O.k., inspired by the new Scorpions album, I started listening to some of the older albums again, and I thought it would be about time to start a respective thread which lists my preferences (so far - I haven't heard all different versions). 1. Lonesome Crow I like the early WG CD on the Brain label best (a Polygram subsidiary). Catalog number is 825 739-2. I liked that one better than the 1st Japanese pressing (different mastering). 2. Fly To The Rainbow I like the German RCA CD (ND70084) best. Some say it sounds somewhat muddy (it's definitely not on the bright side), but I found it much more natural sounding than the early Japanese CD version (which I find too bright). 3. In Trance You will see a repeating pattern for the next albums, I also like the German RCA CD (ND70028) best. Some say it sounds somewhat muddy (it's definitely not on the bright side), but I found it much more natural sounding than the early Japanese CD version (which I find too bright). 4. Virgin Killer Again it's the German RCA CD (ND70031) which is my preferred version for the very same reasons. The RCA does not sound like it hasn't enough treble to me. 5. Taken By Force Again it's the German RCA CD (ND70081) for me. I know that the intro to "Sails of Charon" is missing, and maybe that can be edited into the song to create the perfect CD-R hybrid (I never heard the full version of "Sails of Charon" myself). This RCA sounds very very nice to me, warm and balanced. 6. Tokyo Tapes No suprise here, I like the early German RCA 2-CD best. It has the catalog no. PD70008(2). There is a slightly later ND version also which has the same mastering. This set also has the complete album, most versions (single CD's) are missing a track (or maybe two). O.k., now we come to the period when they changed record labels (and also their sound). You will see another pattern... 7. Lovedrive It is easily the EMI/Harvest early German CD version for me (there are also UK and Holland variants with the same mastering). 8. Animal Magnetism Again, I like the EMI/Harvest early German CD version best (there are also UK and Holland variants with the same mastering). 9. Blackout Again, I like the EMI/Harvest early German CD version best (there are also UK and Holland variants with the same mastering). It is a little on the muddy side, and the early USA Mercury (some pressed in WG) is certainly brighter, and some folks might prefer that version, but to me the EMI/Harvest just sounds more natural to me. Overall, this album does not sound that good, I think it was all/mainly digitally recorded. 10. Love At First Sting I have an early Japan for Europe EMI/Harvest pressing which I quite like. I haven't heard the very first Japanese CD which some folks (I respect) say is even better. I am not a huge fan of this album, so I never bothered trying to find that very expensive first Japanese pressing. I would love to hear some clips though to see how it sounds. 11. World Wide Live I like the EMI/Harvest CD best. 12. Savage Amusement I am slowly loosing interest in Scorpions from that point on. Haven't done any comparisons for this album, but my early WG EMI/Harvest pressing sounds pretty good. 13. Crazy World This is the last Scorpions album I own (besides the new one). I have an early German Mercury CD which sounds o.k., I haven't compared it to any other versions and I don't even know if there are any mastering differences between various pressings from various countries. I am sure other people have different preferences, so feel free to discuss and agree or disagree with my preferences (there is no right or wrong here, and I certainly respect other people's opinion).
Thanks for putting this together! A few questions: Is the German RCA In Trance readily available? I have never actually owned this album. The German RCA Virgin Killer has the censored, group photo front cover, correct? I have this one but, don't have it handy at the moment to check the #. Is the German RCA Taken By Force readily available? I have the 2001 EMI (LC00542) and would like to get a better version.
On a side note, the new album is actually quite good. I describe it as more pop / less rock as the twin guitars aren't nearly as crunchy as those long lost days gone by, by overall STING IN THE TAIL is very good, especially when compared to most everythng else the band has released since about 1992.
Nice idea.. Scorpions. 10. Love At First Sting I have an early Japan for Europe EMI/Harvest pressing which I quite like. I haven't heard the very first Japanese CD which some folks (I respect) say is even better. I am not a huge fan of this album, so I never bothered trying to find that very expensive first Japanese pressing. I would love to hear some clips though to see how it sounds. The Harvest Japan for Europe is an excellent disc. I did an extensive compare a year ago using it The 1st Japan RCA RPCD-102 and Polygram WG for US. For me it cam down to the type of sound I prefer for the material. The RPCD-102 was more aggressive and I preferred by only a small margin over the Harvest. That said the difference is not worth the $200 or so the RPCD-102 usually goes for, although I did get a better deal myself. The is one of my top all-time albums so to me a must have. The Harvest is a nice laid back easy listen great CD overall plus can be found for under $40US so all things considered would be my recommendation as well to all but the most hardcore LAFS fans. The WG for US was a nice disc, but lacked some coherence compared to the Harvest and RCA. You mentioned Blackout was digitally recorded, I believe that is correct, was LAFS?
Love at First Sting. Have the Mercury 314534787-2 and I had a West Germany, Mercury. They sounded the same which was very good so I sold the WG. Have WWL on West Germany, Mercury and it sounds good.
Yes, the German RCA CD of "Virgin Killer" has the group cover, which I don't mind. I don't like the original cover, and I think it was bad taste. I don't mind some nudity on album covers, but not young children please. All these German RCA CD's shouldn't be too hard to find on the used market (like ebay.de or Amazon.de)
"Love at First Sting" was also digitally recorded, and I think you can tell. It sounds a little cold or sterile to me. Overall, I like the sound on "Lovedrive" quite a bit (for newer style Scorpions). The EMI/Harvest CD sounds really nice to me.
Frank, I agree, it is pretty decent. I really like the guitar sound on the first track during the opening riff. Sounds like old-style Rock 'n' Roll and not so much like hard rock/metal. I started a thread on this new album, but it hasn't created much interest so far.
I seem to recall the original US RCA 2-cd set of Tokyo Tapes didn't sound very good. Since then I've picked up the original German RCA 2-cd set but have not yet had the opportunity to compare them.
I haven't heard those yet (didn't even know they existed). I have only compared the German RCA CD's to the often highly praised first and second Japanese pressings and found the German RCA's nicer to my ears. If someone wants to post some information like total time and peak levels, and possibly some clips, we can shed some light on this.
This thing about muddy vs bright for the German CDs has come up before. I have the second Jpn of In Trance on the way. We will see.
Thank you, and no problem. I can't really start it because with the exception of 'Animal Magnetism,' I only have US pressings.
I'd say its on par with the prior two releases (Unbreakable and Humanity Hour 1) - a few good tracks, but nothing great and it will ultimately be remembered only for being their last album.
It's worth nothing here that the 90's remaster adds about 11-12 minutes (4 tracks) of music - Another Piece Of Meat, Can't Get Enough (pt. 1), Six String Sting, Can't Get Enough (pt. 2). I don't disagree that the original EMI/Harvest sounds a little nicer, but I keep both. It's too bad there wasn't a 2CD version with the full 19 tracks released somewhere in the 80's with the better mastering.
Thanks for that additional info. Also, my original WG EMI/Harvest CD has an indexing error. The start of track 3 is indexed too early, during the track "Coming Home" approx. 50 seconds before it actually ends and "Blackout" starts. Not sure if this was corrected on later CD pressings (with the same mastering). I haven't heard the remaster of this album yet. How does it sound? Is it heavily compressed? Maybe somebody who owns it could post some waveforms, that would be nice.
I'll try and do so later tonight. It's not HEAVILY compressed, I don't think, but I'll give it a listen and look at it later on.
There are USA RCA cd's for "In Trance" and "Virgin Killer." I don't know if there are ones for "Fly To The Rainbow" or "Taken By Force" though.
Roland, a couple of pressings, both Polygram, you may want to give a try to and that sound very analog are the Canadian orange faced pressing or the the W. German red faced CD catalog #814 981-2 M-1. These in no way sound hard, sterile, clinical or compressed.
YES~! I'm happy and sad about this thread. Happy that someone is recognizing the Scorps! Sad because I'm going to have to hunt down all these pressings!
