Sam Cooke's "Night Beat" SACD due from Analogue Productions

Could you post some samples?

I could post some of the Ludwig remaster if anyone is interested.

 

The Ludwig is the 2005 remaster from the original stereo mixdown correct?

 

It is presumably from the original stereo mix, yes.

 

I've uploaded the first 39 seconds of "Lost And Lookin" from the Analogue Productions SACD's CD layer, encoded as an MP3 at 256 kbps:

http://www.4shared.com/file/186113318/82a4c80d/APLost2009.html

 

Thanks.

I'll try to get a clip up later.

 

Luke, would you mind posting the same passage from the 2005 Ludwig master? I have not heard the 2005 remaster, and would like to compare.

 

If the version of Night Beat currently on iTunes is sourced from the 2005 Ludwig remaster, this should be an interesting comparison with the AP remix.

The version on iTunes (again presumably the 2005 Ludwig remaster from what are probably the original stereo tapes) seems to have a depth and transparency lacking on the 2009 Marino remix. Maybe it's hard to recreate the fairy dust of the original mix with modern equipment?

Anyone else have the new SACD? Thoughts?

 

Lost And Lookin' 2000
Lost And Lookin' 2005

From The Man Who Invented Soul and the Legacy remaster, respectively. FLACs.

Note there does seem to be some of that stereo reverb on the original mix as well. Quite possibly that is accounting for some of the "depth and transparency" you're hearing.

Unfortunately Ludwig used some NR in spots, notably the intro to Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen.

 

Is the center channel dedicated to Sam's vocals?

 

Thanks. Seems like Sam's voice is a couple of db louder than the instruments on the original mix in relation to the AP. Original mix also sounds a little compressed and does have stereo reverb. Hiss levels are higher on the original stereo mix, as one additional tape generation is introduced compared to the AP which is a remix from the 3 tracks.

Based on this, I'm satisfied with my AP SACD purchase. While I think the original mix has merits with it's spacial reverb and openness, the new AP has better dynamic freedom and eliminates a generational layer of extra tape hiss.

I'm not hearing any evidence of noise reduction on the AP. There's even hiss between tracks!

 

The acoustic bass on the original mix sounds bloated and distended on the low notes. The bass on the new AP sounds tighter, more defined, more natural.

 

Can you post the start of Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen?

 

Luke,

Here ya go. NNTTIS. A flac file this time. You'll year the first 37 seconds, then I spliced on the ending, so you can hear noise reduction was not used by Marino as the song concludes.

http://www.4shared.com/file/186166974/55218a54/AP2009Trouble.html

 

Thanks.

I'll take a closer listen and upload samples from the 2000 and 2005 discs later.

 

BTW, how is the mono mix of Night Beat? Anyone heard it? Dedicated mono mix or a fold down of the stereo?

 

Anyone know if Analogue Productions has plans to do a SACD of "Live at the Harlem Square Club?" This is one of the all time classic live albums. Could be worthwhile audiophile reissue, as all digital versions have been somewhat unsatisfactory to my ears.

 

Yes, in surround sound.

 

The mono mix was AFAIK mixed live on the spot. It is not a fold down.

I've always found the stereo mix to be a bit wimpy in spots. The mono mix fires on all cylinders from the very beginning.

 

Hmmmm. Does the mono master still exist? I wonder why they didn't include the mono master on the SACD layer as bonus tracks like the upcoming Nat King Cole discs.

I can't help but wonder if the Night Beat SACD project would have been even better had Steve and Kevin mastered it instead of Marino. Those Blue Note SACDs sound amazing.

 

Link, please?!

 

Was the original Night Beat stereo mix derived from the 3 track session reels? Or was the original stereo mix done "live?" In other words were 3 track session reels simply a safety backup, or the actual tape used to mix the original stereo Lp?

 

As far as I know, mixed from 3-track.

 

Billy Preston was only 16 years old when he played organ on Night Beat!

Check out Billy playing with Nat King Cole here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1loV9_xLF8Q

 

Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen 2000
Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen 2005

Again, FLACs, from The Man Who Invented Soul and the Legacy remaster respectively. Note the change in hiss and high end as Sam's vocal comes in on the 2005.