A CHORD TOO FAR

This box set I consider to be a classic for several reasons. First of all, the song selection (chosen by Mr. Banks himself) is excellent. Sure I'd change a few things. I'd much rather have "Somebody Else's Dream" or "Forever Morning" than "Back To Back" or "Queen of Darkness". But I wouldn't change much. Virtually all of my very favorites are here. The selection, the song order, the contrasts... all very well done. Secondly, the packaging and notes are wonderful. Esoteric really did a great job, unsurprisingly. Third, the fact that 20 tracks are remastered. 6 of these are from "A Curious Feeling" which was, of course, remastered previously, but of the other 14, some show marked improvement, most notably "Lion of Symmetry", "The Border", and "Moving Under". But probably the most important reason I consider this box a stone cold classic is disc four. This disc, entirely instrumental, focuses on what Tony does best, which is, of course, instrumental music. The strongest tracks on the entire box are the three tracks from "Six", particularly the keyboard version of "City of Gold". The haunting piano sound from "A Curious Feeling" is subtly present, used very effectively. The short section beginning around the 6:00 mark is tear-jerkingly beautiful, and yes, I have jerked a few tears in this section, as well as some special moments in "Blade", "Siren". and the keyboard version of "Spring Tide", which is pure perfection, and to have all four of these on one album ... Just wow, it really is that beautiful! I would also be remiss in not mentioning "Poppet", the piece not heard before in any form, and it is a very nice piece of music as well. Taken from the "Still" sessions, I tend to think that album would have been made better by it's inclusion, as would "Strictly Inc" with the inclusion of "Neap Tide", but I'm glad to have these now. They are worth the wait. And this fourth disc alone makes this set worth the cost.