Summary:The most complete recording of the three-day 1969 music festival is available as a limited 38-disc box set (missing only two Jimi Hendrix tracks and several Sha Na Na songs not recorded), a 10-disc collections that includes at least one track from every performer and a 3-disc collection, allThe most complete recording of the three-day 1969 music festival is available as a limited 38-disc box set (missing only two Jimi Hendrix tracks and several Sha Na Na songs not recorded), a 10-disc collections that includes at least one track from every performer and a 3-disc collection, all released on the same day.…Collapse
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Record Label:Atlantic
Genre(s): Folk, Pop/Rock, Blues-Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, Political Folk, Folk-Pop, Boogie Rock, Acid Rock, AM Pop
The one negative of this project is its inaccessibility. Rhino only manufactured 1,969 box sets; each one retails at $799.98, and there are no plans to make the 38-disc version available on streaming services. For those with smaller budgets, the 10xCD version is still worthwhile. ... What the 38-disc box set succeeds at is not just righting the record, or presenting a mammoth set of live songs, but in creating an environment that effectively transports the listener to that muddy pasture in upstate New York.
Producers Andy Zax and Steve Woolard have considerably expanded available sets by Richie Havens, Sha Na Na, Janis Joplin, Mountain and dying-a-death Incredible String Band; but analysis reveals more often just adding one extra track, albiet good ones. [Aug 2019, p.90]
THE BOX SET ITSELF:
Wow. Fantastic. Most box sets I receive come in a generic "lift off lid" box with all the goodies inside. But no, theTHE BOX SET ITSELF:
Wow. Fantastic. Most box sets I receive come in a generic "lift off lid" box with all the goodies inside. But no, the design of the Woodstock box took it above and beyond by using the Woodstock stage materials as inspiration for this box. Inside is just a treasure trove of memorabilia and music. The presentation of these items is excellent. Down to the music, despite the recording limitations at the time and the tape storage & deterioration over 50 years, the music still sounds surprisingly good! Reading about the production, Andy Zax has said that they included stage announcements, the sound of the thunderstorm and other miscellaneous recordings to keep the spirit of Woodstock and the historical artifacts within the chronology of the music. In terms of music, presentation and packaging, the team have done a sensational job. Grammy worthy perhaps...?
RHINO RECORDS:
While the product itself is excellent, the acquisition of the product was far from it. I pre-ordered the box set in May for an August 2nd 2019 release. A week goes by after release and still... nothing. Being based in Australia, I had to wake up at the crack of dawn to make phone calls to Rhino/Warner Music's NYC base to get information. First they said it was a warehouse transition issue. Next they said it was a production issue. Finally, a month after the scheduled release, they sent me a shipping notification and tracking number. After logging onto the tracking, I discovered they had actually sent my package on 4th August, but it had been returned to sender because UPS doesn't deliver to PO boxes (Rhino, why accept a PO Box when your courier doesn't send to them). Just over two weeks later (a month and a half after release date) they passed on the package to UPS and it finally arrived.... albeit without the two lithograph posters they said it would come with.
FINAL COMMENTS (TL;DR):
The box set is a fantastic piece of history and the team did a fantastic job in all aspects, however Rhino's lack of customer service, delays and mismanaged has made the journey tedious and upsetting and has overall sullied its reputation and put a dark cloud over the box set experience.…Expand
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