After hearing good things about it but being somewhat skeptical for whatever reason (probably because I already liked the DCC and the original UK Chrysalis), I finally tracked down the 2nd US Chrysalis CD of Aqualung. This was the corrected pressing with the full "Wind Up." It sounds very similar to the hi-res flat transfer of the master tape that was in the recent box set, so I think it probably represents the sound of the master tapes pretty well. It cost me $5. Frankly, I think it's right there with the DCC and it costs about what ... $200 less?
Last edited by JeffCarney; 08-03-2013 at 09:16 PM.
Ian Beabout
Mixing and mastering engineer. See ya at ProgDay !
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Islands was by far the most improved. I believe the original E'G and the "Definitive Edition" were made from the damaged Polydor tape. The 30th lacked the crackling in one channel that has apparently plagued "Formentera Lady" on many reissue LPs but was not on the original Island vinyl. My guess is that they tracked down that Island Records source tape. What an amazing production this album was and the 30th CD really shines.
Not huge but as I recall the DE seems to have a bit of a smiley EQ curve in comparison. The original E'G of Red is smoother and just an amazing CD. It is sought after so be prepared to pay about $40 for it if you find the real thing. Confusingly, some UK E'G CDs pressed by Nimbus that look like the original E'G are the Definitive Edition. No idea why this is the case but I guess some early 90s UK issues didn't have the "Remastered by Robert Fripp and Tony Arnold" credit, even though they were.
Hence, it's tough to get "lucky" and find one. You almost have to just bite the bullet and buy from someone who can guarantee you that you are getting the original and not a DE. It really depends how much the album means to you as to whether this is worth the time and money. I'm sure the Hoffman site has info about what to look for and what the EAC peak levels are on the original compared to the DE.
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.
I think that posterity inclined enough to go back into the depth of pop culture to listen to King Crimson will be, first and foremost, driven to get as authentic as possible. So the Wilson remixes will be a sideshow rather than the main attraction.
Beat was the one that really came alive to me. But then, I didn't have Islands before.
Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world.
Listening to the Wilson remaster of Aqualung right now. It is true that there is some sterility in the sound - a bit more processed BUT, the bottom end and the crunch that should have been heard from the day this was originally released are finally there. While this is one of my favorite Tull records, it's like Yessongs, I wish it sounded like it should. I wouldn't say Wilson's mix is definitive but damn, I turned up the intro to Locomotive Breath and what was coming out of my speakers was what I always wanted to hear in my head. Bass, drums, a fatter guitar.
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down.'- Bob Newhart
If you have 24-bit toys, then opt for the 40th anniversary CD/DVD combos. You get the 30th anniversary masters in 24-bit quality, plus the added SW stereo and surround remixes on the DVD, and other bonus material. The 40th anniversary CDs all have the SW stereo remix. With the DVD, you decide which mix is best.
No offense taken don't worry about that :-)
I dislike the way everything has a layer of distortion over it on the original mix. It makes the drums sound like cartbox cases and takes all life (that i suspected was on the tape but never made it through in the original mix) out of the instruments. The drums and vocals in particular. Steve Wilsons mix makes the instruments breathe. It does not sound like a band in an all too small room playing on a pa with the speakers blown. But you know, i'm really very particular about what i like and dislike in productions. This comes from having produced and co-produced albums myself. I think this makes me able to hear what could have been done in productions. I can hear the unrealised potential. And that's how i hear LTIA. SW brought out the potential of what was committed to tape. The original mix engineer failed to do that.
But i fully respect that some people would say don't mess with the original. AND i do find some remixes unnesesary. A Trick Of The Tail and Selling England By The Pound to name some.
And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make.
Aqualung had a bad sound to begin with. Ian Anderson has mentioned that many times in his interviews.
Most of Wilson's remasters are very good and they usually contain the original mix in the second cd. For someone who doesn't have any cd version i think it's a good choice.
If you want to save money and don't need 5.1 remixes you can get the 30th anniversary at half the price, nothing wrong with that, they sound very good.
I've always used DVD-Audio-Explorer (Google it at Video Help) to extract the WAV files off my KC DVDs. It's no longer developed. I guess it does all it needs to. Zip files can be downloaded at Video Help. Easy to use. You can convert to FLAC or whatever after DVD-A-E has extracted.
^^ Thanks! I will check both these out!
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