I'm still going through it as well, there's a lot to unpack here.
I've heard everything at least one time through but need to get repeated listens on some of them.
But I can say with confidence that nothing is going to beat the first two discs (Nashville will probably come closest). I've known the songs on the LA Garage Sessions for 30 years since they were bootlegged on Lost Masters, but to hear them in released quality is just utterly amazing. And I love that he went ahead and released multiple versions of tracks that share lyrics so the listener can decide for themselves which one they prefer.
Unsatisfied Heart has always been considered one of his greatest unreleased songs; the version here is a bit different from the bootleg but still so tremendous. County Fair has been a favorite of mine, and the mix here is better than when it was released on Essential. The extra long version of Shut Out The Light, Follow That Dream, Sugarland, The Klansman, even the fun shorter songs. The whole thing is just fantastic. My only quibble is the version of My Hometown on here - not sure where that came from, but his voice, even if done on purpose, sounds awful. The rockabilly version that is out there is much better.
We've heard about the so-called drum loops relationship album for so long I was afraid the mythical status it took on would make me feel let down when finally released, but no fear. It's so good, and I still can't believe they didn't release it at the time. Coming off Streets of Philadelphia, the momentum he had would have helped to carry this big time, with songs like Blind Spot, Maybe I Don't Know You, and the original Secret Garden (although I miss the sax on this version). It's like Bruce and Landau pulled a U2 move and overthought things, I don't know, but it's a shame because this album delivers.
As I said, still need more time with the other albums, although Somewhere North Of Nashville sounded good to me on first listen. The rest? Not sure yet.
