Here's todays entry in our ongoing run down of Top 10 box sets...



#2 - Singles Collection: The London Years by The Rolling Stones (1989)




This 3-disc box set gathers together the A-sides and B-sides of every 7" single that the Rolling Stones released between 1963 and 1971 – all presented in their proper '60s mono mixes (except for 6 or 7 later tracks, which were issued in stereo). The timeframe covered by this set is when the band were signed to Decca/London Records, hence the collection's subtitle.

By presenting all of the band's singles in chronological order, this set makes for an exhilarating listening experience, as each classic hit and lesser-heard B-side stacks up to illustrate the Stones' relentless evolution from R&B purists, through their experiments with Baroque pop and psychedelia, and finally to the blues and country-tinged rock of the final disc. Personally, I've always felt that the Stones' early albums were a little patchy (certainly up until 1968's Beggar's Banquet), so viewing the band through the prism of their singles is perhaps a better way to appreciate their brilliance. They were, after all, one of the great singles bands, as this set amply demonstrates.

But the thing I really love about this compilation – other than it being chock-full of great music, I mean – is that it carries the spirit of mid-60s Swinging London like nothing else. I've talked earlier in this thread about music that makes you feel nostalgic for a time that you've never known, and this is absolutely one of those collections for me.


Here's the Stones' version of the Lennon/McCartney song "I Wanna Be Your Man", which – even as a massive Beatles fan – I have to admit blows the Beatles' version out of the water…




And here's "Child of the Moon", the B-side of "Jumpin' Jack Flash", in all its drugged-up, late-60s mono glory…

While I've never been a huge Stones fan, I really like what Mick Taylor brought to them and so I'm kind of into that era. This looks like a a great set overall though, and speaking of "Jumpin' Jack Flash", an absolute favorite to perform. Nice choice!

OK, finishing up my Top 10 favourite box sets. It's been great fun doing this, guys...



#1 - The Sun Records Collection by Various Artists (1994)




This is actually one of two 3 CD box sets of Sun Records recordings that I own. Surprisingly, there is very little crossover in the song selection between the two sets – which only goes to show how many quality recordings Sam Philips' label put out in the '50s and early '60s. Of the two sets, Rhino's The Sun Records Collection is by far the best, especially if you are only in the market for one Sun box set.

Running to 74 tracks, this set collects all the key rockabilly and rock 'n' roll recordings that you'd expect from the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison etc. But it also focuses on the slightly earlier blues sides that Philips cut with such legends as Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Sleepy John Estes, Rufus Thomas etc. There are also some lesser-known acts here too, and the music from these slightly less well-known musicians is almost always top notch.

There's an earthiness and an honesty to the music that Philips recorded at Sun Studios that I love. The blues recordings here sound as raw and thick as Mississippi mud, while the slightly later rockabilly material has a taught sexuality to it. Overall, this is just a killer box set if you're at all interested in this kind of music. Across its three discs, it provides an excellent overview of a record label that played a pivotal role in the birth of popular music as we know it.


Here's "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston, one of the earliest jump blues records Sam Philips recorded at Sun (though it was issued on Chess)…




And here's Elvis Presley doing "Mystery Train", which is probably my favourite Elvis record…

Good call.  I'm not the biggest fan of Atkins but he was a formative figure in country music.  

I've mentioned a number of times that I'm overall pretty tired of what is now termed "classic rock."  The Stones are one of the few exceptions of that rule.  I probably don't need to own this but it definitely needs a listen.