Throughout their 35 years of recording, AC/DC has had several tracks that have appeared in a myriad of places besides their official studio albums. From singles to soundtracks to promo samplers, their stray songs have been sought after by fans and highly collectible. Now, for the first time, Backtracks collects 12 of the band’s studio rarities and 15 live rarities and presents them in full remastered form to take their place along side the rest of the band’s canon (pun intended…). Includes the highly sought-after “Cold Hearted Man,” “Rock In Peace” and “Borrowed Time”. Also features “Big Gun” – never before on any AC/DC album! The third disc brings the million-selling Family Jewels franchise up to date, covering 1993’s “Big Gun” through 2009’s “Anything Goes”. Also included are rare alternate videos for 4 songs as well as the promo clips for the LIVE album AND the previously unreleased “Guns For Hire.”
Track Listing CD1 [STUDIO RARITIES]
1. Stick Around: Released on Australian-only LP High Voltage
2. Love Song: Released on Australian-only LP High Voltage
3. Fling Thing: Released on Australian 7” single “Jailbreak”
4. R.I.P. (Rock In Peace): Released on Australian-only LP Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
5. Carry Me Home: Released on Australian 7” single “Dog Eat Dog”
6. Crabsody In Blue: Released on Australian LP Let There Be Rock
7. Cold Hearted Man: First released on Australian 7” single “Rock ‘N’ Roll Damnation”
8. Snake Eye: Released on Australian 12” single “Heatseeker”
9. Borrowed Time: First released on Australian 12” single “That’s The Way I Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll”
10. Down On The Borderline: Released on Australian “Moneytalks” 7”, 12” and CD single
11. Big Gun: First released on World-Wide CD soundtrack “Last Action Hero”
12. Cyberspace: First released on Australian CD single “Safe In New York City”
CD 2 [LIVE RARITIES]
1. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (live) (Sydney Festival, 30 Jan. 1977): Released on Australia-only promo compilation “Long Live The Evolution”
2. Dog Eat Dog (live) (Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, 30 Apr. 1978): First released on Australian 7” single “Whole Lotta Rosie”
3. Live Wire (live) (Hammersmith Odeon, London, 2 Nov. 1979): First released on UK 7” single “Touch Too Much”
4. Shot Down In Flames (live) (Hammersmith Odeon, London, 2 Nov. 1979): First released on UK 7” single “Touch Too Much”
5. Back In Black (live) (Capital Center, Landover MD, 21 Dec. 1981): First released on UK 12” single “Let’s Get It Up”
6. T.N.T. (live) (Capital Center, Landover MD, 20 Dec. 1981): First released on UK 12” single “Let’s Get It Up”
7. Let There Be Rock (live) (Capital Center, Landover MD, 21 Dec. 1981): First released on UK 12” single “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)”
8. Guns For Hire (live) (Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, 18 Nov. 1983): First released on UK 7” and 12” maxi single “Who Made Who”
9. Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution (live) (Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, 18 Nov. 1983): First released on UK 12” single “Nervous Shakedown”
10. This House Is On Fire (live) (Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, 18 Nov. 1983): First released on UK 12” single “Nervous Shakedown”
11. You Shook Me All Night Long (live) (Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, 18 Nov. 1983): First released on UK 12” single “You Shook Me All Night Long”
12. Jailbreak (live) (Dallas TX, 12 Oct. 1985): Released on UK and European 12” single “Shake Your Foundations”
13. Highway To Hell (live) (Tushino Airfield, Moscow, 28 Sept. 1991): Released on French mini CD “5 Titres Inedits En Concert”
14. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) (live) (Tushino Airfield, Moscow, 28 Sept. 1991): First released on European CD single “Big Gun”
15. Safe In New York City (live) (Phoenix AZ, 13 Sept. 2000): First released on US Promo CD single “Safe In New York City”
DVD “Family Jewels Disc Three” VIDEOS
Big Gun
Hard As A Rock
Hail Caesar
Cover You In Oil
Stiff Upper Lip
Satellite Blues
Safe In New York City
Rock N Roll Train
Anything Goes
BONUS VIDEOS
Jailbreak
It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)
Highway To Hell
You Shook Me All Night Long
Guns For Hire
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (live)
Highway To Hell (live)
BONUS FEATURES
The Making Of Hard As A Rock
The Making Of Rock N Roll Train |
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 GREAT DEVASTATING ROCK AND ROLL |
| Review Date: November 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Stuart Jefferson, San Diego,Ca |
Two discs 46,78 minutes each approximately. The sound is uniformly good. The tracks have been cleaned up a bit,and the band comes through loud and clear. The DVD is icing on the cake,with a number of great performances. The box itself is cleverly done. The outer box resembles an amp/speaker,with all the settings on 10. Inside this is a fold-out package with the three discs,which snap-in,which seems to be the way record companies are packaging things these days. The booklet consists of many color photographs of the band on stage, and reproductions of band info/biographies etc. There are two pages devoted to track information,which while printed in small typeface,is pretty complete.
The first disc consists primarily of singles and tracks (not on the U.S. release) starting with the band's first album,"High Voltage". These tracks show the band from their formative (1974) period,and are presented in chronological order,which is helpful,as it shows the growth of this band into the r&r juggernaut they became. Not all the tracks are full-on r&r("Love Song" as an example),but by the time listeners hear track four, "R.I.P.(Rock in Peace)",this is the AC/DC familiar (sample lyric,"I get my kicks playing my licks and laying my chicks down on Route 66") to everyone who likes primal,full-on r&r. Even the slower songs (like "Crabsody in Blue") have that dirty,primal sound that the band was so famous for.
There are many listeners who feel that the (late) Bon Scott era was a high water mark for the band,and listening to the tracks with Scott,its hard to disagree. Scott's voice is pure,visceral r&r at its best. However,with the addition of Brian Johnson,replacing Scott,the band seemed to solidify into the overwhelming,powerful group that went on to define what r&r is all about.
Disc two is filled with what AC/DC was/is all about-live in front of an ecstatic audience. Starting with "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap",the band shows what real deal r&r is all about. The vocals are over the top yet spot on. The sound of the guitars will leave marks in your head. And the rhythm section (the bands secret weapon) keeps everything moving-seemingly propelling the rest of the band to greater heights. This is a band that had not one,but two great vocalists. Never mind which one listeners feel is better-on this collection it doesn't really matter. The pounding,exciting groove laid down by the band,as a whole,is simply devastating.
Everyone will have their own favorites from this ("Live Wire","Let There Be Rock",just two examples) collection. Suffice to say,if you don't know what AC/DC is all about-give this a listen. This collection will tell you all you need to know. For fans of the band-pick this up soon-you won't be disappointed. In this day and age of limp reformations of old bands,and new imitators,AC/DC clearly defines what makes great rock & roll. This is timeless music,laid down with no thoughts except to pump out the best music possible.
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This is real rock
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| Review Date: November 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Steven Durden, |
Amazon delivered this right on release day. I immediately started up CD #1. These are the songs that have been on foreign releases only to be heard on expensive imports or murky copies floating around. Now they are remastered and bring Bon Scott back from the dead and some lost tracks from Brian Johnson. It does make a fan wish that there were two parallel AC/DC bands creating music over the last thirty years with Bon Scott still penning lyrics and singing in version 1 and Brian singing in version 2.
1. Stick Around: Bon Scott: 9/10
2. Love Song: Bon Scott: A ballady song. Glad they only made one love song. Still good to hear Bon. great guitar
3. Fling Thing: Primarily an instrumental right out of a Scottish pub.
4. RIP: Bon Scott: A cranker upper 8/10
5. Carry Me Home: Bon Scott:
6. Crabsody in Blue: Bon. Lyrics only Bon would sing. It will make you itch hearing about getting crabs. 9/10
7. Cold Hearted Man: Bon. Dark lyrics, blues style guitar. 10/10
8. Snake Eyes: Brian Johnson One of the better 80s tracks
9. Borrowed Time: Brian Good stadium thumper
10. Down on the Borderline: Great rhythm and Brian in great voice 8/10
11. Big Gun: The only thing good about Last Action Hero. The video on disk #3 is hilarious. Arnold carrying around Angus like a little Chucky doll.
12. Cyberspace: Ac/dc singing about computer stuff. Good to have, but like the Love Song, there was a reason to keep in a B-side. Still, fun to listen to.
CD #2: Live tracks. I wish there was more of Bon era live stuff. Brian's era is recorded with higher end equipment and he tears the roof off material never released live before on CD.
DVD: Rock and Roll with Angus turning up in the strangest places. The making of video makes you appreciate the fact that Angus is willing to take some risks, do all of his own stunts and put himself in harm's way. Reveals what a great band they are still having fun making blistering rock. |
good
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| Review Date: December 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: pam.morton@emerson.com, NEW JERSEY |
| if you are a ac/dc fan you will love this cd new footaged that i have never seen good quality. |
What seperates the men from the boys.
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| Review Date: November 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Tyler Rose, Sweetwater, Tennessee |
While most Rock N'Roll Bands are releasing boxed sets of material that has long since been available to the public on atleast 5 or more different compilations, AC/DC is the only band that I can recall that has never released any such greatest hits compilation, or with the exception of the Maximum Overdrive soundtrack, Who Made Who, any repeated material at all. For this reason, their new boxed set titled "Backtracks" is completely un-released or rare material. The songs that are not absolutely new, are only those from their first 2 Australian albums High Voltage and T.N.T, which are only available as expensive imports, and the song "Big Gun" which was only available for a short time on the "Last Action Hero Soundtrack." But now all that has changed with the release of this new box set. I guess one might say that being this boxed set is full of ultra-rare material, and only features songs that are not currently available on any other CD is a testament to their musical knowledge and appreciation for the fans. They understand that fans want their money's worth and not just a rehash of readily available tracks and for this small price, they get nothing short of spectacular. Love for the music, the fans, and good ol' fashioned know-how for the business is what seperates the men from the boys, and AC/DC Backtracks is a prime example.
This set was announced some months back. It was advertised with 2 versions, the Standard Edition, which I am reviewing, and the Deluxe Edition. I will discuss the differences between the 2 in the sub-categories below. I will not list the track details for the discs since they are readily available on the product details page.
Packaging: The packaging for the Standard set is very similar to some special edition DVD's with an outer cardboard slip case to house the inside fold-out case with attached plastic disc-trays to house the discs. The Deluxe Edition comes in a 1-watt working amp. As for the discs on the deluxe set, the packaging is somewhat lack-luster. They come in a fold-out book with the CD's held into place with cardboard holes that the CD's themselves rest DIRECTLY on so in time, this could damage the CD's which I am definitely not fond of. Packaging is definintely better on the Standard set as far as safety and functionality is concerned.
CD's: The standard set comes with 2 CD's. The first disc is the studio rarities, and the second disc is the live rarites. The deluxe set features 3 cd's instead of 2, the first 2 being almost the same, but the 3rd disc is an extra disc of live rarites. The studio rarities differ in that the Deluxe edition features 6 alternate or extended tracks to songs that have already appeared on albums, while the Standard just features the 12 rarites that haven't yet been released. The live discs feature more live tracks on the Deluxe edition than on the Standard set, hence the 3rd disc. I personally opted for the Standard set for this reason. I liked listening to the songs the way they released them in the first place, and wasn't really interested in longer cuts or alternate takes. Even though I own every album and DVD of theirs, the extra studio and live tracks just didn't seem very nesasary.
Sound Quality: Since I am somewhat of an audiophile, and prefer to own original CD releases of albums including AC/DC's, I was not so excited about these tracks being remastered. Although they are a little over-maximized and some compression is noticeable, they are definitely not un-listenable, and those of you who prefer remastered material, will find that these match the sound quality of the 2003 AC/DC album remasters and will have no complaints. Besides, this is the only way they are currently available so I definately can't complain.
DVD's: While the Standard set features one DVD which is Family Jewels part 3, the Deluxe edition features this disc, and a 2nd disc which is another live performance "Live At The Circus Krone." Unlike the CD's on both sets, the only difference between the 2 sets with the DVD's is that there is one more DVD on the Deluxe set. The common disc between both sets "Family Jewels part 3" holds no difference between the Standard or the Deluxe set at all.
Since I am actually reviewing the standard set, I won't discuss the memorobilia or the Vinyl album of the studio rarites, because I only need to compare the sets between common material between both to help people understand the differences.
As I said before, I'm reviewing the standard set. When I first heard of this set, I thought for sure that I would buy the deluxe edition, until I saw the price tag. 200 dollars for the Deluxe set, while the standard edition is only 25 dollars. Although I consider myself one of the biggest AC/DC fans anyone could hope to meet, I could not in good conscience pay such a large amount for ultimately just 1 extra CD and DVD which is what I was interested in. I could care less for the memorobilia, photographs, or the amp since I don't even own a guitar. 175 dollars more seemed one heck of a price tag for the deluxe set when I was only interested in what the standard set had to offer. Ofcourse I would love to have the extra CD and DVD, but I won't pay 175 dollars for them. So if you're like me, and just want the music and aren't concerned with alternate takes or extended tracks, by all means buy the standard edition, if you are an absolute AC/DC junkie and have the means, go ahead and spring for the Deluxe Edition.
Final Judgement: I gave the Standard edition 5 stars in this review. If I were to review the Deluxe edition, I would have to give it 3 stars. Better than bad since it is AC/DC, but knock off 2 stars for the insane price of the extra material not on the standard set, which isn't very much at all. I hope this review has helped you. LET THERE BE ROCK!!!!!! |
the one we've been waiting for
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| Review Date: November 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: classic rock fan, |
| this is what us hardcore fans fans have been waiting for all those tracks we've heard about but never got released,and here they are "crabsody in blue,cold hearted man,rock in peace" and a bunch more all sounding great. and these come along with the great live rarites that will get you rocking and as a bonus for all those people who complained that the family jewels collection ended at 1991,you get get disc three of that collection with the rest of ac/dc's music videos right up to the present day,there is no reason why any ac/dc fan should not have this collection. |
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