Customer Reviews

Sandbox - Mark Sandman Original Music

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This set far exceeds any expectations I had of it. With every listen, more and more songs stick in my head. So many of these tracks would have been standouts on any Morphine or THR release. I can't always tell which tracks were done with which band, but disc one seems to be a Morphine centered album, while disc 2 is largely focused on Sandman's other projects. Being a fan of Morphine who's only given a little time to THR, I've been giving more attention to disc one which features a lot of really great tracks, especially Tomorrow and Justine. There are a lot of other Sandman projects represented in this set as well. Only one or two tracks seem out of place to me, but still do well if only as a picture of some other sides of Sandman's work.
The DVD is also a real treat featuring even more unreleased songs from concert footage and some rare footage of earlier projects performing at the Middle East and elsewhere. There are also a lot of interview clips from the Morphine era that really let the personality of Sandman shine through.
A lot more can be said about this collection to be sure and I'm still finding new things with each listen. Definitely pick this up. If you're a Sandman fan who might have wondered if a collection like this would be up to par with what you already know, I can guarantee that you will be pleased.

Picked this up just last night - simply unbelievable. Always a huge Morphine and Treat Her Right fan, I had no idea that a posthumous collection could be so coherent, of such quality, and such a valid piece of work that stands on its own.

This is no hodgepodge of studio leftovers, remixes and beyond-the-grave recordings. This is a significant artistic expression, like a multimedia biography of Mark Sandman. He, and all his creative outpourings, are treated with great respect and insight.

From the music, artwork, interviews, live concert footage, lost videos, and packaging, this CD/DVD (for lack of a better word, it's something beyond that) fascinates me. I would love to see more artists retrospectives done in similar fashion.

And let's get back to the music. It's excellent, and in excellent condition. This is NOT an album just for diehards.

I want to thank Dana Colley and Billy Conway (and all who were involved in this project) - not only have you given fans a special gift, but you've opened the door for many more people to enjoy this.

I just got this today, and I LOVE IT... it shows all the different moods of mark sandman. This album is a good definition of what he had left to say before he left this world. The dvd is very good as well, has a lot of footage that is extremely rare. The only thing I have to complain about it, and maybe I just can't find it on the DVD, is it lists "Moveable Bubble" with the songs "the Night" and "You Look Like Rain" on it... but I can't find it ANYWHERE on the dvd... well hopefully someone can help me out with that. Other than that... MUST HAVE for ALL morphine fans!

I bought this mainly to see Mark on stage since I never got the chance while he was around. But I got much much more. The CDs are classic albums on their own (these songs are not reconditioned B sides) and the DVD does indeed give you a glimpse into Mark's personality, presence, and open-mindedness. What an amazing guy!

Thank you everyone who made this possible!

This is such a wonderful tribute to Mark Sandman. Thanks so much to the people who had a hand in putting this collection together. I am thoroughly astounded by the scope of this montage, and hope that another disc/dvd collection will someday be available to the public. Anyone who appreciates THR or Morphine will be happy to have this. Just watching the DVD brought tears to my eyes. As they say, "only the good die young".

There is more, so much more. Dana and Billy submitted a 4 CD box set to Ryko over a year ago. Its sitting somewhere, on a shelf. Sandbox is brilliant. Mark was brilliant and continues to shine with every release.

In an age of marketing driven music where talent & musicianship are second to "good looks & or great choreography," it's refreshing to see a talent such as Mark Sandman's being recognized. I had the opportunity to see Morphine several times in Washington, DC in the early nineties. Needless to say, I was hooked....what a great unique sound! This Boxset does not dissapoint! As a true hardcore Morphine/Treat Her Right/Mark Sandman fan w/ all the unofficial releases & bootlegs, etc. I could find this Boxset is by far the most awe inspiring & comprehensive retrospective I have seen in years. You did Mark Sandman Justice!

Kudos to all involved in bringing this Boxset to light....thanks for the great music & musicianship by all who were involed!

This album is an act of pure love. Love for Mark, love for the fans, love for the music. There's no way to tell what was on the tapes before Dana, Billy, and company went to work, but the results are magnificent. The songs are excellent; the music has passion and grace. Everything is in perfect taste, and so tasty.

I keep playing "Tomorrow" over and over. Mark sounds so present, and so happy. John Medeski's (or is it Mark's?) piano gives the song a lovely, slightly dissonant structure.

"Imaginary Song" is heartbreaking, the voice of a ghost.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in creating "Sandbox"! Sometimes tears are good...

I've been a huge fan of Morphine and Treat Her Right for years. However, I'm the kind of person that listens to something that they like over and over again rather than researching the band/artist to find more works. Hence, I didn't know about this posthumous collection until my current Boyfriend told me about it a few years ago. We've owned if for a little over a year now, and I have to say, like most of Sandman's work, this album just gets better every time I listen to it. Some of the work is reminiscent of Morphine, some of Treat Her Right, and some is distinctly Sandman sans either band. The compilation thoroughly covers the range of Sandman's talent and reveals the vast number of artists which influenced his work.

In addition to the audio tracks, artwork and interviews are included. Sandman Fans will not be disappointed with Sandbox.

Sadly, by the time I ever heard of Morphine, Mark Sandman had already past away, dying too young for reasons that I've never seen too clearly (a heart attack? Mark Sandman died of a f***ing heart attack?).
But now, as a tribute to a man who couldn't stop working, couldn't stop playing that fine music, we have this set of two Cds and a DVD. The Cds are wonderful, tracking his recordings and demos from previous bands (Treat Her Right, Hypnosonics, and more) and solo efforts. Every song is packed with a down low blues, dripping with sex.
The DVD is great, mixing live shows with low budget music videos, showing a single and solitary vision that Sandman was only begining to solidify. His interviews are wonderful. He was quiet, direct, and hated doing interviews (at least from what I could tell). Everyone should own this. Do you like Norah Jones? Buy this. Do you like Eric Clapton? Buy this. Pantera? Buy This.
Get the point?