Wish You Were Here – Immersion Box Set (2011)

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Released in 2011, the Wish You Were Here Immersion Box Set is an extensive collection that celebrates one of Pink Floyd’s most acclaimed albums. This box set offers a deep dive into the album’s creation and legacy, packed with remastered tracks, unreleased material, and a wealth of additional content.

Contents of the Box Set:

1. Discs:
   • CD1: The original album, remastered in 2011. It includes the tracks “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5),” “Welcome To The Machine,” “Have A Cigar,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9).”
   • CD2: Features unreleased audio tracks, including live performances from Wembley 1974 (“Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Raving And Drooling,” “You’ve Got To Be Crazy”), “Wine Glasses” from the ‘Household Objects’ project, an alternative version of “Have A Cigar,” and “Wish You Were Here” with Stéphane Grappelli.
   • DVDs and Blu-ray: Offer various audio formats and mixes, including a 2009 5.1 Surround Mix, a 1975 Quad Mix, and a high-resolution stereo mix. The set also contains concert screen films from 1975 and a Storm Thorgerson Short Film from 2000.
2. Collectibles and Memorabilia:
   • A 36-page book designed by Storm Thorgerson, including recording information, song lyrics, sleeve artwork, concert ticket, and poster reprints.
   • A 24-page photo book with photographs by Jill Furmanovsky and Hipgnosis, capturing the era of 1973-1975.
   • An 8-page Credits booklet, an exclusive art print “Diver – 1975,” a black envelope with four collectors’ cards featuring art and comments by Storm Thorgerson.
   • Memorabilia replicas including a “Wish You Were Here” tour ticket and backstage pass.
   • A collectible printed scarf and a black cloth draw-string sack containing three clear glass marbles.
   • Nine coasters featuring early design sketches.

The Wish You Were Here Immersion Box Set stands as a comprehensive tribute to the album’s enduring impact and Pink Floyd’s artistic vision. It offers an unparalleled experience for fans, combining high-quality audio remasters with a trove of visual and tactile memorabilia that enriches the album’s context and history.

Review and Reception:

• Critics noted that the set struggled with content, especially when compared to the previous Immersion box set. It was priced identically to “The Dark Side of the Moon” set despite offering less content.
• The video content was considered somewhat disappointing, adding up to only 25 minutes in length and lacking in variety.
• The set was recommended mainly for those interested in listening to music in surround sound, as the DVD and Blu-ray offered an exceptional audio experience. For others, the 2CD Experience Edition was seen as a more practical and economical choice.
• Overall, the set received praise for its amazing high-resolution audio and surround sound but was critiqued for being expensive and not offering enough bonus audio or video content​

Links – News story on the original release –