Later on I will probably share some (mostly positive!) comments I made on various tracks. Since I only listened to nine discs plus the rarities CD's, this is going to take some more time.
And here's the big(gest) minus on the whole Monster Box:
Compared to the other 27 CD's the "Rarities"
(Discs 28 to 30) sound flat and lifeless to my ears.
Here are some comments on some (nit-)picked tracks:
The alternate master of “King Creole” sounds way better on the recent “King Creole”-FTD.
The movie version of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” sounds like it’s been taken from the ’97 BMG-CD of “Blue Hawaii”...
The Single Version of “I’m Yours” is probably taken from a vinyl source. I can't confirm this. The ending is still unrepaired.
“King Of The Whole Wide World” (Take 31) sounds unbelievable flat!
“One Broken Heart For Sale” (Movie Version) is way too loud and therefore clipped throughout!!! What the…???
The beginning of the track with the duet version of “Today, Tomorrow And Forever” is one of the most amateurish jobs I’ve ever heard! It can not be that hard to do a decent fade-in...?
“I’m A Roustabout” sounds slightly better than on “Second To None” but still not as good as it can.
The overdubbed version of “Tomorrow Night” still has the first note clipped and sounds terrible throughout - the right channel sounds like there’s a constant drop-out, like it’s been taken from a worn-out tape source!
“It Hurts Me” and “Let Yourself Go” are the same splices as on “A Legendary Performer, Vol. 3” but sound kinda flat.
“A Hundred Years From Now” sounds as bad as on the 70’s box (and is the same splice).
“Amazing Grace” (Take 2) might sound slightly better as on the 70’s box but I’m not too sure, as the overall sound quality is quite bad. Could be the same though.
Of course, “Lady Madonna” is the same edit as on the 70’s box.
“I Shall Be Released” has the same (deleted - see guideline #2) mastering as on the 70’s box.
“She Thinks I Still Care” (Take 2B) still has the computer echo and the early fade - so it sounds exactly the same as on the 70’s box (and imo even worse)!
“Tweedle Dee” and “Maybellene” sound inferior, worse than before! To my ears it even sounded better on the 50’s box!
They probably made it sound worse here so it can sound better on the upcoming SUN Project…
“My Happiness” sounds (deleted - see guideline #2), as it’s clipped!!!
Actually all of the SUN Demos sound real crappy.
Conclusion: They probably did nothing but put them together from previous releases, with the same obsolete, (deleted - see guideline #2) mastering.
I just wonder what Lene did, even the loudness varies from track to track!
From my point of view, Discs 28 to 30 are completely use- and worthless.
Even if they would have included “My Way” from Rapid City, it wouldn’t have sounded better than on the recent “Elvis In Concert”-CD.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
Sorry to say this but I got the feeling that those discs are only some kind of "throwaway" bonus and probably NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON who ordered and owns the box, needs them.
Just my opinion. Enough bitchin' for today. Good night.