Electric Light Orchestra - Box Sets issued on LPs & CDs in the USA
Due to the size of the USA and various pressing plants around the USA, it is nearly impossible to collect and show all the different label variations. So instead, listed below are the main found issues of ELO Album "Box Set" issues on LP & CD in the USA.
Click an album cover below to be taken to the release info and details.
Title
A Box Of Thier Best
Format
Vinyl
Label
Jet Records
Catalogue
Z4X 36966
Issue Date
1980
Chart Position
Notes
Box set that contains 3 complete albums, A New World Record, Out Of The Blue, and Discovery on Jet Records.
The first issue got four coloured LP inner sleeves and comes with free Jeff Lynne 1 sided single, Doing That Crazy Thing.
The later issues came with white inner sleeves and no single (there was a white sticker attached on the sleeve hiding the single announcement)
Several issues come without the single, with one, two, or three white inners and sometimes without the white sticker but was still sealed. It seems that CBS wanted to give away their stock of inner sleeves !
The version of A New World Record in this box has side 1 and side 2 swapped compared to the running order of all other releases.
Title
Format
3-PAK
Triple CD
Label
Epic / Jet Records
Catalogue
7464-64813-2
Issue Date
1995 + 1997
Notes
Issued in 1995 by Epic/Jet Records, 3 Cd Box Set.
Featuring :
Face The Music - ZK 35527 (No DIDP)
A New World Record - ZK 35529
Discovery - ZK 35769
Re-issued in 1997 in "Fat Type" box with different box artwork, but same CDs
Title
The Collection
Format
Triple CD
Label
Epic / Jet Records
Catalogue
E3K 93980
Issue Date
2005
Notes
3 Cd box set issue only in the USA.
CDs
Face The Music - ZK 35527
A New World Record - ZK 35529 Discovery - EK 85420
Discovery is the re-mastered Epic records expanded 2001 version, the other two CDs are the original Jet Records issues.
Was also issued in a 3 Cd "Fat Box" version.
Was also issued in a 3 CD "Fat Box" version.
Missing From My Collection
Title
Format
X2 - Classic Albums
Triple CD
Label
Sony Legacy / Epic
Catalogue
88697 930402
Issue Date
2011
Notes
Issued in 2011 by Sony Legacy / Epic Records, 2 Cd Box Set.
Featuring :
Eldorado - EK 85419
Face The Music - 82796 94278 2
Both CDs are the Epic re-mastered/expanded versions.
Title
The Classic Albums Collection
Format
11 CDs
Label
Sony Music / Epic / Legacy
Catalogue
88697873262
Issue Date
2011
Chart Position
--
Notes
First ever USA box set issued containing ELO's studio albums 1971 - 1986. (so including the EMI/Harvest issued first 2 LPs).
When the box set was first announced there was to be 12 Albums including 2001 issued “Zoom”, but then Big Trilby bought the rights back from Sony for "Zoom" and so the box set name was changed to “Classic Albums Collection” because the Classic ELO was from 1971 to 1990!
At first the Box Set was only to be available via one US retailer-service from Sony for the whole world for a expensive price.
Then Sony Music decided to also press/print copies for the EU in pressing plants in Europe, for a much cheaper price.
The eleven albums, (missing albums are The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach, Xanadu & Zoom) are in vinyl replica gatefold or single sleeves stacked in a big fold-out cardboard box.
A lavish booklet with track listings and information is also included.
All the CDs are black with just the ELO logo, full band name and the album title printed on them.
The LP covers/CD sleeves show the original front and back covers. "The Electric Light Orchestra" "ELO II", "On The Third Day" "Out Of The Blue" and "Discovery" albums have gatefold sleeves with the original centre art work.
All the CD sleeves have white borders back and front.
All albums are the re-mastered versions with bonus tracks; the album CD replica sleeves does not indicate that, so the correct track listings can therefore only be found in the lavish mono booklet.
It's a really good, well presented CD box set.
Missing From My Collection
