“Chess Blues”, 1993 USA-Only 4CD Box Set on MCA/Chess CHD4-9340. A Review…

“…I Woke Up This Morning…Couldn’t Even Get Out Of Bed…”

Released in early 1993 in the USA, the 101 tracks on this 4CD box represented the first proper overview by MCA of the Chess Blues legacy since their acquisition of its entire catalogue way back in 1985. And even now (in late 2009) with many subsequent compilations and box sets having followed - I estimate there are still at least 20 to 30 tracks exclusive to this set.

Here's a basic breakdown (each CD has a themed label):

Disc 1, 1947-1952, 25 Tracks, Yellow Aristocrat Label (73:31 minutes)
Disc 2, 1952-1954, 25 Tracks, Blue Chess Label (73:01 minutes)
Disc 3, 1954-1960, 26 Tracks, Plum Checker Label (73:08 minutes)
Disc 4, 1960-1967, 25 Tracks, Brown Argo Label (71:30 minutes)

"Chess Blues" was produced and co-compiled by ANDY McKAIE and features a wonderful 64-page booklet detailing track-by-track liner notes by MARY KATHERINE ALDIN of the LIVING BLUES Magazine (she handled the liner notes for many of the early Chess compilations). The text is peppered with classy black & whites photos of Chess giants like MUDDY WATERS, JOHN LEE HOOKER, LITTLE WALTER, HOWLIN' WOLF, WILLIE DIXON, SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON, CHUCK BERRY and ETTA JAMES. There are a few reproduced trade adverts and an opening comment by PHIL CHESS. Best of all though is the read - the paragraphs have great insights into the songs and revelatory information on long forgotten artists like LAURA RUCKER, ROBERT NIGHTHAWK and ARBEE STIDHAM. Just like Peter Grendysa's liner notes in the "Chess Rhythm & Roll" box that followed it, the booklet in this is a peach.

Remastered from Aristocrat and Chess master tapes by ERICK LABSON (over 800 credits to his name), the sound is great throughout - excepting a few tracks dubbed from disc ("Memory Of Sonny Boy" by FOREST CITY JOE from 1949 is one of them).

The music is far grittier than the "Rhythm & Roll" box where the Blues morphed into Rhythm 'n' Blues and then into Soul, but it's equally brilliant.

Unreleased gems include the fabulous piano-boogie of "Cryin' The Blues" by LAURA RUCKER sounding like a blues'd up version of Nellie Lutcher (lyrics above) - and a truly electrifying stripped down alternate take of "All Night Long" by Muddy Waters (just Muddy on guitar and Little Walter on harmonica) where he wants his woman to "rock me...all night long...'til my back has no bone..." Great stuff!

Listening to "Chess Blues" a full 16 years after its release is still a fabulous experience - and although it's not nearly as rare as it's follow-up set "Chess Rhythm & Roll", it's just as desirable...

Recommended - big time.

PS:
See also 5 separate reviews - the 1994 4CD box set "Chess Rhythm & Roll", the mammoth 15CD box set "The Chess Story 1947-1975" issued in 2000 and it's 3 separate parts issued as stand-alone 5CD sets in 2003

"The Chess Story - 1947 - 1975". A Review of the 15CD Universal Box Set.

You Can Get Less For More…And Should…

When this Chess label behemoth was released by Universal USA in 1999 - as you can imagine - it was something of an event. Remastered by tape maestro ERICK LABSON (over 800 credits to his name), it was housed in a hard card outer with three colour-coded wood-effect books inside and a further printed 70-page hardback beside them. It certainly looked the part.

Each book carried 5CDs - 15 in total - offering up 340 tracks dating from 1947 to 1975 across 13 audio discs - Disc 14 and 15 being an interview disc and a CD-Rom. Many were first time on CD and exclusive to this set. It was later broken down into 3 separate releases in 2001 offering a cheaper option. Ten years down the line into 2009, however, and time hasn't been to kind to either the original big box or the three reissues.

Each of the three 'books' has a crappy centred booklet at the top which lists the song and artist, but amazingly for a retrospective of this size, doesn't provide a catalogue number nor which personnel played on what. The 70-page hardback book is nice to look at, but again deceptively slight - it gives us a history of the label by Robert Pruter (of Chicago Soul magazine), a printed version of the interviews on Disc 14 (repeating itself) and a Chess R&B Charts list at the very end. While Pruter's story of Chess is very entertaining, and the music on Disc 1 to 13 simply sensational, precisely because of its cost, you still feel like you've been short changed.

I've reviewed all 3 boxes separately and provided track-by-track catalogue numbers, but reviewing the full box now - something occurs to me.

Good releases - especially between 2007 and 2009 - have made much of the box's exclusivity redundant and its price tag since deletion a bit of an expensive extravagance (300 to 400 sterling or 500 to 600.00 dollars). The now ludicrous cost of acquiring this set coupled with the less than stellar packaging makes me think that you must be able to get better elsewhere. So I set about a trawl to find alternatives and have come up with the following list, which will provide fans with 90% of what's on this 15CD box while throwing in a good 20% more - and all of it for less than half the money...

All of the following are remastered by the best labels and have superb and detailed liner notes:

1. The Very Best Of - FONTELLA BASS (2006 CD, 25 Tracks)
2. Gold - CHUCK BERRY (2005, 2CDs, 50 Tracks, Remasters)
3. Standing Ovation - The Very Best Of - THE DELLS
(2007, 2CDs, 39 Tracks, Remasters)
4. Go Go Power - Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966 -SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
(2009 CD, 26 Tracks)
5. Gold - BO DIDDLEY (2008, 2CDs, 41 Tracks, Remasters)
6. Gold - JOHN LEE HOOKER (2007, 2CDs, 35 Tracks, Hip-O Select Remasters)
7. The Real Folk Blues/More Folk Blues - HOWLIN' WOLF
(2003, 2LP on 1CD, 24 Tracks, US Hip-O Select)
8. Gold - ETTA JAMES (2007, 2CDs, 36 Tracks - Hip-O Select Remasters)
9. The Chess Collection - LAURA LEE (2006 CD, 20 Tracks)
10. Hoochie Coochie Man - Complete Chess Masters Vol.2 - MUDDY WATERS
(2004, 2CD Hip-O Select Book set, 51 Tracks)
11. The Real Folk Blues/More Folk Blues - MUDDY WATERS
(US Hip-O Select)
12. Fathers & Sons - MUDDY WATERS (2001, 2LP set on 1 CD with bonus tracks)
13. The Real Folk Blues/More Folk Blues - SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
(2003, 2LPs on 1CD, US Hip-O Select)
14. Chess Uptown Soul - VARIOUS (1997, 24 Tracks, UK Kent Compilation)
15. Chess Club Rhythm & Soul - VARIOUS
(1996, 25 Tracks, UK Kent Compilation)
16. Chicago Radio Soul - VARIOUS
(1996, 26 Tracks, Chess Labels, UK Kent Compilation)
17. Chess Chartbusters Vol. 1 to 6 - VARIOUS
(UK Budget-Priced 20 Track Compilations, 120 songs in total)
18. Chess Tearjerkers - VARIOUS (UK Mojo Comp 20 Tracks)
19. Chess Soul Sisters - VARIOUS (UK Mojo Comp, 20 Tracks)
20. Chess Northern Soul - VARIOUS (UK Mojo Comp, 20 Tracks)
21. Chess Blues - VARIOUS (1993, 4CD Box Set, 101 Tracks)
22. Just Keep On Dancing - Chess Northern Soul - VARIOUS
(1996, 24 Tracks, UK Kent Compilation)

There are over 500 tracks on 1 to 22 above and the cost is about £150 including P&P. Universal can't of course be held responsible for retailers trying to chance £350 on a deleted and desirable rarity, but punters should know that the same material - and better - is available elsewhere - and for a fraction of the cost.

Like Atlantic and Motown, Chess is a label worth taking that time and effort for.

"The Chess Story" PART 3 1965-1975. A Review of Universal's 5CD Box Set [Part 3 of 3].

"We May Not Have A Cent To Pay The Rent…But We’re Gonna Make It…”

Part 3 of 3. A long hardback book-shaped box set - coloured mahogany/red - 5CDs.

I've supplied the catalogue numbers for the 3 Audio CDs - it'll help those fans of Chess and its associate labels that are trying to hunt down that elusive tune... The last 2CDs are an Interview Disc and a CD-ROM.

Made in the USA, the 70 tracks of the 3 Audio CDs are remastered from the original master tapes by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON and soundwise (with over 800 mastering credits to his name) it's a typically superb job. Apart from the truly horrific “My Ding A Ling”, Disc 13 in particular is a JOY both in track choice and sound quality – song after son just an ABSOLUTE BLAST.

The packaging I feel could have been better, given the huge cost - disappointing booklet, reproduction of the interview that’s on CD 14 anyway - but for Chess fans many of these tracks remain unavailable anywhere else. Disc 13 in particular (apart from the abomination of "My Ding A Ling") makes for the most fantastic listen - perfect mixture of soul, blues and r'n'b, great production values, top remastering - very tasty indeed...

CD 12:
1. Love Is A Five-Letter Word (James Phelps)
2. We're Gonna Make It (Little Milton)
3. Ain't No Big Thing (The Radiants)
4. Temptation 'Bout To Get Me (The Knight Brothers)
5. Sitting In The Park (Billy Stewart)
6. Who's Cheating Who? (Little Milton)
7. The In Crowd (The Ramsey Lewis Trio)
8. Rescue Me (Fontella Bass)
9. Summertime (Billy Stewart)
10. Searching For My Love (Bobby Moore) (The Rhythm Aces)
11. Wang Dang Doodle (Koko Taylor)
12. Dirty Work Goin' On (Little Joe Blue)
13. In The Basement (Etta James) (Sugar Pie Desanto)
14. Landslide (Tony Clarke)
15. In The Mood (John Lee Hooker)
16. It's A Man's Man's World (Big Maybelle)
17. Wade In The Water (The Ramsey Lewis Trio)
18. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer (John Lee Hooker)
19. Without A Woman (Kip Anderson)
20. Peak Of Love (Bobby McClure)
21. Sweeter Than The Day Before (The Valentinos)
22. To Know I Can't Touch (Barbara) (The Browns)
23. I Fooled You This Time (Gene Chandler)
24. Try My Love Again (Bobby Moore) (The Rhythm Aces)
25. Ooh Baby (Bo Diddley)
26. I Feel So Bad (Little Milton)

CD 12:
1. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Marlena Shaw)
2. Dirty Man (Laura Lee)
3. I'm Shorty (Tommy Tucker)
4. Cheater Man (Irma Thomas)
5. O-O I Love You (The Dells)
6. Tell Mama (Etta James)
7. Some A Your Sweet Love (Wayne Cochran)
8. Uptight Good Man (Laura Lee)
9. There Is (The Dells)
10. I'm Just What She Needs (Johnny Sayles)
11. You Left The Water Running (Maurice & Mac)
12. It Ain't Necessary (Mamie Galore)
13. Sitting Home Alone (Hound Dog Taylor)
14. Cadillac Jack (Andre Williams)
15. Good To Me (Irma Thomas)
16. Security (Etta James)
17. Stay In My Corner (The Dells)
18. You Name It, I've Had It (Willie Walker)
19. Without A Woman (Kip Anderson)
20. Here Comes The Judge (Pigmeat Markham)
21. Look At Me Now (Terry Callier)
22. Walking Thru The Park (Muddy Waters)
23. Girls Ain't Groceries (Little Milton)
24. Love You Like A Woman (Koko Taylor)

CD 13:
1. I Had A Dream (John Littlejohn)
2. Oh What A Night (The Dells)
3. If Walls Could Talk (Little Milton)
4. Who's Been Talking (Howlin' Wolf)
5. Baby, I Love You (Little Milton)
6. Losers Weepers (Etta James)
7. Recouperating (Lee Eldred)
8. Can You Be A One-Woman Man (Sam Dees)
9. Tease Your Man (Koko Taylor)
10. Sad, Sad Day (Muddy Waters)
11. My Ding-A-Ling (Chuck Berry)
12. Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation (The Dells)
13. Can't Get No Grindin' (Muddy Waters)
14. Can't Stay Here (Howlin' Wolf)
15. Bio (Chuck Berry)
16. I Miss You (The Dells)
17. I'll Be Holding On (Big Al Downing)
18. Don't Make Me No Promises (The Dramatics)
19. I'm Leaving On That Late, Late Train (Solomon Burke)
20. Tell Me What You Want (Jimmy Ruffin)
21. Going Down To Main Street (Muddy Waters)

CD 11 The Chess Story 1965-1966 (76:04 minutes):
1. Argo 5499 [A]
2. Checker 1105 [A]
3. Chess 1925 [A]
4. Checker 1107 [A]
5. Chess 1932 [A]
6. Checker 1113 [A]
7. Cadet 5506 [A]
8. Checker 1120 [A]
9. Chess 1966 [A]
10. Checker 1129 [A]
11. Checker 1135 [A]
12. Checker 1141 [A]
13. Cadet 5539 [A]
14. Chess 1979 [A]
15. Chess 1965 [A]
16. Chess 1967 [A]
17. Cadet 5541 [A]
18. Chess LP 1508
(“The Real Folk Blues” by JOHN LEE HOOKER, 1966, USA)
19. Checker 1145 [A]
20. Checker 1153 [A]
21. Chess 1977 [A]
22. Chess (Europe) GCH 8118
(“The Southern Soul Stock, Vol.2” by VARIOUS, 1989 on Green Line)
23. Checker 1155 [A]
24. Checker 1156 [A]
25. Checker 1158 [A]
26. Checker 1162 [A]

CD 12 – The Chess Story 1967-1968 (69:02 minutes):
1. Cadet 5557 [A]
2. Chess 2013 [A]
3. Checker 1178 [A]
4. Chess 2010 [A]
5. Cadet 5574 [A]
6. Cadet 5578 [A]
7. Chess 2020 [A]
8. Chess 2030 [A]
9. Cadet 5574 and Cadet 5590 [A]
10. Chess 2033 [A]
11. Checker 1197 [A]
12. St. Laurence 1012 [A]
13. Chess (Germany) LP 628601
(“Chess Blues” by VARIOUS, 1990’s)
14. Checker 1205 [A]
15. Chess 2036 [A]
16. Cadet 5594 [A]
17. Cadet 5612 [A]
18. Checker 1198 [A]
19. Chess 2049 [A]
20. Cadet 5623 [A]
21. Chess LPS-127
(“Fathers & Sons” by MUDDY WATERS, 2LP Set, 1969)
22. Checker 1212
23. Chess LPS-1532
(“Koko Taylor” by KOKO TAYLOR, USA, 1969)

CD 13 – The Chess Story 1969-1975 (75:54 minutes):
1. Chess LP 6074
2. Cadet 5649 [A]
3. Checker 1226 [A]
4. Chess LP 60008
(“The London Sessions” by HOWLIN’ WOLF & FRIENDS, 1971)
5. Checker 1227 [A]
6. Cadet 5676 [A]
7. Chess 2105 [A]
8. Chess 2109 [A]
9. Chess LP 50018
(“Basic Soul” by KOKO TAYLOR, 1972)
10. Chess LP 60013
(“The London Sessions” by MUDDY WATERS & FRIENDS, 1971)
11. Chess 2131 [A]
12. Cadet 5696 [A]
13. Checker 2143 [A]
14. Chess LP 50045
(“Back Door Wolf” by HOWLIN’ WOLF, 1974)
15. Chess 2140 [A]
16. Cadet 5700 [A]
17. Chess 2158 [A]
18. Cadet 5706 [A]
19. Chess 2159 [A]
20. Chess 2160 [A]
21. Chess LP 60035
(“The Woodstock Album” by MUDDY WATERS, 1975)

CD 14 – The Chess Story (73:31 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 4 are a Phil Chess interview conducted at his home in Tuscon, Arizona on the 14th of February 1999 (produced by Mary Katherine Alvin)
Tracks 5 to 18 are a Marshall Chess interview conducted by Paul Jones on Radio Jazz FM in London (no date supplied)

CD 15 is a CD-Rom – an interactive journey through The Chess Story, complete Chess Legendary Masters Series catalogue and US Catalogue listing, stock footage of The Dells and Chuck Berry, scenes of Chicago and the Chess pressing plants, web links etc… Requires Windows 95/98 operating system on a PC and OS7 onwards on an Apple.

Recommended - even at a cost.

PS:
PART 1, the 1st box, is 5 discs also and covers 1947-1956, 131 tracks (see separate review)

PART 2, the 2nd box, is 5 discs too and covers 1957-1964, 133 tracks (see separate review).

PPS: title of this review is from Track 2 on CD11 - "We’re Gonna Make It” by LITTLE MILTON

"The Chess Story" PART 2 1957-1964. A Review of Universal's 5CD Box Set [Part 2 of 3].

PART 2 of a 3. A long hardback book-shaped box set - coloured blue - 5CDs.
(Originally issued by Universal in the States in 1999 as a 15CD Set)

TRACKS and ARTISTS:
CD 6:
1. We Go Together (The Moonglows)
2. Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry)
3. You Better Believe It (Paul Gayten)
4. A Kiss From Your Lips (The Flamingos)
5. Take It Easy, Greasy (Bobby Charles)
6. Who Do You Love (Bo Diddley)
7. See-Saw (The Moonglows)
8. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man (Chuck Berry)
9. Don't Go No Farther (Muddy Waters)
10. I Asked For Water (Howlin' Wolf)
11. 29 Ways (Willie Dixon)
12. Would I Be Crying (The Flamingos)
13. Keep It To Yourself (Sonny Boy Williamson)
14. Too Much Monkey Business (Chuck Berry)
15. Don't Touch My Head (J.B. Lenoir)
16. I'm Ashamed Of Myself (Floyd Dixon)
17. A Simple Prayer (The Ravens)
18. Tall, Dark And Handsome Man (Bobby Cisco)
19. Walkin' By Myself (Jimmy Rogers)
20. Been So Long (The Pastels)
21. Got My Mojo Workin' (Muddy Waters)
22. School Day (Chuck Berry)
23. Please Send Me Someone To Love (The Moonglows)
24. Susie Q (Dale Hawkins)
25. Rock Me (Muddy Waters)
26. Blue Velvet (The Moonglows)

CD7:
1. Hey Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley)
2. Fattenin' Frog For Snakes (Sonny Boy Williamson)
3. Long Lonely Nights (Lee Andrews) (The Hearts)
4. Mona (Bo Diddley)
5. Cool Off Baby (Billy 'Curley' Barrix)
6. Flat Foot Sam (T.V. Slim)
7. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby (The Tuneweavers)
8. Rock And Roll Music (Chuck Berry)
9. Before You Accuse Me (Bo Diddley)
10. That's Why I Love You So (Al Kent)
11. My Soul (Clifton Chenier)
12. Go Ahead (Billy Miranda)
13. Ninety Nine (Sonny Boy Williamson)
14. Book Of Love (The Monotones)
15. Look Out Mabel (G.L. Crockett)
16. Sittin' On Top Of The World (Howlin' Wolf)
17. The Walk (Jimmy McCracklin)
18. Nothin' Shakin' (Eddie Fontaine)
19. Ten Commandments Of Love (The Moonglows)
20. Yea Yea (The Kendall Sisters)
21. Sweet Little Sixteen (Chuck Berry)
22. Tornado (Dale Hawkins)
23. Four O'clock In The Morning (Stanley Mitchell) (The Tornados)
24. Say Man (Bo Diddley)
25. Everybody Rock (Jimmy McCracklin)
26. Anything To Say You're Mine (Lula Reed)
27. Your Funeral And My Trial (Sonny Boy Williamson)
28. Anything To Say You're Mine (Lula Reed)

CD8:
1. You Got Me Whistlin' (Johnny Fuller)
2. Oh-Oh (Eddie Bo)
3. Carol (Chuck Berry)
4. La-Do-Dada (Dale Hawkins)
5. Loud Mouth Annie (Dupont) (Myles)
6. Do You Remember? (L.C. Cooke)
7. Vacation's Over (Lou Josie)
8. Key To The Highway (Little Walter)
9. Close To You (Muddy Waters)
10. Sweet Little Rock And Roller (Chuck Berry)
11. I'm Sorry (Bo Diddley)
12. Sugaree (Rusty York)
13. This Broken Heart (The Sonics)
14. Crackin' Up (Bo Diddley)
15. Almost Grown (Chuck Berry)
16. This Should Go On Forever (Rod Bernard)
17. I Want To Know (Sugarpie DeSanto)
18. Save It (Mel Robins)
19. Back In The U.S.A. (Chuck Berry)
20. Bad Girl (The Miracles)
21. Unseeing Eye (Sonny Boy Williamson)
22. Howlin' For My Darlin' (Howlin' Wolf)
23. Anna Macora (The Calvaes)
24. Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Little Walter)
25. Let It Rock (Chuck Berry)
26. Road Runner (Bo Diddley)
27. Trying To Make A Living (Bobby Saxton)
28. Goin' Back To Memphis (Gene Simmons)
29. First Time I Met The Blues (Buddy Guy)

CD9:
1. All I Could Do Was Cry (Etta James)
2. All Your Love (Otis Rush)
3. I Can't Hold Out (Elmore James)
4. If I Can't Have You (Etta James) (Harvey Fuqua)
5. Blue Shadows (Lowell Fulson)
6. Spoonful (Howlin' Wolf)
7. Tiger In Your Tank (Muddy Waters)
8. Gunslinger (Bo Diddley)
9. But I Do (Clarence 'Frogman' Henry)
10. At Last (Etta James)
11. Back Door Man (Howlin' Wolf)
12. The Watusi (The Vibrations)
13. Just Your Fool (Little Walter)
14. Come On (Chuck Berry)
15. I Won't Be Hanging Around (Albert King)
16. You Always Hurt The One You Love (Clarence 'Frogman' Henry)
17. Peanut Butter (The Marathons)
18. Down In The Bottom (Howlin' Wolf)
19. Music, Music, Music (The Sensations)
20. I'm A Little Mixed Up (Betty James)
21. Little Red Rooster (Howlin' Wolf)
22. So Mean To Me (Little Milton)
23. Proof Of Your Love (Jackie Cannon)
24. Let Me In (The Sensations)
25. Smokey Places (The Corsairs)
26. Nine Below Zero (Sonny Boy Williamson)
27. Something's Got A Hold On Me (Etta James)
28. Stone Crazy (Buddy Guy)

CD10:
1. Reap What You Sow (Billy Stewart)
2. Rinky Dink (Dave "Baby" Cortez)
3. You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover (Bo Diddley)
4. Stop The Wedding (Etta James)
5. Lonely Baby (Ty Hunter)
6. Mama Didn't Lie (Jan Bradley)
7. Got You On My Mind (Cookie & The Cupcakes)
8. Pushover (Etta James)
9. Help Me (Sonny Boy Williamson)
10. 300 Pounds Of Joy (Howlin' Wolf)
11. Sally Go Round The Roses (The Jaynettes)
12. You Keep Her (Joe Tex)
13. Second Hand Lover (The Knight Brothers)
14. Hi-Heel Sneakers (Tommy Tucker)
15. Nadine (Chuck Berry)
16. You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had (Muddy Waters)
17. Soulful Dress (Sugar Pie DeSanto)
18. My Time After A While (Buddy Guy)
19. Selfish One (Jackie Ross)
20. Don't Mess Up A Good Thing (Fontella Bass & Bobby McClure)
21. I Had A Talk With My Man (Mitty Collier)
22. Promised Land (Chuck Berry)
23. The Entertainer (Tony Clarke)
24. Voice Your Choice (The Radiants)
25. Crawlin' King Snake (Buster Brown)
26. I Do Love You (Billy Stewart)

CATALOGUE NUMBERS:
CD 6 1955-1956 (73:40 minutes):
1. Chess 1619 [A]
2. Chess 1626 [A]
3. Checker 836 [A]
4. Checker 837 [A]
5. Chess 1628 [A]
6. Checker 842 [A]
7. Chess 1629 [A]
8. Chess 1635 [B] (see 14)
9. Chess 1630 [A]
10. Chess 1632 [A]
11. Checker 851 [A]
12. Checker 853 [A]
13. Checker 847 [A]
14. Chess 1635 [A] (see also 8)
15. Checker 856 [A]
16. Checker 857 [A]
17. Argo 5261 [A]
18. Chess 1650 [A]
19. Checker 867 [A]
20. Argo 5259 [A]
21. Chess 1643 [A]
22. Argo 5287 [A]
23. Chess 1652 [A] (see also 27)
24. Chess 1653 [A]
25. Chess 1661 [A]
26. Checker 863 [A]
27. Chess 1652 [B] (see 23)
28. Chess 1811 [A]

CD7 1957-1959 (73:32 minutes)
1. Checker 860 [A] (see also 4)
2. Checker 864 [A]
3. Chess 1665 [A]
4. Checker 860 [B] (see also 1)
5. Chess 1662 [A]
6. Checker 870 [A]
7. Checker 872 [A]
8. Chess 1671 [A]
9. Checker 878 [A]
10. Checker 881 [A]
11. Checker 939 [A]
12. Checker 957 [A]
13. Checker 883 [A]
14. Argo 5290 [A]
15. Checker 1120 [A]
16. Chess 1679 [A]
17. Checker 885 [A]
18. Argo 5309 [A]
19. Chess 1705 (Full Version) [A]
20. Checker 889/Argo 5291 [A]
21. Chess 1683 [A]
22. Checker 892 [A]
23. Chess 1649 [A]
24. Checker 931 [A]
25. Checker 893 [A]
26. Argo 5297 [A]
27. Checker 894 [A]
28. Chess 1695 [A]

CD8 1957-1959 (75:09 minutes)
1. Checker 899 [A]
2. Chess 1698 [A]
3. Chess 1700 [A]
4. Checker 900 [A]
5. Argo 5326 [A]
6. Checker 903 [A]
7. Chess LP 9124
8. Checker 904 [A]
9. Chess 1704 [A]
10. Chess 1709 [A]
11. Checker 914 [A]
12. Chess 1730 [A]
13. Checker 922 [A]
14. Checker 924 [A]
15. Chess 1722 [A]
16. Argo 5372 [A]
17. Veltone 103
18. Argo 5340 [A]
19. Chess 1729 [A]
20. Chess 1734 [A]
21. Checker 927 [A]
22. Chess 1762 [A]
23. Checker 928 [A]
24. Checker 930 [A]
25. Chess 1747 [A]
26. Checker 942 [A]
27. Checker 947 [A]
28. Checker 948 [A]
29. Chess 1753 [A]

CD9 1960-1961 (74:41 minutes)
1. Argo 5359 [A]
2. Chess LP 1538 (Albert King & Otis Rush - "Door To Door", 1959)
3. Chess 1756 [A]
4. Chess 1760 [A]
5. Checker 959 [A]
6. Chess 1762 [A]
7. Chess 1765 [A]
8. Checker 945 [A]
9. Argo 5378 [A]
10. Argo 5380 [A]
11. Chess 1777 [A]
12. Checker 969 [A]
13. Checker 1013 [A]
14. Chess 1779 [A]
15. Chess LP 1538 (see 2)
16. Argo 5388 [A]
17. Argo 5389 [A]
18. Chess 1793 (Unedited Version)
19. Argo 5391 [A]
20. Chess 1801 [A]
21. Chess 1804 [A]
22. Checker 994 [A]
23. Chess 1807 [A]
24. Argo 5405 [A]
25. Chess 1808 [A]
26. Checker 1003 (Unedited Version)
27. Argo 5409 [A]
28. Chess 1812 [A]

CD10 1961-1964 (74:27 minutes)
1. Chess 1820 [A]
2. Chess 1829 [A]
3. Checker 1019 [A]
4. Argo 5418 [A]
5. Checkmate 1015 [A]
6. Chess 1845 [A]
7. Chess 1838 [A]
8. Argo 5437 [A]
9. Checker 1036 [A]
10. Chess 1870 [A]
11. Tuff 369 [A]
12. Checker 1055 [A]
13. Checker 1064 [A]
14. Checker 1067 [A]
15. Chess 1883 [A]
16. Chess 1895 [A]
17. Checker 1082 [A]
18. Chess 1889 [A]
19. Chess 1903 [A]
20. Checker 1087 [A]
21. Chess 1907 [A]
22. Chess 1916 [A]
23. Chess 1924 [A]
24. Chess 1904 [A]
25. Checker 1099 [A]
26. Chess 1922 [A]

The entire set is remastered from original master tapes by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON and soundwise (with over 800 mastering credits to his name) it's a typically superb job.

The packaging I feel could have been a lot better, disappointing booklets - but for Chess fans many of these tracks are simply not available anywhere else...

Recommended - even at a price.

PS:
The 1st box is 5 discs also and covers 1947-1956 (133 tracks)

The 3rd box is 5 discs too and covers 1965-1975. However, in box 3, there are only 3 audio CDs (70 tracks) - Disc 14 is divided into 18 interview parts (just over 74 minutes) and Disc 15 is a CD-Rom with interactive downloads, Chess catalogue etc