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

~ Jeff Wayne
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
Price: £41.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
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Frequently Bought Together

The War of the Worlds [7-disc Collector's Edition] + Jeff Waynes The War of The Worlds 30th Anniversary Edition [DVD] + The War Of The Worlds - 30th Anniversary Edition
Price For All Three: £62.24

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Product details

  • Audio CD (13 Jun 2005)
  • Number of Discs: 7
  • Format: Hybrid SACD, Box set
  • Label: Sony/BMG
  • ASIN: B0009MA932
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 18,687 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in this category:

    #100 in  Music > SACD

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Product Description

Album Review

This is the 7-disc Collector's Edition, which includes remixes, outtakes and a DVD documentary. Released 40 years after Orson Welles' infamous radio version of the HG Wells tale, Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Worlds straddles old-style radio drama and contemporary orchestrated narratives by Rick Wakeman and David Bedford. And while it lacks the sophisticated arrangements of, say, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, it does boast an impressively odd cast--this may be the only time that a member of Thin Lizzy worked with Richard Burton. Indeed, it's Burton's sonorous tones that sustain this work; his frequent solo narrations are eminently listenable, whereas sections featuring dialogue with other characters often come off as a bit stilted. The music is competent studio rock, and "Horsell Common and the Heat Ray" does strike just the right balance between Burton's narration and an accompaniment built around a buzzsaw guitar riff. Overall, it's pleasant as a period piece, and still a fine way to introduce younger listeners to Wells' classic tale. (And if you can find it in a vinyl, it comes with a nicely produced narrative booklet with gloriously lurid illustrations by Geoff Taylor.) --Paul Collins, All Music Guide


CD Description

Re-released to coincide with Steven Spielberg's big budget remake of the HG Wells novel, this six CD and one DVD set isthe ultimate collectors edition of Jeff Wayne's rock musical. Featuring a remastered 5.1 surround sound version of the original album, this CD set also includes the remix album, and a wealth of unreleased material.

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
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 (10)
4 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A real, long overdue treat for fans, 30 Jun 2005
This is an excellent package for die-hard fans of this epic work. The sound quality is superb when listened to on a conventional cd player, but it is awesome when heard in 5.1 surround sound. It serves to remind us how innovative and powerful this album remains today. Although the musicians were fairly well known, they weren't big name stars and it's amazing to think they produced music and atmospheres of this quality. Imagine some of their equivalents today producing such work. No, I can't either! The real gem is the outtakes disc. It's very interesting to hear Richard Burton working with David Essex and the two of them sharing laughs, although David Essex is clearly nervous due to the presence and sheer charisma of Richard Burton. The Spirit Of Man alternate versions and band run-throughs make fascinating listening too. The lyrics altered considerably before the final version was nailed. The documentary offers a great insight into the making of the album and compliments the info in the book very well. The artwork in the book and the package in general is both beautifully and lavishly presented. The original paintings are here as with the double vinyl release, but they're more vibrant and clean without losing any of their eerie charm. Overall, this is a fascinating, worthwhile package, but I would only recommend it to the dedicated fan. The asking price, from the stand point of a War Of The Worlds fanatic, is quite reasonable, but it could possibly be too great for the casual fan. My only criticism concerns the paper sleeves that the discs are sleeved in. They are flimsy and a bit cheap looking compared to the rest of the package and the artwork that adorns them does not match the quality found elsewhere in the book and cover. The artwork on these paper sleeves appears to be the result of a rushed after though. Apparently, the Italian printing company who produced the sleeves, used the wrong paper and later copies of this set will have cd sleeves of thicker paper. This will improve their appearance. Nevertheless, these are minor niggles and it doesn't prevent me from giving this release five stars.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW huge boxset-quick review, 18 Oct 2005
By Mr. G. P. Schofield "fortysixter" (UK, South London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
It goes without saying you won't be buying this unless you are a big fan of the musical version of WOW.

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.

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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, 6 Jan 2006
By Mr. A. C. Barrett (London, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This simply stunning piece of rock-opera is not only given a new lease of life but repackaged into this collector's edition seven disc set.

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!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars seller don't care
The item is fantastic but after 3 emails I am still waiting for a response from the seller.
War of the worlds is one of the best radio broadcasts, films, live shows you will... Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Cook

5.0 out of 5 stars Just awesome!!!
There's not really much more to say about this, you either love it or you don't, and my family and I love it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by MR GEORGE GIBB

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my first SACD experience and WOOOW
I already had a taped copy back in the eighties and i used to listen to it, traditionally, every year, on boxing day. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Rudy Deblieck

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb! So Proud To Be An Owner Of This Masterpiece!
What an astonishing work of art! I don't just mean the music and the various versions of the songs on this album, but the case itself is such a compliment to this compilation. Read more
Published 21 months ago by S. L. Ferdinand

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure excellence
At the time of writing this, I haven't heard any of the CDs. I have got the 2 disc Super Audio version so I know how it sounds, and it blew me away upon hearing it for the first... Read more
Published 22 months ago by J. Morgan

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
This year i thought i knew all the presents that i was getting for xmas, but when i unrapped this i was left absolutely speechless; just the way the booklet inside is presented is... Read more
Published 22 months ago by G. Bedford

4.0 out of 5 stars Great bonus features
The bonus features are great....

However the new mix (Stereo on a normal CD player) is not as good as the original. It may sound better in 5.1... Read more

Published on 26 Sep 2005 by mcmikee

5.0 out of 5 stars Richard Burtons Narration of the Ward of the Worlds
I bought the orginal version of this on Plastic it is absolutely brilliant - well worth the listening. Richard Burton's voice adds depth to an already brilliant story. Read more
Published on 4 Jul 2005 by Chris Jones

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Amazing!!!
it is WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Not only are the CD's fantastic (there are also out-takes by Richard Burton), there is also an enormous book of original artwork (remember the tiny... Read more

Published on 22 Jun 2005 by docF

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