U2 - 360° AT THE ROSE BOWL (2010) Review

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(More customer reviews)ok, this is my first video review on one of the products that I've bought from amazon.I hope you like it, please rate it and enjoy it as I enjoy making the video!!...don't be so rude on the comments... Thanks!!

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U2'S RECORD BREAKING ROSE BOWL CONCERTFilmed on 25th October 2009U2360° At The Rose Bowl was the penultimate gig of last year's U2360° tour in support of their Grammy-nominated album No Line on The Horizon. The Rose Bowl performance was the band's biggest show of 2009 and U2's biggest ever US show, with a live audience in excess of 97,000.The show was also streamed across seven continents via YouTube. The first ever live streaming of a full-length stadium concert, U2360° at the Rose Bowl had over 10 million views on the channel in one week. Shot entirely in HD, the concert was filmed with 27 cameras and directed by Tom Krueger who had previously worked on U23D, the first live action 3D concert movie taken from U2's Vertigo Tour.Available in standard and two disc deluxe DVD formats, U2360° At The Rose Bowl will also be U2's first concert available in Blu-ray. The deluxe formats and the Blu-ray will feature a new documentary called Squaring the Circle: Creating U2360°, with new interviews from U2, Paul McGuinness and the team behind the touring production.CONCERT:Get On Your BootsMagnificentMysterious WaysBeautiful DayI Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking ForStuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out OfNo Line On The HorizonElevationIn A Little WhileUnknown CallerUntil the End of the WorldThe Unforgettable FireCity of Blinding LightsVertigoI'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy TonightSunday Bloody SundayMLKWalk OnOneWhere The Streets Have No NameUltra Violet (Light My Way)With Or Without YouMoment Of SurrenderAspect 16:91080iSound (Concert):PCM Stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1Sound (Bonus Material):Dolby Digital StereoDuration:4 hours 11 Minutes (approx)Language:EnglishSubtitles:English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese (Not including any subtitling of songs)

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25th Box Set Review

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(More customer reviews)This collection of four CDs originally released on April 20, 1993, is unusual and likely a valuable addition to a Tull fan's collection. Casual fans will likely find this collection to be unnecessary. The four CDs include re-recorded tracks as well as live tracks and a collection of roughly the first decade and a half of Tull.
The first CD is titled "Remixed Classic Songs." The CD covers the era from 1968's "This Was" to 1982's "The Broadsword and the Beast." The songs covered in this CD document much of Jethro Tull's commercial success as well as those songs that many consider to be classic Tull. These songs have been collected elsewhere in their original versions more than once, and thus this CD would only be for someone wanting to collect everything Tull.
The second CD is titled "Carnegie Hall, N.Y Recorded Live New York City 1970." I realize there is no period after the "N.Y," but that is the way my cover appears. It is possible that the lack of a period was corrected on some versions. This CD is what it says, Tull at Carnegie Hall. The music from this CD was collected during a November concert in 1970. Only one song from this CD overlaps the first CD, "Song for Jeffrey." Of course, live versions from Tull are generally different from studio versions, and the single song overlap means that this CD provides different scope from the first CD. Obviously the music on this CD is very early Tull, covering the short period of their existence from their first album release in 1968 to 1970.
The third CD contains re-recordings of a variety of music, principally at Beacon's Bottom in November, 1992, but also music recorded at three other locations in December, 1992. The locations listed are "Ian's," "Woodworms Recording Studio," and "Presshouse Studio." There is much more overlap of the music on this CD with the music from the earlier two CDs. However, the style of the songs from the earlier studio releases is frequently different. I consider this CD the gem of this collection as the general style of the music is closer to rock, and often harder rock, than the original recordings. I believe this one CD is the must have CD for fans of Tull, with the exception of casual fans. The one interesting thing is that this CD remains heavily weighted to their early (pre-1982) music.
The fourth CD is live recordings from 1969 to 1992, at various locations around the world. As with the other CDs, the variations on this CD are valuable to a hardcore Tull fan, particularly as the variations in some cases are very good. As an example, the "Passion Play Extract" from a 1975 Paris concert is a bit different from the studio version, and contains a slightly harder edge to it than the studio recording. Another excellent track is a medley, "Wind-Up/Locomotive Breath/Land of Hope and Glory." While this CD does include some repeats of songs that are included on other CDs in this collection, there are a number of lesser-known works that are well done and enjoyable. One such work is the nearly 11 minute long song "Budapest," which is somewhat devoid of catchy hooks, and yet is interesting to hear and analyze; music for people who like it as an art.
If you have an extensive collection of Tull music, then this four disc, fifty-six track, collection is optional. If you consider yourself a big fan and you have to have their best works, then there is enough difference in this collection to make it valuable. If you are looking for an overview of Tull up to 1992, this collection is excellent. If you are a casual fan, well, you are probably not reading this review if you are a casual fan.


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Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Live in Barcelona Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the first time ever, in Springsteen's 30-plus-year career, that an entire show, from start to finish, has been officially released, whether audio or video ...
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/Prove It All Night/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/You're Missing /Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Dancing in the Dark (end of broadcast)/Countin' on a Miracle/Spirit in the Night (solo piano)/Incident on 57th Street (solo piano)/Into the Fire
First Encore: Night/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Land of Hope and Dreams/Thunder Road
For [the price] how can you say no?
Awesome stuff. Don't miss it.

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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND LIVE IN BARCELONA This is the first time an entire live concert is available on DVD Includes hits, fan favorites and rarely performed songs Also includes bonus featurette, "Drop The Needle & Pray: The Rising On Tour" with never before seen live footage, interviews and photosTracklisting: Disc 1 1.The Rising 2.Lonesome Day 3.Prove it All Night 4.Darkness On the Edge of Town 5.Empty Sky 6.You're Missing 7.Waitin' on a Sunny Day 8.The Promised Land 9.Worlds Apart 10.Badlands 11.She's the One 12.Mary's Place 13.Dancing in the Dark 14.Countin' on a Miracle 15.Spirit in the Night 16.Incident on 57th Street 17.Into the FireDisc 2 18.Night 19.Ramrod 20.Born to Run 21.My City of Ruins 22.Born in the USA 23.Land of Hope and Dreams 24.Thunder Road 25.Bonus Documentary: "Drop the Needle and Pray: The Rising on Tour," featuring rare live footage of historic shows at Boston's Fenway Park and New Jersey's Giants Stadium, exclusive interviews with Springsteen and E Street Band members, and unpublished photos chronicling 'The Rising' tour.

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Under Great White Northern Lights (Limited Edition Box Set) Review

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(More customer reviews)Approximately 59 minutes in length. The sound is very good,especially for a live recording. All the tracks are from a 2007 tour of Canada. The booklet has several atmospheric b&w and color photos of the band,audience,and related subjects. There's a DVD that's also for sale of this event,sold separately.
For fans of THE WHITE STRIPES,especially the intensity of the first few albums,this will be of great interest. This is the band,stripped bare to it's core elements of Jack and Meg,doing what they do best-Meg pounding out a primal,visceral beat,along with Jack's in-you-face distorted acoustic and electric guitar (along with keyboards and other instruments in places) in all it's glory. His vocals are a throwback to the group's formative years-very intense and immediate. The intensity of the live tracks on the earlier released "Walking With A Ghost",are only a hint of this set's power.
As an example,the first two tracks set the stage (no pun intended),and are pure WHITE STRIPES-these two tracks grab hold of you and don't let go,and are a glimpse of whats in store. Track three has Jack playing acoustic,but playing for all it's worth,with some great vocals. Then it's back to the fired-up sound they are known for. The tracks vary from there,from his trademark distorted electric guitar,to his intense acoustic sound,which help with the pacing,and add interest This concert series was an attempt to get back to what they originally became known for. Most (if not all) the venues were small,out of the way stops,and often times the group was unknown to the residents. This fact pushed the band to focus on what they do best,no frills-straight-ahead-rock. Tracks range from all through the band's albums,and all are given a no holds barred treatment.
From "Blue Orchid",to "Jolene",to "Seven Nation Army",through"Icky Thump",to other familiar (and not so familiar) tracks,this is a good example of THE WHITE STRIPES in all their glory-out to prove to an audience,that's not familiar with them,just what they're famous for doing in a live setting. The power that's only hinted at on several of these studio tracks,is unleashed in a loud,in-your-face-assault. At times,the sound,the excitement,is so immediate,that you feel you can reach out and almost touch it-such is the intensity of these performances. The only thing I don't like is the audience "participation"-there's to much of it,and intrudes on the performances. This is one of those albums that has to be played loud in order to get the full effect of what this two-person band is capable of. And with two musicians,who know how to play their instruments to maximum effect,and who want to prove themselves (again) for listeners-this is the real-deal. Be prepared to be knocked back by their intensity,as they take each tune and make it their own (again),and re-define not only their own songs,but rock music itself. This is honest music-the likes of which we don't get to experience to much today.

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Limited Edition Box set contains:Overbox - Sturdy box wrapped in black with red lining and adorned with UGWNL penguin emblem. Double LP in Gatefold Jacket - Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, contains 16 live songs from various shows in Canada during the tour, as well as artwork unique to the box and an exclusive 6 panel insert. Hardcover Photography Book - 208 page hardcover book containing photographs shot by Autumn de Wilde on the Canadian tour.CD/DVD Slipcase, Folder & Booklet - 7 inch, 3 panel disc folder and 24 page bound book housed in a sturdy black slipcase. Under Great White Northern Lights DVD- 92 minute documentary directed by Emmett Malloy containing footage from the Canadian tour. Under Nova Scotian Lights DVD - 135 minute 10th anniversary show in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia directed by Emmett Malloy. Under Great White Northern Lights CD- First ever White Stripes live album available containing 16 live songs from various shows from the Canadian tour in 2007. 7 inch Colored Vinyl Single - Region specific art.Side A - Icky Thump (Live)Side B - The Wheels On The Bus (Live)Silkscreened Print- 1 of 6 silk screened designs by Rob Jones based on a photograph by Autumn de Wilde.

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Neverender: Children of the Fence Edition (Limited Edition 4 CD/5 DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)This box set is fantastic. Coheed and Cambria really outdid themselves and put together something really special for their fans. Being one of those lucky fans, I was at all 4 nights in NYC and so having this box-set was a must-have for me. It did not disappoint!
The box set is very large and looks almost like a board game. The dragonfly is actually bigger than I expected, and the detailing is very cool.
The book has a collage of pictures of the band, tickets, old concert fliers and photos (I must digress....it was awesome to see the old Juliana Theory tour flier from when they played in Old Bridge...and the 2004 tour sticker with the bloody dragonfly...great shows!)
There's a section in the back for the "Children of the Fence" where, if you ordered during a certain period of time, your name would be in the book. If you did this, finding yourself among all the names is a great feeling! One among the fence!
Each of the 4 nights in Terminal 5 are on their own DVDs, as well as on CD. The DVDs are extremely well put-together. The sound quality is great, the way it is filmed reminds me of a movie or music video-awesome quality. There is also an 80 minute documentary that even for someone like me who has followed the band for 8 or so years, I learned new things about the band I never knew before!
There are also special scenes with all of the web casts they had done talking about toughest album to play, most fun album to play, etc. They were played online during Neverender on the band's website/myspace. The opening acts from Mic Todd, Richard Christy (I think that was his name), Davenport Cabinet, and Claudio introducing Night of Living Dead playing during NWFT are also on there, as well as some clips from the other 3 Neverenders (Chicago, LA, and London).
There are so many great things to say about this box set. Basically, if you are a fan of Coheed and Cambria, and you went to these shows...even if you didn't go to these shows but wanted to or wanted to feel like you're at a live show...this box set has it all and more. I laughed, I cried (not even a little ashamed to admit it...if you watch the documentary, you may shed a tear or two as well), I sang along. I love this box set. You will too!


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From the manufacturer:
If you purchased the Neverender Box Set and it is damaged, or there is another problem, please send an email to neverender@coheedandcambria.com and state what the problem is. Include name and shipping address. We apologize for any inconvenience.
DVD Track List: Disc 1 1. The Second Stage Turbine Blade (Video) 2. Time Consumer (Video) 3. Devil In Jersey City (Video) 4. Everything Evil (Video) 5. Delirium Trigger (Video) 6. Hearshot Kid Disaster (Video) 7. 33 (Video) 8. Junesong Provision (Video) 9. Neverender (Video) 10. God Send Conspirator (Video) 11. IRO-Bot (Video) Disc 2 1. The Ring In Return (Video) 2. In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 (Video) 3. Cuts Marked In The March of Men (Video) 4. Three Evils (Embodied In Love And Shadow) (Video) 5. The Crowing (Video) 6. Blood Red Summer (Video) 7. The Camper Velourium I: Faint Of Hearts (Video) 8. The Camper Velourium II: Backend Of Forever (Video) 9. The Camper Velourium III: Al The Killer (Video) 10. A Favor House Atlantic (Video) 11. The Light & The Glass (Video) 12. 21:13 (Encore) (Video) Disc 3 1. Keeping The Blade (Video) 2. Always & Never (Video) 3. Welcome Home (Video) 4. Ten Speed (Of God's Blood & Burial) (Video) 5. Crossing The Frame (Video) 6. Apollo I: The Writing Writer (Video) 7. Once Upon Your Dead Body (Video) 8. Wake Up (Video) 9. The Suffering (Video) 10. The Lying Lies & Dirty Secrets Of Miss Erica Court (Video) 11. Mother May I (Video) 12. The Willing Well I: Fuel For The Feeding End (Video) 13. The Willing Well II: From Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness (Video) 14. The Willing Well III: Apollo II: The Telling Truth (Video) 15. The Willing Well IV: The Final Cut (Video) 16. Everything Evil\ The Trooper\ Devil In Jersey City (Video) Disc 4 1. The Reaping (Video) 2. No World For Tomorrow (Video) 3. The Hound (Of Blood And Rank) (Video) 4. Feathers (Video) 5. The Running Free (Video) 6. Mother Superior (Video) 7. Gravemakers & Gunslingers (Video) 8. Justice In Murder (Video) 9. The End Complete I: The Fall Of House Atlantic (Video) 10. The End Complete II: Radio Bye Bye (Video) 11. The End Complete III: The End Complete (Video) 12. The End Complete IV: The Road And The Damned (Video) 13. The End Complete V: On The Brink (Video) 14. I Shall Be Released (Encore) (Video) 15. Welcome Home (Encore) (Video) Disc 9 1. The Fiction Will See The Real (Video)

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Metallica/Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax : The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria (5 CD/2 DVD Set) Review

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(More customer reviews)They said it would never happen, they said fat chance trying to get Dave Mustaine and James and Kirk to share a stage together. Guess what? Its real! Seeing how timeless the Big 4 are and how they still rule to this day, this is historic on so many levels.
Every band brought their A game to this, Anthrax starts off and Joey couldn't sound any better. During Indians in mid song he just breaks into a mini Ronnie James Dio tribute with the song Heaven and Hell. Completely unexpected! Very cool, Joey is a character running around in Chief Indian hat lol
Megadeth my favorite of them all starts off with the classic Holy Wars, and as soon as they begin it starts to rain, this just adds to the performance making it intense, Hangar 18 had the whole crowd going crazy! I'm very happy that they did A Tout Le Monde, the whole crowd sang along word by word. In Short, Megadeth killed it!
Slayer is next my second favorite, they never dissapoint Kerry King is flawless, Hank as well, Daves drumming is like thunder especially Disciple! Toms voice is good but sometimes not clear, because of all the mayhem going on
And then we have Metallica. Ok well they had the longest set of all 4, about 2 hours, every body else got 1 hour, Metallica also had a huge screen in the background for close ups of the band, no one else had that.
Yeah big deal right?
There are many highlights in this show, including all 4 bands playing Diamond Head's Am I Evil???? Which was epic only Tom did not sing. It was great seeing James sing then Joey then Dave, 16 people on stage killing it!!!! During Slayers performance Tom thanks the crowd in Hungarian which was cool.
Many more highlights and funny stuff in the documentary. Watch it very good stuff
Not once was I bored during this 5 hour spectacular, I just wish it could have been more unheard or barely played songs not just hits, I mean who wants to hear Fuel and Sad But True anyway????
I can't believe Megadeth didn't play Killing is My Business! That was the perfect venue for it! Oh well, also I really wished they would play The Skull Beneath the Skin ( my fav Megadeth song ) that song never gets played live. Also Slayer wasn't as explosive as before but that's due to Toms back problems he can't whip his head around like crazy anymore, he didn't even try to whip it, and I don't blame him.
This dvd is officially out today Nov 2 but if you were smart and preordered it like me, then you got early access! Yes the box set is the ultimate....
Here is what you get
The 2 dvds.... a poster.... a full color booklet.... 4 photos of the bands.... 5 live cds and they sound too good, probably the best live recordings I've heard so far.... and a limited edition Red Big 4 Guitar pick, with all 4 bands logos on the back ( only of you pre ordered it you will get the red pick )
So there you have it, The Big 4 is here, so forget about voting and go get this dvd box set you will not regret it! 1 more thing there are rumors going around that the Big 4 will tour select cities in the U.S. next year!!!! Keep your fingers crossed

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This deluxe box set includes 'The Big 4 Live From Sofia, Bulgaria' two disc, region free DVD set with the full shows from all four bands along with behind the scenes and interview footage, five CD's in slip cases with ALL the music, a 24-page booklet, a poster, photos of each band, and a Big 4 white guitar pick! All music and video footage was recorded on June 22, 2010 during one of the seven Big 4 tour stops featuring Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax.When the 'Big Four,' Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax shared a stage together on June 22nd, 2010, in Sofia, Bulgaria, it was the moment their fans had waited decades for. That monumental show was beamed live into over 1000 theaters worldwide via satellite in a special HD cinematic event. On November 2nd, 2010, this legendary concert will be available on DVD and Blu-ray through Warner Bros. Records. 'The Big Four Live From Sofia' includes full shows from all four bands on a two-disc set as well as behind the scenes and interview footage. In addition to the two DVD set and the corresponding Blu-ray, there will be a limited edition 'Super Deluxe' Box Set including the 2 DVD set, five CD's with ALL 5 HOURS of music, a 24 page booklet, a two-sided poster, photos of each band, and a collectable Big 4 guitar pick. These four acts broke out of the underground thrash movement in the 1980's to dominate the metal world, selling millions of records and packing arenas across the globe. Despite huge demand, these musical giants had never shared the same stage. The legendary June 22nd, 2010, concert from the tour's stop of the Sonisphere Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria aired the same day in 79 movie theaters in the U.K, over 450 theaters in over 140 markets in the US, as well as being beamed into theaters in Europe, Canada, Latin America, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. In December 2009, the bands announced that they would be joining forces to take part in the traveling Sonisphere Festival for only 7 shows across Europe. This one-time only event, from the Sofia show, made it possible for fans far and wide to participate in what otherwise was a very limited run of dates. Lars Ulrich of Metallica says of this historic show, 'Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal's Big Four would not only still be around, be more popular than ever, playing shows together at stadiums all over Europe, and on top of that, coming to a movie theater near you in High Definition (for better or worse??!!). Bring it on!' Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian says, 'Damn, as if this Big 4 tour wasn't exciting enough, now we get to be on the big screen worldwide! Metal at the movies, two big horns up! It is unbelievably gratifying that this means so much to the metal community around the globe. Get your tix, grab some popcorn and get ready to bang your head!' Declares Slayer's Kerry King, 'I can't believe someone didn't make this happen 15 years ago! The fans finally get what they want. I think it's awesome!' Says Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, 'The magnitude of this event hasn't really sunk in yet, and I am thrilled to know that people around the planet will be able to walk into a movie theatre and experience the greatest line up of Heavy Metal in the history of the world!'

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PANIC AT THE DISCO Collectors Box Review

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(More customer reviews)I went to see them in Myrtle Beach at the House of Blues before this was filmed. My family loved it, as did my sister in law and her son. This DVD is an accurate film, and while not up to the level of Talking Heads or The Last Waltz is actually done well rather well and is interesting to watch.
Panic! At The Disco are trying to bring back a little theatre/spectacle to the concert experience and that is captured well on this DVD. I have been to many concerts through the years. While some are nothing more then music playing, some like when I saw ELO on the flying saucer tour (1978, yes I'm old) were really a good time. Bruce Springsteen, who I have seen 4 times is truly great, but is not what you think of as theatre. His Born in the USA tour, outstanding, but not a theatrical experience.
The smallish club setting lends itself to this kind of theatre of the absurd very well. It fits the style of music that P!ATD plays and was very enjoyable. The only difference is the extra song Karma Police cover of the Radiohead song which they did not do when we saw them. They did do the Smashing Pumpkins song. Having the Lucent Dossier Vaudeville Cirque troupe with them was additionally fun to watch. The set includes a DVD containing a documentary about the band and a live performance -- both filmed during Panic's July 22 show at the Fillmore Theatre in Denver, and the ephemera includes loads of "early 20th-century burlesque/vaudeville" material, including a cabaret mask, a period-themed newspaper and, most importantly, a phenakistoscope, an animation device that was popular in Belgium and Austria in the late 1800s/early 1900s.
Also included are a 140-page blank diary, lyric cards, a poster, band photos, a tour program and the all-important "certificate of authenticity" stating which this set is limited to 25,000 copies worldwide. All this is in a nicely lined hard-sided box.
The vaudevillian theme of the package is in keeping with the circus feel of the show we saw.
I'm not saying one way or the other that they are going to have staying power. Will anyone know who they are 10 years from now? Who knows? For as young as they are they did put together a great set of songs and the poor review should be taken with a grain of salt. Look at the comments.
If you saw them, get this. If you want to see what the fuss is about, get this or at least find someone with it so you can watch the show.


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Live Shit: Binge & Purge (3 CDs & 3 VHS Tapes) Review

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(More customer reviews)Simply put, this is the best box set I've ever owned. Granted, I'm a huge Metallica fan and I'm probably inclined to fall in love with anything they release. But Metallica rips it live, and this box set showcases over eight hours of that. On both the CDs and DVDs (a Mexico City show on the CDs, and full Seattle and San Diego shows on the DVDs), you hear a completely different side of the band. While their studio recordings are tight and emotional, their live set conveys the sense that Metallica have fun when they play live. There is a certain leaning toward improvisation that makes listening to these tracks a blast.
The sound quality isn't as good as on S&M, probably because these shows were recorded in the early nineties, and the high-budget production of that era falls short of what you can expect of live recordings from the past few years. But it's still great to listen to a different interpretation of their songs. When they play live, their tunes sound different than their studio counterparts, but this is actually a positive thing; there are certain moments when they let things hang, and then pummel the tension whenever they feel like it, which gives the sets kind of a jammy feel. Hetfield's comments to the crowd are left in, which was the only dissapointing thing about S&M; it's great to hear James interact with the crowd. As he pumps them up, you feel energized as well.
The show from the Black Album tour is impressive, but the direction is somewhat choppy. The ...And Justice For All show is directed brilliantly, and their set comes across as very epic and powerful.
Like I said, best box set I've ever owned. And it's loads cheaper than the VHS version, so I'd recommend this to any hardcore Metallica fan, or anyone who loves hearing quality live albums.

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Convenient new size...Still f***ing huge! Metallica's Live Sh*t: Binge & Purge - the unprecendented box set featuring three complete concerts on three CD's and three VHS tapes, more than eight hours of live Metallica - is now being made available on three CD's and two DVD's at a special price. This colossal box has sold an incredible 613,000 copies since its 1993 release, and this reissue is sure to swell the ranks of those blown away by these shows. Nothing gets left behind -- the complete original 72-page full-color book is even included on DVD 2, and the commemorative backstage pass and scary guy stencil are enclosed as well. It's a one-two-three punch unmatched by any band, before or since, and the perfect gift for that special someone who needs their ass kicked hard by the world's greatest rock & roll band.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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My Lives Review

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(More customer reviews)Below is some abridged information to help fans make their decision on this box set. Some of the information is from the included 58 page booklet and parts are from yours truly.DISC ONE (CD): 1965-1980
(1) My Journey's End
Previously Unreleased. Originally Recorded 1965 - Sony BMG. By group "The Lost Souls". Billy on Vocals and Keyboards.
(2) Time And Time Again
Previously Unreleased. Originally Recorded 1968 - Sony BMG. By group "The Lost Souls". Billy on organ and vocals (with John Dizek vocals).
(3) Every Step I Take (Every Move I Make)
Originally Recorded 1968 - EMI. By the Group, "The Hassles". Billy on organ and vocals.
(4) You've Got Me Hummin'
Originally Recorded 1968 - EMI. By the group, "The Hassles". Billy on organd and background vocals.
(5) Amplifier Fire
Originally Recorded 1970 - Sony BMG. Group "Attila". Instrumental only with Billy Joel on Keyboards and Bass. Jonathan Small on Drums.
(6) Only A Man
Never Released Before Demo. Originally Recorded 1971.
[REVIEWER: Chorus continually says "It's Not Easy"]
(7) She's Got A Way
Album Version. From Cold Spring Harbor. 1971, 1981 Sony BMG.
[REVIEWER: Yes, different from Live version you always hear from Greatest Hits II]
(8) Oyster Bay
Never Released Before Demo. 1973. Billy on Harmonica, Keyboards and vocals.
[REVIEWER: Nice soft blues/rock feel. "Taking it easy" is chorus.]
(9) Piano Man
Never Release Before Demo. 1973. Billy on Harmonica, Keyboards and vocals.
[REVIEWER: Slightly different verse lyrics and slower than regular version. Not the full song. A bit of echo in some words that can be a bit annoying. Raw, but beautiful work that was in progress.]
(10) The Siegfried Line
Never Released Before Demo. 1973. Billy on Harmonica, Keyboards, and vocals.
[REVIEWER: To me, this sounds like Billy vocals over an accoustic guitar. Good, but another unreleased song that seems to brief. Good lyrics like "Soon, soon they say the war will be over. Home, home we will come home in the summer."]
(11) New Mexico
Never Released Before Demo. 1973. Early version of "Worse Comes To Worse" song.
[REVIEWER: Simply the piano, harmonica, lead and backup voice from Billy.]
(12) Cross To Bear
Never Before Released Demo. 1974. Joel on piano and vocals.
[REVIEWER: Sounds like a second duet that he and the late Ray Charles should have done]
(13) Miami 2017
Never Before Released Demo. 1975. Original songs is from Turnstiles Album, Columbia Recording.
[REVIEWER: "I've seen the lights go down on Broadway" done with just piano and vocals - slow and easy. Good length though]
(14) These Rhinestone Days
Never Before Released Demo. 1976. Early version of "I Loved These Days".Billy on vocal and piano alone.
(15) Everybody Has A Dream
Version from "The Stranger" album. 1977 - Sony BMG.
(16) Only The Good Die Young
Alternate Version Never Before Released. 1977. Original song from "The Stranger album.
[REVIEWER: Interesting version. Dare I suggest its reggae style. No, I wouldn't do that to him! Not quite reggae, but dangerously too close for my tastes...]
(17) Until The Night
Album version from 52nd Street. 1978 - Sony BMG.David Friedman on orchestral chimes and percussion.
(18) Zanzibar
Unfaded album version. 7/13/1978 - A&R Recording. Original was on "52nd Street" album.
(19) It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
Album Version. 1980 - Song BMG. From "Glass Houses" Album.DISC TWO (CD): 1981-1988
(1) Captain Jack
Live Never Before Release Version. July 1981. Recorded live in Sparks Saloon on Huntington, Long Island.
[REVIEWER: Good polished version for a live cut.]
(2) The End Of The World
Never Before Released Demo. 1981 Media Sound. Early version of "Elvis Presley Blvd."
(3) The Prime Of Your Life
Never Before Released Demo. 12/7/1981 - A&R Recording. Early version of "The Longest Time"
(4) She's Right On Time
Album Version from "The Nylon Curtain". 1982 - Sony BMG.
(5) Elvis Presley Blvd.
Allentown B-side. 1982 - Sony BMG.
(6) Nobody Knows But Me
From a children's album, "In Harmony II". 1982 - CBS.
(7) An Innocent Man
Album Version from "An Innocent Man". 1983-Sony BMG.
(8) Christie Lee
Never Before Released Demo. 4/18/1983 - A&R Recording. Billy on Baldwin Acoustic Piano (SF-10), Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3 and vocals.
(9) Easy Money
Album Version from "An Innocent Man". Also, on "Easy Money" Soundtrack. 1983-Sony BMG.
(10) And So It Goes
Never Before Released Demo. 1983. Billy on piano and vocal.
[Reviewer: On this one, personally I see little difference between this and the album version...]
(11) I'll Cry Instead
Live version from "An Innocent Man" B-side. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. 1983 - Sony BMG.
(12) Keeping The Faith
From 12" Dance Remix done on 1/20/1984 Hit Factory. 1983(?)-Sony BMG.
[REVIEWER: Although labeled a dance remix, not really any faster. Someone just added a back beat to me. Not a bad different version though, beat doesn't hurt the song any.]
(13) Modern Woman
Album Version from "Ruthless People" Soundtrack. 1985, 1986 - Sony BMG.
(14) Baby Grand
Duet with Ray Charles, this is version from album "The Bridge". 1986 - Sony, BMG.
(15) Getting Closer
Alternative Version Never Before Released. With Steve Winwood on Hammond Organ. Recorded at the Power Station. 1986. The original song was from album "The Bridge".
(16) House Of Blue Light
From "We Didn't Start The Fire" B-side. 4/8/1989 Hit Factory. 1989 - Sony BMG.
(17) Money Or Love
Never Before Released Demo. 4/8/1989. Billy on keyboard and vocals.
(18) The Times They Are A-Changin'
Live album version from "Kohuept" concert in Soviet Union. 1987 - Sony BMG.DISC THREE (CD): 1989-1999

(1) The Downeaster "Alexa"
Album Version from "Storm Front". 1989 - Sony BMG.
(2) I Go To Extremes
Live Never Before Released. 4/1990 recorded in L.A. Sports Coliseum.
(3) Shout
From "Live At Yankee Stadium". 2000 - Sony BMG.
(4) All Shook Up
From "Honeymoon In Vegas". 1992 - Sony BMG.
(5) Heartbreak Hotel
From "Honeymoon In Vegas". 1992 - Sony BMG.
(6) When You Wish Upon A Star
From "Simply Mad About The Mouse". 1991 - Sony BMG.
(7) In a Sentimental Mood
From "A League Of Their Own" Soundtrack. 1992 - Sony BMG.
(8) Motorcycle Song
Never Before Released Demo. Early version of song, "All About Soul." 1992.
[REVIEWER: As much as I like "All About Soul", this is a good alternate version that should have been called "Jericho Road". In some ways, I like this song better as Billy doesn't seem to be forcing it as much...]
(9) You Picked A Real Bad Time
The "All About Soul" B-side. 1992, 1993 - Song BMG.
(10) River Of Dreams
Never Before Released alternate version. March & April, 1993. Hit Factory. Originally version from "River Of Dreams.
[REVIEWER: Similar, but bridge goes into "Lullaby {Goodnight, My Angel}" for a twist.
(11) A Hard Day's Night
From "A Voyage On The River Of Dreams - Live From The River Of Dreams Tour". 1997 - Sony BMG. Written again by Lennon & McCartney.
(12) Light As The Breeze
From album "Greatest Hits Vol. 3". 1995, 1997 - A&M Records. Clint Black on Harmonica. Trisha Yearwood on Background Vocals.
(13) To Make You Feel My Love
From album "Greatest Hits Vol. 3". 1997 - Sony BMG. Written by Bob Dylan.
(14) Hey Girl
1997 - Sony BMG. Everette Harp on the Saxaphone.
(15) Why Should I Worry
From Walt Disney's "Oliver & Company". 1988, 1998.
(16) Where Were You (On Our Wedding Day)?
Album version from "Runaway Bride" Soundtrack. 1999 - Sony BMG.
(17) Highway 61 Revisited
Never Before Released Demo. 4/28/99 Hit Factory. Written and originally performed by Bob Dylan.
[Reviewer: Hopefully the skipping is only on my CD... If you haven't heard it before, it jams!] DISC FOUR (CD): 2000-
(1) Movin' Out
From "2000 Years The Millenium Concert". 2000-Sony BMG.
(2) You May Be Right
Never Before Released Live Version with Elton John from July 1994 Giants Stadium.
[REVIEWER: This is particularly cool for me since I was there at Giants Stadium in July '94 to see them.]
(3) Big Shot
From "The Essential Video Collection". 2001.
(4) Don't Worry Baby
From "An All Star Tribute To Brian Wilson". 2001, 2003.
(5) Goodnight, Saigon (Vietnam Veterans Version)
From Live Performance on "The Essential Video Collection". 2001.
[REVIEWER: What makes this different from the KOHUEPT and Greatest Hits versions?]
(6) Los Angelenos
Live version from "The Essential Video Collection". 2001. Original version was on "Summer of 1980".
(7) New York State Of Mind
From "America: A Tribute To Heroes". 2001 Sony BMG.
(8) Opus 1...Read more›

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Experience the evolution of a superstar! This stunning collection is a must-have for Billy Joel fans everywhere - 40 years includes 66 stellar performances captured for all time in this fabulous compiliation! Features live concert performances and includes 23 unreleased gems and demo versions.

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In Europe Review

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(More customer reviews)The John Coltrane Box Set "In Europe," is a rare gem. The Material on this set spans between November 61 to July of 65. The amount of musical changes that are represented in this set are grand. The Highlights of the set include the version of "my Favorite Things" with eric Dolphy on flute, the Selections of Standards on Disc 2 and the only known recording of "A Love Supreme" recorded Live that I know of. This performance is complete at 48:00 minutes long and is not included in the new Pablo John Coltrane Europe box set. This set is definately worth the wait.... Here is some information about the box set not included on this page. I hope that it is helpful. Happy Listening and Happy 75th to John!
Number of Discs: 3
Disc 1:
Stockholm Sweetnin'
1.My Favorite Things
2. Naima
3. Blue Train
4. Traneing In
5. Mr. P.C.
6. Spirtual
Traks 1-3 recorded November 23rd 1961 at the Konserthusen in Stockholm
w Eric Dolphy on Flute, Bass Clarinet and Alto Sax and the Quartet with Reggie Workman on Bass
Tracks 4-6 recorded October 22nd 1963 at the same place
w/o Eric Dolphy
Disc 2:
Greatness In Graz
1. Autumn Leaves
2. Bye, Bye Blackbird
3. I want to talk About You
4. Everytime We Say Goodbye
5. My Favorite Things
Tracks 1-5 recorded at the Stefaniensal in Graz Austria on November 28th 1962 with Jimmy Garrison on Bass
Disc 3:
1. Afro Blue
2. Impressions
3-6 A Love Supreme Parts 1-4
Tracks 1-2 recorded in Paris July 28th 1965
tracks 3-6 recorded at the Antibes Jazz Festival July 26th 1965

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Live compilation for one of the 20th Century's most important & influential musicians. Recorded between 1961 & 1965 during several truly memorable European concerts made between 1961 & 1965. The classic performances feature Coltrane in company with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison & Elvin Jones. On three tracks the legendary Eric Dolphy joins the most famous quartet. Includes 'Naima', 'Impressions' & two contrasting & extended performances of the evergreen 'My Favorite Things', plus an awesome 48-minute performance of Coltrane's undisputed masterpiece, 'A Love Supreme'. Three & a half hours in length. Each disc comes in it's own wallet & come housed together in a compact box.The sets illustrated booklet includes detailed background notes & a re-analysis of these seminal recordings by leading jazz writer & historian Stan Britt, plus a full discography. 2001 release.

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The Beatles Mono Box Set Review

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(More customer reviews)Introduction: The following is pretty much a full review of both the mono and stereo reissues largely written in real time as a series of e-mails to an old friend who once owned a legendary record store here in Chicago. The story of the reissues really comes down to the technical limitations of two-track, four-track, eight-track, etc. recordings and the relative complexity of the music of the Beatles. Listening occurred on what would be considered an audiophile system with Quad 988's as the speakers. If following reading this review, you wish to read an expanded essay by me on the box sets, please visit The Beatles Wiki site by Hyperarts.
Please Please Me: The sound on the mono is just amazing. You can hear the echo in the room as John sings Anna. The vocals just soar. Ringo was just so good, even at this early stage and so was Paul. They supported and framed the songs so perfectly. And just think, in twenty-one minutes, or so, Twist And Shout! Stereo can't hold a candle to this, if for no other reason than the left/right "stereo" found later in With The Beatles, Rubber Soul and Revolver.
With The Beatles: As with Please Please Me, the mono sounds so, so, nice. As the stereo has that annoying left/right "stereo," no contest: mono hands down.
A Hard Day's Night: Seems better and more enjoyable in stereo. I think the reason is that they now had four tracks so George Martin could do proper stereo mixes and still have a mostly fresh first generationish sound. Remember, there were only two track available for Please Please Me. However, when they got to Rubber Soul and Revolver, four tracks weren't enough, which required, in some instances, numerous dubs of the four tracks to another four track tape, merging the four tracks to one track, thereby opening up three new tracks. While this degraded the sound somewhat it also made it difficult to back-track and do the after-thought stereo mixes, which is why we have the atrocious "stereo" of Rubber Soul and Revolver. Consequently, the reason the monos of these albums rule has mostly to do with technical limitations. While the mixes on A Hard Day's Night are true stereo mixes, they carry George Martin's idiosyncratic, but really right, decision to put the vocals in the center, the rhythm section to the left and the other instruments to the right. I always have loved how Martin took care to isolate the brilliant work of Ringo and Paul so many times instead of just following the convention of placing the drums in the center. This is why one of Martin's memoirs is entitled: "All You Need Is Ears."
The Beatles For Sale: Comments, preference and reasons for preference similar to A Hard Day's Night.
Help: Well, thank God we have three different versions to compare to make life ever so easy. First, mono is the definitive mix, that's a plus. As a minus, while it sounds richer, it is also a bit muddy compared to the stereo mixes. As for the stereo mixes, the remaster of George Martin's '87 remix does show some limiting in this new incarnation. A bit a hard to dial in the right volume. Sounds fuller, but that's the limiting. Not sure I care for this version too much. As for the `65 stereo version, that comes on the same disc as the mono version, as this album is somewhat acoustic, the absence of the limiting that was done to the new stereo remix/remaster is a plus. The delicacy is there in I Need You. Overall, the "old" stereo is prettier than the "new" stereo. One can argue over whether the "new" stereo or the ""old" stereo is better, I come down on the side of the "old" stereo, I like pretty. But as you get both the mono and the "old" stereo on the single mono disc, the cheapskate in me screams if you had a pistol to your head and only had to purchase one version of Help, it would be the "mono" disc.
Rubber Soul: Mono over stereo, if for no other reason than the left/rt channel mix that plagued Please, Please Me, With The Beatles and Revlover.
Revolver: There is a section of I Want To Tell You where Ringo is just so muscular and explosive in the mono that is missing in stereo and this is before we get to the issue of the left/right "stereo" of the stereo mix. Plus, there is just this overall richness of sound to the mono that is missing in the stereo. That said, it is a bit cooler to hear Tomorrow Never Knows in stereo. But, overall, mono.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: The things you have heard are correct about the mono mix, the clarity and control over the notes, instruments and vocals is all there. Overall, it just sounds better, fuller and richer than the stereo, plus it is what the boys intended. Oddly, the thing that was most breathtaking was She's Leaving Home; just a full, gorgeous, sound. In stereo, it just sounds relatively wrong; thin compared to the mono. That said, because Day In The Life is such a mind-f the stereo is the definitive version of this song.
Magical Mystery Tour: While Pepper's sounded better in Mono, MMT sounds better in stereo.
The Beatles (The White Album): Both versions have their merits, you need both. If you can only go for one, it's the stereo.
Abbey Road: The defining moment of these reissues, and why it took four years, may be found on AR's I Want You (She's So Heavy). Because they couldn't take the tape hiss out without compromising the sound, they didn't. But when it came to John's final "yeah" which was over saturated and clipped previously, they were able to take the clipping out, and for the first time, you can hear all of John's vocal. Second side now, Here Comes the Sun and now Because. Wonderful sound throughout. Can't wait for Ringo at the end.
Let It Be: Now that I have had the time to compare three versions of LIB, an original 1970 EMI vinyl, this remastered CD and LIB Naked, it turns out that LIB is one of the more interesting remaster releases. First, LIB Naked has it all. It is true to the original vision of the Beatles for this music. It has clarity, correct dynamics and musicality. One of the places you can hear this best is in the title track and the differences between the Martin and Spector mixes. Martin got the church-like nature of the song. Consequently, you get more organ and the choir-boy harmonies of John and George, which Spector dubbed over with horns, strings and over the top solos by George. And I'm with Sir Paul concerning the damage done by Phil to The Long And Winding Road. As for the 1970 LIB vinyl, it has its problems from a sonic standpoint, particularly as it is a Phil Spector production. This brings us to this remastered CD. It trumps the 1970 standard vinyl in clarity but not LIB Naked. The real surprise is that the compression added to this remaster actually makes this a more Phil Spectoresque production than the original. And surprisingly, I like it, at least compared with the 1970 vinyl. Still, Naked is what you want.
Mono Past Masters: Right now, listening to the The Inner Light, which I hate, but it sounds so, so, so good in mono that I may actually like it. And, look out, Paul's bass piano notes in Hey Jude are right there as is Ringo's tambourine. Can't wait for Revolution plus the mono songs from Yellow Submarine. The mono Past Masters would have been perfection if they had added a stereo Let It Be and The Ballad Of John and Yoko. After all, the "stereo" Past Masters is actually a mixture of stereo and mono.So kids, here's where we end. Your core, oddly enough, should be the mono box set. Augment this with the stereo Hard Day's Night, The Beatles For Sale, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles, Abbey Road, Let It Be and stereo Past Masters.
Addendum: As I live in Chicago, and have access to one of the country's remaining great stereo stores, that also boast three incredibly knowledgeable owners and an original Sgt. Peppers British Stereo pressing, following posting this review I went over there to compare the original vinyl with the two new CD reissues. We listened to the reference system, Naim Audio electronic and Quad speakers. There was total agreement on what we heard. First, Pepper's mono CD had better tonal balance than Peppers stereo CD. Pepper's stereo CD had better coloration than the mono, but this was defeated by the harshness of the sound (more on harshness shortly). Thus, overall, between the two CD's we preferred the mono CD. All that said, the stereo original British vinyl pressing crushed both. It had both tonal correctness and coloration.
Now as to the harshness issue, please be mindful that I have listened to these discs on two audiophile systems. Something like harshness is likely to be more prevalent the higher up you get in the stereo food chain. Thus, someone who doesn't have an audiophile system may not experience the harshness at all, but it really is there. This may render some of the stereo CDs more listenable for these people than they were for me, at least when it comes to Pepper's.
9/12/09 THANKS TO ALL: The past few days, following the posting of my review, have been a lot of fun. So many people have taken the time to write me, quite a number saying the review was flat-out the best review of any sort they have read. Others shared memories and feelings about how important this music is to them. Amazingly, two brother, one in Boston one in Paris, found they were reading the same thread and were kind of amazed by the co-incidence. All in all, it has been a very rewarding experience. I thank Amazon for providing this opportunity, and those of you present and future who have/will take(n) the time to play.

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FEATURES:-Dimensions: 5.75" x 5.38" x 2.63"-Description: ·Hard white glossy slip box ·Limited edition ·CDs packaged as mini LP replicas (replica artwork, sleeves and gatefolds) ·Remastered by Paul Hicks, Sean Magee with Guy Massey and Steve Rooke-Contains:Original Mono version - 11 albums (12 discs) += mono mix CD debut ·Please Please Me ·With The Beatles ·A Hard Day's Night ·Beatles For Sale ·Help! (CD also includes original 1965 stereo mix)+ ·Rubber Soul (CD also include original 1965 stereo mix)+ ·Revolver+ ·Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band+ ·Magical Mystery Tour+ ·The Beatles+ ·Mono Masters (features all of the mono tracks that appeared on singles, EPs. or that never made it onto the 13 albums)-Essay written by Kevin Howlett*note: Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road and Let It Be are not included, as they were originally recorded in stereo.
Beatles Photos
The Beatles Merchandise

The Beatles Rock Band
More from The Beatles

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Sounds of the Universe Deluxe Box Set (3 CDs/DVD/2 Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)After three years of waiting, Depeche Mode are back with their 12th original studio release, the epically grand titled: "Sounds Of The Universe" w/ Deluxe Boxset 3CD/DVD. The band came up with the name quite early on in the process. Songwriter, Martin Gore, has said that the title just felt like it summed up the eclectic nature of the songs and the sounds on the album. While he feels there is no overall theme, the album tends to focus on different aspects of relationships, both positive and negative. This is a lighter, more laid back `Mode, with the album a cross between 2001s "Exciter" and 2005s "Playing The Angel" with a little "Violator" thrown in for good measure. In fact, while this isn't DM at their darkest, there are very noticeable moments of darkness on the album, as well as a retro feel. This is due in part to the fact that, during the recording sessions, Martin would constantly be winning auctions on eBay for classic older electronic equipment, incorporating them into the productions. As with "Playing The Angel," Martin wrote most of the songs on "Sounds Of The Universe," with lead singer, Dave Gahan, providing writing credits for three songs (*). "In Chains" starts things off with a one minute intro, reminiscent of how a live orchestra sounds like when they're tuning up their instruments. Only here it's a bunch of electronic equipment that's preparing to play a piece of music, with lots of strange noises and other odd sounds going off one after the other, until all is in readiness. Then what sounds like an electric organ begins to play the main melody, which almost sounds like something you might hear during a funeral procession. Until Dave Gahan's voice comes crying out with sexy allure, proclaiming his adulation for the seductive power of the woman he desires, ("The way you move, has got me yearning. The way you move, has left me burning. I know you know what you're doing to me. I know my hands will never be free. I know what it's like to be in chains") and the way she controls him ("I know I crumble when you are around. Stutter, mumble, a pitiful sound. Stagger, stumble, shackled and bound, in chains") with her sexual powers of persuasion ("You've got me dying for you. It's you that I'm living through. You've got me praying to you, saying to you anything you want me to...You've got me reaching for you. My soul's beseeching me to. You've got me singing to you, bringing to you anything you ask me to") that always wins over in the end. Martin Gore adds a funky guitar riff throughout the song that gives it a bit more bite, along with his affective backing vocalizations that are always a crowd pleaser. "Hole To Feed,"* which sounds more like a Nine Inch Nails title, opens with a cool little beat and an array of retro electric laser beam sounds, as it's formatted interestingly in a chorus-verse-chorus motif. The song centers on the maintaining of a serious and meaningful relationship. ("We are here, we can love. We share something. I'm sure that you mean the world to me.") But with all relationships, there are pros ("You opened my eyes to a world that I could believe."..."The games that we're playing, they've left us hoping") and there are cons. ("When you get what you need, there's no way of knowing what you'll have is another hole to feed") The real point here is that real love takes hard work and dedication, and it doesn't always turn out quite the same way we expect it to be. It's a nice tune with a very poignant message that's rumored to become a future single. "Wrong," the first single taken from the album, immediately begins with a unified chanting of the title name, four times in a row, until Dave Gahan's voice explodes into the first verse ("I was born with the wrong sign, in the wrong house, with the wrong ascendancy") subjecting the listener to a torrent of negative outcries ("I took the wrong road that lead to the wrong tendencies") and self-deprecations ("There's something wrong with me chemically, something wrong with me inherently") that signify an essence of decay and hopelessness ("I was marching to the wrong drum, with the wrong scum, pissing out the wrong energy") yet is still able to retain that one bleak glow of hopefulness ("With the wrong tune played till it sounded alright, yeah!") that rings true. The word, "Wrong," is actually used a total of 72 times (including backing vocals) on this original album version. It's got a fast groove with a heavy techno backbeat that'll have you singing along and dancing to your heart's content. "Fragile Tension" is another excellent track from Sounds Of The Universe that also discusses the intricacies of relationships ("There's a fragile tension that's keeping us going. It may not last forever, but oh when it's flowing") and the strength and power the right kind of chemistry conjures up between two people. ("There's a strange obsession that's drawing us nearer. We don't understand it, it never gets clearer") Despite the problems and difficulties, they always seem be able to pull closer together in the end. ("Oh when we're teetering on the edge of collapse, nothing can keep us down") The song has a strongly positive and powerful message with a great beat, a wonderful guitar performance by Martin Gore, as well as a beautiful vocal job by Dave Gahan. ("There's something radical in our hands, nothing logical to our plans") This track has "Hit Single" written all over it! "Little Soul" is indeed a soulful little tune with an introspective, yet slightly vain, viewpoint. ("My little light is going to shine. Shine out so bright and illuminate your mind. My little soul will leave a footprint") The song has some nice vocal duo moments between Gahan and Gore, with a slow, quiet, and easygoing melody that, while sounding pretty, ("I'm channeling the universe that's focusing itself inside of me...a singularity") still retains that usual DM melodic sense of melancholy. ("My little words are going to sting. Haven't you heard the pain and joy they bring?") It's a pretty tune, which calms things down a bit. "In Sympathy" picks things right back up again with its nicely moody up tempo sound, ("They're almost falling over you. Why don't they call a truce? Whatever they are trying to do, it's of little use") as Dave plays an onlooker to a beautiful and intelligent woman, whose physical attributes bring her much notice. ("They're drowning you in compliments, trying to furnish proof. And though they speak with eloquence, there is little truth") The chorus is fraught with positive reinforcements, ("You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong, at least to some degree. You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough. You smile, in sympathy") and coupled with the nice beat, Dave's great vocals, and Martin's alluring guitar work, it makes for a nice morality tale with some good-spirited heart and soul. ("And as the night begins to fade, you're heading for the door. Followed by a sad parade; you're on your own once more") Longtime fans may recognize a swirling noise throughout the song that's reminiscent of a sound used prominently in the 1984 track: "People Are People," which gives this new tune an added retro feel to it. It's a lovely song that has the makings of another "Hit Single." "Peace," the second single taken from the album, has an affirmation vibe about it, ("Peace will come to me") along with a bit of an Erasure-esque sound quality, as Dave goes through his positive mantra ("I'm leaving bitterness behind this time, I'm cleaning out my mind. There is no space for the regrets I will remember to forget") which gives off this glowing ray of hope & happiness, ("I'm leaving anger in the past with all the shadows that it cast. There is a radar in my heart I should have trusted from the start") something you don't usually find, on a regular basis, in a Depeche Mode album, ("Just look at me. I'm a living act of holiness. Giving all the positivity that I possess, I'm going to light up the world") that's nicely done. "Come Back"* is one of those tracks that just get better, over time, with each listen. Here we have Dave begging and pleading for that special someone to return into his life ("Come back. Come back to me. I've been waiting patiently") as he bares his soul ("Walking a thin white line between love and hate. Wasting all of my time in another world...in another place. I could use a little company, a little kindness can go a long way") and appears to be waiting in vain. ("Weeks turn into months, months turn into years. Reaching the same conclusions, gathering up the fear") Gahan, always the hopeless romantic, evokes a personal, poetic longing and sweet sincerity, ("Light will always shine in the heart of you. In truth and in reality, only blindness can hide it away") which gives the song its power and additional beauty. Nicely executed by Mr. Gahan. "Spacewalker" is a short, nearly two minute, instrumental interlude that's reminiscent of "Easy Tiger," from 2001's Exciter. It has an outer-world, space age feel to it, with a moderate beat and an upbeat melody. While the interlude ends all too briefly, it sets things up nicely for the next track on the album. "Perfect," again, continues the whole relationship motif of...Read more›

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Limited four disc (three CDs + DVD) edition of their 2009 albumincludes two 84 page books with lyrics and exclusive album andstudio session photography. two exclusive enamel badges, poster and five artcards sealedin a collectors envelope with certificate of authenticity. Disc One is the Sounds Of The Universe album. Disc Two contains studio tracks not available on the album plus remixes. Disc Three includes demos from different stages of the band's career. The DVD contains behind the scenes footage on the making of the album, the video clip for 'Wrong' and more. Eclectic and energized, the band's new release is their most dazzling and diverse album in decades. Recorded in Santa Barbara and New York, Depeche Mode returned to using a lot of vintage gear, from analogue synthesizers to drum machines, in order to conjure up the retro-futuristic arrangements featured on the album. Lyrically the release contains many of the group's enduring obsessions plus more overt black humor than any of their previous collections. The release marks a reunion between the band and producer Ben Hillier, who worked with the band on Playing The Angel.Features the single 'Wrong'. Mute.

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Dolly (Box Set) Review

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(More customer reviews)Well here it is, a spectacular boxset on Dolly Parton. A few medicore boxsets on Dolly have been released over the years, but they all pale in comparison to this beautiful gem. Featuring an informative sixty page booklet on Miss Parton with rare pictures never seen before, the crowning jewel are seven tracks never released from Dolly's various record labels. The newly released songs are "Gonna Hurry (As Slow As I Can) which is one of the first songs Dolly ever recorded back in the 1950's; "Nobody But You" recorded when Dolly was 16 years old on Mercury Records; "I've Known You All My Life" from Dolly's Monument period; "Everything's Beautiful (In It's Own Way) that was originally recorded for "The Fairest of Them All" album in 1969; "God's Coloring Book" recorded during the "Coat of Many Colors" 1971 sessions; and finally "Eugene Oregon" and "What Will Baby Be" from 1972's "My Tennessee Mountain Home" album recordings. Out of these seven wonderful tracks four are really standouts; "Gonna Hurry" is true Dolly and she proves even at 10 years of age not only would she be a huge country music star, but a pop superstar. Her voice is pure, strong, original and unmistakingly Dolly. "Everything's Beautiful" is a song Dolly wrote before she came to Nashville and it is truely one of the most beautiful songs she has ever written. It was the song Dolly sang to Porter Wagoner the very day he called her to his office in 1967 to hire her as his "girl singer" on his TV and road show. "God's Coloring Book", that was later recorded for Dolly's 1977 "Here You Come Again" album, is far superior than the remake. You can hear a lot of the "Coat of Many Colors" sound and Dolly's vocal is impeccable and crystle pure. Lastly, "Eugene Oregon" has a neat tempo and is similar in vocal style to the rest of her "My Tennessee Mountain Home" recordings. Another great part about this boxset are the hardly heard singles and B-Sides that have rarely been released on CD over the years, most notably "Puppy Love", "It's Sure Gonna Hurt" and its B-Side "The Love You Gave", and the beautiful "Put It Off Until Tomorrow", which is actually a Bill Phillip's recording, but features Dolly doing background vocals uncredited. This particular recording is one of the most important Dolly recordings ever as it would persuade Dolly's then record label Monument, at Dolly's insistence, to record her country. Porter Wagoner would eventually discover her from her country oriented recordings on Monument and the rest is history. All of Dolly's huge hits are available here including "9 to 5", "I Will Always love You", "Jolene", "Joshua", "Heartbreaker", "Islands In The Stream", and many more. 11 Porter/Dolly duet hits are also included. This set is for the ardent Dolly fan who needs to have this boxset to complete their Dolly collection even if you have all her CD's and albums. This set is also a great place to start your Dolly collection as you will not find a more comprehensive packaging of her material anywhere. Four CD's with 99 songs and a beautiful career book included. We Dolly fans are finally in Heaven! This "Dolly" boxset sold enough copies to debut on the country album chart at #59.

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Dolly Parton Has Few Peers, And No One In Music Will Deny Her Powers As A Singer, A Storyteller And A Pop Star. From Her First National Hit In 1967, The Ironically Titled 'Dumb Blonde' (Nobody With A Lick Of Sense Ever Accused Dolly Of That!) And The Legendary '70s Duets With Porter Wagoner, From Her First Number One Single ('Joshua') In 1970 To Her 26th Number One In 1991 ('Rockin' Years,' A Duet With Ricky Shelton) And All Train Stops In Between, Dolly Has It All. 'To Know Him Is To Love Him' From The Fertile Three-Way Collaboration With Linda Ronstadt And Emmylou Harris, The Amazing Crossover Pop Smashes, Including The Heartfelt Duet With Kenny Rogers 'Islands In The Stream,' As Well As Revered Juke Box Staples '9 To 5' And 'Here You Come Again,' This 99 Track/4 CD Treasure Trove Covers All The Bases. You May Never Have To Leave Home Again, But If You Do, Be Sure To Take Dolly Along For The Ride. First-Ever Multi-Label, Career-Spanning Box Set For Dolly! 4 Cds, Over 100 Songs Includes Her Biggest Hits, Rarities, And Duets From Monument, Rca Victor, And Columbia + Seven Previously Unreleased Songs Introduction Written By Singer-Songwriter Laura Cantrell, And New Liner Notes Written By Noted Dolly Parton Historian Holly George-Warren Features Never-Before-Seen Photos And Rare Memorabilia! All The Big Hits, Including Jolene, 9 To 5, Coat Of Many Colors, Joshua, I Will Always Love You. Rarities And Previously Unreleased Tracks.

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The Tour Collection Review

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(More customer reviews)The first thing to say about this collection is that although some of Dolly's hits are here, a lot of them are missing including Jolene, 9 to 5, Here you come again, Coat of many colors, Two doors down, Joshua, Bargain store, The seeker, Old flames and You're the only one (to name a few). This is not, and was never meant to be, a hits collection. Plenty of those are already available. I'm sure that a lot of fans would have been happy for this collection to completely avoid the obvious classics (I know that I would) but I guess that commercial reality necessitated the inclusion of some of them.
At the other end of the spectrum, nine tracks (Bubbling over, Love with me, Because I love you, Most of all why, Robert, Chas, I'm doing this for your sake, Take me back, Blackie Kentucky) are making their debut on CD here while there are others that have appeared only on CD's that are now out of print or only available at a premium price (Love you're so beautiful tonight, Just the way I am, Daddy come and get me, Carroll county accident, Cowgirl and the dandy) and if you didn't buy those CD's, may be hard to find now outside this boxed set. There are also some duet tracks that are making their debut on a Dolly compilation, but which have appeared on albums by the various duet partners.
This really is, for the most part, a collection for country music fans. Aside from those that focus exclusively on the early stuff (notably Mission Chapel Memories 1971-1975), most Dolly compilations tend to lean towards the more pop-sounding material. While this has some of her pop-sounding music (most famously Islands in the stream, Save the last dance for me), I don't think fans who enjoy that music to the exclusion of her more traditional sounds will find much to get excited about here.
The packaging is different from any boxed set I've previously seen, although I don't suppose it's unique. I'd heard that it was going to be housed in a tin box, but this was not to be. Instead, it comes in a cardboard gift box with a lid. Inside, there are four digipacks each housing a single CD with a 30-page booklet sitting on top of the lot. A ribbon attached at one end to the inside rear base allows the contents to be removed easily. The booklet gives extensive notes about Dolly's career as well as a track listing for each CD. The track listing for the covers CD helpfully lists the original artist for each song, but there is at least one major blunder (Engelbert Humperdinck did NOT record the original version of Release me). Apart from the track listing, these notes are not directly relevant to the contents and could just as easily be included in a greatest hits compilation; however, there are further notes on the inside of each digipack that discuss the contents of the CD contained therein. The four CD's each have a different theme, these being love, covers, mountain memories and duets. Some songs fit more than one category and you'll notice (for example) that there are duets on three of the four CD's.
One way or another, even the most die-hard Dolly fan (and that includes me) will find plenty here of interest. Of course, the two questions that all such die-hard fans have to ask are (a) is there enough they haven't got on CD to justify the cost? and (b) will more of the hitherto-rare songs be released again as further original albums are made available on CD? Each Dolly fan can only answer for themselves, but while I pondered long and hard, I knew that I couldn't resist once I decided I had just enough money to be able to afford it. Perhaps this collection will have greater appeal to those who are less committed, and therefore don't have as many of these songs elsewhere.

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UK four CD box set, released to coincide with Dolly's 2008 UK tour. This deluxe collector's tour edition boxset contains 80 tracks including nine previously unavailable on CD and nine previously unavailable in the UK. The four discs are broken down into musical themes close to Dolly's heart: Love (Disc One), Covers (Disc Two), Mountain Memories (Disc Three) and Duets (Disc Four). More of a career overview than just a collection of hits, this set contains fan favorites rarities and a handful of hits including 'I Will Always Love You', 'Love Is Like A Butterfly', 'In The Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)', 'My Tennessee Mountain Home', 'Islands In The Stream' and many more. BMG.

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