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Backtracks

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  • Artist: AC/DC
  • Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Release Date: November 10, 2009
  • Total Time: 209:53
  • Type: Compilation (best of), Box set
  • Genre: Rock

Review

As handsome as this package is -- or in the case of the super limited edition, housed in a working guitar amp, as ridiculous -- Backtracks is essentially just a clearinghouse for AC/DC rarities, rounding up all the released tracks and videos that have yet to appear on a collection, throwing in a full-length DVD of 2003 for good measure. In other words, it's a set designed for the kind of diehard who would purchase a box set housed in a working amplifier, but its pleasures aren't limited to the dedicated, particularly when it comes to early AC/DC. Prior to 1979's Highway to Hell, all the band's LPs differed in their Australian and international incarnations (one, 1975's TNT, was just cannibalized for other albums), so there are quite a few stray tracks -- a full 12, ranging from the priceless boogie "R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)" to the throwaway instrumental "Fling Thing," plus alternate takes of "High Voltage," "It's a Long Way to the Top," "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," and "Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round to Be a Millionaire)" (only available on the deluxe, giving another good reason to opt for the big set). The studio disc is rounded out by some OK latter-day tracks, highlighted by "Big Gun" from the Last Action Hero soundtrack and the nifty little rocker "Cyberspace," and it's quite nice to have all these cuts rounded up. If the live tracks aren't quite as noteworthy, it's largely because there have already been several live releases -- proper albums, box sets, and home videos alike -- but the quality of the two CDs is quite high, opening with a clutch of Bon Scott cuts before settling into a stretch from a dynamite set from Detroit's Joe Louis Arena in 1983, then finding the group trotting around the globe on the third disc. This is supplemented by a DVD dubbed Family Jewels 3, a disc that rounds up all the videos not on the original double-disc collection, including a pair of clips from 2008's Black Ice ("Rock N Roll Train," "Anything Goes"), and alternate takes of seven videos featured on the original compilation. Finally, Backtracks ends with that 2003 show, finding AC/DC in a relatively small venue in Munich, tearing through a concert that relies heavily on early classics. It's a set list that could pretty much be called a hardcore fan's dream, which makes it a fitting close to this box, because if this is anything, it's one for the fans, the ones who have stuck with the band though 35 years of unrelenting rock & roll. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Backtracks (AC/DC album)

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Backtracks
Box set by AC/DC
Released 10 November 2009
Recorded 1974-2009
Genre Hard rock, heavy metal, blues-rock, rock and roll
Label Columbia
Producer AC/DC
AC/DC chronology
Black Ice
(2008)		 Backtracks
(2009)		 Iron Man 2
(2010)

Backtracks is a box set by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It was announced on 29 September 2009 and was released on 10 November 2009.[1] This is a collection of the band's studio and live rarities together in one boxset. There are two editions; a Deluxe Edition and a Standard Edition. All tracks have been remastered to match the sound of the 2003 album remasters and many songs appear on CD for the first time. It is the band's second box set of rarities, following the Bonfire release in 1997.

The Deluxe Edition includes three CDs, two DVDs, one LP, a 164 page hard-back coffee table book and collectible merchandise reproductions all housed in an operating 1 watt guitar amplifier. One CD will include rare studio tracks including b-sides and Australian-only releases, while the other two CDs document live tracks which have appeared on singles over the years. Part three of the Family Jewels DVD series is included and also the entire 2003 Circus Krone, Munich, Germany gig on DVD.[2]

The Standard Edition includes two CDs and one DVD. CD One contains highlights of Studio Rarities, while CD two contains highlights of Live Rarities. The DVD is Family Jewels Disc Three. It was released the same day as the Deluxe Edition.

Contents

Contents

Guitar amplifier

The 12"x12"x4" (30 cm*30 cm*10 cm) exterior box is designed to resemble a vintage AC/DC guitar amplifier and also has the original logo that was spray-painted onto the rear of Angus and Malcolm Young's speaker cabinets in 1975. The “head” of the amp has a handle that lifts the top off to reveal the contents housed within. The head is also a working guitar amplifier. It is a one watt amplifier and is considered to be a collector's item.[3]

164-Page booklet

164 pages of rare and unseen photos spanning 1974-2009 plus full-size re-prints of original press releases, tour itineraries, tour books, test pressing labels, advertisements and much more. A real history of the band from the inside out. Rare photography includes never-before-seen shots of the band recording at the Albert Music studio on King Street in Sydney with producers Harry Vanda and George Young in 1977. There are also unpublished live shots from all over the world.[4]

Original memorabilia reproductions

The memorabilia includes the very first piece of merchandise for AC/DC, a 2"inch button called "I Do it For AC/DC". It features an early shot of Angus Young on the front.[5] Also part of this is a sticker, again an early part of AC/DC merchandise, with Angus' school hat on the front with AC/DC logo on the cap. There is a "Lock Up Your Daughters" Tour Flyer, King Street Studio Track Sheet for "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" Multitracks, a Bon Scott Temporary Tattoo, "Moneytalks" 100 Dollar Bill, AC/DC Guitar Pick, set of three 20 cm by 25 cm art lithographs and a 60 cm by 90 cm, 1977 "Let There Be Rock" European Tour Poster.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 3.5/5 stars[6]
BLARE Magazine 4/5 stars[7]

Track listing

CD 1 - Studio Rarities

Studio Rarities collects AC/DC’s studio rarities, many of the songs on CD for the first time. These are all of the songs that the band recorded throughout their career that appeared on Australian-only LP releases, movie soundtracks, 7" and 12" single releases, and CD "tour editions", etc. 12 of the 18 tracks are completely unique songs that have all been remastered to match the sound quality of the rest of the Columbia Records AC/DC catalog reissues. The other 6 tracks are the original versions of classic AC/DC songs previously only available on the original Australian albums.[4] It should also be noted that while "Rocker" and "High Voltage" are credited as being the original Australian versions, they fade out at the ends, however, the versions on the original Australian LP's did not fade out, but ended abruptly. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" and "Ain't No Fun (Waitin' 'Round To Be A Millionaire)" were already previously released in their full original Australian lengths on the 1994 international Atco reissue of Dirty Deeds, however, the 2003 Columbia remasters used the shorter versions again.

Disc 1

All songs written and composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott, except where noted. 

No. Title Writer(s) Original release Length
1. "High Voltage" (deluxe edition only)   T.N.T. (Australian-only release) (1975) 4:18
2. "Stick Around"     High Voltage (Australian release) (1975) 4:40
3. "Love Song"     High Voltage (Australian release) (1975) 5:15
4. "It's a Long Way to the Top" (deluxe edition only)   T.N.T. (Australian-only release) (1975) 5:16
5. "Rocker" (deluxe edition only)   T.N.T. (Australian-only release) (1975) 2:55
6. "Fling Thing"   Young, Young Jailbreak (7" single) (1976) 2:00
7. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (deluxe edition only)   Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Australian release) (1976) 4:11
8. "Ain't No Fun (Waitin' Round to Be a Millionaire)" (deluxe edition only)   Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Australian release) (1976) 7:30
9. "R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)"     Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Australian release) (1976) 3:35
10. "Carry Me Home"     Dog Eat Dog (7" single) (1977) 3:58
11. "Crabsody in Blue"     Let There Be Rock (Australian release) (1977) 4:43
12. "Cold Hearted Man"     Powerage (original European LP pressings) (1978) 3:35
13. "Who Made Who" (deluxe edition only) Young, Young, Johnson Who Made Who (7" single) (1986) 4:50
14. "Snake Eye"   Young, Young, Johnson Heatseeker (CD single) (1988) 3:16
15. "Borrowed Time"   Young, Young, Johnson That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll (CD single) (1988) 3:45
16. "Down on the Borderline"   Young, Young, Johnson Moneytalks (CD single) (1990) 4:15
17. "Big Gun"   Young, Young Last Action Hero (official movie soundtrack) (1993) 4:20
18. "Cyberspace"   Young, Young Stiff Upper Lip (Australian bonus CD) (2001) 2:58

CDs 2 and 3 - Live Rarities

CD 2 and 3 has a collection of the band’s live rarities from singles, CD promos, compilations and other oddities. All the songs have been remastered from the original source.

Disc 2

All songs written and composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott, except where noted. 

No. Title Writer(s) Original release Length
1. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (Live in Sydney, 30 Jan. 1977)   Long Live the Evolution (compilation LP) (1977) 5:02
2. "Dog Eat Dog" (Live in Glasgow, 30 Apr. 1978)   Whole Lotta Rosie (7" single) (1978) 4:30
3. "Live Wire" (Live in London, 2 Nov. 1979)   Touch Too Much (12" single) (1980) 5:05
4. "Shot Down in Flames" (Live in London, 2 Nov. 1979)   Touch Too Much (12" single) (1980) 3:39
5. "Back in Black" (Live in Landover, MD, 20 Dec. 1981) Young, Young, Johnson Let's Get It Up (12" single) (1982) 4:21
6. "T.N.T." (Live in Landover, MD, 20 Dec. 1981)   Let's Get It Up (12" single) (1982) 3:58
7. "Let There Be Rock" (Live in Landover, MD, 20 Dec. 1981)   For Those About to Rock (7" single) (1982) 7:30
8. "Guns for Hire" (Live in Detroit, MI, 17 Nov. 1983) Young, Young, Johnson Who Made Who (7" single) (1986) 5:21
9. "Sin City" (Live in Detroit, MI, 17 Nov. 1983 - deluxe edition only)   Nervous Shakedown (12" single) (1984) 5:30
10. "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" (Live in Detroit, MI, 17 Nov. 1983) Young, Young, Johnson Nervous Shakedown (12" single) (1984) 4:15
11. "This House Is On Fire" (Live in Detroit, MI, 17 Nov. 1983) Young, Young, Johnson Nervous Shakedown (12" single) (1984) 3:25
12. "You Shook Me All Night Long" (Live in Detroit, MI, 17 Nov. 1983) Young, Young, Johnson You Shook Me All Night Long (12" single) (1986) 3:30
13. "Jailbreak" (Live in Dallas, TX, 12 Oct. 1985)   Shake Your Foundations (12" single) (1986) 13:22
14. "Shoot to Thrill" (Live at Donington, 17 Aug. 1991) - deluxe edition only) Young, Young, Johnson Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (CD single) (1992) 5:30
15. "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" (Live at Donington, 17 Aug. 1991 - deluxe edition only)   Live (Japanese version) (1992) 4:37

Disc 3

All tracks on the deluxe edition only, except where noted

All songs written and composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott, except where noted. 

No. Title Writer(s) Original release Length
1. "High Voltage" (Live at Donington, 17 Aug. 1991)   Highway to Hell (CD maxi single) (1992) 9:25
2. "Hells Bells" (Live at Donington, 17 Aug. 1991) Young, Young, Johnson Highway to Hell (CD maxi single) (1992) 5:57
3. "Whole Lotta Rosie" (Live at Donington, 17 Aug. 1991)   Hail Caesar (CD single) (1995) 4:45
4. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (Live at Donington, 17 Aug. 1991)   Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (CD single) (1992) 5:00
5. "Highway to Hell" (Live in Moscow, 28 Sep. 1991 - standard edition also)   5 Titres Inedits En Concert (French 5-track CD) (1993) 4:00
6. "Back in Black" (Live in Moscow, 28 Sep. 1991) Young, Young, Johnson Big Gun (CD single) (1993) 4:10
7. "For Those About to Rock" (Live in Moscow, 28 Sep. 1991 - standard edition also) Young, Young, Johnson Big Gun (CD single) (1993) 6:50
8. "Ballbreaker" (Live in Madrid, 10 Jul. 1996) Young, Young Stiff Upper Lip (Australian bonus CD) (2001) 4:40
9. "Hard as a Rock" (Live in Madrid, 10 Jul. 1996) Young, Young Stiff Upper Lip (Australian bonus CD) (2001) 4:50
10. "Dog Eat Dog" (Live in Madrid, 10 Jul. 1996)   3 Live Tracks (No Bull promo CD single) (1996) 4:46
11. "Hail Caesar" (Live in Madrid, 10 Jul. 1996) Young, Young 3 Live Tracks (No Bull promo CD single) (1996) 5:25
12. "Whole Lotta Rosie" (Live in Madrid, 10 Jul. 1996)   Stiff Upper Lip (Australian bonus CD) (2001) 5:27
13. "You Shook Me All Night Long" (Live in Madrid, 10 Jul. 1996) Young, Young, Johnson Private Parts (official movie soundtrack) (1997) 3:58
14. "Safe in New York City" (Live in Phoenix, AZ, 13 Sep. 2000 - standard edition also) Young, Young Safe in New York City (American promo CD single) (2000) 3:55

Family Jewels Disc 3 (DVD)

This DVD picks up where the original 2DVD Family Jewels set leaves off (1991), Family Jewels Disc Three begins with "Big Gun" the theme song to the motion picture Last Action Hero which is included on Studio Rarities and is the first time on any AC/DC album. Also on this disc it has three music videos from the Ballbreaker album, three from Stiff Upper Lip and the most recent clips for "Rock 'n' Roll Train" and "Anything Goes" from the AC/DC album Black Ice. There are also several songs from the original Family Jewels set that actually had more than one promotional clip. On this are the alternate versions of those songs and are on DVD for the first time.[8]

Disc 3

  1. "Big Gun"
  2. "Hard as a Rock"
  3. "Hail Caesar"
  4. "Cover You in Oil"
  5. "Stiff Upper Lip"
  6. "Satellite Blues"
  7. "Safe in New York City"
  8. "Rock 'n' Roll Train"
  9. "Anything Goes"

Bonus videos

  1. "Jailbreak"
  2. "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)"
  3. "Highway to Hell"
  4. "You Shook Me All Night Long"
  5. "Guns for Hire"
  6. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (live)
  7. "Highway to Hell" (live)

Bonus features

  1. "The Making of "Hard as a Rock"
  2. "The Making of "Rock 'n' Roll Train"

"Live at the Circus Krone" 2003

2003 was a big year for AC/DC which included their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame[9] to European dates with the Rolling Stones, the band made several high-profile public appearances (including the SARS concert in Toronto for 200,000 people). One run of shows found the band returning to their roots and playing clubs and theaters where fans were treated to sweaty, stripped-down shows and even playing some rarities they hadn't played in years. This DVD show from Munich, Germany was filmed at Circus Krone 2003 and this disc only available on the Deluxe Edition.

Live at the Circus Krone DVD

  1. Introduction
  2. "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be"
  3. "Back in Black"
  4. "Stiff Upper Lip"
  5. "Shoot to Thrill"
  6. "Thunderstruck"
  7. "Rock 'n' Roll Damnation"
  8. "What's Next to the Moon"
  9. "Hard as a Rock"
  10. "Bad Boy Boogie"
  11. "The Jack"
  12. "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)"
  13. "Hells Bells"
  14. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
  15. "Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution"
  16. "T.N.T."
  17. "Let There Be Rock"
  18. "Highway to Hell"
  19. "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)"
  20. "Whole Lotta Rosie"

Rarities 180 Gram LP

The 12 unique studio rarities from CD 1 presented on 180 gram audiophile vinyl, mastered specifically for LP.[4]

Side A

  1. "Stick Around"
  2. "Love Song"
  3. "Fling Thing"
  4. "R.I.P (Rock in Peace)"
  5. "Carry Me Home"
  6. "Crabsody in Blue"

Side B

  1. "Cold Hearted Man"
  2. "Snake Eye"
  3. "Borrowed Time"
  4. "Down on the Borderline"
  5. "Big Gun"
  6. "Cyberspace"

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Albums Chart[10] 16
Austrian Albums Chart[11] 31
Swiss Albums Top 100[11] 24
UK Albums Chart[12] 134
US Billboard 200[13] 39

References

  1. ^ http://sev.prnewswire.com/music/20090929/NY8281729092009-1.html
  2. ^ "AC/DC: 'Backtracks' Ultimate Box-Set Details Revealed". Roadrunnerrecords.com. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=127808. Retrieved 2012-05-12. 
  3. ^ "AC/DC Backtracks Animated Product Shot". YouTube. 2009-09-28. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2-PCqKXjb8&feature=sub. Retrieved 2012-01-04. 
  4. ^ a b c "The Ultimate Box Set". ACDC Backtracks. http://www.acdcbacktracks.com/pages/3999219/. Retrieved 2012-01-04. 
  5. ^ [1][dead link]
  6. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Backtracks". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1667185. Retrieved 8 November 2009. 
  7. ^ Rankin, Dan. "Album Reviews - 16/11/09". BLARE Magazine. http://blaremagazine.com/2009/11/16/album-reviews-16-11-09. Retrieved 16 November 2009. 
  8. ^ [2][dead link]
  9. ^ "AC/DC - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Rockhall.com. http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/ac-dc. Retrieved 2012-05-12. 
  10. ^ "australian-charts.com - AC/DC - Back Tracks". australian-charts.com. http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=AC%2FDC&titel=Back+Tracks&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-11-25. 
  11. ^ a b "AC/DC - Backtracks (Album)". Hung Medien. swisscharts.com. http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=AC%2FDC&titel=Back+Tracks&cat=a. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
  12. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 21.11.2009 (wk46)". Zobbel. http://zobbel.de/cluk/091121cluk.txt. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
  13. ^ "Chart history - Billboard 200". aCharts. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/ac-dc/chart-history/3919?f=305&g=Albums. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 

External links

AC/DC
Studio albums
Compilations
Live albums
Soundtracks
Video albums
Production
Tours
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