Days Of Future Passed
Posted by: Harry on 22 April 2011
Have you heard this album?
You haven't. Trust me.
The 24Bit flac came down last night from HD Tracks and I haven't been able to stop listening to it.
The hairs on the back of the neck are getting tired.
Obviously it's for fans only and then only those who can play back 24Bit files. It doesn't justify the outlay on a serving/streaming system but boy does it make me glad I did.
Moving Pictures and now this. A sign of the times or just a happy blip?
A good question. Not so long ago the discussion revolved around the quality/providence of the master used - which was sometimes not the consensus best choice for 24Bit release. Moving Pictures was remastered for the deluxe disc releases and I assume that the simultaneous flac release from HD Tracks was from the same source,. I don't know this but it seems too much of a coincidence. So far as I know Days Of Future Passed has never been remastered - cue the next post telling me it has! Anyway, the HD Tracks release does not allude to any remastering but the original was a project designed and implemented to be a Gold Standard for hi fidelity stereo recording and playback at the time. it does not surprise me that in 24Bit it has come to life and revealed itself to be a more elaborate and crafted effort than has been portrayed before and I think this goes back to the quality and standards of the original. Which serves to illustrate that recording and production skill is all, and you can't polish a turd.
I can't comment on Paul Simon - not a fan. Band On The Run is not in my top hundred favorites but I was starved and wanted something, anything. That blew my socks off too. It is spooky good in terms of detail and portrayal. Was it all down to 24Bit? Don't know.
> So far as I know Days Of Future Passed has never been remastered - cue the next post telling me it has!
Hi Harry
I have the remastered SACD of DOTFP mixed from the original quad masters. If only I had a SACD player then I could tell you how good it was. Alas I can only play the CD layer. I have heard the DTS version and that is very clean. Though I do like my old vinyl copy. I think the 2008 prints of the Moody Blues catalogue on CD is remastered too, but I haven't got those.
Hopefully, their masterpiece Every Good Boy Deserves Favour with get the same treatment as your DOTFP.
All the best, Guy.
Ah! Sometimes I should use my brain! I bought DOFP on SHM-CD in '09 and it was (now that I check) a rework. Mind you, with SHM-CD you can also be at the mercy of a different start point so who knows what version it is? I have to say that this copy does sound quite wonderful. However, the 24Bit is way past it. This still doesn't answer Hawk's question because I don't know the providence of the flac or that of the SHM-CD. But at least something good has happened - never a certainty with remasters or HiRes.
All the Moodies albums from DOFP to Seventh Sojourn were re-mastered in 2006 at SACD levels so it's doubtful that the 24bit download is from an ordinary Red Book CD.
The Moody's 2006 remasters aren't bad, certainly better than the CDs that were around beforehand, but the original vinyls are outstandingly good, Days of Future Passed being exceptional.
The HD digital copy will have a tough act to better it.
Harry,
Can you just STOP posting - your costing me money!
Bought this as well.
M
Have you heard this album?
You haven't. Trust me.
You're right. Very good.
Thx,
M
Oh damn. Looks like I'm going to have to get it too, just to see...
Sorry. But it is rather good.
S-400s came today. Now that's going to be interesting.