So, What's In The Box?

[Uncle Obscure]

Over the years, some really terrific (and some not so terrific) BOX SETS have been released. Many are now long out of print and command high prices in the used aftermarket. The chances of these sets getting re-released grows dimmer by the day. Since many of us won't get the opportunity to acquire some of these gems, I thought a thread about the innards of these boxes might be in order. Which box sets are your favorites and why?

 

[Uncle Obscure]

I'll start off with one of my favorites...The STIFF Records Box Set.

This thing is an absolute class act. Released in 1992, it does a fabulous job of chronicling the history of the label and highlighting some of STIFF's biggest and best hits. There's a needle-drop or two along the way, but otherwise this is a completely authoritative overview of what makes a stiff a STIFF. You can still occasionally find this box for cheap and it comes highly recommended.

 

[atrocity]

I'll start off with one of my favorites...The STIFF Records Box Set.

This thing is an absolute class act. Released in 1992, it does a fabulous job of chronicling the history of the label and highlighting some of STIFF's biggest and best hits. There's a needle-drop or two along the way, but otherwise this is a completely authoritative overview of what makes a stiff a STIFF. You can still occasionally find this box for cheap and it comes highly recommended.

Yes! I remember going to Tower Records in San Francisco with a friend one morning, seeing that box and being very excited. Grabbed it without a second thought, prompting my friend to smirk and unironically call me "a good consumer." I haven't had any contact with him in decades, but that's probably the most-played boxed set in my library.

 

[DuncanS]

I was given this back in '76 by a friend (sadly not signed), she was helping Stiff with publicity (she was working in A&R for another label at the time!). A great single.

 

[Tres Discrete]

I'll start off with one of my favorites...The STIFF Records Box Set.

This thing is an absolute class act. Released in 1992, it does a fabulous job of chronicling the history of the label and highlighting some of STIFF's biggest and best hits. There's a needle-drop or two along the way, but otherwise this is a completely authoritative overview of what makes a stiff a STIFF. You can still occasionally find this box for cheap and it comes highly recommended.

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That’s a beauty. Have it, but haven’t listened to it in ages.
You have inspired me to do so

 

[Tres Discrete]

Gotta love this one… “Motown’s Complete #1’s”…the packaging is great, and the track list is staggering…

N.B. - the original Hitsville USA building is now a museum - I’ve been (twice!) and highly recommend it

 

[barfle]

The Chicago quadio set is, according to discogs, the highest-valued part of my collection that I have entered into the site. I also have the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” set, Harry Chapin’s “Story of a Life,” the Motown “Hitsville” collection, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks “Complete 2000 year-Old-Man” set, and Anette Funicello’s “America’s Sweetheart” box.

 

[Uncle Obscure]

The Chicago quadio set is, according to discogs, the highest-valued part of my collection that I have entered into the site. I also have the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” set, Harry Chapin’s “Story of a Life,” the Motown “Hitsville” collection, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks “Complete 2000 year-Old-Man” set, and Anette Funicello’s “America’s Sweetheart” box.

I keep hoping against hope that with the success of RHINO's recent Quadio program, they reissue the Chicago Quadio Box. I missed it the first time around and would love to have it, but the $500 or so that it currently goes for is out of my price range.

 

[Michael Marshall]

Wh

I keep hoping against hope that with the success of RHINO's recent Quadio program, they reissue the Chicago Quadio Box. I missed it the first time around and would love to have it, but the $500 or so that it currently goes for is out of my price range.

When items on the secondary market reach monthly "car payment" levels, I pass too!

 

[Uncle Obscure]

For those of you who'd like to dabble into the STIFF Records catalog, here is another newer, and more affordable, box set that is easier to find. THE BIG STIFF BOX SET (2007) from Salvo covers a a lot of the same ground, although the track list is different enough that I decided to buy it as a companion box (YMMV.) The mastering is solid to very good, but I still tend to prefer the sound of the older RHINO box. Here again, YMMV. Still, this set is a really good value and it's a cost effective way to get a whole lot of STIFFS for a great price!

 

[Uncle Obscure]

Here's a bonus STIFF post.

This is an original authentic BE-STIFF Route 78 Tour pin...

And, an official Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True album promo button...

 

[Tres Discrete]

This one goes to 11
Also was the perfect size to perch my iPad on top of when working from home during the pandemic

 

[Quad Linda]

Where do I begin? There are literally hundreds of the damn things. I've no clue which are the most collectible, since I don't check auction listings.

OK, perhaps my most cherished thing is on vinyl. Along with its' release, we had a sales contest from Mobile Fidelity. Won it and over 100 other 1/2 speed titles.

The Collection - Beatles MoFi 14 LP & Geo Disc (alignment disc)
same LP's as UK The Collection blue LP box w/o Rarities
MoFi adds MMT LP

https://www.discogs.com/release/2914755-The-Beatles-The-Collection

photos:

https://www.discogs.com/release/2914755-The-Beatles-The-Collection/image/SW1hZ2U6Mjc4OTk0NTY=


Supertramp - A&M Compact Disc Collection
10 CD "bull's-eye era" German box collected albums

https://www.discogs.com/release/14461392-Supertramp-The-Compact-Disc-Collection


Bob Dylan Revisited 16 SACD box

https://www.discogs.com/release/563...ue-Series-The-Limited-Edition-Hybrid-SACD-Set


Complete Columbia Albums - Miles Davis 70 CD/1 DVD-V

https://www.discogs.com/release/2019307-Miles-Davis-The-Complete-Columbia-Album-Collection

 

[Uncle Obscure]

Where do I begin? There are literally hundreds of the damn things. I've no clue which are the most collectible, since I don't check auction listings.

OK, perhaps my most cherished thing is on vinyl. Along with its' release, we had a sales contest from Mobile Fidelity. Won it and over 100 other 1/2 speed titles.

The Collection - Beatles MoFi 14 LP & Geo Disc (alignment disc)
same LP's as UK The Collection blue LP box w/o Rarities
MoFi adds MMT LP

https://www.discogs.com/release/2914755-The-Beatles-The-Collection

photos:

https://www.discogs.com/release/2914755-The-Beatles-The-Collection/image/SW1hZ2U6Mjc4OTk0NTY=


Supertramp - A&M Compact Disc Collection
10 CD "bull's-eye era" German box collected albums

https://www.discogs.com/release/14461392-Supertramp-The-Compact-Disc-Collection


Bob Dylan Revisited 16 SACD box

https://www.discogs.com/release/563...ue-Series-The-Limited-Edition-Hybrid-SACD-Set


Complete Columbia Albums - Miles Davis 70 CD/1 DVD-V

https://www.discogs.com/release/2019307-Miles-Davis-The-Complete-Columbia-Album-Collection

That Miles Davis box set...hot damn! It looks amazing. Well done!

 

[Quad Linda]

Let the Good Times Roll - Louis Jordan German Bear Family 9 CD
complete Decca recordings
first issue 8 CD & 1 LP
later issue 9 CD

https://www.discogs.com/release/11639845-Louis-Jordan-Let-The-Good-Times-Roll-1938-1954


US Singles Collection 1962-5 - Beach Boys 16 CD

https://www.discogs.com/release/334...ingles-Collection-The-Capitol-Years-1962-1965


Wumme Years - Faust German 5 CD

https://www.discogs.com/release/675576-Faust-The-Wümme-Years-1970-73


The Prestige Recordings - Coltrane 16 CD

https://www.discogs.com/release/7534729-John-Coltrane-The-Prestige-Recordings