Customer Reviews

Do What You Want, Be What You Are: The Music of Daryl Hall & John Oates (4 CD Set plus Bonus Disc, "Live '05")

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I would say this set is almost a definitive career overview of H&O's 40-years plus in music. It covers every era, has most of the hits, choice rarities, fan faves, H&O faves, live tracks from over the years, and great commentary by H&O themselves, their producers and peers in music, old and new, from Smokey and David Foster, Rick Neilsen from Cheap Trick & Todd Rundgren, to Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie and Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy. The notes are well-written and the remastering is top notch, with release and label details.

The fact that not every chart single is here doesn't matter...for that, buy "The Essential 3.0"...sometimes, the liver versions are better. BUT certain albums and eras are not represented at all...no mention or tracks from Daryl's pre H&O group Gulliver, but there are Temptones and Masters rare singles...and nothing from "Beauty On A Back Street" or "Marigold Sky" or "Livetime" (no pics of those albums in the booklet either), no rare 12" versions or certain soundtrack cuts or Daryl's solo work...although Dave Stewart commented on his fun with Daryl producing that album. I am happy that a fave track "Head Above Water" from "Private Eyes" got its due tho.

All in all, well-done, but if you were to include everything, even with a DVD, it had to be 5 or 6 CDs, but for 4 full discs and the price, you can't beat the value and quality...well-manufactured too. Thumbs up from me, a longtime fan for 30+ years.

I followed Hall & Oates in their early days, long before the big breakthrough in the 1980s. This boxset is for the true devotee. There are clips on the first and second CDs from such early albums as the silver one, Abandoned Luncheonette, War Babies...a lot of great music that came before "Kiss on My List." I think fans from the 80s on may not enjoy this as much, or else they'll get a really good schooling on how deep the talent of these two men runs. It's a joy to hear those earlier songs, and now that I'm much older, I finally appreciate the intricacy of those lyrics! BTW I got my boxset about a week ago and have already played it about a dozen times. I cannot stop listening to it.

I think this box set is the "Essential" Hall & Oates collection as the tracks were handpicked by them and not the record company. Some people are disappointed at some exclusions, but how can you put a 40 year music career on one box set?

Marigold Sky will be remixed and re-released next year (according to Daryl) and I can't wait to hear the end result as it is one of the most underrated Hall & Oates CDs, but at least I have the original until that happens.

As a fan, I feel privileged to be able to still follow Hall & Oates, through CDs and going to concerts and they never disappoint me, but living in the UK you are a bit out of it. I did buy the Box Set through Amazon UK, but the bonus disc was not included as it with the QVC US release, so had to order one from there as well, although the duty on ordering from the US is rather crippling.

Still, all worth it in them end!

DarylHall4Ever

My review for this box set is essentially the same as the one I already did but since I have this particular set with the live disc, I'm repeating it here. The only addition is that the live CD is really a must-have for die-hard fans.

An almost PERFECT box set from the best artists in the business. Daryl Hall & John Oates have been consistently outstanding since day one and age and time hasn't slowed them down a bit.

This set spans their entire career from Temple University days in the mid-60's to today. To the completest type of fans as I am, there would be plenty of songs to add to this outstanding set such as songs from the "Beauty on A Back Street" album, "Marigold Sky" and maybe even their Christmas album. However, to fans who just know them as prolific hit makers, do yourself a favor and get a good pair of headphones to go with this set. You'll need it in order to appreciate them even more.

The 60-page booklet that goes along with this set is a must-have as it is. There's an entry for every song plus commentary from other artists who admire Daryl & John's talent. Sit back, put those headphones on so you don't miss a note and read the booklet as you listen. It's a great experience. I'm only through Disc 1 as I'm writing this.

Bonus material includes previously released live tracks and some studio tracks that have not been released until now.

The quality of the music is flawless. Even the live tracks have a very transparent quality to them with good presence. It's easy to see why they're in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Track List:

1. Maneater 4:40
2. It's A Laugh 4:44
3. Private Eyes 3:54
4. Say It Isn't So 6:40
5. One On One 6:47
6. I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) 10:31
7. Out of Touch 4:05
8. Rich Girl 3:43

As a full-out Hall and Oates geek for years, but also a big music and entertainment fan and professional, I call this set a "10." But here's where the question arises: why a box set? To whom is this directed?

Well, there are a few answers and the track listings successfully cover all the bases.

First, there are the fans crazy enough to fork over another lump of money for songs they have three copies of already (that would be me). For our effort and long-time support, we're treated with a number of rare live tracks ("Lady Rain" and the first concert series is AMAZING) and some unreleased and REALLY cool tracks ("Don't Go Out" is bizarre and awesome, "All The Way From Philadelphia" has been a fave since I got a copy in the early 00s, and "Storm Warning," which I've obsessed over hearing since I heard it was recorded and dropped from the 1990 album, is better than most of the album on which it was supposed to be included!). Now, the crazy fans are pointing out things like "No tracks from 1977's 'Beauty On A Backstreet' or 'Marigold Sky' or Daryl Hall's solo stuff..." Yeah. Hall and Oates decided what was going to make this box set and they famously have disassociated themselves with "Beauty On A Backstreet" - a lackluster album at best. "Marigold Sky" was released as an independent album and - while I do think it's one of their best albums - this box is only material that Sony owns. And finally re: Hall's solo work: IT'S CALLED THE MUSIC OF DARYL HALL AND JOHN OATES!!!! TOGETHER!!!

Next, the "newbies." Much has been written recently about some younger groups loving the work of Hall and Oates: Death Cab For Cutie, Travis McCoy, anybody who watched "1000 Days Of Summer" etc etc etc. For anybody not afraid to drop their "I'm too cool for Hall and Oates" or those too young to know that they're SUPPOSED to be "too cool for Hall and Oates," this is a great box. ALL of the big hits, album tracks that SHOULD have been singles (I still can't figure out why "I'm In Pieces" isn't on this box), and live versions that outshine the original recordings.

Finally, to the press and rock critics - who Daryl Hall has long complained have not taken him seriously. ("Complained" is being kind...... from the liner notes, his sizable ego takes up much space and while he doesn't whine as much in the notes, his other printed interviews online show how bitter he really is.) That being said, and while I have long since stopped caring what other people think about my choice of music or film, I still think these guys HAVE been overlooked. With this set, the long-cliched phrase "most successful duo in history" comes into better focus - they were successful because they're great songwriters and musicians. They're adaptable, savvy, and incredibly talented. I remember starting a petition in junior high to get these guys onto the Walk of Fame....... X number of years later, they're still not in the RNR Hall of Fame. That's just somebody being stupid. This box acts almost as a resume and list of chart numbers and awards goading and daring critics and press to ignore it. Admittedly, it comes in the midst of a few years where Hall and Oates HAVE been getting recognized by getting the star on the Walk of Fame, inducted into the Songwriting Hall of Fame, BMI Awards, etc.

So really, while I'm not a big collector of box sets, I know what I like and I've read a number of critical reviews online where most people seem to tout this as one of the best box sets ever. I don't disagree. There's something for the casual fan, crazed fanatic, music historian, and, of course, the dance floor.

Plus, an end to my confusion about one of my favorite lines from "Adult Education": "The high point of low school is getting outta there; the low point of high school's the WATCH and wear."

Across the last 3 decades, Hall & Oates fans have had to put up with the occasional half-assed "Best Of" CD with so-so sound and a slew of very expensive Japanese imports for their huge canon of albums and 40-years-plus career. All of that piecemeal approach ends with this superlatively musical and beautiful sounding 4CD retrospective.

There's so much on here, so let's detail the nuts and bolts first - USA released 13 October 2009, RCA/Legacy 88697 36974 2 breaks down as follows:

Disc 1, 1966 to 1977, 20 tracks, 78:12 minutes - features 11 album cuts, 3 rare USA-only 7 singles and 6 Previously Unreleased tracks
Disc 2, 1975 to 1980. 20 tracks, 78:59 minutes - features 16 album cuts, 1 rare 7" Mix and 3 Previously Unreleased tracks
Disc 3, 1980 to 1985, 18 tracks, 80:00 minutes - features 14 album cuts, 2 rare 7" single versions, 1 rare 12" Mix and 1 Previously Unreleased Track
Disc 4, 1988 to 2009, 16 tracks, 78:17 minutes - features 6 album cuts, 1 rare CD single mix, 1 old song reworking and 8 Previously Unreleased versions
(I've provided a full track list breakdown in the 'comment' section attached to this review).

The first thing that hits you (apart from the superlatively annotated booklet with reminiscences on every song by the duo) is the SOUND. I've raved about VIC ANESINI remasters before (The Jayhawks, Stevie Ray Vaughan) and his transfers here are fabulous - warm, clear and never too pushed on the treble front. Every track is a revelation to me. The sonic hit off "She's Gone" is just amazing - it'll put chills on your arms. Then there's the parade of hit-after-hit that is shockingly impressive - "Wait For Me", "Out Of Touch" and "Do It For Love".

But better than that are the albums cuts that finally get to shine - "August Day", "You Make My Dreams" (lyrics above), "Your Imagination", "Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid" and "Keep On Pushin' Love" - gems that deserve rediscovery. The unreleased stuff is admittedly not exactly bulging at the seams, but what they've chosen is actually worth inclusion. The "Have You Ever Been In Love" demo is superb - while their molecular-level love of Soul Music shines through with their inclusion of classy covers by The O'Jays ("Me And Mrs. Jones") and The Mad Lads ("I Want Someone"). And the box set's title song "Do What You Want, Be What You Are" is given an awesome 2007 live going over that show these white Philly dudes have more soul in their little fingers than most people do in their entire bodies. Pretty impressive stuff...

Niggles - fans will immediately notice that two huge favourites "When The Morning Comes" and "Everytime You Go Away" are represented here by 'live' versions and not their beloved studio originals - but I'd defend the choices. The 1975 version of "When The Morning Comes" features a rare 'duo-only' live setting and its intimacy is just lovely - while the 9:30 minutes version of "Everytime You Go Away" features a churchy organ feel and is fabulously fleshed out with Acapella passages that elicit a genuinely thrilled response from the Japanese audience. I can see why they were chosen. The same applies to the beautiful Phillip Mitchell song "Starting All Over Again" - Hall has chosen a live version, but he's done so because it somehow has the depth it deserves this way.

Omissions - there's a great soulful exclusive on the 1999 soundtrack to "Runaway Bride" called "And That's What Hurts" - and it really should be on here (perfect box set material). There's nothing from the "Marigold Sky" album (1997) and 2005's covers set "Our Kind Of Soul" had 3 new songs, one of which was the blindingly good "Don't Turn Your Back On Me" - again a no-show. There's not enough from the wonderful "Change Of Season" album either and of course no solo stuff. Still - and I must stress this - what's on here is the business.

Since 2009 Daryl Hall has become something of an Internet hero with his stunning "Live From Daryl's House" broadcasts - they feature him and invited musical pals going through Hall & Oates back catalogue with sidesteps into other favourite songs too. It features a band professionally set up in his living room with chitty-chatty clips in between. Check out soulful YouTube clips of "Pick Up The Pieces" with Alan Gorrie from the Average White Band, "Can We Still Be Friends" with Todd Rundgren, "Something To Talk About" (a Bonnie Raitt cover) and "Black Horse And A Cherry Tree" with KT Tunstall and "Cruel To Be Kind" with Nick Lowe. And prepare yourself to be quietly blown away.

To sum up - for most people a simple "Best Of" would probably suffice, but I'd urge to dig deeper into your pocket. This Box Set is an impressive body of work - superbly presented, well thought out and beautifully mastered. This 'kiss' from the most successful pop duo of all time (like the best things in life) deserves to be put high on your 'list'. And don't let those Eighties clothing choices put you off either.

Honestly - sometimes you just need a shoulder-pad and a big hairdo. Way to go boys...

As a long time H&O fan, I wasn't sure what to expect out of this box set as I have all of their albums and thought I had heard all of their songs. To my surprise, I found this box set to be an extremely well thought out and personal overview of their work.

For the casual fan, this is a great way to expand their knowledge of the duo without having to go out and buy their entire catalog. For the "superfan," it's a great trip down memory lane, with some new gems thrown in.

The liner notes "book" is also extremely well written. I love the fact that we hear Daryl and John's voices regarding the overviews of the songs and finally get to know the history "behind the songs."

I find this box set one of the best ever created--a must have for any music fan!!

I've been a H&O fan since 1975 and have seen them over 20 times in concert. So when I read a box set of their music was to be released I said to myself, FINALLY! All and all it's a fantastic set. Yes, there are many missing tracks I wished were included here from the "Bigger than the both of us", "Beauty on a Backstreet", "Along the Red Ledge", "X-Static" albums & one of my favorite oldie H&O song, "I Want To Know You For A Long Time." Nothing is ever perfect, right? Still, it's a great tribute to an amazing duo and their fabulous musical career.

I rarely write reviews unless the product is really bad and I want to shy people away from it, or REALLY GOOD as thankfully it is for this package.

Something I appreciate is good sound quality especially in these compilations. I was unimpressed with the brickwalling in my previous "Essentials" H&O 2CD set from 2004/2005 timeframe. I was quite impressed however with this box set. The sound has been updated without brickwalling and thankfully the mastering has not been a casualty of the "loudness wars". Kudos to Sony Legacy. Please keep it this way for future pop/rock releases!

Daryl Hall and John Oates are perhaps the most under-rated musical act ever. If people would look past their string of hits (and horrible music videos of the 80s), there is a treasure trove of amazing songs in every genre imaginable spanning the entire length of their career. Most of their best work was never released as single material, and the uninitiated new or casual fan will find this boxed set to be essential listening.