Questions for Steve about "Fresh Cream" DCC CD.

What tapes were used for this disc?

Is "I Feel Free" from a different tape than the LP master? Have the two drumstick clicks at the start ever appeared on an LP? They're not on my box set or hits CD. Is there more than one stereo mix of this song?

Were the 2 bonus tracks mixed at the time of the LP reissue that originally featured them? The mixing style is different. Is it because they are earlier tracks?

In other words, what is the tape-ography for this release? Thanks!


Everybody else, discuss the various LP and CD releases of "Fresh Cream".

Is the MFSL of "Goodbye" any good? Are the channels reversed on the live stuff? They appear to the opposite sides of the other live releases. (On the box set everything is mixed the same way.)

 

Personally, I like the Dennis Drake-mastered original CD of "Goodbye." Can be had very cheaply, too.

 

If you have this DCC and can snag a clean mono Reaction or Atco pressing of the album, you'll have all you need for FRESH CREAM, really.

The first Reaction single, artistically, isn't worth spit, IMO. It's a nice bonus, but nothing more. I first encountered the stereo on an import '70s reissue of the album. Have never heard mono for those two, but not sure I'm missing much.

 

I let mine go. Regretted it....

 

If I find another one I'll PM ya.

In re: Fresh Cream, I think the mono mix is where it's at. My Atco vinyl is pretty trashed, and the DCC Stereo sounds SO good, but (like most of Disraeli Gears), I think the mono's where the magic lies.

 

Agreed. The intro of "I Feel Free" comes crashing out of the speakers like thunder. Gotta admit to liking both about equally, but you really gotta have both to appreciate what a great work this is.

 

I agree too. The Mono mix of Fresh Cream has a really nice raw power to it. Gotta hear "Toad" and imagine he's right there. Amazing work on that record, made it all seem so easy.

 

Yes, and this drum solo is the one to have....in concert, Ginger really beat that one to death(literally), and it would go on way too long...the studio version is enough without being too much.

The rumors are still floating about a DE of FC, hope it does eventually happen...

 

Slightly OT...I know the Disraeli Gearls and Wheel of Fire multi's were lost in the Atlantic fire but I remember reading somewhere that the Fresh Cream multi's still exist. Anyone know for sure?

 

I feel that the DCC Fresh Cream was Steve's GREATEST redbook issue! I like I Feel Free MUCH better in stereo (and I own an original Atco 45).

 

Where's Luke Pacholski when you need him? Luke has talked to Universal's Bill Levenson about this a few years back, so it might have been his (Luke's) comments you read. I don't remember what the final answer was, though.

If the multi-tracks exist, then some more outtakes might have survived, too. There is an "alternate" take of "Sleepy Time Time" that is amazing (I think it might be an alternate mix with a different guitar solo). One of Clapton's best ever solos and it's never been released... The version I've got seems to be sourced from a scratchy acetate/vinyl - it's still great, though.

 

This much we do know about FRESH CREAM:

It was recorded at Rymuse Studios in Mayfair, starting with the "I Feel Free" single....assuming multitracks exist, it would be because the tapes were originally recorded and stored in England....as of DISRAELI GEARS, the band was recorded in the US, and the multi-tracks were apparently sent to the facility that burned to the ground. At least that's the situation unless someone on the inside says otherwise.

 

Your right. I did a search on the old DCC Board and Luke mentioned that Mr. Levenson said that the Fresh Cream multi's do exists. Here's the thread

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=1316&highlight=bill+levenson

 

I was wondering which master tapes were used. The disc is a combo of the US LP and the UK LP and some bonus tracks. Is the master tape of "I Feel Free" from an LP master?

 

In a way, I'm glad that Steve never did Goodbye Cream. How on earth would you fix that murky mess? Joe Palmaccio/Suha Gur had a go on Those Were The Days by cutting the bass and bringing up the treble, but it still doesn't sound great. At least you can hear Ginger Baker's snare rolls and cymbal work, but the bottom end is a little too attenuated.
Was the MoFi the first CD mastered from the stereo master?
Steve's Fresh Cream sounds much better than the Those Were The Days version - the vocals in particular sound great!

 

Was it used for the Dennis Drake mastered CD?

 

Thanks Steve!

Do you know which CD issues of "Goodbye" use the master tape?

 

I don't believe so. I have the made W. Germany Dennis Drake mastering I'm fairly certain. It's cat. # is 823 660-2. From the look of this CD (complete package) I'd say it has early/mid 80's all over it. This one easily beat the MFSL IMO.

 

I wonder if it was used for Those Were The Days...

 

So the MFSL "Goodbye" is made from a copy?

Is the current remaster better?

 

Ah, Fresh Steve, the album that never was!