Turner Overdrive

Packing the whole set into one minimalist package. I like very much. Though I grew up in the 70s, and pored over incredible album art covers, and lyric fold outs, and bio booklets, they simply don’t make those anymore. So it’s very nice to have all of the discs smartly presented in separate cardboard sleeves, all collected in one box. Purists might prefer jewel boxes for more protection, but that would take much more room.The audio on these discs is wonderful, sometimes too good, in fact. Much in the same way you wouldn’t want to see The Rolling Stones up close in stunning 4K hyper clarity, digital clarity makes you appreciate how kindly analog audio helped smooth out some of Randy Bachmans rough edges. That being said, these discs show the rise and fall of one of the 70s iconic rock bands. The opportunity to hear how the bands sound changed over time, first for the better, becoming tighter, more focused, and then for the worse, losing that focus, and sounding like it was phoned in. Whether it was the artists or the production value, I kept waiting to hear any sign of the spark in the last studio album, and while there is some decent music there, the lightning in the bottle was missing.

First of all, I own this box set and the Gold Compilation, which are remastered, and several inferior cd copies of individual albums. At one time, you could only get remastered versions on compilation so its great to get 8 albums remastered, which includes several of their obscure (and rare) later albums that were less commercially successful.BTO and Randy Bachman does not get enough credit for being in the forefront of the early 70's hard/heavy metal movement along with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, etc. (yes I mentioned BTO in same breath). Think of it, American Woman was a #1 hit in 1970 released in 1969. Then in 1974 - Let it Ride (#23); Takin' Care of Business (#12); You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (#1); and in 1975 - Roll on Down the Highway (#14); and Hey You (#21). No easy feat to get hard rock on the radio at the time (AM radio ruled; most cars only had AM radio). Black Sabbath had no AM radio hits. It was so exhilarating to hear a hard rock song being played on the radio back in the day. But I think that kind of success also hurt bands like BTO. If you had commercial success, you were perceived as a bit too pop to be a real hard rock band. I remember kind of feeling that way about Thin Lizzy when they were getting radio airplay, but that didn't stop me from owning their entire catalog either.

A great hard rock record from three Bachman brothers {Randy,Tim & Rob} and C.F. Turner, set the tone for many more that were to follow. Eight songs, good riffs, gruff vocals and guitars, guitars and more guitars.Three years after leaving The Guess Who, Randy at last had all the ingredients for success, great songs that are not too bluesy, great rhythms underline everything, simple lead lines that make their point and then vanish. Nothing here is over-produced by Randy, he wasn't going to make the same mistakes of his past. This music doesn't need glitter or snakes to be performed, just four guys, their gear, a few flannel shirts and a station wagon."Gimme Your Money Please" translates to please buy our record, and the tone of this album is set. Here they are, this is what it is. "Blue Collar" slows down the pace and allows Randy to throw in some jazz licks. Other than that, it's foot-stompin' rock like: "Little Gandy Dancer", "Hold Back The Water", "Stayed Awake All Night" & "Down And Out Man". Tim Bachman's tune: "Don't Get Yourself In Trouble" is the heaviest selection here, and Tim's best track on any BTO Album. This is my favorite cut on this Record, the guitars are stinging and the riff is relentless and powerful, this is great hard rock.The closer is called: "Thank You For The Feelin', the band hopes you have enjoyed their record, and says they will be seeing you later {in a few months BTO II will be released.}Bachman-Turner Overdrive promoted this record by performing ton's of live shows to win an audience. This tactic, did indeed pay-off, as the steady touring gained the band's reputation as a workingman's band thst never let their fan's down. Many more records followed this, and numerous tours would promote those records. BTO sold millions of records and still has millions of fans that love their music. This one called: "Bachman-Turner Overdrive" is where the journey of one of the seventies best band's begins.Four Stars !!!

Finally.....all the Bachman Turner Overdrive albums in one set, even Street Action and Rock and Roll Nights! The latter which was almost impossible to find, unless you were willing to pay $80-$100. for the original CD Mercury issue.(sometimes more)These seem to be issued on a smaller private label, however they have done a great job.There is a booklet that comes with the set, that seems to have input/quotes from both Randy and Robbie Bachman, whom at times look at the BTO legacy in different ways, here you will get both points of view.First the bad....the mini LP sleeves are a bit flimsy and the coloring on them is not the best. Both Not Fragile and Head On are not gate folds, as the original LP's were.These would be my only two complaints, if you could call them complaints at all.There is no information provided on the remastering, but let me say, it is fantastic! FINALLY they have all been brought up to date with amazing sound! All the songs seemed to have been "opened up", bass is amazing, and it seems as though a veil has been lifted off the original mixes.It's like listening to them for the first time again!The only one that seems to be the same sonically is Head On, which sounds like the remaster from a few years back.The surprising thing is, the remastering here sounds MUCH better then on the BTO 40th Anniversary set!All in all, if you are a "gearhead", this is a must have!!

Good music goes perfectly with good times.

Perfect