Catalog Completist?


How many of you out there are bent on getting an artist's complete catalog, even though the entirety of said catalog isn't always grand from first album to most recent?

I was struck by this as I was rearranging the CD collection, and noted I had all the AC/DC studio albums.  Some definitely resonate with me more than others, to say the least.  However, anything new they put out I will get.  Will it go in heavy rotation? Will it be "good"? Likely not at this point. But I will own the disc.

Some bands deliver throughout, some don't, but I still keep up with them. Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Cannibal Corpse, Green Day, are mixed examples of each for me.  I just can't seem to pass up a new release, even if I've been underwhelmed after streaming the record.  I just need to have it on the shelf.

Am I alone? What artists do you have all the physical copies of on your rack(s), regardless of individual release merit?


iron57
Tom Petty
The Beatles 125 Albums including Bootlegs
The Stones
Jimi Hendrix
Led Zeppelin
The Eagles
Fleetwood Mac
The Byrds
Eric Clapton
Bruce Springsteen
John Mellencamp
ELF
Janis Joplin
Stevie Ray Vaughan
These are the ones that come to mind sure there are others.

Without checking, mine are Dylan, Merle Haggard, Beatles.  Probably one or two others in there.  Might be Judy Collins too.  
If we're talking about now the no-longer-with-us, the list would be quite long. If the focus is on the currently-active, my A-list includes: Iris Dement, Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Richard Thompson, Emmylou Harris, Chris Hillman, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Los Lobos, Marty Stuart, Steve Earle, Mary Gauthier, Rhonda Vincent, Patty Loveless, The Del McCoury Band, Jerry Douglas, Joan Osborne. Then there is the B-list.....
Good point, I had in mind still active bands that continue to produce, albeit maybe at a different quality level, but you'll buy regardless.

But then again, I own multiple re-releases of Beatles, Zeppelin, Doors, Pink Floyd, etc.  These record companies aren't as dumb as we think.  I mean, if a new box set comes out for one of these classic acts, even with limited "new" material, guess who has two thumbs and will buy it.  That's right, this guy.
bdb24, yet another overlap in our musical interests; I have most of Mary Gauthier discs, not all, but make a point to travel to see her perform whenever she is within even 3-4 hours drive.  Under-recognized, under-appreciated, but one of the very greats.  By the way, do you like the newest Joan Osborne, the one of Dylan covers?  I have grown to love that disc.
@bdp24,

You finally got more Mary Gauthier?  Nice!

Heard her latest song? "The War After the War? !!!

Yes, I am a completist for the artists/bands that I enjoy- iron57

adding as above- The Who, Neil Young (solo and Crazy Horse).

Happy Listening!

I was a Doc Watson collector until that silly 7 disc set this year. If Malcolm Holcomb released it I have it and will continue to do so. Dave Alvin, Richard Thompson (looking forward to Mofi's Rumor and Sigh), Mary Gauthier, Peter Case.
@jafant Definitely Metallica. Interesting dilemma though, you want a band to grow and not make the same record time and again, but damn it's hard to reach for some of the newer filler when the older stuff is so good.

Rush
Kate Rusby
Cassandra Wilson
The Yellowjackets
Phish

several others

There's a continuity in the complete catalog; an experience of the artist through all their brilliance and mediocity, that's essential to acceptance.
Well said @simao 

Add Weezer to my list. Should have sat out their last one (Pacific Daydream), but I just couldn't. Not like you can't sample these things via streaming either, which I did. 

Still will plunk down the coin on a physical copy, for certain bands at least.
Thepigdog———-

Why do you call the new Doc Watson 7 cd set “silly”?

I was going to order today, but after your comment not so sure.

Thanks
@yashu , I call it silly because I generally don't like live music recorded and the set lists on this set are not all that different. I do not need 7 more versions of songs I already have. I am sure it is good although I have not listened to it.
Slaw- No so with The Doors or Zeppellin Studio albums. I'm guilty of missing Soft Parade from the former, and In Through the Out Door!
Maybe Doors fans can forgive me, as I do have American Prayer (-:
I was a label completist with a lot of small electronic labels from the UK, US and Germany.. Then I started running out of space. Now I'm more selective but still keep an eye on record labels that put out  quality releases. 

Is this just an electronic music thing?