your opinion about european engineers...

[Claus]

maybe you have the same thoughts... Jon Astley has an inferior reputation in this forum. Well, you're right folks... after I have heard the latest Judas Priest remasters I have changed my opinion about this guy... probably forever! They sound aweful... or the original production was so crappy!

But Simon Heyworth (now chief mastering engineer) at Sanctuary Records did a lot of good jobs... Nick Drake, Iron Maiden, Mike Oldfield. He is in the same league as Bob Ludwig or Ted Jensen (IMHO)

[Grant]

Again, I wonder, why is this guy Astley so popular in Europe? He must be giving everybody big fee discounts.

[Sckott]

Original production of Priest wasn't bad. Try getting a regular CBS copy of "Point Of Entry" and tell me if it sounds bad.

"Screaming For Vengence" and even "British Steel" wasn't bad, although I remember "British Steel" sounded too quiet, even for CD, fairly thin too.

Then Astley whipped a can of Brit whoopass on it. It's different, but it'll make you go back to the CBS/UK or Columbia vinyls.

"British Steel" never actually sounded like wild heavy metal. It sounded more like Rock And Roll with some 80's flair. Talk about mastering changing the way the feel gets put across!

[Holy Zoo]

Originally posted by Grant
Again, I wonder, why is this guy Astley so popular in Europe? He must be giving everybody big fee discounts.

You know, it's probably his resume. He can walk in and say "Yeah, I redid the whole Who catalog, worked with Clapton, Judas Priest, ABBA. You can trust me"

[Grant]

Well, then Steve's resume is mucho larger. Maybe he could take on more of these projects. But, then it wouldn't be quality over quantity...

[Sckott]

He's on the "home team" too, which must take clout a step further...

[SVL]

Originally posted by Claus

But Simon Heyworth (now chief mastering engineer) at Sanctuary Records did a lot of good jobs... Nick Drake, Iron Maiden, Mike Oldfield. He is in the same league as Bob Ludwig or Ted Jensen (IMHO)

He is the one who worked with Robert Fripp on King Crimson reissues in min-LP sleeves, which are definitely among the better of the recent remasters. Maybe not that much of a difference as between the old and the new Dire Straits CDs, but still a very good job.

Incidentally, I would like to know people's opinions about the KC remasters, particularly if you listened to them on a HDCD-capable player. On a non-HDCD machine they may sound a little muddled and boomy, at least that was my impression.

[Patrick M]

Originally posted by Claus
But Simon Heyworth (now chief mastering engineer) at Sanctuary Records did a lot of good jobs... Nick Drake, Iron Maiden, Mike Oldfield. He is in the same league as Bob Ludwig or Ted Jensen (IMHO)

Which Iron Maiden releases? The Raw Powers, or the Castles?

BTW, most of the Judas Priest catalog sounds pretty slick. Earlier stuff like "Sad Wings of Destiny" may be more lo-fi.