Reprise Originals - Jimi Hendrix

Hi,
I have Are You Experienced, Axis:Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland ( Two disc) cd's pre Alan Douglas and NoNoise treatment.

I know Cry of Love was on the original Reprise catalog. Was Smash Hits ?
How about any others? Essential Jimi Hendrix Vol.1 +2 ,etc.

Thanks
Tom

 

Just those first three plus COL.
All the others are nonoised Douglas productions including SH.

 

I think there is a Smash Hits no NR on Reprise

 

The Hendrix catalog (and reputed good vs. bad masterings) confuses me like no other.

 

I recently picked up the first edition of the Reprise Are You Experienced CD, non no-noised w/out RE-1 in the centre ring. I was all happy and ***t. Then I was told here on the forum that what I got was nothing great. I haven't compared the disc yet, to my RE-1 copy. Was told the earlier CD has too much tape hiss and was mastered from an nth generation tape probably eq'd for LP. Sheesh. With Mr. Hendrix it appears you just can't win unless you have the big bucks to shell out for those early rare Polydor Japan and W German CDs.

 

Tell me about it. There are so many different versions out there. It would be nice if the Hendrix experts could put together a list as to which pressings have NR and which don't along with which ones are the better sounding ones.

 

Nope, not a chance.

You better start believing your own ears, rather than relying on the varying opinions on this forum...
What you have is the best sounding CD version of AYE out there, IMO.
No W-German or Japanese Polydor has a fidelity that comes close to this one, as these are all from higher generation (and flawed) tape sources.
The 1985 reprise CD uses 1st Generation mastertapes.

 

Agreed the Reprise and Polydor originals are much better than the current EH ones! Hold on to your Reprise ones!

 

Yeah, those Polydor's are great if you like the first notes of your songs cut off! Or needledrops!

 

The Polydor AYE is great if you like..

- tracks that run way too fast
- an unstable stereo image (several songs drift to the right or left)
- clock radio EQ

Seriously, the Polydor AYE is the worst CD I've ever heard. It's not a country of origin issue either. The German Polydor and the JPN Polydor are digitally identical.

 

The NR issue is relatively cut-and-dry. However, getting people to agree on which ones sound better?

I was researching some older threads about the Polydor AYE? (with the original UK line up), and I swear I've never seen such a division on this board. People either thought it was hands-down the best version of the album they'd ever heard, or easily the worst-sounding CD they'd come across in their lives. And there was no middle-ground at all.

I just bought one off a fellow forum member, so when I listen to it, I'll be sure to offer up the definitive answer, and settle the matter once and for all.

 

See?!

 

The Polydor is objectively bad. Take EQ out of the equation and you have a disc with tracks that run way too fast and have an unstable stereo image. How can anyone ignore that?

 

.

 

OK, well, I've got 2 Reprise Smash Hits. One has CD+G in the matrix (CD+ Graphics) and it has the Joe Gastwirt Sonic Solution NoNoise note in the front insert.

The 2nd disc has only 2276-2 JVC in the matrix and no mention of Joe Gastwirt in the front insert

To my ears the 2nd disc sounds better

 

I recall seeing the CD+G version in stores about 15 years ago. Is there any easy way to access the CD+G content?

 

Got a Karaoke machine? I got this from Wikipedia:

The following videogame consoles played CD+G format CD's: TurboGrafx CD (a CD-ROM peripheral for the TurboGrafx 16), Turbo Duo, Sega Mega-CD (Sega CD in North America), 3D0, Sega Saturn, Commodore Amiga CD32 and the Atari Jaguar CD (which was an attachment to the Atari Jaguar).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD+G

 

Nah, but I have a friend who does! Thanks.

 

I've seen a few copies of the "Kiss The Sky" collection on Reprise recently after not having seen it for awhile.

Does that sound any good?

 

I like the Japan Target one I have. (sans NR)
I believe some later pressings have NR however

 

Kiss the Sky

I have two copies of Kiss the Sky on Reprise

1. Made in Japan
2. Made in USA Re-1

All tracks have different times when comparing both cds, some 2 full sec difference.

Booklets identical except made in Japan on one.

CDD Pre-Mastered by WCI Record Group on both.

Is there a NoNoise release on the RE-1 even though booklet does'nt say ?

My NoNoise AYE has RE-1 on disc but not in the booklet.

Any Thoughts

 

Are the Disc times the same on the two Smash Hits cd's ?

 

2276-2 JVC G2T 22 on mine. Came in a long box. TT = 45:42

 

Times are:

45:40 disc one (Gastwirt NR)

45:42 disc two (JVC)

 

One Track plays to fast and has reversed stereo - Foxy Lady! not Tracks!