Hi Adam and Terry,
I think Amazon may have stocked several copies when it first came out and have since run out. I didn't know about the Hip-O Select website when I went to buy the solo collection, so I purchased it on Amazon for the list price of $39.99 while they still had it in stock. Since then, it appears that Hip-O has re-stocked the item and it is still available on their site for its original price (I was so excited I bought a second copy!):
http://www.hip-oselect.com/scr.public.p ... 57301c166dAs to the exorbitant prices being asked on Amazon: sellers probably don't realize that it is readily available through Hip-O Select directly and think that because its not in stock through Amazon, they can jack up the price ridiculously. Unfortunately, since Cass' first two solo albums are only available domestically on this package, it's probable that some poor, enthusiastic soul may fall victim. If only Cass' catalog were more available this kind of extortion wouldn't be possible. I cringe with envy at the superb re-issuing of her catalog that's currently happening overseas. Why isn't it happening here?
She deserves the re-assessment.
take care,
jcg