Okay, so I'm trying to get this straight and get a definitive answer on what are the best cd versions of the classic ELP albums. Here's what I've ascertained so far: S/T - Original Atlantic Tarkus - Original Atlantic Pictures at an Exhibition - ??? Trilogy - Rhino or Castle or Victory Brain Salad Surgery - Rhino or Castle or Victory or K2 Welcome Back - Japan K2 20-bit Is this correct? Thanks!
Here are two Wavpacked samples from the 2 Tarkus CDs I have... From Zal's Atlantic: http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=87F04F5A57BF5B2B From the UDII: http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=518DC3545CF38855 The ideal version, IMO, would've been if Zal could have worked with MoFi's source.
Funny this should come up. I'll post samples later tonight but I now think the original Atlantic of the s/t might be a bit too crispy. Can anyone post a sample from either the Victory, the Rhino or the Castle? I just got the original RCA/Manticore CD of the s/t album. As I pointed out in the Triolgy thread when I got that one, I have no doubt now where Victor Japan sourced their stuff. They definitely did the K2s from these tapes (or maybe the CDs, themselves). I'll post samples later.
For myself I prefer... S/T - Atlantic Japanese 1st Pictures at an Exhibition - Cotillion/Atlantic (ie W. German Target) Brain Salad Surgery - Atlantic Japanese 1st The others I don't have yet, but will be going with the Japanese 1st pressings based on the other albums I own.
I like the MFSL's of Tarkus and Trilogy. I like the DVD-A of Brain Salad (in 5.1) - the bass shakes the house.
Here is a sample from the mega rare RCA/Manticore CD of the s/t album. Perhaps one of the first CD issues of this album. Note that the channels are reversed: http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=25AC8B754C17EF7A
And here is a sample from the original Atlantic credited to Barry: http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=39AF2C81234F8E97
Consider also the Atlantic Years 2-CD compilation (Atlantic, 1992); perhaps the best versions of the BSS (and some of the other) stuff. Mega-punchy. "Jerusalem" is the original album version I prefer, not completely drowned in Olympics' echo chamber (like on most CD issues of BSS); "Still....You Turn Me On" is normalised with the other tracks.
US WEA pressing. Catalog # 19120-2 Doesn't it sound crispy? I wonder if the later pressing was screwed up when they tried to take of Pre-Emphasis or something? Your Diament isn't as crispy?
My original Atlantic s/t (19120-2) sounds round and warm, if a wee bit mid-forward. Which I like, anyway.
For Trilogy I prefer the Original Atlantic CD. *Does anyone know why Hoedown sounds inferior to the rest of the LP?
The treble is kind of forward, but the whole general sound is of this one kind of is as well. I wouldn't describe mine as crispy though, more like extremely dynamic.
On my vinyl "Hoedown" sounds pinched as all hell, too. IMO, the original Atlantic of Trilogy is so crispy that the hi-hat sounds like bacon frying. I've no idea how some people can handle that one. Must have more forgiving (better) equipment than I.
FYI, Shout! Factory is reissuing ELP's entire catalog throughout 2007--remastered from the original master tapes for the first time, I believe. They will also include extensive liner notes and rare photos, and perhaps even bonus tracks. First up, on Jan. 30 is the 2-CD Essential Emerson Lake & Palmer: http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000LPR5AM/. Here's the ecard: http://www.flashenhanced.com/elp/index.htm and the track list: Disc: 1 1. The Barbarian 2. Take A Pebble 3. Knife-Edge 4. Tank 5. Lucky Man 6. Tarkus a) Eruption b) Stones Of Years c) Iconoclast d) Mass e) Manticore f) Battlefield g) Aquatarkus7. Bitches Crystal 8. Nutrocker 9. From The Beginning 10. Hoedown 11. Trilogy Disc: 2 1. The Endless Enigma, Part One 2. Fugue 3. The Endless Enigma, Part Two 4. Jerusalem 5. Toccata 6. Still ... You Turn Me On 7. Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression - Part 1 8. Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression - Part 2 9. Jeremy Bender / The Sheriff (medley) 10. I Believe In Father Christmas 11. C'est La Vie 12. Fanfare For The Common Man 13. Honky Tonk Train Blues 14. Canario 15. Peter Gunn 16. Black Moon The rest of the 2007 rollout looks like this: April 24: Emerson Lake & Palmer, Tarkus June 26: Trilogy, Pictures at an Exhibition August 7: Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends October 2: Brain Salad Surgery with more releases in 2008.
AHHH! Why would they include "Black Moon?" That is one of the worst songs ever, by anybody...let alone ELP!
Putting in a word for the not-NR'd (but edited) "Take a Pebble/Lucky Man" medley from Welcome Back on the Return of the Manticore box...You might prefer one of the other versions (pick your poison), but this is an enlightening comparison, at least.
Pictures at an Exhibition was the encore at the show that was recorded for this album. It was left off due to space constraints. Yup, 3 slabs of vinyl couldn't fit in the whole ELP experience. If these reissues are indeed being remastered from the original tapes, the whole show should fit nicely on 2 CDs.
