Record Reviews

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD ~ WHAT`S THAT SOUND? – COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTION RHINO 603497860678 (Barcode: 603497860678) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1966 - 1968 Released: 2018 This is a Box Set presenting the newly (2017) remastered versions of the three original albums recorded by the seminal American Classic Rock group Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist. The remastering was done under Neil YoungFind albums by this artist´s supervision and he claims that these remasters offer a superior sound quality better that any previous version of these albums. The box set includes the mono and stereo versions of the first two albums and the stereo version of the last album, on five separate CDs. The eponymous debut album included here is the second version of that album, which includes the single "For What It´s Worth", but drops the song "Baby Don´t Scold Me" from the stereo version. In complete contrast to the "Buffalo Springfield (Box Set)Find albums with this title" compilation released originally in 2001, this Box Set adds no bonus tracks, concentrating on the original versions of the albums. In retrospect the three albums are a spectacular document of the process of turning American Folk music into Classic Rock, under the influence of the British Invasion. Preceded of course by The ByrdsFind albums by this artist, Buffalo Springfield travelled on the same path from Electric Folk to Folk Rock via a brief Psychedelia period, but completed it in a much shorter period of time that lasted less than a couple of years. With the immense songwriting and guitar playing talents of Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, Neil Young and Richie FurayFind albums by this artist, the band had the potential of becoming a huge and lasting success, but alas as it often happens with to much talent and even more ego within one outfit, the band was over before it reached its peak, which perhaps is all for the better in retrospect. Their recorded legacy offers some of the most amazing songs ever written, which sound as good today as they did at the time of their recording. For the avid Buffalo Springfield fans and followers this Box Set might be redundant to some degree, but it is an excellent opportunity for new listeners to discover this important chapter in American Classic Rock. Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 26/01/2019

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend