New Ziggy Stardust Remaster Review

Posted by: Fawkes007 on 10 June 2012

This is the third time I have purchased this album. I have the Mobile Fidelity release on vinyl, the Ryko release on cd, now the 40th anniversary edition on cd.

Sound: Good, but not much better than the Ryko edition. Frankly, it's damn close, plus you get bonus tracks with the Ryko edition. That said, a little more high end clarity (almost too much?) and a bit more mid range punch to the bass guitar. Nice. Again, subtle, but there. Anyone expecting a miracle with this over any of the other Ziggy releases may be in for a bit of a disappointment.

Packaging: I'm a sucker for cardboard covers and original artwork down to the inner sleave, and this reissue does a nice job on this score.

Comparison to the Mobile Fidelity OMR release on vinyl? Forgetaboutit. Don't even go there. And, no, I will to sell you my minty fresh copy!

Overall: if you don't have a copy of Ziggy Stardust - 2 things: 1. What is wrong with you? And 2. This will do just fine. It sounds good and the artwork is cool. If you have any of the other releases, especially the Ryko edition, you're probably not in for that much of an upgrade, sonically speaking.

Posted on: 10 June 2012 by Gale 401

Originally Posted by Fawkes007:

This is the third time I have purchased this album. I have the Mobile Fidelity release on vinyl, the Ryko release on cd, now the 40th anniversary edition on cd.

Packaging: I'm a sucker for cardboard covers and original artwork down to the inner sleave, and this reissue does a nice job on this score.

Comparison to the Mobile Fidelity OMR release on vinyl? Forgetaboutit. Don't even go there. And, no, I will to sell you my minty fresh copy!

Whats the DVD Hi- Res sound like?

What TT do you use?

Stu.

Posted on: 10 June 2012 by Guido Fawkes

Record Collector advised to stay with what you have until Bowie's own versions arrive next year.

Posted on: 10 June 2012 by Tony2011

No disrespect but the guy has not released anything since 2003. Nice pension if you can have your stuff re-repackaged every-now-and-then.

K.R

Tony

Posted on: 10 June 2012 by mutterback

Fawkes007 - I think you only got the CD, correct "now the 40th anniversary edition on cd."

Anyone tried the vinyl or the DVD audio?

Posted on: 11 June 2012 by drps

I have ripped the DVD audio 24bit/96 and it sound excelent via HDX+, moonage daydream inst is fantastic and only 24bit/48.

Have not tryed it on the DVD5 yet.

Paul S

Posted on: 11 June 2012 by Kevin-W

I have the 1990 EMI/Ryko vinyl edition (with bonus tracks) - does anyone have an opinion as to whether this (vinyl) edition is an upgrade on that?

Cheers

Posted on: 11 June 2012 by keano

I have 30th anniversary 2cd edition and look forward to Bowie's own versions.

Posted on: 11 June 2012 by Fawkes007

Yes, I only have the 40th cd. I was curious how that compared to the Ryko cd. Only vinyl I have is the MF OMR.

Posted on: 11 June 2012 by Steve J

Why not buy a good quality early pressing 2nd hand. It's unlikely to cost any more and the SQ will knock the socks off any recent reissue.

Posted on: 12 June 2012 by JamieL_v2

Originally Posted by Tony2011:

No disrespect but the guy has not released anything since 2003. Nice pension if you can have your stuff re-repackaged every-now-and-then.

K.R

Tony

He did have some erious medical problems that year, and he did say that this time around he was going to spend time enjoying being a dad.

I can't say that either 'Heathen' or 'Reality' did anything for me, sounded like a competent Bowie cover band, the last of his albums I found interesting were 'Earthling' and '1.Outside', and they were over fifteen years agao now.

Still few have matched his output from the 1970's, and 'Scary Monsters ...'.

Posted on: 12 June 2012 by winkyincanada

Originally Posted by Fawkes007:

Overall: if you don't have a copy of Ziggy Stardust - 2 things: 1. What is wrong with you?

Posted on: 13 June 2012 by Komet

Quote: I have 30th anniversary 2cd edition and look forward to Bowie's own versions.

Bowie sold the rights to his back catalogue years ago. I assumed he no longer had a say on future releases/ repackaging (like Elvis)?

Posted on: 13 June 2012 by SamS

Maybe Bowie can pull something special out of the hat but to my ears the DVD-A sounds just....., well ..... 'right'. I haven't compared it to previous versions or listened to the vinyl yet as it is still in my office, but for the pre-order price of £14 - ish I think it was money well spent. The whole production seems to have been carefully done. This from the S Hoffman forum:

Originally Posted by Ken Scott

OK people, time to jump in. Yes this is the first time I have really been involved in any Bowie re-masters. Hence the use of Ray Staff, the mastering engineer that worked on the album originally. I can tell you that Ray used the original master tapes and that he worked analog right up to the last minute. All eq is analog and I'm sure, going by past experience, there will be some of you out there that will disagree, but I happen to think this is the closest we've got to the original vinyl pressings.
As far as Starman goes, unless someone sometime swapped the original mix for the alternate one that I don't remember doing, this is the mix I, David, Mainman and RCA approved.
One last thing, TOTAL self promotion, but Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust is released on June 6th and I'm prepared for the onslaught.

Would Ken like to share with us why it was not possible to go 100% analog? I'm really curious about it...

Sorry, I was referring to anything that finished up in the digital domain. The vinyl version, of course,was analog all the way along.
Cheers

So unless you have a good condition early pressing, this version should satisfy your vinyl Ziggy needs for the foreseeable future and for the streamers/DVD'ers out there - the Hi-Res is splendid.

Remember to play loud !!

Sam

Posted on: 21 June 2012 by Nagoya

Anybody seen this from the LRB of all places. Thanks!