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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2013
This box set is essential for any fan of The Band.
It collects the released performances from "Rock Of Ages" 1972 album and 2001 reissue on Discs 1 & 2. These are the same takes from those titles, but newly remixed by Robbie Robertson and Bob Clearmountain. For the original mix of "Rock Of Ages", Mobile Fidelity's SACD is the absolute best option. But this box set's remixes offer much improved sound over the original mix, as great as it was. The difference in sound is comparable to the original "Last Waltz" issue vs. the remixed 2002 box set. So basically, the soundstage is way wider and spread out, the instruments are all clearer and more dynamic, and the Clearmountain mixes attempt to present the takes in the best sound quality updated technology can provide.
The complete New Year's Eve show, as mixed by Sebastian Robertson, is on Discs 3 & 4. This mix is different from Clearmountain's: instead of a super polished mix, the sound is raw, immediate and without any unneccesary tricks or frills. Clear and well mixed vocals, thick and supple drums/bass, piano and guitar left/right, and organ left and center. It is a wonderful mix to hear this show like you're in the audience and the soundmen are doing a fantastic job. Also note that this complete New Year's Eve show does repeat some songs from the first two discs. Those takes were selected as the "best" of the run, and of course they would also appear in their proper place in the original show. BUT, contrary to what many people are thinking, the New Year's Eve show only has 7 repeated/previously released tracks (not including Dylan).
Both mixes have a more natural, balanced mix of the horn section, which was a common complaint from some over the years. The hardcover book fits perfectly with A Musical History (W/DVD) , featuring a beautiful collection of photos throughout 48 pages. The DVD contains footage of two tracks: "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" and "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show". The video of "Don't Do It" is found on MUSICAL HISTORY, for a total of 3 video tracks from these shows. All of these elements combine to make this an absolutely essential release for true fans of THE BAND!
It collects the released performances from "Rock Of Ages" 1972 album and 2001 reissue on Discs 1 & 2. These are the same takes from those titles, but newly remixed by Robbie Robertson and Bob Clearmountain. For the original mix of "Rock Of Ages", Mobile Fidelity's SACD is the absolute best option. But this box set's remixes offer much improved sound over the original mix, as great as it was. The difference in sound is comparable to the original "Last Waltz" issue vs. the remixed 2002 box set. So basically, the soundstage is way wider and spread out, the instruments are all clearer and more dynamic, and the Clearmountain mixes attempt to present the takes in the best sound quality updated technology can provide.
The complete New Year's Eve show, as mixed by Sebastian Robertson, is on Discs 3 & 4. This mix is different from Clearmountain's: instead of a super polished mix, the sound is raw, immediate and without any unneccesary tricks or frills. Clear and well mixed vocals, thick and supple drums/bass, piano and guitar left/right, and organ left and center. It is a wonderful mix to hear this show like you're in the audience and the soundmen are doing a fantastic job. Also note that this complete New Year's Eve show does repeat some songs from the first two discs. Those takes were selected as the "best" of the run, and of course they would also appear in their proper place in the original show. BUT, contrary to what many people are thinking, the New Year's Eve show only has 7 repeated/previously released tracks (not including Dylan).
Both mixes have a more natural, balanced mix of the horn section, which was a common complaint from some over the years. The hardcover book fits perfectly with A Musical History (W/DVD) , featuring a beautiful collection of photos throughout 48 pages. The DVD contains footage of two tracks: "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" and "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show". The video of "Don't Do It" is found on MUSICAL HISTORY, for a total of 3 video tracks from these shows. All of these elements combine to make this an absolutely essential release for true fans of THE BAND!
