Blue Oyster Cult - Box Set - Video Review
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- The Columbia Albums Collection CD Box Set (2012)
16 CDs + 1 DVD - 40 page Booklet + 4 Live Concerts (download)
Many of the albums come with extra tracks. The Remastering is stunning especially on 'On Your Feet Or On Your Knees' and 'Imaginos"
It comes in a nice sturdy, glossy box and includes all the albums from the first one right through to Imaginos and also some discs with some Rarities on as well. It's quite expensive now. I managed to get it for about £50, but it really is worth tracking down if you're a Blue Oyster Cult Fan or want to really get a good feel for the band from the beginning of their career.
The box set also comes with something which is unique to this box, which is four live concerts which you can download using a code, you're only allowed to do it once.
The discs themselves all come in little miniature vinyl sleeves. The first album is what is known as the black-and-white period because they were all in black and white. Tyranny and Mutation, which has tracks on it like Hot Rails To Hell and the studio version of 7 Screaming Diz-Busters.
The first real classic album is Secret Treaties from 1974. A lot of the tracks on this album still appear in their live set, so Astronomy, Harvester of Eyes, Dominance and Submission, Subhuman, Career of Evil. These are all classic tracks, and the remastering is very good.
Talking of the remastering, that brings me to this. One of the definitive live double albums from the 1970s released in 1975. On Your Feet or On Your Knees by the Blue Oyster Cult is a classic double album. It's warts and all. It's a bit rough around the edges, I've got this on vinyl and the first issued CD, but this, the remastering on this particular version is absolutely stunning. When you hear The Last Days of May and the actual guitar sound on Harvester of Eyes, Subhuman, and 7 Screaming Dix-Busters, it's just absolutely phenomenal. To me, it was worth buying the box for the remastered version of this album. It really is that good. This summed up the whole of that black-and-white period, those first few albums. This is classic Blue Oyster Cult.
Then they became famous with Don't Fear the Reaper from the album Agents of Fortune, which I have to say comes with a little mini gatefold sleeve, but it didn't really do that much for me. I kind of never really engaged with this album that much. Obviously, I like that track, Don't Fear the Reaper, but it was the album after that, Spectres, where I really, really felt that the Cult were worth following. This has got some great tracks on it, Godzilla, Golden Age of Leather, R. U. Ready to Rock, and the absolutely emotive song about a vampire called I Love the Night and Nosferatu, absolutely brilliant track. The bonus tracks on Spectres are also very, very good.
Then comes another live album called Some Enchanted Evening. This comes with a DVD from the tour, so this is a double set. This comes with lots of extra tracks because the original album was a single album. They've enlarged it to be a double live album with the DVD. The DVD is worth watching historically, but to me, it's not quite as good as On Your Feet or On Your Knees, but it does sum up tracks from Spectres and Don't Fear the Reaper period.
Then with the resurgence of heavy metal in the UK, they came back with this, Cultosaurus Erectus, which has got some good tracks on it, The Marshall Plan and Black Blade.
Then they strayed more into AOR territory with Fire of Unknown Origin. There's some good stuff on here actually, really, really good, Veteran of the Psychic Wars. I mean what a name for a track that is and which obviously leans towards Hawkwind.
Then an album which a lot of people absolutely dismiss as being one of their worst, The Revolution By Night, but to me, this is brilliant, especially what was side one, Take Me Away, Eyes on Fire, Shooting Shark, Veins, Shadow of California. It's absolute classic to me, produced by Bruce Fairbairn. This is a fantastic Blue Oyster Cult album. It really is.
Imaginos started off as a solo album for one of them, and then it became a full-blown Blue Oyster Cult album. I've got this on vinyl, and it's way too long for vinyl. It's over a half an hour each side. I bought it on CD, and it sounds really muffled. Then this was remastered, and this version is absolutely stunning. It's got to be one of the best albums they made.
Next to On Your Feet or On Your Knees, this is really, really heavy stuff, great riffs, fantastic playing with tracks like I Am the One You Warned Me Of, In the Presence of Another World, fantastic tracks. It even has a track called Blue Oyster Cult on it. There is a new version of Astronomy on it. It's a concept album, and it really is good. This, if you can't find the box set, find this. This is classic Blue Oyster Cult. It's one of the best rock albums from the '80s as far as I'm concerned. It really is that good.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
Awesome box set, unfortunately the downloads for those 4 shows are no longer available. Interestingly enough, you can buy them on Amazon in the mp3 format for about 20 bucks. Not ideal, but at least they can still be obtained.
They are also available on Amazon UK too.
Es un gran lanzamiento, Columbia Records en ese entonces lanzaba bandas del metal como Blue Öyster Cult y Judas Priest en los 70's y 80's
BOC are prime artists for a box set and I think this would be a good purchase. I did not buy this as I had bought all the 2001 re-issues which all had the bonus material. The 2007 set of 'Some Enchanted Evening' is very good. They have not been up to much regarding new material in the last two decades. I personally thought 'The Curse of the Hidden Mirror' was dire but found the very recent 'The Symbol Remains' proved that BOC were back at their best. The latter is probably the last album they will ever make and if so, they made it a good one.
Hi Peter, the revelation for me with this box set was the remastered On Your Feet Or On Your Knees and Imaginos. Both sound incredible and far better than the original CD versions or vinyl. Phil
Blue Oyster Cult rocks forever what's the classic song says Don't Fear the Reaper I'm burning for you rock on
Thank you for watching - I am looking forward to the new BOC album! Phil
symphatique les DALEKS, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well spotted :)
I have the box too and its great. What I don't like tho is the white edge of the sleeves. It kinda bothers me. I know it should not but its does.
Hi Spino, thank you for watching! I know what you mean. I think all collectors have a little OCD. We know the vinyl versions so well that the white edges just look out of place! Phil :)
@@NowSpinningMagazine
To be honest I just got into Blue Öyster Cult. I knew some songs that I love but with this box I wanted to expand my Album collection. But yes, we collectors have some OCD's. :-D
My knowledge of BÖC was limited to Don't Fear The Reaper and when I first listened to Agents of Fortune, I wasn't that impressed but I listened to the album again and my opinion changed. I bought the 5 Classic Albums set and liked what I heard. I've bought this box set and I'm slowly working my way through it. I paid £59 for it on Amazon, which to me wasn't bad value ( it has gone up again). I like the new Ghost Stories album too.
You've just convinced me to buy this! I used to have the Original Album Classics set of their first five studio albums, but ended up selling it for some reason. All I currently own is a vinyl pressing of Tyrrany and Mutation, so really looking forward to this set, which can still be had for a good price.
Well that is very cool as this was one of my very early videos! It is still one of my favourite box sets in my collection. Phil
Imagino's was originally a solo project by Albert Bouchard.
Thank you for your comment, it is such a powerful album! - Phil
My copy is in transit.....Mirrors isn't that bad....you mentioned the Vigil and Dr. Music....you forgot I Am the Storm....Club Ninja is unlistenable....I don't remember Imaginos being that great....the reworked Astronomy doesn't come close to the original....I think Heaven Forbid and Curse of the Hidden Mirror are fantastic....alas....not on Columbia....if only.... I consider the first 3 albums classic ...thanks for the review....
Just received mine today. I ordered it based on this video. I already had the first two albums and SEE on new vinyl. Love em! So I was excited to get this box set and went straight to Mirrors. Haha! I have to say, I really enjoy that album knowing full well what it is in their catalogue. The title track is sooooo good. Anyway, I'm rambling now. Thanks Phil. This box set is a beauty and looking forward to a deep dive into this amazing band's work.
So pleased you have got this. It is one of my favourite box sets and I dig into it on a regular basis. Phil
Like I said Phil, catching up a little ! And another for the "must have " list, thank you pal !
Hi Bob, a very early video from me but as you say a must have box set. On Your Feet or On Your Knees has never sounded better! Phil :)
@@NowSpinningMagazine Phil, it's probably not a good thing that I didn't find your channel earlier, now I have a lot of catching up to do instead of pacing my buying ! Absolutely no complaints though, and what the heck, I've saved a bit of money with the lack of concerts to go to over the past couple of years, what better thing to spend it on than music. Plus this one sounds a corker, I had the original double album, and if the reworked OYFOOYK sounds even better than that, well it will be a beauty ! Thanks again pal !
Yes, - a really good Box-set - worth every Penny (or Euros in my case). I already had all original albums in both formats before. But buying this set was a brilliant idea in the end. I found it a good extra to get the download link to expand this set by adding the CDRs afterwards. BTW: Great album they added recently
Regarding the sound quality.... I also have the MFSL versions of the black and white period - theese are not better.
Hi Halo, thank you this is one of favourite CD box sets in my collection. As you say worth every penny. This was one of my early videos so glad you liked it! Phil
The Holy Grail for BOC fans. Got it on release for the later albums which were not remastered originally. Their new album The Symbol Remains is also great and worth a listen.
Hi Duane, this is still my favourite box set in my collection. I also bought it the the later albums especially Imaginos. I do think the remastering on 'On Your Feet Or On Your Knees' is just stunning as well. Thank you for watching - Phil :) NB: I am going to do a review of The Symbol Remains soon.
Daleks!
Agents of Fortune was the first album I got and was not keen either. I got further into BOC due to Don Kaye reporting in Kerrang that Secret Agents was one if his all time fave heavy metal albums. I have this set. Some of the writing credits are incorrect. The version of We Gotta Get Out of This Place Is a different version on the Some enchanted Evening CD due to a mix up. There are also two tracks missing. Substitute the Who cover is on the Promo disc for this Box Set and there is a live 70s b side which I cannot remember. I think the mix for the Club Ninja is the American version. I have the British mix and there is s Dutch mix too. I absolutely love this set and only paid £32.00 at the time.
I am going to do a series of videos on Blue Oyster Cult starting with Spectres. This will include the vinyl, CD Remaster, Tour Program and button badge. - Thank you Phil :)
What's a trainspotter?
In the UK, we use the term to describe someone who is almost OCD over details. A trainspotter in real terms is someone who collects the serial numbers of trains and travels to different stations to try and collect them all.
Bought mine (second hand though) yesterday, i seriously can't wait to hold it in my hands. Right now i enjoy my holiday and i was watching The Stand from Stephen King were the opening track was Fear The Reaper and i was sold, BOC fucking kicks ass👊😁
Hi Count, thank you for finding me and watching the video. The BOC set is one of my favourite box sets. I love the Imaginos album, the remastering is superb and On Your Feet of On Your Knees is also brilliant. Have you bought the new album yet? Phil
@@NowSpinningMagazine Hey Phil
Sorry for the late reply, by now I already have the new album nd also Curse Of The Hidden Mirror and also Heaven Forbid