Shoot Out The Lights Au20 Ryko Issue

[Burningfool]

Has anyone had the opportunity to hear the Ryko gold issue of this album, or compared it to the common silver issue? I have a sealed copy that I might open if it sounds better than the Hannibal aluminum disc (which is a bit bright but sounds OK to my ears.)

Any other Richard Thompson fans on board?

[Ronald]

I like Richard Thompson and Fairport Convention. I have an Au20 disk of "Shoot Out the Lights". I haven't listened to it in years, but I can't recall anything memorable about it other than it did not possess the typical Ryko sound. As a rule I've been disappointed with Ryko CDs, as the sound lacks bottom and the top end is way too bright.


As for "Shoot Out the Lights", I thought the Hannibal LP sounded better than any CD, including the gold. Before you crack the plastic seal, let me take an updated listen and tell you what I think.

BTW, I think the music on the album is very draining emotionally.

[Mike V]

I think it sounds great, though I'm not really a fan of Thompson's. I've tried, but it doesn't stick for me.

One thing though - Ryko, like almost everyone else on the planet, processes their audio signals through a workstation while mastering, so the sound is not as perfect as what Steve achieves. But it's a great sounding CD.

[VeeDub]

Could one of you also confirm/deny the Au20's track list? I think it's lacking the bonus track of "Living in Luxury," if memory serves.

[peterC]

Originally posted by Burningfool

Any other Richard Thompson fans on board?

Yep.Right here!

Have you also got the 3 CD Watching the Dark compilation? Well worth it.

Living in Luxury was a bonus track on the initial CD release but was left off subsequent releases.

If you've ever heard Shoot Out.. on LP you'll realise how disappointing the sound of the CD is. I've only heard the original CD Ryko release.

[Ronald]

I have number 0322 as the wax paper reads. "Living in Luxury" is not on the disk unless it is a hidden track which I did not try to find.

I have not heard the aluminum disk. After listening to the gold, it does not have the thin reedy sound like the typical Rykodisc reissues I have bought in the past. Those selections include the "Steal this Disc" series and Frank Zappa re-issues. The Thompson gold disk has a slightly bright top end. The mid bass is slightly boosted compared to the Canadian Hannibal LP I have. The dulcimer on the LP sounds nicer than on the CD. The guitar on "Walking on a Wire" is more forward on the CD. It would be nice to know how much reverb Richard used when he recorded this.

It might be worth a listen. I still prefer the Hannibal LP.

[Burningfool]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by peter castanos
[B]

Have you also got the 3 CD Watching the Dark compilation? Well worth it.


Thanks, Peter. Yes, Watching The Dark is great, and is also out of print right now. It seems that most of the Ryko issues are difficult to find right now as a result.

You might want to check out the fan club releases on Flypaper. There are a couple of good live discs available if you look around (Two Letter Words is one of them.) They sound pretty good, too!

[Burningfool]

Originally posted by Ronald
I have number 0322 as the wax paper reads. "Living in Luxury" is not on the disk unless it is a hidden track which I did not try to find.

I have not heard the aluminum disk. After listening to the gold, it does not have the thin reedy sound like the typical Rykodisc reissues I have bought in the past. Those selections include the "Steal this Disc" series and Frank Zappa re-issues. The Thompson gold disk has a slightly bright top end. The mid bass is slightly boosted compared to the Canadian Hannibal LP I have. The dulcimer on the LP sounds nicer than on the CD. The guitar on "Walking on a Wire" is more forward on the CD. It would be nice to know how much reverb Richard used when he recorded this.

It might be worth a listen. I still prefer the Hannibal LP.

Thanks, Ronald. I appreciate your thoughts. Guess I'll keep the gold disc sealed after all :)

[Henry Love]

I have the LP,guess I'll hold off on buying the CD.His legal bootlegs from flypaper are great especially Two Letter Words.I do have to say though,that no LP or CD will top hearing him live.He is very much on top of his game.And that he plays small venues for $25 a ticket is the best entertainment bargain going period.

[Kayaker]

Saw him open up for Wilco a couple of years ago here in New York. I was a Wilco fan and (incredibly) had never heard anything he had done before. Needless to say, I quickly became a huge RT fan. I still kick myself for those 20 years w/o RT .

[peterC]

I've been getting into a bit of music guide bashing recently but I think the Rolling Stone Record Guide (can't recall which edition) gets it right when it say Shoot Out the Lights is so perfect it deserves 6 stars!

[Burningfool]

Agreed. It's a brilliant album. Those interested should look for the early unreleased version of some of the album tracks, as produced by Gerry Rafferty. It's available on boot CD and circulates among collectors.

I also like the Linda Thompson anthology that came out a few years ago. Well worth checking out!