Box sets where the first disc is the best

[jazzbo]

Just for fun. . . what box sets do you consider fall into this category: the first disc is the best.

Here are a few in my opinion:

Pretenders: Pirate Radio

Elvis Presley: The King Of Rock: The Complete 50's Masters

Duke Ellington: The Complete Reprise Recordings

[John L]

Clifford Brown on Emarcy

Dexter Gordon on Blue Note

Miles Davis Second Quintet

Bud Powell on Verve

Sam Rivers Mosaic

[Big Al]

Jimmy Smith Mosaic

Sam Rivers Mosaic

Cool thread idea!

Edited May 24, 2007 by Big Al

[Uncle Skid]

Gerald Wilson Mosaic

[John Tapscott]

Thad Jones - Mel Lewis Complete Solid State Recordings (mosaic), mainly because it includes their first (and IMO ,best recording). But that's not to put the rest of the set down. This set is certainly among my top five Mosaics and may even be #1.

[Shawn]

Black Sabbath - Black Box 1970 - 1978

Sorry Lon, I couldn't resist!

[Shawn]

But seriously...

Blue Mitchell Mosaic!

[David Ayers]

Doesn't the first disk usually carry that extra thrill... until you settle down and realise you have seven or eight disks that sound nearly all the same...

[sal]

Randy Weston Mosaic Select.

[sal]

Gotta add the Elvin Jones Mosaic as well. LOVE those trio sides with Joe Farrell.

[Unk]

My first reaction was "the first disc of every (chronological) set is the best". Stepping back a bit, I do tend to favor the young (spirited? uninhibited? exploring?) artist over the more mature. I'd call it a strong tendency. But there are both countervailing forces (e.g., improvements in sound recording technology, emerging musical styles) and exceptions (I'm trying to think of one).

Often, though, box sets cover relatively short periods of a performer's career. I'd agree with the mention of Sam Rivers' Mosaic as a 'great first disc'.

[Noj]

Santana - Dance Of The Rainbow Serpent

[Shawn]

Santana - Dance Of The Rainbow Serpent

Agreed! Awesome disc!

[GA Russell]

Shorty Rogers Mosaic

agree with Miles Davis 65-68

[BruceH]

Nuggets II

But I find if it's a three-disc comp. of a single artist, I usually favor the second, or middle, disc.

[J Larsen]

Doubt we'll see many nominations for the VU box...

[Adam]

The Byrds box, whatever it's called.

[sidewinder]

Thad Jones - Mel Lewis Complete Solid State Recordings (mosaic), mainly because it includes their first (and IMO ,best recording). But that's not to put the rest of the set down. This set is certainly among my top five Mosaics and may even be #1.

Very much my first thought. That first disk is superlative. But so is the rest of the set...

[danasgoodstuff]

Know what cha mean 'bout that first VU disc with all them demo's but may be we could apply special numbering and call it disc '0' 'cause zero is what it's worth and it's kinda before the beginning and I can't believe they put that shit on but couldn't findroom for "Melody Laughter" at full length (btw, what's a good source?)...

Other first disc is the deepest - the Rhino Doo Wop I & II (III I might like disc 2, the shoulda been hits best)

The band's Musical History, disc 1 coulda been with a little editing, it's still the most varied/interesting...

[B. Clugston]

"Complete" Bitches Brew

Document: New Music From Russia on Leo

[Kalo]

Nuggets II

But I find if it's a three-disc comp. of a single artist, I usually favor the second, or middle, disc.

And then the third disc starts off OK and then slides way, way down...

[LAL]

Gerald Wilson Mosaic

[Bluerein]

Complete Kenny Cox Blue Note recordings. By far the best of his output is on the first disc.

[jazzbo]

[Big Al]

Bobby Hutcherson Select, but that's only because I'm enjoying disc one so much I haven't yet made it to the other two!