UnforgettableLemon
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
I'm currently listening to Tom Waits's Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards and I'm always amazed at how good this set is. So I was thinking about other box sets that I own and enjoy. I don't exactly have a wealth of them, but here are a few of my favorites.
Tom Waits - Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards
This is essential Tom Waits, which is amazing considering that it's a collection of outtakes. Or at least it began that way. Apparently Tom recorded 30 of the tracks just for this collection. Each disc has some pretty amazing highlights though. "LowDown," "Fish in the Jailhouse," "Bottom of the World," "Lucinda," "Road to Peace," "Long Way Home," "Little Drop of Poison," "Down There by the Train," "Fannin Street," "Goodnight Irene," "Altar Boy," and even "What Keeps Mankind Alive?" from Threepenney Opera are all top notch songs.
Johnny Cash - The Legend
This is a damn near definitive set. It contains pretty much everything of note that Johnny recorded before the American Recordings album, and perhaps more importantly, the discs all flow pretty well. The only disc that I don't love is the final disc, comprised of collaborations. But the first three discs are the perfect summary of Johnny Cash's career. Mandatory.
Johnny Cash - Unearthed
The outtakes from Johnny Cash's American Recordings series are often better than the actual albums. The first two albums are indisputably great, and III and IV had their moments, but the outtakes from those sessions here surpass the more obvious and recognizable tracks that made it. The gospel disc is fabulous and the compilation is unnecessary, but the other three discs hold the most surprises. Favorite tracks - "Devil's Right Hand," "Bird on a Wire (live with Orchestra)," "Chatanooga Sugar Babe." "You Are My Sunshine," "Redemption Song" (w/ Joe Strummer), "Cindy" (w/ Nick Cave), "Salty Dog," "Fourth Man in the Fire"
Led Zeppelin - The Complete Studio Recordings
Okay, so this isn't a traditional box set, but I got it used in high school and it was a great value. Not much to say about this, other than pretty much anything from Zep I to Physical Graffiti approaches aural bliss and there are a few transcendent moments even after that.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Live 1975-1985
One of my favorite live collections. Not surprisingly, many of these tracks are superior to the studio counterparts. The tracklisting is clever, as well, sequencing newer performances of older songs in with the later material to maintain a setlist feel. "Spirit in the Night" is sublime, and it's vital ownage for the inclusion of "Because the Night" and "Jersey Girl."
Prince - The Hits/B-Sides
A collection of pop bliss. Not a bad song here, except maybe some clunkers on the b-sides disc. That said, while the songs are great, the sequencing is seriously lacking. It seems very "ipod-on-shuffle." Either way, it's a great way to introduce someone to Prince, though it lacks a few staples. No "Darling Nikki?" Still, even if you have all the albums, get it for tracks like "Scarlet Pussy" and "Erotic City."
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - B-Sides and Rarities
This one took me a while to get into, as did most of the Bad Seeds' material. But after really getting into the band's catalogue, I really enjoy it. The acoustic versions of "Deanna" and "Jack the Ripper" are pretty swell, and occasionally funny. The soundtrack material like "Till the End of the World" is nice to have, as are the covers/collaborations with Shane MacGowan. "What a Wonderful World" is just kind of evil with those two singing, but in a pleasant way. "Opium Tea" and a few others on disc three are worth a listen. A great collection, not the most accessible, but that's just the nature of Nick Cave.
Tom Waits - Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards
This is essential Tom Waits, which is amazing considering that it's a collection of outtakes. Or at least it began that way. Apparently Tom recorded 30 of the tracks just for this collection. Each disc has some pretty amazing highlights though. "LowDown," "Fish in the Jailhouse," "Bottom of the World," "Lucinda," "Road to Peace," "Long Way Home," "Little Drop of Poison," "Down There by the Train," "Fannin Street," "Goodnight Irene," "Altar Boy," and even "What Keeps Mankind Alive?" from Threepenney Opera are all top notch songs.
Johnny Cash - The Legend
This is a damn near definitive set. It contains pretty much everything of note that Johnny recorded before the American Recordings album, and perhaps more importantly, the discs all flow pretty well. The only disc that I don't love is the final disc, comprised of collaborations. But the first three discs are the perfect summary of Johnny Cash's career. Mandatory.
Johnny Cash - Unearthed
The outtakes from Johnny Cash's American Recordings series are often better than the actual albums. The first two albums are indisputably great, and III and IV had their moments, but the outtakes from those sessions here surpass the more obvious and recognizable tracks that made it. The gospel disc is fabulous and the compilation is unnecessary, but the other three discs hold the most surprises. Favorite tracks - "Devil's Right Hand," "Bird on a Wire (live with Orchestra)," "Chatanooga Sugar Babe." "You Are My Sunshine," "Redemption Song" (w/ Joe Strummer), "Cindy" (w/ Nick Cave), "Salty Dog," "Fourth Man in the Fire"
Led Zeppelin - The Complete Studio Recordings
Okay, so this isn't a traditional box set, but I got it used in high school and it was a great value. Not much to say about this, other than pretty much anything from Zep I to Physical Graffiti approaches aural bliss and there are a few transcendent moments even after that.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Live 1975-1985
One of my favorite live collections. Not surprisingly, many of these tracks are superior to the studio counterparts. The tracklisting is clever, as well, sequencing newer performances of older songs in with the later material to maintain a setlist feel. "Spirit in the Night" is sublime, and it's vital ownage for the inclusion of "Because the Night" and "Jersey Girl."
Prince - The Hits/B-Sides
A collection of pop bliss. Not a bad song here, except maybe some clunkers on the b-sides disc. That said, while the songs are great, the sequencing is seriously lacking. It seems very "ipod-on-shuffle." Either way, it's a great way to introduce someone to Prince, though it lacks a few staples. No "Darling Nikki?" Still, even if you have all the albums, get it for tracks like "Scarlet Pussy" and "Erotic City."
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - B-Sides and Rarities
This one took me a while to get into, as did most of the Bad Seeds' material. But after really getting into the band's catalogue, I really enjoy it. The acoustic versions of "Deanna" and "Jack the Ripper" are pretty swell, and occasionally funny. The soundtrack material like "Till the End of the World" is nice to have, as are the covers/collaborations with Shane MacGowan. "What a Wonderful World" is just kind of evil with those two singing, but in a pleasant way. "Opium Tea" and a few others on disc three are worth a listen. A great collection, not the most accessible, but that's just the nature of Nick Cave.
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