-extra Quality- Tommy Bolin 1966 1976 Fever Box Set 15 Cdsl

Verdict: 4/5 Stars (Essential for the obsessed completist; risky for the casual fan)

The Packaging & Concept Marketed as “Extra Quality,” this heavy-lift box set aims to document every known note Bolin committed to tape, from his teenage garage bands in Sioux City (1966) to his final live shows just weeks before his death in 1976. Spread across 15 CDs, the set is a behemoth—housed in a cardboard clamshell box with rudimentary but functional artwork. Do not expect the glossy booklet of a Dark Side of the Moon box. Expect photocopied images, set lists, and track times. The “Extra Quality” tag usually refers to the CD-R media (gold or premium grade) and improved digital transfers, not the graphic design.

Audio Quality (The Big Caveat) Here’s where you need to calibrate your expectations. This is not a remastered studio catalog.

Content Highlights (15 CDs Broken Down)

The Downsides

Who is this for?

Who should avoid?

Final Verdict The “Extra Quality” Tommy Bolin 1966–1976 Fever Box Set is a flawed, sprawling, unauthorized love letter. It’s the musical equivalent of a hoarder’s attic—chaotic, dusty, but stuffed with treasures. If you have the patience for lo-fi fidelity and a deep hunger to hear Bolin develop from a teenage shredder into a fusion visionary, this set is indispensable. Just know that “Extra Quality” refers to the effort, not the source tapes. -Extra Quality- Tommy Bolin 1966 1976 Fever Box Set 15 Cdsl

Best track (impossible to pick): CD 4, Track 7 – Zephyr’s “Hard Chargin’ Woman” (alternate mix). Bolin’s solo sounds like lightning in a bottle.

For fans of the late guitar wizard Tommy Bolin "Fever" 15-CD Box Set

is the ultimate deep dive into a career that burned bright and ended far too soon. Spanning his earliest recordings in 1966 to his final show in 1976, this massive collection—originally released through the Tommy Bolin Archives

—is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to hear the evolution of a legend. A Decade of Sonic Evolution

The set is structured to follow Bolin’s journey from a teenage prodigy in Iowa to a global rock icon. Highlights of the 15 discs include: The Early Years (1966): CD 1 features Patch of Blue

, Tommy’s first major band, including a fascinating 14-minute "Beatles Jam". The Fusion Foundation: Multiple discs dedicated to (1972) and his jazz-rock explorations with legends like Jan Hammer Billy Cobham (1971 sessions). The Powerhouse Eras: Extensive live and studio outtakes from his time with The James Gang , and his legendary stint replacing Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple The Final Days:

The set concludes with the raw and emotional recordings from late 1976, including the Verdict: 4/5 Stars (Essential for the obsessed completist;

and his absolute final show at the Jai-Alai Fronton in Miami on December 3, just hours before his death. Why This Set is "Extra Quality" While Bolin has many posthumous releases, the box is unique because of its sheer scope. It includes: Acoustic Demos:

Intimate versions of classics like "Teaser" and "Wild Dogs". Rare Jams: Exclusive sessions with and various "friends" recorded at venues like Ebbets Field. Interviews:

Segments of Bolin discussing his music and life, providing a personal window into his creative process. Whether you're looking for the high-octane fusion of or the gritty rock of Private Eyes

, this box set captures every facet of Tommy Bolin’s "extra quality" musicianship. for a specific era, like his time with Deep Purple

Tommy Bolin – Fever – CD (Box Set, Album, Limited ... - Discogs

The beauty of Fever is its chronological audacity. It refuses to separate the sideman from the solo star, instead showing how a 14-year-old garage rocker in Sioux City, Iowa, became the man who replaced both Joe Walsh (in the James Gang) and Ritchie Blackmore (in Deep Purple).

These discs are archaeological treasures. You get unpolished, embryonic Bolin playing with bands like "Denny & The Triumphs" and "American Standard." The "-Extra Quality-" mastering here is a godsend; original acetates of 16-year-old Bolin wailing on a Fender Jaguar are usually unlistenable. This set clarifies the pick attack and harmonic ambition that foreshadowed his fusion work. Content Highlights (15 CDs Broken Down)

Many box sets slap a sticker that says "Remastered" and call it a day. Fever goes to war for Bolin’s legacy.

You need this box set if:

You might skip it if:

Title: Fever: 1966–1976 Artist: Tommy Bolin Format: 15 CD Deluxe Box Set Release Context: A definitive archival collection celebrating the life and work of the guitarist virtuoso Tommy Bolin, spanning from his early days in Colorado to his tragic passing in 1976.

This is where the "Extra Quality" remastering earns its price tag. Billy Cobham’s Spectrum (1973) is represented not just by the final mix, but by the isolated guitar stems. Listening to “Stratus” without the horns or drums reveals Bolin’s right-hand picking technique: a percussive, almost flamenco-style attack that turned his Les Paul into a drum kit.

These discs also include the legendary Energy sessions with drummer Narada Michael Walden. The alternate take of “The Grind” features a guitar solo so fast and clean that the producers had to slow the tape down to verify it was human.

Let’s be realistic. An original 2002 pressing of the "Fever Box" might cost $400–$800 USD. The "-Extra Quality-" variant, due to its scarcity, often breaks the four-figure mark.

You should buy this if:

You should skip this if: