Kate Bush Album: “Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1979”

"This Woman's Work" is a fantastic investment-- containing virtually all of Kate Bush's available recorded output up until 1990, it allows an artist of extraordinary importance and talent to be appreciated in a historical context.

Bush's growth over her first six studio albums is nothing short of stunning. I'll avoid writing full reviews of each album here (I've written them under each album), but take a moment to discuss each.

Her debut, "The Kick Inside", extremely strong and moving, while it shows a bit of insecurity in performance (her voice is somewhat immature and has a tendency, in its upper register, to get a bit harsh) and lyrics that would later be drastically improved upon, Bush is fully realized as an artist-- from her hit "Wuthering Heights", an intriguing and amazing swirling pop song to the albums powerful opener "Moving" to its standout track, the beautiful "The Man With the Child In His Eyes", its amazing that she was as young as she was (some of the material was recorded when she was 16 or 17). The followup, "Lionheart", shows clear signs of being rushed, and isn't the leap one would hope it to be above its predecessor. Still, Bush has grown in confidence as a lyricist exploring a number of different moods and thoughts, including a bold for 1978 song about closeted homosexuality (the stunning "Kashka from Baghdad").

Bush began her real growth as an artist with "Never For Ever", as she began fusing her old sound with a more confident delivery and better arrangements. The result is a far more varied and interesting album, from the tense chaos of "Babooshka" to the psychotic pulsings of "The Wedding List" to the delicate sensuality of "The Infant Kiss". This exposition in mood continued on "The Dreaming", an album of experimentation and mood, largely a dark effort, it is difficult to digest at first, but moments such as the horrific "Pull Out the Pin" and the delicate "Houdini" stand out.

Bush's masterpiece, "Hounds of Love" is next, a two sided album-- the first an exposition in mid-tempo pop, clever arrangements, and fantastic, self-assured vocals-- "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)", the title track, and "Cloudbusting" all stand out with their fantastic arrangement. The second side, a story of a woman drowning and experiencing her life suffers from occasional over-reliance on production techniques and samples, but shines on the pretty "And Dream of Sheep", the haunted "Under Ice" and the simply amazing "Jig of Life". Its followup, "The Sensual world", probably never could have lived up to its level, and suffers from sloppy sound, but it does have what may be Kate Bush's most beautiful piece, the truly breathtaking "This Woman's Work", and other standouts like "Rocket's Tail" and the funky "Heads we're Dancing" make this uneven effort worth a listen.

The bonus discs contain most of the rarities from Bush's back catalog-- b-sides (around a dozen of them), soundtrack pieces (several), two French sung songs, a couple a-sides and re-recordings, four live tracks from the "Onstage" EP, and a handful of remixes. The material is of mixed quality, some of it is pleasant enough but was wisely kept off the albums ("The Empty Bullring", "Under the Ivy", "Burning Bridge"), some of it stands up with Bush's best material (the quirky "Ran Tan Waltz", the lovely "Warm and Soothing", the a capella "My Lagan Love"). The live tracks are interesting to have, and I'm glad to have the remixes, although I really could care less about remixes as a rule. Unlike many folks, I actually prefer the original vocal on "Wuthering Heights", I think the youthful sound in her voice fits the piece better.

If there's a complaint to make, its that this needs a reissue with some remastering (the sound is good but could be better in light of modern remastering) and the material that was recorded after its release. But aside from that, this set is a fantastic value, its worth paying a bit extra for it-- I dug up an Australian copy which was quite a bit cheaper. But regardless of price, the material on here is essential.

I first heard Kate Bush on the radio. The song was "Running Up That Hill." Before I even saw how she looked I just thought, "What an amazing voice." Then I bought "Hounds Of Love" on tape. I was only 17, it was a bit too much for me. But I kept going back to it and the more I heard it the more I liked it. Before I knew it, I was starting to collect her albums. I tried to find them used. Two years later, I had almost forgotten about her until I went into a used record store and there it was, "This Woman's Work", the 8 c.d. set. Not only that, but it was the British version. It was[pricey]It felt like a bit much. That night I went around the internet listening to previews of all her albums and I decided, I need to have this. I have never regretted buying it. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. The music is so diverse. In closing, this is obviously not the best purchase to buy if you just a little curious. However, if you are like me and want to have all her classic albums on high quality c.d.s with some unique extras too, you should really look into this. I liked too how the booklet was just a photo essay and didn't try to summarize or explain Kate Bush in any way. Some things are better left being open to interpretation.

Kate Bush stands at a level of artistic and musical achievement reserved explicitly for her. This boxed-set contains a library of songs filled with textured emotion, musical genius and literary brilliance that is uniquely Kate. 'This Woman's Work' conjures up vivid and remarkable images of dramatic settings in varied places and times - it attacks the senses and leaves you feeling warm, numb and genuinely satisfied. The music of Kate Bush is so inviting that you find yourself not only listening to it, but caressing it. Thank you Kate Bush for what amounts to so much more than just music. If only everyone else knew.

but as usual. the Japanese version of this puts the us/uk version to shame.

instead of grabbing old stock off the shelf and shoving them in a box,

EMI Toshiba did this as a high quality "Deluxe Collection" ie There is a standardized style theme

to the set-all covers are original-except KICK INSIDE: Kates cleavage spilling out from under a pink leotard(Japan only)

The touched up outer and original inner booklet jackets for a NEVER FOREVER (EMI execs got nervous seeing a flood of animal coming from under her skirt, so the stapled on an outer cover, which is a zoomed-in section of just animals-you can remove it with no damage and have the original cover if you wish

all disc labels are of the same style,font and color ; the spines all have the same font, same locations, and showing they put some thought into this-the catalog numbers are ie: KBCDP 2001, KBCDP 2002, KBCDP 2003, etc- each piece states © 1998 rather than the whole gamut of dates from backstock etc; the booklets are on finished /embossed paper high quality paper. I dont know what the guys customer photo edition is-as the Amazon set has a "made in the UK" sticker on the top-and his look to be a US or Canadian version with columbia house record club discs inside... The Japan set is a sturdier box and has an OBI across the lid

They are ALL EMI Toshiba, not a mix of Capitol and CBS/Sony

It really is deluxe;

I dont know what the guy is showing

I actually purchased this boxset in vinyl when it first came out. There is no set of music that is better. This boxset is very complete and amazing. If it cost $500, I would of bought it. I keep waiting for an artist to come close to this stuff, and none ever has. This music is forever... it has spirit, depth and soul.... when listening to it, you transcend. Music doesn't get better than this.