Sergeant Pepper Millennium Remaster
Posted by: Shayman on 08 November 2004
I've been after a mono copy of Sgt Pepper on vinyl for a while but kept missing out on Ebay auctions.
Last week I saw a CD copy with both the mono and stereo versions on it which was ideal, especially for A/B comparisons of the differences. I received the disc and it appears to be a Parlaphone/MFSL Millennium remaster disc but I can't find any web references to it although a few leads talk about CD-R versions of MFSL LP recordings.
Anyone know anything about this disc? Was it an official release or really a bootleg?
Thanks for any help.
Jonathan
Last week I saw a CD copy with both the mono and stereo versions on it which was ideal, especially for A/B comparisons of the differences. I received the disc and it appears to be a Parlaphone/MFSL Millennium remaster disc but I can't find any web references to it although a few leads talk about CD-R versions of MFSL LP recordings.
Anyone know anything about this disc? Was it an official release or really a bootleg?
Thanks for any help.
Jonathan
Posted on: 08 November 2004 by BigH47
What is the catalogue number?
Is it a gold MFSL disc?
Is it a gold MFSL disc?
Posted on: 08 November 2004 by Top Cat
Must be a bootleg or something un-official.
I enquired directly to MFSL earlier this year about the possibility of re-issuing their Beatles half-speed masters (given the difficulty and expense of obtaining the vinyl versions), and though I no longer have the email, the reply went something like this:
"Hi John, we'd love to re-release the Beatles back-catalogue as it is our most frequently requested item, but sadly the license expired a long time ago"
(my words, but relaying what I recall the answer was).
So, sadly, no. Pity - I love my MFSL vinyl, and would *love* either vinyl or CD versions.
John
PS. On a side note: isn't it about time The Beatles' back catalogue was properly re-mastered - in the style of Beatles' One and LIB(Naked)? The current digital remasters are awful in comparison. Original vinyl is where it's at but it's nigh on impossible to get top notch, mint original Beatles pressings for anything less than big bucks...
I enquired directly to MFSL earlier this year about the possibility of re-issuing their Beatles half-speed masters (given the difficulty and expense of obtaining the vinyl versions), and though I no longer have the email, the reply went something like this:
"Hi John, we'd love to re-release the Beatles back-catalogue as it is our most frequently requested item, but sadly the license expired a long time ago"
(my words, but relaying what I recall the answer was).
So, sadly, no. Pity - I love my MFSL vinyl, and would *love* either vinyl or CD versions.
John
PS. On a side note: isn't it about time The Beatles' back catalogue was properly re-mastered - in the style of Beatles' One and LIB(Naked)? The current digital remasters are awful in comparison. Original vinyl is where it's at but it's nigh on impossible to get top notch, mint original Beatles pressings for anything less than big bucks...
Posted on: 08 November 2004 by Shayman
The label says SilverApple and the cover/Cd appear to be professional....in fact here's the link to the auction which still should be viewable.
Sgt Pepper CD
The catalogue numbers are the same as the vinyl PCS???/PMC????
The sound quality is fantastic by the way. I never heard it so good. But then I only have a double boxed EMI vinyl copy.
Jonathan
Sgt Pepper CD
The catalogue numbers are the same as the vinyl PCS???/PMC????
The sound quality is fantastic by the way. I never heard it so good. But then I only have a double boxed EMI vinyl copy.
Jonathan
Posted on: 08 November 2004 by BigH47
The inlay looks like the MSFL ones. Is it in one of their "trick" CD cases like the gold issues?
Is it one of the aluminium editions?
Howard
Is it one of the aluminium editions?
Howard
Posted on: 09 November 2004 by JohanR
I have a CD bootleg of "Get Back" with a proper cover (it's well known how it should have turned out). It's most certainly made from one of the few pre production LP:s made for radio stations. As a bonus it also has the "roof top" gig.
I remember there was also a mono Sergeant Pepper from the same supplier.
So, someone has most probably made a batch of other bootlegs, making up a cover with todays computer software isn't hard. Who knows, it might even be a collectors item one day!
JohanR
I remember there was also a mono Sergeant Pepper from the same supplier.
So, someone has most probably made a batch of other bootlegs, making up a cover with todays computer software isn't hard. Who knows, it might even be a collectors item one day!
JohanR
Posted on: 10 November 2004 by Top Cat
Jonathan, that's *definitely* a bootleg cd. It might well be as good as or even better than a real MFSL release, but I am certain it's unofficial. MFSL don't have the rights to release any Beatles stuff right now - even as re-releases of their own half speed masters from the early eighties.
John
John
Posted on: 10 November 2004 by Shayman
quote:
The inlay looks like the MSFL ones. Is it in one of their "trick" CD cases like the gold issues?
Is it one of the aluminium editions?
What is a trick CD case? The disc is silver not gold in colour. I might e-mail the seller and see if he has any info on it. I'll let you know. Thanks for all your help.
Jonathan
Posted on: 10 November 2004 by BigH47
Jonathan the gold MFSL CDs come in a case which when you open it kind of fans out and releases its grip on th CD. When closing up the CD just sits on the center piece and is sofly clamped by closing the CD case. Its a work of genius, no more pulling/bending the CD to remove it from the case.
Howard
Any info would be good its a fascinating saga so far.
Howard
Any info would be good its a fascinating saga so far.
Posted on: 10 November 2004 by Shayman
Just got a message from the seller saying he bought it from EBay in the US from someone who said it was a Japanese disc. Doesn't really shed any light.
Maybe I'll just have to get on with enjoying it. If anyone wants a "Ctrl C"
let me know in a Private Topic.
Jonathan
Maybe I'll just have to get on with enjoying it. If anyone wants a "Ctrl C"
let me know in a Private Topic.Jonathan
Posted on: 11 November 2004 by Martin M
Sargeant Pepper in both mono and stereo was remastered in 1999 by Greg Calbi for EMI. The re-release of this remaster was shelved. A few copies were sent out 'in the industry'
It is possible that this disc is made from that remaster. The Mo-Fi bit is a complete falsehood, they never have and probably never will be given the rights to the Beatles catalogue on CD/SACD or DVD-A.
Definitely YMMV. I think '1' and 'LIB' are artificial sounding, with way too much signal processing involved for my tastes. All British vinyl before the 1987 digital remasters sounds great to me. The first presses just sound a bit 'greater'. They all sound better than the CDs (which up to Pepper have various technical errors).
It is possible that this disc is made from that remaster. The Mo-Fi bit is a complete falsehood, they never have and probably never will be given the rights to the Beatles catalogue on CD/SACD or DVD-A.
quote:
On a side note: isn't it about time The Beatles' back catalogue was properly re-mastered - in the style of Beatles' One and LIB(Naked)? The current digital remasters are awful in comparison.
Definitely YMMV. I think '1' and 'LIB' are artificial sounding, with way too much signal processing involved for my tastes. All British vinyl before the 1987 digital remasters sounds great to me. The first presses just sound a bit 'greater'. They all sound better than the CDs (which up to Pepper have various technical errors).
Posted on: 11 November 2004 by Top Cat
Martin, quick question for you: do you have UK or US pressings of 1 and LIBN?
I have to disagree with your 'artificial' thing but we all know how much vinyl pressings can vary. I assume you're talking vinyl and not cd releases here, though I expect the differences between vinyl and cd in these cases to be pretty minor...
John
I have to disagree with your 'artificial' thing but we all know how much vinyl pressings can vary. I assume you're talking vinyl and not cd releases here, though I expect the differences between vinyl and cd in these cases to be pretty minor...
John
Posted on: 15 November 2004 by Shayman
Just got the following reply from a Beatles forum on the subject of this version of Sgt Pepper which confirms the CD as a bootleg
Thanks again for your interest and advice everyone
Jonathan
quote:
"Mono version (tracks 1-13) sourced from the early 80's UK MONO LP box set (superior to the Japanese red vinyl version). Stereo version (tracks 14-26) sourced from a sealed MOBILE FIDELITY ULTRA HIGH QUALITY RECORD (UHQR).
All recordings are analog to digital transfers mastered in full 24-bit. Most sources are audiophile-quality unplayed LPs. Each recording is hand declicked (if and where necessary).
I have the entire set of US albums in this format, plus the first 4 British albums. Quality varies from OK to great.
Thanks again for your interest and advice everyone
Jonathan
Posted on: 25 November 2004 by JohanR
I have got hold of a copy of this disc and eagerly compared it to my 1967 Brittish stereo vinyl.
- The mono tracks sounds quite like the "original", one could say it has the typical oldish Beatles sound as it is on every record except Abbey Road.
- The stereo Mo Fi tracks opens up and has clearly a increased frequency response with less "thummy" bass (it is now more clear where Paul is using the hollow Hoffner bass, and where he is using a solid bass), even though the treble sounds a bit splashy. This is so far the best sounding version I have (I have three vinyl ones before, but no CD).
- My guess (probably wrong) is that the vinyls where played on a DD turntable when the transfer occured, the "splashy" treble on the Mo Fi might be from a moving magnet cart.
- They are very silent, on the Mo Fi one it's hard to tell if the background noise, when turning the volume up in the end, comes from the master tape or the vinyl!
I wish I had the original Mo Fi vinyl myself...
JohanR
- The mono tracks sounds quite like the "original", one could say it has the typical oldish Beatles sound as it is on every record except Abbey Road.
- The stereo Mo Fi tracks opens up and has clearly a increased frequency response with less "thummy" bass (it is now more clear where Paul is using the hollow Hoffner bass, and where he is using a solid bass), even though the treble sounds a bit splashy. This is so far the best sounding version I have (I have three vinyl ones before, but no CD).
- My guess (probably wrong) is that the vinyls where played on a DD turntable when the transfer occured, the "splashy" treble on the Mo Fi might be from a moving magnet cart.
- They are very silent, on the Mo Fi one it's hard to tell if the background noise, when turning the volume up in the end, comes from the master tape or the vinyl!
I wish I had the original Mo Fi vinyl myself...
JohanR