Music box sets!!! 3 CDs. 4CDs. 5CDs. 6CDs. 7CDs. 8CDs… 8CDs!!
But they’re all so expensive! The dollar is terrible. And now you get taxed for everything you want to buy on Amazon that your local record store doesn’t have. Assuming you even have a local record store! It doesn’t seem fair. But don’t worry! We buy these, so you don’t have to…
Following on from the roundup of box sets we purchased in 2022 [Part 1, Part 2] here are the box set titles from 2023 that we added to our collection.
March of the flower children : the American sounds of 1967
“By 1967, rock’s eternally restless spirit had moved on from Liverpool, the British Invasion and Swinging London and found a new place to dwell. The scene’s new creative epicentre was San Francisco, from whence the underground’s tentacles spread throughout the nation… Over three CDs and four hours of music, ‘March Of The Flower Children’ anthologises the sounds of American rock and pop during a year that would become enshrined in the history books as the Summer of Love.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
We can work it out : covers of The Beatles 1962-1966
“Three CD compilation that focuses on the massive influence The Beatles had on a multitude of artists in disparate genres throughout numerous countries, right from the very start. Featuring Mary Wells, Count Basie, Cilla Black, Joe Cocker, PJ Proby, Mae West, Jose Feliciano, Jimmy James, Liza Minelli and many more. Sunshine pop sits next to raw soul while bluegrass nudges up against jazz. Serious British folkies mix with campy Hollywood legends as Hungarian gypsy guitar makes way for proto psychedelia – nothing was safe from the all-encompassing influence of The Fab Four!” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Produced by Tony Visconti
“Produced by Tony Visconti’, is a new definitive retrospective compilation assembled with the assistance of legendary record producer Tony Visconti. Often described as one of the most important producers in rock, Tony Visconti has helped create countless classic musical moments. His work can be heard on celebrated albums by artists such as David Bowie, T. Rex, The Moody Blues and Thin Lizzy to name but a few. This new collection features 77 tracks personally curated by Visconti, gathering together some of his favourite production work from across his career.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Looking for the magic : American power pop in the seventies
“Comprehensive three CD overview of the American power pop scene’s evolution throughout the 70s. Featuring the genre’s major bands, cult names, hits, rari7es and several previously unissued tracks. Although the power pop genre wasn’t named and codified until late 1977, the sound and spirit had been slowly gathering steam throughout the decade. The tide had turned by the late 70s, with such names as Cheap Trick and The Cars achieving success as the American music industry embraced power pop as a radio-friendly alternative to punk. The focus is on a huge number of cult names and little-known acts, showcasing many tracks that were unissued at the time and even several cuts now gaining a first-ever release. Housed in a clamshell box that includes an annotated and illustrated 48-page booklet.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Wattstax : the complete concert
“To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic WATTSTAX event that took place at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum in 1972, Stax Records presents “Wattstax: The Complete Concert”. Featuring the full L.A. Memorial Coliseum show with speeches and other talk from the stage. The set also features a 68-page, full-color book with introduction by Wattstax creator Al Bell, plus new essays by Rob Bowman and A. Scott Galloway. Featured artists include Isaac Haves, Eddie Floyd, The Staple Singers and more.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Culture bunker, 1978-82 / Teardrop Explodes
“Compiles all the band’s singles and b-sides, 4 discs of unreleased studio outtakes, a wealth of unheard live recordings and several tracks taken from ‘Zoology’, the Teardrop Explodes compilation that Cope himself released in 2004.” (Syndetics Summary).
The 1970s dub albums collection / Gibbs, Joe
The 1970s were a golden age for dub music. Leading this dub revolution were such seminal figures as King Tubby, Errol Brown, Scientist, Prince Jammy and perennial hitmaker, Errol Thompson, whose work with music impresario Joe Gibbs produced some of the biggest hits of the 1970s and beyond. Now, for the first time ever, all of these classic dub masterpieces are collected on this essential 4CD collection, which, as a bonus, also includes a dozen superb dub sides from the close of the 70s, all of which make their CD debut.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Written in their soul: the Stax songwriter demos
“‘Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos’ brings together 146 demos from the legendary Stax Records. Including 140 recordings that are previously unreleased, this collection combines both songwriter demos of some of music’s biggest songs with full blown arrangements of never released tracks. This 7-CD set, packaged in 7×7 boxset, also included a new essay written by Deanie Parker and Robert Gordon, archival photos and is compiled by 2x GRAMMY award winning producer Cheryl Pawelski.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Archives. Volume 3, The Asylum years (1972-1975) / Mitchell, Joni
“Continue the journey through Joni’s previously unmined archives. This set is an intimate and revelatory spotlight on Joni’s prolific peak from 1972-1975, which included her most commercially successful album, ‘Court & Spark’, and single “Help Me.” The Set Includes Sessions with Graham Nash, James Taylor, Neil Young and the Santa Monica Flyers, & Tom Scott and the L.A. Express Never-Before-Heard Demos, Early and Alternate Versions of Classic Songs, and Historical Performances. Plus A Gorgeous 40-Page Photo Book and Liners Informed by Conversations with Joni and her Friend Cameron Crowe.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Fragments : Time out of mind sessions (1996-1997) / Dylan, Bob
“The latest chapter in Columbia/Legacy’s highly acclaimed Bob Dylan Bootleg Series takes a fresh look at ‘Time Out of Mind’, Dylan’s mid-career masterpiece, celebrating the album and its enduring impact 25 years after its original release on September 30, 1997. ‘Fragments – Time Out of Mind Sessions (1996-1997): The Bootleg Series Vol. 17’ follows the evolution of songs written for the album, from intimate early incarnations in the previously unreleased 1996 Teatro sessions, through incandescent live renditions (also previously unreleased) showcasing Dylan and his touring ensemble channelling the songs on-stage from 1998-2001.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
The Yes album / Yes
“Originally released in February 1971, ‘The Yes Album’ was the band’s first album to feature guitarist Steve Howe. The super deluxe edition is a multi format boxed set featuring 1LP of the original analogue cut of the album, 4 CD’s including the original album, Steven Wilson remix, rarities and live recordings plus a Blu-Ray of the Steven Wilson Atmos mix.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Substance [expanded] / New Order
“Originally released via the legendary Factory Records, Substance compiled all of the band’s singles to that point in their 12” versions with many of their respective B-sides and specially new recorded versions of ‘Temptation’ and ‘Confusion’. The album also included the biggest selling 12” single of all time, Blue Monday, alongside other classic singles The Perfect Kiss, Bizarre Love Triangle and the band’s debut single release Ceremony. The 4CD version includes the original 2CD set remastered with two additional CDs. CD3 expands the collection with alternate versions and extra b-sides. CD4 features an unreleased concert, Live from Irvine Meadows, California, September 12, 1987, where the band uniquely played the entire album in sequence.” (Adapted from Amazon.com).
BBC broadcasts / Genesis (Musical group)
“‘BBC Broadcasts’ is an extensive collection of broadcast material from one of the biggest selling recording artists of all time. Curated by founder member Tony Banks and the group’s long-time engineer and producer Nick Davis it is available as a 53-track 5-CD set
These collections represent the cream of the group’s work recorded by the BBC between 1970 and 1998, and it includes contributions from all three of the group’s vocalists, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Ray Wilson. With notes by author Michael Hann, and packaged with a 40-page booklet…” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Larks’ tongue in aspic [50th anniversary edition] / King Crimson
“50th anniversary edition of King Crimson’s classic 1973 album. Blu-Ray I features all-new 2023 mixes in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround Sound and Hi-Res Stereo by Steven Wilson. Blu-Ray I also features the new Elemental Mixes by David Singleton. Blu-Ray II contains the complete recordings of every session recorded for the album. All of this material has been newly mixed from the original performances and is presented on disc for the first time in Hi-Res 24/96 stereo. Additionally, Blu-Ray II includes Hi-Res stereo mixes of the original stereo masters & David Singleton’s audio documentary of the album recording “Keep That One, Nick” as previously included on the 2012 boxed set. These are the sole inclusions on the disc to have been issued previously. CD1 includes the 2023 stereo mix and instrumentals of the album. CD2 includes the elemental mixes and selected master reels.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk)
Tim : let it bleed edition / Replacements
“4CD/1LP Boxed Set Features The Group’s Classic 1985 Tim Album. Remixed by Ed Stasium And Expanded With Previously Unreleased Studio And Live Recordings, Including Alex Chilton Produced Session Plus A Complete 1986 Concert.” (Adapted from Amazon.com).
Funky nothingness / Zappa, Frank
“Frank Zappa’s incredibly rare recordings, believed to have been planned for a potential sequel to his iconic hot rats album, have been unearthed from the vault and compiled as new collection, Funky Nothingness features 25 unreleased and rare tracks and more than three and a half hours of never-before-heard compositions, covers, and jams from 1970 with core group of Ainsley Dunbar, Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Ian Underwood, and Max Bennett Three-Disc expanded deluxe edition contains outtakes, alternate edits, and unedited masters from little known recording sessions.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
The complete Budokan 1978 / Dylan, Bob
“A deluxe box set celebrating Bob Dylan’s 1978 world concert tour and the 45th anniversary of the artist’s first concert appearances in Japan, The Complete Budokan 1978 includes two complete shows from Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall (February 28 and March 1, 1978) featuring 58 tracks, 36 of which are previously unreleased. The audio is newly remixed from the original 24-channel analog tapes. This luxurious 12 x 12” box is imported from Japan and includes 4 CD’s, a 60-page full-color photo book of liner notes and previously unpublished photos of Dylan on-stage and behind-the-scenes at the airport, press conferences and more and facsimile memorabilia such as concert tickets, pamphlets, posters, and flyers.” (Adapted from Amazon.com).
Dookie [deluxe] / Green Day
“Green Day’s third studio album ‘Dookie’ was released in February 1994, and has since sold over 15 million copies worldwide, including 10 million in the US (RIAA Diamond certified). The album is an iconic punk-rock-pop masterpiece and one of the most influential and defining albums of the 1990’s. It spawned five hit singles that are still hugely popular songs: ‘Longview’, ‘Basket Case’, ‘Welcome to Paradise’, ‘When I Come Around’, and ‘She’. The 4 CDs also feature 17 unreleased demos, 6 studio outtakes (3 unreleased), and a 17-track unreleased club show from Barcelona in 1994. The CD box includes 4 CDs, and a 48-page book.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Working in corners / Griffith, Nanci
“The ‘Working In Corners’ boxset includes Nanci Griffith’s first four albums: ‘There’s A Light Beyond These Woods’, ‘Poet In My Window’, ‘Once In A Very Blue Moon’, and Grammy nominated ‘The Last of The True Believers’. The set includes expansive liner notes by producer Jim Rooney and writer Holly Gleason, along with rare photographs. Her trailblazing career caused Rolling Stone to dub Nanci Griffith as ‘one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved veterans of the country-folk-pop scene'”. (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Southeastern [deluxe] / Isbell, Jason
“Three CD set. Deluxe 10 Year Anniversary Edition. This anniversary edition of Jason Isbell’s landmark album, Southeastern, features updated artwork, a booklet with unreleased photos/lyrics, the original album (remastered) plus demos and live versions of each album track.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
People ’round here don’t like to talk about it : the complete EMI recordings / Auteurs
“The Auteurs were the brilliant British indie band fronted by the sharp-tongued songwriter Luke Haines (The Servants, Blackbox Recorder, Baader Meinhof). A righteous 6CD Clamshell Box Set collecting the complete EMI Recordings of The Auteurs across 125 tracks. Featuring all four albums by The Auteurs, along with Luke’s side project (the self-titled) Baader Meinhof album, ‘Das Capital’ and a stack of fantastic B-Sides, bonus tracks, demos and other delights.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Musik music musique 3.0 : 1982 : synth pop on the air
“Following 2021’s ‘Musik Music Musique 2.0’ set, the third volume in the series looks at the electronic pop scene as it came to dominate the airwaves. A period which saw the 1980’s credible musical landscape evolve from gritty post-punk to shamelessly aspirational polished pop.Featuring countless artists who would become household names (many of which remain active today) alongside lesser-known scene mainstays, independent innovators and novelty opportunists, ‘Musik Music Musique 3.0’ explores the evolution of synth pop from anything resembling a ‘scene’ into the standard musical form of the day, soon to be embraced by everybody from power balladeers to quasi-rock stadium acts.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
Intrigue : Steven Wilson presents progressive sounds in UK alternative music 1979-1989
“Demon Records presents Intrigue – Steve Wilson Presents: Progressive Sounds In UK Alternative Music 1979-89, a new compilation assembled by acclaimed musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer, Steven Wilson. Featuring 58 tracks, the collection explores the creativity, experimentation and progressive spirit of alternative British music from 1979-1989. Artists include Wire, XTC, The Stranglers, Ultravox, The Durutti Column, Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, Tears For Fears, and many more. 4 CDs housed in a mediabook with an 80-page booklet featuring an introduction by Steven Wilson, and extensive track-by-track liner notes by James Nice.”. (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk).
