Classic Records - a good choice?

What's the general consenus of opinion here on the forum regarding Classic Records vinyl releases? I saw the rather amusing 200g thread but that didn't really provide me with the info I'm looking for!

I don't own any of their pressings at the moment but I am thinking of taking the plunge with the Peter Gabriel releases that are coming. I did read somewhere that Virgin were going to do the vinyl reissues but now it looks like Classic are going to handle them. I've heard good things about the Classic Records LP's of Hendrix and Led Zep back catalogue material. I was also considering the Vanilla Sky soundtrack and possibly their "correct speed" version of Kind Of Blue. Anyone heard these???

Also, does anyone know where I can get a list of all the LP's Classic have put out - specifically rock/pop? Their website only appears to list currently available pressings. This in case I do like the Gabriel stuff and decide to hunt down some stuff I may have missed

 

I own several of the Classic Records lps including the entire Led Zeppelin catalog as well as some jazz titles. Now granted I haven't heard all the various pressing of these different lps but I think the quality of the Classic Record lps are pretty good. I too have preordered the Peter Gabriel titles and am anxious to hear them as well as the new 200 gram pressings.

There are several places to get their catalog online and I beleive there is a sale going on with some substantial savings. Check out these sites:


http://elusivedisc.com/
http://store.acousticsounds.com/
http://www.redtrumpet.com/main.php
http://www.dccblowout.com/dept.asp?dept_id=14-001-001

I would recommend buying a couple titles (especially while on sale) and decide for yourself. I think you'll be pleased. Good luck....

 

Thanks! I really appreciate your comments. I will get those PG titles on pre-order asap. There are a couple of specialist dealers I can source Classic titles from here in the UK, so I'll probably buy them locally. It's cheaper than importing them

 

The Classics are hit or miss IMO. There are some big winners in their catalog. Crosby Stills & Nash S/T album is the best version, LP or CD, available. Genesis "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is a fantastic reissue. The Zeppelin reissues are spotty. Zep 1 is amazing, 2 has too much funny stuff going on in the midrange (correctible with EQ, I think), 3 is rather harsh sounding, 4 is great but a tiny bit bright. Houses is one of the best, but I've gone through 2 copies and No Quarter has an awful lot of tics in the vinyl. Not enough for me not to recommend it. Physical Graffiti is bright, but like Zep III, I find myself enjoying it more now than when I first bought it (it's the best out there that I know of).

I've said it before that Classic's version of Muddy Water's Folk Singer is better than the MFSL, and I still think this is true. The mastering difference is slight, so I think the real difference is the RTI pressing. It's got to be the best sounding blues record ever. Muddy overloads the mics more than a few times with his powerful voice - he seems to be genuinely enjoying himself here.

If you like Hendrix, try to find the Mono Axis Bold As Love and the Band of Gypsies LPs. They are as good as you will hear anywhere. Gypsies in particular has an amazing sound.

I WOULD NOT recommend the Vanilla Sky purchase, because Classic masters these kind of comps often not from 1st gen tapes and they use digital copies too. It's much sloppier than their single artist releases. The same is true for the "Almost Famous" soundtrack.

Unfortunately, I missed out on quite a few Classic issues. I would snap up some goodies before the go out of print.

Mike

 

I agree that they are hit and miss but I'd say in all fairness they are mostly excellent. One that sounded pretty awful to me was Miles Davis Sketches of Spain. The classic is really bright. I also think thier clasical titles are a mixed bag.

 

Any reccomendations on the Stephen Stills material? If you had to choose just 2 Zep titles, which 2 would you choose?

 

Zep? II and III. Classic Records made both of these LPs sound well beyond what I've ever heard so far. The rest, I've heard normal US pressings sound close, IMHO.

Classic Records will always make incredible Jazz records though. Any Blue Note, Columbia or Verve reissue from them are absolutely fantabulous.

For Mile's "Spain", I have the 45RPM only, as well as an Absolute Analog release. Both are great and each has their own sound. I was able to get the Absolute Analog UK pressing from Trumpet for $12 or something. Very worth it. The 45RPM Classic Recs though, is king. I haven't heard the SACD yet.

 

now would be a good time to try some out

Classic is trying to sell out it 180g backlock at 33% off. I'm guessing this is so they can release 200g versions. All except the Led Zep and 45rpm issues.

Anyway, $30 ones are going for $20.

I recommend the Hendrix one. They are sold out directly, but other internet sellers are extending the sale so they may have one.

 

What about Kind of Blue? Have you heard the Classic version - if you have, how would you rate it?

 

Looks like I'll give the VS soundtrack a miss. At $45 it ain't cheap either!

 

How about Classic Records The Who's Quadrophenia? Any thoughts?

 

Their "Lady In Satin" is the best one out there. Wayyyyy superior to Sony's SACD release.

 

Did Classic do a version of that album? I wasn't aware they had but then again, I'm not familiar with their catalogue - it's certainly not listed on their website as a currently available title. Was it the original LP or the film soundtrack that Classic did? I have the recent Universal pressing but it's still factory sealed so can't comment on what it's like yet.

 

I think Universal has put out a 180 gr. pressing of this.

Red Trumpet has it listed. http://www.redtrumpet.com/software/item.php3?item=16678&sid=1144239716

 

Yes, they have indeed. It's a 180g LP pressed in Germany and I have a copy but haven't even opened it yet!

 

I certainly agree, though IMHO the tone is all wrong on both!!! Much too much midrange boost on II to my ears, though it's never far from the TT.

Mike

 

Yes! That's one fine sounding disc.

Kind of Blue (the new single disc version) is WAY too bright. Sizzling, searing highs, and noisy vinyl to boot. I'd stay away.

 

kipper15, what are waiting for? Open up that bad boy Quadrophenia lp and let us know how it sounds and what other lp release you are comparing it to. This is one of my favorite albums and I would love to know if it's worth getting.

Let us know man......

 

Patience is a virtue my friend Unfortunately I don't have another vinyl version to compare it to - only the remastered CD from a few years ago. I will give it a spin and let you know - the other German-made Universal titles I've played have been pretty good.

 

How are classic's versions of Sarah McLachlan's albums?

 

I just bought Zep I and Surfacing from Sarah McLachlan (and my amp doesn't even havce a pre-amp for a turntable right now!). Guess I have an excuse to change that now

 

Can anyone provide thoughts on Springsteen's Born To Run? I seem to recall Classic issuing this a few years back. Does it sound any better than the old stock issues, or the gold CD?

 

Didn't sound a whole lotta different to a good early pressing, one with at LEAST the mechanical stampers on it. Classic Recs did OK. Not worth $30.

 

For Kind Of Blue, I would try to seek out one of the older issues that Classic put out of this. As reported elsewhere in this thread and elsewhere previously on this forum, the new one is supposedly bright, though I haven't heard one myself. I do have the 2-LP 33 1/3 version (Classic's first version of KOB) with 1 LP reproducing the original side 1 and side 2, and the other LP reproducing the side 1 tracks using the correct pitch tape reels on side 3 and an alternate take of "Flamenico Sketches" on side 4. It sounds incredible, but it is out-of-print and is probably costly now, although you may get lucky and find one cheap. There is also the set of 4 12" single sided 45's that Classic issued. It only gives you one version of the side 1 tracks - sourced from the correct pitch tapes and is supposedly better than the 2-LP version I mentioned above, though I've never heard it. I've also never heard an original 6-eye so I can't say if the Classic is better or not.

 

Is the Classic KOB 45 RPM from the original off speed tapes or the new corrected speed tapes? There is a post before this one that says it is from the correct pitch tapes, but which one is "correct"? The one we have heard for 40 years or the one they corrected?