Twelve CD Box Sets, and a Partridge In A Pear Tree


by Kristi Kates

 
They come in their own little boxes, they're shiny and round, and they definitely spread a little holiday cheer.  It's not a box of ornaments, it's not a box of chocolates - it's this year's selection of the Top 10 CD Box Sets, just ripe for the wrapping and perfect presents for pretty much everyone on your gift list!

1:  Nirvana - With The Lights Out *
Geffen Records
We might as well start off with one of the most anticipated box sets of the season - we're talking, of course, about the Nirvana set, which is comprised in large part of demos, B-sides, radio performances, and other rough cuts.  This set gives a great insight to what is perhaps the most revered band to come out of the '90s Seattle grunge movement, and appeases Nirvana fans who have been waiting for this box set to come out for what seems like forever... also included is a DVD that features a previously unreleased video of a live set performed at bassist Krist Novoselic's mother's house in Washington.
 
2:  The Beatles 64 Box - Capitol Albums  * EMI
Put together from the U.S. vintage master tapes, this four-CD collection of The Beatles' 1964 album releases includes "Meet The Beatles," "The Beatles Second Album," "Something New," and "Beatles '65," all presented in both stereo and the original mono mixes.  Accompanied with special original album cover artwork and a snazzy 48-page collector's booklet, the set includes such popular Beatles faves as "She Loves You," "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "P.S. I Love You," "Love Me Do," plus several more obscure cuts like "Devil in Her Heart," and "I'll Cry Instead."   The CD slipcovers even replicate the original album covers.

The Beatles detested the manner that Capitol cut up their original 14-song UK albums for American release, culminating in their banned 'Butcher Cover' for the U.S. release of Yesterday & Today.
But for those eager to relive the 'sound of a generation' in the order & manner that it swept the U.S. into the frenzy of Beatlemania, this is an invaluable set of recordings.
 
3:  Duran Duran - The Singles 1986-1995 * Capitol Records
Now that Duran Duran are back on the charts, this is a great time to snag their whopping 14-disc box set - for old Duran fans, this is a good walk down Duran Memory Lane, and for new fans, this will show them a little bit of what made the band famous in the first place.  Not really the hits, though - many of those are conspicuously absent - no, this is more of a look behind the scenes and onto the B-sides, although a few of those hits are also included. 

Some of the highlights include "Notorious," the acoustic version of "Ordinary World," a spare but pretty ambient remix of "Come Undone," and even a couple pieces of spoken-word poetry from Duran frontman Simon LeBon.
 
4:  No Doubt - Boom Box *
Interscope Records
No Doubt fans will find this 4-disc set a terrific collection - one of the most complete sets on our list (and the only ska-pop one!), it's got one disc of most of ND's singles (including "Just A Girl," "Hey Baby," and "New"), one disc containing most of their videos, one of rarities, and one that is essentially a concert DVD - it's a really great overview of the band's entire career to date.  A couple of the covers (their version of The Beatles' "Ob La Di Ob La Da" and Talk Talk's "It's My Life" are both here), plus the outtakes and rarities are fun listens, too, and, hey, it'll fit perfectly into that hot pink Christmas stocking.
 
5:  The Rolling Stones - Best Of 1963-1965 * Abkco Records
Originally scheduled to be the first of a series of 3 box sets, this disc utilizes 12 CDs to catalog the Stones' musical career from its onset.  The odd thing is that there are only 33 songs in the set, but, as mentioned before, there are 12 CDs to sort through in order to listen to them.  This might seem a little awkward, but die hard Stones fans will enjoy the box set experience, as the 12 discs are packaged in sleeves that are adorned with the original artwork - it's a great gimmick that compliments the songs - among them, "Not Fade Away," "Time Is On My Side," and "Last Time."

 
6:  Johnny Cash - Unearthed * Lost Highway
Five spellbinding CDs testify to the talent of Johnny Cash on this set, showcasing his work with American Recordings and with producer Rick Rubin.  There are 79 total tracks here, 4 discs' worth that have never been heard before, and some unusual must-have tunes for Cash fans.  Even the guest musicians are impressive - Fiona Apple sings along on Cash's cover of Cat Stevens' "Father and Son," and Joe Strummer sings along with Cash on Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" - but its often the gospel and traditional songs that really mesh best with Cash's voice and approach, from "Old Chunk of Coal" to "Banks of the Ohio."  A hardcover book with memorable photos and many of Johnny Cash's comments and memories is also included.
 
7:  Various Artists - Left of the Dial - Dispatches From The '80s Underground - Rhino Records
Fans of '80s indie rock, rejoice - this would be one great gift to find under your tree this year.  Forget about Rick Springfield, Bananarama, and Animotion - this is the hipster side of the '80s, with four discs' worth of tracks from Dinosaur Jr., R.E.M., The Sugarcubes (Bjork's old band), Ultravox, Cocteau Twins, Happy Mondays, The Church, They Might Be Giants, XTC, Echo and the Bunnymen, The English Beat, Lone Justice, The dbs, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Flag, and many, many more - 82 in all.  Whether you're discovering the music of the '80s or reliving it, this is the '80s box set to get.
 
8:  The Hip Hop Box  * Hip-O Records
Another 4-disc set, this one celebrates 25 whopping years of hip-hop, from party rap to gangsta rap.  Kicking off with a forward from Chuck D, there's also a plethora of photos, bios, and detailed info on the tracks, which encompass everything from the track that started it all ("Rappers' Delight" by Sugarhill Gang) through tunes by Africa Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Salt N'Pepa, MC Hammer, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Queen Latifah, 50 Cent, and The Roots.  A hip-hop fan's gold mine, this one definitely represents.
 
9:  Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime * Warner Brothers
They were formed by a trio of art school students in the '70s, and went on to become one of the most influential punk/new wave/art rock bands ever - and this well-packaged and comprehensive set does justice to the many accomplishments of David, Chris, and Tina.  Fusing funk, punk, Brazilian and African beats, and much more into their songs, the Talking Heads are represented here by 4 discs' worth of quirky and catchy tunes, including "I Zimbra," "Once in a Lifetime," and "Wild Wild Life," plus the appropriately-artistic packaging, which places the CDs and DVDs in a unique horizontal layout complete with commentary from other pop culture personalities.
 
10: 100 Greatest TV Themes *
Silva America Records
This one's just plain fun - 4 discs and an even 100 tracks playback the TV theme songs from television shows for every generation and just about every possible genre of TV show out there.  The quality varies from show to show - some are a little tinny, some more well-recorded than others - but it's enjoyable listening through the discs, especially if you're a fan of any of the shows whose themes are presented here, including the likes of Batman, Battlestar Galactica, Beverly Hills 90210, Bonanza, Cheers, Dr. Who, Knight Rider, Little House on the Prairie, M*A*S*H, Northern Exposure, Xena Warrior Princess, and several of the Star Trek series.  Who needs TV when you can just listen to these CDs?
 
11. Various Artists - Straight From The Heart - Timeless Music From the '60s and '70s * Sony Music
Here's a great set for those who grew up in the '60s or '70s, or just those who are fans of the music of those eras.  With three discs and 60 (how appropriate) tracks, this entertaining set includes most of these two decades' favorite artists (The Mamas and the Papas, Olivia Newton-John, Dusty Springfield, Jefferson Starship, The Hollies, Henry Mancini) and even some that you may have hoped this box set would forget (Dr. Hook, Debby Boone, Leo Sayer).
 
12.  Various Artists - Ultimate Country Super Hits * Sony Music

Also from Sony, the last set of our list wraps up a little something for those fans of "real" country music - not the spandexed, modern version that is taking over the Country/Western charts today.  No, sir - this is the stuff that'll have you crying in your beer, scootin' your boots, and looking for some cows to round up.  Included in this set are tunes from the likes of Merle Haggard, Charlie Rich, Tammy Wynette, Rosanne Cash, Dolly Parton, George Jones, The Gatlin Brothers, Roger Miller, Tanya Tucker, Jimmy Dean - even Johnny Cash's classic, "Ring of Fire" is included. 

How can you go wrong with this gift for the true country music fan?