Audio Fidelity new 24 Kt Gold CD of "Crosby, Stills & Nash" Review: Veil Removed!!!

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by audiomixer, Dec 3, 2011.

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  1. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialistâ„¢

    Location:
    B.C.
    I'm fairly certain it is 19117-2. The other might be just a mis-type.
     
  2. JJ3810

    JJ3810 Senior Member

    Location:
    Virginia
    It is 19117-2. I may have mis-typed in the number in a previous posting and I apologize for that, if indeed I had done so.
    Look for red type (lettering) on a plain white background on the side of the CD case. I believe all others other than the Diament have the type over LP graphics that extend into this side area.
     
  3. drbryant

    drbryant Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    I don't have those CD's here, but I thought that there was a new mastering done in the late 80's or early 90's that wasn't as good - am I thinking of "So Far"?
     
  4. Myke

    Myke Trying Not To Spook The Horse

    Couldn't be, Barry's So Far is as smooth as silk, pudding, or warm butter... gorgeous.
     
  5. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
    Love to see DEJA VU some day, but that W German original CD is pretty schweet.
     
  6. DPM

    DPM Senior Member

    Location:
    Nevada, USA
    Mine arrived a few days ago, and I gave it an initial spin last night. This was my first exposure to this album, so I can't give any input vis a vis how it compares to other versions. Still, having stated that, this CD sounds scrumptious. For a mellow recording (overall) there's some serious low end going on, and the mids are full-bodied and warm. The vocals are the star of the show. The longtime fans of this album here on the forum have good reason to be pleased as punch.

    I wonder if the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young album is going to get a similar treatment.
     
  7. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialistâ„¢

    Location:
    B.C.
    As far as I can find the first remaster, catalog #82651, and the expanded edition, catalog #82522, were both released in 1994. So Far was released in 1990, 1992 and again in 1994 from I can tell.
     
  8. jonmayo15

    jonmayo15 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    Steve could do "Replay" I suppose. No Young material on there and a couple of cool remixes. It's really rare on CD though, and I'm not sure if the band themselves like it. But the remix of "Carry On" is a great "rock" remix.

    And of course there's always "Daylight Again". Can't imagine AF wouldn't want to do more CSN with the sales of this disc.
     
  9. MisterBritt

    MisterBritt Senior Member

    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM, USA
    I'm listening to it now. The only serious flaw that I can tell is that is still has has "Lady of the Island" on it.

    :laugh:

    I mean if they can airbrush Dallas Taylor's face out of previous editions, the least we could ask is they do the same to this song. But seriously, when it came on it did give me a chance to walk from the room and type this up. That tune actually sounds pretty good. Well, these are literally my first impressions upon putting it on.

    Speaking of Taylor, I was just thinking how cool it is when he counts the band in on the previous tune, "Wooden Ships." Or shall we suppose that is Steven Stills, patting his foot and all that? Maybe both. From what I am coming to understand, Stills was quite the taskmaster. Listening to "Wooden Ships," however, got me to thinking about the studio they were recording in. It sounds like a huge room. I don't know. I've never seen any photos of the sessions. I'm sure they are out there.

    Okay, "Helplessly Hoping" just came on as I make my little maiden voyage with this new disc. Boy, that sounds great. I have seen photos of the guys singing into their microphones. But not from this date, to my knowledge. The photos I have seen of how they work has them in an isolation booth. Are we to suppose this was done that way? And if yes, while the echo sounds great and natural -- is it?

    Well, so much of the low volume numbers. We have hit the straight-away and we're stepping up to the task. This next number, "Long Time Gone" sound best when attempting to shiver the timbers, so to speak -- though quite literally in my place, what with the vigas in ceiling and all. Ah, the tubes have warmed up in a most conducive and amiable fashion.

    I think I might have set off my neighbors motion detector late one night with this one. Either that or I chased a raccoon off the roof or something. Anyhow, we're going to see how hard the 16 orange glowing KT88s pull on this one through the B&Ws! Guys, I live for **** like this. Loving this album.

    And such ends our audition. Big thumbs up. The only issue I have, well aside from the inclusion of "Lady of the Island," is that I consider the volume need constantly be adjusted on the album -- not this remastering, per se -- because otherwise distortions of performance are introduced. I mean, the instruments don't sound true to me unless they are at something like the correct volume. So I'm running the volume up and down between songs. But such is the album as it was done. Nothing all that unique to this. Such are my thoughts; such is my report.

    -- Disc #1753 holder, delighted. :D
     
  10. stevemoss

    stevemoss Forum Resident

    There's a few photos from the sessions in this cool article with Bill Halverson about both Heider's Studios and recording "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes". Click the pics to embiggen.
     
  11. MisterBritt

    MisterBritt Senior Member

    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM, USA
    Oh, man. Thank you so much for posting those. That's exactly what I was wondering about. I wrote, microphones (plural), but yes, most of the shots I've seen have them all around one microphone. Thanks!
     
  12. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
    Just got mine from Amazon today--three days after ordering. #2965--a couple of broken teeth but otherwise perfect. Slapped in a new back case, threw it on my patio system, gotta agree with everyone else it's wonderful. The CSN album was always about the vocals for me but this version really makes you notice the musicianship too...:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
     
  13. bdiament

    bdiament Producer, Engineer, Soundkeeper

    Location:
    New York
    Hi Dave,

    As far as I know, I did the original CD release of "So Far" and I left Atlantic in 1987, so that first one was definitely earlier than 1990.

    Best regards,
    Barry
    www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
    www.barrydiamentaudio.com
     
  14. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialistâ„¢

    Location:
    B.C.
    Thanks Barry, it's very hard to find your original CDs out in the wild these days.
     
  15. efil2159

    efil2159 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Tokyo, Japan
    Hi. I've been listening to the AF disc for a couple days now and one thing I've noticed is that the fade-out on "Lady of the Island" sounds as if it's cut short a little before it completely fades out. Has anybody here noticed this also or is it only on my disc? I'm wondering if that is actually how the master tape sounds or what.
     
  16. fini

    fini Forum Resident

    Location:
    Rohnert Park, CA
    Were you trying to catch the throw from the FedEx guy?
     
  17. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
    :laugh: No, my guy's great. But it came USPS anyway.

    Listened a second time tonight. Mmmmm....identifiable bass notes....:thumbsup:
     
  18. drSeehas

    drSeehas Forum Resident

    Location:
    Germany
    Thank you for your clarification.

    Who remastered the 2006 Rhino HDCD (UPC 081227329020)?
     
  19. harmonica98

    harmonica98 Senior Member

    Location:
    London, UK
    #0940 arrived today from Amazon - a nice surprise before Christmas.

    I have no other reference point, but this sounds great to me. Other than the stellar vocals, the percussion sounds particular good. I hope everyone gets their copies before it's too late.

    Tom
     
  20. Willowman

    Willowman Senior Member

    Location:
    London, UK
    Got mine today also. I made the mistake of listening to it first on headphones (I never normally listen to this LP on 'phones.)


    The headphones exacerbated the extreme stereo placement of the instruments on some tracks. That, plus the increased fidelity, meant that on my first listen, I ended up picking out particular instruments and thinking - cor, that sounds good - rather than listening to the music as a whole.

    I've now had the chance to listen in a room through speakers, and it sounds terrific, and the stellar performances come through better than ever.

    The lyrics still annoy the crap out of me, though. Hippies :)
     
  21. Metralla

    Metralla Joined Jan 13, 2002

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Aw, man!
     
  22. pmckeeaalaska

    pmckeeaalaska Forum Resident

    Location:
    Anchorage, Alaska
    My copy was sent to Ohio instead of Alaska. I called Amazon yesterday and they are sending one overnight to me. It's out for delivery here in Anchorage now. Cant wait to listen to it! Most of all, I'm really looking forward t hearing the vocal harmonies on "Helplessly Hoping" which I think is their pinnacle vocal performance. I have the Damient mastering and it sounds fantastic on that CD, so I'm really anxious to hear what Steve has done.
     
  23. rburly

    rburly Sitting comfortably with Item 9

    Location:
    Orlando
    I don't think I mentioned it in my post, but Helplessly Hoping is one of my favorite songs on that album. I thing you'll get chills when your hear it on Steve's version. I never had it on CD before, but when I heard that alliteration on Steve's version, I never liked the song better!

    That song has a special meaning for me right now.

    You're gonna love this CD.
     
  24. pmckeeaalaska

    pmckeeaalaska Forum Resident

    Location:
    Anchorage, Alaska
    Agreed! Just got this CD about 30 minutes ago annd Helplessly Hoping was the first track I played. The vocals are just jaw-dropping and the seperation between the vocalists is very well defined. Guinevere is another amazing song vocally and this new mastering really makes it shine. This is easily my go-to version of this album now. Fantastic!!
     
  25. celtic1

    celtic1 New Member

    Location:
    United States
    If only they were corporate executives. How better the lyrics would be. Or maybe bankers.
     
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