Customer Reviews

Home & Away-the Complete Recordings 1960-70

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bear Family Records (as only they can do it) has presented us with the ultimate Del Shannon package...a gorgeously prepared feast for eyes and ears ! Rock historian Brian C. Young provides an in-depth bio of this great pioneer of rock, along with a detailed "sessionography," many rare and previously unseen photos, foreign record covers and other long dreamed-of delights. The musical magic consists of 8 CDs...6 CDs of fully-finished studio tracks, including several never-before-released gems, and 2 CDs of ultra-rare "demos"...one from Del's pre-"Runaway" days and a second that covers the final years covered by this package (1960-1970). This boxed set is absolutely not to missed by any fan of Del's or student of rock history. Del Shannon was an enormous star, outside the USA, but never got his "propers" here until finally being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This lavish and loving set sets the record straight and lets one and all know of the many wonders that made Del such a revered figure among "those cats that know."

Like the other reviewers, I agree that this marvelous box set has almost everything...but there's still a few problems. Fans of Del Shannon understand that some (or all) of the Bigtop tapes are missing, but the otherwise excellent book does not go into any detail about them.

Also, the entire "Handy Man" LP, the first he recorded for Amy is also mono....I thought there was stereo tapes for them.

"Stand Up" and "The House Where Nobody Lives", two amazing track that first appeared in STEREO on the deleted "The Liberty Years" CD are mono here...why?

The Dunhill singles are mono too...why?

By all rights, the set should've ended with the amazing Dave Edmunds' single of "And The Music Plays On"...missing here.

I'm happy to have it, but there's still some unanswered questions.

For years I've been buying supposedly newly found versions of the early and mid hits of Del in stereo. First, 'Runaway' appeared. Later, 'Hat's Off to Larry' finally was released in stereo form. However, the next set of songs - namely 'So Long Baby', 'I Won't Be There' and many more are still only being released in mono form. Unfortunately, when you look at the track info, it is very deceptive, because some cuts are tagged as (mono), some (stereo) and many with no designation whatsoever. Thus, I give this compilation 4 stars for offering many, many tracks. I also subtract 1 star because the songs I really want to acquire in stereo are still not here. Very disappointing...

I recently purchased Del Shannons "Home & Away" as a gift. I have since listened to many of the tracks and was overwhelmed - just fantastic. If you are a Del Shannon fan I recommend this set of CD's. The additional material provided is also terrific and despite the reasonably high cost of purchase it is worth every cent. It was so tragic that this great performer passed away so young.

multi disc box set contains all of Del Shannon's 1960s recordings for all labels

plus earliest demo recordings

huge hardback book

Del Shannon had a wonderful collection of hit records in the early and mid 1960s. He was an outstanding singer and writer who managed to satisfy hard rock 'n' roll and teen idol fans alike. The instrumentation and arrangements in his hit records demonstrate a musical sophistication not expected from this kind of music. This CD box set tells Del's complete musical story during his first decade as a recording artist.

If enough copies of this CD box set sell, it will increase the likelihood of a second CD box set that would take up where this one leaves off.