5 comments about DAWN EXPLOSION (Original Recording Remastered).

1. "Dawn Explosion" was a very good comeback for Captain Beyond; armed with a new record deal with Warner Brothers & a new singer with Willy Daffern, the band was on a mission to come back strong, & in their way, they definitely succeeded. However, the wind of change was blowing hard through the music industry at the time of its' 1977 release with disco dominating the pop charts on one side & punk dominating the underground on the other. Classic & especially prog-rock bands like Captain Beyond were then regarded as dinosaurs & has-beens, so despite being a fine album, "Dawn Explosion" was caught in the middle & vanished without a trace. Had it been released a few years earlier, this might not have been the case.
   
   New vocalist Willy Daffern's voice boasts a more throaty rock & roll voice & does some serious screaming at times on the album which is in direct contrast to the long departed original vocalist Rod Evans. The band had returned to its' original core lineup of guitarist Rhino, drummer Bobby Caldwell & bassist Lee Dorman for this release, & as was the case on their previous 1973 release "Sufficiently Breathless", the emphasis is once again on straight ahead song structures with only an occasional tip of the hat to the odd time signatures & prog-rock leanings that dominated their classic 1972 debut.
   
   Most of the songs are good, with only "If You Please" not being a particular favorite of mine; its' subject matter dealing with, of all things, choosing your career path; it even includes a reference to being a paramedic! Needless to say, I generally skip over this one when listening to the whole album. The closest the band gets to recapturing the feel of their first album is "Space Interlude".
   
   All in all, this is a good album but unfortunately was the last for the band. Should this be the last we hear from Captain Beyond, then they've gone out in a great way. On a side note, Amazon lists this as being a "box set", "enhanced disc" & "hybrid" for some reason, but it's not. It's definitely a single disc, & the "remastered" part is probably true.



2. I don't think any band could follow the sheer brilliance that Captain Beyond gave the musical world with their debut, but I think this album is a very respectable effort and it's always been a big favorite of mine. Willie Daffern has a great voice, just different from Rod Evans is all, and all the naysayers just aren't being open-minded. In fact hearing him on this record made me seek out anything else that he might have lent his voice to, and there's precious little that I can find: Gary Moore's
   G-Force album, Pipedream (with Tim Bogert!), and a solo LP under the name Willie Dee. Too bad, I think he has a classic voice.
   
   But back to this record: I think it's way better than the more laid back Sufficiently Breathless, and I can't help but wonder if that's due to the return of Bobby Caldwell. Even without attempting some more of those great odd time signatures that are all over the debut, there are some great tracks here, with "Do or Die" and "Fantasy" being two standouts.
   
   Compared to the first record or not, you can't go wrong with this one.
   Willie D, where are you, man?!!



3. I see that there are a few Dawn Explosion album/CDs for sale for incredibly overpriced amounts.
   But I guess its like Baseball cards & comic books, whatever the market will bear, right?
   How long has the one for $50 been on sale & now theres one for $100!?
   Personally, I think these are all the last old copies that Willie Daffern had in his closet & hes trying to save for his retirement.
   Im just sayin'...



4. I think this album deserves better than the very average review it is typically given in most cases on most sites. One of the problems with successive albums released by groups which had an initial stellar album is that everyone typically compares the successive releases to the first release. While Captain Beyond's first album was indeed extraordinary, and while this album isn't of quite the same caliber, it is nevertheless an excellent musical effort and worthy of any serious collection of progressive rock. The songwriting is very fine, the instrumentals first class, the vocals by Willie Daffern (while notably different from Rod Evans' excellent vocals) are really very good. There are really no weak tracks and if one compares to efforts by other groups -- even to efforts by outstanding musicians like Robin Trower -- this album comes out smelling very nicely indeed. I think if one gives it several listens, most open-minded folk will become reasonably fond of it, and possibly outright enthusiastic about it.



5. Originally released in 1977,this was Captain's third and final record.I've heard several old time fans comment how this effort was pretty lame.Can't say that I at all agree with that.In fact,I was sort of impressed with 'Dawn...'.Vocalist Willy Daffern replaces Rod Evans,but I personally felt he had fit in pretty well there.Tunes that I liked best were "Do Or Die",the heavily played "Icarus","Midnight Memories" and the album's finale "Space Reprise".Decent '70's hard rock for the picking.

5 comments about Back to Mono (1958-1969).

1. Just like O.J. ...... The fact that Phil is now involved in a huge murder trial does not diminish what was accomplished years ago........a great box set from one of the most creative producers ever. You will recognize almost every track....Yeah , so maybe the guy is guilty (that's for a jury to decide)... it does not take away his accomplishments of the past . Just like O.J. and his football records



2. I was amazed to see this great box going for less than 20 bucks; no doubt because of Phil's present difficulties with the law. What a load of garbage! This is, was, and will forever remain great great music crafted by a bona fide genius producer. If some dumb record company (and we all know where their taste comes from) wants to prejudge Spector and lose money by "giving away" this box, that's OK by me!



3. Please....RE-MASTER THIS THING!! A great, great collection that would sound wonderful coming from an AM radio. As it is, reproduced through a decent sound system, it can be tough to listen to. The Phil Spector "Definitive Collection" has much better sound, but is much more incomplete. This'll have to do until Phil works out his legal problems....one way or another, I guess.
   
   It pretty much goes without saying, this is docked a star for not being re-mastered.



4. Spector made a few great records, but his "genius" is probably a little overstated.
   
   All his best work is here including the girl group classics by the Ronettes and the Crystals (which you probably won't find on other compilations as Spector is averse to licensing his work to third parties).
   
   One track every person must hear before they die is Ike and Tina Turner's "River Deep Mountain High".
   This song is so mind-blowingly overwhelming, it's astonishing the effect it has.
   People would never have heard anything like this at the time, hence the lack of sales/airplay, but now it's an obvious classic.
   Turn the volume to maximum!
   
   Overall, though it's not worth the list price of $74.
   Get it on special or secondhand. There aren't enough essential tracks to be worth the full price and the sound quality is less than superb.



5. This box set has been around for while and is a great bargain at $18.98, marked down from $75. Four discs of Spector-produced tracks, when he was at his peak, including the famous Christmas album. The Ronettes, The Crystals, Righteous Bros.and others in the Wall Of Sound which changed pop music forever. It comes in an LP-sized box with a large, nicely-done book of the lyrics. A must-have for any student of rock history or the nostalgia-seeker. The Christmas album alone is worth the price. This box set takes us back to a more innocent time when he was a teen millionaire and many would say, a musical genius.

5 comments about A Natural Woman: The Ode Collection 1968-1976.

1. When you get tired of listening to "Tapestry" you can switch to this album for a while. Great nostalgic experience, and I can't get "Up on the Roof" out of my head.
   
   Jane Chihal



2. I really love this album. I don't own this album, but I borrowed it from the library. I listened to it, before downloading onto my computer, when I did. I really love the way she hit's the piano key's on "Wasn't Born To Follow." "At This Time In My Life," just put's a picture in your head. Disc one inculdes "Tapestry," a classic album , but ties in some earlier song's , too. Oh, did I mention the lovely tune and lyric's Carole King tied into "Child Of Mine," and "Up On The Roof." By the way, nothing's wrong with you if you like Carole King, or if you hate her. Everyone has they're own thought, and your's count's. "Enjoy!"



3. Completely forgetting about her early Dimension singles(some of which, like "It Might as Well Rain" and "Nobody's Perfect", are gems)and choosing iffy album tracks over songs I've loved for years(like one of my favorites, "You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine", arguably one of King's best songs), this 2-disc set still offers great moments and the entire "Tapestry" album(although the recent "Tapestry" remastering includes a bonus leftover not included here!). Two songs by King's unheralded pre-"Tapestry" band The City were enough to hook me("Wasn't Born to Follow" is gorgeously earnest)and a live track with James Taylor is a lotta fun. B+



4. After reading several negative reviews I was left with no choice but to write my own. I just purchased this set and I already knew it would be "GREAT"! Back in the early 70s when Carol King was pening & singing these songs Modern Rock music was not something that I listened to as I was and still am a true Country and Bluegrass music fan. Western Swing with the likes of the Great Bob Wills and Hank Thompson was the stuff I was into.Many of my friends at that time (30+ years ago)were dope smoking Hippies listening to that Hard Hard Rock Music of the day!During this timeI was wearing Motorcycle Boots with Ducktail short hair as I still am today at 50. The music of that time turned my stomach. I can still remember many folks going to them dope smoking rock concerts and my friends and me were buying tickets to go to the EastWind in Baltimore County to see Earnest Tubb and his Honky Tonk Band from TEXAS. To say the least I was a real hard sell for Hard Rock. A friend of a friend of mine was playing a record one day that I heard while I was back here in the States on leave from the Merchant Marines, it was Carol King's Tapastry. When I heard this music I thought to myself - Boy, this is some really good music ! After that first encounter I was sold and today over 30 years later I still know that Carol King is the Best Female Artist of our time. I have a huge Country Music collection of LPs,cassets and CDs with not much of any 1970s music except for Ms King .I have collected about eight of the Tapastry Album (I want to be able to pass down an original edition of this LP to each of my children and grandchildren as I have already given my oldest daughter who is 26 her copy) All my copys are in mint condition. I have more of Carol King then any other artist, even Johnny Cash ! So don't tell me nothing negative about this 2 CDset as I KNOW this is a real monument in music history ! "ENJOY"



5. NATURAL WOMAN:The Ode Collection 1968-1976, is all you really need from this gifted songeriter and talented singer. All of her classic songs are in this fantastic 2CD box set, including her greatest masterpiece "Tapestry" in its entirety. This collection is really fantastic and it also includes her two top ten singles "Jazzman" which I think is one of the best songs that she ever wrote,(excellent saxsophone solo) and "Corazon" which she actually sings in Spanish. There are only two songs that I can think of that should of been included in this collection but sadly were omitted and those are "Hold On" from her LP "Simple Things" this is a beautiful track that she wrote as well and I especially love the soft mellow acoustic guitar that she herself plays on this song. The other is one called "Morning Sun" which she wrote and recorded for the closing credits of the movie "Wanda Nevada" starring Peter Fonda and Brooke Shields from 1979. Overall this is a the best Greatest Hits collection ever assembled on this unique artist who is highly regarded as the most successful and influential female songwriter of her generation. The songs of Carole King are as timeless like the woman who wrote and recorded them.

5 comments about Storyteller: The Complete Anthology.

1. I have owned this since it first came out in 1990. Other reviews cite the great sound, but to my ears, it has always sounded extremely hissy for a high-end boxed set, and I notice the price is now about half of what it was in 1990. Has this been remastered? If it has, it might now be worth replacing my old copy. If it hasn't, what's wrong with all your ears??? For this reason, I can give it no more than three stars.



2. While this collection does a really magnificent job collecting all of Rod Stewart's major radio hits, the fact remains that Rod's solo career was pretty consistent in the early days, which means this 4-disc set isn't able to capture every single one of his best songs. However, looking at the set as strictly a hits collection, it doesn't get any better than this. After the 80's I stopped paying attention to what he was doing in the music scene, and thankfully this collection stops after the 80's. In the early days (in the late 60's) he was really pumping out wonderful songs with Jeff Beck and the Faces.
   
   However, focusing entirely on his solo career, I'd say the first five studio albums are really excellent and you really need to buy those if you want to hear a man who had an amazingly talented music career. After hearing the first five albums, you might not be so interested in wanting to purchase this 4-disc box set.



3. This 4 CD box set of Rod Stewart is extremely great, from start to finish, it's got a vast assortment of songs that Rod recorded between 1964-1990, all of which are great, you get a little of everything from Rod, during this time period. You get all the hits, plus some great rarities! If you love Rod, you'll love this, indeed! Also, I am pleased with the booklet that comes with it, lots of nice pictures and nice to hear Rod's comments on the songs.



4. Box sets always bring up arguments as to what's missing but there is very little missing from this set. Having every one of Rod''s CDs, the only three missing tracks that I would have put on here are "I Feel The Whole World Go Round" from the 60s band Shotgun Express, "Farewell" from Smiler and "The Wild Horse" from Out of Order. (OK and maybe two or three others!) but overall, the selection was excellent. It puts Rod Stewar in context, and much of the 80s stuff holds up every well to the sacred early 70s stuff. (Rod was always a great singles artist, though some of his albums are really terrible.)
   
   The box set was thrown together very quickly though, and the packaging is weak. The book is thin and flimsy and features just one essay by writer Robert Palmer, who does a good job of praising without going overboard. But Warners always treated Rod Stewart like [...] and this box set deserved a better package.



5. He's done it all in his career: Classic rock, pop and now he relives the past in his The Great American Songbook series. This box set is of course is all about Rod at his very best. Not really a bad song in the four disc set which shows his transition from classic rock ("Street Fighting Man", Maggie May", etc) into the pop world ("Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", "Downtown Train, etc). He has been one of only a few artists that could transition to different genres and still be successful. Very successful. I give the set a 4.5 based on sound quality (not remastered) otherwise, it's a 5.

5 comments about Box of Pearls: The Janis Joplin Collection.

1. Five discs, five stars..five reasons to embrace this work:
   talent, cruelty, loneliness, beauty and...the voice..the voice that knew despise pain and succumbed to alcohol and the proximity of what was supposed unattainable ....



2. The first concert I ever attended in my life was seeing Janis perform at Cal Expo, in Sacramento, just a few weeks prior to her death. I had been a fan since I was about 13, much to the dismay of my parents, who found her voice untenable -- well, Mom & Dad, this boxed set of just about everything Janis Joplin ever recorded will bring it all back for you -- just as it did for me -- except that I love every cry and screech and note of emotion with the same devoted passion today as I did 40 years ago.
   
   Not only does this collection give us Janis in all her shouting glory from her days with Big Brother and the Holding Company, but we get a sense of her transition into her more bittersweet period of ballads and introspective songwriting that dominated her last years from the albums "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!" and "Pearl". Since all four of her original studio releases have been digitally remastered for the CDs in this box set -- and each album supplemented with previously unreleased bonus tracks and outtakes -- if you have Janis in your heart you now can have her forever in your ears. Like Janis sings "Get It While You Can...."



3. everything i thought if would be.
   
   great artist, hours of great listening



4. Though, if my friend hadn't suggested I buy this collection of records, it is a sign, we don't always know what it is we are looking for. Lucky for me, the breatth of this angel was blown into my ear.



5. This is a must have for the Janis fans. Alot of music for a low price!

5 comments about Music Bank.

1. I can imagine most people who're considering buying Music Bank are salivating over the same thing I was when I bought this box set: the unreleased tracks and the demos. The good news about Music Bank: the unreleased tracks do not disappoint. Any AiC fans should find themselves thoroughly enjoying these songs during the first listen. On top of that, there's a mini-booklet full of AiC history and comments from the band members. The bad news: The majority of Alice in Chains' studio material also appears here, including the entire album Dirt, and all 4 tracks from SAP. So, for those of us who already have all the studio albums, a good part of Music Bank is essentially worthless.
   
   Despite containing a load of studio tracks, I will say this for Music Bank: it keeps the listener interested. The unreleased tracks are fresh enough and the demos are different enough from their studio versions to satisfy most AiC fans. They also did a good job of mixing up the studio tracks, even though Music Bank goes in chronological order by release (for the most part).
   
   Disc 1 is the most valuable part of Music Bank as far as "new" material goes. It includes the single Get Born Again and 7 demos, 4 of which never appeared on an AiC album as actual songs. You also get the song "Queen of the Rodeo", which appears on the AiC album "Live." Disc 1 also includes a slew of tracks from Facelift and a pair from SAP.
   
   Disc 2 is, unfortunately, the disappointing part of Music Bank. Anyone who has the album Dirt will find little desire to listen to Disc 2. Ten of the songs on this disc are straight off of Dirt, and 4 more are studio tracks from other albums. There are two unreleased tracks and a demo of "Junkhead" on this disc, but I hardly find it worth my time to listen to this one all the way through when I can just pop Dirt into my stereo and essentially listen to the same thing.
   
   Disc 3 is, in my opinion, the strongest disc (overall) in the set. You get the remixes of the songs "What the Hell Have I" and "A Little Bitter", both of which originally appeared on the Last Action Hero soundtrack, and a remix of "Again", though I can't say I'm a fan of this version. You also get 3 songs from AiC's Unplugged live show, including "The Killer is Me." The real gem on this disc, however, is "Died", the last song Alice in Chains ever recorded, and, in my opinion, the best song in the whole set. For studio tracks you get 5 off of their self-titled album and the 2 from "Dirt" they didn't include on disc 2.
   
   Disc 4 just has some interactive stuff you can access through a PC. It's kind of cool, but it isn't something most people will need to see more than once.
   
   To sum up Music Bank, it's definitely something serious AIC fans can enjoy, and it's also a good way for the casual fan to get into the band. The only downer: All of Dirt and SAP did not need to be included here. I would have been satisfied if they had taken 6-8 tracks from Dirt and only 1-2 from SAP. Definitely worth 30 dollars, but think hard before spending more than 40 on it.



2. If you are a fan of Alice in Chains, I highly recommend this compilation of works by them. They have put all the songs, even some unreleased demos on the cds, and it is definitely worth the price.



3. This box set is one of a kind. I was impressed to see how many unreleased songs were in this set and that all of the CD's came in their own case, instead of sleeves like most box sets. All in all, it is a fantastic addition to any collection.



4. For hardcore AIC fans, not for the casual listener. Be aware that there are studio outtakes and alternate versions of songs on this set that are found on other AIC offerings.
   
   For the hardcore AIC fan, it is a must.



5. 48 Alice In Chains songs. All the hits, all the fan favorites, all the rare songs, and even some new ones!
   You get early, classic demos like: "I Can't Have You Blues", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "Social Parasite", and "Queen of the Rodeo".
   
   You get rare songs like: "A Little Bitter", "What the Hell Have I?", "Killing Yourself", "Lying Season", and "Killer Is Me".
   
   You get new, unreleased songs: "Get Born Again", "Fear the Voices", and "Died".
   
   Combine all those great songs with great booklets (pictures, notes, etc), and awesome packaging, and you get one of the best music sets ever released for a band. Also, I would get Music Bank: The Videos, because it has all of their music videos, which were some of the coolest vids I've ever seen. Enjoy!

5 comments about Crosby, Stills & Nash.

1. I absolutely loved this collection. It's true that some versions are, let's say, suprising (country-ish versions....) but the collection is very, very satisfying. I'm sad to see that "American dream" is not on it, as well as a couple of other noteworthy songs, but I'm nonetheless very happy I got hold of this collection.



2. This box set was quite a surprise. It sounds like they went into the studio and re-recorded all of the songs.....AND ITS GREAT!!! Some songs are not quite what you are used to hearing but each was done incredibly well. Its great to hear their voices in such clarity and in such harmony.



3. I'd have to agree with many of the reviewers that say this is one of the best boxed sets there are. You get a generous portion of CSN's debut, CSNY's Deja Vu, Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners, Crosby and Nash's Wind On the Water, CSN and Daylight Again. You also get a good overview of Stephen Stills' solo career and his project Manassas, David Crosby's solo projects and Graham Nash's solo projects. Each individual song includes an overview in the accompanying book concerning it from either Crosby, Stills or Nash, but also includes thoughts from Joni Mitchell (her comments on her own song "Woodstock" are invaluable) and the late Jerry Garcia, who's featured on "Teach Your Children" and "Southbound Train." Also, the book includes the complete discography up to 1990 (around the time this boxset was released) of all things CSN, CSNY, C&N and solo projects (sans Neil Young; I heard he was planning his own boxset). Also, kudos to Graham Nash and Gary Tolman for the fine job they did producing this set.
   
   Rarities include alternate mixes of "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," "Guinivere," "Lee Shore," "Taken at All," "Homeward through the Haze" (the three previously mentioned feature CSN&Y), "See the Changes," "Simple Man," "Song with No Words," "As I Come of Age," "Soldiers of Peace," "Helplessly Hoping," "4 + 20," and "Almost Cut My Hair," never before released songs like the Beatles' "Blackbird," Steve Winwood's "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and Joni Mitchell's "Urge for Going," live versions of Stills' "Black Queen" (he knew how to confront an exasperating audience), Nash's "Man In the Mirror" and "Wild Tales," "Dark Star" and "Got It Made" (that's about 1/3 of the boxset).
   
   Of course, there's the highlights and quintessentials like "Find the Cost of Freedom," "Wasted on the Way," "Southern Cross," "Daylight Again," "Just a Song Before I Go," "Long Time Gone," "Wooden Ships," "Woodstock," "Helpless," Nash's "I Used to Be a King" and "Chicago" known for its exhortation "We can chaaange the wooorld!", Stills' "Old Times Good Times" (featuring a lively guitar solo by the late great Jimi Hendrix), "Thoroughfare Gap" and "Love the One You're With," "Woodstock," "Teach Your Children," "Shadow Captain," "Our House," the vitriolic "Ohio," Crosby's introspective "Tracks In the Dust" Crosby and Nash's "To the Last Whale," "Southbound Train," and "Immigration Man." One thing that has always been CSN's charm is that they weren't afraid to address both world issues and personal issues in their music, not to mention their gift for unigue harmonies. That's why I included Stephen Stills' quote as the title of this review.
   
   I know you can't have everything that deserves inclusion, especially when you're limited to 4 discs, but it would've been nice to have Crosby and Nash's "Foolish Man" and "Out of the Darkness," Stephen Stills' "Go Back Home" (featuring Eric Clapton) and "We Are Not Helpless," "Fair Game" (from CSN) and the Stills/Young Band's "Long May You Run" (a minor quibble since this concluded Neil Young's Decade anthology).
   
   All in all, if you love the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and can't afford all their most worthy releases, this would be a worthwhile investment.



4. Excellent music. Always has been, and always will be. The sharpest vocals in the business. Crisp harmonies and supurb lyrics. Beside the great music, there is good information is to be found in the expanded liner notes.



5. This is a great box set, with a few flaws. For one, it doesn't include full albums. There are only parts of it. I usually like to buy full and complete albums because there might be songs that aren't in box sets like these. Now I can't buy the full albums because I already have 1/2 of it, it just wouldn't be worth it. If you like the "greatest hits" idea for albums, you will like this box set. It's great and has all the great songs. But if you like complete albums like me, buy them seperatly.

5 comments about The Complete Collection and Then Some....

1. I bought this collection for my mom at Christmas. I find that I'm stealing it away from her to listen to it. It's a wonderful collection. The packaging is beautiful too, right down to the retrospective booklet included. If you're a Manilow fan, you'll want to get this collection. It includes remastered songs, live tracks, conversations, and a DVD.



2. I bought this as a gift for someone who just loves Barry, not my choice as a musician but for the person who likes him, they will adore this set. Was an excellent gift for the price.



3. Fantastic collection of his hits many I knew about and many more that I had no idea that they had ever been recorded or existed. A great buy and one I have enjoyed very much in addition to the DVD which included some great clips of some classic performances



4. What's different about this set is that it has some alternate recordings of songs we all love. There are several "live" recordings and some songs sung the way they were originally written. I especially liked the original version of "I made it through the rain." You also receive a book with comments from the original composers/arrangers of the songs - lots of "behind the scenes" information. Thanks, Barry, for continuing to feed our hunger!



5. To potential buyers of the Barry Complete Collection: I grew up singing his songs and have never stopped. I went on to have a 20 year classical singing career but Barry always remained part of my "I call it happy Music"....This collection is interesting for it combines so many different styles and Barry himself is not shy to try for EX: Ave Maria which is my least favorite. I also have never been a lover of the very fast Copa and and other's like it. I have alwys been a ballad gal at heart. Barry does not fall short here with this extended 4 CD and one DVD collection. What I lOVE is that he shares with us so much of his early years with demos where he can even make a mistake and we won't care. He shows us he is a human who sighs and may sing a note that is too edgy or added words on a never released song that you do not hear on the released album. I find this a lot of fun and the added booklet gives you a solid history of the background of Barry's talent which is immense. His voice is his voice and he never feels that he needs to make a big deal about it. It is and appropriate for what he does and he is one of the best song writers we will ever have. I am and will always be a true fan of Barry Manilow. If you ar a die hard Barry fan "This one is for you"

5 comments about A Musical History.

1. It's all here...Sixteen years as a touring unit...Begining with The Hawks, Bob Dylan, Big Pink and on through The Last Waltz. Sure there were bigger acts during The Band's tenure. The Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeplin and The Who undoubtly grossed more ticket receipts and record sales. But can anyone deny them their place in rock history? Did any other record album of it's time ever have the impact of Music From Big Pink? Unique...Why I dare say The Band was about as unique as a three horned unicorn.
   
   I'll not bore anyone with a song by song analysis of the material comprising this anthology. Suffice to say it is the most comprehensive collection of The Band's awesome sixteen year output. The selections draw heavily on a wealth of unreleased live material from The Festival Express Train Tour, 7/70 to The Royal Albert Hall, 6/71 to The Academy Of Music 12/71 to The Palladium, 9/76 and of course their swan song Winterland Palace, 11/76. There's also an ample serving of unreleased studio out-takes and live rehersal tracks.
   
   The Band - A Musical History will satisfy first time listeners and afficonados alike. As they say in Life's A Carnival..."You can walk on the water or you can drown in the sand.....It's a restless age". It sure was a restless age way back in the late 1960's up until 1976, when The Band offically gave up touring. One thing's for sure during their long and faithful run they absolutely walked on water. Listen and try to keep from drowning in the sand.



2. Great and luxurius box for The Band fans, fantastic pictures and a great collection of songs in chronological order.
   
   Recommended for every The Band fan!



3. Beginning with the Hawks material shows The Band smoking a Bo Diddly riff on 'Who do you love?'That's Levon laying down that voodoo beat and shaking it up better than at the Last Waltz!
   Van Morrison's rehearsal versions also best the Last Waltz.
   The 1976 live version of 'Forbidden Fruit'is one of the most exciting tracks ever, aside from 1974's tour with Bob Dylan. That's Levon, again, in high gear! (Pun acceptable)
   This Band encompassed everything good about an ensemble. Three headed vocals, incomparable rhythms, songwriting comparable to Beatles and Dylan, and the one man orchestra Garth Hudson.
   The DVD man!
   Robbie,I know you held back some more material. Give it up!
   Buy this box and take a journey thru American via rock-n-roll.



4. I became aware of the product from iTunes which has a review of the set but does not actually have all of the tracks from the set.
   
   Listening for the first time, I was reminded of something my dad told me: their songs are great, but sometimes, their singing is the pits. That's especially noticeable on "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".
   
   But that does not impact the value of this set. It gives a complete picture of The Band and their history. The accompanying book (I would call it liner notes, but that minimizes its impact) does not delve into the lasting rift between Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson, but it still makes great reading. If you're a fan, this set is worth the investment.



5. The collection of the Band is outstanding. It contains multipule versions of famous tracks as well as previously unrecorded or unreleased material. Features several great versions of the Band's "Don't Do It" which is a hard one to find. The book and DVD are cool as well. A must for the Band fan.

5 comments about The Great American Songbook Collection (4CD/DVD).

1. I boiught the great american songbook collection for my mother for christmas. It is not my taste as I prefer the original Rod Stewart but my mother was so delighted with it I don't think I have ever bought her anything so successful.



2. Rod Stewart, in my opinion, merely plays a minor role in this collection; it is his phenomenal back-up musicians who are responsible for the flawless renditions herein. While Rod's voice certainly blends well with the updated arrangements of these classic tunes, the band's musical interpretation of each song within this box set is awesome. Kudos to the band!!!!



3. It was shipped in a timely fashion, the condition of the 4 CD set was in very good shape. I was pleased with it overall.



4. Finally,this marvelous work is cornered and boxed for your listening and dancing pleasure.Legions of fans have expressed their raving reviews and I'd humbly wish to add mine.The obvious secret of this projects success begins with the actual song selections. Where on earth,did Rod's team unearth these musical gems? For too long, many of these tunes were ignored for weeks on end without the proper vocal appreciation.This set demonstrates Rod's artistic ability to change the musical winds and elevate this material to the precipice,on which it richly deserves to rest.Second,an equally important,are the musical arrangements represented throughout this work.Simply put, Jackie Gleason would blush with envy. Rod and company have guided these charts in a direction other arrangers fear to tread.Last but not least,Rod's unnatural ability to deconstruct these musical treasures acts as the tipping point to their universal appeal. His energy and artistic perspiration are evident throughout this classic series.My only disappointment,rests with the fact that Rod may have concluded his recorded exploration of the Great American Standards.However,it's whispered, among fans, that a G.A.S.box set containing rarities,b/c,d sides, outtakes, alt.takes and demo's may still see the light of day.Hopefully,the legendary and much bootlegged,Makin Whoopee,alt.take#38 will be included. Sadly,as Rod turns his talent towards recording the entire classic RocknRoll canon,other side projects have been abandoned or delayed. The much anticipated,Rod Sings the Work of Stephen Foster, has,I understand, been shelved.However, there's still some hope the rumoured recording of, Rod Humms the Ray Noble Classics Live on the Beach at St Tropez,accompanied by only a gin and lemmon squash, will possibly see a future release date. Until then, remember,a day without Rod's music is a non-rodday.



5. I love Rod's take on these sweet,sentimental,classic songs.Grab a glass of Chablis...dim the lights...turn the phone off...and fall into each others arms....ahhhh...romance :-)