Review by Tim Goodacre

I have the previous Japanese release of this album and it is superb. The Stones are in fine form and at the peak of their powers. The playing of Mick Taylor is the highlight plus the saxophone playing of Trevor Lawrence puts new life into songs like Angie and You Can’t Always Get What You Want. For me this far surpasses Ya Yas. A must buy if you are a Stones fan.

This is probably McCartney’s most consistently strong album since Flaming Pie. Each song has merit and the first single Days We Left Behind is undoubtedly his best song for many years. Like all McCartney albums it takes time for many of the songs to truly appeal and the production is different under the control of Andrew Watt. It will be interesting to see how I feel about the album in a few months time and further listening. The 7 inch mini lp packaging is a real bonus and I ask that it be repeated for future top artist releases including any future rereleases of the Beatles’ albums.

The Steve Wilson remix is a revelation from what was originally a well produced and mastered album. The bonus tracks are limited but interesting and the book is excellent . The Stones do these boxsets extremely well and hopefully they will do It’s Only Rock and Roll next as it could do with a full remix by Wilson.

A great release and the best sounding version to date. I have always been disappointed with the production of this album and felt it fell well short of their earlier albums such as Bookends. However, this version sounds as good as it ever will be. The 7 inch sleeve and other inclusions are bonuses.

Wonderfful collection telling the Beatles’s story in chronological order. Fascinating insight into the development of their music. Unfortunately it seems this may be the last given the time elapsed with no further releases having appeared.

I am not an Elvis Costello fan but this album is one of his best. Very folky and country influenced with good songs well sung. The surprise is the extra disc which again has some great songs with that folk country influence and with various collaborations from such country stars as Rosanne Cash and Kris Kristofferson. The extra disc also includes some excellent live performances. Makes me now want to super deluxe 6 disc edition!

This special release boxset contains the early 70s Brussels Affair concert. This concert is in my opinion the best recorded live performance by the Stones with Mick Taylor’s guitar a feature and Jagger’s voice in superb touch. The other live albums are worth having but Brussels affair outshines them all. The packaging with original paper sleeves and inserts are superb as usual with these Japanese releases. The set is a very limited edition but keep an eye on the CD Japan site to pick up a copy should it become available as part of their proxy service.

The 80s was in my opinion one of Dylan’s best periods. This album is a highlight with the now classic Jokerman and other strong songs I and I and Sweetheart Like You. The production and playing is impeccable especially with the added bonus of Mick Taylor’s lead guitar and the presence of Mark Knopfler on guitar and as joint producer with Dylan. This series of Blu spec CD releases are exemplary and are equal to the earlier SACD versions and vastly superior to the red book CD releases.

This album is roundly condemned by critics as being lightweight and directionless and one of Dylan’s worst.I could not disagree more. The arrangements are good and the songs catchy and well produced. Lots of backing singers on most tracks give the album a polished gospel flavour. Includes the classic Brownsville Girl but the other songs are also some of Dylan’s better 80s efforts. One of those times you simply ignore the critics.

At the time of its release I remember this album was largely panned and considered one of Dylan’s worst releases. However for me I have always enjoyed both the new songs but also Dylan’s interpretation of many of the traditional songs. As usual the production is first class and the Blue-spec disc delivers exceptional sound. The mini lp packaging is faithful to the original release even down to the original textured sleeve. Very much worth having if you are a Dylan fan.

I have held off getting this album in the past mainly because of the less than strong song collection. However this release was a must have with the mini lp style packaging and the mix of songs is better than I expected. Yes it contains many less than mainstream Stones songs from their early period but the mix of styles is interesting and eclectic. The sound is wonderful and is up there with the SACD releases of 2002 which are some of the best ever sounding SACDs. If you are a Stones fan this release is a must have given the sound and packaging alone.

The audio on this MoFi SACD is exceptional. Great clarity and defined bass. Not one of my favourite artists or albums but hearing Billie Jean on this SACD breathes new life into the song but the same can be said for all the tracks. Buy this and it will confirm that a well mastered SACD is the best there is audio wise.

Great song selection with brilliant unreleased Glastonbury performance of Hallelujah. The songs come from each of his albums and the selection is representative of his best work. The mastering and production of Cohen’s albums is first class and the sound on this album is unsurpassed. Highly recommended as an introduction to Leonard Cohen.

This to me is the best of the Beatles remix box sets. This remix is outstanding and a clear improvement on the original plus the Glyn Johns album mix and song list is a treasured inclusion. It is worth it for the Dont Let Me Down and Teddy Boy inclusions alone.The alternative tracks are also interesting and unlike previous outtakes on the other releases I do come back and listen to them more than once. The book is also outstanding and interesting - again the story itself given the bands disintegration is edgy and compelling. This set is a must for any Beatles enthusiast and if you have to pick one remix set this has to rank near the top simply for the “new” tracks alone.

One of Ronstadt’s early solo releases. Fine collection of songs written by fellow country rock artists including Zevon, Souther and Bonoff. Great arrangements by Peter Asher and fine musicianship by her usual band and the songwriters themselves. Ronstadt has probably the best voice of her generation and this release sits well with her other releases on Asylum in the 70s. These releases in the mini lp format are back in stock with CD Japan after long being unavailable. Get them while you can.

I bought this box set mainly to complete my Elton disc collection but am very pleasantly surprised how good this set actually is. It includes a wonderful collection of specific songs chosen by Elton to tell the story of his and Bernie’s musical journey. Each song is accompanied by detailed written notes by Elton detailing the background to the song and where it fits with his musical history. These recollections are detailed and well written. Also included are numerous b sides and demos. The lavish hardcover book is well laid out and very informative. This is a must have and is the best box set I own.

Most underrated Stones album. Great tracks include Angie, Star Star and Doo Doo Heartbreaker. Comes after the more bleak and muddy mix (but excellent) Exile and the Stones seem uplifted in their performances. Good mix brings out some great things I missed first time round. The real bonus is the Brussels Affair live performance in 1973 which I rate as the best live recording of the Stones - just shading YaYas. A must have even if only for the sax solo on You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Mick Taylor shines and his guitar exchange with Keith on Angie is something to saviour. Originally released a few years ago in Japan but is long sold out so great to have it here.

This release was a surprise. I have not really rated a live Stones release since Yas Yas but this release is superb. Great shm sound and mix plus some great Stones performances especially the saxophone in You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Jagger’s voice is superb with Angie a highlight and Wood’s guitar fits in well after Taylor’s exit. Recommended.

Great record of their final performances. Notwithstanding the live recording was made way back in 1969 the SHM sound is first class. Not sure everyone wants the many live concert recordings of many of the same songs but this is a wonderful historical document. The packaging is first class and the book is informative and has some great shots of the band.

This album improves with time. Along with Wandering Spirit this is Jagger’s best solo effort. Throwaway, Primitive Cool, Party Doll and War Baby are better than many Stones efforts. Dave Stewart co writes and produces several songs and Jeff Beck fills in for Richards on lead guitar. Packaging is superb as expected.