quote:Originally posted by J.N.: This album has always sounded crap on CD; whereas the vinyl sounds great.
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.
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
Posts: 938 | Location: Chattanooga, TN, USA | Registered: Thu 03 August 2000
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!
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.
Posts: 5041 | Location: Norwich, Norfolk UK | Registered: Tue 11 December 2001
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
Posts: 938 | Location: Chattanooga, TN, USA | Registered: Thu 03 August 2000
quote: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.
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.
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.
Posts: 257 | Location: Exeter, Devon | Registered: Sat 08 May 2004
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