5 comments about Steve Miller Band.

1. An excellent 3 CD set tracing the entire spectrum of Miller's career highlighting his varied musical styles. Most of his finest works appear here. Childs Medley and Les Paul & Steve add little and could have been omitted. What detracts from this set however, is that there are only small excerpts from Jackson-Kent Blues, Sacrifice, Baby's House, and Song for Our Ancestors. A 4 CD set would have been a more polished effort to include full-length versions of the aforementioned titles and other Miller standout tunes such as Sugar Babe, Brave New World, Window, and Heart Like a Wheel. Overall a fine effort worth the price and probably the best compilation of Miller tunes around.



2. ... he's pretty darn great isn't he! I like this set, but for me, who only knows to hits that play on classic radio, found it to be about one disc too long. About every song I hadn't heard on disc one was... not very good, to put it nicely. But disc 2 and 3 are great, and there definatly a lot more to these guys than just "The Joker." Overall, since there is no perfect set for the casual fans, I'd still give a thunbs up to this... but as most casual fans will find it too expensive, and go with a one disc greatest hits. If your willing to pay though, by all means go ahead and enjoy not only "Jet Airliner," but gems like "Winter Time."



3. I agree with all the reviews raving about this box set. The child recordings on Disc 1 offer a glimpse into his early talents. And the set covers pretty thoroughly Steve's career, especially his glory days in the late 60's and 70's. However, for some inexplicable reason, they chose to cut the length of "Song For Our Ancestors" from over five minutes down to 2:13, simply by fading it out. This is one of the most unique psychedelic era songs you will ever hear from any artist, and the record company chops it in half. To hear the full version, get a copy of Miller's 1968 album, "Sailor."



4. Check out Disc number two in this boxed set and head directly for the song "ONE IN A MILLION". This is it. It is essential Miller and the song itself describes my love for someone so far away. Check it out!



5. There's some interesting stuff in here, and if you're new into Steve Miller, I recommend getting this and leaving the others alone. But I do have a question and hopefully someone can answer me back on it. Where is the Steve Miller Rock Love album with "Love Shock" and "Delieverance" on it? That's a great album and all I have is my dad's scratchy copy.

5 comments about Stages.

1. I brought this package for the DVD only. I really enyoyed the DVD of the LIVE performance in Ireland and also enjoyed the CD's.



2. When the others want to see, listen and experience how it's done - this does it and more. No wonder they keep coming back for more. The Class act of entertainment.



3. I love this set. I have purchased many as gifts.
   The creativity of this presentation makes a very attractive package not to mention the great variety of music included in the 5 CD's. The DVD gives a delightful picture of what it would be like to tour with Neil and the Band. My favorite quote from Neil on the DVD: "I'm burned out...". It's a little human touch to a very great performer.



4. I was originally just going to order one as a gift for my brother -- I decided to buy one for myself as well. Glad I decided to order one for myself! What a treat and a MUST HAVE for all Neil Diamond fans. Next best thing to a live concert. I have attended five Neil Diamond concerts (so far) 1976 - Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV; 1983 - The Forum, Los Angeles, CA; 1985 - Capital Centre, Laurel, MD; 1995 - MGM Grand Gardens, Las Vegas, NV and 1999 - TD Waterhouse, Orlando, FL -- and STAGES rekindled fond memories of those concert experiences.



5. A very well compiled & presented edition.Cost was most reasonable
   & delivery was only 4 days, most impressed

5 comments about To Be Continued....

1. HAPPY WITH THIS BOX SET OF ELTON JOHN THE PRODUCT WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION LIKE NEW. AND VERY HAPPY WITH THE SELLER. DELIVERY WAS VERY FAST, GOOD SERVICE



2. 
   1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
   Nearly all you could want., 7 April 2008
   By D. Wright "davewright29" - See all my reviews
   
   
   
   
   When I was growing up - a period which coincided with Elton's rise to stardom - I wasn't a great fan of his. I liked Honkey Cat, which was nearly the first single I bought, until my mate talked me out of it because Elton wasn't cool, so I bought Take Me Bak Ome by Slade instead! That was essentialy what we felt was wrong with Elton at the time - he wasn't really a rocker. Crocodile Rock and Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting (which always sounded a bit silly when sung by someone patently not tough like Elton! Bit more appropriate when the Who did it, as Roger Daltrey was a fighter!) weren't really rock in the sense that Led Zep or Deep Purple were, whilst there were also too many soppy ballads for teenage boys.
   However when I became an adult I bought a greatest hits album and started collecting the early 70's classics when they were remastered in the 90's. It was only after I began playing them again a couple of years ago that I realised actually how good and varied Elton's music was. I was then inspired to investigate his later material, which apart from the obvious hits had always passed me by. So it is from this perspective that I come to this box set.
   
   The first thing that strikes the listener about Elton John is how incredibly prolific he was. Probably only Dylan, Van Morrison and Neil Young have produced as much music and they have all been recording longer. This inevitably means that there is a good deal of inconsistency. And there is little doubt that, like Bowie at the time, he produced some poor albums in the 80's. However there were exceptions. Too Low For Zero in 83, Made In England in 95 and the 00's albums Songs From the West Coast and The Captain and The Kid are as strong as anything he's done. But for every one of these there is a dreadful Victim of Love or a Leather Jackets. I also found Peachtree Road, the acclaimed follow up to the excellent Songs From The West Coast, just boring. So quite often a strong album is followed by a poor one.
   
   This box set contains all the hits, although a couple of them: Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me and the massively well known Candle In The Wind are not in their original versions, but are inferior live versions when Elton was struggling with his voice in the mid 80's. Therefore this box isn't suitable for people who only want all the hits as they know them. Part Time Love is also missing completely. This is a bit annoying when the awful Act Of War with Millie Jackson is included. The excellent The Club At The End Of The Street has also been left off in favour of its B side, a dreadful version of Give Peace a Chance (not a brilliant song melody wise in the first place), which is a ridiculous decision. You do get other singles which weren't hits though, such as the brilliant tribute to John Lennon, Empty Garden, (Hey Hey Johnny). This was one of John/Taupin's very best songs, but because it unnaccountably wasn't a hit is usually left off compilations. There is also another excellent flop Feel Like A Bullet in the Gun of Robert Ford, albeit again in a live version, but this time a good one. There are also four new songs to tempt fans specially recorded for the box; unfortunately none are really memorable and could have been omitted to include better songs such as Part Time Love, The Club At The End Of The Street and Burn Down The Mission.
   The booklet contains a lot of excellent photos and an interview with Elton and Bernie. There is also a commentary on his career, but because he has been so prolific it isn't as comprehensive and thorough as it could have been. For example there is no real insight into all the individual songs as you get on some box sets.
   
   It could actually be argued that the box is now somewhat redundant as most of the unreleased songs have subsequently been issued as bonus tracks on the remastered albums. Record companies seem to have a habit of doing this now: issuing a box set full of rarities then issuing those rarities on re-released albums.
   I think for someone just getting into Elton or exploring his work in the 80's you might be better buying the remastered albums, as this box set is expensive and not easy to obtain now. But for someone who wants a cross section of Elton's career up to 1990 (remember he's produced tons of music since!) and would like more than just the big hits, it is a very worthwhile purchase.



3. To Be Continued is a wonderful box set of Elton John's career. From his early demos to his late 80's songs it covers his career very well. Much of this disc focuses on his glory years of the early-mid 70's but there are also some more obscure numbers that are great additions to this collection. (such as "Bad Side of the Moon" and the live version with John Lennon of "I Saw Her Standing There").
   
   As usual with box sets, some songs are omitted. In my case I really would have liked the original studio version of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", one of his greatest singles ever, and the rollicking "Grow Some Funk of Your Own". Still, this collection is first rate, and for those who like box sets this is one of the better ones.



4. If you love Elton John, you will love this incredible box set! I received it as a Christmas gift years ago, when it was first released, and it has been one of my most often played CDs ever since. So many of Elton's greatest hits are here; "Empty Garden", "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues", "Bennie and The Jets", "Grey Seal", "Candle in the Wind" and "Your Song", they are all here and so many more... It is hours of beautiful Elton John classics all in one place. What more could an Elton fan ask for? You won't be disappointed!!!



5. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED WITH THIS BOX SET. IT HAS ALOT OF HITS. BUT WERE DID MCA GET THE MASTERS FOR THIS SET. ON DISC 1, (2) SONGS HAVE DROP OUTS IN THE RECORDING, DANIEL IS A RUFF CUT NOT SMOOTH AS I HEARD ON A 2-TRACK MASTER DONE BY STEVE HOFFMAN. DISC 2. NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. DISC 3. PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM AND ISLAND GIRL COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER. DISC 4. IM STILL STANDING RUFF CUT, NOT SMOOTH AND ACT OF WAR, TURN IT UP LOAD DESTORTION, LIKE IT WAS,NT REMASTERED BUT MASTERED INSTEAD. I OWN A FEW MCA RECORDINGS THAT WERE REMASTERED. A FEW OF THEM DONT SOUND AS GOOD REMASTERED AS THEY SHOULD BE. IT COST MONEY TO GET A PERFECT SOUND. IT'S BEST TO DEAL WITH AN IMPORT CD. YOU MIGHT GET YOUR MONEYS WORTH.

5 comments about Billboard Top Hits: 1980-1984.

1. This was a great collection of music from the early 80's and it actually was a compilation of hit songs unlike some other "best of" or "greatest hits" collections that I have purchased previously. Great sound quality as well.



2. I listened to completely different kinds of music at the time, so I didn't have many memories attached to these songs. The musical quality of the songs is actually suprisingly good, and the mastering has been done well. This is a nice review of hits of the early 1980s. Ten songs per CD isn't much, so there could have been more songs from each year.



3. This was during Xmas 1984. One lovely girl from Texas brought to Poland (this is where I live) the 10 cassetes pack with "The Best of Billboard - 1984". I still hear this music. Now I can buy a piece of it.

   To anyone who was ...teen in 1984: you have to own this one. Don't tell me there is no music you remember from these years. It must be one at least. Remember the first girlfriend. The first kiss maybe? Yes! That's it!.




4. This set takes me back to the early days of MTV. Pac-Man fever, Atari and great times in my life. As a child of the 80s it was a special time and special music. This box set helps take you back from time to time!



5. again billboard has done well in putting together a box set of the best songs of this time period. you will appreciate this gathering of the best. every listening minute of this box set is pure elation. not to be passed up.

5 comments about The Aeroplane Flies High.

1. I love this boxset. True, its based around the singles released from the album, but at the same time its all the extra's that come with it that make it so much more of an experiance, the book art and the b sides make it a nice (and now quite rare treat) for many SP fans, before their sound became truley lob-sided sounds with machina and machina II... let us not forget the horribleattempt of Corgan's Mary Star of the Sea and Zeitgeist
   
   Get this if you a fan that discovered the true gem of their early 90's (and earlier) sound. it is a collectable and worth the pennies you spend on it.



2. Unlike Nirvana and Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins never had all the angst about success that the aforementioned bands had. Sure, they had angst. It was the mid 1990s and it was grunge. Most bands had angst. But Billy was smart enough to market it. For Billy, he wanted to be a rock star, and that's what he got to be.
   
   And not only that, he was the most prolific songwriter of the whole grunge movement. I have assembled my own Pumpkins' B-Side/Rarities CD-R collection, which is a full five 80 minute cds, comprised entirely of material that was released officially but never released on their six studio albums. This box set is a testament to his prolific writing. What's also a testament to Corgan is just how GOOD all these B-sides are. He's kinda like Dylan in that Corgan's outtakes, at least in this period, is just phenomenal.
   
   For their third album, MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADNESS, the band turned in one of the most ambitious (and some say indulgent) albums rock ever saw. It was a double album with a two hour running time (long even for a double album), and Corgan and Company did everything from folk, dreamy pop, jazz, heavy medal, hard rock, and new wave. Listening to Corgan was somewhat akin to listening to an amalgamation of David Bowie, Husker Du, and a good number of 1970s rock bands. For my money, MELLON COLLIE is a flat-out masterpiece, easily the best album the band ever did, and on par with Soundgarden's BADMOTERFINGER, Alice in Chains' DIRT, Pearl Jam's TEN, Mudhoney's, and even the critical darling Nirvana's NEVERMIND. In my view, MELLON COLLIE really is my generation's version of Pink Floyd's THE WALL. It's that good.
   
   But here's the amazing thing. After the band released the double album in 1995, they released this box set just a little over a year from MELLON COLLIE. As good as MELLON COLLIE is, and even given its rather abnormal length, listening to this sounds like the band actually cut quite a bit of incredibly entertaining material here. In fact, they could have followed MELLON COLLIE up with a new album in 1996 or 1997, and it would have been just as big a hit as their magnum opus.
   
   But the band didn't do that. You see, Corgan, kinda like Ryan Adams (though that comparison may be a bit unfair to Corgan), is very much about the rock star image, and AEROPLANE FLIES HIGH is designed just as much for the retro throwback to 1960s and 1970s record releases and that era's rock culture as it is to release new material.
   
   Rather than assembling a second album (or, as I like to think of this box set, a third disc to MELLON COLLIE), Billy supplemented each of the five singles drawn from MC with 4 to 6 new songs, gave each disc its own kind of mini-album continuity, and released it in a rather cumbersome box set. All told, there's about one hundred and forty minutes of music here, longer than the original album, which is already something of a monstrosity when it comes to length.
   
   Each disc follows its own flow.
   
   Disc 1, the "Bullet with Butterfly" single, has the lead track, a great mellow acoustic number sung by James Iha and D'arcy and then several covers.
   
   Disc 2, the 1979 single, is the rock/pop EP, and has some of the best songs on the entire set.
   
   Disc 3, the "Zero" single, is the more hard rock and metal EP. The single has the only really bad song here, the twenty three minute "Pasticho Medley". Esentially, the song (if you can call it that) is a bunch of roughly edited snippits of all these unfinished songs and recordings the band made during the album sessions. In fact, the medley is rather jarring to listen too, as it feels like Corgan was going to make an epic instrumental of all his unreleased songs, but rather than write interconnecting instrumental parts and transitions, all this music just butts up against each other. I've listened to AEROPLANE for a long time, and I only made it thru "Medley" once. Trust me, life's to short to listen to it any more than that, and even once is questionable.
   
   Disc 4, the "Tonight, Tonight" single, focuses more on the ballad, dreamy pop sound, and has one of their all-time definitive songs ("Rotten Apples").
   
   Disc 5, the "Thirty Three" single, is the most wide ranging in sound, featuring winding guitar epics to rather experimental cover choices.
   
   Now, lets look at THE AEROPLANE FLIES HIGH had the band chose to release this as a regular album. First off, dispense with the already released songs. That knocks out about twenty minutes. Then knock off the utterly disposable "Pasticho Medley". That's roughly forty five minutes gone. Then delete all the covers. After this musical exorcism, you're left with roughly seventy five to eighty minutes of original music. And it's some of the best music of the Pumpkin's career.
   
   You don't get better music in the grunge genre than "Set the Rays to Jerry", "Ugly", "Pennies", "Believe", "God", "Medallia of the Grey Skies", and the rest. I fully believe had they released the music in a more user-friendly format, the resulting album would be as highly regarded as SIAMESE DREAM and MELLON COLLIE, and as it is, of all their B-sides AEROPLANE sounds most like MELLON COLLIE, enough to be a third disc of that album. While I've never been a fan of the title cut (gets a little monotous for my taste, and strangely enough they cut almost a minute off it on ROTTEN APPLES), "The Aeroplane Flies High" certainly does have an epic guitar feel to it, and would have fit in well with MELLON COLLIE.
   
   And of course, we have one of the Pumpkin's best songs, the aforementioned "Rotten Apples". The song's so good they even named their greatest hits package. It's one of my top five favorite songs of not only the Smashing Pumpkins catalogue but the whole grunge scene indeed. What the hell Corgan was thinking (for you know he is the band, as evidenced by ZIETGIST) when he cut the song from MELLON COLLIE I'll never know.
   
   As evidenced by how popular the band was in 1996, when Virgin Records released the set it sold tremendously well. A limited edition release, the box reached #42 on the Billboard charts, and sold 300,000 units (1.5 million discs in all), generating a platinum disc for the band. Originally intended to be limited to 200,000 copies, Virgin Records produced more after the original run sold out due to overwhelming and unexpected demand
   
   Overall, the set has some of the Pumpkin's best songs here, and this is the closest thing we have to the great lost Pumpkins album. Well, this, and the Reel Time demos they cut before GISH.
   
   EDITION NOTIES: This set is now unfortunately out of print, and has been since 1996. You'll have to buy it used or ebay it.
   
   *For the smart consumer, you should know this box set curiously omits one officially released recording from the MELLON COLLIE era. This is the instrumental "Infinite Sadness", available now on their Rarities/B-Sides digital downloads. The song was originally released on the vastly reconfigured MELLON COLLIE vinyl album, which also included the "Tonight, Tonight" reprise found here.



3. Contrary to another review on this page, if you are a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins, you are going to love this set. Although I am quite a big Pumpkins fan, I think even non-hardcore fans will like it. Wheather you like the sorrowful splendor of Adore, the more up-beat feeling of Siamese Dream, or just the pure beauty of Mellon Collie, you're going to love this set because it has it all. There's even a bit of almost heavy metal-ness in the song 'Pastichio Medley' which is just 25 minutes of guitar riffs piled into one track. I know how bad that sounds now, but think of it like this: the riffs are like those catchy openings of songs like 'Today', 'Thirty-Three', and 'Here Is No Why', and they sound surprisingly good end-to-end.
   
   The tracks on this set still have that famous Smashing Pumpkins feel to them; I don't find them any less enjoyable than the songs on Mellon Collie or Adore. In fact, a lot of my favorite songs are on here. There's such a great variety: there are beautiful covers songs of The Carrs and The Cure, songs featuring mainly D'arcy and James on vocals, angry songs, sad songs, happy songs....oh, I could go on and on. I have to point out that D'arcy's voice is absolutely amazing on 'Dreaming', as is James's on 'The Boy'. Listen to the samples; I think you'll like what you hear.
   
   And then there's the cost factor. I actually bought mine here on Amazon for $40. It was not new, but was still in mint condition. Listen to the song samples, and if you like them and you can find it for a reasonable price, just go for it. Believe me, you will not regret it. This is truely a beautiful piece of art that I am very passionate about, and I hope you fall in love with it as much as I have.



4. Smashing Pumpkins......enough said!! NOW BUY EVERYTHING SMASHING PUMPKINS!!! you will NOT regret it!



5. Okay, first off, yes this is for hardcore Pumpkin fans. But then again, if you're NOT a dihard Pumpkin fan, what are you doing here?
   
   You've heard it all before, blah blah, this is just really a compilation of B-Sides. B-sides not meaning poorly-written songs, just very quickly recorded.
   
   So, that leaves them with a very raw, unfinished and unpolished sound. I personally love the feel you get out of it. I can imagine some people absolutely hating it.
   
   Many people consider The Aeroplane Flies High five singles from Mellon Collie. This is sort of true... Really, averaging around six tracks per CD they're more like EP's than singles. Also, for instance, with Tonight Tonight there were two versions of the single, each with different tracks. The Aeroplane Flies High combines all the tracks together.
   
   One person's review, I believe, complains saying that there are too many CD's and they could have easily fit them all on two cd's instead of five. Now, that's totally true, but there's something MAJOR that makes this box-set really all worth it. Each EP is true to their A-Side. For instance, with Zero all the B-sides are all hard-rock tracks, like "God" and "Mouths of Babes", with 33 you get more quiet subdued tracks like "The Last Song" and "The Bells". This means each EP sounds very well done, rather than just a jumble of tracks everywhere.
   
   It's important to know that if you're ever going to consider buying this you REALLY need to like Billy's voice. Since these weren't given much time Billy didn't bother re-recording parts where he sounds exceptionally awefull. Of course, for me, since for whatever reason I love Billy's horrible whiney voice, it's a treat.
   
   The biggest problem you'll have is not really deciding on whether you'll get it, or even getting the money for it, it's reall all dependant on HOW you'll get it. I reccomend either here, eBay, or Half.com. You'll HAVE to buy it used, so be careful you get all the CD's and everything's in good condition. If you're lucky, you can land a price around $40, if you're unlucky, expect around $70. So, plan around those two numbers.

5 comments about One Nite Alone...Live!.

1. he doesn't sing alone. he feels the feelings of the public. or is it the public who feels his feelings?



2. If you've ever seen Prince Live- YOU GOTTA PEEP THIS ONE! I'm a collector of Prince music and memorabilia- If U are... U gotta own this! LYNCHMOBB69



3. For better or for worse, the man still has not changed much in the 22 years that I have been a fan of his. I still see that his concerts go big on the most recent material (i.e. things he has with a new album) while alot of the oldies are glossed over and played for about 15 seconds (enough just to get one refrain in):(
   I swear to you, this box set is sorta the same old thing you can expect from this man. I paid $50.00 for this and got three CD's worth of music (some great, some so-so and some just overly long stuff) You mostly pay $25.00 for the music and $ 25.00 for the box itself with the booklet inside! I almost feel the rube but I am willing to give this a second chance. So far, not so pleased though:
   
   Prince is a brilliant genius. What can you say he loves to jam. And in one of the CD's "It AINT over", there the man is playing "Girls & Boys". Which come to think of it is almost 8 minutes of him & his band and the only reason this is considered "Girls & Boys" is because the chant of "I love you baby, I love you so much" is said by the audience at the beginning of the song! How is that "Girls & Boys??!?? I love that song, but with no Eric Leeds onstage with him, that song is NEVER to be played! The same treatment is given to "Peach" ANOTHER great song which leaves U thinking "What the hell..?" Prince obviously dances to the beat of his own drummer. Lol And so it goes on.
   The second CD has alot of Prince just doing his regular "slow jams" melodies and I swear you will think because you see on the CD listing for "Diamonds & Pearls" and "Do me Baby" but get ready for just 20 seconds of each song (thus, that is considered long enough for a track listing (???)) Then get ready to hear yet another over-long rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Anna Stesia". I swear, why does he love "Nothing.." so much? It was never a hit for him! It's his song so whatever...("Adore", "The Beautiful 1's", "Take me with U" and "Raspberry Beret" are given good treatments, but "Diamonds & Pearls", "Free", "Do me Baby" and "Starfish & Coffee" are given the bum-rush jobs)
   Obviously, as always the man wants people to know his newer material "Muse 2 the Pharoah", "1+1+1 is 3", "Everlasting Now", "Avalanche" et al are all mostly played their entire length. That's fine, but don't be SO impatient to run through your catalogue so fast that certain songs (new or old) suffer from BEING TOO SHORT!!!!! He USED to take his time with his songs when the concerts were simpler (think Controversy tour 1981), when "Purple Rain" hit, the concerts became more rushed in my opinion.
   
   Save the $50. This set has bad false advertising, plus it's from a period of time where Prince's "Hero" Larry Graham got too much stage time. (I thought Sonny T was Prince's hero???)



4. Very hot, at times experimental, incredible muscicianship, and flat out funky songs! A great package, and worth every penny.



5. One Nite Alone...Live! delivers rich funk, smooth jazz and powerful rock! Maceo Parker, Rhonda Smith, John Blackwell, Renato Neto join Prince in this amazing 3 disc live recording. From the opening track "Rainbow Children" to the final track "Everlasting Now" you'll be transported to another planet! Song like Rainbow Children, 1+1+1=3, The Beautiful Ones, Joy in Repetition, Take Me With U, Do Me Baby deliver the album. Amazing collection of material that will please the new fans as well as the old ones. Overall, Prince - One Nite Alone...Live! is truly one of the greatest live recordings out there! This album will not disappoint! Solid live material, beautiful music/vocals, over 30+ songs are presented. Will make a great addition to your Prince collection!

5 comments about All Good Things: Jerry Garcia Studio Sessions.

1. I remember the day I got this when it was first issued. Being a HUGE fan of the Dead and Garcia without the Dead , I was looking forward to hearing all my old vinyl versions replaced by digital bliss. Having purchased (literally) hundreds of Rhino releases in the past , including the two Dead boxes , my expectations were high. 5 and 1/2 hours later I had made it through the whole box straight. What a long , strange trip it was ! The sound is remarkable , many of the songs went on to be featured in the Dead's canon ; but what makes this box the most enjoyable is the previously unreleased material. Loads and loads of stuff that , to this point , had never seen the light of day. The very next day , I listened to only the previously unreleased material again...worth the price of the box alone ! Put it in your cart !!!



2. IF YOU ARE A DEAD-HEAD,THIS IS A MUST HAVE,DONT LEAVE HOME WITH OUT IT.



3. I agree with previous reviewers. All Good Things is the perfect companion to The Golden Road box set.
   
   I'm new to Jerry's music. Frankly, I'm also (as of this year) new to the music of the Grateful Dead. But I'm making up for lost time, enjoying all of this music for the first time.
   
   From what I can tell, Jerry Garcia was underrated. I think his persona as the leader of the Grateful Dead effectively pigeonholed him as a trippy guitar player with so-so talents in one of the world's biggest bands.
   
   When you strip all that away, however, and listen to his solo CDs with the benefit of hindsight, you can appreciate what the man had to say with his songs.
   
   I don't yet have a favorite CD from this box set. I ripped them and carry them around on my iPod Mini (along with about 300 Grateful Dead songs) and listen to an entire Jerry Garcia album at a time, soaking it up and making mental notes.
   
   If you want to know who Jerry Garcia was, this (along with The Golden Road box set) would be a good place to start.
   
   All good things, indeed!



4. "Waxing eloquently" on this, my brother gave this box set to me for my birthday and I have to admit that as a "die" hard DeadHead from way back in the 60's, that I enjoyed listening to it again and again even though all of the work represented here is from the 70's. There are some rare outtakes included, and they too shine as brightly as the other tracks on these CDs.
   
   Each Garcia solo "Album" is digitally re-mastered which include other songs and interludes that were not on the original releases. I recommend it for any fan of the Grateful Dead and/or Garcia. (I guess that sounds quite oxymoronic - if you are a fan of either one, then you have to be a fan of the other!). Good Ol' Jerry - he surely is missed - but this collection eases the pain.



5. I bought this last May on my birthday, I didnt have any of Jerry's studio stuff on disc, and had waited because I learned of this release. I have to say it was more than worth it, if your trying
   to decide on whether or not to get it, dont hesitate, pick it up.
   The 6th cd is a nice extra.

5 comments about The Singles 1986-1995.

1. This collection includes all of Duran Duran's singles from 1986-1995. Also includes B-sides and remixes of the original singles, all of which are worth listening to and adding to your ever-growing Duran Duran collection.
   
   I'm not really into the remixes (but I will admit they are pretty good!), I enjoyed mostly the singles and their B-sides. "Burning the Ground" is mix of all their classic hits added in a dance-beat and song title chanted throughout. "Decadance" is similar to "Burning the Ground," only longer and has a few twists added in. "Needle & the Damage Done" great soft rock acoustic cover of Neil Young's song, just beautiful. "Yo Bad Azizi" is funky, it's based on the line "you're about as easy as a nuclear war" from their song "Is there something I should know?" "Throb" is 4 minutes of dance-pop goodness. "We Need You" "All Along the Water" "Water Babies" "Winter Marches On" and "I Believe/All I Need To Know" are all great tracks and you'll enjoy them! Finally, "God" and "This is how a road gets made" are spoken tracks on the single for "Do you believe in shame?" So many good songs! Check them out!
   
   Five stars for an awesome collection. Wished we had more B-sides/unreleased tracks and not so many repeats of previous songs. Also, it's missing one B-side that needed to be part of this collection- STOP DEAD!!! You can find it on the "Come Undone" single, but it's not included with this collection.
   
   Hope they release another singles box in the future! Put those "Astronaut" tracks (Salt in the Rainbow, Beautiful Colors,TV vs. Radio, and Pretty Ones) on it, too!
   
   The "Mad Mind" has spoken.



2. I was very pleased with this product . The box set is fantastic , lots of singles to listen to and all good .
   If you are , like myself a very big Duran Duran fan then this is a must for you .



3. Duran Duran The Single Collection 86 to 95 is a really good set. The B Sides (We Need You, I Believe All I Need To Know, Decadance, Throb, Yo Bad Azizi, and The Needle And The Damage Is Done) along with the remixes are very interesting. One of the best parts of the collection is Burning The Ground which is made up different melodies and lyrics from different Duran Duran songs throughout the 80s woven together very smoothly. However, the singles for Ordinary World and Come Undone contains reruns. My Antarctica is on the Liberty album, Save A Prayer (single version) and Rio are on the original Rio CD and the rest of the 80s songs are on the Greatest album as well as the first singles collection. Do not know if EMI have any plans for re-releasing the UK Tour Edition Bonus CD from the Wedding album. However, this collection would have been complete if EMI would have included Fallen Angel, Stop Dead, Time For Temptation, Too The Shore (alternate version), and Diamond Dogs. Dispite that, this collection is a great addition for any Duran Duran fan.



4. Much like the first installment of singles, seeing these remixes and b-sides come out on CD in ANY form was a welcome sign.
   
   There are so many good tracks here like "We Need You," "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" and several excellent live recordings that its hard to overpraise the music contained herein.
   
   The packaging however is tough. All single CDs... I am sure I am not the only one to quickly make a compilation CD of the rare tracks and put the nostaglia sleeves away for safe keeping.
   
   Wish they would have done that for me.....



5. This is a companion collection to the original singles box 1980-1985. The packaging is similiar in that you get individual discs in original artwork of single sleeves. I finally get the single version of Meet El Presidente. I really enjoyed the B-Sides as well, as most of my singles were vinyl and don't play as well anymore. This is an awesome addition to a Duran Duran fans collection.

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

1. 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.)



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



3. 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.



4. 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. This limited edition box set is a must have for any Eagles fanatic. There's nothing new here musically in the way of outtakes or remastering, but the presentation is amazing. Rhino has recreated the artwork for all the band's original 70's albums (and 1980's Live release) down to the smallest detail. From poster inserts to dust sleeves, each cd is meticulously crafted to mirror its record counterpart. Even the feel of the cd case are authentic from the unusual texture of On The Border to the raised artwork or One Of These Nights. This set is pricey, so casual fans will not be interested. As is the norm, Rhino Records has risen to the occasion with another superb reissue that is well worth the price tag.

5 comments about Bowie at Beeb: Best of BBC Radio 68-72.

1. If you're a bowie fan, you're in for a treat. I first heard tracks from this album while I was sitting in a coffee shop. I thought he'd done some new live acoustic recordings, they sounded so fresh. There are a lot of tracks and some clunkers, but the good ones make up for it. Bowie is of course and incredible performer and the necessity of these stripped down BBC recordings lets his performances shine. He rips into the songs in a way that's not possible on a studio album. Magical!!



2. 
   If you have any notion of buying this great set, look at the used listings for the earlier, limited edition, now OOP, 3CD set.
   
   It contains a fabulous live disc recorded at the BBC London Theatre 06/27/00 that this later edition does not have.
   
   Check out the tracklist for the live disc:
   
   Disc: 3
   1. Wild Is The Wind
   2. Ashes To Ashes
   3. Seven
   4. This Is Not America
   5. Absolute Beginners
   6. Always Crashing In The Same Car
   7. Survive
   8. Little Wonder
   9. Man Who Sold The World
   10. Fame
   11. Stay
   12. Hallo Spaceboy
   13. Cracked Actor
   14. I'm Afraid Of Americans
   15. Let's Dance
   
   As of this writing, the OOP 3CD is available here on Amazon for less, used, than this 2-disc set, new.
   
   Don't pass up the opportunity to get the live CD. The audio is first rate, and the performance is excellent.
   
   Link to the original 3CD BBC set.



3. Contrary to the reviews here- i think disc One is the stunner here featuring many of Bowies earliest mod folk and acoustic rockers. God knows im good- (Brels) Amsterdamn -In the heat of the morning and well pretty much all of the first disc capture David at his early climb to fame. The interviews and radio chatter only enhance the uniqueness and rarity for fans. Its all very informative and captures a time and place and the sound is excellent- you can almost sense coming superstardom in the confidence of the material and in the band. Disc two contains most of his Ziggy Stardust material which ofcourse is all good but basically sounds like demos of that album and for the most part is very familiar even to the casual fan. The acoustic versions of Supermen and Andy Warhol would have sat better on disc one as they flow into that material better. This is a great bargain especially used nearly 40 songs of Bowie at his peak. Disc One however finds itself on permanent rotation in my cd player- i could listen to this all day.



4. CD2 - The first CD could be a symphony of (flatus) and I'd still give this 5 stars for the nearly immaculate performances on the second disk. In particular, "Hang Onto Yourself" (track 3), "White Light/White Heat," and "Suffregette City" (featuring Mick Ronson making this totally hot kissing noise with his guitar)crackle with energy. It is truly a thrill to hear these old favorites in such a new (as such) and exciting light. Bowie and Co. burn down the BBC studios. Repeatedly. Any rock fan (but especially an old Bowie fan, of course) is likely to meltdown in ecstacy upon hearing this.
   
   CD1 - Many hardcore fans will surely (sweet milk) over CD1 as well although I'm not personally crazy about all of it. Some of David's early Brittish folk period is represented which can be a bit hippy-dippy at times. The first 4 tracks, recorded in May of '68, fit that description although they do feature brilliant in-studio orchestral accompaniment.
   
   Much of CD1 does in fact rock. "Let Me Sleep Beside You" and "Janine" are very good, easy-going rockers recorded with Junior's Eyes who had a short-lived collaboration with Bowie and the session was never broadcast. Bowie delivers a stunning solo performance of Jacques Brel's "Port of Amsterdam" (vocal and guitar). The same session shows off Mick Ronson just a few days after hooking up with Bowie for the first time. They perform an intriguing, half-written version of "Width of a Circle." Ronson really cuts loose on "Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" and "Cygnet Committee" is positively intense. Some studio hum can be heard on the session, an atmospheric reminder of the electric nature of these proceedings (that may or may not appeal to the listener). "Memory of a Free Festival" had sadly been edited for time and remains so.
   
   Recorded in June of '71, the last session on CD1 features all of the future Spiders From Mars as well as some friends on vocals and guitarist Mark Carr-Pritchard who played for a phantom Bowie project called Arnold Corns. Early embryonic versions of "Moonage Daydream" and "Hang Onto Yourself" were recorded and released under that name. The group stomps through "Bombers," a rare HUNKY DORY-era cut that sounds better (and less cheesy) than the studio version which I have as a bonus cut from the RYCODISK release of HUNKY DORY. "Looking For A Friend" is a country-ish, Stones-y rocker and they also turn in a rousing cover of Chuck Berry's "Almost Grown." And Bowie performs "Kooks" solo on vocal and guitar which he had just written for newborn son Zowie.
   
   Note: Those concerned about excessive voice-overs from BBC radio hosts (like the ones that marred the Jimmy Hendrix BBC release) can relax. There's very little talking over the songs and quite a bit of interesting Bowie banter on CD1. CD2 has nothing but back-to-back songs. Tracks begin with actual songs, not the preceeding dialogue.



5. This is yet another interesting byproduct of the recent rush to re-release Brit groups and stars who performed during rock's glory age for various BBC TV and radio programs. Usually these are a mixed bag, as they often collect different time periods, different settings, different styles, and different sound dynamics, all wrapped onto one or two discs. Notable recent BBC collections include an early collection by the Beatles, a generally enthusiastic release from the Kinks, a great Led Zeppellin cd, and a very strong late-period Procol Harum set.
   
   This one is no different. Like those I mentioned, the first cd of Bowie at the Beeb collects several early live performances of a red-hot Bowie fresh off the high of "Space Oddity" performing an eclectic set of solo, small group acoustic, and rock performances. Leaving aside the annoying BBC host who is always omnipresent in these sets, Bowie turns in a strong yet tentative collection of his early songs, some joined by Mick Ronson toward the end of the disc. Standouts include "Janine," "The Width of a Circle," and a rave-up performance of "It Ain't Easy." Those familiar with the early Bowie sound will find it in abundance on the first cd, an obvious talent looking for the right sound and fit for his muse, trying on and abandoning different styles but always a solid performer throughout.
   
   The second cd finds a far more confident Bowie a few years later (1972) in a studio setting, bringing his amped-up Ziggy Stardust persona and ripping through a blistering set of highlights from that period. The sound (recorded with overdubs in the studio) is especially fine, and the performances first-rate -- Mick Ronson leaves no prisoners as he slashes through "Hang on to Yourself" and "Ziggy Stardust." Bowie even brings on a large contingent of supporters later on to help him with a superb set that includes "Starman," "Space Oddity," and "Changes."
   
   Bowie fans will rejoice. I hope the Bowie archivists start releasing more of his early and mid-period live sets, as we have seen with other similar artists, so we can fill in the missing pieces in the evolution of a singular rock icon.