Comparing the new stereo version to the 1987 Walsh CD mastering: The average levels are louder on the new version (some tracks are much louder), but the peaks are substantially reduced. I.e., the dynamics are compressed. If you want more power from the older CD, turn up the volume; it’s still two DR levels more dynamic. [Edit:] P.S. This is not meant as a criticism of the new release. As I stated in my earlier post, DR values do not tell the whole story. But what you’re hearing (and liking) is not due to dynamic range.
@Bob F : DR Only the Lonely - 1987 Larry Walsh Mastering foobar2000 1.3.16 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1 log date: 2018-12-14 18:33:44 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: Frank Sinatra / Frank Sinatra sings for only the lonely -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR10 -0.91 dB -16.81 dB 4:10 01-Only the lonely DR12 -1.18 dB -17.23 dB 3:46 02-Angel eyes DR12 0.00 dB -16.66 dB 5:14 03-What's new DR11 -1.58 dB -17.89 dB 4:18 04-It's a lonesome old town DR10 -0.61 dB -15.86 dB 4:49 05-Willow weep for me DR12 -0.19 dB -18.77 dB 5:45 06-Good-bye DR12 0.00 dB -15.65 dB 4:45 07-Blues in the night DR12 -1.96 dB -19.54 dB 4:01 08-Guess I'll hang my tears out to dry DR12 -0.95 dB -17.82 dB 3:18 09-Ebb tide DR12 -2.35 dB -18.95 dB 4:48 10-Spring is here DR12 -1.68 dB -18.63 dB 5:16 11-Gone with the wind DR13 0.00 dB -18.35 dB 4:26 12-One for my baby DR11 -1.95 dB -17.91 dB 2:49 13-Sleep warm DR9 -4.61 dB -18.50 dB 2:26 14-Where or when -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 14 Official DR value: DR11 Samplerate: 44100 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 16 Bitrate: 290 kbps Codec: FLAC ================================================================================
Remove the two bonus tracks, and it goes up to DR12, as shown in my earlier apples-to-apples comparison.
Is this generally considered to be Sinatra’s finest album? After listening to the majority of his Capitol albums, I think this is his best among the bunch. What a masterpiece!
No doubt, @Tommyboy . Both the stereo and mono versions are good, but the former needed to be recorded with more microphones to pick up the instruments. "Come Fly With Me" is the same case, in addition to the audio distortion that damaged the multitrack recording. But obviously "Only the Lonely" is a great album.
The last track is my favorite. What a way to end the album! My dad was a big Sinatra fan but didn’t own this album.
Although my dad is no longer around.. How can one be a huge Sinatra fan and not own this album?? It’s almost akin to saying you’re a big fan of the Beatles and not owning Pepper or Revolver.
Maybe there was something about it that never appealed to him, a particular song, or perhaps it reminded him of someone he wanted to forget.
@Artur Torres: Lower DRs, lower Peaks, (mostly) louder RMS … ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed folder: Frank Sinatra\Sings for Only the Lonely [2018 UMe Stereo] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR9 -1.92 dB -15.46 dB 01 Only the Lonely.wav DR11 -1.40 dB -16.36 dB 02 Angel Eyes.wav DR10 -1.48 dB -16.02 dB 03 What's New .wav DR9 -1.51 dB -14.63 dB 04 It's a Lonesome Old Town.wav DR11 -2.17 dB -16.98 dB 05 Willow Weep for Me.wav DR10 -1.42 dB -16.10 dB 06 Good-Bye.wav DR10 -1.49 dB -15.07 dB 07 Blues in the Night.wav DR9 -1.40 dB -14.96 dB 08 Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry.wav DR10 -1.45 dB -16.05 dB 09 Ebb Tide.wav DR10 -1.62 dB -16.19 dB 10 Spring Is Here.wav DR9 -1.45 dB -14.99 dB 11 Gone with the Wind.wav DR12 -1.73 dB -18.16 dB 12 One for My Baby.wav ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 12 Official DR value: DR10 =======================================================
As you have said - it is a masterpiece! After almost a decade of knowing and listening to this record (actually the forum has drawn my attention to it), I get caught by it again and again, whenever listening to it. Easily my favourite Sinatra (LP) record
@Bob F , at the moment it can be very difficult because I'm from Brazil, but I want to one day do a Box with the Capitol phase of Sinatra, be it Vinyl, CD and SACD 5.1. But I would like to reissue the LPs with the Mono presses in one box and the stereo LPs in another, with the replica of the original covers, back covers and labels. The same goes for the CDs. My sound reference would be the works of Larry Walsh and Steve Hoffman with the records of Nat King Cole. One of my dreams is to reissue the "Tone Poems of Color".
Older version (TT DR Meter Offline 1.4). My results for the ’87 Walsh CD are identical to those you posted.
@Bob F , Right. Incidentally, I need to plan to buy the 1992 Box Set Concepts and the 1990 compilation "The Capitol Years" on CD.
Taking advantage of the subject, @Bob F , can you tell me something about the first CD pressings of Frank's albums in Japan? Is it a different mastering? Is the sound superior?
It depends on the album. (I assume you’re asking about Capitol albums?) I’d prefer to answer in a different thread, Artur.
Ah, OK. My review is of the vinyl edition only. My guess is that the CD is more compressed than the vinyl. I'll give the CD stereo mix a listen to see if this is true.
The 2-CD edition has dropped to £8.89 on Amazon UK https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07GRRCRRB/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Well, this was one of the very last Capitol albums that I got actually. And I knew its great reputation. I think I just didn't want to rush it. I wanted to find it for myself. Anyway... it's also possible that the cover was a turn-off. I can remember when I first saw the cover I thought it looked like I needed to be in the right place to even attempt this one.
Maybe I found an appreciation for this album later than most for the same reasons as you. Perhaps it takes a certain amount of life (and love) experience for one to really connect with its contents.
Understood. I didn’t mean to offend anyone and not saying you were. I was really addressing my late father than any Sinatra fan here. Technically, I’m the latest to the party!
