The Columbia Albums 1976-1982

When I first heard that "Weather Report: The Columbia Albums 1976-1982" and it's companion box set, "Weather Report: The Columbia Albums 1971-1975", had been recently remastered I expected the sound to be nothing less than breath-taking as they were mastered by Mark Wilder, who had done the DSD Mastering for the 2007 Japan HQD mini-LP editions of the Weather Report catalog.From the PolkAudio Forum, [...], "HQCD (HiQualityCD) format achieves high quality audio through the use of a polycarbonate plastic with improved transparency derived from LCD display manufacturing technologies enabling more accurate reading of the CD data. In addition, a special alloy is used as the material of the reflective layer instead of the standard aluminum. HQCD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players."I have copies of the DSD-HQD versions of Black Market and Mysterious Traveller and they sound fantastic and expected the new Columbia Albums box set to be the equal or better of the these discs especially as the Columbia/Legacy editions of Black Market and Heavy Weather were great.Well, sonically, the "Weather Report: The Columbia Albums 1976-1982" set is good and a bargain at the price, but the dynamic range and clarity of the DSD-HQD versions would have enhaced this set even at a higher price.A major problem I have with this set is the packaging which is decidedly low end. The clam-shell box is dull and uninspired and Legacy's attempt at the individulal CD's mini-LP covers are poorly constructed with poor color reproduction. The booklet is black and white except for a dull color front and contains only a page and a half of notes and track and recording notes that could have been incorporated into gate-fold (higher production value) mini-LP covers.If you don't own any of these on CD this box set is a great bargain while we wait for Sony-Columbia/Legacy to give them first tier treatment along the lines of the Miles Davis box sets.

Well o.k., if you're a Weather Report fan and have all or most of these albums, maybe you don't need this.If however, you're a fan like me, who had all of the albums on vinyl, and was lazy about picking up the cd'sor, if you are new to Weather Report (and if you are, BOY are you in for a treat!) you should have this set. Here's why.First of all, an answer to the big question. 8:30 is complete. It's on one disc, but all 13 tracks are there, includingSCARLET WOMAN, and packaged in the original double sleeve.Also, there are 12 bonus live tracks spread over four of the six albums. No extra tracks on 8:30, but having SCARLET WOMAN backis bonus enough, and no extra tracks on the last album, WEATHER REPORT. Nine of the extra tracks are from the set LIVE AND UNRELEASED (all of the tracks with Jaco on that set are here) and three are from the Havana Jam concerts, two of which have never been released before. The tracks on each disc compliment the album they are on.Sound quality is excellent as far as I am concerned. If you want to hunt down import copies that may sound better, or hold out for somethingthat may never come, be my guest. This is a great set, and well worth the money. Great tunes, great Jaco, and a last taste of Alphonso Johnson.

Having owned and wore out my vinyl version of Heavy Weather I know Palladium is cut off abruptly on the Box set version.The Heavy Weather CD portion of this box set is a clone of the 1997 remaster which has the same problem.Unforgivable in both instances.If you want to hear the correct ending, you will need to purchase the 1990 Import CD (Best of Vol. 1)The original 1997 remaster of Heavy Weather is not up to the quality of the later 2002 remasters of Mysterious Traveler, Tale Spinnin or Black Market. Tracks from the 1990 Import complilation CD (Best of Vol. 1) have better sound.The box set Black Market CD is a clone of the 2002 remaster. 8:30 has improved sound over the 1994 version.Although selected tracks on the other 3 CDs included in this box set use previous remastered version done for subsequent compilations, all tracks are now assembled here remastered.

I like the packaging and the moderate price tag very much with this set, and also with the matching set of Weather Report's earlier records.The music doesn't knock me out though. To me Jaco Pastorious' playing didn't fit in well with what the band had done best (groove music with a jazz twist). The music on these records becomes more precious, and less vital than earlier records. Give me the title track to "Black Market"; give me a few tracks on "Mr. Gone". The rest of this just isn't knocking me out. I think that Weather Report became less than they should have been right about the point at which this set starts. That is probably not all about Jaco and his shortcomings, but probably some of it is. They became a high-minded concept and brand name that wasn't actually putting much great music out.

Re-mastered, excellent sounding, inexpensive Sony European Union box set of Weather Report's albums 6-12; albums 1, 2, 3, & 5 each have bonus tracks. Each disc is in a cardboard sleeve replica of the original album, all housed in a side-flip-open 5" W x 5 ¼ H x 1-1/8" thick box. Comes w/a 19 page highly informative booklet chock full of band & individual song info (such as personnel on each song, recording date), album chart info, etc. As a bonus for me, the volume playback level between discs is quite even, so I was able to make a consistent sounding playlist w/only the songs I like... and even better, the prior box set, "The Columbia Albums 1971-1975", are also of the same volume level, so buy that one too.

You can not go wrong with this box set! As far as I know it is every recording from 1976 to 1982. I bought both box sets so I am pretty well up to date on my Weather Report. Now I can just close my eyes and remember a night in 1979 back in Norfolk, VA where I saw them live.

Weather Report is simply one of the most important groups from the 1970s. They had an impact on everyone and they got better as they went along hence my slightly higher rating for this set than the earlier compilation.

1．BLACK MARKET2．HEAVY WEATHER3．MR．GONE4．8:305．NIGHT PASSAGE6．WEATHER REPORT(1982)　の6枚セットです。ボーナストラックが12曲。1に PORTRAIT OF TRACY[Live](※),ELEGANT PEOPLE[Live](※),BLACK MARKET[Live](◎)の3曲。以下、2 BLACK MARKET[Live](※),TEEN TOWN[Live](※),BIRDLAND[Live](◎)3 RIVER PEOPLE[Live](※),IN A SILENT WAY/WATERFALL(※)5 TEEN TOWN[Live](☆),PORT OF ENTRY(※),FAST CITY(※),NIGHT PASSAGE(※)※Live And Unreleased(2002)より☆Havana Jam 2(1979)より◎previously unreleasedこれから、WEATHER REPORTを聴こうと、また、揃えようと考えているならお薦めです。個人的に好きなBLACK MARKETが4テイク聴けて最高です。

いや、別に構わんのですが、こうゆうBOXを買う人って、リマスタ狙いのおっさんか、これからWeatherでも聞いてみんべ、という２種類に分かれると思います。ワタシは前者です。昔購入したＣＤより、音圧が高く、分離も良いと思います。また、各アルバムにオマケライブがついて来ます。イイネ。マル！しかし、8:30は、各ライブ音源の分数が短くなったＣＤ１枚バージョンでした。ちょっとヘコみました。8:30だけはリマスタものの２枚組を別途購入した方がよろしいかと思います。うぐぐ・・・。

買ったときは意識しませんでしたが、人気のLive&Unreleasedから9曲もボーナストラックにちりばめられており、更に、Havanaからの音源や未発表音源もあり、単なるセット販売を越えて、非常にサービス満点の商品です。似たような商品もありますが、こちらがオススメです。

ウェザーリポートのジャコ参加作は、日本版の紙ジャケ仕様で何回か出ている人気作。紙ジャケ仕様（マスターサウンド）ですべて持っているので、それと比べてみました。＊細かく言うと（マスターサウンド）は「第何期」があるのだが、その辺はざっくりです（1）音圧は高い（良い）（2）音の分離は同じくらいここは、最新リマスターとして、もう少しがんばって欲しかった。（3）これでしか聞けない2曲があるジャコとピーターが飛ばしまくっている「ブラックマーケット」は必聴。「俺たち、何でもできるんだぜ」感があふれている。以上の理由で、このセットは必携だと思います。

All the Pastorious albums,plus those featuring him from Live and unreleased and Havana Jam...for £2.30 per disc?Outstandingly good,for a Jaco fan like me...don't get me wrong,I like all(or nearly all)of WR's stuff but Jaco opened up possibilities of bass guitar playing never before experienced.He spawned many imitators,as all truly great artists do,but none was ever on the same level as the original.Like Charlie Parker,a jazz legend that changed the face of his instrument.Get it while you can,'cos it has the FULL set of 8.30,and that's a rarity anyone who ever was the least bit interested in jazz,or fusion,or whatever you care to call it should have,do NOT settle for the truncated edition available anywhere else.