Moody Blues "Days of Future Passed" CD question

What I had always read about the original mix was that it was more mysterious if a bit murky, had some parts (like the harmony vocals in "Evening") missing from the remix, and was mixed to favor the band more than the orchestra. I couldn't wait to hear the original mix, as it sounded right up my alley (I'm a big sucker for a mysterious, atmospheric vibe).

However, when I finally got to hear it, I was in shock--the only mysterious thing to me was how something so incompetently mixed could have been released to the public in the first place. With the exception of "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin," the tracks literally sound as muffled as if a thick blanket were placed over the speakers (but there are occasional sound effects, etc. that sound clear enough to suggest that this lo-fi muddiness is actually part of the mix rather than an incompetent transfer or bad pressing). I have never heard a professional recording that sounded so bad, including many from the same year. Honestly, I would have thought that something was seriously wrong with my stereo if I'd heard this after Sgt. Pepper, Forever Changes, Mr. Fantasy, Surrealistic Pillow, etc. Anyway, I don't understand the claim that the mix "rocks" more or benefits the band in any way--the band sounds to me like it's in another room entirely, played back on a tiny transistor radio.

Anyway, I have never, ever preferred a remix to an original mix before. But in my opinion any flaws in this particular remix (including the missing harmony vocals on "Evening") pale before the sheer unlistenability of that original mix. I strongly suspect that the reason it has never been released commercially in the CD era is that they were afraid people would think they had received defective CDs and would be returning them en masse. That would also explain why they HAVE released the original mixes of the two Hayward songs I mentioned above, because those two songs for some reason sound far more clear than the rest of the album, and I can even imagine some people preferring those to the remixed versions.

Having said this, I know there are those who disagree, so as always, YMMV!

 

I respect everyone's preferences, but I have to say that (to me) neither version really "rocks" more than the other (an assertion made occasionally about the original mix.) And yes, even my best needle-drop of the '67 is undeniably murky. As far as the remix goes, I read an interview somewhere with Tony Clarke wherein he stated something to the effect that a remix was essential for the reputation of all involved(!) It's obvious that the original recording sessions yielded some great-sounding multi-tracks.

I've heard that there's a Dutch (or Deutsch?) LP pressing that is "the" version of Days' original mix on vinyl, which I have not heard. Having said that, the commonly available remixed CD versions are the way to go IMO. I do get wistful when I play the second half of "Evening", though (missing those extra harmonies, now that I've heard them.)

Not to threadpoop but, really, you can't go wrong with any of the available CD versions of Days. None sound bad, even the 1997 and 2006 reissues.

 

My 1.6 kilometrage doesn't vary at all with what you've said. The murkiness of the LP was the reason I off-loaded my copy of DOFP back in 1975. That plus the orchestral overdubs that I, personally, didn't like. I didn't think at the time that Peter Knight's arrangements were in sympathy with the band's intentions. The orchestral ending to KIWS still irks me, fortunately I have the mono single (not that I can play it any more).

 

As you may be aware, the mono "Knights" is available on the 2006 reissue of Days Of Future Passed.

On my own CD-Rs of Days I substitute the stereo single version (from the '97 Best Of) for the one with poetry and orchestra on the album.

 

Just curious, what vinyl pressings are you refering to? I know some of the US pressings (and there's some notable pressing variations) are pretty murky. But I find my UK and German LPs don't sound nearly as murky as the US pressings.

The mellotron does sound a bit murky, but that's the nature of the instrument and the settings they used.

 

I always listen to my German LP (pictured is one from eBay). The sound definitely has the "blanket effect", but overall is excellent on this record. I have heard the remix for comparison. I find the remix to be good (not too different from the original mix) for "The Day Begins" through "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)", but IMO the original mix is the only way to go for "(Evening) Time to Get Away" through "Nights in White Satin".

So much is lost in the remix, especially the harmony vocals in "(Evening) Time to Get Away" and the piano in "The Sun Set". The remixed versions of "Twilight Time" and "Nights in White Satin" are no good compared to the original mixes.

This German LP, and the US LPs that I have seen (without the DSS logo) seem to not list "(Evening) Time to Get Away" as its own track (or part of "The Afternoon"). Is it listed on original UK pressings?

 

Does the end result produce the better sounding 1st pressing or the slightly veiled 2nd or third pressing?

 

This is what happened to me as well and you're right on target with the better balanced sound. It lives and breathes in a way no other pressing does for me.

Yes, that's what I mean by the 1st W. German pressing. The differences are the first is just a cleaner, clearer, better defined sound in all respects for me.

 

Yikes--the way I heard the original mix was from a needle drop of the Dutch half-speed mastered pressing. I was hoping that maybe it was just a REALLY bad pressing. But if it is considered the BEST...I just don't know what to say. I would think it was an incompetent transfer, except that the two Hayward songs sounded pretty decent. To me, those two songs might be called somewhat "murky." But that word seems overly generous (IMHO) for the rest of it.

 

Thanks for articulating the other point of view about the original mix. I really wish I could get past the "blanket effect" on most of the songs. I agree that there are some interesting things in the original mix, but to me they seem minor in comparison to the overall sonic presentation. For example, those harmony vocals in "Evening" ARE nice--but the lead vocal sounds so muffled throughout that I have a hard time enjoying it. Would you agree that the lead vocals on the two Lodge songs sound not just somewhat, but extremely muffled in comparison to those on the remix? If not, there may have been something wrong with the needle drop I heard.
(One thing I do like about the original mix is what it does to the sound of the mellotrons--unlike the human voice, they do sound kind of interesting when muffled.)

 

The drops I have are (I believe) early US pressings. I didn't make them, though, so I can't provide pressing #s and such.

 

Please don't take my word as expert on vinyl matters! In fact, I'm sure someone will chime in here at any time about which LP versions are the best ones. I'm really just a CD guy (no record player at all.)

I recall something about a King pressing which is supposed to be good?

 

I've heard that one too and it's crap. Really poor vinyl and transfer. There's another one floating around from a mint 1967 UK pressing and it sounds worlds better....

 

I've heard from multiple sources (including the guy at my local record store) that the German version I have (cost me $5) sounds better than the US pressings, but I'm guessing the UK pressings are probably better.

 

I've got this CD, with printing to the right of the spindle hole:

"820 006-2
STEREO
Made in
W-Germany
by Polygram"

Just confirming: is this the one?

 

bhazen,

Your West German Deram CD is the remix but the best sounding CD version extant in my opinion. Poor man's Mobile Fidelity and 99% as fine. The original mix of this album is LP/cassette/open reel only.

 

You tell me - as I mentioned, I don't have the WG pressings to check. But - and assuming the discs are digitally identical - ripping a CD to a hard drive removes any audio differences introduced by pressing/pressing plant differences/anomalies.

 

This doesn't answer my question. All I have to work with is that there are differences I've heard between first and 2nd pressings from the same plant.

 

It is if it doesn't have the letters MCPS above the catalog number Bruce.

 

Think of it this way, Dave. What gets ripped to your hard drive is the master. If there's an issue with a pressing, it will change from that basepoint.

 

Where's that silly dancing pineapple when I need one.

Thanks Dave.

 

I just noticed something weird - I checked my cd copy of DOFP and while the cd case is the WG one, says "made in WG" on the back, has the white spine with the blue and red stripes, the disc itself says "made in USA", is silver to center, the matrix# is 820 006-2 01.
I picked this up used, looks like maybe a switcheroo or a very early US pressing that used the WG booklet/artwork? Weird!

 

This actually happened from time to time with those respective Moodies discs. I had a copy of EGBDF with the same scenario.

 

Will it change for the better or the worse?

 

Dave, why don't you try it and let us know?