Genesis CD,s 1994 or 2008 digital remaster

First pressing Charisma for my ears every time. G

Most of mine are the so-called definitive digital re-masters on the Virgin label from 1994, I think.  The clarity is pretty good but there's also a touch of hardness.  I'm rather tempted to try some of the original CDs on the Charisma label that Graeme suggests but it might be a job to track them down after all this time.

All of the 2008 remasters should be piled up into a pyre and burned. They're a travesty. It's not the sound to which I object, but the remixing with different levels and positioning of instruments. It's a reworking of the original and it just doesn't sound right in my view. Some are not as obvious as others but I really REALLY dislike the new ones, mainly because the originals are now unavailable.

I have an early pressing of Wind and Wuthering and I think I prefer my 1994 remaster (I have them all up to Duke).

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Frank's more or less got it spot on. For instance, for 'Seconds Out' you really need the original 1980's Virgin issue. However, SOME of the 1994 re-masters are better than the originals. The 2008 re-masters are generally not very good (diplomatic phrase).

For details of which issue is best for which album, you must go on to Steve Hoffman's forum (yes, I know, yes, I know, but I like it).

This topic has been covered substantially and all the info you need can be found there.

Hope i didn't break any Naim forum rules with my link.

Thankyou for the link Wugged Way found some really interesting comments on all the remasters 

But still conflicted 

As i type this i am listening to foxtrot (the 2008 remaster) through my grado sr80i,s.

After listening through the whole foxtrot 1994 DER 

And dare i say it!! 

I started to sway toward the newer 2008 remaster

Sounds cleaner and much more detailed, gabriels voice is amazing also.

Hi Eazyryder,

Remember, fora such as Steve Hoffman's are great in giving you an overview, but everyones ears are different and everyones view of what the music 'should sound like' are different. Remember, the 2008 remasters are REMIXED as Frank said above, and you may just prefer the remixed sound. Go with your ears.

I have the Foxtrot 2008 re-master and yes, the clarity is impressive and you can hear a lot of things that were 'lost' on previous issues. But, I feel the sound is rather compressed. The highs are not high enough, the lows not low enough. It all sounds rather dull - it's as if all the drama of the music has been sucked out of it. Maybe the 1980's original is the one to go for here - unfortunately it means tracking one down, biting the bullet and buying another version  - ah, well, we are only young once.......

Originally Posted by eazyryder:

Thankyou for the link Wugged Way found some really interesting comments on all the remasters
But still conflicted
As i type this i am listening to foxtrot (the 2008 remaster) through my grado sr80i,s.
After listening through the whole foxtrot 1994 DER
And dare i say it!!
I started to sway toward the newer 2008 remaster
Sounds cleaner and much more detailed, gabriels voice is amazing also.

Hi Eazyryder,

Remember, fora such as Steve Hoffman's are great in giving you an overview, but everyones ears are different and everyones view of what the music 'should sound like' are different. Remember, the 2008 remasters are REMIXED as Frank said above, and you may just prefer the remixed sound. Go with your ears.

I have the Foxtrot 2008 re-master and yes, the clarity is impressive and you can hear a lot of things that were 'lost' on previous issues. But, I feel the sound is rather compressed. The highs are not high enough, the lows not low enough. It all sounds rather dull - it's as if all the drama of the music has been sucked out of it. Maybe the 1980's original is the one to go for here - unfortunately it means tracking one down, biting the bullet and buying another version - ah, well, we are only young once.......

 I know exactly what you mean Wugged Woy
It would be great if i could take the best from both the 94 and 2008 remaster and merge them for the perfect sound 

I am a big fan of Gabriel era Genesis and have all those on original vinyl, but I must say the new "remixes" bring a different, interesting take - and much more clarity. I personally am very glad I have these new versions. Also the earliest of the (now out of print) cd/sacd boxsets (1970-75) is, I think, truly marvellous.

Yes, there may be some "magic" missing in the newer versions, but it is also possible we tend to always prefer what we first heard in our younger days!  To be very honest, if I had only ever heard the remixes and were then presented with the originals, I think I would find them muddier and less appealing than the remixes.

Anyway, the main thing is the newer versions don't replace the originals. You are still allowed to listen to them if you want!

Perfect answer john101 

I think this sums everything up.

Its all about individual taste.

Quite rightly as you said people can be nostalgic about original recordings, and any kind of tampering whatsoever.

Thankyou for your reply.

I'm not sure why it was felt necessary to bowdlerise The Colony of Slippermen on the 2008 remix, though.