Jeff Beck's Truth 2006 Legacy Edition CD Sounds Incredibly Bad

Never found an actual thread discussing this particular release, but I did find this great quote from TommyTunes :

" The two albums which most require a remix are Jeff Beck's Truth and Beckola. Even my son listening on an iPod realizes they are two of the worst sounding rock albums. "

Saw a lot of praise for the 2009 Sundazed mono vinyl though, so that gives me hope.

I think I bought this back in 2006, but don't remember the SQ being this bad. Rod Stewart's vocals pan hard to the left, then screech to where it feels uncomfortable.
Haven't heard a CD this bad since the Vanilla Fudge S/T, which was replaced by...Sundazed mono vinyl. Hmmm...

 

Mike,

All pressings of Truth sound pretty bad to me. The one exception is the Japan TOCP-6317 single album release. Do not confuse it with the TOCP 2fer or you'll get basically the US. pressing sound.

 

I have found the Jeff Beck Truth, Beckola and Jeff Beck Group CD remasters to be some of the worst. Lots of compression and low dynamic range. The original CD issues, while not great, are significantly better across the board.

 

I have the EMI 724387374928 and it sounds great, better than my japanese 6317. is this the one you said stewarts vocals are panned left on? i'm not hearing that.

 

I thought the 2005 EMI UK CD (7243 8 73749 2 8) from Peter Mew was OK. (Maybe I should listen again) Didn't know Sony had a version and if it's the same mastering. I think a big part of the problem is the original Mickey Most Mix. Horrid is the word I would use to describe his touch on such fabulous performances. I believe the tapes are locked up by EMI IIRC. Yea a remix would be great if possible. I still think the best for this is the original Vinyl version. "Let Me Love You" is one of the worst mixes I have ever heard. By the way they were one of the finest live acts of their era. I was lucky to see them twice at Fillmore West. This CD from 1988 Jeff Beck "The Late 60's with Rod Stewart" ( CDP 7 46710-2) is a great alternative as it contains almost everything except "Blues De luxe". It has been forum recommended here.

 

+1, this is the best sounding source for songs from Truth that I've been able to find.

 

Thank Mickie Most's production style. I'm sure if engineer Ken Scott had his way this would have been properly remixed for stereo a long time ago.

 

The actual fact is the 2-fer is heavily No-Noised it has nothing to do with the pressing it is the mastering.

The single TOCP disc's are clones of the 1st edition US Epic's. These were not mangled with NR. The 2 single US discs pre-date the Japan TOCP clones and are generally harder to locate or at least identify on the internet.

I own both the TOCP's and the Epic's, I like the packaging of the Epics better. Mastering and sound are exactly the same-which is OK at best, but at least not rendered lifeless by NR. That said these do not appear to be good recordings. Which if the case, a mastering may never be able to overcome and if that can't any alleged pressing difference certainly will not. I'd really like to know if even the vinyl is good?

No "Girl From Mill Valley" either. I do like the sound of the 1988 Jeff Beck "The Late 60's with Rod Stewart" ever so slightly better than the 2 single disc Original EPIC's/TOCP's

 

Truth needs a remix.

 

I have the 2005 EMI CD and I think it sounds OK, if not great. I think it's a different master from the Legacy edition for some reason (I don't have the Legacy - it's just something I read on the internets somewhere).
The 1989 twofer actually advertises its use of NoNoise on the artwork.

Mostly, I play the Sundazed mono LP. That thing is slammin'.

 

Just dumped the CD at CD Warehouse for $$$, have said vinyl on the wish list.

 

The bonus tracks are pretty cool on the EMI CD. There's the single version of Bolero with the trippy backwards guitar (though IIRC this is also on the Sundazed LP), Hi Ho Silver Lining, an alternate take of Rock My Plimsoul (with Aynsley Dunbar?) and *gulp* Love is Blue, which is pure cheese, but worth hearing for Beck's sick guitar sound (I gather he wasn't too keen on having to record the tune).

 

Nearly all those are available in what I find to be superior sound quality on:
"The Late 60's with Rod Stewart". In fact I think it includes every single and b-side. You can still find this disc for around $5-$8 from Amazon Sellers and eBay. One of the better CD deals around.

 

Terrific call. Got lucky to find an original UK Swindon pressing in nice condition on Amazon. Recommended!

 

I actually still see it in shops every now and then.

 

I'm curious is anyone purchased the Japanese (mini-lp) SHM-CD version of Truth released in March 2014 and can comment on the sound quality/mix. I have the 2006 Sony Legacy CD and don't like the stereo mix with the vocals hard left and the guitar hard right. so definitely looking to upgrade if possible.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPCR-15588

 

The Mini-LP also uses the same stereo mix, sadly there is no mono mix available on CD - but that's the best way to hear the album IMO.

 

Never had an issue with the sound of Truth but I've been listening to my lp since 1979 and just accepted it. Always worked for me. I did eventually get the Sundazed mono lp and it is very good.