Herb Alpert Is... CD and Vinyl Box Sets

A lot of those vinyl photos are mocked up in Photoshop--if you look closely at some box set images, you'll notice the same pattern of grooves on each record that is "fanned" out. Look closely at the box set image above and you can see the same pattern of grooves on each disc:

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Even single LPs. The latest Mavericks vinyl release is spread over two records, with three tracks on each side. Yet if you look at the stock image, the label is photoshopped on to an image of an LP. (I bought a limited edition pressing that sold out very quickly, so I can't paste the image of it here--it sold out within hours.)

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The photo montage above for Herb's set is misleading--it is only the hard-bound book/record jacket in a slipcase. That montage makes it look like there is a lot more to it. I mean, OK, I realize it myself (it's the set photographed from different angles), but I hope someone else isn't getting this set and expecting everything in that photo.
 
I agree with Rudy on this one I think the few Herb rarities that remain will most likely Remain unreissued I too was hoping for a box set of rarities but not expecting any so no disappointments here this set I think is more for the new fans and those just getting into the music other than the book and the DVD of the movie I dont need the music set here because I already have Everything I'm hoping to at least see this documentary to be Released on DVD because I plan to include it in my permanent collection alongside my only Herb DVD Video "Live At Montreux" with the Jeff Lorber band. But again Time will tell but wherever its showing on any of my sites I have I will be watching it
 
A lot of those vinyl photos are mocked up in Photoshop--if you look closely at some box set images, you'll notice the same pattern of grooves on each record that is "fanned" out.
True, and if you look at the fanned-out book, it doesn't look like it's really sitting on the records either. It's just the principle of the thing I guess.
 
Since Amazon doesn't show the content of the box set, I have copied the list below.

  1. The Lonely Bull – from the album The Lonely Bull
  2. Winds Of Barcelona – from the album Volume 2
  3. Mexican Corn – from the album Volume 2
  4. South Of The Border – from the album South Of The Border
  5. Mexican Shuffle – from the album South Of The Border
  6. All My Loving – from the album South Of The Border
  7. A Taste Of Honey – from the album Whipped Cream & Other Delights
  8. Green Peppers – from the album Whipped Cream & Other Delights
  9. Bittersweet Samba – from the album Whipped Cream & Other Delights
  10. Whipped Cream – from the album Whipped Cream & Other Delights
  11. Tijuana Taxi – from the album !!Going Places!!
  12. I’m Getting Sentimental Over You – from the album !!Going Places!!
  13. Spanish Flea – from the album !!Going Places!!
  14. 3rd Man Theme – from the album !!Going Places!!
  15. Zorba The Greek – from the album !!Going Places!!
  16. What Now My Love – from the album What Now My Love
  17. Memories Of Madrid – from the album What Now My Love
  18. So what’s New? – from the album What Now My Love
  19. Magic Trumpet – from the album What Now My Love
  20. Brasilia – from the album What Now My Love
  21. If I Were A Rich Man – from the album What Now My Love
  22. The Work Song – from the album S.R.O.
  23. Mame – from the album S.R.O.
  24. Flamingo – from the album S.R.O.
  25. Bo-Bo – from the album Sounds Like…
  26. Town Without Pity – from the album Sounds Like…
  27. Treasure Of San Miguel – from the album Sounds Like…
  28. Casino Royale – from the album Sounds Like…
  29. A Banda – from the album Herb Alpert’s Ninth
  30. Panama – from the album The Beat Of The Brass
  31. Slick – from the album The Beat Of The Brass
  32. This Guy’s In Love With You – from the album The Beat Of The Brass
  33. The Sea Is My Soil – from the album Warm
  34. Hurt So Bad – from the album Summertime
  35. Jerusalem – from the album Summertime
  36. You Smile – The Song Begins – from the album You Smile – The Song Begins
  37. Up Cherry Street – from the album You Smile – The Song Begins
  38. Skokiaan – from the album Herb Alpert / Hugh Masekela
  39. Rise – from the album Rise
  40. Rotation – from the album Rise
  41. Beyond – from the album Beyond
  42. The Factory – from the album Beyond
  43. Fandango – from the album Fandango
  44. Route 101 – from the album Fandango
  45. Keep Your Eye On Me – from the album Keep Your Eye On Me
  46. Diamonds – from the album Keep Your Eye On Me
  47. My Abstract Heart – from the album Abstract Heart
  48. Just A Dream Away – from the album Abstract Heart
  49. I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face – from the album Midnight Sun
  50. Second Wind – from the album Second Wind
  51. Sneakin’ In – from the album Second Wind
  52. Magic Man – from the album Colors
  53. Puttin’ On The Ritz – from the album Steppin’ Out
  54. La Vie En Rose – from the album Steppin’ Out
  55. Night Ride – from the album Come Fly With Me
  56. Human Nature – from the album Human Nature
  57. I’m Yours – from the album Music Vol. 1
  58. Strike Up The Band – from the album Music Vol. 1
  59. The Lonely Bull – from the album Music Volume 3: Herb Alpert Reimagines The Tijuana Brass
  60. Whipped Cream – from the album Music Volume 3: Herb Alpert Reimagines The Tijuana Brass
  61. A Taste Of Honey – from the album Music Volume 3: Herb Alpert Reimagines The Tijuana Brass
  62. Wade In the Water – from the album Music Volume 3: Herb Alpert Reimagines The Tijuana Brass
  63. What A Wonderful World – from the album Over The Rainbow
 
True, and if you look at the fanned-out book, it doesn't look like it's really sitting on the records either. It's just the principle of the thing I guess.
Oh I know it--I still cringe even when it's Photoshopped. 😁
Since Amazon doesn't show the content of the box set, I have copied the list below.
It's a really nice cross-section of his catalog. I'm not into the anthologies much, but this is the first time I've seen "Skokiaan" outside of the original album. Even the nod to fans with "The Sea is my Soil" is an inspired choice.
 
I know, I was very glad to see that there. One of his best ever that didn't get any attention on previous comps. (Maybe Randy is a fan of it.)

Speaking of BadAzz, I got a chance to say a brief hello to him after we saw Herb's concert last year in Seattle. He remembered who I was from A&M Corner. I told him we missed seeing his posts on here so hopefully he will chime in again at some point.
 
It's a really interesting collection of songs, and I'll be curious to see if there are any surprises as to which versions appear.
 
It's a really interesting collection of songs, and I'll be curious to see if there are any surprises as to which versions appear.
Indeed. If I were doing a career-wide playlist, many of these would be included. Granted, a lot of us here are fond of some of the deeper album cuts, but those aren't something you'd find on a box set anyways. The problem with many of the "greatest hits" and "best of" anthologies in the past couple of decades is that many times, they are programmed by "suits" at a record label, with some encouragement to add a couple of newly recorded tracks in order to generate sales.

The theme on this box set reminds me in a way of some of Rhino's older box sets where the track listings were considered with care so they represented the artist, as opposed to covering the hits everyone already knows. Sure there are a few omissions we'd like to see but overall, something has to be cut to keep the set a manageable size.
 
While I will likely get the CD version, I have to say I'm disappointed at the lack of track(s) from Just You & Me ("Promenade" or "Musique" would be GREAT choices) and Coney Island (the title track and/or "Carmine" would be good choices).

The representation of tracks post-Beyond to the "ALMOSounds" era is disappointing (not that there's much in that period that really "grabbed" me outside of some tracks from Fandango (well represented) or Passion Dance). The tracks from Volume 3 could easily have been substituted with many of these. At this price point, would a 6th disc been all that big a deal to add?

But the book is worth the price of admission -- or should be (fingers crossed)...

Just my 2c... your mileage may vary.

--Mr Bill
 
Oh I know it--I still cringe even when it's Photoshopped. 😁

It's a really nice cross-section of his catalog. I'm not into the anthologies much, but this is the first time I've seen "Skokiaan" outside of the original album. Even the nod to fans with "The Sea is my Soil" is an inspired choice.
But nothing from Main Event Live, which is very unfortunate. In many ways, it’s better than the Alpert-Masekela studio album.

Also would’ve been good to add Noche de Amor and the other track from the non US version of Blow Your Own Horn.
 
3 CDs/5 LPs can't cover everything across a nearly 60 year career, and fan favorite deep cuts are low on the list of being included in any box set. I could dig up probably two or three dozen of my own favorites that aren't in the box, yet I don't expect them to be included--at what point does a set get cut off in terms of what is on it? We all have our ideal versions of a box set in our minds, but this set is out there for everyone, not just us, and the idea was to present a career-wide swath of recordings and styles while keeping it contained to a manageable size. Expanding it to 4 CDs would have probably required the vinyl version to expand to 7 LPs, and the more music that is included, the higher the price. 3 CDs/5 LPs is a sweet spot for boxes like this, in terms of cost.

It might be fun in a separate thread to create our own "box set" that would fit 3 CD/5 LPs (with ~200 minutes being the goal), as we've done that in the past. Regardless, the official set is done and ready to go, so what we see is what we're getting in October. 😉
 
I created my own TJB box set about 10 years ago.... which was also 3-CDs. I need to get that out and see how much crossover there is with the new set. Of course mine predates about half of the material that appears on disk 3!
 
I have placed an order for the CD boxed set with Amazon UK. I will also purchase the Vinyl edition purely because it is something special.
 
I will probably spring for the box set. Would like to have both but finances will not allow.

Why all the hatin’ on Facebook? (Unless you’re like one of my friends who keeps getting her account hacked.):D
 
I'm waiting for the DVD of the movie when it finally does come out for me that's more important as i have all the music anyway
 
I kinda agree with Rudy, though you cast Google cast FB video to your big screen.YouTube can also be annoying but it is easier to manage.

I just came across the “companion” cd or vinyl and booklet for “Herb Alpert Is...”. Quite expensive and though I am a major fan of his music and have all of his releases in cd or digital formats, I’ll pass as I cannot afford that outlay.. Odd to say that because I am a completist.

Really would like remasters/rereleases of remaining 80s albums and alternate stuff (releases in nin US markets, alternate versions of songs,, and songs in which he was an artist on another artist’s tune).

I couldn't agree more. I have all of Herb's domestic output from The Lonely Bull on up through Over The Rainbow, and all of the domestic compilations so far. But when I saw Amazon list a price tag of $ 322.98 for the 3 lp box set, I just about fainted. Now I've just seen Steve's message above showing a price of $ 261.58, which is a big drop. But that's still a lot of dough for my outlook.
The CD version will supposedly have the booklet as well, probably a bit smaller, and IIRC Amazon had it listed for $ 99.99... yet a chunk of change even at that. However, that would be a lot more affordable for collector purposes IMHO. Still not ready to jump on it just yet, but I would like to get hold of it someday.
Now, with all of that having been said... I DO want a copy of the documentary DVD if it's affordable.

Just my two cents.
 
Amazon's price will drop, no doubt. It's when the set is available that we'll see the true pricing for these. And watch closer to the holidays--retailers often have store-wide discounts that apply to just about everything for sale.

I would need the LP version if I ever bought this--the CD booklets these days are way too difficult for me to read, even wearing the readers.
 
Vinyl set will be U.S. only, so you'll need to get it imported. Don't delay - limited to 2,020 sets!

Thank you, Steve. LIMITED production explains the ultra high price tag for the vinyl. Still not going to pay that kind of money for it, but at least now I understand.

I think I'll take Rudy's advice and wait for the CD version to come down in price. Then I'll nail it.
 
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