Why do people who get a duff copy post like the whole run must be dud? A replacement copy is far better 9 times out of 10. Some nasty repetitive pops on Empty Sky so that is going back. Yet to play Blue Moves. It's a pity GZ can't source textured covers. That is the main downer on these reissues as opposed to the ones repressed from the box set. None have sounded like a CD to me. I suggest wet cleaning any noisy or murky sounding pressing before passing judgement.
I got through The Big Picture and Empty Sky and they both sounded great. No issues. Nice sleeve work on TBP, it's a gatefold. Each half has a photo from the original CD booklet. There is a 12x12" insert which has the pages from the original CD book arranged in a grid on two sides with lyrics. Each album is in an anti-static sleeve. The labels on the records are based on the original CD - the very dark painting of Elton in a full coat. Empty Sky is not textured (but neither was S/T album) but is a gatefold with the lyrics inside. Vinyl has the DJM label on it. Blue Moves replicated original packaging with two lyric sleeves - though they don't have the rounded corners of the original. Labels are based on original with Rocket labels.
Could be by the batch - beware - my side 1 is atrocious - Tonight in particular. Rough song to have so much noise on. The rest of the lp's are pristine.
There were a couple really small pops in the very beginning but it was pretty quiet the rest of the way even during "Tonight". I had a similar noise issue with my don't shoot me I'm only the piano player. Very noisy. I returned it and got a replacement and it played perfectly.
Thnx for the report. I wet-cleaned mine but no difference. Exchanged so we'll see if the next is an improvement.
My luck so far has been: Elton John - few pops here and there in quiet passages and a couple repeating ticks...barely passable. Bought local with not great return policy. Tumbleweed Connection - The worst of the quality for me. Some nasty recurring issue during Talking Old Soldiers. Very hard to get past it honestly. Too bad, otherwise record mastering sounds great. Bought from Music Direct. Maybe I will try to exchange. Madman - perfect pressing Honky Chateau - one or two pops, otherwise perfect Captain Fanstastic - perfect pressing. so quiet. Caribou - side 1 excellent, haven't listened to side 2 yet Don't Shoot Me - both sides great. 1 or 2 pops Rock of the Westies - one or two pops. Great. Too Low for Zero - side one perfect. haven't listened to side 2 yet. Songs from the West Coast - listened to half. Sounds great. very quiet.
Bro??? you're not alone. Tonight is sucky right now...surface noise wise(pretty much the intro) but OMG the sound is ten times better than the 3 sealed MCA copies I picked up in the last three years. Will give my long-winded review soon. So far the sound is far far beyond my expectations. I am in awe.
They are £29.99 on Amazon UK. Played record 1. Some surface noise on side 1 but not intrusive on my set up. Certainly not muddy sounding as claimed elsewhere but rather not a little bright as one or two earlier EJ recordings are. Also warming to the music which visits a wider range of styles than much of his work. A bit more soul/funk influences but also tracks that are reminiscent of Tumbleweed Connection. Just not as commercial as the previous albums.
How does Blue Moves compare to original UK? I have an 'EX looking' original but disc 2 is noisy so I'm weighing up getting another one to see if I can get a quiet second disc or go for the reissue....?
Missed this earlier, sounds promising. The UK sounds pretty good though...but I won't buy it unless it's worth it.
What’s actually really funny to me now is that everywhere I surf on the web, NY Times , Facebook , Huffington Post etc , Blue Moves shows up teasing me to buy.
You're biggest mistake was "liking" NYT, FB and Hiuffington....LOL Just stick with us....somehow I bet (well probably not) that you will dig out Blue Moves out of the bin...although I am sure it's long gone...LOL
