I definitely agree. Familiarity always has a way of ingraining what is "right" to a listener's ear. Yet there is no inherent "best" way that any mix should be. There is only the original mix as intended by the artist at the point in time in which they released it. But as many of my favorite remixes reveal, there is no book of law stating that an original song can't be re-enhanced by using the original tracks. If only for an alternate way in which to better appreciate the original art. And this coming from someone who still prefers the original mixes about 80% of the time.
Tribe Called Quest's remix of Scenario sounds amazing. I wouldn't say that I can't listen to the original because I still do but the remix is terrific and I prefer it slightly over the original. Original: Remix: a tribe called quest - scenario (remix)
According to Page himself, they have NO remixes on them. They do however have what I guess could be called "pre-mixes" as any alternate mixes are vintage "in-progress" rough/reference mixes made at the time of the original recording sessions - not modern remixes made specifically for the companion discs.
There are bad original mixes. On the first Manassas album, The Treasure is mixed horribly. It should be a classic rock staple, great song, but so muddy. If someone did a good remix job on that it would be great. A good mix is a good mix, original or otherwise. Most remixes have not actually improved on on the original. It is a high bar because the original mixes are usually pretty good, are contemporary to the recordings and therefore fit the sound, are sometimes relfective of artist intent, and they also, importantly, define what the music sounds like. But remixes can work, and sometimes do. I think Street Legal is better remixed, for example. The Lennon solo catalog was better remixed. Even The Band's Rock of Ages, which was not badly mixed, sounded really good in the expanded/remixed edition. Tell me why it was remixed, and let me compare. If it was remixed for the hell of it or to make it sound more "now," I'm probably not going to like it. If there are good reasons and it is well executed.... Remix away.
That's fair. I'm probably not qualified to determine a strict definition of remix. I just know that different balances or emphasis of the instruments are tweaked in many of the alternate mixes which, otherwise, are virtually identical to the album mixes (moved up, down, or around, channels reversed, etc). Of course, some of the companion tracks are obvious alternate takes or "works in progress" (Whole Lotta Love, Since I've Been Loving You, When The Levee Breaks (UK Mix), the various versions that became "In The Light"), but others simply come off to me as "remixes". Even if that wasn't technically the aim.
No, all peace & love. Jethro Tull - Aqualung 40th Anniversary Special Edition (part3) Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick 40th Anniversary Special Edition
Not a case where I can't listen to the original, in fact I love it, but this is perhaps one of the first and most historically significant case of remixing. It turned a beautiful but unknown song to a number 1 hit Simon and Garfunkel - Sound of Silence
If I'm on Amazon, I'll search: Jethro Tull Steve Wilson. That usually brings up only the Wilson mixes.
I owned the Layla and Assorted Love Songs 1990 mix prior to owning the 1970 mix and prefer the latter.
Too bad he changed so many little details in the mix. I'd rather listen to the corrected polarity reissue than this particular remix. The others he did for XTC are pretty good/great, but this one just left me cold.
Even though I see the deluxe set on sale quite a bit, I'd rather pick up the O'Brien mix as a solo disc.
Totally agree on Rush. The remixed version of Vapor Trails is far superior. I recently snagged it on vinyl, and can never listen to the original album again. Even Geddy Lee admitted they “overlooked” that one.
Layla sounds a little 'harder' and the other instruments sound more in unison. The recent remixes are great at showcasing Duane Allman's floating guitar sound but, it loses a little bit of the urgency to my ears.
It’s not for nothing that the TAAB has completely sold out, and is commanding high prices in the aftermarket. That’ll teach me to act quicker....
I much prefer the John Entwistle remix for the soundtrack album here. The rhythm section is more pronounced, which is what this album needed.