Any word on how new Traffic or Procol Harum remasters stack up (against Mofi equiv)?

Well, I'm wondering here... There were a few threads about each, but it seems nobody had done any sufficient comparisons. Has anyone any words to say? I'm interested in versions of all albums by either group.

Thanks.

 

I've had the new repertoire 3 CD singles A&B set on order from HMV uk for over 3 weeks now.

That will be a good (and economical) way to sample the remastering of the individual albums...........if it ever arrives!

 

repetoire's having lawsuit troubles at the moment i don't have any details on what the lawsuit's about

 

The new Repertoire Procol reissues sound terrific. There's another thread about them here somewhere....

 

I have the Low Spark and Shootout on both Mofi and US Remasters. I'll do a comparison over the weekend for you. I have done a casual comparison of the Low Spark, and I preferred the Mofi. I recall the Remaster was brighter.

 

I agree with Snowman re Low Spark - I think the Mofi just has the edge over the 2002 remaster, but the latter is still pretty good. As far as Shootout goes, I didn't know it was out in a remaster (but we are behind the times here in Oz) - I love the Mofi version of Shootout. It has a nice sound with plenty of bass (my old LP version has hardly any bass).

The Mofi versions of Mr Fantasy and Traffic still hold up very well, and are my preferred versions at the moment (although I only have the poorer UK remasters of these to compare with - I haven't heard the US ones, which are different remasters).

The other US remasters that I've heard are good - John Barleycorn is very nice in the recent remastered version. Welcome to the Canteen ain't bad, although it was a pretty daggy recording to begin with. Last Exit is quite a good remaster, all things considered - the sound of Medicated Goo and Shanghai Noodle factory on this one, while rather limited by the age and nature of the recording, is much better than the versions included as bonus tracks on the UK remaster of "Traffic".

One thing I would warn you about is the sound of the UK remasters of a couple of years ago. The first three albums were released in the UK in remastered form, but they are different from the ones released in the US. The UK ones sound rather compressed and the vocals sound pinched and funny. Based on my copies of Barleycorn, the US versions seem to have a much more natural sound, with vocals that don't hurt the ears. The only reason to have the UK versions would be for the inclusion of a few bonus live tracks (I think only on Barleycorn), which are well worth a listen.

 

Is the MFSL Mr. Fantasy mono or stereo? Is it missing the Heaven Is In Your Mind tracks that the original LP did?

On Procol Harum, I should have added a few things, as to me Procol's CD catalog seems more complicated. What are the merits of the Westside CDs? They have many more bonus tracks, but what about the sound, and any other considerations, of which I don't know? Then there are some reissues I've seen on the Cube label - how 'bout dem? Also, was there more than one wave of Repertoire CDs? I've seen the dates printed as both 1997 and 2000, I believe.

So we have the MFSL aluminum discs for a few of the albums, then the Repertoire reissues, which people have said are "good," and the Westside CDs, which have the most bonus tracks. That's all I know. What are the opinions on the sound?

Thanks,
Rob

 

Ok, it definitely seems to me that there have been different Repertoire reissues. What's the difference? Have they been remastered again? How many times does that make?

 

Random comment regarding the Traffic releases.

The only Traffic album I own is Mr. Fantasy/Heaven, but I own pretty much every version of it (save the UK Remaster). Here's how I feel things stack up.

a) MoFi. Excellent sound, absolutely nothing wrong with it.

b) US "Mr Fantasy." Mono. Excellent sound, nice bonus tracks.

c) "Heaven is In." I prefer this tracklisting MUCH more. However, this is obviously taken from a US album master, which is probably a generation removed from the UK sources. It really isn't terribly noticable, and is required as the US album has those little "track interludes."

-D

 

Duke,

MFSL Mr. Fantasy is in stereo and does have Heaven Is In Your Mind.

 

I think only one set of reissues, but it took them 5 years to reissue them all.

It's all gets a little complicated especially when you throw in the Westside releases so the best thing to do would be to refer you to the unofficial PH website:

http://www.procolharum.com/recordings.htm


For what it's worth, soundwise I prefer the Repertoires to the Westsides BUT the Westsides have many more bonus tracks!

 

Hi,
Paul, yep you are right, got ahead of myself there.... Shootout has yet to be released as a remaster in UK or US . I remember seeing it dated for an October release so maybe we will see it by the Winter. I have the UK Island original CD of this title and it sounds quite good. But the MFSL is better.
I done another A\B of Low Spark today. Different day, different sounds?, but same feelings again. I was using headphones:-
The US remaster sounds lightweight in comparison to the MOFI, but it's not really. The MOFI leans towards the low frequency side of the spectrum. Bass is fuller, less treble, and it needs no more treble for my ears/system. Generally a warmer recording. It sounds great loud.
The US remaster is a nice recording. Bass is tighter but not better to me, and the treble is more extended. It is generally less warm. Trouble is when I really whack it up, I'm getting some ear fatigue. My general thought is that the US remaster lacks 'Balls' compared to the Mofi, on 'Light up or leave me alone' for example.
If you DON'T have a particularly 'warm' sounding system, and like listening to music fairly loud or LOUD, then MFSL, no question.
The US remaster has bonus track.
I read aload of info on the Fantasy / Heaven is in your mind CD at Amazon, and the general feeling was, as David mentions in this thread, that Heaven has the best track listing, and the one to go for, unless of course you intend to buy a MOFI Fantasy.
Of course, avoid the UK remasters of everything Traffic, unless you want bonus tracks.

 

I agree with everything you say Snowman..... I'm looking forward to a new Shootout remaster, just to see how it stacks up against the Mofi (I still think that particular Mofi is a stunner). It would be nice to get new remasters of "On the Road" and "When the Eagle Flies" - not their greatest works, but still very worthy IMO.

I think all the Traffic Mofis are great, as are the Steve Winwoods. My favourite of those is his first self-titled album. The Mofi reveals the natural sound of the group. It has a fuller sound than some of Steve's later work where he played everything himself, and I think the songs are wonderful.