Imagine 2000 remaster--what a missed opportunity

In 2000, like I'm sure many sure many here did, I picked up the "Imagine" remaster. I listened to it once and filed it away. I was not really impressed with the sound but I was not sure why. Fast forward a couple of years. I feel that I have learned quite a bit from this forum and I am very appreciative! Sometimes, it's a mixed blessing though. In the case of "Imagine", I listened again this morning. Now, with educated ears, I can hear the problem. This sublime album has had the life sucked out of it.
What a missed opportunity! An Abbey Road remix can't be cheap. When you add in the expense of having Peter Cobbin remix (with assts. Chris Clark and Mirek Stiles), Project coordinator Allan Rouse, Mastering Engineer Steven Rooke and a special "thanks" to Peter Mew (yeah...thanks a lot),
this adds up to one expensive reissue. It took six people (seven including Yoko) to screw up the album this badly. What could have been an epiphany turned out to be a sonic dud. I still love the songs--just not in this form. Sorry if this is so negative (I'm in a great mood today, honest!)
it's just that with an album as significant and historic as "Imagine", I expected so much more. I am amazed that this is the mix given the recent gold disc treatment by Mobile Fidelity. Any bets on how "Walls And Bridges" is going to sound when it's finally reissued?

 

I feel that you are being overly critical. Aside from the heavy handed use of noise reduction, the re-mix itself is simply another perspective of this excellent work. As I tell everybody, it is not meant to replace your original version of Imagine, it is meant to suppliment it. As a different perspective of something, even this 2000 remaster has it's merits.

 

I don't have a real problem with the remix itself. I actually like the fact that the strings are more "forward" in the mix of the title song. My beef is with the excessive noise reduction. Listen to how incredibly hiss-free everything is. I'm guessing that NR was applied during mixing AND mastering, is that a fair assumption? My point is, the NR (and especially "Heavy Handed" NR, as you put it) is SO unnecessary on "Imagine".

 

Most of the tracks I enjoy for the clarity around the voice and instruments.
The biggest error was the complete removal of the bass guitar in the chorus of "How Do You Sleep ?" , on the original it's huge, on the remix I dont think its there at all.
I've ordered the MOFI version so will soon be comparing it with the 2000 remix
John

 

The way I've felt about the remix isn't in terms of the fact that it's used NR. It's the fact that the original dirt and feeling of the original is totally gone. That bothers me most.

 

I believe that this remix WAS meant to replace it. Hasn't Capitol in the US and EMI worldwide taken the original Imagine OOP?

 

Yes. All gone.

 

And that's sad too.

I could live with the remix if the original wasn't deleted.

And I'm really curious on how much of an improvement the Mo-fi version really is.

 

Nothing can compare sonically to the original Apple LP. It has that "Grit & Grime" early '70's Phil Spector sound. The remixed CD sounds TOO clean for me, and yes, it's the heavy-handed no-noise(a Mew specialty-remember Live At The BBC!). A darn shame, really.

Evan

 

The new MOFI disc is based on the 2000 remix, and I really like my copy. Yes it is beat to death with noise reduction and engineering gadgetry, but it does sound excellent when played back perfectly flat, that is straight from the DAC to the the pre-amp/amp, and by-passing all DSP circuitry. As far as the 2000 remix being the only version currently avalable, I do wholeheartedly agree that the consumer should at least have a choice in the matter.

 

Mike, IIRC Steve has said that this Yoko remix is no-noised and that the only copy that isn't is either at Apple or in her hands and she will only allow the re-mix (her mix) to be used. The horror, the sheer horror.

 

I'm sure glad I held on to my British vinyl pressing. I just wish I'd kept my British pressing of Mind Games. Both CD versions such BIG TIME.