I came across in the used bins a Canadian early pressing of Boston. The tope half of the disc has B O S T O N in big black block letters. The bottom half has the songs listed. Catalog number is the standard Epic EK 35050. Left the disc behind, but wondering if the mastering is the US or Japan.
I just received a relatively early pressing of the Boston s/t CD. It is a European pressing (Austria) with catalog number CDPEC 81611 (DI8P 192). The CD itself has the black ring around the outer perimeter and another not quite half circle ring (old European CBS CD design). Matrix code is CDEPC 81611 12A5. I compared it to the SACD, and I think prefer the regular CD. The regular CD sounds more open, less digital, and more relaxed. Also, in comparison, the frequency spectrum of the SACD seems more limited, more "midrangey" and denser (not to use the word compressed). It's almost like the comment on the DCC gold discs: "You will hear deeper lows and crisper highs". The regular CD has more treble definition, but it sounds less bright compared to the SACD. The SACD is really quite good on its own, and well balanced, but I think I really prefer the regular CD.
Andreas, I don't really know. One thing I noticed before with other CBS/Columbia/Epic/etc. CD's that they are sometimes different between European and US pressings (both non remastered). One such example is Tommy Bolin's second album "Private Eyes". The early European and the early US versions are clearly different. Maybe someone could post a clip from the early US CD (non-remastered)? I take it that most people here prefer the SACD over other CD versions (incl. the non-remastered CD). Since most members are based in the US, this experience could be correct for the early US CD (which could very well be inferior to the early European CD). As far as European CD versions go (Made in Japan, Austria, possibly Holland), I'm not sure if there are any differences. Have you heard the SACD yet?
I don't consider 1994's Walk On 100% classic Boston but it's a good album anyway, Fran Cosmo sounds fine and songs are not bad. I like I Need Your Love, What's Your Name and Livin' For You, the Walk On Medley has very good guitar work. Skip Corporate America, I waited for this album for years and it was a huge disapointment, terrible, dreadful, what a waste...
other than the chick songs, I actually prefer CA over Walk On. but no, nothing after 3rd stage is worth owning.
Could anyone tell me which pressing is it I have? Matrix: 1A EK34188 30 B1. It says Epic on the disc and it doesn't specify where it was made. Thanks.
On the first Boston LP, Orange Label vinyl outshines all else. Look for "Mastered by Capitol" and "Wally" or "Wly" on both sides. Crank away on a nice turntable, arm, and cartridge and be transported back to 1976.
Yes, I recommend the 32XD-538 also. I've compared it to the MFSL and US versions. The 32XD-538 comes out on top. The US one is a little bright and somewhat bass shy. The MFSL isn't bad, but as other people have commented it is boosted a little in the upper midrange so it does not sound quite right. The 32XD-538 has nice bass and a nice sound overall.
compared the "wally" LP with the friday music reissue, the friday sounds dull by comparison, I would avoid it
This comment from 9 years ago is interesting, and I never noticed it before. I have always been surprised by all of the negative comments about the half-speed version of this album, about it being way too bright, etc.. I have one of them and always thought it actually sounded pretty decent. I also have an original pressing and compared them, and in some ways actually preferred the half-speed version. I just looked, and my copy is one of the recut ones, and actually on the spine it has the new catalog number ("HE-44188") PASTED overtop of the old catalog number! I guess if you are really interested in this album, you might try to find one of the half-speed recut versions and try it out. However, it is very easy and cheap to find original pressings, which do sound good, so maybe no need.
This is a very cool thread that was resurrected. I love the first three albums For the first album, I listen to the Japan 32–8 P – 192. I have the SACD sitting around but don't have an SACD player! I wish I could compare the two. I have the DADC pressing but not the Japan for US pressing. I have the Mastersound of Don't Look Back and liked it on my old system. I'll have to take it out and see if that holds true still. I may have to look for Third Stage from Japan based on the recommendations here. Right now I just have the Japan for US and US for US.
That's an interesting observation, though all of the Wally cuts I have are excellent. I had this album on 8-track back in the day and never had it on LP or CD. After looking in used record stores for a decent copy, I gave up and last month ordered the Friday Music version. With the above provisos and the fact that I've never heard this album on a decent stereo, I thought the Friday Music version sounded excellent. If you think the Wally cut sounds better, I'll just keep looking. This was also what I found with Steely Dan's Aja. I had the Cisco version, which I thought sounded fantastic (and I still think that it sounds great), until I found a pristine AAB-1006 (with the second A struck through in the deadwax), which really does sound better than the Cisco.
Yup, I had the Friday first and loved it, then I got a 1-A 1-B Wally they really are easy to find in any used record store, should be about a dollar
Can I ask if the best sound on 1 is a double Wally, why would it not also be the same on the second lp? Tell me what you think. It does exist!!!, I own it.
Hey guys, I'm curious. What's the consensus regarding the 1994 Sony SBM Super Bit Map CD of the debut album? Is this the one some are referring to as the Master Sound pressing?