Robert Johnson: special centenial edition

Posted by: Sofa on 12 August 2011

Hi,

Did anyone of you buy this latest Robert Johnson centenial release ?:

http://www.myplaydirect.com/ro...nson/details/5747793 

Would love to buy it but hesitate since the site says nothing about the soundquality. From the site I can't understand what has been used as the master: the originals of some existing 78 records.

What's your guess about the quality? Thanks.

Willem
Posted on: 12 August 2011 by hego99

According to this 10-star-review the sound is a "revelatory" upgrade:

   http://www.popmatters.com/pm/r...entennial-collection

 

I have the original "Complete Recordings" (2CD, 1990) and am curious about this new version.

Probably same masters/source, but superior transfer to digital.

Posted on: 12 August 2011 by Max Bass

Dawn of the blues . . . I love it!   Anyone interested in checking out blues music, there can be no better place to start.  Thanks Willem for posting, it looks like a very Naim-worthy collection to own.

 

" It’s always enlightening to hear the unfiltered first takes on masterpieces like “Sweet Home Chicago”, “From Four Until Late”, “Traveling Riverside Blues” and “Love in Vain Blues”. As anyone who knows can attest, this is not remotely music for a museum, relics to acknowledge before moving on. It is exciting, joyful noise, brimming with purpose and ingenuity, fun and frightening, enigmatic and awe-inspiring. And once again, it is remarkable to consider the diversity of artists who have been drawn to these touchstones, and our musical heritage is incalculably richer for all of the faithful and unconventional “cover songs” Johnson unknowingly commissioned."

 

Max

Posted on: 12 August 2011 by Sofa
Originally Posted by hego99:

       

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According to this 10-star-review the sound is a "revelatory" upgrade:

   http://www.popmatters.com/pm/r...entennial-collection

 

I have the original "Complete Recordings" (2CD, 1990) and am curious about this new version.

Probably same masters/source, but superior transfer to digital.




Yes, but this review refers to the latest 2 cd Sony collection which i have and indeed sounds better (less nois, more vocal and guitar presences). I was curious about the new 10" vinyl version 45 rpm.

Willem
Posted on: 12 August 2011 by graham55

Thanks for the tip: have just ordered the CDs.

Posted on: 12 August 2011 by BigH47

The Complete recordings sums it up , so I too wonder what this version can offer. His recordings were for 78 and I suspect they cannot be improved upon. I was pleasantly surprised about how good they did sound though, if this "new" version can improve again without adding stuff I would be pleased.

Posted on: 12 August 2011 by KeanoKing

BigH

 

This is a vast improvement.  I mentioned in another thread that this is the first RJ disc that i can listen to and listen to  without the sound putting me off.   The music is amazing and this release makes it even more enjoyable.  I have pretty much all the other releases and this surpasses them.  Just buy it and enjoy.

 

ATB

KK

Posted on: 13 August 2011 by graham55

The set that I ordered from amazon last night arrived just after 9 this morning, £9.16 all-in: so that's another thing to do this weekend!