DCC Archive DCC's "Court & Spark" is superb...

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Matt, Sep 25, 2001.

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  1. Matt

    Matt New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Illinois
    I remember awhile back someone praised the DCC release as being a better than even the HDCD edition. I finally got it, and man, it's a big improvement. I was skeptical and how much better it could be (with the added production and dubbing, Joni's singing could never sound as lifelike as it does on "Blue"), but you really do get that "breath of life" that isn't on the HDCD edition. It's still a real shame that album was recorded with solid-state instead of tube equipment.
     
  2. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Thanks. Glad you like it.

    Great album, solid state or not, eh?
     
  3. Sckott

    Sckott Hand Tighten Only.

    Location:
    South Plymouth, Ma
    I agree. Steve did something that cannot be duplicated with fast-moving-corporate-mastering-hands. That CD is exceptional and a great companion to "Blue".
     
  4. Matt

    Matt New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Illinois
    Yeah, yes it is a great album, regardless of solid-state. The first Joni Mitchell album I've ever heard, it's still one of my favorites from the 70's.
     
  5. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Here is a little tidbit about the song "Twisted" from Court And Spark.

    On the 16 track tape, Cheech and Chong are featured throughout the song, wisecracking all the while. I guess during the final mix, Joni got cold feet and wiped them out except in that one little spot. Probably just as well, but I wish she would authorize a Cheech & Chong version remix. A lot of folks would really like it, I think.....
     
    George P, Sean, tug_of_war and 10 others like this.
  6. GregM

    GregM The expanding man

    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Hey Steve, maybe you can encode Cheech to the left rear and Chong to the right rear if you do a surround version of this? Just a thought--and the traditional version could stay as is for two-channel.

    As much as I like her earlier, folk stuff, Court and Spark and Hissing of Summer Lawns are two of my favorite Jonis. Man, her voice can just play those heart strings.

    Still hoping for any SACD announcement from you guys. :)
     
    sunspot42 likes this.
  7. Sckott

    Sckott Hand Tighten Only.

    Location:
    South Plymouth, Ma
    Ya know another DCC that really sounds buttery too is (speaking of Cheech and Chong) is Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess With" complilation CD called "Gold In A Bottle". If I had "free reign" over what to produce, I would have done the same damn thing. It's "Don't Mess Around" plus a few very important cuts (not excluding deep ones too) from other ABC Lps. Cheech Martin was one of Jim's best buddies.
     
  8. MikeD

    MikeD New Member

    Location:
    Clifton, NJ
    Thanks for the tidbit Steve. It would be interesting to hear as a novelty, but I'm glad Joni got cold feet on that one.

    Chip
     
  9. Unknown

    Unknown Guest

    I love it... one of the best DCC remasters!!! :D
     
    audiomixer likes this.
  10. pigmode

    pigmode Active Member

    Location:
    HNL
    Thanks for the good news. I really like Court & Spark but I have no turntable to play my vinyl :o(. The HDCD sounds okay, but it's not quite right, imo.

    Anyway, I ordered the DCC version last week, so I can't wait till it gets here...
     
  11. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Reopened this oldie by request.. Here ya go.
     
    Sean and SoundDoctor like this.
  12. fenderesq

    fenderesq In Brooklyn It's The Blues / Heavy Bass 7-7

    Location:
    Brooklyn - NY
    I would like to hear a heavily Cheech & Chonged version; but I suspect the isolated banter as released would be more powerful... out of left field... the left field bleachers as it were. The boys in the bleachers flip their lids for you.
     
  13. Audioresearch

    Audioresearch Forum Resident

    Funny this tread is reopened today.
    I listened last night to the DCC Court and Spark and the dcc blue both are marvelous.
    I gave my old asylums to a friend and he is happy too
     
  14. Claus

    Claus Senior Member

    Location:
    Germany
    The best pressing.... like also the nice embossed artwork.
     
  15. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Wish I had mixed this version. It was really funny as I remember.
     
    Sean, tug_of_war and sunspot42 like this.
  16. smitquest

    smitquest Forum Resident

    Location:
    Lancaster, NY, USA
    dumb question - when you'd get the go ahead to 'remaster' a major-label catalogue release like this, would it have been customary for you to have access to the multi-tracks in addition to the actual masters?

    if so, i can only imagine how much fun one could have re-mixing...

    smitquest
     
  17. freq

    freq Forum Resident

    Is this DCC out on cd or only vinyl?

    About as near to a perfect production as I've ever heard. Pretty amazing lineup of musicians and techs on Court and Spark, here's a paste from wiki

    Joni Mitchell – vocals, acoustic guitar, piano; clavinet on "Down to You"
    Tom Scottwoodwinds, reeds
    Joe Sampleelectric piano; clavinet on "Raised on Robbery"
    Larry Carlton – electric guitar on all tracks except "Car on a Hill", "Raised on Robbery" and "Trouble Child"
    Max Bennett – bass guitar on all tracks except "Free Man in Paris", "People's Parties" and "Trouble Child"
    John Guerin – drums, percussion

    Additional personnel
    Chuck Findley – trumpet on "Trouble Child" and "Twisted"
    José Feliciano – electric guitar on "Free Man in Paris"
    Wayne Perkins – electric guitar on "Car on a Hill"
    Robbie Robertson – electric guitar on "Raised on Robbery"
    Dennis Budimir – electric guitar on "Trouble Child"
    Wilton Felder – bass guitar on "Free Man in Paris" and "People's Parties"
    Jim Hughart – bass guitar on "Trouble Child"
    Milt Hollandchimes on "Court and Spark"
    David Crosby – backing vocals on "Free Man in Paris" and "Down to You"
    Graham Nash – backing vocals on "Free Man in Paris"
    • Susan Webb – backing vocals on "Down to You"
    Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong – background voices on "Twisted"

    Technical personnel
    • Joni Mitchell and Henry Lewyproducers
    • Henry Lewy and Ellis Sorkin — engineers
    • Anthony Hudson — art direction, design
    • Joni Mitchell — cover painting
    Norman Seeff — photography
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2019
  18. Instant Karma

    Instant Karma Forum Resident

    Location:
    Florida
    Big fan of this album and Tom Scott and the LA Express. A great pairing of talent in my opinion. The DCC version sounds amazing and you get to really appreciate the fine musicianship by the backing group. I wish someone would do a hi res release of Tom Cat. That is one of my all time favorite instrumental albums.
     
  19. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Testing to see if we can still reply to DCC Archive stuff. Guess so.

    Oops, saw the post before this one from 2019. Confirmed..
     
  20. mwheelerk

    mwheelerk Sorry, I can't talk now, I'm listening to music...

    Location:
    Gilbert Arizona
    One of the classics of the era and this is THE classic issue
     
  21. bartels76

    bartels76 Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    CT
    Prefect sounding remaster for a perfect album. Thank you @Steve Hoffman
     
    George P likes this.
  22. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    In her Top 3, that's for sure! Can still play it with pleasure..
     
  23. speedracer

    speedracer Forum Resident

    Location:
    Cascadia
    I would lke to hear this! - Is the Hoffman remaster still available on cd, or any leads on where and what to lok for? I don't know the first thing about the acronyms I am seeing here. Any breadcumb trail appreciated thx
     
  24. Kristofa

    Kristofa Enthusiast of small convenient sound carrier units

    Location:
    usa
    I purchased mine in the classifieds here. It is my favorite version. I still keep my eye out for the DCC Blue.
     
  25. JohnT

    JohnT Senior Member

    Location:
    PA & FL gulf coast
    Got to see her live once in 74' at Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury LI.
    While Court and Spark was released in early 74', her set list included just one song, 'Peoples Parties'.
    I own the gold DCC cd and it's perfect. A classic.

    Edit: She also did songs with CSN&Y (same concert)
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2020
    Sneaky Pete likes this.
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