Best box set you ever got?

[sparkydog1725]

The Doors Perception set for me because of the 5.1 mixes.
The Talking Heads stereo/surround brick and Bob Dylan mono box are really good, too. I'm also a fan of several of the Genesis box sets for the surround mixes.

[Alex]

I've accepted I'll never own that delightful box

That's what Rapidshare, Sendspace, Torrents... :police:I mean iTunes and Amazon...are for.

[donald]

bb box #1, Beatles remastered, Spector Box, Both byrds boxes, TSS, Who box

[cablegeddon]

Yea the Beatles stereo remasters box is the best box ever if you want to get a complete discography. I loved the work they put into the cd-booklets. Great info, and some of the late 60s stuff is so improved in stereo that it's ridiculous. Especially Sgt Peppers and the A-side of Yellow submarine.

[guitarfool2002]

The Pet Sounds Sessions: This was a true *experience* to listen to this set, and one which was a must-have as soon as it became available. The vocals-only section was a real stunner, and still is. I'm usually good at these things but I can't even remember where I bought the set, it was probably Newbury Comics on Newbury Street in Boston. A real highlight in my collection.

The Monkees "Listen To The Band", as much for the memories of tracking down a copy after finding out it was out of print. The whole afternoon spent getting to the one place that had a copy was a neat memory. I had many of the albums on vinyl already, and the Missing Links sets, but getting that box set as a catch-all for the hits, singles, etc. was good. Another total Christmas surprise was the "Music Box" Monkees set, which I had no idea I'd be receiving as a gift that year.

I don't have the originals because they were out of print, but the Headquarters Sessions in any format is one of the best things I ever got, one of my favorites which I listen to often. Inspiring.

I know I'm leaving some out...

[Dunderhead]

Yea the Beatles stereo remasters box is the best box ever if you want to get a complete discography. I loved the work they put into the cd-booklets. Great info, and some of the late 60s stuff is so improved in stereo that it's ridiculous. Especially Sgt Peppers and the A-side of Yellow submarine.

The Beatles desperately need to be remixed. I just can't describe how bad all the mixing sounds, save for perhaps Abbey Road which is really the only album of theirs that sounds good to me. Whenever I try to listen to Sgt. Peppers I get a headache, it just wish they would remix all the albums already.

[Zander]

This is my favourite boxset which I picked up at charity shop for £2 - 10 CD's in total...





Loadsa of 50's / 60s stuff, classics with Jan & Dean, BBs, Trashmen, Richie Valens etc...

[AndrewHickey]

The Beatles desperately need to be remixed. I just can't describe how bad all the mixing sounds, save for perhaps Abbey Road which is really the only album of theirs that sounds good to me. Whenever I try to listen to Sgt. Peppers I get a headache, it just wish they would remix all the albums already.

Unfortunately there aren't many options available for remixing the Beatles' stuff, as so much of it was done on four- or even three-track recorders, and lots of things are locked together. Listen to the 80s stereo mixes of Help! and Rubber Soul and you'll see they still sound wrong -- there's only so much that can be done.

That said, the mono versions are much, much better (except for Your Mother Should Know, for some reason). The only Beatles albums worth listening to in stereo are Abbey Road and Let It Be, where a mono mix doesn't exist.

[I. Spaceman]

The Beatles desperately need to be remixed. I just can't describe how bad all the mixing sounds, save for perhaps Abbey Road which is really the only album of theirs that sounds good to me. Whenever I try to listen to Sgt. Peppers I get a headache, it just wish they would remix all the albums already.

Unfortunately there aren't many options available for remixing the Beatles' stuff, as so much of it was done on four- or even three-track recorders, and lots of things are locked together. Listen to the 80s stereo mixes of Help! and Rubber Soul and you'll see they still sound wrong -- there's only so much that can be done.

That said, the mono versions are much, much better (except for Your Mother Should Know, for some reason). The only Beatles albums worth listening to in stereo are Abbey Road and Let It Be, where a mono mix doesn't exist.

The CD remixes are not a good example of what can be done with those recordings. Check the Anthology DVD set for extremely well-done unique stereo remixes.

[Ron]

This is my favourite boxset which I picked up at charity shop for £2 - 10 CD's in total...





Loadsa of 50's / 60s stuff, classics with Jan & Dean, BBs, Trashmen, Richie Valens etc...

Are they all original versions?  I had a few of sets smaller than this over the years, but they always had a lot of re-recordings.  I bought a Little Richard album once, and figured out after about the 6th song that the entire thing was re-recorded when he was in his 60's.  Sounded incredible, I couldn't tell the difference for the first half of the album, lol. 

[Mark H]

I like the Genesis 1970 - 1975 box alot



One of the great things on the set is a documentary for each album (which feature all members involved in their making).  It's frustrating sometimes in Beach Boys documentaries when Sunflower is mentioned for only 1 or 2 minutes or you think 'they just skipped over Friends'!

As well as the docs on each album there is footage of live performances/tv appearances relevant to each album.

A great box that has all the Gabriel Era therefore the only one i need

I second the shout for Nuggets, an instant record collection of gems!

[EgoHanger1966]

I don't think I've ever felt as good holding a box set as when I was walking out of one of my local indies with the SMiLE box three or four days before it was released
Still, though, I think Lesley Gore's 5CD box is the best I own in terms of overall packaging, presentation, quality of material, (and especially) sound.

[EgoHanger1966]

Oh, yeah, duh....The Mono Box too.

[Zander]

This is my favourite boxset which I picked up at charity shop for £2 - 10 CD's in total...





Loadsa of 50's / 60s stuff, classics with Jan & Dean, BBs, Trashmen, Richie Valens etc...

Are they all original versions?  I had a few of sets smaller than this over the years, but they always had a lot of re-recordings.  I bought a Little Richard album once, and figured out after about the 6th song that the entire thing was re-recorded when he was in his 60's.  Sounded incredible, I couldn't tell the difference for the first half of the album, lol. 

Yep, all originals Ron. None of that rerecorded rubbish...

[I. Spaceman]

Still, though, I think Lesley Gore's 5CD box is the best I own in terms of overall packaging, presentation, quality of material, (and especially) sound.

Great choice.

[sidewinder572]

The Smile Session light-up set is far and away the best box set I own. The Beatles in mono is the best non BB set

[Amazing Larry]

The best set I own is Miles Davis: The Complete Columbia Album Collection.
Mind you, it's VERY closely followed by the Smile set, but how can you beat 70 discs of Miles?
You can't.

[cablegeddon]

Listen, I love the stereo remix of Sgt Pepper and the A-side of Yellow Submarine. In my stereo system it sounds amazing. I don't know where you'are all coming from with all this hate for the sterreo box. Really? Even the mono albums are such in improvement over the 87 Cds that it's worth the price......you know?

[I. Spaceman]

Sgt. Pepper was remixed?

[GoodToMyBaby]

Sgt. Pepper was remixed?

The song not the album.

[MaxL]

Just set my eyes on the Joe Meek EP Collection box.

*Entering spoilt child mode* I want it x50