UME’s new 2-CD "Gold" series - beware!

Within the last few months, Universal has launched a new
2-CD series titled "Gold". When I first learned about the
series through "ice" magazine, I was admittedly
intrigued, and looking forward to it. But as the
different collections have begun to hit store shelves
(there are now at least 15-20 out there), some of my
excitement has turned to disappointment. It seems this
"new" series isn't quite all it's hyped up to be - while
some of the "Gold" collections are indeed new, it turns
out others are straight re-issues of previous 2-CD
anthologies, and worse still, I've found at least one
that is actually a *condensed* version of a previous
release!

I wanted to mention this here, since Pat has already
reviewed three of these new "Gold" collections on the "CD
Reviews" page - the ones for the Temptations (posted
January 26), Neil Diamond (February 1), and most
recently, the one titled "Motown Classics" by Various
Artists (March 13)...

Pat gave a rather glowing review of the Temptations
edition, stating that it "blew him away" because of the
extensive booklet of liner notes written by group member
Otis Williams, in addition to featuring a generous 36
tracks. Having never owned a Temptations collection on CD
before, a few weeks ago, I tracked down the "Gold"
collection in a local store, and bought it, partly based
on his review. But then upon further research, I
discovered that "Gold" is nothing more than a straight
re-issue of 2002's "My Girl: The Very Best of The
Temptations" on Motown/UTV 440017298 (the listings for
which are already included in the 10th edition). Yep,
same two CDs, same 36 tracks, same versions, and even in
the exact same running order! The original 2002 release
evidently remains in print, and I also managed to find it
in a (different) local store. And because of the superior
packaging, I actually broke down and bought "My Girl" as
well - and now intend to get rid of "Gold". It seems the
original "My Girl" collection came in a gatefold-type
digipak w/ different artwork, and yes, it included a
generous booklet inside w/ the same track-by-track
commentary by Otis Williams (in fact, it's nearly
identical, and even features the same photos inside)! If
"My Girl: The Very Best of..." didn't already exist, then
yes, I'd agree completely w/ Pat that "Gold" would be
well worth getting. But the truth is, "Gold" is nothing
more than a cheaper version of "My Girl" - a classic
attempt by the record co. to recycle the same material
all over again, and thus get us fans to shell out more
$$$ for the same product! (Another joke about the new
Temptations "Gold" collection: I couldn't help but notice
that the CDs themselves actually bear the "Geffen" logo,
and not "Motown" - say what?!?)

To be fair, Pat does rightly mention in his review of
"Motown Classics: Gold" by V/A that it is also nothing
more than a straight re-issue of a previous 2-CD
collection - in this case, 2000's "Motown - The Classic
Years" on Motown/UTV 012159466, so there are other
examples in the "Gold" series already out there...

Another "Gold" collection that I was extremely
disappointed w/ is the one for Rick James. In 2002,
Universal released his 2-CD "Anthology", on Motown
440014483 (again, already included in the 10th edition).
It has 28 tracks, and as a huge RJ fan, I of course
bought "Anthology" shortly after it first came out. And
while each disc does contain 75-77 minutes' worth of
music, it's still missing a few hits & key album cuts.
Thus, when I learned about the new "Gold" collection, I
was hoping it would fill most - if not all - of those
holes. Well, you can imagine my disappointment when I
found the CD, read the track listing, and realized it was
simply a 23-track *condensed* version of "Anthology"!
(Okay, they did add one different track, "Can't Stop".)
Again, the songs are in the same running order, although
quite a few of them have been reduced to their "single
edits" vs. the full-length album versions found on the
original "Anthology". So w/ fewer tracks and shorter
versions of many of the ones that were kept, it all adds
up to less music! Therefore, I feel that "Gold" is
nothing more than a cheap rip-off of "Anthology". A
shame, as this again tarnishes the entire "Gold" series,
IMHO - so buyer beware on
these!

While I agree that there's been a flood of compilations
from older catalog artists hitting the market lately, I
have nothing against that practice per se, as long as the
record cos. make an effort to bring something new to the
table - be it rarities, lesser-known chart hits not
previously available on CD, etc. It's gimmicks like the
ones Universal has been using in its "Gold" series that I
feel are annoying (not to mention deceiving!)...

That being said, I've found some of the collections in
Universal's new "Gold" series to be worthy, and have
bought a few others, including the ones for Kool & the
Gang, Donna Summer, and yes, KISS (although I opted for
the more expensive deluxe version of that one, which
includes a DVD). I just intend to be a bit more cautious
before buying future editions... :-)

Truth be told, I've never been a huge fan of cardboard
digipak packaging, either. In fact, I usually despise it
- case in point, the new "Greatest Hits" collection for
Crosby, Stills & Nash on Rhino/Atlantic 76537, which came
out just yesterday (Tuesday). Talk about a piece of junk
- it's basically just a single-fold cardboard slipcover,
w/ one pocket for the booklet, and another for the CD
itself! If I had a choice, I definitely would've picked
the plastic jewel-case version - but alas, there is no
other option (*sigh*), and since I do love several of
their hits (has their ever been a song recorded w/ better
harmonies than "Southern Cross"???), I bought it anyway.
But IMO, the packaging used on the 2002 Temptations
collection is far superior to most of that type
(tri-fold, w/ a plastic base inside for each CD, and
better artwork vs. "Gold"), and is about the best you can
get - it's certainly more durable and doesn't look
"cheap", either, unlike Rhino's new CSN collection...

BTW, I just sent you a PM as well, Todd...
:-)

While I do own most of their '70s & '80s albums on
cassette, the only other CDs I have by Kool & the Gang in
addition to the new "Gold" collection are 1993's "The
Best of... (1969-1976)" and 1994's "Celebration: The Best
of... (1979-1987)". Unfortunately, "Special Way" isn't on
any of them. I do have some import collections of theirs
on cassette as well, but not CD. Sorry I wasn't able to
help...