Customer Reviews

Original Album Classics

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

 

 

For a while now I've seen these "Original Album Classics" import mini-sets multiplying on the internet, made by Sony Music (mine is copyrighted 2009 by Sony Music Entertainment, but there's no mention of SONY/BMG!??), featuring five albums by their artists, housed in cardboard mini-album replicas within an outer box. Some of these sets contain albums previously unavailable on CD, or CD's only availible in the past on other reissue labels or pricey imports. Not many reviews have appeared, and the one that I had read on their Mahavishnu Orchestra set scared me away, with complaints of shoddy packaging, typos, etc. Being an old fan of BS&T however, and interested in 3 of the 5 albums within the set (BS&T 3, BS&T 4 and NEW BLOOD) that are only currently available in either ancient original or current remastered but prohibitively priced versions, I took the plunge when I saw this advertised for only $23! The verdict is as follows: The individual mini-sleeves are reproduced fairly well, but 4 of the 5 albums originally were in gatefold sleeves, whereas all within are single pocketed, with no inserts, or booklets. On the back of the outer box, which is fairly sturdy and also laminated, there is an advertised link which stated, "For full album credits go to www.musicmadesimple.info." Unfortunately, when I went to said site, there was no info listed for this particular set. This lack of booklets or liners seems to be a new trend, the same thing happened when i purchased the new SAM & DAVE DVD on the HISTORIC MUSIC/Hip-O/Universal label, although according to a review on Amazon.com, our European neighbors received the beautiful, detailed, colour booklet. As for the music itself, I am happy to report that all the CD's sounded great. The 1st two, CHILD IS FATHER... and BS&T had the bonus tracks from when they were previously released and remastered. BS&T 3, BS&T 4 and NEW BLOOD to my ears were remastered as well, possibly done previously when licensed to other companies, just a guess. So the bottom line is, if you are just interested in the music itself, and can live without professional art reproduction and lack of any information that isn't microscopically reproduced on the mini-sleeves, you'll probably be satisfied. Others will just have to wait and hope that the albums that are currently unavailable elsewhere will be released separately in the future, or spend the extra money on those available on pricier versions......

This was a fantastic purchase as it allowed me to finally complete my collection of all Blood Sweat & Tears albums. There are many fantastic "deep" tracks as well as all of their hits. I had forgotten how talented this band was, especially in their heyday. A must purchase for all fans of BS&T or jazz rock!!

A five cd set of the music of the Jazz/Rock Horn Band of the 60's and 70's. Great music, skillfully remastered. Clarity and quality is excellent.

This was the set I was looking for. It has every song I was wanting and it's fairly well packaged. I was a fan of this group as well as Chicago and really was glad that they put out a collection of their songs in one set like this. I once had the pleasure of recording a group very like BS&T and this brings back memories of those days. Great buy!!!

(Blood, Sweat & Tears: Original CD Album Classics) - The first five - count'em... "5" albums!
and at least the overall quality is decent.
By what the scope shows, I would guess at 1990's remastering specs. Would I buy them again if they get the 21st century technology working for them? Probably not, even though I'm sure the Bose would light up like the newer Heart, Foreigner, Beatles, etc. remasters make it glow with audio never heard before.
(21st century remastering is so good, you can now hear John Lennon's cussing! Huh? Where? Hint: listen close to the Let It Be soundtrack - and you don't even need the Bose headsets).

For many of us the purpose of purchasing such collections is that the music brings back memories of yesteryear.

Covers and liner notes are second only to the music in our memories. For Sony to package such classics in a cardboard sleeve and leave it purchaser to download the liner notes is unacceptable. I would rather pay a couple of extra dollars for them to include the liner notes.

If you really want the music purchase the mp3 download instead because there is not advantage of ordering the CD.

I will never again purchase a Sony Original Album Classics Collection Set.