Best Pressings of The Moody Blues "Days of Future Passed"

Just checked the runout groove, John Paul. It's a -1W/-2W. Could that explain the great sound?

 

I have three Aussie copies sourced from UK-supplied -1W / -1W mothers. A bit veiled IMHO but certainly better than what I was expecting based on numerous forum comments. In fact, very enjoyable.

 

It generally works that the earlier the matrix numbers the better (not always though!) well done on getting a clean early copy!

 

Thank you. My wife was commenting on how extraordinary it sounded last night (she rarely does that) and my cat went into a sphinx-like nirvana pose. Ha ha.

Btw, if I see the "full art" cover pressing next week I'm gonna buy it and do a comparison.

 

For the original mix, just seek out the continental plant copy.

 

I am browsing for a digital download on 7Digital today (I can’t use HDTracks in my country). I can see there are 4 different versions of “Days of future passed”, but it’s not easy to understand what they are:

(1) 1967 Decca Music, 16.44.1 (digitally remastered) [original cover]

(2) 1967 Decca Music, 24/96 [original cover, possibly the SACD version?]

(3) 2008 Decca Music, 16/44.1 (Expanded edition) [cover with cyan text and kind of fluo colours]

(4) 2016 Rarity Music, 16/44.1 FLAC [no DSS logo on cover]

I am pretty sure all of these have a corresponding physical release, but which one?
Thanks for your help

 

Anyone? I've added the links to look them up.
My feeling would be to avoid the first three editions, but I am tempted by no. 4.

(1) 1967 Decca Music, 16.44.1 (digitally remastered) [original cover]
Days Of Future Passed (Digitally... | The Moody Blues | Downloads di MP3 | 7digital Italia »

(2) 1967 Decca Music, 24/96 [original cover, possibly the SACD version?]
Days Of Future Passed (1967) | The Moody Blues | Downloads di MP3 | 7digital Italia »

(3) 2008 Decca Music, 16/44.1 (Expanded edition) [cover with cyan text and kind of fluo colours]
Days Of Future Passed (Expanded ... | The Moody Blues | Downloads di MP3 | 7digital Italia »

(4) 2016 Rarity Music, 16/44.1 FLAC [no DSS logo on cover]
Days of Future Passed (1967) | The Moody Blues | Downloads di MP3 | 7digital Italia »

 

I have to wonder to what extent the Bell Sound stereo mastering equipment (Westrex 3-something, I presume) played a role in the "muddy" sound of original pressings of this album. But then, masterings by that studio (and in particular by Sam Feldman) cut after 1973 or so were done via Neumann SX-68 cutterheads to which all remaining Scullys at that studio were retrofitted in 1970-71. I've heard similar criticisms of other Bell Sound cuttings of "classic rock" LP's (i.e. The Beatles' Let It Be).

 

It's the mix, as witnessed by UK pressings and digital releases.

 

I have the 3W/3W with original mix & it sounds great. Much prefer this to the Speakers Corner remix.

 

No one has mentioned the Japanese King pressing. Best one ive heard

 

I have a 1st pressing Japan issue of Lost Chord....

 

Was "Days" reissued by Speakers Corner in 2013?

 

An old mono copy of DOFP I have has 'The Moody Blues' written in black lettering on the front not Blue - it's 'white label' Deramic Sound System

 

When they have a title part of their catalog, it can go in and out of print several times, and still be part of Speakers Corner catalog. So, it's not technically a reissue, but it might have been repressed in 2013 after some time out of print. But nothing will be different, same cat number, same barcode, same matrix...

 

Thanks

 

I have to disagree on the Sterling LP. I just picked one up and compared it to my Gilbert Kong pressing and the difference is remarkable. My Sterling sounds muddy and veiled while the GK LP is clear and bright. In comparison, the GK almost sounds like one of those notorious "hot stampers".

 

As a general rule, I'll take "muddy and veiled" over some jacked up Gilbert Kong cut any day.

But then Kong is probably my least favorite vinyl cutter of all time. Just a matter of taste on these things.

 

Yes, it is a matter of taste for each of us but I wouldn't call my Gilbert Kong pressing "jacked up" at all. To me, it just sounds clear and very present. I'll make a mental note to assess some of my other GK pressings as I stumble on them to see if any of those are jacked up to my ears.

 

What is the record number and deadwax info on the Speakers Corner? I have a German pressing and not sure what pressing it is!

 

Thanks Bob for the comparison. If I ever run into a thrifter I'll make sure I check the wax for a Gil

 

There could be other factors at play. I've never come across a Gilbert Kong cut of DOFP, and I've owned quite a few over the years. I wonder what year it is from and whether it is the remix?

Many claim to hear in the MFSL what you describe, which is of course an entirely different mix. I personally don't like the remix at all. Others swear by it.

 

GK is the original mix.

Was a stock LP ever issued in the US with the remix?

 

Not that I've heard. It's possible that it could have turned up on some post-1981 reissue.

 

Shame there isn't a 50th anniversary deluxe edition coming out on on CD and vinyl like the new Pepper set - The 2LP set could contain the original mix on LP1 and the Remix on LP2 and the CD set could have all the extras and out-takes, plus hi-res and surround versions - I'd buy it, even though I have more pressings of this album than I need already!