Hit parade — Box sets and greatest hits

Published: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 3:59 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
It's the holiday season, and like moths to a light, we rush to the stores to find that special gift for a special someone.

However, sometimes shopping for a gift is difficult.

Music is always a good place to start. And this year's box sets and greatest hits have something for everyone.

The box sets range from expanded versions of new and classic albums — Billy Joel's "The Stranger," Johnny Cash's "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" and Cheap Trick's "Budokan." And some, like the Less Than Jake "GNV FLA Deluxe," which features the full length CD, a DVD and three vinyl records filled with rarities and novelties, are a collector's dream.

The hits range from career retropsectives of such diverse artists as Sarah McLachlan, Neal McCoy and Mott the Hoople, to remixed and reissued CDs from Maroon 5 and salsa pioneer Tito Puente.

The following are reviews of various box sets and greatest hits written by the Deseret News features staff.

BOX SETS

BLACK SABBATH; "The Rules of Hell" (Warner Bros./Rhino) ***

Story continues below
The debate continues — who was the better frontman for Black Sabbath — Ozzy Osbourne or Ronnie James Dio? At any rate, each era now has a complete box set. "Black Box: The Complete Black Sabbath, 1970-1978" was released in 2004 and covered the Osbourne years. This time around Dio is the subject. And "The Rules of Hell" features all past Dio fronted CDs — "Heaven and Hell," "The Mob Rules," "Live Evil" and "Dehumanizer." Each CD has been remastered for more volume, and each has extensive liner notes. Regardless if listeners listners prefer Osbourne or Dio, the fact of the matter is, this box set is part of Black Sabbath's on-going ongoing saga, which, as of late, has changed its name to Heaven & Hell to accommodate Dio's return while Osbourne takes a rest. — Scott Iwasaki

JOHNNY CASH; "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" (Columbia/Legacy) ****

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...

I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...

Price injured; Miles has cast removed

hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...

Jazz blow big lead, hang on

play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...

I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...

Thousands protest health bill

That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...

What exactly were Nephite interpreters?

I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...

I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...

U. hopes to keep clicking

BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...

NFL: Midseason grades

i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

Advertisements
Advertisement