Jethro Tull Japanese Remasters - a warning

Posted by: HTK on 30 December 2004

Anyone considering buying ‘War Child’ should be advised that the sound quality isn’t too brilliant, although this is a subjective assessment. What isn’t subjective however, is an artefact in the middle of ‘Two Fingers’ (my favourite track) where the engineer, having realised that the levels are a bit low, gives the master sliders a nudge to shove a few dB on. Shoddy, unprofessional and not worthy of anyone’s money.

Benefit and Aqualung have been transferred beautifully and are worth the dosh IMO, but this crappy knock off has brought my back catalogue enhancement to a shuddering halt. It’s compounded by the fact that CD Universe, whilst being more than accommodating with replacements (I’m on my third copy) will not refund on goods that are undamaged. This is fair enough, but if I’d been able to get it from Amazon they would have refunded without question. I can’t hold a retailer responsible for a lousy recording but in future I’ll be exercising a lot more caution and using a retailer who refunds for any reason.

If that's of any use to anyone.

Cheers

Harry

(On some planets I would be considered normal)
Posted on: 30 December 2004 by JonR
Harry,

Has there been a Japanese remaster, or a remaster worth its salt for that matter, of 'Thick As A Brick' by any chance? I love that album and I only have the rather elderly vinyl pressing (though it has the 'newspaper' which is great fun Smile).

Cheers in advance,

JR
Posted on: 30 December 2004 by HTK
Yes Jon there are two Japanese remasters in gate fold mini LP sleves. One is some sort of special edition with the full sized newspaper page enclosed. The less expensive remaster and Songs From The Wood were next on my hit list. When I last looked, I could get them from CD Universe but because of the War Child scare, I'll be looking into alternative retailers in case I need to get a refund.

Please let me know if you track a supplier down. They're definitely out there to be purchased, if you're willing to wait for stock. Had a Yes HDCD on order from Amazon USA for something like 4 months. I'd given up when all of a sudden the posted it last week.

Cheers

Harry

(On some planets I would be considered normal)
Posted on: 30 December 2004 by JonR
Thanks Harry, I will see what I can find and let you know in due course if I have any success!

Cheers,

JR
Posted on: 30 December 2004 by J.N.
I too have the wonderfully entertaining, original 'newspaper' vinyl version. (I thought you were too young Jon?)

This thread has had me scouring my JT collection, and I've dug out (and am playing) an MFSL Gold Ultradisc version of it (UDCD 510). It sounds OK, and probably better than the standard offering on CD, but ain't brilliant (in terms of recording quality).

I also have a 25th anniversary CD copy of it in the 'EMI 100' series in a cardboard slip-case from 1997 (7243 8 57705 2 4). Haven't tried that.

I think the problem is that 'Aqualung' and 'TAAB' were poorly recorded in the first place, and there's only so much that can be done with the master tapes.

Thanks for the reminder guys - I am once again enjoying this delightfully quirky gem from 1972.

John.

PS. I've used 101cd for several Japanese made versions, which always sound better than the EU or USA made item. Supply is erratic though - some ordered discs have never arrived.

Do an artist search and click on the Japanese flag to see what's available.
Posted on: 30 December 2004 by JonR
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
I too have the wonderfully entertaining, original 'newspaper' vinyl version. (I thought you were too young Jon?)


Hee hee, trust me John, when TAAB came out I would have been err... three years old! Big Grin

In case you don't know already, early 70's progressive rock forms the mainstay of my record collection at the moment - maybe I'm just an old lag at heart!

Ohh perish the thought!! Big Grin

Cheers,

JR Smile
Posted on: 30 December 2004 by HTK
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:

I think the problem is that 'Aqualung' and 'TAAB' were poorly recorded in the first place, and there's only so much that can be done with the master tapes.


John.

PS. I've used http://www.101cd.com/Home/index.asp?asptnr= for several Japanese made versions, which always sound better than the EU or USA made item. Supply is erratic though - some ordered discs have never arrived.



Thanks for the pointer John. Agree with your view of the recording quality of Aqualung and TAAB. This is why the remastered CD of the former put a smile on my face. It really is very good. OK, you can't polish a turd but the engineer obviously did his/her very best - and pulled it off - all things considered.

Cheers


Harry

(On some planets I would be considered normal)