Tom Petty's Playback box set is the first (and probably only) box I ever listened to and thought that all the rarities and unreleased stuff were STELLAR.
My favorite: ELVIS: THE COMPLETE 50'S MASTERS (1992) ...coupled with A BOY FROM TUPELO (2012) and 1968 COMEBACK SPECIAL (40th anniversary, 2008)
The Fall - The Complete Peel Sessions. That's the ur-text of the British underground. Henry Cow - Redux. That the other ur-text of a different lane of the British underground. The Complete Studio Recordings of The Miles Davis Quintet 1965–1968. That's a fairly obvious choice, I think. Also, more recently, The House Of Love - Burn Down The World. An absolute joy - it really did cover everything and I think it's the only box set of the last few years where I've heard no-one complain about the mastering!
I would add: Miles Davis - Complete Live at Plugged Nickel Lee Morgan - Complete Live at the Lighthouse Laura Nyro - American Dreamer Joni Mitchell - Archives Volume 2 Albert Ayler - Revelations - The Complete ORTF 1970... Blondie - Against the Odds
I liked Bee Gees "Mythology" over "Tales of the Brothers Gibb" because it covers their entire career. I also liked that 1 disc is devoted to each member, plus a disc for Andy.
But sadly, Mythology sounds terrible compared to the excellent sounding Tales box set, in my opinion.
Thanks for that….I’m dithering over which set to buy, and I think it will have to be the cd set, it’s very reasonable at the moment, and your 10/10 review is another push in that direction!
I vote for Lenny Kaye's "nuggets" and also the "Warner Bros 50 years of hits"(?) anniversary retrospective box set. but that may have been a promo only limited non commercial release. it was incredible and chock full of all their gems.
The sturdiness of the box itself The SQ of the music. The inner sleeves with the discs. The art work and quality of the cases. First class set..
i would never do that but I have certainly bought boxed sets at a greatly reduced price that didn’t have the box or booklets anymore. No regrets.
Yeah i have the 90s Doors box and the Rod Stewart Storyteller set which I bought in value village for $2 a disc with no box or books. They didn’t have the “Band Favourites” disc for the doors but I didn’t care. Maybe one day I’ll find cheap copies of the full boxes but these will do for now.
Talking Heads-Once in a Lifetime even if you own all the albums, the accompanying DVD with their videos is essential, and the design/liner notes are excellent Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
It’s amazing how many partial sets I’ve seen over the years. At least four or five. Usually with one disk missing. Finally found all four in one place last year.
Totally agree All classic rock should be done this way Remix, original vinyl mix in hi-def, Outtakes and bonus, concert and promotional video footage, book format with original members interviewed, "snap in discs" steve wilson great mastering = 10 stars
