Cheap Thrills on SACD

Any other brave hearts like to compare this to the latest remaster?

 

I was hoping someone had purchased it and could give me feedback.

 

Yes, I second that, I am going to get this regardless, but I was hoping to hear some feedback on this release

 

I've been sitting on the fence on this one also. I read somewhere that it is an improvement, better definition of backup playing, bass etc, but, not to expect too much. the last few times that I've placed an order with Elusive, I've almost bought it. I don't know why I hesitate 'cause I know I am ultimately going to end up getting it anyway.

 

I picked this up a couple of weeks ago--don't know
what to think about it yet. This is not an audiophile
recording, of course, so my expectations were not
really high...

First impressions:

Overall, it's not bad. There are 4 bonus tracks, two
live (from The Grande Ballroom in Detroit, March 2,
1968) and two outtakes from studio sessions. These
alone probably make it a necessary purchase for
completists, but not all of the original tracks sound
improved to me. For the most part, they're not
ruined or overly "fixed".

I did a quick run-through against the original vinyl,
for sonic comparison, and to be honest I still prefer
the vinyl for overall presentation. It has a more
evenly balanced sound, that is not so variable in
loudness from track to track--now don't go thinking
compression here, it's just that this SACD varies
more, probably due to the mastering not being meant
for use in pressing a record. It is important to point
out that the original recordings were made at widely
different times/venues, and the SACD shows this up
almost to a fault.

That being said, it does have more definition and
detail than any previous releases. I can't comment
on the surround mix because I can't play it properly
yet...so these comments refer to the 2-channel.

Combination of the Two--
Better bass, more extension. Still sort of muddy,
but then the original recording probably is.

I Need a Man to Love--
A little more top end, not too much though.
All that hiss is still there. Stage amp hum is
more prominent; good live feel.

Summertime--
Here I think they boosted the level somewhat; it
seems much louder than the Lp, but the overall
tonal balance is similar, and the cymbals sound
more true to life. If you can suppress the notion
that there might be some compression applied here,
I'd call it improved.

Piece of My Heart--
This track is better, cleaner sounding, more "air"
although it seems odd to use that term for this
sound. More airy distortion I guess. Most of the
splatter that is evident on the Lp is absent here,
but I'd put that down to not having to master for
the last cut on an Lp side. This is, after all, loud
stuff!

Turtle Blues--
Mostly sounds the same as the Lp, slightly brighter
but in that tamed sort of way SACD can be. When that
Southern Comfort bottle lands in the audience I
always grin! The sound of someone sweeping it up is
more obvious here--classic Janis performance!!

Oh, Sweet Mary--
Better definition here, otherwise much the same. I
swear there is a sitar in the right channel. ?

Ball and Chain--
Man, the intro to this is a mess--always has been, and
it still is here. If they applied any noise reduction
on the album, they used it here. Possibly too much
bass as well--the drums and especially cymbals get lost
in the presentation, and it seems to get worse as the
track plays on. If you like this track, get a vinyl
source. The Columbia 180g isn't bad here.

-------------------------------------

Do I/you really need this? I still need more time
with it to decide, but I'd say if it's priced right
(my copy was less than a regular cd) go for it and
decide for yourself.

--Roger

 

Roger...thanks for taking the time to run down this SACD. I have been on the fence as well.

Performance-wise it's killer, isn't it!