Chicago II Steven Wilson Remix Announced ! 01/27/2017

I'll buy it.

 

a post on the Quad forum says this is a stereo only release.

 

If you're talking about Chicago II---yes, it has a cruddy mix. The stereo remix on the DVD-A from some years back is very good, however. Probably the sounding version of this album that exists right now (IMO) although a bit tough to find these days. (The 5.1 on this one, isn't much more than widening the mix to all the speakers, unfortunately. The quad is a much better surround experience.)

 

Somebody send those tapes to Steve right now!!!!!

 

At least it's something to put on your calendar, unlike the Music Direct catalog

 

The thick plottens: Colour My World: Steven Wilson Remix of "Chicago II" Due in January »

 

Prrss release from Rhino:

LOS ANGELES - More than 40 years after its debut, Chicago II still sounds like nothing else. Released in 1970, Chicago's second album brims with confidence and inspiration as it draws on everything from orchestral music to heavy rock. Although it never affected the record's popularity - it peaked at #4 on the album chart and spawned a trio of Top Ten hits - many fans have longed for a more-nuanced mix. That wish is about to come true with a new stereo version created by British musician and producer Steven Wilson.

CHICAGO II: STEVEN WILSON REMIX will be available January 27 on CD for $14.98. The newly remixed album will also be released as a double-LP set later next year for $31.98.

Chicago II has been remixed before, but never like this. For the first time, a stereo remix from the 16-track multi-track tapes made it possible for Steven Wilson to bring out elements that were muffled or submerged in the mix. The result is a new stereo version of Chicago II that boasts clearness, punch and definition that it didn't have before.

Wilson explains: "Working with high-resolution 96K/24 bit digitally transferred files, I had every element from the recording sessions isolated, which meant I was able to rebuild the mix from the drums upwards, recreating as closely as I could the equalization, stereo placement, reverbs, other effects, and volume changes of each individual instrument or vocal - but at the same time looking to gain definition and clarity in the overall sound."

In 1969, Chicago recorded the band's follow-up to their debut album, Chicago Transit Authority (voted 2014 into the Grammy Hall of Fame). When it arrived in January 1970, Chicago II became an instant sensation. Principal composers, James Pankow and Robert Lamm, emerged further as the band's source of Top Ten hits for the group, including "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World," as well as "25 or 6 to 4," which peaked at #4 and has become one of the band's signature songs. Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider, also Danny Seraphine and Peter Cetera ... somehow found time (while touring the world behind the success of "CTA") to prepare another double LP album.

"So rich was their creative seam at the time that, like their debut, and the album that followed this one, it was a two record set," says Wilson. "In fact, with unprecedented boldness the run of double albums was only broken by their fourth which was a quadruple (live) set! I consider all of these albums to be classics, but perhaps Chicago II is the pre-eminent masterpiece. It's got everything: moments of tender beauty to power riffs and scorched-earth jazz-rock, catchy melodies and gorgeous vocal harmonies. When I first heard it as a teenager I was captivated by the mixture of jazz, blues, pop, classical, progressive and heavy rock styles, including both improvisational elements and intricate arrangements, and by songs written and sung by several different members, all with their own unique personality. How could that possibly hang together?! But it does, and brilliantly so."

The album, which was certified platinum by the RIAA, soon after its release, also highlighted some of the band's most ambitious work, such as the 13-minute song cycle "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon," composed by James Pankow, as well as "Memories Of Love," a Terry Kath song, arranged for orchestra by Peter Matz. Chicago's lasting musical impact was recognized in April of 2016, with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

So this is a stereo only release? Disappointing to me. I only reach for the quad mix when I listen to this great album, I don't have as much of a problem with it as some do but it definitely is on the strident side in stereo form.

 

CHICAGO II: STEVEN WILSON REMIX »

 

Because there is no QUAD version ever recorded for it. The QUAD set is complete

 

There it is!

 

wow. This is awesome news.

 

Chicago II Steven Wilson Remix Announced ! 01/27/2017 »

 

Good old Facebook. Always get my news first there !

 

Yep, I just started a thread confirming it too.

 

Steven Wilson remixing Chicago? »

 

Obviously your incorrect as this is what he says in his own words below.

So rich was their creative seam at the time that, like their debut, and the album that followed this one, it was a two record set," says Wilson. "In fact, with unprecedented boldness the run of double albums was only broken by their fourth which was a quadruple (live) set! I consider all of these albums to be classics, but perhaps Chicago II is the pre-eminent masterpiece. It's got everything: moments of tender beauty to power riffs and scorched-earth jazz-rock, catchy melodies and gorgeous vocal harmonies. When I first heard it as a teenager I was captivated by the mixture of jazz, blues, pop, classical, progressive and heavy rock styles, including both improvisational elements and intricate arrangements, and by songs written and sung by several different members, all with their own unique personality. How could that possibly hang together?! But it does, and brilliantly so

 

Now this is worth it!!! Thankfully I didn't buy MFSL's SACD.

 

I'm in.

 

Yeah, I forgot that obviously. I'll report and get them merged, and the date replacing the question mark. @Ken_McAlinden - I see you're in here...

For the record, when I did a thread search, that thread must have been pretty low down the list, as I only looked at the first 5 or so.
.

 

Fine by me!!!

 

That's your thread!

 

It's fun to hear how garage his playing is on this.

 

Too much confusion, elation, and excitement. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRRLPW...TF8&qid=1480527202&sr=1-1&keywords=CHICAGO+II

 

Bull Moose $13.97 : Chicago - Chicago Ii (Steven Wilson Remix) »

Import CDs $10.51 : Request Rejected »