Somebody had to take a chance (or how I finally gave in desp
John H. McCarthy | Archbald,PA | 07/01/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"For a while now I've seen these "Original Album Classics" import mini-sets multiplying on the internet, made by Sony Music (mine is copyrighted 2009 by Sony Music Entertainment, but there's no mention of SONY/BMG!??), featuring five albums by their artists, housed in cardboard mini-album replicas within an outer box. Some of these sets contain albums previously unavailable on CD, or CD's only availible in the past on other reissue labels or pricey imports. Not many reviews have appeared, and the one that I had read on their Mahavishnu Orchestra set scared me away, with complaints of shoddy packaging, typos, etc. Being an old fan of BS&T however, and interested in 3 of the 5 albums within the set (BS&T 3, BS&T 4 and NEW BLOOD) that are only currently available in either ancient original or current remastered but prohibitively priced versions, I took the plunge when I saw this advertised for only $23! The verdict is as follows: The individual mini-sleeves are reproduced fairly well, but 4 of the 5 albums originally were in gatefold sleeves, whereas all within are single pocketed, with no inserts, or booklets. On the back of the outer box, which is fairly sturdy and also laminated, there is an advertised link which stated, "For full album credits go to www.musicmadesimple.info." Unfortunately, when I went to said site, there was no info listed for this particular set. This lack of booklets or liners seems to be a new trend, the same thing happened when i purchased the new SAM & DAVE DVD on the HISTORIC MUSIC/Hip-O/Universal label, although according to a review on Amazon.com, our European neighbors received the beautiful, detailed, colour booklet. As for the music itself, I am happy to report that all the CD's sounded great. The 1st two, CHILD IS FATHER... and BS&T had the bonus tracks from when they were previously released and remastered. BS&T 3, BS&T 4 and NEW BLOOD to my ears were remastered as well, possibly done previously when licensed to other companies, just a guess. So the bottom line is, if you are just interested in the music itself, and can live without professional art reproduction and lack of any information that isn't microscopically reproduced on the mini-sleeves, you'll probably be satisfied. Others will just have to wait and hope that the albums that are currently unavailable elsewhere will be released separately in the future, or spend the extra money on those available on pricier versions......"
Some Of The Best B,S&T - Boxed!
Saxman | SW Suburbs Chgo IL USA | 08/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great buy! While it doesn't contain the production notes, it DOES contain B,S&T's first 5 albums in remastered, crisp sound. Finally, a decent-sounding B,S&T3! For me, these 5 albums represent the essential collection by this great, innovative unit. The next two albums, "No Sweat" and "Mirror Image" are more in the jazz/rock fusion vein of "New Blood," found in this collection. IMHO those are also worth acquiring.
To me, the band started to go south once vocalist David Clayton Thomas returned to the fold after Jerry Fisher was booted or left. Never got the lowdown on that story. When DCT was back, the band really became his backing unit until "Nuclear Blues" in 1980, the band's studio swan song. On that album, it was more of a group effort, although the personnel was completely different except for DCT.
Pick this one up today and call your B,S&T collection complete!"
