Buddy Holly from the Original Master Tapes Question

[jligon]

I've seen discussion on this CD before and it seems like there was more than one version? Is this correct? If so, is one better than the other and why?
Thanks!
-Jon

[Larry Naramore]

http://cgi.dhot.com/cgi-bin/ubb_forums/dcc/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000115

[jligon]

Thanks Larry,
I wonder if Luke, etc..., ever came to a conclusion on how to tell the difference?

[Dave]

Jligon,
Luke did establish the "good one" says Made In Japan on the inner ring of the cd itself.
:)

[jligon]

Thanks Dave!

[lukpac]

Yeah, just a few notes on that:

- I don't have an actual copy of the good version, but I do have a CD-R.

- the good version is not actually complete mono. Ie, as with the bad version, it's still a mono tape played back with a stereo head. However, the two channels are properly aligned, so when summed to mono, there are no phase problems.

[jligon]

Is this the best Holly CD out there? I have the recent BGO release (BH & CC), which received rave reviews, and I can't stand the sound.

[Pat]

I have a 1992 BGO release by The Roulettes-Stakes And Chips, that says "Remastered from the original Master Tapes" and the sound is not very good on this one either! :(

[Dave]

Yes Jligon it is the best Buddy Holly, on cd that is.

[John Oteri]

Buddy Holly "From The Original Master Tapes"
is without a doubt the best sounding CD I own, period.

You can't go wrong!

[lukpac]

Yeah, the newer CDs (the double disc, in particular) aren't terrible, but they are colder/harsher than Steve's disc. I wasn't blown away by Steve's initially, but when I put in the other set my thought was "wow, that IS much better".

[FabFourFan]

Originally posted by jligon:
I've seen discussion on this CD before and it seems like there was more than one version?
Is this correct? If so, is one better than the other and why?
Thanks!


Hey. does anyone have access to the 'bad' version of this disc?
If so, could you tell us the disc time?

I have an orig jpn issue, which comes up as 20 tracks, disc total 44:00 (44:00:07, actually).

Does the 'bad' one have a different total time?

Also, I'd really like to hear the 'bad' disc, if anyone can come up with one.
TIA!

[Pat]

I think that the bad one (lucky me!) clocks in at 44:14:12. It is a USA issue...I think a general rule to get a good one is just to make sure that you get the JAPAN mfg one! I got it cheap, so I'm not too concerned. Additionally, The Vintage Music discs that Steve did, I believe had the GOOD Buddy Holly stuff on 'em!

[lukpac]

It's *very* easy to tell if you've got a good disc or not. Sum the channels to mono. If the high end drops out/gets swishy/phasey/etc, you've got a bad copy. If it sounds almost the same in mono as it does in stereo, you've got a good copy.

Simple as that.

[guy incognito]

What about the 2-CD Buddy Holly Collection set? I've always meant to pick up that title due to the more extensive track selection it offers, but could somebody tell me how the sound quality on that one rates vis-a-vis Steve's disc?

[ January 03, 2002: Message edited by: guy incognito ]

[lukpac]

Originally posted by guy incognito:
What about the 2-CD Buddy Holly Collection set?

It's not "bad" by any means, but it isn't as warm and full of life as Steve's disc. That was the first Buddy I had on CD, and didn't think the stuff could sound much better. It does, on FTOMT.

Still a nice set for some of the other tracks, though.

[Chris Desjardin]

My version is the BMG record club version. Does anyone know if this is the "good" version or not?

[lukpac]

Originally posted by Chris Desjardins:
My version is the BMG record club version. Does anyone know if this is the "good" version or not?

See above. Sum it to mono. If the high end goes to hell, it's the bad version. If not, it's the good version. Really easy to tell...

[lukpac]

Very true. Just pick *1* of the channels of the bad CD and you've got a fine transfer...