5 comments about Dreams.

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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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

5 comments about Peel Slowly and See.

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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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

5 comments about US Singles Collection Box.

1. Am I the only one who noticed that the stereo mix of she knows me so well is missing the guitar and doubled vocal tracks? Someone really missed the boat here. If those elements are missing, then it should be mentioned somewhere as it is in Pet Sounds. Also, the remixes are not faithful to the e.q. of the mono mixes. I shouldn't complain, but if you're going to do it, Capitol, do it right.



2. how many times can the same material be re-packaged and sold? any beach boys fan has all of the material here, most likely several times over. the packaging is way cool but contains, once again, the same old tunes. please, give it up already. ENOUGH!!!!!



3. The merits of this set as laid out in strictly musical terms already have been discussed. This is essential pop music and would be an awesome addition to any collection. Beautiful package, cool book and the sounds . . . well, let's just say that they are as fresh and innovative today as they were way back when.
   
   For many of us, however, this set is much more than the temporal sounds that emanate from the tiny, round aluminum circles contained herein. Within this box is the sound of a different America and a different world; a sound from a time that saw everything as a possibility, and the future as some sure-to-be-terrific adventure. The Beach Boys represent this time, this America, maybe better than any band in the history of popular music. With 40-odd years of hindsight, however, we now see how much both America and the Beach Boys have changed - and lost. Never a band to hide its (sad) emotions, the poignancy this reverse view of time elicits is staggering when you hear the music literally jump out of this box and into your ears. Packaged as updated 45 singles, the set further removes the listener to a more innocent time; a time before albums were 40-minute statements and taken as whole works of art. Once upon a time the Song was the Thing, and the Beach Boys ruled that very magical universe.
   
   The Beach Boys traveled many diffcult roads during the years that followed their heydey as chronicled in this collection. Brian went nuts. Dennis lost the fight of his life, succumbing to the evils of excess. Carl lost to an even more insidious enemy, as cancer removed his angelic voice from this world and carried it to its most logical venue. Thankfully, then, we have this music to remind us just how talent, heart, desire and true love of craft can translate into the finest canon of popular music ever committed to tape. I say this with no apologies to the Beatles, the Stones - or anyone else.
   
   So, the Beach Boys (despite both Mike Love's & Al Jardine's most pathetic attempts) are no more. And neither is America - at least not the one we once knew, or the one we once dreamed of. Buy this box, load your multi-disc tray and shut your eyes, however, and you are quickly transferred - if only temporarily - to a time when for both the Beach Boys and America, anything was possible.
   
   Presumably - and hopefully - there will be a second collection of Beach Boys singles, none of which will be as celebrated as the songs contained in this set. Nevertheless, some great songs followed, and many of them had very little to do with the Genius of Brian Wilson. When/if that set appears, we can then discuss its merits as the soundtrack to the Downfall of America, the End of Innocence and the withering-on-the-vine of America's most important and influential band.



4. It's absolutely disgraceful how Capitol treats its Beach Boys fans regarding the release of their stereo mixes. Every few years we have to purchase yet another redundant collection of songs just to get a few new songs in stereo. Last year it was "The Warmth of the Sun" (You're So Good To Me, All Summer Long), in 2001 it was "Hawthorne,CA" (Heroes and Villains, Dance Dance Dance), in 1998 it was "Endless Harmony" (California Girls), in 1996 it was "Pet Sounds", and on and on. This latest collection is the most absurd yet: $132.98 for two new stereo mixes (When I Grow Up To Be A Man and She Knows Me Too Well). At this rate the stereo Good Vibrations will cost $10,000 in 2025!! There's no reason (other than greed) why they couldn't have included "I Get Around" and "Help Me Rhonda" in stereo here as well. Bootlegs of these recordings exist with just one or two overdubs missing. There are many good homemade stereo versions of Good Vibrations out there on the web. PLEASE, Capitol, release these recordings while we are all still alive to buy them!!



5. If you're a serious Beach Boys fan, then this Singles box set if for you. I've struggled a long time to assemble my own set of the mono Beach Boys singles and it's not easy. This set makes it all perfect. The original mono mixes for the singles (and one EP) and then bonus tracks of stereo mixes or other rarities. Plus reproductions of all the single picture sleeves. I do wish they had included The Beach Boys first single on the Candix label as a bonus disc. I can't wait for Volume 2 which should include Caroline No as released by Brian Wilson.
   
   Also I can only hope that this set is a template for a possible release of The Beatles' singles on Capital Records.

5 comments about Doughboys, Playboys and Cowboys: The Golden Years of Western Swing.

1. IF SOMEBODY PUT TOGETHER THIS COMPILATION OF SONGS FOR A MASTER'S THESIS ON THE HISTORY OF WESTERN SWING MUSIC, THEY COULDN'T HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB THAN THIS. THIS IS A FOUR CD BOX SET WITH INFORMATIVE BOOKLETS IN EACH CD WITH LOTS OF PICTURES AND BIOGRAPHICAL INFO. ADMITTEDEDLY, THE EARLIEST STUFF DOESN'T QUITE "SWING" AS MUCH AS THE LATER RECORDINGS, BUT THE MUSIC IS STILL GREAT AND IT IS INTERESTING TO HEAR HOW THE MUSIC EVOLVES OVER TIME. A BARGAIN PRICE, I HAVE A FEW BOX SETS IN THIS SERIES (THE PROPPER LABEL) AND THEY ARE ALL FANTASTIC PRODUCTIONS AND VALUES. WHAT OFTEN GETS OVERLOOKED AS THAT WESTERN SWING IN MANY WAYS WAS A PRECURSOR TO ROCK AND ROLL, ALONG WITH R&B "JUMP BLUES" (AT LEAST TO MY EARS, ANYWAY).



2. Western swing fans will be dancing in the streets over this brilliant box set. It features 99 cuts dating from 1932 through the late 40's. They run chronologically and features all the great architects of western swing: Milton Brown & his musical Brownies, Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys, Light Crust Doughboys etc. Even if you're not a fan of country music, you may enjoy this one. It is genuine feel-good, stomping music with honkytonk pianos, fiddles, drums, guitars and even saxes. This is without a doubt the best buy for any fan of this genre. It is timeless fun! Crank it all the way up, pop open a cold one and all of sudden it's 1938 and you're in a Dallas honky tonk. By the way, the liner notes in the booklet are outstanding with dates, pixs, stories. Most interesting was that the Crystal Springs Ramblers from Ft. Worth were a favorite of Bonnie and Clyde's at a popular dance hall down there. Great job by Proper Records!



3. I read some of the other reviews and I can apperciate a lot what other folks are saying. I really agree with the one who said that todays Country Music makes them sick. What in the name of God does a naked Faith Hill rolling around a bed under the sheets singing some half baked so called Modern Country have to do with the music that I was raised on and grown to love. As the Great Bill Monroe stated "That junk ain't part of nothing",(I saw that on a FH video that was being played on cabel TV). What a moral let down, instead of appearing as one of our Country Stars she looks a lot more like a B-girl- that's where we are today. I said all that to say this: If you love WesternSwing like I do then you will love this set - it really has a lot of good stuff and takes you back to the days of Bob, Milton,Tommy,Leon, Spade and many other outstanding Western Swing artists. This set was a real welcome to my Swing Collection.
   Keep in mind that this music ain't for everybody.If you like spending time listening to the likes of a feuding Toby with the Dixie Chicks then this real Roots Music ain't for you. But if you would be willing to sell your top coon hound to get the money to get tickets to see "Asleep at the Wheel" then you might be a fan that can apperciate what was started by Bob & Milton way down in Texas back in the early 30's.
   While I type this review I'm listening to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys perform "Faded Love" on my computer so I'll cut it short. Buy this set - at this price you can't afford not too. While you are at it do what I did and get the "Proper Records - Bob Wills/Take Me Back To Tulsa" also - you will be Blessed !
   "ENJOY" Joe Kopeck / Parkville,MD.



4. This 4 volume box set by Proper is a fantastic overview of that great American musical art form Western Swing.
   It's not country, it's not cowboy, it's not swing, it's just great toe-tapping fun music!
   The songs in this album are presented in chronological order thus allowing the listener to experience the growth and progression of this great music.
   The songs are remastered originals and the sound quality is first rate.
   There's also a booklet containing liner notes about all the artists and a discography.
   I own several box sets by Proper and every single one is a bargain, well worth far more than the asking price.



5. My first exposure to Western swing was the first Asleep At The Wheel Bob Wills tribute CD, and I have been hooked ever since. However, up until I bought this collection, I have only heard Bob Wills. I was pleased to buy this in a local branch of Half Price Books. In addition to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, it also has selections from Milton Brown, Patsy Montana, the Light Crust Doughboys, Spade Cooley - just to name a few. This vibrant blend of cowboy/fiddle music and black blues/swing has yet to wander far from my CD player!

5 comments about Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974.

1. This is as good as music gets. The first CD is an introductory one, with some dated material, but once you get beyond the 40's, every song is a winner. This contains several Greatest Hits sets all in one place. Just brilliant stuff, to which I'd give my highest recommendation.



2. This is an excellent product for anyone who cherishes the
   old times when you had to SING a SONG not just repeating
   one verse over and over. There are some good hard to find
   songs that many of us had probably forgotten until they
   start to play and then they do bring back memories. An
   excellent gift for anyone over 50 years of age. Old
   enough to appreciate good music.



3. As I have waited many years to purchase this set, I have sampled it from the LP version that it was molded from. First released on CD in the early 80's there were two prior version that were released on LP. The first was started in the mid 60's and was released in the original mono versions for the first few volumes. It was then re-released in the 70's as two volume gatefold albums, also grouped in the first box set that the 8 CD set is modled after. The tracks have remained basically the same over the several releases with the final 8 CD set incorporating all the revisions. The quality of the recordings have been maintained throughout the entire collection without the tinkering that sometimes happens in the process of re-mastering. As I own several of the original recordings from the early 50's, in both the 78 and 45 rpm pressings, along with various reel and cassette releases. The sessions are the correct versions, as were made famous from their era. The history of these selections have maintained their importance in the soundtrack of the American Entertainment with their inclusion in some of the greatest box office releases in the past 4 decades. A little of the Atlantic history can be seen in the movie "Ray", as it was included in the bio of the most well know R & B artist of our lifetime. In addition, the r & r movies made in the early fifties featured the music of the Atlantic Black artist as featured in the first several disc of the collection. Dirty Dancing featured Soloman Burkes "Cry to Me", and many other tracks have been included in major movies over the decades. Every where you turn these tracks are a part of your history. To have them all in this one collection to enjoy endlessly, anytime you wish is worth the cost, whatever price you have to pay. If you were to download each track at .99 each you would pay well over two hundred dollars to burn all of these to CD yourself and you would not have the history that is included in this package. Although I sound like one of the TV ads, I just enjoy this music, I have grown up with it over the last 50 years and I feel it should be a part of any music collection as a part of the American R & B section. Buy it, listen, listen again and you will be overcome with the music, history and all that it has become.



4. Looked at this CD for years without buying - When I finally did, well worth the purchase - The sound quality is great and the music is without peer - Don't wait, buy!!!



5. This is probably the most extensive collection ever of the Atlantic RNb/Soul sound. Many of these records are real old, almost Smithsonian old but great to relive the history of RnB. Of course the 50s, 60s, and 70s soul classics are all in there. One surprising note is the variance in sound quality. Some of the songs from the 50s are cleaner than the ones from the early 70s. Maybe some were mixed for AM radio while others were not. Some of the master tapes may have also deteriorated. This is a must have for the RnB collector.

5 comments about A Half Century of Hits.

1. This set is over billed and is missing a lot of hits also the sound of the sun material is not good they sound better on the coletable set but well worth it for the rarities should have been a four disc set where is "Hot Damm I'm A One Woman Man" and the "Rock And Roll Medley"?



2. "Jerry Lee Lewis A Half Century of Hits" is the best Jerry Lee Lewis CD collection. Disc 1 is a collection of The Killer's great Rock and Roll classics and all original hit recordings. The second starts with his dynamic "Hi Heel Sneakers" followed by "I'm On Fire" both of which are special favorites of mine. The rest of Disc Two is also great. The version of "Your Cheating Heart" is the best I've ever heard and the version of "Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On" is I think as great as the original which of course starts off Disc 1. Disc 3 is the best of some of The Killer's more recent work and all the tracks are great. The disc ends off with 2 never before released recordings that JLL recorded when he was 16 years old. He is the finest rock and roll pianist, and noone could sing like him either. I have 23 other CDs by Jerry Lee. This collection is definitely a must have along with "Last Man Standing".



3. Nice box set, very god music, but a litle to much background noise in the remastering of the old numbers.



4. I have to give this one an "A" for effort. A 3-disc retrospective of rock 'n roll's original bad boy, with extensive liner notes, is a fine idea. But calling this a "career retrospective" is a bit misleading.
   
   For starters, where's Lewis's first single, Crazy Arms? You read that right: His FIRST SINGLE. A 3-disc set, 65 songs, but not his very first commercially-released song? Also MIA in this set: The seemingly-biographical ballad That Lucky Old Sun (and yes, I'm aware it was recorded by others prior to Lewis's version). And whatever you might think of the 1989 film GREAT BALLS OF FIRE, the "Killer" recorded some great material, including updated versions of many of his best-known hits. There was also his 1993 "Youngblood" album.
   
   A fourth discs of rare and unreleased songs would have also been nice, although many such gems can be found on Rhino's Rare and Rockin': Original Sun Recordings.
   
   This may all sound like nit-picking to casual fans. And it is. And for most folks, this is all the Jerry Lee Lewis they will ever need. And I'm certainly glad to have the set in my collection. Although I have most of the songs on previously-released discs, the sound quality of those eariler recordings varies greatly. So these discs will no doubt receive some heavy rotation at my house. But if you want the WHOLE Jerry Lee Lewis story, you'll have to look elsewhere to complete your collection.



5. This three CD set gives a wonderful feel for the range of the Legendary Jerry Lee Lewis. It covers his Sun Record years to his Honky Tonk transformation of the 1960's and 1970's. This is a must have for fans of the Killer.
   
   Perhaps the only ommission is the lack of a couple gospel tunes. The Killer had his spirtual struggles.

5 comments about Singles Collection: The London Years.

1. Contrary to the product title and description, this item is CD-only. If you want the SACD format, look elsewhere. Apparently, ABKCO is responsible for this confusion. [...]



2. Many of the items on this album have been released before in well known collections (Hot Rocks, More Hot Rocks: Big Hits & Fazed Cookies, etc.). However, this provides a nice survey of what the subtitle refers to as "The London Years."
   
   Especially welcome is Disc One. Here are a number of early works that draw upon the blues tradition out of which the Stones came. Their covers are as interesting, in some senses, as their own music. Chuck Berry's "Come on" illustrates. A nice rollicking version. Some of Willie Dixon's compositions are covered (e.g., "I Want to Be Loved," "I Just Want to Make Love to You," and "Little Red Rooster" [a cool version]). One of Buddy Holly's hits, "Not Fade Away," comes off well. Bobby Womack's "It's All over Now" is solidly sung (indeed, in a later Rolling Stones' tour, I saw Bobby Womack sing this as part of the opening for the concert). Stevie Wonder's "I Don't Know Why" is also included. The other songs on Disc One are primarily works by Jagger-Richards themselves. Toward the end of this are quintessential Rolling Stones works of the mid-1960s, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Get off of My Cloud."
   
   The second disc covers the years from "19th Nervous Breakdown" through the psychedelic album, "Their Satanic Majesties Request." Some rather little known works appear, but most are well known. Because of that, this covers much the same territory as "Hot Rocks" and is less interesting than the first CD. The final disc has a lot of the "greatest hits" of the late 1960s and early 1970s (think "Street Fighting Man," "Honky Tonk Women," "Brown Sugar," and "Sympathy for the Devil"). There are also some mildly entertaining trifles ("Jiving Sister Fanny" and "Memo from Turner").
   
   The most interesting of the CDs, then, is the first, since it shows off nicely some of the foundational works upon which the Rolling Stones' oeuvre is based.



3. This box set was release in the late 80s during the peak of the box sets revival. The problem with the collection here is that it included all of the 45 records on 3 CDs. This may seem like a good ideal, and I will be the first to admit it, I thought it was great until I got it home and started listening to it. The problem is that not only does it included all of the hits, from "Satification" to "Get off my Cloud" to "Sympathy For The Devil", it includes also the B-side of the 45s, which include such songs as "Little Red Rooster", "Jiving Sister Fanny" and "Who's Driving Your Plane?". The issue is not the good stuff, it the filler that kills it. The Stones have way to many great songs, both before and after "Exile on Main Street" then to waste time listening to almost half the songs on this album. If you love the stones in the London Years, trade this in for Hot Rocks.



4. This album is simply great fun from beginning to end. Made up of all the material on the Stones' singles, A and B sides, from the London years, it is a grand tour of their early years and their evolution as one of the top rock and roll bands of all time. The mix is good enough on the CD that the mono still sounds fine to me on a stereo system, so I have no complaints there. The sound is raw and energetic, much the way I expect their early concerts sounded. If you are a Stones fan, this is an essential addition to your music collection. So good that when the CD ends, you want to give it another listen.



5. Many, like me, read these reviews as a pastime. There are a few reviewers who must be more audiophilic than simply lovers of the Stones, or rock, or any particular group. In this particular case, since it is such a comprehensive and large box set--if you remember these were all singles, that's a LOT of vinyl replaced by 3 little discs--I am not going to be so particular.
   
   This is the first boxed set or CD of any kind my goil friend, and now wife, risked buying finicky me: she felt she could not go wrong! And she was 100% correct. Mono, stereo, SACD, AIFF, AAC, whatEVAH--If you were jumping up and down to these songs over some tiny transistor AM radio in the sixties, and singing these songs in the bathroom, and they came out of your dashboard on Saturday night when you had your date parked out in the woods, BUY THIS! It sounds great, absolutely amazing, song after song, compared to what we had then, and the hits keep right on coming. Try to decide which songs Mick was messed up on. Figure out which ones were influenced by some other band from that era when they came out. Dig how amazing Brain Jones was always!
   
   I don't think you can pack more coolness into a boxt set, as someone else said. This set of mine is like fifteen years old now, and I put it on iTunes a few months back. It gets played, in part, nearly every day, and I have 60 Gigs of iTunes! How good is that?

5 comments about The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961-1991.

1. This is the first of the Bob Dylan official Bootleg Series offered by CBS/Sony and it offers up a delicious set of recordings that any Dylan fan just has to love. Most of these songs have appeared on Bootlegs over the years, but not all of them. There are some gems here that must have been shockers to both Dylan fans and Dylan bootleggers alike, especially the hauntingly beautiful "Farewell Angelina" that Dylan gave to Joan Baez to record. Hearing Dylan do it himself is a pure pleasure. And the two closing songs, "When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky" and "Series of Dreams" are just outstanding. What a rock song, "When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky" is. Wow!
   
   I particularly like the Infidels outtakes on disc three, from "Tell Me" through "Blind Willie McTell." But wait! There's more," the Alternate take of "Subterranean Homesick Blues," is just as good as the original and will have you singing the words right along with Dylan, if you still know 'em, that is. "Nobody 'Cept You," left off of Planet Waves is a heart rendering love song, "She's Your Lover Now," left off of "Blonde on Blonde, because they never got the last verse right, is a song I play all the time. Actually I play this whole set all the time. It's just great.



2. It's simple if you like Bob Dylan and want to hear new songs and versions that,for whatever reason, where held back from release order this now. If you know you have more patience then you did when you were younger and want to take this lyrical trip through the stories and feelings shared order this now. You can't be dissapointed.



3. This CD set is a super collection of terrific work. When I first heard Blind Willie McTell I was literally trembling a bit and a tear or two was running down from my eyes so good is this song. Bob chose to discard this because he said that it needed more development. But I cannot see how he could have improved on this one--maybe have Bruce Hornsby play some fancy piano work? I don't know. This collection of songs is packed with terrific surprises. Foot of Pride has an Indian-type beat and the song is equally terrific--a masterpiece as well. You have lots and lots of his old songs and many terrific surprises. Some of his earlier work is just as GREAT as some songs he did later on, and his voice is rich when he was younger. He sings his own version of an ancient ballad (House Carpenter) and he did it awesome--only him and his acoustic guitar! It's one of his best--ever. He can take center stage by himself w/his guitar and he needs no one else around him. That is how talented he is. You have so so many songs to choose from, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed in any way with this collection. You even have humorous songs, serious songs, lively songs and songs just to entertain you. I love "When the Ship Comes In" that he wrote during one night at a hotel--there is still another version of this one on the other bootlet series 7 that is even better (my opinion). That song is one of my favorites and should be appreciated much more than it is. I would like to hear "When the Ship Comes In" sung by a chorus. You have LOTS AND LOTS to choose from. Seven Days is AWESOME and is sung live, and too bad he never put that one on a CD (as far as I know) because he only did that song about 5 times and let it go. I have too many favorites from this set to mention but you will not be mistaken by buying this set. Trust me on this. I don't know how he is able to have composed so many good good songs. Gee Wiz my father was a exceptionally talented musician and composed music often, and I his own child CAN'T compose music in my waking hours. You really have to admire such talent because that is a gift from above.



4. I got it for my boyfriend's birthday along with a few other Dylan cds...I think he's morphing into another version of Dylan. He absolutely loved this series though. I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Mr. Bob Dylan!!



5. This was sent as a gift.... a perfect gift for any Die Hard Dylan fan....It came greatly appreciated and I enjoyed listening to it myself when visiting!!! Should have purchased two sets!!!