Anyone got the box set...thoughts??

[Admin]

Just back from spain and the box set has arrived

Not had chance to play it yet

Just wandered if anyone had, and their thoughts??

Have heard the 1978 snippet on youtube...initial thoughts were that its too produced...same thoughts as per snippet of big time sister...but will have a good listen over the weekend.

Jim

[cmtaylor853]

Been playing CD2 non-stop. Love it.

I had the same thoughts about a few of the songs been over produced when I heard the snippets of them on youtube, but I think that that is because I was so used to hearing the live versions.

My favourite of the 'new songs' is 1978. I find it beautiful, and it really does take me back to sugg's solo stuff in a good way. Big Time Sister is another fav of mine.

The rest of the tracks are growing on me slowly, not sure about Deolali at all, I think it should have remained a Lee Thompson 'side project' track. In fact Lee Thompson has wrote on 5 out of the 7 new tracks, and you can tell, as parts of 'My Obsession', 'Crying' and 'You Can't Keep a Good Thing Down' sound very very similar, with the songs all following the same formula.

The remixes are interesting to listen to but offer nothing exciting to improve the original tracks. Although it is good hearing the full version of powder blue, especially as I never knew about the reprise. The real gems are the demos, especially Chas's which sound brilliant.

The dvd is probably one of the best madness DVD releases in years as its refreshing to see the band play a set of different songs without all the glamour you usually see in your usual Madness concert.

This is probably the best 'package' they have released on their 'Lucky 7' label. The actual product has so much more quality than the previous releases.

Bring on the next album.

[django]

Also had CD2 on repeat play. Love it. No qualms with the production for me, and I'm usually really fussy about that -it complements the original album brilliantly. Have to say that I never really took to the original Powder Blue, but I really like the alternate mix, and not just because of the added reprise.
Two great live performances, lovely book packaging adds up to a real winner. Just wish the discs weren't so hard to remove (took them out and slipped them into individuale covers.)

Great stuff.

[Admin]

Love 1978 and big time sister....powder blue and circus freaks sound fuller and clearer..

[petchy]

I only really bought this box set for disc 2; 1978 is probably the stand out track for me.