I finally did it! Splurged big this weekend and picked this up in Blu Ray. I'm not even close to going through all of it yet, but it's already impressed the hell out of me.
The set itself is unweildy, the 10 discs are in a box similar to the CD version, and fits into a slot in the box. The problem with this mini-box is, it flips open at the center, with flaps covering the discs, 5 per side. I imagine the wear and tear will affect this, and because it doesn't locked closed at the fold out, it flops a bit and can be tricky to get out the slot. Which brings us to the book. Absoloutly gorgeous it is, replicating a leather covered journal. The problem is, it has it's own slot, and once you take it out the wrapper, it's a total bitch to get out! The hole is just big enough to accomodate it, but it's open under the rim of the slot so the book opens a bit and wont slide back out due to catching on the rim! Really annoying. Also, that SUGAR MOUNTAIN release is not in blu ray, but is the DVD/CD set thrown into the last slot in this box which features what's best described as a stash box. I'm guessing the similarity in performance and time frame to the RIVERBOAT blu ray disc for the reason, but I have no idea obviously.
The discs themselves are amazing. Anyone hating the price based on 12-15 songs per disc really shouldn't be worried about lack of content. The music itself is well worth the price, the extras make the set though. For example, selecting MR. Soul on disc 2, while listening to it, you can look at press clipping, read the lyrics etc. You can also select a video of the Buffalo springfield lip synching it on "The Hollywood Parade" . These types of clips are not advertised anywhere on the box. Some of the songs have period audio interviews, and others have short vids of Young in the archives with some of the material (one I watched was from his first single THE SULTAN, where he opens up a letter he sent to himself in 1963 to copywrite the song). Granted, these little clips wont get much play after the first few go throughs, but it creates one hell of an immersive experiance. I have no idea how many of these are too be found, the only other vid I 've seen was for SEA OF MADNESS, where you can see CSN&Y perform it at Big Sur (I was hoping for Woodstock since it's on the soundtrack album, but not in the movie.)
So there you go, best boxset I've ever seen. I've spent maybe 20 minutes with it, and already I'm confident in the purchase. I got it for $285CDN, which makes it 10 blu ray discs at $28 a piece, not too bad when most new blurays cost $32, and these are truely multi-media in content as opposed to good sounding CDs. It's too bad those Beatles remixed sets aren't getting a similar treatment in Sept. As much as I'm looking forward to that mono set, it's going to feel a bit empty next to this.
*another thing I've noticed, Youngs first 4 albums got remastered and put out on CD along with this set. Sadly, they didn't get the DVD treatment. I might still grab them up though, the original CDs for EVERYONE KNOWS THIS IS NOWHERE and AFTER THE GOLDRUSH sounded like hell.
