Nice set for the completist and vinyl lover.
Overall, I was pretty OK with this set although, were the material available, I could think of a few other Stones titles I would have preferred to see get this treatment. The set has 2 CDs, one is a re-release of the original Exile with all 18 tracks. CD 2 is made up of 10 bonus tracks. I won't bother listing them because track listing and audio samples are available elsewhere. This set also had the original 18 tracks on 2 LPS. I still listen to vinyl so that was a nice plus. Under "What were they thinking?", the three segment folder that holds the CDs, DVD and LPS could have been designed better. The discs are in slots in the middle section. The LPS come out of the extreme ends, one on each side, so unless you lay it flat when you open it, the LPS fall out! Opening it up while standing is a no-no! Even with care, eventually the LPs will split their sleeves unless museum piece like care is given to unfolding it. The set also has a DVD with 4 short segments including some live concert footage, interview snippets, etc. The one DVD disappointment was the segment called C**ksucker Blues. I was hoping this was perhaps a video of the rare live performance of the song with the same name. It wasn't. It still remains something available, but requires searching for. I was really hoping at this point in time that would finally surface officially. Maybe the subject matter, the protagonist sings about a sexual encounter with a policeman which involves a non-typical use of a night stick. (I'm trying real hard not to make an NYPD joke here.) I guess after hearing the Stones perform at an event for some wealthier folks in which they removed the verses about the Kennedys from Sympathy for the Devil and didn't sing the infamous line about what Black girls like to do all night from Some Girls, the bad boys aren't so bad anymore. Lastly, it includes a 64 page cloth bound hardcover book. It has stills taken from some of the DVD footage with the page next having quotes from the same in giant letters so a single sentence takes up the page. There are cards with information and dialog between the pages inserted like the tear out offer cards you see in magazines. The back section had concert pictures, a segment with concert poster, odds and ends, film clip stills, and other tidbits. Nothing deep, insightful, or thought provoking here, but it is a nice touch. (It doesn't measure up to the book in the Pink Floyd set released some time ago)The set also had a black envelope with some b&w post card like prints from the Exile on Main street film, video or whatever it was. Overall, I would say the degree you are a Stones fan will determine if you want to buy this set or opt for the much cheaper CDs. I don't know if they include the DVD or not. Purely from a financial point, the difference in cost of buying this release on CD and LP versus the cost of the set, personally I wouldn't pay the difference for the book and cards. I wouldn't pay it even if that was the only way to get the DVD. There just isn't that much there. However, as a limited release, unusual SET, I didn't mind buying it and spending the money. If you are a rabid Stones fan, you MUST have it. Me, I REALLY liked the Stones up to Goats Head Soup with Sticky Fingers being my favorite release of their catalog. Heresy to some, but that's me. Final advice: Shop for it! Prices vary insanely, almost as bad as the Beatles Remastered set! Once more- Shop! Shop! Shop!Read full review
