Just Say Sire: The Sire Records Story [Box set]

Amazon.com
Sire Records founder Seymour Stein ostensibly seems a throwback to an earlier era when mini-moguls stamped their label's releases with their own idiosyncratic tastes. But the impossibly rich canon chronicled here argues Stein was driven more by a shrewd, far-ranging artistic vision than mere personal musical obsessions. Released to commemorate Stein and Sire's 30th anniversary with distributor Warners, the 81 songs here (spanning three CD's and a 20-video DVD) range across some of the most successful trendsetters of the era, especially the late '70s and '80s, a period when the label's fortunes and artistic philosophies welcomed even commercially risky, if ever artistically rewarding projects like Brian Wilson's long-anticipated 1988 solo album (represented here by the bittersweet "Love and Mercy"). Indeed, the Sire releases sampled here often virtually define both era and style, be it nascent ‘70s NYC punk (the Ramones, Richard Hell and the Voidoids), such blue-beat drenched British standouts as Madness and English Beat, the cream of ‘80s UK new wave and synth pop (Soft Cell, Erasure, Depeche Mode, the Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Pet Shop Boys) or such disparate North American-rooted icons as Madonna, Talking Heads, The Pretenders and k. d. lang. Sponsoring those artists alone would have secured Stein's legacy, but this anthology argues he was never one for resting on his laurels, as later standout tracks by the Replacements, My Bloody Valentine, Barenaked Ladies>, Wilco Ministry and Throwing Muses attest. The label's one-hit wonders were often as intriguing, highlighted here by The Rezillos' manic "Top of the Pops," M's infectious "Pop Muzik," the electro-mordant "Warm Leatherette" by The Normal, Laid Back's slinky "White Horse" and the spunky, Gallic pop-bop of Plastic Bertrand's "Ca Plane Pour Moi." The liner notes may lean to often gushing personal tributes from Stein's artists, friends and associates, but the wealth of his label's musical riches sampled herein argue he's more than earned them. -- Jerry McCulley

Product Description
Sire Records was formed in 1966 by record entreprenuers Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer. Just as the latter left for other pursuits in 1976, the label teamed with Warner Bros. Records, an association that would last for two decades and propel numerous careers. During that time-highlighted herein-Sire became synonymous with groundbreaking music, launching many of the most popular artists of the era. A true believer, Stein's uncompromising passion and willingness to take risks set a new standard for artist development and creative vision in the record world. In tribute after tribute in the notes for this extraordinary box, his knowledge of and devotion to music is cited, as in his nurturing of artists, most of whom became his friends. It resulted in a stunning artistic legacy, as evidenced by 61 stellar audio tracks and 20 videos-the kind that make you testify, "I LOVE that song"-from star acts including Madonna, Ramones, Ice-T, The Pretenders, The Replacements, Depeche Mode, Lou Reed, English Beat, Ministry, Talking Heads, and many more.

Just Say Sire: The Sire Records Story,Various Artists,Rhino / Wea,Alternative Pop/Rock,American Punk,Club/Dance,College Rock,New Wave,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop Collections,V/a Compilations

---

Just Say Sire: The Sire Records Story [Box set]

Average customer rating: Portable Greatness Fair... but get the "Just Say Yes" series instead Best Punk/New Romantic box set I own, and I have a few, If You Know Sire, Then You Know What I Mean More songs you don't know

Just Say Sire: The Sire Records Story Various Artists Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music American Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Children of Nuggets: Original ARtyfacts from the Second Psychedelic Era - 1976-1996 Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the '80s Underground Whatever: The '90s Pop and Culture Box One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found No Thanks! The '70s Punk Rebellion ASIN: B000AQ69IG Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Everybody - Madonna
2. Mirror In The Bathroom - English Beat
3. Kiss Me - Tin Tin
4. Oh LAmour - Erasure
5. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
6. Situation (Remix) - Yaz
7. People Are People - Depeche Mode
8. Living On The Ceiling - Blancmange
9. That Summer Feeling - Jonathan Richman
10. Young At Heart - The Bluebells
11. One Step Beyond - Madness
12. Genius Of Love - Tom Tom Club
13. Im Ninalu - Ofra Haza
14. Endicott - Kid Creole & The Coconuts
15. Love And Mercy - Brian Wilson
16. All The Way - Little Jimmy Scott
17. Crazy - Seal
18. Fire Woman - The Cult
19. Constant Craving - k. d. lang

Tracks:

1. Teenage Kicks - The Undertones
2. This Charming Man - The Smiths
3. I Melt With You - Modern English
4. Moskow Diskow - Telex
5. (Im) Stranded - The Saints
6. Plane Pour Moi - Plastic Bertrand
7. Top Of The Pops - The Rezillos
8. Nowhere Girl - B-Movie
9. Part Of The Process - Morcheeba
10. Come Together (7" Version) - Primal Scream
11. Beat Dis - Bomb The Bass
12. The Love Cats - The Cure
13. The Killing Moon - Echo & The Bunnymen
14. Warm Leatherette - The Normal
15. Everyday Is Like Sunday - Morrissey
16. Never Never - The Assembly
17. Oblivious - Aztec Camera
18. Inside Out - The Mighty Lemon Drops
19. Soon - My Bloody Valentine
20. Leave Them All Behind - Ride

Tracks:

1. Alex Chilton - The Replacements
2. Come On Lets Go -
3. The Paley Brothers And Ramones
4. Aloha Steve & Danno/
5. Theme From Hawaii Five-O - Radio Birdman
6. The Wagon - Dinosaur Jr.
7. Sonic Reducer - Dead Boys
8. White Horse - Laid Back
9. Blank Generation - Richard Hell & The Voidoids
10. I Want That Man - Deborah Harry
11. Ill Be Your Everything - Tommy Page
12. Summer Teeth - Wilco
13. World Class Fad - Paul Westerberg
14. Back On The Chain Gang - The Pretenders
15. Give Back The Key To My Heart - Uncle Tupelo
16. Shake Some Action - The Flamin Groovies
17. Counting Backwards - Throwing Muses
18. Boy - Book Of Love
19. Romeo Had Juliette - Lou Reed
20. O. G. Original Gangster - Ice-T
21. Jesus Built My Hotrod - Ministry
22. Burning Down The House - Talking Heads

Tracks:

1. Pop Muzik - M
2. Rock N Roll High School - Ramones
3. Lets Go To Bed - The Cure
4. A Little Respect - Erasure
5. Brass In Pocket - The Pretenders
6. The Cutter - Echo & The Bunnymen
7. Bastards Of Young - The Replacements
8. She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult
9. Once In A Lifetime - Talking Heads
10. Like A Prayer - Madonna
11. Enjoy The Silence - Depeche Mode
12. Feed The Tree - Belly
13. Drifting, Falling - The Ocean Blue
14. Reach - Martini Ranch
15. Groovy Train - The Farm
16. Things Can Only Get Better - D:Ream
17. New York City Boy - Pet Shop Boys
18. In The Meantime - Spacehog
19. One Week - Barenaked Ladies
20. Come To Daddy - Aphex Twin

Amazon.com

Sire Records founder Seymour Stein ostensibly seems a throwback to an earlier era when mini-moguls stamped their label's releases with their own idiosyncratic tastes. But the impossibly rich canon chronicled here argues Stein was driven more by a shrewd, far-ranging artistic vision than mere personal musical obsessions. Released to commemorate Stein and Sire's 30th anniversary with distributor Warners, the 81 songs here (spanning three CD's and a 20-video DVD) range across some of the most successful trendsetters of the era, especially the late '70s and '80s, a period when the label's fortunes and artistic philosophies welcomed even commercially risky, if ever artistically rewarding projects like Brian Wilson's long-anticipated 1988 solo album (represented here by the bittersweet "Love and Mercy"). Indeed, the Sire releases sampled here often virtually define both era and style, be it nascent `70s NYC punk (the Ramones, Richard Hell and the Voidoids), such blue-beat drenched British standouts as Madness and English Beat, the cream of `80s UK new wave and synth pop (Soft Cell, Erasure, Depeche Mode, the Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Pet Shop Boys) or such disparate North American-rooted icons as Madonna, Talking Heads, The Pretenders and k. d. lang. Sponsoring those artists alone would have secured Stein's legacy, but this anthology argues he was never one for resting on his laurels, as later standout tracks by the Replacements, My Bloody Valentine, Barenaked Ladies>, Wilco Ministry and Throwing Muses attest. The label's one-hit wonders were often as intriguing, highlighted here by The Rezillos' manic "Top of the Pops," M's infectious "Pop Muzik," the electro-mordant "Warm Leatherette" by The Normal, Laid Back's slinky "White Horse" and the spunky, Gallic pop-bop of Plastic Bertrand's "Ca Plane Pour Moi." The liner notes may lean to often gushing personal tributes from Stein's artists, friends and associates, but the wealth of his label's musical riches sampled herein argue he's more than earned them. -- Jerry McCulley

Album Description

Sire Records was formed in 1966 by record entreprenuers Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer. Just as the latter left for other pursuits in 1976, the label teamed with Warner Bros. Records, an association that would last for two decades and propel numerous careers. During that time-highlighted herein-Sire became synonymous with groundbreaking music, launching many of the most popular artists of the era. A true believer, Stein's uncompromising passion and willingness to take risks set a new standard for artist development and creative vision in the record world. In tribute after tribute in the notes for this extraordinary box, his knowledge of and devotion to music is cited, as in his nurturing of artists, most of whom became his friends. It resulted in a stunning artistic legacy, as evidenced by 61 stellar audio tracks and 20 videos-the kind that make you testify, "I LOVE that song"-from star acts including Madonna, Ramones, Ice-T, The Pretenders, The Replacements, Depeche Mode, Lou Reed, English Beat, Ministry, Talking Heads, and many more.

Customer Reviews:

Portable Greatness.......2006-09-29

I remember when Sire showed up and started signing up every group worth signing up in NYC in the '70's. They did the same in the U.K. And marched on to one-hit wonders worldwide. I, too, own nearly everything they produced from the late '76+. Some are on vinyl, others I replicated on cassettes, some are irreplaceable. I could quibble with what's left out. I view these box sets as portable greatness to take to parties, cruising in the car, on the boat, or anywhere where I can't grab ahold of the original. I invested so much in vinyl & cassettes I can't begin to replicate ALL of it anymore. I'm old and tired. I need something to remind me why I loved the music in the first place, that sends me back to the Closet of Death for my Lps and singles. Seymour Stein did the era proud. I wish more labels showed as much support for original music & let the Billboard Charts be damned! Sire was one of a kind. And if a Madonna (a long shot back in the day when she was a Danceteria regular) or Ramones or Talking Heads sold a few records, great! For each superstar, he signed cult faves like Radio Birdman and the Saints. Somebody had to. He did. Who's doing it today?

Fair... but get the "Just Say Yes" series instead.......2005-12-08

The "Just Say Yes" series, from 1987-1994 provides a better cross-section, and more rarities than this boxset. The series was an annual sampler of the label's artists. This is somewhat akin to a sampler of those samplers...

Best Punk/New Romantic box set I own, and I have a few,.......2005-12-03

I have "Like, Omigod! The '80s Pop Culture Box (Totally) [BOX SET]", pretty good but overpriced at $100.00; "No Thanks! The '70s Punk Rebellion [BOX SET]", previously my favorite box set (and a great book included as well); "Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the '80s Underground [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]", ho-hum; but this Sire set is the best. While it has a bit of early 90's alternative, it reaffirms that Sire was at the peak of attracting the best in the early and main punk years. And, they included great songs from these great groups that are not rehashes of other "pop" collections. Best value for your alternative $ in my opinion, it's the best I have spent yet. The book is pretty good too. But, go buy "No Thanks" if you still have some OTB on your credit card after you get this.

If You Know Sire, Then You Know What I Mean.......2005-11-30

I only recently heard about the release of this box set, and it's long over due. EVERYONE from the 80's owned something from Sire, you couldn't avoid it. They were essential to Americans who didn't have ready access to the pricy imports. They signed The Smiths, Aztec Camera, The Undertones, The Cure, The Pretenders, Echo & The Bunnymen, etc.. My only wish now is that they release a box set of the Just Say Sire series, or how about a reissue of Return Of The Killer B's? Even Belle & Sebastian wrote a song about label founder Seymour Stein. Nuff said.

More songs you don't know.......2005-10-18

The Good
To be fair, I only have a nineteen track sample to review this set with, but I do have the complete track listing. Sire Records broke more big names in multiple genres than you might think, and include some (I need to stress some) of their biggest hits on this set.

You get Madonna's earliest cut "Everybody" plus her most controversial "Like A Prayer", The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "Rock N Roll High School", The Pretenders "Back on the Chain Gang" and "Brass in Pocket", Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House" and "Once in a Lifetime", The Cult's "Fire Woman" and "She Sells Sanctuary", The Cure's "The Love Cats" and "Let's Go to Bed", and Depeche Mode's "People Are People" and "Enjoy the Silence".

There's more, but you get the point. In addition to artists that went on to long and fruitful musical careers, this box set also includes those who went down in history as `one hit wonders', but still got a lot of mileage out of it either way; Soft Cell's "Tainted Love", M's "Pop Music", Barenaked Ladies "One Week", and Seal's "Crazy". Yeah, you can fight me on the Seal & Barenaked ladies, but you know I'm right.

The Bad
The majority of this box set focuses on more obscure, underground, or virtually unknown artists; Yaz, The Bluebells, Ofra Haza, Everything But the Girl, Telex, Plastic Bertrand, The Rezillos, The Normal, The Mighty Lemon Drops, Book of Love, Belly, The farm, Spacehog, Apex Twin, and there's a lot more. I'm sure some people know who these bands are, but I'm willing to bet you don't know all of them.

The Verdict
Let's face it, box sets are rather pricey. When you make the decision to buy one, you're going to expect to hear a lot of songs that you know and love. Just Say Sire is a great archive of what the record label has accomplished over their lifetime, but it's really only appealing to those that were a part of it. There is a decent selection of tracks that any music lover would recognize, but there are far more that they wouldn't.

Rap Music:

1. Ladies of the Canyon
2. Language. Sex. Violence. Other?
3. Late for the Sky
4. Let It Rain
5. Lightning in a Bottle [Live] [Soundtrack]
6. Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95 [Live]
7. Live in Aught-Three [Live]
8. Lost Art of the Idle Moment (Dig)
9. Mad Season [Enhanced]
10. MoZella EP [EP]

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

Culture Move EP [EP] [Live] [Import]

L'Héritage de Carl Schuricht, Volume 4 - Wagner: Overture to "The Flying Dutchman" (recorded 1929) / Schumann: Manfred Overture (recorded 1946) / Beethoven: Symphony No. 5; Coriolan Overture (recorded 1946)

Jazz That Swings, Sighs, Or Sizzles

Music: Schubert: Piano Sonata in A, D. 959; Hungarian Melody

It Makes a Crunchy Noise Ep

Life Insurance [Explicit Lyrics]

It's Alright [CD-single]

Lotus Dog

Live Fast Love Hard [Live]

Entre Amigos [Import]

Marry Me

Hey Stoopid/Last Temptation [Import]

Holographic Memory V.2 [Import]

The Low End Theory

Detained at the Blue Note