5 comments about The Ultimate Collection.

1. This collection is three and a half hours of absolute joy. Vikki Carr [Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona] is a living national treasure of two countries...Mexico has every right to claim her, but we had her first...I suppose some may be too young to remember her prime, but this wonderful collection will correct that deficiency...
   
   Here we get all we need to see why Vikki is captivating...studio and live...English and Spanish [even Italian]. Naturally, the BIG HITS are here..."It Must Be Him"..."He's a Rebel" [both lanuages]..."With Pen in Hand". Pop, Latin, Pop Standard, Broadway...Vikki could [and I hear still can] do it all to perfection. And the lesser known numbers are just as charming as the hits. The live performances are wonderful...the girl could really connect with her audience. The comic touches in "Carnival" are delightful.
   
   As wonderful as Vikki is, the presentation makes the experience even better...her bell-clear voice comes thru the transfers sounding vibrant, alive, right here in the room. The packaging and photos are terrific, too. In some box-sets, the whole fails to equal the sum of its parts; not here...this may be the best I own. I love Vikki, and I love this set...I bet you will, too.



2. Vikki Carr sincerely, passionately and confidently performs just about anything on this generous three CD set. You truly owe it to yourself to get this three CD set and experience the wonder of Vikki Carr for yourself. This CD set, my friends, is one to be treasured.
   
   The three CD set gives us so much that I scarcely know where to begin to describe it all to you. You get songs recorded by Vikki in her youth ("San Francisco;" "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "Somewhere In The Night"); and there are songs recorded in her native tongue of Spanish including "Cuando Calienta El Sol;" "Que Sea El" and "Más Que Nada." Vikki even sings beautifully in Italian; she performs "Il Colore Dell Amore (Color Of Love);" "Magari (Forget You)" and "Si E Lui (It Must Be Him)" as only a highly seasoned professional ever could. There are even live tracks on this three CD set that show us the electricity in the air during a Vikki Carr concert; you get "Can't Take My Eyes Off You;" "Some Of These Days/After You've Gone" and "Carnival (Manha De Carnival)," just to name a few. Indeed, each CD boasts an impressive 26 tracks for a total of 78 numbers on three CDs; and the quality control remains very high throughout because Vikki NEVER disappoints.
   
   Vikki can take any song and infuse it with a fresh type of electric energy that I simply haven't heard before. The first CD offers the beautiful "It Must Be Him" about an unrequited love. "I Only Have Eyes For You" is one of many numbers on this set that get a complete makeover by Vikki with the singular beauty of her voice and a more modern musical arrangement that reflects both creativity and good judgment. "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top" gets the royal treatment from Vikki; she delivers this with great panache. "Is She In Love" stuns you with its beauty as Vikki wonders about the loyalty of her man. Awesome! In addition, Vikki's classic "With Pen In Hand" makes me cry--and I never cry; but this ballad is THAT touching.
   
   "Más Que Nada" sports an awesome Latin beat that is infectiously catchy and you will enjoy this song easily without ever knowing a single word of Spanish. "Cuando Calienta El Sol" shimmers as the masterpiece of all ballads in Vikki's care; she performs "Cuando Calienta El Sol" with remarkable sensitivity that touches me greatly. The musical arrangement for "Cuando Calienta El Sol" perfectly complements the beauty of Vikki's voice, too. "Que Sea El" has a "light rock" feel to it mixed with a love ballad flavor so that Vikki can deliver this song from such a new angle that she instantly makes this ballad her own--as she does so frequently on the three CDs in this set.
   
   "Forget You" begins with Vikki singing with just a guitar in the background; when the musical arrangement begins the chorus and the music enhance the beauty of this number. Vikki's voice is rich, warm and vibrant both on this track--indeed, her voice is in excellent form throughout this three CD set.
   
   Vikki also sings the standards. You get splendid renditions of "Bye Bye Blackbird;" and "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)." Her medley of "Some Of These Days/After You've Gone" shines like gold as Vikki delivers this before a live audience. Vikki's rapport with her audience is excellent and the crowd hangs on her every word! Great!
   
   Vikki possesses the rare talent to even add Italian songs to her repertoire; "Il Colore Dell Amore" features Vikki singing with a degree of sensitivity that I rarely hear; and "Se E Lui (It Must Be Him)" glistens more brightly than gold.
   
   The liner notes include the songs credits; Vito Cifaldi III and Randy Cordova also contribute an informative essay about Vikki and her career. The photos of Vikki are terrific and Vikki personally includes a brief "hello" note, too.
   
   If you've never experienced the singular beauty of Vikki Carr's vocal talents it may appear as if I am being effusive or flowery in this review. Fortunately for everyone, I am not exaggerating. Vikki's Grammy Awards and her countless gold and platinum records prove her talent more than my review ever could.
   
   Once in a very, very long while, all the stars in all of the heavens align just so; and a rare jewel like Vikki Carr is born. We are infinitely better off for Vikki sharing her talent with us; and it will be a very long time before we see another quite like her. When the CDs end you want more just as Vikki's audiences always want more. I highly recommend this three CD set not just for Vikki's fans but for anyone who appreciates words and music as a form of fine art. Hopefully Vikki will be performing as only she can for decades to come.
   
   Bravo, Vikki Carr!!!



3. I've been a Vikki Carr fan for a long time, but did not collect a lot of her music until recent years. A friend played some her English CDs for me, and since rediscovering "It Must Be Him" when seeing the film MOONSTRUCK, I was totally hooked. Slowly, I've built my collection of her wonderful English and Spanish CDs (mostly Sony releases), but hit that snag with many out of print.
   
   This gorgeous new import is phenominal! Beautifully restored hits and album tracks, plus a treasure trove of unreleased and Liberty-years foreign language recordings. A standout for me is "Tell Her Of Our Love" on Disc 1. I was also never a big fan of the song "Until It's Time For You To Go" when heard by other artists. Vikki absolutely nails it and I adore the song now, voting her version the definitive interpretation. It is also nice to hear "He's A Rebel" in Spanish (El Rebelde) on Disc 2.
   
   For any Vikki Carr fan, this is a MUST HAVE. Those who want more than just a Greatest Hits, especially of the Liberty Years, look no further!



4. Of all the great popular singers of yesteryear, none had (and still has!) a finer voice or more exciting and effervescent style than Vikki Carr. Her classic 11 Liberty ('63-'70) and 6 Columbia ('71-'74) albums have seen a number of recent compilations and revivals on CD. But none better than this attractive 3CD package selected from the Liberty era, which also contains rare singles and foreign language versions, not to mention superb liner notes and photos. A perfect introduction to a wonderful singer.



5. EMI has truly outdone themselves this time! This box set contains three CD's and each CD has 26 songs - that's a total of 78 songs! There are songs in english, spanish and italian! Each song is a winner, no matter what the language. My personal favorite is "Is She In Love". I truly believe if this song would've been released when it was recorded, it would've been a bigger hit than "It Must Be Him" (which is included three times - in english, spanish (Que Sea El) and italian (Si E Lui).
   The liner notes are the best ever written and there is even a special message written by Vikki herself! My thanks to everyone involved in this masterpiece.

5 comments about The Funk Box.

1. This is what's missing from most of todays sterilized corporate driven music. Its fun. Its on the edge. Its raw. But its addictively fun. You can hear James Brown directing the band in the middle of the songs with his usuall flare. You can hear musicians trying different riffs. You can be sure most tracks were recorded with a full band playing at once, getting into and changing their own groove. You can't help but move to the great baseline and rythyms. Its got that special electricity that you just don't find in most modern music. Great Great collection.



2. This set is a must have for any fan of the most underappreciated genre of music around: funk. It is old school to the core, covering the evolution of the music we know and love. And for you new school, hip-hop kids: give a listen to this set and tell me you don't recognize the hook from just about every song in this set. That's right, most of the catchy baselines from hip-hop tunes have been hijacked from old school funk. If you don't believe me give it a listen...you will be amazed.
   
   Either way...buy this set, it well worth the price of admission.



3. OH MY GOD! OOOHHH MMMMMYYYYY GAAAAAWWWWWDDDD! This set is so hip it hurts. It puts the fun in funky. It does it to death, and if it don't make you move, you're dead. The selections are right on and far out, brother, and the package and annotations are solid, Jackson! Just feel the velveteen and the rubber comb on the cover. This is the real deal, hipper than hip, the best mix of old school funk I have ever heard. Word!



4. You guys I wonder why you didn't mention Cameo as a funk legend and one of funkiest song that ever made by themselves
   Oh yeah here is an extended version of 'I just want to be' which was never released , I suppose, perhaps you can hear it on their 12'' collection. The latter sounds still amazing to me and I'd like to know how they made the unbelievable, thumping bass line which can make you deaf!and of course 'Shake Your Pants' and 'Rigor Mortis' also deserve a place on this great box set.

   Moreover all the funk masters are here with us. From Rick James to Bros. Johnson this cd shows how to rock the house.




5. They included the track ''The message'' which was a hit for Cymande in 1973. This is a great box set for the intermediate Funk lover. It offers some stuff that is unkwown to the non- DJ public. And one of these bands is CYMANDE. However the FUNKiest of their catalog are not included here. On a newly released album Cymande ''The Soul of Rasta'' all of their funk driven tracks are included.

   Featuring:
   ''Brother's on the Slide'', ''Bra'', ''FUG'', ''Genevieve'' and the mesmorizing ''DOVE'' which flows over 10 minutes. This is an essential CD for any fan of Funk and soul. These original funky rastafarian brothers all hailing from the West Indies created the most amazing and invigorating fusion of funk and african reggae ever heard. Most famously sampled by the Fugees, De La Soul ,EPMD and many others. Cymande is one of the most sampled bands in Hip Hop ever. However, no longer is this band hip hop's little secret. This album allows new listeners to hear the great original tracks in a re mastered format. Featuring ''Brother's on the Slide'' and ''Listen''. This is an anthology of their most memorable material from the original 3 LPs recorded the between 1972-1974 in London, UK. Its unfortunate that their amazing musicianship was too unique for the period. Yet today people are rediscovering and grooving to these hidden jewels. Dive in and feel the Funk! Also

5 comments about Anthology.

1. John Lennon is shown here in this box set as a true individual that he was. Afforded independence to do what he wanted, one gets a feeling of honesty which one rarely hears from major artist. On the other hand, if your not a complete Lennon nut like myself, I wouldn't buy this set. I would try a "greatest" CD first then if it's to your liking, come back
   and get this Box set. To me, this set was just what the doctor order...I needed a little of Dr. Winston O'Boogie to get me through the "Holidays".



2. I'm more of a "casual fan" like the kind mentioned in Annie Van Auken's review. However, I really enjoyed this set. It's a nice collection of live tracks, alternate takes, and pre-production, stripped-down versions.
   
   Some of the major highlights:
   1. Love (which doesn't have the almost too quiet to hear opening like the album version)
   
   2. Remember (which shows that, even when something has him tickled, John still has a powerful voice despite giggling in parts of the song,
   
   3. John Sinclair and the audio of the quote prior to the song which is on the previous track (Apathy isn't it, and we can do something. Ok, so flower power didn't work, so what. We start again.)
   
   4. Two nice alternate takes on Mind Games.
   
   5. Stranger's Room - which is a wonderful early cut of I'm Losing You
   
   6. The Hank Williams-esque Life Begins at 40, which is very eerie to hear now for obvious reason.
   
   
   These and some superb in home and live recordings of old favorites, including three versions of Imagine, and a nice rendition of Come Together.



3. This album presents the potential purchaser with an imaginary line. Whether or not you should buy ANTHOLOGY really depends upon which side of that line you're on. For completists, LENNON * ANTHOLOGY is a godsend or revelation; for the casual fan, this collection is a jumbled rough-cut head-scratcher. If you don't own all of John's solo albums, you probably won't want this one.
   
   More so than the BEATLES ANTHOLOGY series, this set is replete with fragments, false starts, incomplete demos, slight or off-key vocals and silly chatter. If John was still alive, he never would have released most of this stuff, and with good reason. There's something to be said for specifically detailed Last Wills.
   
   TOTAL RUNNING TIMES --
   DISC ONE (Astor) -- 65:41
   DISC TWO (New York City) -- 65:01
   DISC THREE (The Lost Weekend) -- 63:25
   DISC 4 (Dakota) -- 72:52



4. I've looked at this set for many years, but never could bring myself to pay the premium price for it. I finally gave in and bought it and I'm really glad I did.
   
   It's a fantastic set, both in content and packaging. It's refreshing to hear different versions of the songs we're all used to hearing. And there's plenty of music that I had not heard previously.
   
   Overall, the sound quality is very good, but some songs do suffer the limitation of being home recordings but are still very listenable. I actually prefer John's solo "Real Love" over the doctored up Beatles version.
   
   I could have done without Sean's contributions, but as he was an important part of John's life, I can accept them.
   
   Like Johnny Cash's "Personal File" this is an intimate look at the performer; kind of like having him sitting in your living room and playing a private concert just for you.
   
   Yoko often gets criticized for her handling of John's material, but this is a quality offering in every respect and shows us John the Man vs. John the Beatle.
   
   Highly recommended.



5. The only knock on this excellent box set is that there is a little too much chatter. I really don't need to hear Lennon talking. The music does the talking here.
   
   5 stars - excellent amazon purchase.

5 comments about Pandemonium Shadow Show/Aerial Ballet/Aerial Pandemonium Ballet.

1. I first heard of Nilsson from a song he did with John Lennon on Lennon's album Walls and Bridges. I later found out that the hypnotizing backing vocals on Ringo Starr's cover of "You're Sixteen" were also Nilsson's. So when I found out that Nilsson was declared the Beatles favorite singer I realized I had to check him out. This album is simply sensational all the songs show a man who loves to sing and who can sing with the best of them. Pandemonium Shadow show has the powerful and humorous "Ten little Indians" the beautiful and heartwrenching "1941", the wry and catchy "cuddly toy", the gorgeous "sleep late my lady friend" the simply genius "without Her" and the clever Beatles tributes "You Can't Do That" and "She's leaving home". These tracks are all of high quality and are sung beautifully.
   The next album Aerial Ballet starts with the fun, catchy, and unsettling "daddy's song" the adorable "Good Old Desk" the beautiful "Don't Leave Me" the thought provoking "Mr. Richland's Fav. Song" which, according to legend, was John Lennon's favorite. The legendary cover of "Everybody's Talkin'" which made Nilsson a Star and the song does not disappoint. Three Dog night also covered Nilsson's original song "One" which is both haunting and reminiscent of Paul McCartney's Rubber Soul-Revolver songs while maintaining a distinctive voice of it's own. The remix album besides being the first one in history is fun and the bonus tracks are smashing. Overall this compilation is fantastic and if I have not convinced you then I will say that this music is perfect for dating because it sets a terrific and fun mood. Thanks Nilsson for all the wonderful music!



2. 
   In 2006, after painstakingly purchasing and comparing all the Nilsson domestic, European and Japanese CD versions, I posted a review on the best-audio edition of each title. That was split between four UK, one domestic and six Japan CD's, and this CD was one of those titles.
   
   However, time and technology have marched on. In Q307, the entire Nilsson pre-1978 catalog (except "The Son Of Dracula", announced but subsequently canceled), were remastered anew and released in mini-sleeve format by BMG Japan.
   
   So, what was slightly confusing before, with all the different international and domestic versions, has now been simply resolved: In terms of the best audio available, the fifteen new BMG remasters are head-and-shoulders superior to any pre-existing Nilsson CD. While the older versions were no slouches, these new BMG's are absolutely GLORIOUS. And, finally, there's complete, matched-mastered sound through the entire catalog, in contrast to the dynamic range variations in the older releases from varying remastering schemes.
   
   In A/B comparisons between the new and older versions, it is also obvious different masters were availed of, because there are snippets of additional audio on the BMG's that never appeared elsewhere.
   
   In addition, there are now approximately seventy bonus tracks spread out through the new BMG set; demos, alternate takes, singles and non-album tracks. Only one previously-available track is not in residence on the BMG set: "Waiting", which is found only on the "Harry/Nilsson Sings Newman" UK 2-fer.
   
   If you are a true Nilsson fan, then don't delay in getting these, as all mini-sleeve releases are limited edition. It is possible, of course, that BMG will release these as less expensive jewel-case releases down the road. However, as the original Nilsson LP jackets were often wonderfully imaginative affairs, having these exact replicas only heightens the joy of ownership.
   
   Amazon only allows 10 product links per review, so below are the first ten titles. The remainder, you'll have to find on your own (TIP: look for the 2007 release date when searching):
   
   Pandemonium Shadow Show
   Aerial Ballet
   Skidoo
   Harry
   Nilsson Sings Newman
   The Point!
   Nilsson Schmilsson
   Aerial Pandemonium Ballet
   Son Of Schmilsson
   A Little Touch of Schmilsson In The Night
   P*ssy Cats
   Duit It On Mon Dei
   Sandman
   That's The Way It Is
   Knnillssonn
   
   Just in case you find this review after the `sleeve versions have sold out, here is a list of the previous best-in-audio jewel-case CD versions. I will re-post this review on each of the previous editions:
   
   Pandemonium Shadow Show/Aerial Ballet/Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (2CD) (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe (catalog number) 74321 757422
   The Point (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757432
   Harry/Nilsson Sings Newman (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757442
   Schmilsson (2004) RCA 82876 572652
   Son Of Schmilsson (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757462
   A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37249
   P*ssy Cats (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37251 (the UK has one extra track not on the K2)
   Duit On Mon Dei (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37252
   Sandman (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37253
   That's The Way It Is (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37254
   Knnillssonn (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37255
   
   WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?
   
   Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.
   
   Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 13.5MM X 13.5MM cardboard-sleeve, precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, everything else packaged with the original LP is precisely replicated and included, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and die cuts. An English-language lyric sheet is also included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.
   
   Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have Japan-dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2 or K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.
   
   Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "OBI" ("oh-bee"), a Japan-language promotional strip. The OBI often also lists the original album's release date, the Japan street date of that particular disc, the catalog number, and mastering info. Bonus tracks are always only listed on the OBI, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork.
   
   The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake copies of Japan `sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.
   
   Also, there are older Japan mini-sleeve releases that have been supplanted with newer ones, usually with updated audio (such as JVC-Japan replacing older K2-mastered titles with new K2HD mastered releases).
   
   All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common with some of the Japanese companies (but, again, not always). Mini-sleeve collecting can get expensive quickly, so, if you're a novice, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of an experienced `sleeve collector!



3. Harry Nilsson entered in my life about a couple of years ago and God, I just don't knew what I was losing!!! I firstly bought a twenty-two-tracks-best-of, but rapidly I was delighted and got his records in single cd's...But I was mad to find his first two, "Pandemonium Shadow Show" and "Aerial Ballet" and only this compilation could satisfy my true desire!! I must say that the sound of this Camden Deluxe is not the clearest, but damn that, I was so happy (and moved) in hear this beautiful songs of a superlative composer/singer, I think too (and shamelly!) underrated...
   Well, we can forget, for moments, the remix-album "Aerial Pandemonium Ballet" (seems it was the "first" remix-album, chronologically!) that came with this edition, it's only a experted reworking of some songs of both albuns, with a couple of good ideas...In fact, I'll give all the money for the bonus-tracks, everyone of higher quality, not deserving the second-hand interest. "As I wander Lonely" (hey, is it Divine Comedy!??), "Miss Butter's Lament" and "Wasting My Time" are prime-Harry Nilsson moving songs, with that peculiar melancholic tenderness. And "Sister Marie" a bit appart with a much more acid arrangement (dubbed keyboards?).
   But first cd is a masterpiece, both of records being a perfect collection of songs...Harry Nilsson is so inventive in his solid musical ground, playing with a dozen of recording possibilities, just in time with the masters Beatles, certainly his great influence. It's not saying that he was the nearest american-clone of Lennon-McCartney (like a Janus statue!), no, he just deserves a great place in musical pantheon and be recognized by the masses!!
   What we could say about the intrepid rhythm of "Ten Little Indians" with intriguing nursery-rhyme lyrics; the truly sentimental beauty of "1941" (delicious harmonium and trombone!) and "Sleep Late, My Lady Friend" (gorgeous, gorgeous!) or the happy-erotic keyboard (with Nilsson's comment "Oh, beautiful") of "Cuddly Toy"??? Say nothing, just give a thousand listens and bring joy to our life!!
   The two covers here are quite great, in fact I think "She's Leaving Home" surpasses the original, more rich in details (magic tablas here!); "River Deep-Mountain High" is not so "Spectoresque" but it works in dramatic pulsation...
   Nilsson is simply gorgeous in love songs, giving only the essential, sometimes with a sad regret and disappointment, like in "There Will Never Be" (a lonely dance), "It's Been So Long" and "Without Her", the latter one the most perfect whispered love song (great flute!), the true loneliness without indulgence...In another hand, he chose happy counterpoints in the ragtime approach of "Freckles" or the extraordinary meddle of Beatles work "You Can't Do That"...
   "Aerial Ballet" is a kind of second chapter to "Pandemonium...", some more of magnificient crafted songs in an ecclectic manner (Nilsson's scat is a copyright!), so distinctive and not a single moment dated!! Truly masterpieces here are "Don't Leave Me" (another touching love song! Notice the superlative last scat!), "Together" (probably his second best song!!Impeccable!!), "I Said Goodbye To Me" (superb bass backing vocals!) and all the last four tracks!! More commercial-oriented hits like "Mr.Richland's Favorite Song" and "Everybody's Talkin'" aren't also easy listening.
   "Mr.Tinker" is a deep social meditation of a lonely person; "One" is probably Nilsson's best song (beautiful lamenting cello at the middle section) and "The Wailing of the Willow" is that late-sixties new thing called "bossa-nova" so softly inspired in Nilsson's hands!! "Bath" is a remarkable shouting farewell...And then go straight to bonus tracks again, the remix-album is just a interesting variation, this edition is an essential one!!!!



4. This is an irresistible package for anyone tracing (or revisiting) Harry Nilsson's sadly under-rated and neglected catalogue.

   The "Pandemonium Shadow Show" album is a 1967 charmer, introducing Nilsson's unique and brilliant singing/songwriting talents. It features classics like "1941" and "Without Her". It could be accused of being overly in the thrall of the Beatles, but that would be to deny the charm of "You Can't Do That", which manages to cram much of the Beatles stylistic repertoire into one arrangement. At least he's wearing it on his sleeve. This playfulness remained one of Nilsson's many endearing characteristics.

   The "Aerial Ballet" album is a real revelation; an achievement on equal terms with the Beatles, rather than standing in their shadow. With only one non-original song on the album ("Everybody's Talkin'", the one Nilsson song I guess everyone's familiar with), the strength of the songwriting ("Good Old Desk", "I Said Goodbye To Me", "One", etc) would stand alone even without the often breathtaking vocal performances. Most of the songs dissolve into Nilsson's inimitable "scat" vocalising in the final verse, which adds a level of poignancy and poetry beyond language. Running out of lyrics was an opportunity for such a talent! The vocal multilayering is very effective, and, I guess, technically advanced for its time.

   The "Aerial Pandemonium Ballet" remix album is an interesting addition for the sake of completion. It was more successful saleswise than the original two albums, but I find myself sticking more with the original versions of the songs.
   The bonus tracks are all very worthwhile, particularly the spine-tingling "Wasting My Time".

   The sound quality appears to be fine, although I have my doubts about the "remastering" on these BMG reissues. I have nothing to compare "PSS" and "AB" to, but the reissue of "The Point" (double with "Skidoo") sounds markedly inferior to my original CD of that album.
   Now, speaking of reissues, what about the post "Pussycats" albums?




5. The original mastertapes were in shambles. When BMG went back to Harry's original masters for his first two albums for the Personal Best Anthology they found that the tapes needed tender loving care to bring out the best sound. Like lots of recordings from the same time frame, the tapes hadn't aged well.

   This 2 disc set gets things right. Yes, there is still a significant amount of hiss but, trust me on this, it's better than having BMG reissue these classics using sonic solutions no noise (which was used on the Badfinger reissues from Apple--it's one of the reasons they sound so bad).

   Of the three albums included here APB sounds the best. Harry went back and remixed many of these tracks reducing many of the overdubs and, hence, improving the sound quality in many cases. Fans should note, however, that the bonus tracks on APB here are different from those found on the US edition.

5 comments about Peel Slowly and See.

1. 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.



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



3. 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.



4. 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. i've owned this set about three times for one reason or another. i always come back to it, though because it holds up well. it actually holds up better than most of the music that came out of that hippie era because the experimentation was way ahead of its time. i also like the way the avant garde blends with pop melody, to make it more accessible in some way..this music really is not as hard, as say Ornette Coleman is to fully digest. you just have to have an ear for it..beleive me, the rewards come in great dividends for sticking with this music.

5 comments about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

1. Brought this game for a friend. He loves it. States the graphics are great. Price was great compared to store prices. Game arrived undamaged.



2. ok ok ok you do NOT make a GTA CD box with country music in it i mean come on. Mabye when your playing the game but i dont think its right to have one hole frickin' CD dedicated to country music in a GTA box. Also Radio Los Santos has to share a CD with Playback. Obviously the only reason your gana buy this is because of the great rap and mabye for the old school dance music you might share with your parents... NOT LOL!!!
   Finally they also cut out some of the best songs from the game
   which include "187" Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre, "The Ghetto" (my favorite song) Too Short and many more. Even though they did have did have Slick Rick, Kid Frost and 2pac. There just wasnt enough rap in this box. If they took out the country and had Radio Los Santos have its own CD this would be perfct!



3. That about says it all. Now I respect the quality products from Rockstar, although this isn't one of them. Why again must some of the best songs from the radio station be missed out again? I remember the days of Vice City, singing along to the tracks which were unavailable on the soundtrack when it was released separately. Thankfully not many were missed out and I was available to obtain them another way legally. However a huge amount are missed this time. I don't know if it's down to record companies or the artists not letting their songs be placed on or some random with a distaste for the public but one thing's for sure it certainly is inconvenient. Ah well, there's always next time.



4. Well well well. This is the uber game with the uber sound track right? In some respects it is, 8 discs, better cover art and more songs for almost the same price. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, was a smash success for many reasons, one of them in my opinion was the inclusion of the music. I guess I'm a closet 80's music person since I didn't know much about it, but after that game I was out in the store checking out Flock of Seagulls albums. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a great game but I guess I'm not a fan of the 90's as I thought I was, especially music. The discs are set up like music cds, I miss the D.J. interface that Vice City had for each disc, made it personal in a way and the inclusion/exclusion of certain songs can be maddening. I mean why have "Welcome 2 the Jungle" on the commercials but not the ultimate soundtrack? Sure licensing issues aside, I enjoy the pack but again I guess I found out I'm not a 90's type music guy. The only big disappointment on the disc was K-Rose, the country disc. 99% of the songs were not even close to that decade. . . Not to say I want *gulp* Acky Breaky Heart, but hey, it's the time not the quality of music. Good price for the amount of music but not the same for fans of the Vice City ultimate pack.



5. I can see why you might buy this if you don't own the game and just like the songs on the mix, but if you own the PC version of the game you can just listen to the tracks in the car or extract them to Ogg Vorbis and expand them onto CD if you want to.
   
   So I can't really see why if you own the PC game you'd still buy this.
   
   Having said that, I like the selection, and like the Vice City box set (which you can extract to MP3 from the PC game) it has slightly different DJ chatter, which is always funny.
   
   Just try to behave yourself when you put it in your car stereo. Remember, you're NOT playing the game then. It's real life.

5 comments about Jersey Beat: Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

1. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons exploded on the musical scene with a Bob Gaudio original composition and this small label debut "Sherry" sold millions...huge diverse hits from the brilliant songwriting teaming of Bob Crewe/Bob Gaudio like "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like A Man", & "Marlena" followed and a legendary group unlike any other was born! Remakes mixed in to this very edible musical souffle like "Ain't That A Shame", "Stay" and "Peanuts" showed that when Frankie & The Four Seasons focused on a remake it would usually become a brilliant definitive version of the chosen song and this has continued throughout a incomparable career that is peerless and this wondrous collection is definitive and the one to have. An engrossing eight-two page booklet is included in this wonderfully crafted box-set is the best ever with a running commentary on each song by a wide range of the who's who in the entertainment industry such as Quincy Jones, Barry Manilow, Leslie Gore, Dick Clark, Fats Domino, Jay Black, Bill Medley, David Foster, Donna Summer, Neil Sedaka, Tony Orlando, and the list goes on and on!!! This feature makes sitting down and getting in to this mesmerizing collection a fun & satisfying musical venture...nobody has a career to compare with Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons as this mega collection clearly illustrates after a very successful run with Vee Jay, they blew it out of the water again with their major label debut.
   "Dawn (Go Away)" was that awesome Phillips single debut and everywhere one went this classic was heard and made many who were already hooked on this great group even bigger fans..."Rag Doll" went to the top of the charts the same year and classic hits like "Save It For Me", "Big Man In Town", "Bye, Bye, Baby", "Girl Come Running", "Let's Hang On!" continued a winning streak which has gone on and on. Fascinating off the wall songs from "Wonder Who?" are fun & entertaining diversions the first being a tremendous Dylan cover "Don't Think Twice (It's All Right)" which is an infectious take on this classic..."Lonesome Road" continued this winning incarnation. Another side road venture turned into a smash were Frankie Valli solo's with the first being the mesmerizing "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" showing Frankie Valli possesses a great & passionate voice with incredible dimminsion and a great deal of genuine pathos...a stunning debut from a great singer and as Neil Diamond notes this soulful performance as being one of his all-time favorite Frankie Valli recordings in the sublime liner notes which take one through the story of the original Jersey Boys! Frankie Valli continued making great solo recordings with great success and the hightlights include classic recordings such as "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You", "I Make A Fool Of Myself", the spine-tingling "To Give (The Reason I Live)",a wonderfully hypnotic "My Eyes Adored You", the chart topping "Swearin' To God", a great remake with Patti Austin of "Our Day Will Come", and the huge blockbuster #1 smash written by Barry Gibb "Grease"...quite an impressive list of solo hits and great performances!
   "Working My Way Back To You" & "Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)" continued the hit cycle in a most exhilarating way then a stunning surprise came with a Cole Porter brilliant cover of "I've Got You Under My Skin" which is a tour-de-force version of this classic and this formula continued for years to come with great success with superb versions of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and the Della Reese hit "And That Reminds Me (My Heart Reminds Me)" spun in a new and original way which has always been the hallmark of these great talents.
   Frankie & The Four Seasons could also rock out with the best of them and edgy hits like "Tell It To The Rain", "Beggin'", "C'mon Marianne" and "Electric Stories" are terrific examples...many should have been hits fill out this collection and it is clear they only failed because of no airplay as quality was not the issue..."The Night" is a brilliant cooker from The Four Seasons Motown stint and was never heard in the US but a few years later sold millions in Europe showing that artistry reigns supreme across the ocean while in the US radio will only tolerate an artist so much fame then it is on to the next fad and musical trend which they control...no matter how great an artist is when radio decides your day is through, then it is through and no matter how great the product it will only be heard by a few...discover a treasure of could have been hits in Disc Three and this is one that is filled with gems to be experienced over and over...Bravo to Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Bob Crewe and the rest of the sublime artists who give us this musical treasure!
   Experience this wondrous group in various settings over the years on the DVD and this addition is a nice bonus treat.



2. I would never imagined how many greatest hits and perfect songs were Frankie Valli and 4 Seasons's. I've been to Broadway's "Jersey Boys" recently and got fascinated. Then I decided to check the original, through this Anthology. It's amazing, and worth every cent you pay.



3. I found the CD's included several songs I had never heard them sing before. The DVD was great, demonstrating the old choreography of their era. In general,the package was very entertaining and I received it in a fairly quick manner.



4. Thanks to the hit musical "Jersey Boys," the once largely ignored impact and influence of The Four Seasons is now more relevant and recognized than ever. This new 4 disc boxed set, containing 3 cds and one dvd, is by far the most comprehensive and essential collection of their music ever released. With 76 classic Four Seasons tracks and a bonus dvd of tv appearances and live performances, the group's legacy has never been more accuarately represented.
   
   Disc 1 and the first half of Disc 2 chronicles the band's meteoric rise to success from 1962 to 1967. Thanks to the band's angelic harmonies, top notch production values, lead singer Frankie Valli's soaring falsetto and insanely catchy and brilliantly written songs by members Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Songs such as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like A Man," "Dawn (Go Away)," "Ronnie," "Rag Doll," (one of the most perfect songs ever written), and "Let's Hang On." All of these songs helped define American Rock and Roll and provided ample competition during The Beatles' invasion.
   
   Of course, besides these all time classics in the pantheon of popular music, lesser known tracks such as "Marlena," "Peanuts," "Marcie," "Silence Is Golden" and the woefully underrated "Big Man In Town" were further proof of The Four Seasons' kanck for creating well crafted, Spector esque musical productions with the same professionalism and uniqueness of early Beatles and Motown records that for many years cast The Four Seasons aside.
   
   By 1966, The Four Seasons' music starting getting more exprimental and complex as the 1960s' wore on. Records like "Working My Way Back To You," "Opus 17 (Don't Worry 'Bout Me)" an their cover of "I've Got You Under My Skin" represented a more mature, adult sound to their music, a far cry from the Doo-woop sound just four years earlier. By 1967, Frankie Valli was working part time as a solo artist and scored a massive hit with one of the most beautiful songs in the world, "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You." A rift began forming around this time. Frankie was ready to venture out on his own. Still, great music was still to be found from the group, despite a lack of chart success. "Watch The Flowers Grow," "Will You Love Me Tommorrow," (one of the best versions of the song), "She Gives Me Light," and "The Night." But by 1972, differences drove them aparrt. The original lineup departed from each other.
   
   Frankie Valli, however, remained active in the music field, and by 1975 he had established himself as a successful solo artist, scoring him a number one hit with the melancholy "My Eyes Adored You," a haunting reflection of lost childhood love that topped the charts. Frankie scored further hits with the funky "Swearin' To God" and an updating of "Our Day Will Come." His newfound success assured, Frankie put together a new version of The Four Seasons, with him as the only original members. The new incarantion of the group scored a massive hit with "Who Loves You?" and scored the biggest hit of their career with the timeless "December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)," a classic foray into disco known the world over.
   
   Valli scored further with "Grease," and by the 1980s' he and The Four Seasons were legends, still cutting records and performing. These rarely heard songs are a highlight of Disc 3.
   
   The set's accompanying booklet and dvd are both fantastic, and the book has some wonderful notes on each song by various well known celebrities in the entertainment field.
   
   This excellent collection is essential for all music fans.



5. I was born and raised in Philly and danced to many of these songs at that time. After seeing "Jersey Boys" here in Houston 6 times, I decided that I needed as much of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons music as I could get my hands on. This collection is amazing. So many of the songs I did not even remember. The book with the CD's was so enjoyable and educational also. The DVD is a trip! Watching the changing wardrobes was really incredible. Did we really like these styles? Anyway, thank for a collection that fulfilled all of my expectations and more.
   Phillygal

5 comments about Selected Works: 1972-1999.

1. WOW! The collections of music put together for the EAGLES Selected Works 1972-1999 is well worth the money spent. It's a great selections of music that sort of "paints the picture" of where the Eagles came from, who they are and what thankfully, for America and the World, they became.



2. A great set of CD's ..all the good stuff and some that we hadn't heard, that were good too. I recommend it to all country fans and early rock fans.



3. First off, I'm an Eagles fan, so that fact may or may not bias my opinion of this boxed set.
   
   If you don't already have any Eagles albums on CD (or if you just have 1 or 2), this boxed set is the way to go. It has ALL of their 70s hits and a few not-so-well-known singles as well ("Try and Love Again" is fantastic). The 4th disc was recorded live on New Year's Eve in 1999 (therefore titled "The Millenium Concert") and is fairly decent, though I have heard better. The song selection for this disc is pretty weak. They play mostly "b-side" singles and a few of their minor hits as well as a couple of cover tunes.
   
   I only had a few Eagles albums on cassette, so this boxed set was the way to go for me. There are some "outtake" tracks from studio sessions that shows a humorous side to the band which, I for one, found very funny and refreshing. Now we know why it costs millions of dollars to record an album!
   
   There is a nice booklet in this set that tells the Eagles story and has some nice photographs (mostly black & white) of the band from then and now.
   
   All in all, it's a good purchase, but again, if you already have the Eagles albums on CD, you might want to save your money.



4. EAGLES-SELECTED WORKS 1972-1999: If ever a music act could be rightfully accused of "feathering their nest", it would have to be the Eagles. Never mind that they initiated the era of the overpriced concert ticket, charging a then unheard of $75 for their first reunion tour in the mid-90's. SELECTED WORKS 1972-1999 is a superflous box set that stretches the point by...oh, let's say twenty years (after their last studio LP, '79's THE LONG RUN, they've only managed to dole out five new songs, none memorable). Worse, if you already own the Eagles' half dozen albums, you also own everything here, save a lame live disc containing a pair of tracks from Don (You want your face ta freeze like that, dude?) Henley's solo flight, a Joe Walsh tune, a Tom Waits cover, and not one, but TWO Xmas cuts! So how many EAGLES concert classics IS that exactly? (Don't even bother doing the math-even THOSE are available elsewhere). Let's call this un-thology what it really is---THE GOOSE (or better, THE TURKEY) THAT LAID THE GOLDEN NEST EGG! Man, I sure hope Randy Meisner is at least gettin' his cut! RATING: ONE BAD YOLK



5. They had the right idea. Giving each disc a theme ( "The Early Years", "The Ballads", "The Fast Lane")and selecting the songs appropriately almost works except for a couple of enormous missteps. First, each of these discs includes bits of studio jackassery that is neither particularly funny or even slightly enlightening. The space taken up by this nonsense would have been better used for missing selections, possibly a few from the band members' pre-Eagles days. Secondly, the fourth disc, titled "The Millenium Concert"is a disappointment. The song selection here is tepid at best, while Glenn Frey singing the lead on "Take It To The Limit" two or three octaves below the original Randy Meisner vocal borders on sacrilege. I held on to this package for over a year, and gladly traded it in for the Catalog Box Set. If that is more than you want to spend, get the two disc best of. It's cheaper than "Selected Works", and you won't have to listen to multimillionaire rock musicians cleverly calling each other "farthead" while goofing off in the studio.

5 comments about Talking Heads.

1. I was very excited to finally see these titles get remastered. Aside from the musical content, which is excellent, this package could not have been more poorly manufactured. First, you get a easy to crack plastic outer box. No booklet is included other than the individual CD liner notes. When I purchase a box as expensive as this, I expect excellent quality packaging, as well as audio fidelity. This set does not deliver.
   
   On a normal tray-style CD player, these discs function fine. In slot load drives however, simply inserting these discs can damage your player. The dual-disc format is just too wide. It can jam the motors, or get caught in the slot and not come out. If you attempt to rip these for MP3's, get ready for disaster. It can take forever, if they rip at all. Lot's of errors and skips. Computers just don't like these, especially Macintosh's. These actually caused my G4 iBook to fail to recognize the disc drive, and then they could not be ejected. It took me two hours to get the disc out of the computer! Read all the other peoples bad reviews on this if you don't believe me.
   
   As for the bonus content, it's nice, but nothing special. Most have a few demo's and alternate versions on the CD audio side, and throw away 5.1 audio mixes and a couple videos on the DVD side. All in all there really isn't that much content on DVD sides. Rhino could have easily made these as normal CD's, and thrown in a single bonus DVD disc for all the content contained on the flipside's in this entire box. Instead, they chose the unreliable, easily scratched/smudged, dual-disc format. I suggest you wait until this gets reissued again before purchasing these albums again. Go with the cheaper, non-remastered versions that really don't sound that bad.
   
   The price on this box isn't exactly that great either. You really are getting scr*wed by the man on this one. Shame on Rhino for this huge error. They know how a good box set should be made, and this isn't the way.



2. The ultimate collection, all lyrics and cover art included. If you're a fan this collection rocks.



3. My husband loves the Heads and has been waiting to receive this album for a long time. We had to purchase online because we were unable to find it in stores. The husband is extremely happy to have it! He says there are a few little strange quirks in the backgrounds of some of the recordings, but overall is very pleased.



4. This was a Christmas present for our son-in-law. Shopping online for this seemed easier than shopping locally for something we were unfamiiliar with. The item arrived quickly, in great condition at a reasonable price.



5. It's pretty simple. Great music, but lousy packaging. I owned all of their albums, so I wanted CD versions of them. I had read some of the reviews talking about the inferior packaging, but figured how bad could it be? So, I got this box set, and here are my issues with it: 1) You have no clue which CD is in which case. The sides of the jewel cases are blank white, so you need to start pulling them out of the cheap plastic box to find the one you want. 2) Three of the jewel cases were broken at the hinges, so the covers pop off. 3) One of the cases was cracked all along the bottom of the front.
   
   The quality of the music is great, some nice bonus tracks, and some great extras, like music videos, but...they could have made it even better with good packaging.

5 comments about The Fabulous 50's [3-CD Set].

1. One star minus one star=zero stars!
   Buyer beware. Madacy sells the bottom of the barrel product. Bad remakes (90% of the tracks) and poorly mastered originals (the remainder). Waste of money unless you want new versions of classic records. Just note: even then, they aren't very good.
   The worst part of this company and their marketing is they lead you to think you are buying original recordings.
   Don't waste your money...



2. There is not even one original song by the original artist on this CD. Maybe that's the reason it's so inexpensive. It consists of updated versions, admittedly by the original artists, or at least parts of their groups. Frankly, I'm surprised that an organization as reputable as amazon.ca would offer them for sale without a warning to unsuspecting customers. As a person who knows rock'n'rock history, particularly the '50's and '60s, modesty side, I would place more value on the jewel box in which this CD, and others like it, are packaged than the CD's themselves. The only reason I rated it "1" is that the option of "0" isn't available.



3. These CD's rock. There is not a reason out there, for you not to own these. If Superman enjoys this music, you will also.



4. I was not expecting this set to be of non-original recordings and was disappointed that it wasn't mentioned in any part of the ad. Some of the tracks are pretty good, but I was expecting originals.



5. Don't buy anything on this label. Ever. Only 2 minor flaws - they are either not the original recording (alternate tracks or rerecordings)or the correct track was mastered from a record fulminating in your Aunt Gertrude's closet for the past 30 years.