Norm Apter
10-22-2009, 05:38 PM
With much discussion about the Beatles newly-released box sets, I thought we could get a discussion going on listeners' ultimate box sets. Three potential things I look for in a box set are the inclusion of interesting / innovative versions (e.g. alternative takes or live cuts) of songs that rival or even best the original/master takes on albums, a sense of representation of the artist(s) in question, and possibly improved sound /mastering over the original releases.
Of course not all great box sets will have high marks in each of these categories (sometimes its impossible), but these are things I keep in mind when evaluating a given box set. I'll start off by mentioning the Jimi Hendrix box set (2000) I acquired recently as well as Bob Marley's Songs of Freedom box (1999), which stand out as two of my favorites.
Which box sets turn you on?
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/huang0513/4122AE77SXL__SS500_.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/huang0513/refdp_image_0.jpg
Of course not all great box sets will have high marks in each of these categories (sometimes its impossible), but these are things I keep in mind when evaluating a given box set. I'll start off by mentioning the Jimi Hendrix box set (2000) I acquired recently as well as Bob Marley's Songs of Freedom box (1999), which stand out as two of my favorites.
Which box sets turn you on?
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/huang0513/4122AE77SXL__SS500_.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/huang0513/refdp_image_0.jpg