Who do you think has the best box set and why? How do you think Prince's will stack up?

For me it's Joy Division's 'Heart and Soul' by a landslide. Box sets often tend to be over-indulgent nostalgia fests that exclude crucial songs and over-compensate for weak later material. But not in this case. All of the songs from their brief career are included as well as an outstanding disc of demos and a disc of unreleased live material. The remastering is superb, the artwork perfect and the liner notes thoughtful. Instead of summing up their career in footnote fashion, it casts them in a new, modern light. I love it. And New Order's upcoming companion 4 disc set called 'Retro' looks just as promising.
[This message was edited Thu Nov 14 17:57:49 PST 2002 by TRON]

Led Zeppelin.

Cloudbuster, I agree that Led Zeppelin's box set is amazing. Too bad I don't own that one!!

As for the ones I do own, I'd have to say that the best box set I have is Jimi Hendrix: Lifelines. It's a 4-CD set (with disc 4 being a concert at the L.A. Forum).

It's more of an "experience" (no pun intended) than a collection of songs. There are songs, but they're played between segues of interviews, commentaries, and narration.

It was a gift about 10 years ago, and I haven't seen in around anywhere since.

miles davis - the complete live at the plugged nickle 1965

i dont own any box sets im a loser

But if you did, hypothetically, what would they be?

TRON said:

i dont know... i dont think i like enough artists that have or will be around long enough to put out a box set lol

I guess my would answer would be the Springsteen "Tracks" set.

David Bowie's -Sound & Vision!

I have many great box sets,but my favorite would be...


Earth Wind & Fire "The Eternal Dance" 3-CD box set.It contains all the hits,plus many rare tracks,live recordings,demos,alternate versions,and even a rare B-side.

Excellent book too,with many rare photos and liner notes by Alan Light.I also love the way it's packaged.

It's a pity that Prince's music isn't presented in a beautiful multi-disc box set like this!

Ella Fitzgerald - The complete songbooks

Erik

Stevie Wonder - At the Close of the Century
He is a genius! Classic love and political songs. All his music from the 70's cover to cover is still important and heartfelt.

funkyslsistah said:

that is an awesome box set.

mine:

the ramones anthology

it's your thing: the story of the isley brothers

Christopher said:

Christopher is just a pup. He'll learn...he'll learn.

John Lennon - The Lennon Anthology (shows a really intimate and private side of the 'legend')

Miles Davis - The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions (the only one I have so far, because it's the cheapest)

Simon And Garfunkel - The Complete Columbia Sessions (all their studio albums remastered with bonus tracks)

Supernova said:

he'd betta learn.

funkyslsistah said:

A wonderful set. I got this earlier this year.

booyah said:

I bought all their remastered studio albums not long back as they were selling for £5.00 each! A bargain if ever there was one.

Fantastic music and beautifully presented.

James Brown: Star Time

A 4 CD set. It's where the funk all started. A must for any funk fan.

Shame "The Boss" is not on it though. Otherwise, it would be almost perfect.

funkyslsistah said:

That is a very good box set but I was dissapointed that it doesn't contain any rarities (previously unreleased tracks and demos).I still think that,one day,we will see a kickass Stevie Wonder box set that is filled with goodies.

The Police/ MESSAGE IN A BOX: The Complete Recordings

Aretha Franklin's.it truly captures alot of Her Artistic Growth over time IMHO.