The War of the Worlds [7-disc Collector's Edition] [Hybrid SACD, Import, Box set]

If you are then this plush, wonderfully produced CD collection is for you.

There are 7 cds, that consist of the original album re mastered, all the out takes, richard burton reading the abridged version of the book ( around 45 mins long) and lots of track remixes. That alone is truly the definitive WOW collection.

But then you have the amazing LP sized case, beautiful art work on two thick cardboard covers.

Then finally you have the sleeve notes...I say notes, there is so much stuff in here thats it more like a small magazine, photos of the recording sessions, all the renditions of the WOW book covers, newspaper clippings, various photos of the Album as its been released over the years, and lots of notes.

Frankly this whole package is gorgeous, even if it is outrageously expensive ( I only paid £54.00 for mine and I thought that was steep), but its going for a lot more in the shops !

WOW in more ways than one...if you like the Jeff Wayne version, you'll love this.....but really, one for the true fans only.

The first two discs are the original double album remastered in 5.1 surround sound. I haven't listened to it on surround sound but the newly remixed stereo version sounds superb. I guess it's a matter of taste as to whether you prefer the original anolgue mix or this new digital remix but either way you won't be disappointed.

The third disk is a DVD of the making of TWOTW. An absolutely fascinating insight into Jeff Wayne's inspiration from HG Wells obviously to his father Jerry Wayne and Jeff's contemporaries and collaborators of the time such as David Essex. Jeff also sits down at his piano and plays major pieces of the composition from memory and explains harmonies etc - I was glued to my chair for the whole 90 mins.

Disc four containes dance versions of various tracks such as Eve of the War and Forever Autumn - funnily enough the best of these are the versions that sound very similar to the originals - which shows that it is very hard to improve on near-perfection!

Discs five, six and seven are outakes and early versions. These early versions are again fascinating - listen to the original 1972 version of Forever Autumn by Paul Vigras and Gary Osborne and then an early TWOTW version of the same track sung by Chris Spedding, listen to Eve or The War sung by Chris Amoo - this vocalist also sang versions of Forever Autumn and Thunder Child as well as Parson Nathaniel which never made it to the original album. The Spirit of Man sung by Clare Torry and Bob Saker is also an interesting unreleased out-take.

The 12" gatefold booklet these discs are presented in is absolutely gorgeous. The original artwork is all there but bigger and better as well as the story of the making of, pictures of Jeff, David Essex, Phil Lynott etc. There's loads of info and pictures on various Spanish and German language versions too. There are also out-takes of these foreign language narrated versions on the out-takes discs included here. FYI the German narrated version "Jeff Wayne's Misik-Version von Kreig der Welten" is still available on amazon.de!

At under forty quid on here this collector's edition is a bargain. If you're a fan buy it - you won't regret it. If you know a fan of Jeff Wayne's TWOTW then buy this for them and they will love you forever!