Incredible super deluxe packaging comes with a gatefold media carrier that contains a 180 gram single-LP pressing on blue vinyl, two discs complete with previously unreleased tracks along with a bonus DVD (NTSC/Region 0). ... more »Also included is a 60-page 12x12 book, memorabilia envelope, and large fold out poster.« less
Incredible super deluxe packaging comes with a gatefold media carrier that contains a 180 gram single-LP pressing on blue vinyl, two discs complete with previously unreleased tracks along with a bonus DVD (NTSC/Region 0). Also included is a 60-page 12x12 book, memorabilia envelope, and large fold out poster.
CD Reviews
Great collection of material but bad packaging...
L. Griffin | 09/30/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Most people know what is included in this box set so I won't get into details on that. The hardback book is great, the six 8x10 photos are nice, and the blue vinyl is outstanding!
So why two stars?
Both cds and the dvd are scratched beyond belief because of the horrible packaging. The record and discs are both held in the record gatefold. Opening the gatefold, the inside left side is designed like the back of the record jacket and the record is held in that side of the gatefold. On the right hand inside are three slits in the cardboard that hold the discs. The bottom half of the discs slide into the cardboard while the top half is exposed. I cringed when I saw this. Taking all three discs out as carefully as I could, all three have deep scratches on them. To get discs in this quality from a brand new $75+ set is not right. No care was taken into protecting these discs at all.
This is probably going to be a common problem so I hope Sony will give out replacement discs but you'll still have to keep them in seperate jewel cases if you want to keep them protected from damage."
Miles Davis-Kind of Blue-50th Anniversary Edition
Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 10/01/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Everyone who loves good jazz or music in general will know this album,so just a quick note on the quality of the discs. Perhaps I was lucky but my three discs were all right. The DVD had a slight mark in one spot,however it too was ok. The audio discs were fine. However I can't believe that the brains at Sony couldn't find a better way to package the three discs,instead of slipping them bare into a half cardboard sleeve. My 180 gram vinyl record was also in good shape. I have transferred the three discs into traditional plastic cases for protection. The book is very handsome and is well done. The poster is ok-nothing to get excited over. The photo reprints are nice as is the copy of the hand written album notes by Bill Evans. I still think this set is a bit on the expensive side,considering that this album has reaped a ton of profit. For Davis and jazz collectors it will be a "must buy". For everyone else,maybe the price will come down in the future."
Beautiful package, but not much new music
whoopycat | Des Moines, IA United States | 10/30/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First off, the packaging of this set is flat out gorgeous. From the blue vinyl... to the book... to the photographs... to the reproduced artifacts... to the slipcase, this release truly is a collector item. So if you REALLY love the album (and by that I mean not just the music but everything about it from the artwork to Bill Evans' liner notes on down), you will not be disappointed.
That said there is not much in the way of new material here. The false starts and studio dialog really add nothing for the casual-to-mid-level listener. There is a cool live take of "So What", but it's not worth dropping a Benjamin for. I haven't watched the dvd yet, but it sounds like from other reviews that it may be the same one included with the DualDisc version. So if you REALLY need to hear new material to justify the purchase of this set, you will be disappointed.
In summary I would recommend buying this if:
a) you read and enjoyed Ashley Kahn's book about the album
b) you have a turntable."
Still waiting for the ultimate Kind of Blue release!
A. P. Van Kampen | krommenie, Netherlands | 03/07/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Let me first point out that this project was ambitious enough, that the music is still great after 50 years.
But what could this box set have been, when it was done with the ambition to make all errors from the past up?
So why did Sony/Columbia NOT give us the entire, uncut and complete studiosequences, with all tracks in the order they were recorded, and all false starts and studio chatter?
It really does NOT make sense to release the tracks, and after that only a selection of the studio chatter and false starts.
There is no connection between what was happening in the studio and the music, and that's why you give this studio chatter, etc., for in the first place.
This Special Edition is compiled for true collectors of Miles' music and lovers of this great record "Kind of Blue".
These collectors and lovers have, you might expect, already one, maybe more releases of the album at home.
So they are looking for something they don't have, and hope that all the errors and mysteries are solved with this release.
From the several Japanese releases we know that it is possible to release the complete two sessions as they were recorded in 1959, so why did Sony NOT release those?
The most interesting music of the other recordings during that time was most certainly the television broadcast "The Sound of Miles Davis" recorded between the two sessions of Kind of Blue.
Certainly "So What" of these sessions is the most interesting track, since here we can hear how this fine track sounds with pianist Wynton Kelly, instead of Bill Evans, and Cannonball Adderley (who was ill) replaced by three trombones.
This track is much more interesting than the version of "So What" recorded much later in Amsterdam. (and I am from the Netherlands).
Why give us a blue vinyl record in this box set?
It's only a gimmick that was already done before, but NOT for real collector's.
The poster is most certainly intented for those who are still having a room full of popstars hanging around, and the material on the DVD was also already released completely.
That leaves only the book, and to be honest the book is nice, has great pictures, but has several errors and leaves so many questions open.
Questions about:
- The speed error of side A.
- The mix up about the switch of the tracks on Side B.
- The correct recordingdata, and why that was corrected by Sony in the first place on The Master Sound Edition of 1992 by Amy Herot.
I think Columbia Legacy has something to explain. Because in 1992 the recording date for the second session was changed to April 6, 1959.
Mind you the first time we got "corrected speed".
- Who wrote what of "Kind of Blue"?
We all know that the liner notes from Bill Evans are not correct, but did nobody see there are two handwritings on the original handwritten liners of Bill?
He left the titles out, and when Macero took over from Towsend and asked Miles for it, he gave the wrong titles!
Why? Because Bill Evans wrote all the sketches, and maybe he also wrote all music, and inveted the titles, including that of the record, also.
Problem with all those questions and books around Miles and Kind of Blue: they are all written by Miles Davis fans.
Miles "used" music from others before, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson can tell, Gil Evans, Jimmy Heath, Charlie Mingus, etc., etc., and most certainly Bill Evans too.
I really like Ashley Kahn's book, certainly far better than the other, but he stops with his research when it is at its most interesting point.
On several cards and memo's you can see Bill's handwriting too.
Even on Townsend memo's.
We know he came to Miles home several times to arrange for these sessions, even on the morning of the first session, we know he wrote certainly at least two tunes, we know he did all sketches, we know.........
But here all research stops.
I am not impressed by Miles excuses that he wrote "Donna Lee" and Charlie Parker stole that away from him.
That's no excuse to give Bill Evans laughing $ 25! An insult.
After all Miles could hardly play "Donna Lee", he did it just once and it was too difficult for him.
So how on earth can you compose a tune that is too difficult to play yourself?
This box was THE oportunity to deal with all the questions that still surround that wonderful music.
But it did NOT, and with all respect it should.
The truth should come out, and Bill Evans should finally have the credits he deserved 50 years ago.
This story alone is like a thriller, and I hope that the makers of a film about Miles will deal with all these unsolved mysteries.
When such a film is released I sure hope Sony or Columbia will come up with a complete box set.
This time with all errors explained, all studio chatter, false start, and all music released the way it was recorded on those two sessions, and of course with the correct data.
This record, this music and the musical legacy of all musicians involved, deserve just that.
And all jazzlovers, like you and me, too.
Arnold van Kampen, writer about jazz, Netherlands.
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1