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Best box sets/live albums/retrospectives of the decade


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Oh hell yeah....we have to include Johnny Cash - The American Recordings I - V. Great stuff, the Man does everything from Danny Boy to Paul Simon to Trent Reznor. These are as essential as anything I heard in the 00's, gotta go change my top picks in the other thread now.

 

Live albums - Kicking Television, MMJ's Okonokos, Leonard Cohen's Live In London (and some parts of I'm Your Man).

 

Lou - I disagree about In The Beginning. It's uneven like all of TVZ's releases, but there's a raw bluesy energy to Townes' early work that faded steadily out over the years what with all the drinking and living on the road. His voice changed pitch over the later years of his career almost to a baritone, I really like how he sounded in the 60's for a change of pace-- also the guitar work is excellent, especially considering this was '66 and the guy picked up playing shortly after hearing the first two Dylan albums. No the songs aren't of the calibre of his best work, by any means. But listen to Colorado Bound, Big Country Blues, Black Crow Blues, Marietta's Song....these would be the absolute pinnacle for many fine, fine songwriters. Some truly haunting and memorable folk/blues ballads on ITB, even if they aren't epic works of the pen. Also, the poster they send with the CD downright rocks. thumbup.gif

 

 

itbposter.jpg

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The Tortoise box set is really awesome, very similarly the Low box set is great.

 

I think the Tortoise box is unfortunately out of print for those who don't have it. The Low set is expensive online, but I picked it up at one of their live shows for $20, so if you see them live, definitely worth looking for.

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Genesis: 1970-1975 Box set. This is very sweet. SACD/DVD versions of five classic albums, hours of interviews and bonus live material. Nicely packaged as well.

 

Tom Waits: Orphans. Lots of good unreleased stuff in a variety of different styles. Looking forward to the Vinyl release any day now.

 

Neil Young: Archives Volume 1. It has its faults and is much debated but I love it. The total experience of siting with the DVD/Blue Ray editions is amazing. I would recommend the CD edition as there is not enough unreleased material to juatify the outlay. I am really looking forward to Volume two which should have some amazing stuff in it.

 

The Jayhawks: North Country. Just a really nice little 'Best Of' package. One disk of classics (How many good songs did they write!), one disk of (Really nice) unrealeased stuff and a third disk of videos/EPK. Nothing groundbreaking but just perfect.

 

My Morning Jacket: Okonokos. In terms of live records this one was epic. I have the vinyl box set which is glorious, as is the DVD. Just good rockin'. I'll forgive them 'Evil Urges' though. Every band is allowed the odd poor album.

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I am a fan of Bear Family box sets.....

 

I think that they are the ones that put out the Jim Ford retrospectives that I love so much.

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^ Yeah, the Bear Family has put out tons of great stuff. I have some wonderful box sets from them: George Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, Wanda Jackson, Merle Haggard, Rose Maddox... They are definitely one of the best labels--if not the best--for old-time Country and Rock and Roll.

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Does it have the same material as this release? tvz-itbfront.jpg

 

If so it is just okay. I have not seen this other release.

 

LouieB

 

Yep that's the one. It is better than okay. :)

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