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Weekend Rock List: Greatest Box Sets

8/10/07, 6:54 pm EST

Photo: James Brown

When the CD is finally gone, we will miss the box set: That orgy of unnecessary packaging, recycled songs and windy liner notes that helped fund the record biz’s heady Nineties peak, but still made us quiver with materialistic longing. Most box sets make you buy a lot of music for the few songs that you actually want. These five exceptions are all-killer, no-filler artifacts that help define an artist’s career, or even an entire genre of music. Let’s hear your nominations next.

  • Tracks, Bruce Springsteen
  • Star Time, James Brown
  • One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found, Various Artists
  • Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968, Various Artists
  • Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959), Ray Charles

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Comments

K-Fed Up | 8/10/2007, 7:41 pm EST

Is that a worst list? “Tracks” may well be the nadir of Springsteen’s career…all the awful songs you hoped you never had to hear from Springsteen, but which he shoves down your throat anyway.
Leave it to RS to give this ego-swelled disaster props, just as they will give Patti Scialfa’s new CD 4 or 5 stars.

hokeycoke | 8/10/2007, 7:42 pm EST

the complete bitches brew

fydo1974 | 8/10/2007, 7:44 pm EST

The original 4-CD Led Zeppelin box set was excellent

pete | 8/10/2007, 7:47 pm EST

clapton’s crossroads box set
the beatles anthology

Berlin | 8/10/2007, 7:51 pm EST

The Velvet Underground-Peel Slowly and See

ray | 8/10/2007, 7:56 pm EST

Bob Dylan-Biograph

dupacrash | 8/10/2007, 8:00 pm EST

the pretenders’ “pirate radio”.

el taliiiii | 8/10/2007, 8:02 pm EST

with the lights out– nirvana

God | 8/10/2007, 8:02 pm EST

The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968 = OWNED

RowHouseRow | 8/10/2007, 8:03 pm EST

Tracks rules! Fuck, I’d pay sixy five bucks right now to hear the alternate version of stolen car.

P.S. Patti Scialfa’s cds are great! But I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion particularly if they have realy clever, prescient names. K-Fed Up! Jay Leno would be so proud!

Grace | 8/10/2007, 8:17 pm EST

Dylan the bootleg series vol 1 – 3

tonkateddybear | 8/10/2007, 8:17 pm EST

let’s see…

the 4 disc zepplin set
springsteen’s live set (1970something-85)
aerosmith’ s pandora’s box
no thanks! punk set
and for squirts and giggles… kiss’ box set…

i recently found a buddy guy one, but haven’t purchased it yet. anyone know what’s up with that?

Topher | 8/10/2007, 8:19 pm EST

The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set
Johnny Cash – Unearthed
The Clash On Broadway

GhostofTomWaits | 8/10/2007, 8:52 pm EST

Eric Clapton – Crossroads
The Police – Message in a Box
The Band – A Musical History
Bob Dylan – Biograph
Tom Waits – Orphans, Bawlers and Brawlers
Johnny Cash – Sun Records Years
Johnny Cash – Unearthed

Aust | 8/10/2007, 8:57 pm EST

Tom Petty’s Playback

z-o-s-o | 8/10/2007, 9:04 pm EST

Led Zeppelin ~ 4 CD Set
Eric Clapton ~ Crossroads
Santana ~ Dance of the Rainbow Serpent
ACDC ~ Bonfire

man from 2078 | 8/10/2007, 9:08 pm EST

i hear neil young’s archives will be coming out next year. that will be great.

Chocolate Rain: Best Song Ever | 8/10/2007, 9:23 pm EST

Led Zeppelin- How The West Was Won
Nirvana- With The Lights Out
Tom Waits- Orphans
Cactus- Barely Contained/The Live Gigs

z-o-s-o | 8/10/2007, 9:23 pm EST

also…
Pearl Jam ~ Live at The Gorge 05/06

Mandela | 8/10/2007, 9:31 pm EST

back to mono- phil spector
peel slowly and see- velvet underground
complete recordings- led zeppelin

J | 8/10/2007, 9:51 pm EST

Did we ever get the complete list for the best guitar solo’s from last week?

kirk in my hole | 8/10/2007, 9:51 pm EST

Phil Spector – Back To Mono, of course

lik roper | 8/10/2007, 9:54 pm EST

the cd will never be gone as long as pcs still have cdr drives…

AZ | 8/10/2007, 10:02 pm EST

Seriously, check out that Nuggets collection. I did, based on this publication’s review, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s like finding out there were bands like Green Day and The Hold Steady in 1967. DL all the discs onto one giant mix and just wonder at what never made American Bandstand and then wonder at the powers that be, that controlled the airwaves then, that control the airwaves now (as Rupert Murdoch is poised to buy out the Wall Street Journal).

Sean | 8/10/2007, 10:02 pm EST

The 4-disc Otis Redding one is pretty stellar.

Anonymous | 8/10/2007, 10:03 pm EST

Nirvana – With The Lights Out

iodjviojsvijfovfjvo | 8/10/2007, 10:14 pm EST

led zeppelin – how the west was won

nirvana – with the lights out

lovethatjoker | 8/10/2007, 10:34 pm EST

the clash- clash on broadway

Joseph | 8/10/2007, 10:43 pm EST

the smashing pumpkins – the aeroplane flies high…

5 singles, and 23 b-sides from the Mellon Collie-era…you can’t beat that.

Professor Genius | 8/10/2007, 10:45 pm EST

Since The Band, Dylan, Zeppelin, and Velvet Underground sets were already mentioned, I’ll opt for Al Green – The Immortal Soul of Al Green

Jordan Berner | 8/10/2007, 10:48 pm EST

Complete Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Gil evens and Miles davis

Duke Ellignton Centenial collection

Bob Dylan Biography

Talking heads Brick

Joy Division Heart and soul

The Cure connect the dots

Echo and the bunnyman Crystal Days

Anonymous | 8/10/2007, 10:52 pm EST

with the lights out – Nirvana

RockGod | 8/10/2007, 10:58 pm EST

Metallica- Live Shit Bindge Purge
Alice In Chains- Music Bank

Joe | 8/10/2007, 10:58 pm EST

U2’s Complete Works on iTunes when they came out with the iPod special edition only whets my appetite for a definitive U2 box set….but I remember Clash on Broadway vividly and also the Led Zeppelin set 4 cassette (!) set

John Bonham | 8/10/2007, 11:03 pm EST

Led Zeppelin’s “box”
The Police’s “Message in a Box”
AC/DC’s “Bonfire” (although they could use another)
KISS’s “box set” (although it has a lot of shit)
Elton John’s “To Be Continued…” is really good

sy | 8/10/2007, 11:14 pm EST

simon and garfunkel “completed works”

its all the albums so yu realli cant complain about sumthing being left out, n the body of work speaks for itself

DeadHorse | 8/10/2007, 11:21 pm EST

‘Good Vibrations’ 30 Years of the Beach Boys was classic. On the other hand, I thought that Nirvana’s ‘With the Lights Out’ was horrible. It took me from the status of a fan that truly believed that they had a legacy to believing that Kurt Cobain was nothing better than a talented junkie who’s music should stay where it belongs, in the 1990s. Just my two cents….

trock | 8/10/2007, 11:21 pm EST

The Who Maximum R&B

Jason | 8/10/2007, 11:23 pm EST

Gotta go with “The Doo Wop Box”. Just a killer collection from a nice era of pop history.

DrJ | 8/10/2007, 11:26 pm EST

Dylan’s Biograph set the standard in terms of including unreleased material that was as good as the previously released, and then The Bootleg Series 1-3 hit it out of the ballpark.

Seamus Donnelly | 8/10/2007, 11:34 pm EST

Dylan Biography
Nuggets
Eric Clapton Crossroads

Sean McNamara | 8/10/2007, 11:36 pm EST

Aerosmith – “Box of Fire”

Classic.

tv> | 8/10/2007, 11:37 pm EST

nirvana > with the lights out

w0nderwall | 8/10/2007, 11:39 pm EST

Oasis-Stop the Clocks Special Edition

Not only did the package include the outstanding track list, but a great DVD. The DVD had a nice interview with Liam & Noel Gallagher, some live concert footage, etc. You don’t get a better summary than this in terms of greatest hits or whatever unless its the Beatles Anthology.

sc>tv> | 8/10/2007, 11:39 pm EST

nirvana > with the lights out

Bud Man | 8/10/2007, 11:46 pm EST

“No Thanks” the 70’s punk collection on Rhino.

jayrod | 8/10/2007, 11:54 pm EST

Velvet Underground, Byrds, and Led Zeppelin are the kings of the whole box set thing. Honorable mention to the Talking Heads though.

Choo | 8/11/2007, 12:07 am EST

James Brown – Star Time
Steely Dan – Citizen Steely Dan and The Police – Message in a Box and Cream – Those Were the Days(how can you go wrong when you put every single song in there?)

Jordan | 8/11/2007, 12:11 am EST

Response to K-Fed Up:

Have you even listened to Springsteen’s Tracks?? some great tunes are on that box set.

lstierwalt | 8/11/2007, 12:18 am EST

Left of the Dial. Joy Division box, A Life Less Lived.

Ross | 8/11/2007, 12:21 am EST

Yeah K-Fed must have some pretty bad taste in music. Tracks is for the most part awesome. To think that some of those songs are Bruce’s outtakes and are better than the majority of other artists songs. A couple great albums can be put together with the tunes on there.

And how is Springsteen an ego-swelled disaster? He has the most integrity of any artist IMO…never sold out and not afraid to record what he wants and not just rehash another Rock album every couple of years.

JD | 8/11/2007, 12:28 am EST

Marvin Gaye- The Master: an excellent four CD set that chronicles his entire career. Some great unreleased songs too.

Elvis- the complete 50s Masters: a must have in anyone’s collection.

CCR- their six CD set is indispensible, including not only their entire recording output, but a full disc dedicated to their formulative years as the Golliwogs.

The Byrds- There is a Season: Ok so this is their second box, but they certainly improved on it by including a few pre-Columbia recordings as well as a few more Gene Clark songs.

There are a few sets that are just too expensive like the Buffalo Springfield Box and Nuggets 2. I have the first Nuggets box set and it is excellent, though “96 Tears” is a glaring omission.

Jimmy | 8/11/2007, 12:54 am EST

Metallica – Live Shit: Binge and Purge.
2 DVDs and 3 CDs = 3 complete concerts. Come on, what more can you ask for.

meierjr | 8/11/2007, 1:22 am EST

Led Zep’s 4 cd box set (not the complete discography but, with very few exceptions, all the best).
The Who – Maximum Rn’B (again not everything i was looking for, but still a great selection).
Steely Dan 4 cd box set (such an underrated band and so many great songs! not a filler in sight!)

K-Fed Up | 8/11/2007, 1:22 am EST

Hey RowHouse, are you Bruce or Wenner in disguise?

Brian | 8/11/2007, 1:28 am EST

Sex, America, Cheap Trick

The Life and Crimes of Alice Cooper

Tom Petty: Playback

Aerosmith: Pandora’s Box and Box of Fire

Black Crowes: Sho’ Nuff

Syd Barrett | 8/11/2007, 1:31 am EST

I’d have to agree with K-Fed….the Boss is so fucking overrated it’s not even funny. Great live performer, but the albums are lame.

I’d go with Pink Floyd, Shine On, you fuckers.

Amphetadex | 8/11/2007, 2:09 am EST

The Aeroplane Flies High

Dr. David Banner | 8/11/2007, 2:19 am EST

Billy Joel — My Lives: Lots of cool stuff on here, a testament to his songwriting genius.

zer0 | 8/11/2007, 2:27 am EST

smashing pumpkins-aeroplaine flies high

andrew | 8/11/2007, 2:58 am EST

No Thanks: the 70s Punk Rebellion

Peel Slowly and See: The Velvet Underground

Adam J | 8/11/2007, 3:09 am EST

Springsteen – Tracks. CD4 is a little weak for Bruce but still good. The rest are awesome.

The Bobby Darin box set

The Saint | 8/11/2007, 3:18 am EST

I’m definitely lovin Pearl Jam’s “LIve at the Gorge” from their live tour.

z-o-s-o | 8/11/2007, 3:37 am EST

Were you there too, Saint?

The Irving Bongo | 8/11/2007, 4:16 am EST

Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys)

The Pet Sounds Sessions (The Beach Boys)

Peel Slowly and See (Velvet Underground)

Between Thought and Expression (Lou Reed)

Back to Mono (Phil Spector)

Guilty (Randy Newman)

The Complete Recordings (Robert Johnson)

Sony Music: Soundtrack For A Century

The Great Deceiver: Live 1972-1974 (King Crimson)

any of Rhino’s “Have a Nice Day” sets … excellent packaging

Larry Buchas | 8/11/2007, 4:59 am EST

Have to start any collection with these three:

Miles Davis -Complete Bitches Brew Sessions
Miles Davis -Miles Davis & John Coltrane-Complete on Columbia
Miles Davis -Complete Jack Johnson Sessions

Then add:

Bob Dylan -Biograph
The Band -A Musical History
King Crimson -21st Century Guide: Volumes One & Two
Jeff Beck -Beckology
John Coltrane -Complete Jazz Quartet Recordings

proletariat | 8/11/2007, 5:50 am EST

grace legacy edition

Jeff | 8/11/2007, 5:53 am EST

Alice In Chains – Music Bank

“Weird Al” Yankovic – Permanent Record

Aerosmith – Box of Fire

Tom Petty – Playback

Led Zeppelin – Remasters 4 CD box set

david | 8/11/2007, 6:34 am EST

Springsteen – Tracks
Billy Joel – My Lives
Beach Boys – Pet Sounds Sessions

Bill Hicks | 8/11/2007, 7:44 am EST

I agree with the inclusion of ‘Star Time’ but Springsteen is the kind of a**hole who could form a whole new dimension with his personal brand of a**holery (and that is a verb, I checked).

Although realistically most box sets are not necessary from start to finish, most can be cut down to two discs or so of genius; like that big Ray Charles box from the early 90s or The Faces box (’Five Guys Walk Into A Bar,’ which should also be included in this list). Also the Beach Boys box which is worth it alone for the Smile sessions stuff

jerk | 8/11/2007, 7:56 am EST

Dylan/Biograph- If you only ever buy one Dylan release, this should be it…covers all aspects of Dylan’s career through its release date

Police/Message In A Box- Complete studio recordings, including B-sides
A must have…

Jeff Beck/Beckology- The BBA material on the second set is a little weak, but otherwise an astounding collection of rock’s best current guitarist…combine this with his greatest hits single disc and you have a killer set

Yes/In A Word, Yes- Best compilation of Yes material through their last studio album, Magnification

ELO/Flashback- Beautiful sounding remasters of the band no one admits to loving… the first disc alone is worth the price of the entire set-includes much of the early material, especially El Dorado and Roll Over Beethoven

Chicago/Box- Beautiful packaging and music from all phases of the band’s career…as always, the early Terry Kath years are presented with loving fondness, and the 80s singles era as well. There are also songs from more obscure times, including the big band album and the Stone of Sisyphus album (never released)…if you are a Chicago fan, this is a must-have

XTC/Coat of Many Cupboards- Set covers most of the history of XTC through early live recordings, B-sides, unreleased materials, demoes, and does include some previously released material, along with liner notes from Mssrs. Partridge and Moulding. Liner notes alone are worth the price of the entire box…p.s.-does include some Dukes of Stratasphere material!

Al Stewart/Just Yesterday-About a year ago, this box set made an appearance in my life, and I cannot quit playing it! Stewart’s early albums are given a good deal of coverage, though I would have liked more. His most popular period, 1976-1981, is of course well documented, and his prolific output over the last ten or so years is also covered, including the excellent Shells On The Beach. Includes some B-sides and rarities…

Rockstar70 | 8/11/2007, 9:20 am EST

Led Zep-4 disc remasters

Gay Repressed Republican | 8/11/2007, 10:09 am EST

Dylan-Biograph
VU-Peel Slowly
Miles-Complete Bitches Brew
TWaits-Orphans…
Flaming Lips-Finally the Punk Rockers are Taking Acid
CVB-Cigarettes & Carrot Juice

beefheart | 8/11/2007, 10:12 am EST

Eddies Archive – Iron Maiden
The first 10 years box – Iron Maiden
Music Bank – Alice in Chains
The Beatles EP and Singles collections

Natalie | 8/11/2007, 10:18 am EST

The Velvet Underground- Peel Slowly and See

x | 8/11/2007, 10:27 am EST

LED ZEP Complete studio recordings

paul bernard | 8/11/2007, 10:36 am EST

Bowie: Sound and Vision

The British Invasion (the Rhino version)

robbie k | 8/11/2007, 11:00 am EST

the anthology of american folk music

box of pearls- janis

fruit tree- nick drake

a musical history- the band

robbie k | 8/11/2007, 11:00 am EST

the anthology of american folk music

box of pearls- janis

fruit tree- nick drake

a musical history- the band

rockn roll motts | 8/11/2007, 11:06 am EST

tracks w/o question for a lot of other bands 1 disc would be a greatest hits bruce is still one of the best songwriters ever. oasis stop the clocks wish it had more b sides, they still have some of the best b sides out there. the most rocknroll band of the 90’s and one of the most important bands to come out of that time. good mention tom waits and petty

Rockstar70 | 8/11/2007, 11:18 am EST

Kiss actually put out a great box set!!

daniel moore | 8/11/2007, 11:24 am EST

john lennon anthology great set

Rockstar70 | 8/11/2007, 11:26 am EST

let’s make one thing clear……a box set is not a box with all an artist’s cds in it. I box set is a collection of alot of the artists songs as well as some rare,live,demo or otherwise unavailible songs from the past.
Led Zepplin- complete recordings is NOT a box set…..neither is the DOORS complete recordings. Led zepplin’s 4 disc set is a box set as is THE DOORS first box set.

mauricio | 8/11/2007, 11:49 am EST

shine on – pink floyd
live shit binge & purge – metallica
with the lights out – nirvana

Walter | 8/11/2007, 12:05 pm EST

For me the greatest box set is Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music (Mango – 1993). This is the perfect introduction to Reggae music. This is to Reggae what Star Time is to Funk. The holy grail.

Velvet Underground | 8/11/2007, 12:11 pm EST

Peel Slowly and See!

Peter S. | 8/11/2007, 12:22 pm EST

I just looked at my modest collection
I
Marvin Gaye .. The Master 1961-1984 .. my favorite set.
I
I
The Jefferson Airplane Loves You … a waist of money

punisher | 8/11/2007, 12:31 pm EST

Pearl Jam- live at the gorge

doors-4cd boxset( the one with the MSG concert)

the who-max RNB

punisher | 8/11/2007, 12:31 pm EST

Pearl Jam- live at the gorge

doors-4cd boxset( the one with the MSG concert)

the who-max RNB

Jon | 8/11/2007, 12:47 pm EST

Bonfire – AC/DC

poughkeepsie john | 8/11/2007, 12:48 pm EST

Biograph: Bob Dylan
Tracks: Bruce Springsteen
Peel Slowly And See: The Velvet Undeground
The King Of Rock And Roll (The 1950’s): Elvis Presley
Star Time!: James Brown
Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection
The first Nuggets boxed set
The Doo-Wop Box (from Rhino)
The Essential Johnny Cash (the 3-disc set)
The Stiff Records Boxed Set

Francisco Valdes | 8/11/2007, 12:58 pm EST

“Peel Slowly And See” The Velvet Underground
“With The Light Out” Nirvana
“Songs Of Freedom” Bob Marley
“Shine On” Pink Floyd
“Heart And Soul” Joy Division

Francisco Valdes | 8/11/2007, 12:58 pm EST

“Peel Slowly And See” The Velvet Underground
“With The Light Out” Nirvana
“Songs Of Freedom” Bob Marley
“Shine On” Pink Floyd
“Heart And Soul” Joy Division

Francisco Valdes | 8/11/2007, 12:58 pm EST

“Peel Slowly And See” The Velvet Underground
“With The Light Out” Nirvana
“Songs Of Freedom” Bob Marley
“Shine On” Pink Floyd
“Heart And Soul” Joy Division

perfectomix | 8/11/2007, 1:20 pm EST

James Brown: Star Time
Tom Petty: Playback
Various Artists: Can You Dig It? The ’70s Soul Experience
The Cure: Join The Dots
Bob Dylan: Biograph
Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series
Eric Clapton: Crossroads
Neil Young: Decade
ZZ Top: Chrome, Smoke & BBQ
Various Artists: Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues
Prince: The Hits / The B-Sides
Bruce Springsteen: Live / 1975 – 85
Bruce Springsteen: Tracks
Stevie Wonder: At The Close Of A Century (Yes, the 4th disc is nearly worthless, but the first 3 more than make up for it…)

Anonymous | 8/11/2007, 1:23 pm EST

Live sh*t: binge & purge- Metallica
Boom box- No Doubt

theif | 8/11/2007, 1:29 pm EST

nirvana – with the lights out

Jeremy | 8/11/2007, 1:49 pm EST

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Playback

Alex | 8/11/2007, 2:00 pm EST

A Piano: The Collection
By: Tori Amos

Tio Pitz | 8/11/2007, 2:07 pm EST

Genesis Archive 1967-75

Anonymous | 8/11/2007, 2:43 pm EST

Pink Floyd – Shine On

Mike | 8/11/2007, 3:24 pm EST

Aerosmith’s Pandora’s Box is a great box set…Their best stuff stopped when Permanaent Vacation came out.

David Berger | 8/11/2007, 3:38 pm EST

“Star Time” I would rank number 1 on Time’s list of the one hundred greatest albums.

David Berger | 8/11/2007, 3:38 pm EST

“Star Time” I would rank number 1 on Time’s list of the one hundred greatest albums.

David Berger | 8/11/2007, 3:38 pm EST

“Star Time” I would rank number 1 on Time’s list of the one hundred greatest albums.

David Berger | 8/11/2007, 3:38 pm EST

“Star Time” I would rank number 1 on Time’s list of the one hundred greatest albums.

David Berger | 8/11/2007, 3:55 pm EST

Time magzazine chose Aretha Franklin over James Brown as the Soul artist of the 20th century. She is a better singer, and better on the keyboards.

D. Fricke | 8/11/2007, 4:16 pm EST

Dylan – “Biograph”
Velvets – “Peel Slowly”
Rush – “Chronicles”
Pressure Boys – “Complete”

Jeff | 8/11/2007, 4:43 pm EST

The Smashing Pumpkins-The Aeroplane Flies High.

Alice in Chains-Music bank

Kat Witt | 8/11/2007, 4:56 pm EST

The Complete STAX-VOLT Singles 1959 – 1968. Enough said.

Rnr | 8/11/2007, 5:06 pm EST

I agree with most of these; I’m not a Bruce Springsteen fan, though. How about:

Fats Domino: They Call Me the Fat Man or the newer one that replaced it

Little Feat: Hotcakes and Outtakes

Already mentioned:

Elvis Presley: The Complete 50s Masters

Phil Spector: Back to Mono
The Stax-Volt set is great! Lots of hidden treasures on it.

Daniel | 8/11/2007, 5:11 pm EST

Has The Beatles’ 1 been mentioned yet?

lstierwalt | 8/11/2007, 6:34 pm EST

1.2.3.4. punk rock set

kcv | 8/11/2007, 6:56 pm EST

SEX AMERICA CHEAP TRICK by cheap trick….one of the most criminally underrated bands of all-time.

Some guy | 8/11/2007, 7:12 pm EST

Muddy Waters: The Anthology

Serge | 8/11/2007, 7:23 pm EST

Any Patsy Cline Box set, or Julie London box set.

MrTambourineman | 8/11/2007, 8:28 pm EST

Fruit Tree – Nick Drake

HN | 8/11/2007, 9:34 pm EST

Are you kidding me? The people the mentioned Nirvana’s “With The Lights Out” box set must be kidding me. That steaming pile of crap was the biggest waste of I believe 70 dollars at the time.

Any REAL Nirvana fan would recognize how shitty it was. What a horrible collection, and even “Silver: The Best Of The Box” wasn’t worth the two dollars it is now selling for.

Davey G | 8/11/2007, 9:41 pm EST

Willie Dixon The Chess Box

Will | 8/11/2007, 10:15 pm EST

Bonfire – AC/DC
Atlantic Rock & Roll Box

smileyface | 8/11/2007, 10:26 pm EST

Nirvana’s “With the Light out”, albeit a bit bloated, is high up there. The best “new” tracks dissected, including the only live recorded “Talk to Me”, make up a truly great album. Assuming you count some of the not properly recorded great songs like “Do Re Mi”. It would be a recycled album, but a damn good one at that. “Oh the Guilt” could be a smash on the radio, although radio sucks and I don’t listen to it.

Peter Gabriel | 8/11/2007, 10:34 pm EST

Genesis 1976-82

iHateBoxSets | 8/11/2007, 10:34 pm EST

The Kinks box set, you morons.

Chris | 8/11/2007, 10:35 pm EST

Pet Sounds Sessions
Phil Spector Back to Mono
Bob Dylan Biograph or Bootleg 1-3

Roland Meriweather | 8/11/2007, 10:37 pm EST

Frank Sinatra – The Reprise Collection

Dr. Benway | 8/11/2007, 10:44 pm EST

at the end of the 60’s the Rolling Stones released a cloth covered box set in France on Decca records. it had pictures of one band member on each of the five discs; a french cut t-shirt, with glitter, in a sealed plastic bag;four albums of studio tracks including “Memo From Turner”;disc 5 was “Get Your Ya Yas out”

dracula | 8/11/2007, 11:22 pm EST

Miles Davis: The Complete Bitches Brew sessions

The Last Waltz

Biograph: Bob Dylan

JLI | 8/11/2007, 11:22 pm EST

I agree with the Cheap Trick and Velvet Underground box sets. But I have to list ” Clash On Broadway” as my favorite. I didn’t see that one much. That has to rank up there with the best of the Box Sets.

Jake Burns | 8/11/2007, 11:26 pm EST

Product by the BUZZCOCKS!

rhubarb | 8/11/2007, 11:29 pm EST

‘The Clash On Broadway’

Louie Armstrong’s ‘The Complete Hot Fives and Sevens’

‘Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton’

‘Anthology of American Folk Music’

… and when the hell is someone going to put out a Van Morrison box set?

Rocco Spezio | 8/12/2007, 1:14 am EST

The reason there’s no Van Morrison box is that it would have to contain 10- 15 disks. Look at the quality and enormity of the man’s catalogue.

AJ MacReady | 8/12/2007, 1:26 am EST

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Playback”.
The Who, “Maximum R & B”.
Pink Floyd, “Shine On”.
Eric Clapton, “Crossroads”.

MattallicA | 8/12/2007, 1:57 am EST

MetallicA – Live Shit Binge & Purge

Gaz | 8/12/2007, 2:01 am EST

Pretty crappy when you fork out $90 for a box set thinking that this is the definitive collection only to have a larger more complete collection issue 10 years later…with better production values plus 100 page booklets!!!

E.L.O & The Monkees are good are good cases of point here.

exhack | 8/12/2007, 2:17 am EST

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974. Eight CDs crammed with gems from Ruth Brown, Chuck Willis, LaVern Baker, Ray Charles (pre-strings), Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Don Covay, Sam & Dave … unbeatable sampling of this genre. Of course, Atco ripped off most of these artists, but so did Chess and most other labels.
I bought the LP version of this years ago and bought it again on CD.

Anonymous | 8/12/2007, 2:55 am EST

The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set. All that is needed on it is the insane live version of Red House but it has some much more live cuts and unreleased material. It showcases why Jimi is a guitar god.

TheRiver | 8/12/2007, 5:52 am EST

Neil Young – Decade

Rob | 8/12/2007, 6:04 am EST

It doesn’t get much better than James Brown’s “Star Time”.

Mr. Music | 8/12/2007, 9:40 am EST

King Crimson- The Great Deceiver

your mom | 8/12/2007, 9:50 am EST

1) Woody Guthrie – Asch Recording vols. 1-4

2) Bob Dylan – Biograph

3) That first Led Zeppelin box set

spirito | 8/12/2007, 9:58 am EST

The Band – The Last Waltz

The recent boxset has a bunch of tracks that weren’t on the original LP box, and that show was the best f-ing concert in the history of rock.

J-GO | 8/12/2007, 10:48 am EST

The KISS box set is amazing.

bartndr55 | 8/12/2007, 11:20 am EST

rod stewart’s box set, going back to the days with Faces

hubers6 | 8/12/2007, 11:29 am EST

As mentioned previously the Atlanta R & B 8 CD Set is incredible. Give it a listen and here histrory in the making. Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker, Ray Charles and the almighty Professor Longhair leading up to Otis and Aretha; it doesn’t get much better.

And then you have those singles like “Mashed Potatoes”, “Skinny Legs and All”, “Tighten Up” and “Mephis Soul Stew”.

Also, Jimmy Buffett’s “Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads” on a 100+ degree day like today or a sub-zero February day can’t be beat.

“I shot 6 holes in my freezer,
I think I got cabin fever.”

And artists I wish had a box set out:

Dire Straits
Supertramp
Bob Seger
Dr. John

I will continue to be a rebel and buy the whole package. Nothing is better than actually sitting and listening to a set of music all the way through while devouring the liner notes.

Peter S. | 8/12/2007, 11:35 am EST

I don’t think I want Phil Spector’s “Back to Mono”

johnnyb | 8/12/2007, 11:39 am EST

live sh*t – metallica

Mario Kart | 8/12/2007, 12:32 pm EST

Pearl Jam – Live at The Gorge

Deib | 8/12/2007, 12:53 pm EST

The “No Thanks” Punk Box set, such a wonderful stuff

Dardo | 8/12/2007, 12:54 pm EST

Tori Amos’ “A Piano”.
C’mon, that box is great: the package is a keyboard!

Shakey | 8/12/2007, 1:20 pm EST

Neil Young’s Archives Vol. 1 — oh wait, never mind……

Lacey | 8/12/2007, 1:30 pm EST

Playback – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and The Traveling Wilburys Deluxe Edition

Anal Bead | 8/12/2007, 2:20 pm EST

Garth Brooks “Double-Live”

jhandel | 8/12/2007, 3:41 pm EST

Led Zeppelin’s first box set;not only a great package but jimmy page was finally allowed to re-master his music to modern sonic levels

BTM | 8/12/2007, 4:23 pm EST

Van Halen – right here , right now LIVE

Ugly Bastard | 8/12/2007, 4:28 pm EST

Add The Temptations “Emperors Of Soul”-box set to that list.

Mario Kart | 8/12/2007, 4:41 pm EST

Pearl Jam live from the Gorge

ken vail jr | 8/12/2007, 4:42 pm EST

this one is only available as an import i think, but it’s from a genius band that deserves to be in the rock and roll hall of fame: THIN LIZZY’S ‘VAGABONDS KINGS WARRIORS ANGELS’….killer stuff.

MEBNYC | 8/12/2007, 4:43 pm EST

Bob Marley – SONGS OF FREEDOM
The Police – Message in a Box
Steely Dan – Citizen Steely Dan
Eric Clapton (in this order) – Crossroads II, Crossroads

ken vail jr | 8/12/2007, 4:43 pm EST

here is that boxset:http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Vagabonds,_Kings,_Warrio rs,_Angels

PJ Sparks | 8/12/2007, 5:44 pm EST

Cowabunga! The Surf Set
The Who: 30 Years of Maximum R & B

andrew | 8/12/2007, 6:23 pm EST

Does Tom Waits’ Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards qualify as a box set?
if it does, then it belongs on this list

deaner | 8/12/2007, 6:25 pm EST

def jam box set:
the first 10 years

deaner | 8/12/2007, 6:26 pm EST

hey mario kart
stop posting the same thing twice

deaner | 8/12/2007, 6:29 pm EST

oh yeah,
the Band, i forget the name, but its a book with 5 discs instead of a box…tight

Dusk442 | 8/12/2007, 6:31 pm EST

Buffalo Springfield Box Set – you can burn a perfect rendition of the lost “Stampede” album from it.

The Beach Boys Good Vibrations – you can burn an almost perfect rendition of the lost “Smile” album from it as well as get the good stuff from the later, weaker albums.

Nuggets II – Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyonds – dozens and dozens of tracks that COULD have topped the charts here during the British Invasion.

The Zombies – Zombie Heaven – Sensational set of timeless pop. You can also put burn a rendition of the “grest lost Zombies” album from it. It includes their great whacked out single, “Indication.

Tacobellgrindage | 8/12/2007, 6:46 pm EST

That Ramones box-set with the comic book and 3-D glasses…as well as like sixty-something tracks and a bonus dvd!

cathy | 8/12/2007, 6:50 pm EST

tracks-bruce
fruit tree-nick drake
eric clapton-crossoads
b.b. king-king of the blues
george strait-strait out of the box
nirvana-the one that came out a couple years ago
earth, wind, and fire-not sure of the title, came out in about ‘91
james brown-star time
the beach boys-good vibrations
willie dixon-the chess box
fairport convention-unconventional-came out in 2002, has 4 cd’s and a booklet on the career of the band from start to current.
billy bragg-vol. 1 and 2

tom in Vegas | 8/12/2007, 7:37 pm EST

Tracks what a great choice, a full 4 cds with 90% previosly unreleased, and just great stuff. I am a 33 year Springsteen fan, and it contains some of my favorite Springsteen trax, like Thundercrack. The other tops, Peel Slowly and See-The Velvet Underground, Playback-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Clash on Broadway, Clapton-Crossroads, also The Allman Brothers-Dreams.

RockGypsy | 8/12/2007, 7:43 pm EST

Definitely Playback by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

yiorch | 8/12/2007, 8:22 pm EST

c’mon unearthed by johnny cash, that’s a great one. the third cd (redemption songs) is one of my fav cds ther others are full of good music too from his “american” years.

alfredo | 8/12/2007, 9:21 pm EST

eric clapto-crossroads!

the doors-legacy

Blargh | 8/12/2007, 9:24 pm EST

BONFIRE by AC/DC
nuff said

Wrigley | 8/12/2007, 9:41 pm EST

The Life and Music of Richard Thompson
Sam Cooke-Man Who Invented Soul
Nirvana-With the Lights Out
Miles Davis Quintet 1965-68
Sinatra Vegas

Mayor McCheese | 8/12/2007, 9:47 pm EST

with the lights out–nirvana

Saul | 8/12/2007, 9:52 pm EST

pearl jam live at the gorge 05/06

hubers6 | 8/12/2007, 10:06 pm EST

Talking Heads – Brick

Steve | 8/12/2007, 10:34 pm EST

Smashing Pumpkins – The Aeroplane Flies High

Kap | 8/12/2007, 10:46 pm EST

soon to be released Ryan Adams box set

Luis | 8/12/2007, 11:00 pm EST

A personal favorite and not mentioned, Lee “Scratch” Perry Arkology compilation, if you are a starter in reggae hear this one, even before Bob Marleys Legend…

Have to agree with all the Miles Davis sessions, after hearing the Bitches Brew or In a Silent Way sessions, you discover so much behind the original album. Thats the reason to issue demos or B-Sides, and by the way, very few compilations achieve that…

Anthony Pittarelli | 8/13/2007, 1:26 am EST

im a big fan of the bon fire AC/DC box set

S-P | 8/13/2007, 1:50 am EST

“No Thanks! The ’70s Punk Rebellion” from Rhino Records.
Although no Sex Pistols (they wouldn’t sign over the rights) it perfectly encapsulates everything that made the late 1970s such a monumental musical period. Great stuff.

Willard | 8/13/2007, 2:05 am EST

Damn near everything Rhino puts out:

Nuggets
One Kiss Can Lead to Another
Loud Fast and Out of Control
Doo-Wop Box

Peel Slowly and See – Velvet Underground
The Chess Story

Each Motown singles box set

Jakobi | 8/13/2007, 4:33 am EST

“When the CD is finally gone”

lol, yeah, I don’t think so.

my space dotcom/goddamnidiot | 8/13/2007, 6:14 am EST

That Metallica vinyl box from a few years back is pretty friggin sweet. All of their 80’s output on thick 180gram vinyl.
And of course Springsteen Live/1975-85

OH MY! | 8/13/2007, 7:23 am EST

Nirvana with the lights nothing beats that man!

pkrocket22 | 8/13/2007, 8:14 am EST

Steve Winwood’s box set:The Finer Things. Covers everything from Spencer Davis, Traffic, Blind Faith, Solo stuff.

Dylan Biograph

Marvin Gaye

judrichards | 8/13/2007, 9:07 am EST

Honestly RS is going to have to hire me soon for pointing out the obvious: Best box set ever is Led Zepplin Box Set..Absolutely no fillers. For those who haven’t seen this gem here’s a link http://en.wikipedia. org/w iki/L ed_Zeppelin_(box_set)

KiwiBrownn | 8/13/2007, 9:29 am EST

Bob Marley – Songs of Freedom
Stevie Wonder – At the Close of a Century
The Misfits coffin shaped box set

PastyJournalist | 8/13/2007, 9:47 am EST

Velvet Underground – Peel Slowly …
Led Zep’s first boxed set

Older than dirt | 8/13/2007, 9:47 am EST

One more for the mix (if this one is listed, I’ve missed it):

Hitsville USA – Motown 1959 – 1971. Can’t beat a box that could have been twice as big (8 discs instead of 4) and not lost any quality whatsoever. Not a bad track in sight!

RBinJax | 8/13/2007, 9:55 am EST

Of those not mentioned above, “Old Friends” by Simon and Garfunkel; The Byrds’ first box set; “Dreams” by the Allman Brothers; and although it’s not music, “Yeah, and It’s Deep Too” by Richard Pryor, which coolects all 9 of his album performances and adds a bonus CD of unreleased material. You can’t listen to it with the kids around, but on a road trip or stuck in traffic, it will keep you laughing.

jungleland | 8/13/2007, 10:00 am EST

Tracks is a FANTASTIC Box set. Disc 3 alone is worth the $50 price tag.

Live 1975-1985 (again Springsteen)is one I play all of the time, even over complete shows.

The Rolling Stones: The London Years – all the singles and b-sides 1964 – 1971. Child Of the Moon, Memo From Turner, Under Assistant West Cost Promotion Man

The Who: Maximum R&B – These tracks never sounded better. Naked Eye, Water, The High Numbers stuff…amazing

XTC – The BBC Sessions – Live and in studio, full band and acoustic versions. The Full Concert from Drums & Wires tour ( I think it’s D&W)

ZZ Top – THe Six Pack – The 1st 5 albums plus El Loco, remastered, remixed and sadly with updated (1980’s) drum sounds, But it sounds killer on CD. Highlight? Backdoor Love Affair/Mellow Down Easy live from the Fandango disc.

Tom Petty – Playback – Acoustic Kings Highway is beautiful. The outtakes from Let Me Up (his most underrated album) are very good. His demos sound like Traveling Willburys songs. Live Psychotic Reaction is very cool as well.

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