Regular CDs that don't s--k

[pigmode]

Robin Trower--Bridge Of Sighs (24bit)

I can't say its better that the MoFi, but its good enough that I won't be finding out--that's a good thing.

[Doug Hess Jr.]

A little clearer definition of "regular" please. Do you mean standard issue, remaster or just being on aluminum disc rather than gold regardless of the mastering.

[BradOlson]

Just being on aluminum disc regardless of mastering is what pigmode means.

[pigmode]

Non-audiophile with a suggested retail under $19. Sorry, I should have been clearer. Maybe we can get a good list going of great non-collector titles.

[ January 01, 2002: Message edited by: pigmode ]

[BeatleFred]

Chris Isaak: 'Baja Sessions'. I'm gonna wear this CD out from playing it soooo many times! Great songs, Great recording.

[Holy Zoo]

Hmm... I'm unhappy with most of what I have on CD. And with 1500 cds(most bought in 80s when cds first came out) that's not a good thing.

But I am thrilled with every DCC I have, as well as several MoFis. Needless to say, as soon as I started to realize that I was less than enthralled with most of my cds, my buying habits slowed considerably (probably around '92 or '93). Now I mostly only buy DCC discs, and music from new artists. I really limit the reissues that I buy.

Also, I'm always afraid to post my opinions here for fear of finding out that one of my favorite recordings has been no-noised, thereby proving that I have bad ears. :D

Ok.. with that in mind, here are a few regular releases that I pull out fairly often.

Crowded House - Temple Of Low Men
Rush - Power Windows
Henry Mancini - Peter Gunn
Led Zep - Houses of the Holy
Stone Temple Pilots - No. 4
Donald Fagan - The Nightfly
Steely Dan - Aja
Supertramp - Breakfast In America
Robert Plant - Pictures At Eleven
Yes - Fragile
Billy Squier - Don't Say No (yeah, it's cheesy, but I love it!)
Genesis - Abacab

[ January 01, 2002: Message edited by: Holy Zoo ]

[Unknown]

Originally posted by Holy Zoo:
Hmm... I'm unhappy with most of what I have on CD. And with 1500 cds(most bought in 80s when cds first came out) that's not a good thing.

Wait! I thought the revisionists among us had decided that 80s CDs were superior. Ya know, not compressed all to hell, no NR, lack of EQ (flat transfers), bass warmth intact, not remixed. :p

[Highway Star]

Webb Wilder: DOO-DAD, "Sputnik" and his cover of the Electric Prunes "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" are two of my faves on this disc.

SpongeTones: Beat and Torn, yeah baby!!! :cool:

[Holy Zoo]

Originally posted by Patrick M:


Wait! I thought the revisionists among us had decided that 80s CDs were superior. Ya know, not compressed all to hell, no NR, lack of EQ (flat transfers), bass warmth intact, not remixed. :p

Seems like a lot of what I bought (mostly rock) is overly bright (trebly), no bottom end, harsh.

Maybe the old "they grabbed the LP master" syndrome?

[Claviusb]

HZ, is your Houses of the Holy older, before they remastered it? I don't know when they re-did it, but I know mine is remastered and it just kills my ears.

[Grant]

I'm usually satisfied with the later remasters over the original 80s issues. I find that most of the time, the 80s CDs lack warmth and depth. They sure as hell don't have that much bass definition.

I usually try to replace my 80s CDs with the remasters but wait until I get feedback on them first.

An example of when I thought the original CD issue was better than the remaster is Jackson Browne's "Running On Empty".

[Holy Zoo]

Originally posted by claviusb:
HZ, is your Houses of the Holy older, before they remastered it? I don't know when they re-did it, but I know mine is remastered and it just kills my ears.

I have both, but I haven't given a serious listening to the remastes yet.

I must have played the original release a hundred times in my car, and never had any complaints. Indeed, it's still in my car.

The box set sits at home and doesn't get much of a workout. Might be time for me to pull them together and do a direct comparison!

[pauljones]

Try the following: Linda Ronstadt, Simple Dreams on Elektra, Jackson Browne, Hold Out, on Asylum, standard Warner's issue of Dire Straits' Communique, Bee Gees First on Polydor (1987 CD issue), and Nat King Cole "To Whom It May Concern" on Capitol. Out of the many thousands of cd's I own, these are the only ones that stand out. And, that is what makes me concerned!

[Dave]

Here's just a few I can think of right away

The new 20-bit remasters of all RUSH albums. There is barely a minuscule difference between these and the MFSL's.

Gerry Doucette: Mama Let Him Play, if you can find it, on K-tel

The Best of ZZ Top is very analogue sounding as well.

[ January 03, 2002: Message edited by: Dave ]

[Jeffrey]

Hey Mr. Jones,

The Dire Straits that ya recommended, is that the 2000 remaster or the original release?

Thanks,
Jeffrey

[pigmode]

I have the Warner Remasters Dire Straits--Brothers In Arms which is really good. This CSN&Y--Deja Vu that I picked up a few months ago is worth buying although it does have a sort of thick sound to it. I think the original vinyl sounded the same way.

[Pinknik]

I thought a lot of John Mellencamp's stuff sounded pretty good, from Big Daddy and Human Wheels, Dance Naked etc. TOOL's Aenima and Undertow sound good. I also like the sound of Tom Petty's stuff from Full Moon Fever on up through Wildflowers.

[Dave]

Pinknik,

If you think that the stock issues of John Mellencamp and Tom Petty: Full Moon Fever sound good then you will just be blown away by these on MFSL. ;)

[Unknown]

A comment on the Dire Straits remasterd CDs:

I have the original CD releases of "Dire Straits", "Brothers in Arms" and "On Every Street". I also own all three remastered versions, the ones Bob Ludwig did in 1996 at Gateway Mastering (stated on CD inserts). The CDs were remastered using Sony SBM technique.

Let me tell you: the remastered versions are louder (recording level has been raised), have slightly (but not enormous) better dynamics and have a lower noise level. Fine up until that point.

However, I played the CDs once and threw them in a corner of my room and haven't played them since. Why? The entire musical "picture" has been torn to pieces. Size and imaging of voices and instruments have been unnaturally altered and the biggest flaw is in the bass (and kick-drum)...soooo bad! Compare "Ride accross the River" (track 6 on "Brothers in Arms") and you'll hear what I mean...

The bass is too heavy, has an ugly "edge" to it (almost sounds like something resonated in the equipment....I found it in ALL three remasters) and the kickdrum is nowhere NEAR the tight kickdrum of the 80s and 90s (On Every Street) CDs...

"Dire Straits": The 80s issue sound sooo fine compared to the new one...forget the remaster

"Brothers in Arms": needed remastering, flat sounding, too bright but AWESOME low freq. stuff in there. Remastering job failed however....will someone please try it again?

"On every Street": I really don't see why it needed to be remastered. The original issue was just fine and the new one has nothing more to offer in detail, depth, dynamics or whatsoever....the only thing that was changed (for the worse) was the bass....MAN, it's terrible! Listen to "New Orleans" (track 11 on "On Every Street") and again, you'll hear what I mean...

Sorry for taking up that ammount of space, but I had to get rid of some frustration regarding the Dire Straits Remasters :)

"Normal" alu discs that DO sound good (in my opinion):

- Ben Folds Five / Forever and ever amen
- Livingston Taylor / Ink (ok...Chesky, but still)
- Golden Earring / Naked Truth
- etc, etc.

There are many great "normal" releases, but I agree with some other folks here...to compose a list would be great!

[Randy W]

Domestic regulars with audiophile tendencies, in no particular order:

Dire Straits: Love over Gold (remastered)
Rikki Lee Jones: Pop Pop
Paul Simon: Graceland
Nick Drake: Pink Moon
Garcia/Grisman: The Pizza Tapes
Eric Clapton: Unplugged
Loreena McKennitt: The Mask and the Mirror
Enya: Shepard Moon
Patriot Games: Soundtrack

Not audiophile, but essential for me:
Bill Evans: Solo Sessions Vol. 1
Dylan: Blonde on Blonde (UK only)

[Gary]

Originally posted by Randy W:
Domestic regulars with audiophile tendencies........Loreena McKennitt: The Mask and the Mirror

I love McKennitt's The Visit and Book of Dreams. Both are excellent!

[Matt]

It will still be nice if DCC did these, but Peter Gabriel's third album and So still sound good in their stand alone versions.

[pigmode]

Thanks for the comments Iver. I don't have the earlier CD but I have an old vinyl copy of BIA. I'll check it out when I have a chance.

Chesky has some good stuff, and they occupy a gray area (audiophile or not?) since their prices are low. Anyone have Ana Koram?

[Grant]

Tina Turner-"Private Dancer"
Prince & The Revolution-"Parade"

[pigmode]

What about Rikki Lee Jones?