BUT there's at least the possibility of a good, dynamic mastering. If these go up on Qobuz I'd probably spring for a couple in CDquality.
I'm picking up some of the early '80s German reissues on PRT (green & orange label). A stunning copy of "Something Else" arrived today, from Germany. Sounds really nice. (Discogs says it's a stereo pressing, but it sounds better to me with the mono switch engaged.) Anyway, I think I made the right choice going with these German PRTs, rather than plunk down big bucks for PYE originals. Thanks to those here who recommended this option!
What are some of the good ones? They've licensed some excellent titles, but I've been wary of buying them given the label's rep for poor mastering.
I can only assume, the ones where Kevin Gray is involved - I bought the Friday Music release of The Monkees Present, foolishly thinking it would be an upgrade from my 1980's Rhino pressing - boy I was wrong - it was like listening to an old cassette copy with dolby incorrectly switched on - put me off contemplating another Friday Music release ever again...
Kevin Gray has been involved in the mastering of quite a few titles. The "stunning" ones I have are all of the Kansas albums, the first two Boston albums, The Yes Song 45RPM box set ... I'm forgetting a couple of other ones, but each of these have superior masterings and the pressings I received are flawless (though side B of The Yes Song has a bit of noise towards the end). I've also had some bad titles (I gave up on The Spinners Greatest Hits after four different exchanges, for instance: a terrible pressing), but you can't make a blanket statement about Friday Music. They aren't like FMWB (I don't have an LP by them that I think is as good as an original pressing).
Go over to the Friday Music thread and you'll find plenty of good reviews: also, see my response to Tom Campbell above.
I recently saw an '80s Pye reissue of Arthur. I have a US original so didn't need it, and it looked a little lonely in its non-gatefold sleeve. I do have a PRT Something Else and it's very good, but the recent mono box version is more in rotation right now.
I am perfectly happy with the recent vinyl box for the mono versions. However, if they do proper hi-res masterings (meaning not compressed to death like the DE) of the stereos, they can count with my money.
Why not new AAA versions of the stereo LPs? The mono reissues are about the best vinyl reissues of anything I've heard (including the Beatles in mono).
I just said hi-res because the news is that Sandoval is working on that. But of course, if they make AAA vinyl records that would be great too. I would buy S/T, Something Else, VGPS, Arthur and Lola.
I remember that interview. I agree it's the artists decision in the end good or bad in terms of the fans.
Before this thread, I had no idea Dead End Street was remixed into Stereo! Fantastic thread with heaps of information.
If it's stereo, you should quickly notice that some of the lead vocals are recorded out-of-phase, so that when played back in mono, they disappear.
Just picked up the mono box and the best of that came out a couple years ago. The box set is fantastic and sounds excellent. Wish the covers were a bit higher quality. But my best of is extremely warped. I returned to amazon for a replacement and this one is warped too. Its still a great sounding record though. Dead End Street in stereo is awesome.
Neither, until this thread! I knew that other tracks from that era like Mr. Pleasant had finally be mixed to stereo, but not DES.
