Official Reprise Press Release with some slight new info...

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by face of glass

Yeah, the thing is

wow. very well put. I agree.

[markolas]

Originally Posted by RockALittle250

I agree with you. This is more of a Best Of/Live Album than just a Best Of.

The DVD sounds cool, as do the live tracks. But I just don't think I'm enough of fan anymore to buy this. If it was just a collection of live tracks and a DVD, then yes...since I'm not much of a bootleg collector. But I don't need to own the studio tracks from her albums multiple times. I don't really like doing that with any artist.

I may, however, just download the live tracks from iTunes if that's an option.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by face of glass

And us Chiffonheads have been shortchanged too - there's ANOTHER live version of Rhiannon, most probably own the Deep Dish track already and everyone's got a live version of Rock And Roll and the Melbourne tracks via their bootlegs. While it's better that the live tracks will now be commercially available, there was an opportunity for an entire live album that's now been missed.

In short, a very best of/greatest hits package usually should give something extra for the casual fan and maybe something new for the hardcores (such as new tracks or outtakes), both of which the CD of Crystal Visions fails to do.

As I see it, this set does offer something new for the hardcore fans... those Melbourne tracks and "Rock And Roll." (As well as the Deep Dish "Dreams" for those who don't already own it.)
You pointed out that "everyone has them" via bootlegs, and I know a lot of people share that point of view -- but we're not even supposed to have those bootlegs. It would be the same as complaining if Lindsey's recent album had included only the songs that leaked several years back as 'Gift of Screws.' It's not the artist's fault that we seek out things that they didn't intend to, or weren't ready to, release.

Besides, there's no way I could ever turn my nose up at something that's professionally recorded and mixed, when the only other alternative is a noisy, hollow-sounding, audience-recorded bootleg.

I do agree, however, that a full-length live album would have been a far better offering. Perhaps we'll still see one though -- since Billboard reported just a couple of weeks ago that Stevie was working on one to be released "late this year." So that live album might be a separate entity from 'Crystal Visions,' despite the inclusion of some live tracks on this upcoming set.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

Perhaps we'll still see one though -- since Billboard reported just a couple of weeks ago that Stevie was working on one to be released "late this year." So that live album might be a separate entity from 'Crystal Visions,' despite the inclusion of some live tracks on this upcoming set.

Quite possibly Stevie could still do a live album from the upcoming summer tour she has planned. You know she's going to kick major ass!!