I've got a bunch of individual tracks that I've bought over the years, and I have Road Trip. But, I don't have the full collection of Duane's music from the early years.

There have been many reissues and box sets over the years, and it's hard to identify which are the best quality. I've heard good things about the Bear Family box set, but it doesn't seem to be available.

The "Birth of a Guitar Legend" set looked pretty good, but am not sure.

Suggestions & Recommendations?

I bought TWANG THANG, then Rhino collection. It's not got everything, but it's great and sounds fantastic. Readily available.

I would buy the first four albums:-

Have Twangy Guitar, Will Travel
Especially For You
The Twang's The Thang
Songs Of Our Heritage

and

The Twang Thang Anthology

The first four albums are, IMHO, essential listening because they have a "feel" for the times, the album tracks "fit" together coherently, they sound great (in particular HTGWT) and include a variety of musical styles. SOUH is reckoned by many to be the first rock concept album; it was a huge departure from Duane's previous repertoire.

TTTA collection is very well remastered and whilst there's some duplication with the early album tracks (obviously!) there are non album singles plus other tracks that still make it an excellent buy.

HTH

I would concur about the Bear Family box sets, they are great and highly collectible. Covering the Jamie and RCA years. To crown the glory each has a hard backed A4 book. Full of info with endless colour pictures. - The internet could be an avenue to find these bona fide treasures, do you think ??

Don't know if it's available at your place Barry, but in the Uk there is a box set called "6 Classic Albums +" that is a 4 cd set with the original albums + a good smattering of single & rarities.
Sound quality is as good as any other box set.
I can also recommend "Birth of a guitar Legend" as well, I have them both & they work well together.

Dick.

Also, Duane's 1987 Capitol album is being re-released in the U.K. on June 26. Many excellent tunes which include contributions from Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Ry Cooder.

Duane Eddy (1987)

It will also be available from Amazon in the U.S.

HTGWT was the first LP i ever bought. just brilliant. The distant guitar getting ever closer on Detour. Marvellous. The first i had heard Moovin' and Groovin. arf

At least 90% of Duane's Jamie material is now out of copyright in Europe and so can be released by any label that wants to make a quick buck. Jamie still hold copyright over all these tracks in the US, so in theory at least, the "Classic Albums" set should not be available in the US. The sad thing about all this is that Duane is being ripped off all round as he gets no royalties on releases such as the "Classic Albums"; in theory he should still get composer/publishing royalties, but I wonder if the labels behind these releases get round to auditing their sales???? Apparently, the EU legislation will be revised by 2014 so that copyright on sound recordings will be extended, but talk about shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted..........

I Tunes in the UK has many a Duane bargain.

Arthur is so right; beware ALL Hallmark reissues: they are often CD transfers from vinyl!

Rich, that 1987 album release has been delayed many times already; worth getting on the pre-order list but be aware that further delays may occur. Hopefully the wait will be worthwhile as there should be additional material on the CD.

Too damn right re Hallmark releases. They seem to have a primitive method of cleaning which involves sandpapering the disc ! They are cheap but are NOT cheerful. Of all the 'box sets' I still maintain that 'Twang Thang' on Rhino is the best overview, plus it has an excellent booklet featuring some rare photographs and recording details. Plus, Duane had imput into this release unlike other sets.

Arthur is so right; beware ALL Hallmark reissues: they are often CD transfers from vinyl!

Rich, that 1987 album release has been delayed many times already; worth getting on the pre-order list but be aware that further delays may occur. Hopefully the wait will be worthwhile as there should be additional material on the CD.

UK release of this CD is delayed yet again: now July 3.

I am quite interested to know what "additional material" could be on this upcoming release of Duane's 1987 album. As the artist is always the last to know, (amazing, really), anybody have any info?

Glad I passed up on the Classic Albums set that i found this weekend. I love this place.

As the artist is always the last to know, (amazing, really), anybody have any info?

Hi Deed, Extended 12" versions of Rockestra Theme and Spies.

Can anyone tell me how to post a photo/document on this site? I have a Mac. Thanks.

the best one is the bear family box set. Twanging from L.A to Phoenix. 5 cd's included alternates tracks without overdubs, stereo tracks etc etc etc.

Arthur is so right; beware ALL Hallmark reissues: they are often CD transfers from vinyl!

Rich, that 1987 album release has been delayed many times already; worth getting on the pre-order list but be aware that further delays may occur. Hopefully the wait will be worthwhile as there should be additional material on the CD.

UK release of this CD is delayed yet again: now July 3.

Now delayed until July 10.

Deed, re "additional material", please take a look here:- http://www.duaneeddycircle....

As the artist is always the last to know, (amazing, really), anybody have any info?

Hi Deed, Extended 12" versions of Rockestra Theme and Spies.

Tony, I have the 12" versions on vinyl. I don't believe that they have ever been re-released until now, but I could be mistaken.

I don't think they have, either.

The original plan from BGO was to re-issue the original album but unlike some labels BGO gave the Circle advance warning of their plans so we were able to suggest they include the 12" mixes. For those into mega-obscurities, when EMI released the Capitol album as a download about 10 years ago, they included the 12" mix of "Rockestra" and issued a small number of promo-CDs that included the 12" mix - so if I ask this as a question in the MasterMind Quiz at the 2013 Duane Eddy Circle Convention, you will all know the answer!!

Thanks for for the full background, Arthur.