Editorial Review:Product Description:Rediscover the genius of the legendary guitarist and mega talented Tommy Bolin (Deep Purple/James Gang/Billy Cobham) with his all-new deluxe 3- disc set The Ultimate: Redux. As the new home for the Tommy Bolin Archives, Inc., Friday Music, and TBA Inc. have put together this incredible thirty-one track collection for the serious Bolin collectors and new fans of classic rock guitar with a clever mix of rock, fusion and blues. He was truly the consummate guitarist and his influence has been felt by many.
With the help of Tommy s brother, Johnnie Bolin, producers Joe Reagoso and Michael Drumm managed to cull over forty hours of unreleased tapes, sessions, live material, demos, unreleased masters, and have come up with the best Bolin music ever presented in one place. The remastering process was full of surprises as Reagoso attests I was going over the playback of Hard Chargin Woman, and there is this Echoplex break that seemed like World War Ten was just beginning. I mean I never heard anything like it. It went from a this blues belter, to this unbelievable echoplex break....then back to a small blues combo sound.....without Bolin missing a step...it just blew my mind. I played it for some other guitarists and they were equally knocked out. This is one for the history books folks.
In addition to all of the various stages of his career presented in this package, the Bolin family has also shared never before seen photographs from Tommy s own collection. Full color photographs also grace each c.d., and make this pleasing for the eyes, as well as the ears.
As an introduction to the box set, the legendary guitarist Steve Vai put his appreciation of Tommy Bolin into the written word, which graces the packaging as well.
The producers have also provided an informative essay in the booklet, which also brings another side to the life of this artist rarely told by others.
The music speaks for itself. Hard core Bolin fans will finally get a glimpse of the Energy sessions from 1972. This was some rare Holy Grail material, but now with the proper distribution in place, these ill-fated sessions will get a chance to be heard by music lovers everywhere.
The live material is second to none; his Tommy Bolin Band performances of You Told Me That You Loved Me , Post Toastee plus the rare outtakes of Crazed Fandango , Cucumber Jam and the simplicity of Slow Driver will keep the listener amazed for years to come.
His time on earth was tragically short, but he left his fans an abundance of incredible works as this collection proves, with over 3 hours of unreleased tracks, sessions, rehearsals, live performances, and personal recordings.
As Johnnie Bolin recalls The local clubs wouldn t book Tommy. The owners couldn t make any money at the bar. Everyone was listening to Tommy play the guitar in awe.
People are still in awe and this album will make a lot of fans happy for years to come! Enjoy!
All newly remastered by Joe Reagoso (Deep Purple, David Lee Roth, Paul Rodgers, Johnny Winter, Canned Heat) All recordings are official Tommy Bolin Archives owned and approved masters
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Disc 1:- teaser (acoustic demo 1973)
- sister andrea (demo 1971)
- cross the river (w zephyr live Colorado 1973)
- hard chargin woman (w/zephyr live Colorado 1973)
- red Skies (energy 1972)
- heartlight (energy 1972)
- hok-o-hey (energy 1972)
- got no time for trouble (energy 1972)
- miss christmas (energy 1972)
- journey (demo 1973)
- alexis (acoustic demo 1973)
Disc 2:- standing in the rain (acoustic demo-circa bang)
- cucumber jam (early version)
- spanish lover (acoustic demo circa miami)
- stratus (live from ebbets field 1974)
- getting tighter (tommy bolin tribute/denver 1997)
- homeward strut (live at ebbets field 74)
- teaser-tommy bolin band (first time live-disc 2 version)
- wild dogs (early l.a. demo version)
- dreamer (early l.a. demo version)
Disc 3:- people, people w/tommy bolin band (live at ebbets field 76)
- lotus w/tommy bolin band (live at ebbets field 76)
- savannah woman (demo)
- crazed fandango (teaser outtake 1975)
- sweet burgundy ( acoustic demo from naked II)
- shake the devil ( live in albany ny 1976)
- someday will bring our love home (acoustic demo from naked I)
- you told me that you lovedm Me ( live in albany ny 1976)
- post toastee (electric guitar demo/ naked I)
- post toastee( live in albany ny 1976)
- slow driver (acoustic version/ naked )
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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A Musician's Musician
I've seen Tommy's name mentioned (mostly in guitar forums, magazines, etc.) throughout the years but somehow he slipped through the cracks until someone embedded a YouTube slide-show with POST TOASTIE. From that moment I knew I had to make up for 30+ years of lost time.
His name is more than worthy of mention in the same breath as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Jeff Beck, well, you know, that crowd. So, if you like those guys you'll love Tommy.
Some of these tracks sound like audience recording of live performances and fidelity not up to modern standard but the brilliance of his soulful artistry and expression shine though.
God, I sure hope there's more where this came from. BRING IT ON!
Rating: 
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A Godsend
Seems every time I'm ready to give up on rock music altogether, a new set like this comes out to renew my interest. For Bolin fans like myself, this is a MUST! Nearly a MUST for anyone interested in progressive rock/jazz/electric guitar. Man, this guy can flat out wail! For those unfamiliar, maybe (?) not the best place to start (check out Billy Cobham's Spectrum or Bolin's Teaser albums first), as the recording quality here varies. Still, some of his best and most intense playing ever is on these recordings.
Rating: -
what COULD he have accomplished ?
If you are reading this review , you probably already know the story. Bolin left this world at the all too young age of 25 . What could have he accomplished , had he lived ? No one will ever know , but thank the powers that be that saw to releasing this unbelievable set. Don't let the disclaimer about the sound quality discourage you , even the worst sounding stuff isn't all that bad. What you do have are 3 full discs of the versatility that is / was Tommy Bolin. Everything from acoustic demos to live recordings to fusion to hard rock. Put it in your basket now.
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this is a "killer" cd set - essential for all tommy bolin fans
boy - i have gotten through the 1st cd; and now am more-than halfway listening through the 2nd cd to this set; this compilation is so well done with very good sound quality- great song selections, nice variation in content - mostly hard rocking to jazz fusion - really displays tommy bolin's guitar virtuosity and great support he received from drums and bass - with some keyboards on some songs; and lead vocals here and there; also pick up a saxophone on some songs. this set contains great live music and some studio cuts and outtakes - nice change of pace too the way songs are sequenced - three cd's for that price - you get so much great music - makes this set a tremendous bargain. essential listening for all tommy bolin fans and for anyone who really likes stellar guitar playing and up-tempo rocking music. can't wait to get into the 3rd cd of this set. hats off to those who put this together - great job. these cd's are meant to be played LOUD. but to play it loud you have to buy it first - and you won't be disappointed.
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More Bolin after all these years!
I was a little skeptical when I ordered this newest release of Tommy Bolin material because of all the years since the box set came out, and most of the titles were on it. I was very surprised to find that most of the songs are very different versions, and some unreleased tracks that show how good he was from the beginning. If you are a true Bolin fan, then you have to get it, otherwise just stick to what is already out there.