Earthworks: Complete Deluxe

This is a fantastic collection of all of the Earthworks studio, live, and collection discs. Also some great DVDs. If you are a casual fan, then the anthologies or a live album or two are probably enough. But if you are into Bill Bruford's work, this is a must-have. It's especially interesting to compare the two incarnations of the group. I also very much like the underground orchestra disc, on which Bruford and Garland form a 9 piece unit with young NYC musicians. Worth mentioning, too, is the value of this collection: something like 20 CDs and DVDs for around $100, and some of which you'd be hard pressed to locate if not for this collection.

I have always appreciated Bill Bruford's exceptional percussion on King Crimson, Yes, and other progressive rock type albums. I never took the dive into his jazz releases. Earthworks is one fine ensemble and this collection of discs is priced just right to take the dive. I have enjoyed the quality of the players and compositions.

Not a bad drummer playing with 3 of the biggest in the UK Prog rock scene of Yes, King Crimson & Genesis, huge set but already really into it, was hoping for video footage of Annette Peacock but I see there somewhere may be her Whistle Test footage.

Missing master strokes. One of his best! Palewell park is shear genius. Just piano and fretless bass. Pure heaven ear candy Bill is a class a act top shelf percussionist. Nobody tickles the Paistes better

This is a magnificent, beautifully put together CD/DVD set to cherish for years to come! I would reccomend this to even an Earthworks casual fan. You've nothing to lose and everything to gain!

i love this music

First of all, Earthworks musical output was uniformly terrific and worthy of 5 stars throughout their run and personnel changes. I am someone who bought the first Yes album when it was new in 1969, so I've followed Bruford over his entire recording career. I haven't loved everything (the Tony Levin Upper Extremities collaborations generally didn't do it for me), but most things he's done still regularly delight me.I had the entire Earthworks catalog (except for Heavenly Bodies) already. That included the relatively recent re-masters from Earthworks mk. 1. I also had the dvd's, so the question for me with this set centered on any upgrade in sound quality and potential extras. The obvious extras here are the Live in Santiago cd and dvd, the From Conception to Birth demo to final tune set, and the audio cd's of the material from the Footloose in NYC dvd and the 2 video anthologies. There is also the expanded, but somewhat redundant Heavenly Bodies cd overview, that's now expanded to 2 discs with a short 2019 blurb written by Bill.The first thing I'll say is that the sound quality has, to my ear, been upgraded. Early material with Django Bates and Iain Ballamy does sound richer and fuller. Mick Hutton's and Tim Harries' bass definitely sounds richer, and there is an overall distinction in the mix that seems better. Of course, any listening is subjective, but I see this as an improvement.I've not yet listened to every disc, but I'd expect that this kind of attention to detail extends through the set. I also haven't viewed any of the dvd material yet to note image or audio differences there.Curiously, one bonus track(Hotel Splendour) from the Live-Stamping Ground re-master is not on that disc in this box, so anyone owning that collection may want to keep that disc or file. The older Earthworks Underground Orchestra disc that I had included a "Limited Edition Bonus Disc" that included 2 tracks, Thud and Rosa Ballerina. The disc with this box doesn't include the 2nd disc, but those tracks turn up on Heavenly Bodies Expanded Collection. That being said, the Footloose and Fancy Free live set now does contain one extra track, The Shadow of a Doubt. So does Random Acts of Happiness, which now includes Beelzebub.The final issue with boxset extras usually centers on packaging. There is no new booklet with pictures or insights of any kind here, and there's very little different about the inserts coming with the already released discs that still come packaged in plastic jewel cases. The newly released Santiago and Demo material does, of course have new artwork and inserts.I'd been underwhelmed by the Seems Like a Lifetime Ago Bruford band box. The studio albums did sound better, but the audio extras didn't add up to much of value for me (and where was an audio cd of Rock Goes to College???). This Earthworks box does a much better service to a fan. I generally listen more than watch, so I'm grateful for the audio cd's of the dvd material. Once again, the music is all totally top notch, but the few issues about the overall packaging of the set make me rate this box a 4, rather than 5, star set.

this reissued remastered box set is heaven sent! love the earthworks and the variety of instruments makes incredible jazz/fusion bruford’s drums off the chart u cant go wrong with this and the 4 dvds spectacular! could listen to this all day every day music at its beat fronted by a master!

With 24 discs in 15 jewel cases in a cardboard box, there's an awful lot to keep you entertained here. There is also a certain amount of duplication with CDs of all the material on DVD and a well packed double compilation (Heavenly Bodies) which only has a couple of tracks which are not available elsewhere in the box. I didn't mind this, as I think it's still worth the price, but it's as well to be aware if you are thinking of taking the plunge.The music itself is wonderful throughout. I know that some people don't like the early albums where Bruford uses electronic percussion, but I've always enjoyed them. Overall, this is a nice little box set which delivers what it promises at a reasonable price.

A thing of real beauty, both in terms of the item as well as the content. The audio is all fully pristine, the DVD quality top notch and 5.1 mixes are so good, it's like being on the front row. The craftsmanship in making the content and the box, sets the standard for other career defining releases.

Bill Burford Jazz Odyssey

Bill is the band leader with many exceptional players

Just brilliant - so much to explore. One of the great bands.