The Natalie Merchant Collection comprises ten discs, including all eight of her solo studio albums from the past three decades. A ninth disc, Butterfly, is a new studio set featuring four new songs and six reinterpreted selections from her catalog, all arranged for string quartet. The final disc is Rarities, a collection of fifteen rare and previously unreleased tracks recorded between 1998 and 2017, which offers a unique view of Merchant's creative experimentation through home studio demos, album outtakes, live tracks, and collaborations with diverse artists like Billy Bragg, David Byrne, The Chieftains, Cowboy Junkies, and Amy Helm. The package includes a 100 page lyric book and pictorial history of the singer songwriter's solo career an archival treasure box for collectors.
R**1
A really great voice that gets better over every decade.
Back when I was a teenager, I fell in love with Natalie Merchant's voice. Leader of 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie's genre of music was mostly alternative and abstract, yet she still had the most accessible lyrics that any fan could enjoy. With her pop sheen sensibilities like "Trouble Me" or "Like The Weather", it was no "wonder" (no pun intended) that she gained such a serious, loyal fan base.However, Natalie felt constricted after just a decade and permanently left the band, all to branch out on her own. And it certainly paid off. 1995's "Tigerlily" and 1998's "Ophelia" went on to sell millions of copies. And with her voice becoming even BETTER in the 2010's, she continues to release Grammy-winning award compositions. This particular box set is a real treat for hardcore Natalie fans, including 2 additional never-before-heard CD's. Truly WORTH the $50 that I spent!! :)
E**O
The Natalie Merchant Collection: What's New Here?
As a longtime fan of Natalie Merchant's work, I will admit to not jumping on this release initially.I am SO glad that I FINALLY came around! I can't get enough.So what are you getting?Of course, every solo project from TIGERLILY (1995) up to and including PARADISE IS THERE (2015) is here.What's new here?Disc 9: BUTTERFLY: A new studio set (2017) featuring THREE previously unreleased new songs and seven reinterpreted selections from her catalog, all arranged for string quartet.Disc 10: RARITIES: A fifteen-track collection compiled by Merchant featuring material recorded between 1998-2017. EIGHT of these cuts are previously unreleased and are exclusive to this set!To summarize, There are EIGHTEEN BRAND NEW recordings spread across discs 9, and 10 only found here.This essential set includes a 100-page hardcover (CD size) bound book featuring a complete lyrics archive and pictorial history of the celebrated and singular artistry of one Natalie Merchant!The Natalie Merchant Collection: All-absorbing and definitive!
A**D
well worth having
for all natalie merchant this has all of her solo albums. including her brand new cd that came out in 2017 titled butterfly. butterfly is a great cd with some great songs. 10 cds with a 100 page book. you get tigerlily, Ophelia, motherland, the house carpenter's daughter, leave your sleep disc 1, leave your sleep disc 2 ,natalie merchant, paradise is there, butterfly, and rarities. you cannot go wrong with this collection of all her music as a solo artist. the price is reasonable and great for any music lover looking to add more music to their collection.
F**G
Every male has that female singer that moves them beyond words
Natalie Merchant has always been that one for me. I was in HS when 10,000 Maniacs were at their peak. Also in college Tigerlilly came out and right out of college Ophelia did. She has the most beautiful voice and I’ve always had a crush on her. Ellegant brilliant lyricist who was never afraid to tackle social issues that may alienate her from mainstream. She never compromised her art and did it her way. This box set is a must own for anyone who has ever been a fan of her. It includes all her solo recordings and even a new one Butterfly and a rarities disc. Very well packaged and an amazing listen. Natalie Merchant is and will always be that female singer who has my heart.
E**R
the good and the bad
I broke down and bought it. It was probably worth it for Butterfly and Paradise is There (which I didn't have). I haven't clicked with The Rarities and will try giving it more listens but, like The House Carpenter's Daughter, I will probably never get into this side of her.The rest of the albums are, of course, masterpieces but I already own them. I haven't looked at the booklet but after a lifetime of buying Box Sets and The Complete Recordings, the reality is that I am not into these booklets and will probably never read them.It is unfortunate that you have to buy the complete recordings to get the 1 disc you really want (Butterfly). But that's the way with aging artists that need to figure out a way to re-capitalize on past work.
G**I
this is a great way to get an explosion of her material all ...
When it was announced by Natalie Merchant that there would be a box set containing all her solo albums, plus rarities, I jumped at the chance and had to have it. The packaging as well as sound quality are top notch and gives older material a breathe of fresh air. Natalie Merchant is one of those artist's that could recite the telephone book and sound enticing. If you are a fan of 10,000 Maniacs or a Natalie fan or are just now exploring and coming across her, this is a great way to get an explosion of her material all at once, I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
G**E
Wonderful Music
I recently rediscovered Natalie. I remember a few of her songs from my high school days.This box set is so good! A bargain too.
S**.
Super collection
The definitive ten cd collection for all lovers of Natalie Merchant. Play 'em again & again. Bonus: cd size hardcover with lyrics (for example, she demonstrates the gift of prophecy in THIS HOUSE IS ON FIRE).
