Here is my list of favorite box sets of 2023: All mine are CD box sets, so I can't comment on any vinyl counterparts. 1. The Who - Who's Next | Life House SDE 10-CD, 1-Blu-ray Box Set. - This is just fantastic. Not only that the original album was always a top 10 album of all time for me, but the extra content of this set confirms it. Unlike some people, I'm not bothered by the mix of the live content, especially the San Francisco show because I had never heard any previous illegal bootlegs of it (I don't believe in them.) So this box was the first time I ever heard the show. I think the performance is fantastic despite the mix/sound of it. The Young Vic show was also the first time I heard that despite being previously released on the 2003 deluxe edition of the album (I never bought that.) But, for me, all the sessions, outtakes, singles, Pete's demos, etc. were the music highlights of this box along with Steven Wilson's Atmos & 5.1 mixes of the main album and 14 extra tracks from the set on the Blu-ray. The book is great too with all the essays, photos and track-by-track descriptions of each song on each disc. And if you are into graphic novels, the Life House graphic novel is nice too. Some memorabilia is also included, including some posters, program booklets and band pins. This box is very sturdy too and packaged well (though, the buttons caused some people trouble by pressing against too hard against some of the posters, puncturing holes in them. I was lucky that mine was fine. To be safe, I took the buttons out of the box. The Who Sell Out SDE box set from a couple years ago was fantastic also, but I think this one is even better. 2. Elvis Presley - Elvis On Tour 50th Anniversary 6-CD, 1-Blu-ray - 4 complete shows from concerts that were used to make the Elvis On Tour film. Most of the shows here are released for the first time. On the other 2 discs are the recorded rehearsals from Hollywood before Elvis embarked on tour. The Blu-ray is just the Elvis On Tour film. Nice booklet is included with rare photos and essays. Most Elvis fans would be happy with this set. 3. Prince - Diamonds And Pearls SDE 7-CD, 1-Blu-ray. The Box set is just as impressive as the Sign O' The Times Box Set from a few years ago. Nice slip case box and book with great essays, rare photos, and track-by-track descriptions of each song. Even though I prefer Prince's '80s music over anything else he's done, this set is nice. All the extra content from the vault discs and singles mixes and edits made me appreciate the original album more than I did back when it was released. Some of the vault tracks could've easily been put on the main album in place of some of the weaker tracks from the main album if Prince chose to do so. What makes all these Prince SDE box sets great is all the material he had in the vault and never released. The Glam Slam live show included on the live discs is fantastic too. On the Blu-ray are the videos of some of the songs from the album, along with a live performance from the Special Olympics (and one from the soundcheck the day before) and the live Glam Slam concert. There is also a separate standalone Blu-ray audio release not part of the box that contains the Atmos and HD versions of the main album. Note: This box would probably be my number 2 box set of the year if only I originally enjoyed the original album back when it was released. 4. Van Halen - The Collection II 5-CD. This set is now my goto set to hear these Sammy Hagar-fronted albums. The remasters on the CDs are great and are improvements over the original CDs. Still going to hold onto my original CDs (and vinyl,) but when I want to hear these albums, I will just pull out this set. All 4 Sammy albums are the first 4 discs and the 5th disc contains 8 extra songs that weren't on the original vinyl albums or that were recorded during a reunion and put on later compilations. 5. Dokken - The Elektra Albums 1983-1987 4-CD Limited Edition Box Set. Their first 4 albums, which were during their Elektra years have been remastered.....Breaking The Chains, Tooth And Nail, Under Lock And Key, and Back For The Attack. These albums have not sounded better. The remastering done on these is fantastic. Even though there are no extras included in this set, the remastering job done makes it well worth it. Also, for me, I had never owned any of these 4 albums on CD before and only had Tooth And Nail and Under Lock And Key on vinyl. 6. The Doors - Live At The Matrix 1967 - The Original Masters 3-CD.... Note that this might be a cheat, but I'm counting it. The vinyl counterpart is definitely a box set. The CD set is just a digipack since they can fit more on CDs than Vinyl discs, thus causing the Vinyl version to have many discs. But regardless of semantics, it is great that they finally released this 15 years after acquiring the tapes (Of course they tried to pull the wool over our eyes in 2008 by releasing substandard 2-CD incomplete release that was mastered from generational tape copies.) So, very grateful to have the real deal here along with hearing them perform some songs that weren't on any other live releases over the years. 7. U2 - Songs Of Surrender 4-CD Limited Numbered Edition Box Set - For me, I think it's great they did this little project. Are they better than the original songs? Definitely not. But it's nice to hear different interpretations/takes of 40 songs from their catalog, most being acoustic and/or softer takes than the originals. If one is in a somber/laid back mood, listening to these versions could be soothing, as opposed to the originals. 8.Elvis Presley - Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite 50th Anniversary 3-CD, 1-Blu-ray Deluxe Edition Box Set. This set must be the 6th or 7th version I own of this historic concert. First CD is the original concert newly remixed, the second CD is the rehearsal concert and the third CD is the bonus songs he recorded after the show but didn't perform during the concert. The Blu-ray is the video of the performances. Nice booklet is included with lots of photos, essays and description. 9. The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds 1-CD, 1-Blu-ray Limited Edition Box Set - I'm going to say this now. When I state my top 10 albums of 2023, Hackney Diamonds is my #1. For a single album just released, this box set is very nice, containing a nice booklet with photos, essays, quotes from Mick, Keith and Ronnie, and track-by-track descriptions of each song. Also, includes a memorabilia sticker. The Atmos mix of the album is fantastic if you have the correct setup for Atmos. If not, you can down sample it to 2.0 stereo (if you have the correct equipment and software to do it.) The Atmos mix puts the standard mix/master to shame. It also puts the Hi-res versions of the album to shame. Audiophiles would love the Atmos mix compared to the CD (and Vinyl) mix if they haven't heard it yet. Despite the loudness/compression on the standard mix/mastering used for the CD, Vinyl and Hi-Res versions, it's still a great album. 10. Motley Crue - Crucial Crue (The Studio Album 1981-1989) Limited Edition 5-CD box set. Long time fans who have everything from Motley Crue will not be impressed with this set because this set brings nothing new to the table. No extras and no new remasters (uses previous remasters.) But for someone like me, who never owned any of their first 5 album on CD, it's great to finally have them on CD. Also, I only had their first 3 albums on Vinyl. The other 2 albums I never owned and only had the best songs from those 2 albums on various compilations over the years. Another turn off for long time fans who have everything is that they weren't even creative in the naming of this set. They had an older set called Crucial Crue from 2003 also. They could've put some effort into giving it a unique name for this 2023 release.
Love the Stephen Wilson compilation of 1980s tracks. Completely opened my eyes to a world of great music that I'd not attended to. Stunningly presented
Hi Mazzy, thanks for cluing me into the INTRIGUE comp. During the punk era onwards, I listened to & recorded John Peel's BBC late night FM radio show. By '85 I had 20 C90s of great music. So for me, Intrigue is pure musical nostalgia!
I'm a Box Set guy too. I have the Neil Young Set and the Billy Bragg. But my No.1 Box Set of 2023 is The Who: Who's Next (Limited Super Deluxe Edition). The Pete Townshend Lifehouse Demos are so good in very good Sound Quality. The Who's next book and the second book "The Lifehouse Graphic Novel" are soooo good. 🖖
Totally agree on Fragments. It’s my all-time favourite Dylan release (speaking as someone who has seen the man in concert more than 50 times). I now think of Time Out Of Mind as an 8 LP album, the outtakes are that essential. A unique release in Bob’s (or anyone else’s) canon. Greetings from London Mazzy, thanks for all the entertainment this year!
I noticed the Steve Wilson box on release but didn’t explore. Heard about half of it today driving around. What a great selection! Definitely exploring a purchase.
Such a wonderful, mind-expanding list. I especially enjoy the Bob Dylan (of course), Replacements, and Neil Young entries. My personal favorite box of 2023 is John Zorn's Masada 10 cd box of the original band Masada comprised of Dave Douglas, John Zorn, Joey Baron, and Greg Cohen. Monumental music from the early to mid 1990's. Looking forward to more lists. Thanks, Mazzy.
I bought them individually upon original release. You're gonna love the Zorn set. Stack them upright in order and the spines form a mountain scape. That band played with fire.
Great to see Billy Bragg in there - I am off to see him live next week here in the UK. Fragments is a masterpiece and is rightly number one! Take care mazzy.
These are archives of studio quality vocal piano / guitar outtakes, intimate live performances, new songs and ones that would show up much later. They sound fabulous - very moving. Songs full formed before the band other musicians join the fray. Not the Asylum Years studio box - studio records and Live album.
Thanks for the ‘Intrigue’ sighting. Gorgeous art piece. Also, completely concur with Frangments and Budokan! Impatiently waiting for my vinyl set to arrive from across the sea. That will be a day of Dylan ala Heaven’s Door bourbon! Mazzy makes us happy…
My fave Box-Set of 2023 is "Over-Nite Sensation" of Frank Zappa. Only on CD, but nevertheless so satisfying and so much completely different mixes. A shout out to George Duke who get's much more funky time on the alternative versions.
Good piece... life is too short to listen to everything however. Funny that you mentioned that you only had one multi-artist box set...you actually had two. In addition to that Stephen Wilson eighties compilation, the Watts Stax concert is also very much a multi-artist set and that's the one I would be most interested in of all the ones you listed (Albert King's performance at that concert was phenomenal and I'm sure the whole concert is great). I already have all the Miles Davis stuff in that box on LP and, in most cases, on CD as well so I couldn't really justify having third or even fourth copies of those records even if the sound is better. At some point I have to admit I have enough Miles (well over 60 LPs and at least 120 CDs if you add up the individual discs in box sets like Plugged Nickel or Cellar Door or Complete Jack Johnson Sessions or... etc.). Record collecting is an obsession, but I'm sure you already know that.
all of those sets are great, but the one so close to my heart. is the Wilson box. i was a DJ at CJSW u of c Calgary. and radio CORA at that time a small cable station. so much fun!
Yes! The Steven Wilson set is excellent! And I didn't know about the David Sylvian box well found Mazzy 😳 The Who box set of Lifehouse is my favourite box set! Nice video Mazzy
Great list of some pretty beautiful box sets! Huge Billy Bragg fan... so that set looks amazing. I listened to "Bitches Brew" for the VERY FIRST TIME earlier this year and I was blown away... I was listening to it while driving... and it has this incredible film noir kind of feeling about it. My first thought was: "If an alien came down to Earth and asked what day and night were... I'd give them THE BEACH BOYS "Pets Sounds" to represent day and MILES DAVIS "Bitches Brew" to represent night. Maybe it sounds weird... but that was my first (and lasting) impression. ...and that Dylan set looks incredible. (I'm still collecting his albums.. one at a time... and trying to catch up... lol!) Cheers!
Fantastic, Norman, great video. You had two multi-artist sets, btw. You referred to the Steven Wilson box as the only multi-artist set, but the Wattstax one was different artists too, of course. I have a few of these sets and you’ve inspired me to check out some of the others.
Great to see two of my favorite bands in there, GD and the Replacements, as well as Billy Bragg, and In a Silent Way is my favorite Miles album as well. Nice list.
I have those 4 Neil on cd. That was a great era for Neil and how I really got into him. I'd add Harvest Moon too bc that was a masterpiece that came out about the same time.
An interesting list of boxsets . I look forward to exploring the David Sylvian and Intrigue box sets . A couple of my favourite box sets from this year are : Robert Palmer : The Island Records Years , with wonderful sound , and all of his great albums from Sneakin’ Sally through to Riptide . He always surrounded himself with great musicians , including the likes of Little Feat , The Meters , Gary Numan , and the Brecker Brothers . Also , Jethro Tull : Broadsword and the Beast . Ian Anderson seems to have an almost endless supply of quality unreleased songs . Many of the them are often as good as , or even better than , the songs that make it onto the albums . They also have a lot of alternate versions of album tracks that are worth hearing . Thank you for the recommendations !
I had to get the David Sylvian boxset and it is the ultimate artefact. He has hinted at further vinyl coming next year, I do hope that the Nine Horses will be included.
Interesting video on your 10 favorite box sets I was surprised The Who’s fabulous 10 CDS. Lifehouse Whos Next box didn’t make the list All of the extra material makes it my favorite but I am a big fan of The WHO
Love your numbers one and two. I have to agree with others suggesting the Life House box should see a spot on a top ten list of 2023. How great would it be to see a release of a first volume of Dylan’s live work over the past 30 years. Thanks for the great content.
Diamonds & Pearls is on my Christmas list. I might get the cd version due to space limitations + the standalone vinyl. The Sylvian set is a beauty. Miles & Dylan are amazing sets. And the Neil Young set is tempting since I don’t own those albums. I think we’re gonna need a bigger apartment. 😂
I love these 'Top 10 .....' videos, in the majority of cases my tastes are different to the reviewers and I won't be adding to my small collection, but every now and again something pops up and I go Wow!!!, didn't know about that being released need to pick that up. Sadly this time there were no wow moments but nevertheless a thoroughly enjoyable video, looking forward to seeing what other Top 10's you come up with this month. Thanks for doing these.
Not new. Maybe 15 years old. I have two of these (Borsalino's); I guess they are seasonal. Fall & winter hats. I know that sounds so pretentious. So it goes !!
From the brief view of the Steven Wilson boxset it appears that he must have checked out my vinyl collection before compile it. The Section 25 megamix is monster of a track but you probably know that already
I understand the value of having different takes of a song, outtakes, demos and studio chatter for iconic albums… but, especially on vinyl, to em it doesn’t really make sense to own all that stuff. As with every super deluxe vinyl box set I’ve ever purchased, I always end up listening to those sorts of “bonus tracks” once and then never again. Outside of the main album disc and the 7” of “Rain,” I haven’t even touched the other discs in my Revolver box since I got it a year ago. It might have been better if they had mixed up the track list on the bonus disc so you weren’t listening to 5 takes of “I’m Only Sleeping” back to back.
I’m interested in the Intrigue box set, I do have lots of the late seventies titles and early eighties material. The box set art looks really good. I passed on the Soul Summer concert. I saw the movie on PBS when it was originally released, good quality footage but some of the performances didn’t cut for me including Sly Stone. Compare that performance to the Woodstock Sly set and it’s like night and day, maybe that was the problem, performing in the afternoon.
Love The Who. Always a cat and mouse game of FOMO. They want to cash in first. I'll wait 1 year, maybe they'll slash it by 30% - 50%. The Beatles 'Let It Be' box set took a big cut after 1 year.
You know, I do love the Grateful Dead and I have like a frigg'n TON of their concerts on my HDD's, mostly in FLAC if I can get it. But, they are a singular group where, yes, even if the source may not be the very best, hey if it is live Grateful Dead and the show is good, then it truly doesn't matter (they are about the only group I make exception for this) But, with that said, AND even though I feel the box sets for the 1969 27th and 28th are absolutely FANTASTIC! I was listening to the 3/2 concert and for me personally the performance just didn't really do much for me. I listened to my favourites like Dark Star and The Other One from that night, and you know, for me I thought the playing, the guitar tone, etc., just was not even close to being up to the 27th and the 28th. So, I passed on this latest one. I was really bummed because I frigg'n *LOVE* the other two. I guess for my 'taste', such as it is, I'm just really particular about which albums/performances I like by them. Hey man, when they are 'ON', they are bloody awesome! But, other times, I don't know if it is maybe because I play the guitar and compose (using both terms VERY loosely) but, sometimes it just leaves me cold. Also, FWIW, I only really like their early Psychedelic stuff and their later Terrapin Station era stuff. About 1970 or so, it's like they totally dumped the Psychedelia and just went for what to me is a VERY pedestrian bar-band/country style that I just find mind-numbingly boring (for the most part, not everything) But man, Terrapin Station is absolutely one of my *VERY* favourite albums ever! I would say that out of my 2500+ vinyl albums and my 8000+ or so FLAC albums, Terrapin Station is probably easily in my top 20 albums of all time! Sorry to go Mr. Mazzy, but man, I just LOVE these guys when they are doing stuff that I like! 😁 Hmmm... That 'Intrigue' set does indeed sound genuinely, forgive me, quite intriguing... Kitchen of Distinction...? WOW! I have one of their albums that I picked up like 20-30 years ago when we used to enjoy trolling all the used record stores in the San Diego area. Man, there were a lot of good ones back then! I'd grab all these albums that I knew absolutely NOTHING about that looked interesting, Psychedelic, or I liked the group name or song names, or I liked the covers. I'd always buy a bunch of those each time for around $2 - $5. And, what's really interesting is that somehow, I don't know some subconscious intuition or something, but usually I ended up really liking almost all of them! Anyway, fascinating groups in that collection. The Shaman, Gary Numan, This Mortal Coil, Cocteau Twins, The Specials, great stuff! Probably won't be able to afford the vinyl as lovely as it is, but I'll see if I can at least snag the FLAC version, thanks! 👍 Miles frigg'n *RULZ* Bro! Bitches Brew & In a Silent Way, best ever! Got the MFSL and some nice sounding imports of the others that sound fine. But, frigg'n LOVELY set! If I were a wealthy fellow (like some people *cough... 😁) I'd LOVE to drop $400 on this, but no need... Lovely video, thank you Sir!
Gotta get the WattStax - Bar-Kays, Carla Thomas. The Intrigue Box introduced me to some smaller gems - In Camera, 23 Skidoo, Crispy Ambulence. I believe you mentioned that Live Evil was the one that you didn't have prior to this Miles box. Have you shared your thoughts on that one? It's a favorite.
Great list. I didn't pick up any box sets this year so this is a nice synopsis of future pick ups potentially. Also box set farts are my favorite, thank you Neil Young for making a fartable box.
I enjoyed your list greatly, even though you YT'ers are always on about Dylan & Miles-- that's just the way it is! I have David Sylvian's *Gone to Earth* LP set & it does show a very special side of '80's progressive music, with Fripp & Bill Nelson guesting. (Bill Nelson is another artist who does multiple albums every year, giving Neil Young some competition.) I'm saving up for the Camel box set, which is, like David Letterman said about the giant doorknob prop, "just too big!" But I need to hear *Snow Goose* in surround 😎
I’m curious to know whether the three nights The Grateful Dead played at The Avalon directly prior to the four nights at The Fillmore West, which like those Fillmore shows were also recorded on 16 track tape, will eventually be released.
The Dead. I never thought Bob could sing and Jerry noodled. Just my opinion. And for a concert over 2 hours long you will need a spare drummer. They kind of ended up captive to their fans. Don't you think? I like the debut.
Not sure you're aware of this one Mazzy: 'The Complete Obscure Records Collection 1975-1978' (10 x lp), Diologo (Italy). I had been hoping that someone would do this. Everything including 'Discreet Music', in the original covers, in a clothbound cover that includes a beautiful softcover book w/ interviews and photos. I plan to listen to some of this on the weekend, and hope that the vinyl is quiet...
MY HAT should be stated when you're lifting your hat game that many levels....now i'm back to see what you have to say about billy bragg, bob dylan and the replacements!
Will have to check out Prince Joni Archives 3 you need both cd and lp I held off on buying the Miles as I had all but the last 2, originals, boxes, metal spines and MoFi 45 Well on Veterans Day VMP did a 40% off sale and I bit. It’s fabulous quality. Just cleaned and ready to spin. The box is now sold out but keep your eyes open Intrigue looks interesting - which Gang of Four tune?
Of course I’ll sissy’s do what I want. These are the best that I’ve heard this year. Even talk g about click bait sort of becomes click bait. I’m here for the music and to have fun with it. I hope viewers do too whether they agree or not. Some folks take it all too seriously.
@@mazzysmusic ha ha touche! BTW, I was not being serious. Love your channel. And wanted to thank you for the Sam records pointer, got the Big Bill Broonzie records and they are WONDERFUL! Keep up the great work.
This makes my wallet hurt. But how many discs have to be included for something to be considered a "box set" -- and does there have to be an actual, physical box? I'm thinking of the terrific 2023 double-disc Pharoah Sanders "Pharoah" box, which includes the original 1977 release and a second disc devoted to a live version of "Harvest Time" in a nice box. Also this year, Craft/Riverside put out a three-disc Wes Montgomery set ("The Complete Full House Recordings")... but it's in a triple gatefold sleeve, not a box! Help!
The Pharaoh IS great. It’s getting me into spiritual jazz. Just beautiful. And a beautifully put together box and contents, clearly done with so much love. Well worth the fifty quid they are asking, grab one before it disappears back into the ether.
🙄Mazzy went to great pains to say that these were HIS choice of 10 best box sets of 2023 and yet you still get folk telling him of sets that he should have included.😆
