Customer Reviews

Buffalo Springfield Box Set

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This seems to be the type of box set where the audience is predetermined. If you're not a Buffalo Springfield fan by now, surely no major radio stations are playing much else besides For What It's Worth to win you over. But if you are someone who's unsure of whether to buy this or not, be forewarned: it's not a real great value. For the full price of a four-disc set, you get about 22 demos, six remixes, and most (but not quite all) of the material on the Springfield's three albums. As for me, I'm a huge Neil fan, so I had to have it regardless, but I was a little annoyed at several things, from the way the sticker on the box describes the fourth disc as a "bonus" disc (I'm paying for it, aren't I?) in which 21 tracks are repeated from the first three discs, to the chintzy single-ply paper inserts in the individual jewel boxes, to the lack of commentary from Neil or anyone else in the band about the tracks in the booklet. You could probably purchase the three Springfield albums for ten or fifteen dollars less than the cost of this box. If you don't need the demos, or if you have one or two of the original albums on disc already, that might be a better way to go.Some of the demos are interesting, and you can hear what later became Country Girl on CSNY's Deja Vu here as Down, Down, Down. But Rhino usually gives you much more bang for your buck. Let the buyer beware.

Two years. Three albums. A four-disc retrospective. It wouldn't seem possible to get a more comprehensive treatment of a band's career than that promised by Buffalo Springfield's unimaginitively titled BOX SET. But in fact the producers of this gorgeously packaged, extensively annotated and beautifully remastered misfire have achieved the impossible by crafting an anthology at once bloated and incomplete.
Far more legendary as the incubator of the careers of Stephen Stills, Neil Young and Richie Furay than for its own output - which included exactly one hit ("For What It's Worth") and a lot of highly influential but woefully underappreciated material besides - Buffalo Springfield could and should have had the mother of all box sets, one containing every note the band ever released as well as plenty of alternates, outtakes and demos. Instead, BOX SET gives us, in the course of its first three discs, all but FOUR of the group's released numbers (these being the original, seven-minute version of Stills' "Bluebird" as well as three tracks from the 1968 LAST TIME AROUND LP). Since none of the CDs runs much over an hour, this is absolutely inexcusable. Alternates and outtakes are fine; but when a band's entire catalogue could easily be fit on three discs, to have a handful of songs left out of a four-CD anthology is just...well, choose your favorite adjective.
Padding things out instead is a wealth of previously unreleased material, including arguably too many solo demos by Young and transitional recordings which document the Springfield's disintegration into its various member's subsequent careers. Much of this is great stuff, though some of it is rather difficult to call Buffalo Springfield.
The crowning irony, however, is disc four, whereon the first two Buffalo Springfield albums are presented in release order - even though every single one of these tracks with the sole exception (no pun intended) of "Mr. Soul" appears somewhere on the first three discs. This blatant bit of price-gouging, absurd enough in itself, is doubly awful in light of the tracks left missing from this "definitive" compilation.
Given that fully half the material on BOX SET consists of rarities, and that all three Springfield albums are easily and cheaply available on CD, this box is clearly aimed at hardcore fans - which is to say, people who want to hear everything. That we don't is, alas, a tragic blight on a potentially (and largely)wonderful collection of music.

That's the only explanation I can think of that's plausible. I have no idea if any of the former band members were involved in this release -- I can only hope they would have more integrity than to be a part of this.

First of all, I'll state that Buffalo Springfield was one of my very favorite bands from the 60s -- in a time of rich musical expansion and experimentation, they showcased some of the most imaginative, poetic AND melodic songwriting around. They combined intelligence with well-written pop tunes, incorporating influences from folk, country, blues and just plain rock-n-roll into their music. I gave this 3 stars for the sheer integrity and lasting qualities that make their music so special -- if some thought had gone into the compiling and packaging of this set, it could have easily rated more than the 5 start limit.

When I saw the release of this set some time ago, I mentally put it on my 'to buy' list -- I was certain that it would be an indespensable part of my collection. I couldn't have been more mistaken.

Some of the reviews below have cited some of the same factors that disappointed me so much -- mainly, why in the world would over half of their final studio album be left out? Why would the 4th disc in the set be made up of tracks that had already been included on discs 1 - 3? The tracks from the first album that are repeated are labeled 'mono version' -- but even on headphones, I can't tell any difference between them and the tracks that are unlabeled (which I would assume are supposed to be stereo). There are quite a few demo tracks included here (most of which are of dubious quality at best) -- but no live tracks. The live shows this band did were legendary -- surely somewhere there exist re-workable tapes of some of these performances...? Even without any live tracks, the set should have at least included all the tracks from their three studio albums -- the fourth disc could have been made up of the demo tracks, if the producers felt the need to include them.

For the price the releasing company (it's credited to Rhino/Elektra) is asking for this, even a readable booklet filled with good information would have made it a bit more palpable -- but at $60, you'd be better off buying the individual single-album CDs. You can get them right here, from Amazon, for $9.98 each, plus shipping -- and you'd wind up with all the studio tracks for half the price of this set, with none of the excess baggage. This set is only for the ultra-completionist collector.

Having always been very curious about Buffalo Springfield, mainly from the few teaser songs included on Neil Young's Decade, and from of course hearing ("For What It's Worth"), I had pinpointed them a band that I needed to investigate more for about 5 years. I also was aware of the backlog of unreleased material that they had recorded as an act, and was primed for a box set release (or at least a lengthy double album) release of their material for years).

Then just before Christmas, this Box Set hits the market. So I figured I would give it a try, I mean I knew I would like the majority of the music--being a considerable fan of both Steven Stills and Neil Young's post Buffalo work.

I put each of the cd's in, and was amazed at first. This band was perhaps one of the strongest and most experimental (in the folk/country/rock genre) that has ever been assembled. I mean the music on all 4 of the cd's is spell-binding. It may take a few listens to get into, but once you do you are hooked.

The first cd, features a bulk of well executed and superb demos. Mostly consisting of unreleased songs or early versions of songs that will turn up drastically different in their later versions. It's hard to surpass any of the material on the first disc. All of the demos are superb, my favorites being "Come On", "We'll See" and surprisingly to myself at least, a plaintive "Baby Don't Scold Me". After the first 10 songs of demos are finished, we reach the actual versions of what would become their debut, Buffalo Springfield. And this disc, as well as the set itself will prove, that from the get-go this band was amazing. The first disc is chock-full of classics, including "For What It's Worth", "Sit Down I Think I Love You", "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" and my personal favorite Buff Springfield song, and Neil Young song in general "Flying on the Ground is Wrong".

Disc Two continues on the pace with disc one. The album opens mostly with demos again, although here we can hear how strong musically this band was in a few superb instrumentals: "Kahuna Sunset" and "Buffalo Stomp". Neil's superb demo, "Down Down Down" actually outshines the two songs it would later become (it seems to be a mix of "Down to the Wire" and "Broken Arrow"), and what a song it is, almost warrants the set in this one song alone. Disc 2 carries on with mostly alternate versions of songs found on disc one, and is perhaps the most enjoyable of the 4 discs.

Disc 3 is also a real stunner. Stills' "Hung Upside Down" is a brilliant mix of soul, folk and country. Furray's soulified "Good Time Boy" will convert even the strongest critic to this band's merit. Neil's demos are the highlights here, "The Rent is Always Due" and the "Old Laughing Lady" are brilliant. We also have the majority of the songs from Their 3rd and final release, released when the band was all but split up. "Undo-Mundo", "Questions" and "I AM A CHILD" being the biggest standouts.

So now that you've read about three stellar, easy five star reviews, you might be wondering what the problem with the set is to warrant the 3 star rating (or you read some shorter reviews listed here already and are waiting for me to get to my point). Ultimately while the music on here clearly rivals that of the Byrds' brilliant boxed set (simply a must-have). THe fourth disc is a complete ripoff. Here we have a disc of material that is entirely (besides I believe Mr. Soul) a complete rehash of the songs from discs one, two and three). They are presenting the band's first two albums together on one cd. Now I would forgive this if the price of this set had been closer to a three cd set, but at $55 dollars and up for this set, I felt completely ripped-off. Especially considering that this set doesn't include all of the band's released material.

To add to my anger towards this ripoff set of some of the most brilliant music ever released is that the fine and thorough booklet that accompanies the set continually discusses how strong a live act Buff Springfield were. I can understand that they might not have an entire show or performance, but as earlier releases not available on cd atest, there were some released live performances. This wouldn't be a big issue with me had the book not mentioned almost every other paragraph about how strong this band was live.

Ultimately, this set was really promising. THe first 3 cd's were brilliantly compiled. The rip-off and hence the low rating is given because of disc 4. Approach with caution. Ordinarily I would rate a set with this blatant a rip off a 1 star review, but being that the music on this set is still endlessly enjoyable, I feel it can't be lower than a 3 star rating. It's a shame too, because this set has me hooked on them, and I am a new convert. If you like folk, country, folk rock, Americana, or just good ol rock and roll, buy a Buffalo Sprinfield album with confidence, just be forewarned about this set before you do.

I saw them play in 1966 at The Whisky,and how I got in was nothing short of a miracle.They remain my favorite Band to this day. So, after hearing Neil remark in 1975 that he had unreleased tracks,along with the others,perked my ears right up.How were we to know that we would all reach middle age before getting them?? Neil was the sole effort behind the set,and he gave us what most we have been waiting for. However,I can't give this set 5 stars because of some glaring errors. First,why the repetative Disc 4?? Why were tracks such as "Sell Out" "Extra, Extra" "I Guess You Made It" "The Hour Of Not Quite Rain" left out?? I was greatly disappointed not to see the 12 min. "Bluebird" not there(Reportedly, both Stephen & Neil can't stand it).For all of those who never saw them during their short duration, this STILL is an example of what they were like LIVE. The original version of "Mr.Soul" is a gem.Bruce was the engine that ran The Springfield, and this track shows it. And stop looking for "Stampede". It never existed.Period. Read the Book that Ritchie and John Einarson wrote. Lastly, whether Neil wants to admit it or not,The Springfield was Stephen's Band.Period.

OK--You've already plodded through 30 "reviews" to get to mine. I'll be brief with my comments. Over 30 years ago Neil Young bragged about the great music that was still in the can, hoping it someday it would be issued. Were you talking about these demos Neil? They range from mediocre to good. Interesting of course, but there is nothing that can compare to the group's first two LPs. PACKAGING/ARTWORK/LINER NOTES: Very disappointing for the price. The individual CD cover inserts are very cheap indeed. The booklet, filled with faux newspaper clippings, is dark, tedius, and disconcerting. Is it copy (six point or smaller in some cases) to be read or is it bleed artwork? My point? It could have been much better. Editorial content, of course, is subjective but I was not impressed--certainly not relevatory, must-read material. Track sequence, as discussed and criticized earlier by other reviewers, is unexplainable. Options that could have been: Chrono-sequence of the first three LPs followed by demos; or chrono-sequence of each LP followed by or preceded by related demos. MUSIC: How can you issue a 4-CD box set and not include all of the group's third LP? Sometimes my goal in buying a box set is to condense my collection of individual CDs. I almost didn't buy this box for that very reason. However, I eventually succumbed to my fetish for box sets, deciding to buy yet another imperfect box collection. I dumped the group's first two LPs/CDs knowing that I would be saddled with their third, in addition to the box set. I tried to squeeze the CD into the box to make a 5-CD set but was unable to pull it off. Quality of the recordings, obviously, is excellent. CLOSING COMMENTS: If you are a fan, you already have the group's three LPs/CDs. Is the high price worth it, especially if you've already popped for the group's expensive, remastered/HDCD first LP/CD, "Buffalo Springfield"? For what's it's worth (sorry but it is way past time to entertain myself), the answer is no...unless you don't mind overpaying.

I'm sorry. But we seem to be talking about two things here; the music of Buffalo Springfield, and the box set. All the reviews here rightly praise the group and their music, and award the box set five stars *because* the group was so great. Therefore, the box set *has* to be great, doesn't it?

Read the reviews again; they all point out that there's no live material, there's massive song duplication, there's no revelatory unreleased recordings, and there's a slew of demos. No extended "Bluebird," and some of the songs on the third album (which I always liked) don't make the cut because (duh) it wasn't an "officially sanctioned" release.

Demos are demos. They were never intended for release. They're sketches for the finished songs. So whatever their merits (and yes, they are interesting) they're NOT AS GOOD (your criteria, unless you're a lo-fi nut) as polished studio recordings. Not more natural, either. I like demos, but I don't like paying top dollar for them. I felt ripped off by this set. I've got all the original albums, and I'll play those in preference to digging for the good stuff in the box.

Ten years? For this? Keep your money. Or buy the original recordings, if you don't have them. This set gets it so very wrong, and we're all scared to say so because it was such a great group.

Nuts.

Man, I love the Springfield. I love the Springfield more than CSN&Y, more than Poco, more than Loggins & Messina, more than Stills solo, and yes, even more than Young solo. They had a great sound, a sixties sound in the best sense of the term - great vocal and guitar arrangements, great rhythm section, great songwriting - they had it all...but not for long. So, was I excited when I heard that a four disc, that's right, FOUR DISC, box set was in the offing? You bet I was. Was I even more excited when I heard that the masters of the remasters and reissues, the great Rhino Records, was the label releasing it? Yes, yes, yes!!

So why am I SO disappointed? What could possibly be wrong with four discs of Buffalo Springfield?

Look closely, it's not really four discs of Springfield:

First of all, true fans of the Springfield, who are probably the only people who will buy this box set, already purchased the "deluxe" re-release of their first album in 1997. Released at a price of almost [...] bucks, the price was justified, I guess, by the fact that it included both the mono and stereo version of the album. Did that really justify the price? No production costs, very little in the way of promotional costs (they know fans will buy it, and that's who they're marketing to), probably not all that much paid out in royalties...think about it. It reeked of fan exploitation.

So then what happens? The box comes out and, you guessed it, you get their 1st album in mono and stereo, AGAIN! Of course, the stereo is piece-mealed over the first three discs, but the mono is there on disc 4...

...as is their classic, Again, in stereo which, you guessed it, also shows up, also in stereo, also in piece-mealed fashion, on the first three discs. Yes, that's right. On the same box, the same 12 songs are issued in the exact same versions twice! This is sounding like the Department of Rundancy Department!

Oh, don't get me wrong, the 22 demos are cool. They would have made great bonus tracks on a reasonably priced deluxe reissue of their three albums (are you listening, Rhino?). But where are the live tracks? Wasn't the Springfield the stuff of lengends on the stage?

I don't know, I just find this set very frustrating. If you are going to give a four disc restrospective to a band that was together less than two years, wouldn't you assume that it was going to be painstakingly comprehensive? This isn't. It's missing tracks from their last album, and inconceivably does not include the stunning extended version of Bluebird that has never been issued on CD. How could they have not included that?????

Finally, the price. How dare they state that the fourth disc is a "bonus disc"? At that price?

I've always championed Rhino Records, feeling that they were the undisputed kings of the reissue. This release, as exciting as it was, is, ultimately, [taking advantage] of Buffalo Springfield's loyal fans. They are, in essence, paying [...] bucks for 22 demos, 5 or 6 remixes, and a couple of "previously unreleased" tracks, as they will certainly have the three albums already, in sound quality not drastically different than what is heard here. This looks like a coporate "Maximize Profit, Minimize Expense, Who Will Notice or Care" project.

We Notice, We Care.

It's quite remarkable how the Buffalo Springfield were able to pump out so many great tracks in less than three years. Most of it was quality songwriting from musicians who took in all of the growing changes around them and presented the times with a fresh perspective and opposed the "assembly line" approach of pop that was beginning to die out. But like all good things with such intense profile & passion, comes recklessness and eventual implosion, only to be left with a break-up that's still desputed and, in spite of the great output, little to show for it financially (at that time).

We can add the cliche that the Buffalo Springfield were rich in a recorded legacy beyond their three official albums and this box set is only partial to this sentiment. What you will hear is a band taking shape with some of their earliest demos, then taking flight as a band developing their talents in the studio, at first unified, then fragmented. I'm happy to say a good percentage of this is magnificent.

CD1 concentrates on early solo demos (at this point, only Richie Furay, Stephen Stills & Neil Young) and the first Gold Star/Columbia Studio session which would make up their debut. The solo stuff is pretty much hit and miss, with some great moments ("Sad Memory", "Clancy", "Flying On The Ground", etc.) with some pretty forgettable fodder ("I'm Your Kind Of Guy", "Hello, I've Returned"). The rest are the tracks that we come to know and love in beautiful MONO (and there's not one ounce of the horrid stereo mix).

CD2 gets real interesting with the band evolving from a great garage folk-punk band into some seriously crafted pop and rock. With great moments like very raw acetate versions of "Mr. Soul" & "Baby, Don't Scold Me" with stompers like "Kauhuna Sunset" and "Buffalo Stomp" (sounding just like the Jesus & Marychain here), you get some timeless stuff like "Down Down Down", "Pretty Girl Why", "We'll See", "Everydays" and many of the fragments that would make up "Stampede", "Buffalo Springfield Again" and numerous bootlegs. But the show stopper is Stills' beautiful solo demo of "Hung Upside Down", which will seriously give you chills.

But when it gets to CD3, that's when all begins to fall apart. With the remainder of the "Again" tracks, it's all solo ambitions from there. Some great Young demos ("Old Laughing Lady", "Round And Round And Round"), wonderful tracks like "On The Way Home" (alternate mix), "Iam A Child" and "Kind Woman" (to name a few). Unfortunately, it also paints a picture of Stills rather self-indulgent side with some great tracks ("Uno Mundo" and the excellent solo demo of "Four Days Gone") with some duds ("Special Care" and "Questions"). An interesting early version of Furay's "What A Day" is featured, sung by Stills, who does great throughout two-thirds of it then messes up the ending. Yeah, even great talents flub sometimes.

CD4: Debut in MONO and "Again" in stereo. Nice addition.

The booklet is pretty much a newspaper cuttings and scotch tape deal, which has a nice punk rock feel about it (and you can almost smell the garage fumes along with the age), but is kind of redundant if you want straight-ahead reading material. the essays, recording information and show interinerary are also cool, but an overall sense of order you will not get.

The omissions?

"Carefree Country Day" is a Messina track and a big dud. Not missed here.

"In the Hour Of Not Quite Rain". A BIG mistake in omitting this. One of the great Gothic Rock anthems and a major departure in sound.

"Four Days Gone (jazz version)". In spite of Young's objections to Messina's handling, it would have been nice to compare the demo and released versions. And both are equally good.

"Buffalo Springfield Again" LP MONO version. I had the pleasure to hear a rare copy of this years ago. Great mix. I know the MONO version of the debut is king, but this one is amazing.

"Bluebird (long version)". People will differ with this one. Some think it's magnificent and hate the banjo part of the shorter mix. Others will think it's a half-baked studio jam that is only to be listened to once (I go with the latter.).

LIVE TRACKS. The liners go on about the awesome powers of the Springfield in person. Why didn't we get any examples? Could this be another box set. Damn, I hope so.

Yeah, I'm pretty critical with this gathering. It's obvious that all five surviving members do not see eye to eye on the selection. I know that's there's much more that Neil has to be hiding somewhere in his archives and, even under his meticulous supervision, it raises more questions & speculations.

But in the end, is it all worth it? Oh, yes it is. It may not be the most polished and strictly sticks to the chronology, but the music speaks for itself. It's a shame that this wasn't a band that gave it more of a chance.

I and a lot of other people were beginning to wonder if we'd ever see a Buffalo Springfield box set in our lifetimes. It's long overdue, but this seminal American band finally gets its due! This is what you get: an 82-page book with an historical essay (complete with footnotes), lots of photos and press clippings, a list of concert appearances, and discography; and four cds. The first three cds offer a chronological history of Buffalo Springfield's studio recordings, including a generous quantity of demos as well as album cuts, and unreleased recordings and alternate mixes. The demos alone are worth the price of the set. These aren't low-fidelity homemade demos, but excellent recordings, many of which "Doc" Siegel expertly recorded at the fabled Gold Star Recording Studios. The quality of these demos is warm and intimate(they positively shimmer!) and sound like they could have been recorded yesterday. Among the full-band cuts, there are too many highlights to enumerate here, but you will find treats such as Stephen Stills contributing lead vocals to "Down to the Wire" and to a pre-Poco, Richie Furay-penned "What a Day," as well as a mix of "On the Way Home" minus the horn track.

I have a few quibbles; somehow this set seems incomplete without the long version of "Bluebird" and Richie's strange, moody tour-de-force, "The Hour of Not Quite Rain." Dewey Martin's lead vocal in "Good Time Boy" is almost buried in the mix. And be aware that you will find no live tracks here; supposedly no concert recordings of acceptable quality could be found.

Disc four contains the band's first two albums, "Buffalo Springfield" (in mono) and "Buffalo Springfield Again" (stereo). Although this disc repeats much of what is on the first three discs, it is nice to have these two masterpieces available in 24-bit remastered form on one disc.

It's hard to believe that Buffalo Springfield's career was barely two years long, but its influence has been pervasive and enduring. This box set is a fitting tribute and celebration of one of the great rock & roll bands of all time.