Graceland - Paul Simon

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Originally posted by J.N.:
This album has always sounded crap on CD; whereas the vinyl sounds great.

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That's very good news indeed! Graceland is one of my favorite albums of all time, and it always pissed me off that the CD didn't sound much better than the original cassette version that I purchased back when the album came out.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

I have ordered the remastered versions of 'Still Crazy..', 'There goes Rhymin' Simon' and 'One Trick Pony' (a greatly unrecognized album), which I should have this afternoon (UPS permitting). Not only are they remastered, but they are also expanded with previously unreleased material. My original LPs of these still sound great, and probably edge out the original CD releases that I also have. I'll let you know how successful the remasters are.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

I've also just ordered the Graceland remaster, along with:

• DAVID BAERWALD - "Here Comes The New Folk Underground"
  
• MODEST MOUSE - "The Moon & Antarctica"
  
• THE POLYPHONIC SPREE - "Together We're Heavy"
  

I'm looking forward to their arrival.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

As far as I know all of the Paul Simon reissues were "remastered" by Bill Inglot who in my opinion usually does a great job. He wanted to include even more unissued tracks on the Simon CD's but good old Columbia said no!

Chris

So - how does it sound then ???

Cheers,
Claus

Got my USA made copy today.

Remastering by Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot. Sounds very good - much more open and detailed than the original offering on CD, but still very smooth. Ahh those Linda Ronstadt backing vocals on 'Under African Skies' - delightful.

Bonus tracks are three 'demo' versions of tracks on the album.

Hi JN,

Where did you say you ordered it from??

Mad Boy Matt

I have compared the new remastered versions with the older domestic (US) ones. And basically there is NO comparison. The original ones are far less vibrant sounding- like poor cassette dubs with a flat, 2-dimensional and congealed sound. The remasters are also maybe 2-3 dB louder, but even when volume matched greatly outdistance their predecessors. For instance the Dixie Hummingbirds singing backup on 'Tenderness' (There goes rhymin' Simon)how have a very credible deep chesty resonance instead of the rather disembodied way they come across on the older CD's. The out-takes and unreleased songs, especially on One Trick Pony alone make the new catalog compulsory for even the most casual Paul Simon fan. The added bonus of a greater-than-Hicap-level sonic improvement is only icing on an already sweet cake.

Now, when can we expect the same treatment of the Van Morrison catalog- which is also on Warner Bros????

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

Hi Matt

From Tower USA. A link to their web-site is in my original thread post above.

My favourite USA supplier is Djangos but they were not listing it. They might be now.

Happy listening.

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Originally posted by NAIMGAIM:
Graceland? yeah, great record... but I am so SICK OF IT! I cringe when folks bring it in to Demo with as does every other dealer in the world.

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Graceland's one of those albums that I've heard at least 1000 times, and I would gladly listen another 1000 more. In fact, most "longish" road trips begin with the playing of Graceland. I don't "listen" to it much on my stereo, possibly because it sounded so bad, because I do often listen to his latest.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Amazon are listing all of the Paul Simon remasters which must mean that they are generally available.



Nigel

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Amazon are listing all of the Paul Simon remasters which must mean that they are generally available.

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Beware the inferior EU produced item. Get a proper one from the USA.

J.N, Why is the EU one inferior?

There is no difference. Both are on Rhino. Both have the same catalogue number.



Nigel

OK good, because I have just ordered a UK copy from Amazon

I bought Graceland,Still crazy...,Rhymin simon from the States, all came in carboard jewellcases and with small booklets/lyrics etc, it will be interesting to see if U.K. ordered versions come in the same packaging-could give a clue as to whether they are the same pressing? quality.
They definitely were better than my earlier cds, but have a question mark over Graceland compared to vinyl(and thats with my TT in dire need of a service).If anyone receives the U.K. versions i would be grateful if they could post as to whether they are the aame as the U.S. ones,as normally i seem to be unlucky with our wonderful customs and end up with all sort of charges (import duty, VAT, additional handling charge from royal mail etc)so would prefer to buy in U.K. if the standard is the same.

Mike.

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There is no difference. Both are on Rhino. Both have the same catalogue number.

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Wrong!

My newly remastered USA copy is on Warner Bros (its original label) with a different catalogue number of R2 - 78904.

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J.N, Why is the EU one inferior?

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Richard; I have no idea but myself and several friends with good systems try to get the USA article if possible as they just seem to sound better.

We've proved it with numerous discs. Particularly where USA based artistes are involved. A glaring example is Marc Cohn's first (eponymous) album. The difference has to be heard to be believed.

Annoying but true.

Has anyone bought this remastered version from within the UK, and if so, where from.

I have just managed to buy a mint LP and would like to compare it to this latest CD.

Regards

Mick

Mick
You can get it here:
http://www10.cd-wow.com/detail_results.php?product_code=13642
£8.99 including post
Regards
Martin

101cd are good for selecting country of origin.

Do a search on your chosen artiste, then click on the flag of your chosen country of manufacture.

Japanese are the best, for reasons that no one seems able to explain. 'Twas the same for vinyl.

The DVD of Graceland - The African Concert [1987] is excellent too......

Many thanks.....I shall sort something out.

Regards

Mick

Anyone noticed the error on one track title Hearts & Bones ?

Hi all. I finally got around to ordering six of the Paul Simon remasters: Graceland, Rhythm, You're the One (an underrated gem), There Goes ..., Hearts and Bones, and, I think, his first album (I refrained - for now - from ordering all of them and I now I can't remember for sure which was the sixth one I picked). I can't wait to hear them. Any recent thoughts on sound quality now that some of you have had them for a while? Do the remasters blow away the original cds or is the improvement slight? Better than (or as good as) vinyl? Also, are the extra or bonus tracks any good or are they just "throw aways"? Thanks for any opinions.

Mike