Fleetwood Mac Remasters
Posted by: J.N. on 22 March 2004
At long last 'Rumours' - 'Fleetwood Mac' and 'Tusk' are being released tomorrow (23rd) in a properly remastered form for the first time.
'Rumours' comes as a 2 CD set with extra tracks from the recording sessions/out-takes etc:
I've heard some of the remastered 'Rumours' tracks on a compilation and it's a revelation compared to the original release on CD.
I'd suggest USA made copies if you want the best. I've just received my USA made copy of Marc Cohn's first CD (1991). The difference compared to the EU produced item (Germany) has to be heard to be believed!
I use Djangos.
'Rumours' comes as a 2 CD set with extra tracks from the recording sessions/out-takes etc:
I've heard some of the remastered 'Rumours' tracks on a compilation and it's a revelation compared to the original release on CD.
I'd suggest USA made copies if you want the best. I've just received my USA made copy of Marc Cohn's first CD (1991). The difference compared to the EU produced item (Germany) has to be heard to be believed!
I use Djangos.
Posted on: 22 March 2004 by Ron Toolsie
I noticed that last week that these albums are being re-released this week and will be ordered tomorrow. I agree that the original CD releases are execrable and for this reason do not have them. I did however burn a copy of Rumors to CD from my UK pressed vinyl. In deference to the way it should be listened to, I made no attempt to mark each of the tracks, only make a break between side 1 and side 2. It flows so much better if there isn't the temptation to random access your favourite track. I'll let you know how the new remasters played on a CDS3 compare to the original vinyl played on....(see my profile).
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo
Posted on: 22 March 2004 by Thomas K
John, I ordered some CDs from Djangos recently based on your recommendation -- seems like an excellent concept what with their used CD database spanning the entire US.
How long does it usually take for CDs dispatched by Djangos to arrive in Old Blighty? I often use A&B Sound (Canada), and their deliveries take just over a week (to Germany), which I find quite fast.
Thomas
How long does it usually take for CDs dispatched by Djangos to arrive in Old Blighty? I often use A&B Sound (Canada), and their deliveries take just over a week (to Germany), which I find quite fast.
Thomas
Posted on: 22 March 2004 by Geoff P
I know it is of little use to the majority but about 12 months ago "Rumors" was released on DVD-Audio. Included on this multichannel DVD-A disc is a 98Khz/24bit Stereo version.
The quality and sound of this stereo version is superb. I have the original CD and it runs away with it's tail between its legs when this new disc is played.
The DVD-A disc also includes "Silver Springs" a song recorded but not released on the original CD which was not.
The stereo tracks on both of the new formats (DVD-A & SACD) typically deliver music to very high standard.
regards
Geoff
The quality and sound of this stereo version is superb. I have the original CD and it runs away with it's tail between its legs when this new disc is played.
The DVD-A disc also includes "Silver Springs" a song recorded but not released on the original CD which was not.
The stereo tracks on both of the new formats (DVD-A & SACD) typically deliver music to very high standard.
regards
Geoff
Posted on: 22 March 2004 by J.N.
Hi Thomas
I too have used A&B in the past, but tend now to use Djangos, as USA produced discs seem to have a slight sonic advantage over the Canadian equivalent.
Deliveries from Djangos (Portland, Oregon) take around a week to the UK.
I too have used A&B in the past, but tend now to use Djangos, as USA produced discs seem to have a slight sonic advantage over the Canadian equivalent.
Deliveries from Djangos (Portland, Oregon) take around a week to the UK.
Posted on: 23 March 2004 by Thomas K
USA produced discs seem to have a slight sonic advantage over the Canadian equivalent
Apparently it can be the other way round, too -- Ron Toolsie once found a Canadian pressing to be superior to the US one. I once preferred an EU pressing to the US one (Afro Celt Sound System).
A while ago I emailed mastering engineer Bob Katz to ask his views on this rather intriguing subject (well, it is if you're as anal as me). My guess was that it might be best to buy the CD from the country where it was mastered, the reason being that pressing plants abroad may be sent second-generation masters, but he reckoned it has little to do with the master itself. Instead he suggested that it's the quality of the glass master produced by the pressing plant. It seems US pressing plants generally (though not always) have better quality standards and don't meddle with the data.
It's not unheard of for pressing plants to add compression, even if they're specifically asked not to. If there's one thing that really gets my goat it's compression -- I'll take tape his, lack of clarity and what have you any day over an overly compressed recording.
Thomas
Apparently it can be the other way round, too -- Ron Toolsie once found a Canadian pressing to be superior to the US one. I once preferred an EU pressing to the US one (Afro Celt Sound System).
A while ago I emailed mastering engineer Bob Katz to ask his views on this rather intriguing subject (well, it is if you're as anal as me). My guess was that it might be best to buy the CD from the country where it was mastered, the reason being that pressing plants abroad may be sent second-generation masters, but he reckoned it has little to do with the master itself. Instead he suggested that it's the quality of the glass master produced by the pressing plant. It seems US pressing plants generally (though not always) have better quality standards and don't meddle with the data.
It's not unheard of for pressing plants to add compression, even if they're specifically asked not to. If there's one thing that really gets my goat it's compression -- I'll take tape his, lack of clarity and what have you any day over an overly compressed recording.
Thomas
Posted on: 23 March 2004 by Ron Toolsie
I'm impressed..someone who can remember my postings better than I can myself ;-)
Yes, the disk was Blue Rodeos 'Five days in July'. They are however a Canadian band, and there may be some truth in the maxim that the country of origin is the place the original 'masters' are more likely to be used, with the rest of the world getting potentially lesser copies-although the advent of the digital master goes some way towards remedying that.
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo
Yes, the disk was Blue Rodeos 'Five days in July'. They are however a Canadian band, and there may be some truth in the maxim that the country of origin is the place the original 'masters' are more likely to be used, with the rest of the world getting potentially lesser copies-although the advent of the digital master goes some way towards remedying that.
quote:
USA produced discs seem to have a slight sonic advantage over the Canadian equivalent
Apparently it can be the other way round, too -- Ron Toolsie once found a Canadian pressing to be superior to the US one. I once preferred an EU pressing to the US one (Afro Celt Sound System).
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo
Posted on: 28 March 2004 by J.N.
Hi Phil
I'm waiting for my USA manufactured 'Rumours' and 'FM' to drop through the letter box any day now. Should be good on the strength of your report.
I try to get most of my discs from the USA because they sound better.
Is your 'Tusk' manufactured in the EU? - I'm assuming you've bought it in a UK shop?
I'm waiting for my USA manufactured 'Rumours' and 'FM' to drop through the letter box any day now. Should be good on the strength of your report.
I try to get most of my discs from the USA because they sound better.
Is your 'Tusk' manufactured in the EU? - I'm assuming you've bought it in a UK shop?
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by Adam G
Why do CD's from the US sound better than UK versions?
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by TomK
I got bored with Rumours many years ago after hearing it at every party I went to, or every time I turned on the radio, so I played my old copy for the first time in ages last week. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounded. Much better than I remembered but then I'd never heard it on a CDX2 before. The new version is completely different class though. Absolutely magnificent sound quality. And the music's not too bad either!
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by J.N.
quote:
Why do CD's from the US sound better than UK versions?
Bloody good question Adam.
No one can give me a definitive answer, but Thomas' posting above, refers to a possible reason.
As an example - a friend visited me with a USA made copy of the first (eponymous) Marc Cohn CD (1991). We compared it to my EU copy and jaws hit floors!
I have a USA copy now.
Prices are about the same, with postage (sometimes a bit less) but watch out for import duty and VAT on value of goods over £18.00
I and several of my Hi-Fi buddies get discs from the USA where possible.
Check it out on one of your favourites at Djangos who I find to be swift and helpful.
In stock items, take about a week to arrive.
Posted on: 02 April 2004 by Ron Toolsie
I got the remastered disks a few days ago. 'Rumours' has finally had the care in sound and presentation lavished upon it that it deserved. In many ways I prefer the CD (through the CDS3) over the LP (UK pressing, circa 1980- the CD is obviously more 'live' sounding and probably is sourced for much closer to the original master than the repressing that I have on album. The dynamics, purity and microarticulations are an ear opener. The cymbals at the start of 'The Chain' have inner rings and harmonics instead of a almost toneless splash.
The eponymous 'Fleetwood Mac' is less of a revelation, and is bettered by my white-vinyl album. But the extra pictures and liner notes are well worth the price of admission.
Now if only Warner Brothers will give us a worthy version of 'Astral Weeks' and 'Moondance'.
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo
The eponymous 'Fleetwood Mac' is less of a revelation, and is bettered by my white-vinyl album. But the extra pictures and liner notes are well worth the price of admission.
Now if only Warner Brothers will give us a worthy version of 'Astral Weeks' and 'Moondance'.
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo
Posted on: 03 April 2004 by J.N.
My USA 'Rumours' and 'FM' arrived whilst I was away for a few days, so I've only had time for a quickie blast of a few tracks.
Wooooooo-hooooooooooo!
About bloody time.
The out-take of 'Go Your Own Way' is utterly delightful and John Mc Vie's bass is so much better for me (the playing and the recorded sound).
This take also benefits from being 'drier' (less processing/reverb) to my ears.
Some of the other out-takes, also sound very interesting.
A landmark album that now sounds like it.
Looking forward to sampling the others.
Wooooooo-hooooooooooo!
About bloody time.
The out-take of 'Go Your Own Way' is utterly delightful and John Mc Vie's bass is so much better for me (the playing and the recorded sound).
This take also benefits from being 'drier' (less processing/reverb) to my ears.
Some of the other out-takes, also sound very interesting.
A landmark album that now sounds like it.
Looking forward to sampling the others.
Posted on: 20 April 2004 by J.N.
My USA produced 'Tusk' remaster arrived today and is another delight.
I'd forgotten that the original vinyl album was a double with 20 tracks. The second disc has 21 tracks of interesting out-takes and alternative versions.
'Rumours' was a difficult act to follow of course, and the sleeve notes refer to the fact that being a double album might have contributed to its relatively poor sales.
And what were they thinking of with that cover 'art' after the elegance of 'Rumours' - whoever sanctioned it should be shot.
There are some great songs here - don't overlook it. The remastered sound is also very good, considering its vintage (1979)
I'd forgotten that the original vinyl album was a double with 20 tracks. The second disc has 21 tracks of interesting out-takes and alternative versions.
'Rumours' was a difficult act to follow of course, and the sleeve notes refer to the fact that being a double album might have contributed to its relatively poor sales.
And what were they thinking of with that cover 'art' after the elegance of 'Rumours' - whoever sanctioned it should be shot.
There are some great songs here - don't overlook it. The remastered sound is also very good, considering its vintage (1979)