A Gift Guide to Box Sets

[Ron S]

A far-ranging survey of new box sets in a wide variety of genres:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20...boxed_sets.html

He REALLY likes the Crosby Mosaic:

Bing Crosby The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings, 1954-1956 (Mosaic ****) Has there ever been a more relaxed singer than Bing Crosby? Listening to this jazzy 160-song set, which features Der Bingle effortlessly swinging through the Great American Songbook with energetic and inventive keyboard whiz Buddy Cole and his trio, leads one to conclude that the answer is no. The great majority of these sides have never been released, and the sound quality and quality of Crosby's performances, from "The Nearness of You" to "Try a Little Tenderness," are impressively high throughout. Outstanding. (7 CDs, $119.)

[Brad]

Thanks for the link. Some of those Rhino boxes look inviting.

[ejp626]

Ok, now I have to apologize for thinking the Miles Davis set was the most ridiculous thing I had ever seen.

Yo-Yo Ma 30 Years Outside the Box (Sony Classical ***1/2) No questions about quality here: Cellist Ma thoroughly deserves his superstar status and few have recorded so much great music with such fine collaborators. However, those most likely to appreciate Ma's complete recordings in this highly attractive box will already have many of them. And will any single consumer embrace Ma's excursions into film soundtracks and ethnic music (that also fill the two bonus discs)? Also, no Ma discography is truly complete without his very first commercial recording - Finzi's splendid Cello Concerto for Lyrita, which is missing here. (90 CDs, $789.98.)

Really?!? 90CDs, nearly $800, in this economy? It appears to come in 3 shoeboxes, instead of the normal 1. The price is moving much closer to $600 (or $500 used). But still...

However, I would disagree with the reviewer. I can't imagine that many people would have 90 CDs by Yo-Yo Ma just laying around. 20 or 30, perhaps.

[AllenLowe]

well, I think it depends whether you prefer the thin Yo Yo or the fat Yo Yo.

[Tjazz]

I'll pay $100 for the Yo Yo Ma box set.

[Dave James]

I caved on The Doors New York box a few days ago. FWIW, I have to disagree with the reviewer's characterization of Val Kilmer's Morrison as being "fey". It struck me as reasonably solid especially when you consider that he did his own vocals.

[Dave Garrett]

well, I think it depends whether you prefer the thin Yo Yo or the fat Yo Yo.

As a fan of Captain Beefheart, I prefer the low Yo Yo.

[JSngry]

I paid eight hundred bucks for yo' mama's box set.

[ejp626]

I paid eight hundred bucks for yo' mama's box set.

Yeah, but who mastered it first?

[Dave James]

well, I think it depends whether you prefer the thin Yo Yo or the fat Yo Yo.

As a fan of Captain Beefheart, I prefer the low Yo Yo.

Low Yo Yo Stuff. Don Van Vleit. El Capitano. Yes!

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I paid eight hundred bucks for yo' mama's box set.

I paid 6/8d for "Annie get your yo-yo"

MG

[Brad]

Here's another list, a little similar to the first.

[Dave James]

I think the Duncan company is missing a bet. They could release an upscale edition of their signature product called the Yo Yo Yo Yo. It could have Mr. Ma's image on both sides of the contraption or, if they really wanted to push the envelope, his face on one side and the back of his head on the other. Another million dollar idea courtesy of Lonesome Dave. No applause is necessary.

[John L]

I paid eight hundred bucks for yo' mama's box set.

You know why you paid that much? Yo mama's box set was so fat that they had to send it by freight, in a separate train car.

[Ron S]

Thanks for crappin' on my thread, Dudes.

Just for that, I've cancelled the Yo Yo Ma box sets I had ordered for each and every one of you.

[Brad]

Thanks for crappin' on my thread, Dudes.

Just for that, I've cancelled the Yo Yo Ma box sets I had ordered for each and every one of you.

"Oh, Ma!"