Live Box [4 CD + 1 DVD]

I was pleasantly surprised, then, when more details emerged and it became apparent that the box was going to be kept relatively unextravagant but by no means dull. The packaging is just a simple box containing the five individually sleeved CDs, which have printed on them not only the track information but also short appraisals of Björk’s work and some direct quotes from the artist herself. A separate booklet is also included, featuring pictures from live shows and an interview with Björk spanning topics across her entire solo career.

As for the CDs themselves, it isn’t just a case of the albums being matched song-for-song, there are plenty of extras to keep the fans content: a number of songs are repeated in slightly different renditions (such as Anchor Song and Human Behaviour), as well as a few of B sides being present (I Go Humble, an instrumental version of Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu and Generous Palmstroke).

Debut is perhaps the most interesting of the four albums, with all of the songs except (Venus As A Boy) coming from an MTV Unplugged performance. Ordinarily, the term “unplugged” seems to suggest acoustic versions, stripped bare of any ostentations.... However, Björk’s performances are as lavish and brilliantly produced as any of her studio work, performed with almost entirely different instrumentation. One Day is a particularly good case in point, as the accompanying footage can be found as the first track on the DVD, so you can see all the weird and wondrous percussion instruments featured on it.

The rest of the performances (i.e. on the other CDs) are fairly standard fare as far as these things go, in that they don’t deviate too far from the original versions. However, it can be the little flourishes and alterations that make all the difference. For example, it’s quite interesting to listen to the sting-only performance of Jóga, especially as I’d been thinking about what it would be like without the electronic beats just a few days ago.

Just about my only criticism is that a few songs (some of them particular favourites of mine) have been left off particular albums. Debut is missing There’s More To Life Than This (although one could argue that it’s already in live form), Post loses Cover Me, Homogenic doesn’t have Alarm Call, Vespertine doesn’t have Sun In My Mouth or Heirloom, while Selmasongs is only represented by Overture and I’ve Seen It All. I can understand this last, since Selmasongs wasn’t a tour-supported album, but it seems curious to say the least that anything would be left off such an otherwise comprehensive collection. I suppose it could just be that they haven’t been played live. Still, I suppose what’s left makes up for these few omissions.

Overall, an excellent package and real treat for the Björk fan/collector. If only there were more artists who put in such an sustained effort to make their live back catalogues available. Read more ›