Search - Scott Walker :: In 5 Easy Pieces

An overwhelmingly great box set!!!

squinky3 | New York, NY | 08/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I noticed that other people gave this box set a bad review based on the fact that one of the discs had a mastering problem, resulting in an entire channel (left or right) not playing on Disc 3. That was in the entry for the original 2003 release; this is the re-released 2006 version, and mine is apparently the first review on here. Regardless of the mastering problem on the earlier pressing, I can't see how anyone can give this less than 5 stars based on the music it contains. I assume that for the re-release they fixed the mastering problem because both channels play loud and clear on all 5 discs. I see no problem with the categorisation of each disc into a "theme" in which the songs fit. Many people are used to a chronological order to their box sets, but this is a fresh way of listening to an artists' work, and I, for one, have no problem with it. Every box set does not have to contain outtakes, demos, rarities, etc., for me to enjoy it. I understand that devoted fanatics of an artist already have every studio release, and look forward to something new and different, something they've never before heard, when a box set is released. Some of us, however, do not have every studio release, and look forward to getting a box set as a means of having a large body of an artists' work without shelling out for every studio release. Besides, I don't think the soundtrack songs on Disc 5 are easily found in one place. Other reviewers complained about quotes from various performers and personalities overwhelming the booklet. Maybe the original pressing had a different format, but these quotes are two per page, at the very bottom of each page, take up very little space, and do not overwhelm the notes. I love everything about this box, and place it among the top 3 or 4 that I have, and I own quite a few box sets (about 100 - 150). If I could have, I would have given this 10 stars, it's that good! I'm confused about one thing, however: Amazon's reviews stated that this box sets' booklet had 50+ pgs. (in the original 2003 box review). This review states that it is 96 pgs. long! My copy's booklet contains about 30 pgs. Nothing appears to be missing or torn out, as I bought it new and sealed. Is this correct?"

5 times the Scott.

E.I.E.I. Owen | Philadelphia, Pa United States | 11/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You could not have asked for a more apt title for a collection of work. This is a basically a selection of songs by Scott Walker containing solo, soundtrack work, compositions for other artists as well as recordings with the Walker Brothers spread over five thematically sequenced CD's.



Scott Walker's career has been his own making. An American who found fortune in England in 1965 with the Walker Brothers and then walking away from that to become a crooner and then the definitive interpreter of Jacques Brel's material as well as writing his own songs in increasing complexity both lyrically and musically. After various reunions with the Walker Brothers, Walker continued to release albums that were increasingly questioning the idea of what exactly a song should be and how an album should sound. Walker's later work on albums like "Tilt" and "The Drift" is not for everyone, not even fans of Scott Walker



This set is NOT A GREATIST HITS COLLECTION but a collection of songs that challenge the listener to accept Scott Walker on his own terms. If you are looking for songs like "The Sun Ain't Going To Shine Anymore" you are going to be very disappointed. But if you looking for something different to play on that big stereo system than this collection is for you.

"