wasn't as improved as would be expected with a re-master. All things considered, they made the right choice to master at half speed.
   
   Ideally, I want to hear a remaster sound exactly like an original release played on audiophile equipment. Isn't that why we listen to records instead of CDs? We want to hear it like it was originally meant to be heard. This collection is an accurate reproduction with an improvement in clarity.
   
   My copy of the first album, side two, was defective. I contacted Rhino by e-mail and got a quick response. I was told I would be sent a replacement copy for that one record along with a 7" copy of the Light My Fire single. I believe they have, or are in the process of, correcting un-sold copies, which may explain why they have raised the price about $20.00
   
   The individual album covers are exact copies of the original album covers, possibly digital photos of the originals. The color is too dark on a few of them but I'm being picky here. They aren't as heavy as the originals, but they need to be lighter to fit into a box set. The inner sleeves are quality static-free sleeves. As a nice touch they included reproductions of the original paper sleeves over the static-free ones. They even made the LA Woman album cover with the clear front and yellow sleeve inside. They only missed one tiny detail: The original Waiting For the Sun cover had the slot on the left so the record would be inserted from the inside of the cover instead of on the right.
   
   I've played each of these records on a quality system through and through, over and over and over. I think they are as close to perfect as anyone but a critic could expect. Buy it now.



2. Every fan must have this product. I am a sound man and I'm telling you that this sounds great!! There are several bad reviews but don't pay attention.
   These people made a fantastic job !!



3. As most of us know, this box has generated a tremendous amount of press in the audiophile vinyl collecting circles. It was produced and mastered by the loving and legendary hands of Bruce Botnick, Jac Holtzman, and vinyl guru, Bernie Grundman. The plan was to present the definitive Doors vinyl set that would capture the original magic of mint 1st run editions. They sold the set as replicas of the originals down to the packaging and would pack it all in a faux lizard skin box, with a hand numbered limited edition of 12,500. Doors fans and audiophiles alike relished the prospect of replacing their old, mostly inferior Doors vinyl with a set that should become legendary and highly collectible.
   
   For the most part, they got the pressings right. Played on good turntable, these sound full, crisp and completely un-colored. For many of us, we have never heard an original Doors vinyl album, and certainly never the "mono" 1st lp. For me, these are the holy grail of Doors vinyl.
   
   Now the cons: Seems that a number of people are having problems with scuffed lps and "worn" looking album sleeves. My box has a "crackly" sounding stereo 1st lp, and the outer jackets look like they have been sitting un-sealed in a record rack for 5 years. Plus the inner sleeves are not sleeves at all.... merely cheap repro's that fold-over around a white-sleeved lp. Not what I come to expect from deluxe audiophile boxed set editions from a band this acclaimed. Rhino needed to take a page out of the book of Classic Records, who have produced an extensive catalog of truly indispensible rocks titles from the 50's, 60's and 70's, complete with perfect reproductions of the original album packaging.
   
   Now the silver lining: Rhino is backing their product. They have a program in force to replace damaged, defective or otherwise unacceptable components from your box, free of any charges including shipping. They also have a plan in place to cease distribution of any more sets in order to make the fix at the warehouse. So do not despair. This set will still be available.
   
   Tempers are surely frayed because of all the confusion and inconvenience, but in the end, it's the music that matters most. These are the best Doors records I have ever heard. If you are a Doors fan and a vinyl collector, this is a must have set. Once they get the wrinkles ironed out at Rhino, this should be a highly sought-after package. I know, in spite of the glitches, I would never part with mine.



4. overall this set is just ok. i expected better from 180 gram vinyl. the very first lp has a loud pop and skip on "20th century fox" (and i clean my lp's and stylus before play),and a few more low "cracks" throughout the other songs!! the sound, though, is outstanding! i have only listened to 2 other lp's from this set, "morrison hotel",and "l.a. woman",these had very few "cracks" and were overall excellent. i just dont expect any skips,pops,or cracks from audiophile vinyl, or, i would have rated this a 5.



5. Maybe mine is an exception, based on other reviews, but I played every record the first day night I got it and the doors have never sounded better- loved one of my favorites The Soft Parade especially. Sound levels are well balanced and I had no scuff or scratch issues. However I did not buy it from amazon- found it elsewhere cheaper (tower). My only problem is I don't see the point of the mono version of 'The Doors' album. That second version would have been better replaced with a live album. Also, 'limited issue' is kind of a stretch when 12,500 copies were made. That's about as least limited as you get for something like this.

1 comments about New York in the 1960's.

1. There is little to add to an appraisal of this compendium that Brian Duguid hadn't already said, in his glowing 2001 Wire review of the original three separate CDs included in this (actual wooden) box set. But here goes...
   
   Originality, as a concept, as an example, is borne out by precious few cultural artifacts. The aggressive experimentalism demonstrated by Cale and his peers is without precedent in rock and roll. It is no exaggeration to state that Cale, in these works assimilated and digested all the disparate sources of prior inspiration and influence--European symphonic tradition, serialism, Indian classical raga, American pop and blues, as well as Cageian modernism--and formulated them into stunning new realizations of what pop music could be.
   
   No one outside of this small enclave was making sounds like this, in any genre anywhere else, and no one would until years later. Certain distant echoes surface: Alan Watts's 1962 "This Is It" from California, long called the first psychedlic record, is intriguing but not terribly similar and lacking Cale's feral drive and epic sensibility. Obviously many others were active in experimental jazz and classical forms, but shut off by choice from the world of rock and roll, and cloistered away from pop culture entirely.
   
   These private recordings reflect an inner soundworld of such depth and richness they offer a completely new framework for hearing. One's approach to music is affected irrevocably. The notion of intense listening commences here--with Cale and the contributions of MacLise, Conrad, Jennings and others. After 45 years, the tapes of "Stainless Steel Gamelan" (a four-handed hammering/arpeggio of an electric guitar) or "Hot Scoria" (an enveloping, frenzied wash of sound) invite awe. The keyboard drones of "Sun Blindness Music" and "The Second Fortress" retain a mesmerizing quality of both the ancient past and distant future. Surely among Cale's best work.

5 comments about 20th Century Superstar.

1. This is the best of the greatest!! The booklet is interesting reading, the music is fab and I can take the best of Marc with me without carrying all the CD's I own! Must have for any and all who are Born to Boogie!



2. "20th Century Superstar" is a comprehensive 4-CD box set covering all phases of Marc Bolan's career, and includes all of his hard-to-find early
   solo singles as well as outtakes, X-mas fan club songs, tracks from every Tyrannosaurus and T.Rex album, etc. However, as with almost every box set that has been released since the format was invented, the curious omission of a handful of key tracks normally found on greatest-hits and anthologies prevents this from a full five-star rating. Whatever happened to "Mustang Ford", "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn", "Pavilions Of Sun", "Seagull Woman", "Buick McKane", "Mad Donna", "Crimson Moon"?? Certainly the omission of "She Was Born To Be My Unicorn", "Seagull Woman" and "Buick McKane" is highly suspect. And, as another reviewer here has mentioned, there is no live material bar "Dove" and the BBC "Sailors Of The Highway". Of course, there is so much material out there that one would need more than 4 discs to include everything of worth, although I would have at least included the above omitted tracks in favor of some of the "Zip Gun" and "Futuristic Dragon" material on disc four ("Jupiter Liar" in favor of "Buick McKane"??).
   
   As this is a UK import, the hefty price tag is also likely to turn off all but devoted Bolan fanatics. Seeing as how I am one, I still consider it an essential purchase; some of songs here ("Nickelodeon", "Ill Starred Man", "Demon Queen", "Hot Love", "Mambo Sun") appear in alternate takes not found on any other release, even the recent remasters. And hearing the early singles and John's Children material in (for once) superb sound quality is worthwhile, as well as the chance to witness Bolan's constant evolution from beginning to end in one succinct package. Now one need only use this box set as a template to add the ten or so missing key tracks and create one's *own* box...



3. From the moment the first disc starts until the last one stops spinning in your player , you will have a blast listening to this. Bolan was a master of the pop song format. The lyrics are full of mystic images (did anyone EVER understand a SINGLE Bolen lyric ?) , the music is riff-laden crunchy rock and roll. There are TONS of Bolen compilations out there , this is the one to buy. Then, start into the unreleased comps for even more oddities. What would this guy sound like now ?



4. As a bigger fan of Bolan's Tyrannosaurs Rex, rather than T. Rex, material, I can't agree with those who dismiss the first disc of this 4 CD set. Although primarily for current fans, and not really the best place to start hearing Marc Bolan's other stuff, if you do start here, this collection is still a good choice, as you're likely to have some difficulty finding many of these gems elsewhere.
   
   Albeit still worthwhile, 20th Century Superstar begins to run out of steam about the middle of the third disc. Most of the out-takes included in the set are from Marc Bolan's early career. As well they should be: The '90s saw a tidal wave of releases of formerly unreleased tracks from Electric Warrior on, and virtually nothing from the period from his Toby Tyler singles to the eponymous T. Rex album.
   
   On Superstar you will find Bolan's first and last singles, essential album tracks, rarities and even Bolan reading one of his poems. I can't imagine a more career spanning and representative. Although much of this material would never make it onto a "best of," this set is an absolute must for those who love Marc Bolan. Here at last is a collection of his most notable work, all superbly mastered. A real find.



5. This pricey but well-worth-it box set is only available in the UK, but Americans can get it here on amazon if they can afford it. If you only know T. Rex's "Bang a Gong (Get it On)," you'll never believe the great music that is collected here. I cannot recommend this work highly enough for any lovers of 1960s-1970s rock music or any rock for that matter. Bolan was an underrated and often overlooked genius whose work rivals any rock artist who ever made it here in the US (with the possible exception of the Beatles). As others have said, this set tracks Marc from his early experiments to his acoustic, folky Tyrannosaurus Rex period, through major UK glam-rock successes like Electric Warrior to recordings made mere months before his untimely death in a car crash a few weeks short of his 30th birthday in 1977. Mr. Wenner of Rolling Stone and his cronies should check out Marc Bolan on this 4-disc-retrospective to see who they should really be inducting into their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame these days. If it weren't for Marc, there likely would have been no punk rock, as Debbie Harry, Joey Ramone, Billy Idol, and other admirers have readily admitted. Rock on Marc--your music will live forever.

5 comments about The Stiff Records Box Set.

1. Look over the list of artists on the CD, the ones you recognize - go out and buy all their CD's. While STIFF was great in the late 1970's as the conveyor of UK/Euro indie music - most of the best artists moved on - what's left is an interesting time capsule of that the last 70's and very early 80's. There is reason Humphrey Ocean & the Hardy Annuals or Mick Farren are forgotten. At the time, they were loud and brash and a nice antidote to the soft rock era of the 1970's but from that emerged Costello, Nick Lowe, and hundreds of artists you can name & remember ... and of course, leaving most of these guys & women behind ... so if you're a completist collector, you'll want these tracks but for listening beyond the names you recognize? Not so much. They are pretty much out-dated minor league stuff and the sound quality is not that great here so for a lot of reasons, you're better buying artist specific CD's or a more accessible collection of pre-new wave tracks that contain the "one-hit" wonder tracks anyway.



2. Disc 1 & 2 are the whole reason to buy this, with a few cuts from disc 3 thrown in as a bonus. Probably more economical to have your old 45 RPM versions converted to CD (and keep those goofy quips engraved in each record's blank space next to the label).



3. Stiff is one of those wacky labels that always seemed to sneak by just under the pop radar.

   I received this set as a gift a few years ago, and couldn't be happier about it. This collection is so full of unknown bits of whimsy and little-known cuts by more popular artist that it starts to become more of a treasure chest than a "best of."

   Ian Drury of "Sex and Drugs and Rock & Roll" fame appears as vocals on several other cuts including "Kitchen at Parties." This collection is full of simmilar fun little nuggets.

   So much of the "alternative" music scene that was largely contained by British borders seems to be archived here, and it's fun to tap into it. Americans (such as myself) who always thought that the band Madness was largely a one hit wonder will be surprised by the spastic "Baggy Trousers," a song I enjoyed so much I have purchased several Madness CDs since hearing it.

   While Elvis Costello originally got his start on Stiff, he has only one song here - probably a god thing, as we all have a good idea what he sounds like - leaving more room for the lesser known artists of Stiff.

   There is a charming wackiness to this collection and to the whole Stiff attitude. This is a great collection for exploring what the Brits were doing while we tollerated Dexy's Midnight Runners.

   Oh! Special bonus: There is a fabulous (FABULOUS) cut of Desmond Dekker's "Isrealites" on disc three. This along merits purchasing this set.




4. Strange...I remember trying to search for this boxed set earlier in the year and coming up with nil for my efforts. Then, after accidentally finding it in a New York record store and acquiring it right away, I find it on here. Must be my mind playing tricks on me.

   In any case, I'm not old enough to have lived through the era from which these songs sprung, but the appeal of the music easily traverses the generation gap. I haven't even yet explored all of this set and it's already been some of the most fun listening experiences I've had while listening to "older music": Elvis Costello, The Belle Stars, Nick Lowe, Kirsty MacColl...and personal favourite, spunky popster Rachel Sweet. Vivacious and highly entertaining. My only complaint is that the liner notes are somewhat flimsy. Though full of the kind of tongue-in-cheek humour that, apparently, Stiff Records was famous for, the result of the non-journalistic approach is that there's very little real information on the music, the history, the label, and the context, hidden by the cheeky writing and witticisms. I for one would've liked some more detached, professional journalism to inform me of the significance of this music such as in that Amplifier article I had read (which led me to look for this boxed set in the first place). So on the packaging front, much is left to be desired. But the music is uniquely appealing, a world of its own.




5. I was in my teens when this kind of music was played on the radio , I lived in ex Yugoslavia and I was reading a lot about the new wave and all those stuff i England. I loved those groups but I never actually had a chance to listen all those recors ( I Lived in ex Yugoslavia for Gud`s sake ) , now I lived in Sweden and have money to buy records but I am not 13 , 14 , 15 years old anymore and the music doesn`t mean EVERYTHING to me. This box remaind me what music can do with your life and how it is to be 17 again . By this one , no metter how old you are , this is history.

2 comments about Rockin' 70's.

1. There are scores of compilations of 1970s "rock" available, but in most of them, listeners have to skip and wade through track after track of horrific Disco or trashy pop to find something that even rocks a little bit. How many rockers want to buy a compilation full of Disco pop one-hit-wonders just to get to that mediocre third-generation mix of Mississippi Queen? This set, however, is different. At this price for a three disc set, it seems almost tolerable to have one album's worth of good solid rock mixed in with Disco One-Hit-Wonder pap. But this set is not like that. First, all the tracks are being published by the original label, and the label has put together good quality masterings. Second, most of these tracks ROCK! This is the real stuff. You won't find too much garbagy discofied pap here. You will find classics such as BOC's Don't Fear The Reaper and Ian Hunter's Once Bitten Twice Shy, but you will also find the proto punk of Iggy and the Stooges, Molly Hatchet's air-guitar inducing Whiskey Man, and a good copy of Mountain's Mississippi Queen amongst other lesser known tracks such as Pacific Gas And Electric's Are You Ready which, while predominantly an R&B track, comes crashing through the speakers with some of the most intense guitar lines you'll hear. If you remember the rock of the 70s or if you want a brief lesson of what REAL rock was like in the 70s, give this one a try.
   No, I generally do not advertise things for free, but I rarely get so pleasantly surprised as I did when I found a compilation which just plain doesn't suck.



2. man, when i first saw this little compilation i thought to myself and i quote "i've gotta have this!!!", this box set is very complete, it has groups that are known, and groups that i had never heard before (frank marino, lake) and believe me they rock!!!
   so if you're looking for something different and refreshing, then don't hesitate and get this box set, it has a little bit of everything and the sound cuality is great!!!!
   viva jibaro!!!!!

5 comments about Perception.

1. If you are a Doors' fan then this is a new way of listening to them. Out takes and new versions of old favorites.



2. The DVDs do have DVD-Audio (MLP) 24bit 96khz 5.1 tracks for every song.
   
   I couldn't find this info before ordering (Amazon is not very good at properly describing hi-res audio products).



3. if you own a high end audio system w a dvd-audio player this set is a must have for any doors fan.the 5.1 versions are smokin hot, the 1st album not so much probably due to the quality of the original tapes but by the time you get to break on through or wishful sinful you will be weak in the knees, la woman is the same release that was independant some years ago with the kickoff of the dvd-a medium. but the collection is well worth it if you are an audiophile, the other reviews that tell you to purchase the old packages obviously do not have dvd-a players



4. Without getting into all the technical points of this boxed set, this boxed set sounds awesome. Liner notes are outstanding. A must for the Doors fan. This is all you need!



5. i cannot express enough HOW MUCH my husband LOVES this box set of the doors!!!! oh man, he thanked me a million times. it is not cheap, but worth EVERY penny! you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED with this. it makes a great addition to your own AUDIO and DVD collection and also makes a great gift. there are not enough hours in a day for him to sit and enjoy this enough!! he hates to go to bed and shut it off.

5 comments about The Complete Peel Sessions 1978-2004.

1. Dabbling in The Fall's back catalogue is a daunting task, considering the prolific nature of the band, the various line-up changes, and the varying quality of their output. For those new to the band, the best place to start is the excellent 2 CD compilation "50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong", while more seasoned fans will find much to treasure in "The Complete Peel Sessions" - a 6 CD set covering all of the sessions recorded for the late British DJ from 1978 to 2004.
   
   To describe the sound of The Fall, eclectic would be the best word to start with. Their punky edge of the late 70's gave way to more conventional rock and pop sounds in the 80's, as is represented on the first three discs. The first hint to their talent becomes apparent on "Rebellious Jukebox", "Mess of My", and "Container Drivers" - a barnstorming, almost rockabilly tune. Attended to by brash guitars, occasionally spastic drumming, and Mark E. Smiths snide vocals, The Fall's sound is solidified on the first disc alone. Better tunes lie ahead, as disc three contains some of the highlights from my favorite three Fall albums: "This Nation's Saving Grace", "Bend Sinister", and "The Frenz Experiment". For me, this is the most accessible period of The Fall's career, and a good starting point for new fans. The band's mid to late career output is well represented on the remaining three discs, with many highs (songs from "Middle Class Revolt" and "Light User Syndrome" are especially riveting) and occasional lows (most of the tracks recorded after 2003 fail to pack the same punch as the earlier material). Whatever the quality of the albums that have been released over the years, The Fall have proven to be a formidable live act, and this is showcased to maximum effect on "The Complete Peel Sessions". The sound quality, even of the earliest recordings, is fantastic.
   
   The box set itself is a handsome package, with six slimline cases and a full-color booklet with extensive notes on each session, and the tracks are organized by the date of the recording session. Attempting to listen to all six discs in one sitting is likely to induce delirium, so this set is best enjoyed in small doses. Like a good wine, this set will get better with time, and the charms will be revealed with each listen.
   
   Even in North America, John Peel was highly regarded as a champion of some of the UK's best bands, including The Undertones, Joy Division, and especially The Fall. Knowing that he passed away during the development of this box set adds a poignancy to the music, and the booklet will make you realize how important the Peel Sessions were to the band's career. For any fan, this is a must have.



2. Actually they are one of the great groups of all time and this becomes clear with this box set. While at first it may seem overkill, it is a fantastic selection of their songs over the years.



3. This set contains all 24 Peel Sessions by The Fall. What more do you need to know? This is, hands down, THE greatest Fall collection ever. The holy grail. Period. The highs (and there are so many) and the lows (there are a couple or three) all come together to provide a fairly accurate history of the band in a way that no "best-of" ever could. If you are still reading this, buy it already.



4. John Peel had been presenting his show on Radio One for over a decade before he aired the first session from the Fall on 15 June 1978. Nevertheless, over his unbroken thirty-seven years of broadcasting for the BBC, his name became most closely linked with that of the mighty Fall, "the great miracle of my musical life", in a symbiotic relationship which had them recording twenty-four exclusive sessions for his programme, far more than any other one act, and they are all magnificently here.
   Such a box set had been eagerly awaited for years, and the contents and presentation are pretty much everything that could have been hoped for. The sessions are presented in their entirety and a fulsome booklet gives all the details of line-ups, producers and engineers where known (oddly these details are not known for some of the sessions from 1987 onwards, including the two most recent).
   Curiously, the location is not specified (usually BBC Maida Vale Studio 4, at least until 1994, though sometimes in Maida Vale 3 or 5, and once in 1981 at Langham Studio 1, in Regent Street). The liner notes were written by Fall expert Daryl Easlea and are generally illuminating and concise, and where he might express an occasional opinion with which one disagrees - well, this is part of the pleasure of the Fall experience.
   The BBC sessions came about because of restrictions in the amount of records they were allowed to play ("needle time") and were turned from being regarded as something of a limitation into one of the BBC's great strengths by John Peel, who encouraged the acts he booked not to merely attempt to replicate their current single, a doomed exercise given the time and studio limitations, but to use their day as a platform to experiment and try out new material; in fact, to do whatever they wanted at the BBC's expense.
   It is a testament to the production and engineering skills of the staff at London's Maida Vale that bands could turn out around four tunes in a session that were often more robust and focused than their commercially available counterparts. Though some bands would simply produce as-live versions of highlights from their latest LP, the Fall fully realised the Peel ethos by regularly previewing material that would not be recorded for a year or more, if at all - as in the case of Mess Of My, for example, or the lengthy Words Of Expectation.
   They also submitted a number of exclusive and unpredictable cover versions, such as their bizarre send-up of Do The Hucklebuck; the long overdue Mr Bloe revival on Groovin' With Mr Bloe; Max Bygraves' Jingle Bell Rock; Lee Perry's Kimble The Nimble, which was released on a single and reached 34 in the 1992 Festive Fifty; This Perfect Day by the Saints in 1998, or Strychnine by the Sonics, both showing that Mark E Smith had rightly retained his love of garage.
   On Nancy Sinatra's The City Never Sleeps At Night (the B-side of These Boots Were Made For Walkin', so nothing obvious) a guest singer, Lucy Rimmer, was drafted in to sing lead. Perhaps best of all was the Fall rendition of Captain Beefheart's Beatle Bones'n'Smoking Stones, originally from Strictly Personal in 1968.
   Eight other Peel session tracks reached the annual Festive Fifty of listener's votes, in preference to the records, between 1985 and 1998 (Cruiser's Creek, ROD, Athlete Cured, Ladybird, M5, Hey! Student, Feeling Numb and Shake-Off), proving that the days of radio sessions being regarded as second best were truly dead and buried.
   Twenty-four sessions in twenty-six years is insufficient to chronicle all the multifarious line-up changes the Fall has undergone, and by the last only Mark E Smith remained from the first, though as he has pointed out, "If it's me and your granny on bongos, it's The Fall". It is noticeable how fresh and vital the band still sound, with a passion and creativity many of today's new young pretenders should envy.
   Despite his reputation as a hard taskmaster, like Captain Beefheart, it is also significant how members who have left the band are prone years later to return, presumably missing the challenges being in one of the most prolific and inventive bands around could bring. Guests were often brought in to augment the sessions, providing clarinet, fiddle or (possibly, unless it is Mark E Smith uncredited) harmonica, and on their very first session I believe I can hear Marc Riley's backing vocals on Rebellious Jukebox (he was their roadie at the time, and had only joined the band by the time of their second session).
   Covering twenty-six years in a breakneck seven hours of Fall history is also insufficient to do justice to their many sides but it does highlight their remarkable consistency of quality in a variety of forms.
   Fall enthusiasts will be encouraged to see that Whizz Bang from session 13 (which was never broadcast, perhaps at the band's request as the song never surfaced on record either) is included, as is the track Job Search, an extra track they recorded at their final Peel session that was broadcast on the occasion of his 65th (and final) birthday.
   Other Radio One live concert broadcasts and sessions such as those for Saturday Live and the Evening Session (one of which was re-broadcast on the John Peel programme) are not included. The 5th session, incidentally, was recorded on 19 August 1981, and first broadcast on 26 August, not as stated in the liner notes.
   There have been other compilations of Fall Peel sessions. Should you own any of them, throw them out now and buy this. Pass them on to any unsuitable curmudgeonly young person and brighten their life.
   
   The Fall: "They are always different, they are always the same" - John Peel



5. Exhaustively, inevitably, ultimately, it's six hours of the long march along MES and his band of dozens. For a Fall compilation, unusually insightful (rather than inaccurate, fawning, or cryptic) liner notes accompany this compendium of John Peel's favorite band. I only wish captions were included. It would've been nice to have a Pete Frame-type of family tree of Fall members, or at least pics of each of the lineups, however. Also, the six plain-wrap cd's look identical, and you cannot see the disc listings on the back, but only by flipping the cases open. My discs keep falling out of the cardboard box as well, eager to be played! Any Fall fan will find what to like and what to skip, but after dutifully hearing it all over the course of a week, general comments for anyone considering this investment of time and money. A fine value for the committed lifer, but start with "50,000" for the double-disc appetizer. I assume any listener to this six-disc box, on the other hand, has fifty or so Fall CD's (at least) already. By the way, this completely supersedes the earlier 2-disc "Words of Expectation" issued a few years ago.(I purchased the import; Amazon's domestic cost for the set compares favorably, much less than list price.)
   
   Sound quality's great, and even the frequent doldrums encountered throughout this audial slog are made a bit more endurable by the presence of fidelity. Lyrics often emerge more articulately than on studio versions, and since the vast majority of the tunes that have album versions benefit from either the freshness of their early takes or the lack of polish shown in these radio sessions, the production that is stripped from many of the Fall's best and some of its worst songs generally plays to the band's frenetic advantage.
   The Fall's official website carries much more comprehensive reactions to the minutiae of these songs, and I will not take up too much space here enumerating the high and low stretches.
   
   Suffice to say, Disc One has the punkiest artifacts, and these again sound better than their often dated production from the studio versions at the time. It's evident how quickly the Fall found its own style(s), for by sessions 3 and 4, the early 80s atonal assault can be heard superbly especially with Paul Hanley's drums powering "Container Drivers." Disc Two brings you through what I hold to be one of the darker periods of the band ("Garden" especially rumbles on fearsomely) pre-Brix into her arrival and transformation into a more poppy-ish sound. Continuing through Disc Three, lesser known songs such as "Gut of the Quantifier" "Faust Banana" and "Gross Chapel--British Grenadiers" and "Athlete Cured" shine unexpectedly. Disc Four pairs a chugging "Cab it Up" and "Deadbeat Descendant" to a catchy effect. By the early 90s, another fallow period gives songs like "A Lot of Wind" even less energy than on the album versions, and such listlessness dominates more often as Disc Five progresses. The 1990s is an up-and-down period for the band, and its mangling of Xmas carols, for example, is less fun than it may have seemed at the time. Session 19, however, taking material from "Light User Syndrome" cd, marks a bit of a revival and the Peel versions of "He Pep" and "Hey Student!" do make good use of background vocals, including Brix again (trying to sing more than her screeches often heard elsewhere on live renditions of many of her earlier tunes) on some of the better selections from the mid-90s. Disc Six is nearly agony to get through Sessions 21 and most of 22. By now, the disintegration of the longtime line-up can be felt, and "Antidotes" offers no remedy. Only the Saints' "This Perfect Day" salvages the first half of the final disc. Of course, the 2003 and 2004 sessions, with the newest Mrs. Smith and another energized, if no less stable, band, show a welcome maturity (and a cover of The Move's "I Can Hear the Grass Grow") and a return to caring about the sound as well as the image for MES and his hired help.
   
   P.S. 3 stars for packaging; 5 for sound; 4 for content, as the mighty Fall does drag more as any fan knows for long stretches of this sonic marathon, best taken at shorter one-hour sprints. I still wish that John Peel's favorite session men (and women) had recorded Peel's favorite song, the Undertones' "Teenage Kicks"! But all 96 songs are here, at last.

5 comments about The Complete Studio Recordings.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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. The Doors are recognized as one of America's greatest classic rock bands of all time, and why not? Their music rules! Jim Morrison and the boys were some of the world's finest musicians, and although their days as the band were short, during those years they shelled out some of the finest songs in rock and roll history. And now the band has compiled a box set of their recordings! Read on for my review of this package.

   PROS:
   -All six of the band's classic studio albums are available in this set - The Doors, Strange Days, Waiting for the Sun, The Soft Parade, Morrison Hotel, and L.A. Woman.
   -The compilation features an essential rarities disc, including an ultra-rare track, Woman is a Devil.
   -The box includes a handy booket with a ton of useful and interesting liner notes.
   -Buying this set is a better value than buying all of the band's material separately.

   CONS:
   -The band wasted a lot of CD space - they could easily have condensed this material to take up LESS THAN six discs.
   -If you're a die-hard Doors fan, there's probably nothing here that you don't already own.
   -As another reviewer stated, this IS NOT the Complete Studio Recordings - the albums that the band created after Jim Morrison's death aren't here. Accordingly, a better title would have been Complete Studio Recordings - The Morrison Years '67-'71.

   OVERALL:
   Overall, despite minor flaws, this is an excellent box set for one of America's greatest rock and roll bands. If you're a classic rock fan, don't bother with hits compilations - be a man and shell out the cash for this set. It's a set worthy in the collection of every fan of classic rock.

5 comments about Just Say Sire: The Sire Records Story.

1. I remember when Sire showed up and started signing up every group worth signing up in NYC in the '70's. They did the same in the U.K. And marched on to one-hit wonders worldwide. I, too, own nearly everything they produced from the late '76+. Some are on vinyl, others I replicated on cassettes, some are irreplaceable. I could quibble with what's left out. I view these box sets as portable greatness to take to parties, cruising in the car, on the boat, or anywhere where I can't grab ahold of the original. I invested so much in vinyl & cassettes I can't begin to replicate ALL of it anymore. I'm old and tired. I need something to remind me why I loved the music in the first place, that sends me back to the Closet of Death for my Lps and singles. Seymour Stein did the era proud. I wish more labels showed as much support for original music & let the Billboard Charts be damned! Sire was one of a kind. And if a Madonna (a long shot back in the day when she was a Danceteria regular) or Ramones or Talking Heads sold a few records, great! For each superstar, he signed cult faves like Radio Birdman and the Saints. Somebody had to. He did. Who's doing it today?



2. The "Just Say Yes" series, from 1987-1994 provides a better cross-section, and more rarities than this boxset. The series was an annual sampler of the label's artists. This is somewhat akin to a sampler of those samplers...



3. I have "Like, Omigod! The '80s Pop Culture Box (Totally) [BOX SET]", pretty good but overpriced at $100.00; "No Thanks! The '70s Punk Rebellion [BOX SET]", previously my favorite box set (and a great book included as well); "Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the '80s Underground [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]", ho-hum; but this Sire set is the best. While it has a bit of early 90's alternative, it reaffirms that Sire was at the peak of attracting the best in the early and main punk years. And, they included great songs from these great groups that are not rehashes of other "pop" collections. Best value for your alternative $ in my opinion, it's the best I have spent yet. The book is pretty good too. But, go buy "No Thanks" if you still have some OTB on your credit card after you get this.



4. I only recently heard about the release of this box set, and it's long over due. EVERYONE from the 80's owned something from Sire, you couldn't avoid it. They were essential to Americans who didn't have ready access to the pricy imports. They signed The Smiths, Aztec Camera, The Undertones, The Cure, The Pretenders, Echo & The Bunnymen, etc.. My only wish now is that they release a box set of the Just Say Sire series, or how about a reissue of Return Of The Killer B's? Even Belle & Sebastian wrote a song about label founder Seymour Stein. Nuff said.



5. The Good
   To be fair, I only have a nineteen track sample to review this set with, but I do have the complete track listing. Sire Records broke more big names in multiple genres than you might think, and include some (I need to stress some) of their biggest hits on this set.
   
   You get Madonna's earliest cut "Everybody" plus her most controversial "Like A Prayer", The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "Rock N Roll High School", The Pretenders "Back on the Chain Gang" and "Brass in Pocket", Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House" and "Once in a Lifetime", The Cult's "Fire Woman" and "She Sells Sanctuary", The Cure's "The Love Cats" and "Let's Go to Bed", and Depeche Mode's "People Are People" and "Enjoy the Silence".
   
   There's more, but you get the point. In addition to artists that went on to long and fruitful musical careers, this box set also includes those who went down in history as `one hit wonders', but still got a lot of mileage out of it either way; Soft Cell's "Tainted Love", M's "Pop Music", Barenaked Ladies "One Week", and Seal's "Crazy". Yeah, you can fight me on the Seal & Barenaked ladies, but you know I'm right.
   
   The Bad
   The majority of this box set focuses on more obscure, underground, or virtually unknown artists; Yaz, The Bluebells, Ofra Haza, Everything But the Girl, Telex, Plastic Bertrand, The Rezillos, The Normal, The Mighty Lemon Drops, Book of Love, Belly, The farm, Spacehog, Apex Twin, and there's a lot more. I'm sure some people know who these bands are, but I'm willing to bet you don't know all of them.
   
   The Verdict
   Let's face it, box sets are rather pricey. When you make the decision to buy one, you're going to expect to hear a lot of songs that you know and love. Just Say Sire is a great archive of what the record label has accomplished over their lifetime, but it's really only appealing to those that were a part of it. There is a decent selection of tracks that any music lover would recognize, but there are far more that they wouldn't.