Elvis Costello Early CD Masterings

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by strippies, Mar 30, 2019.

  1. ricks

    ricks Senior Member

    Location:
    127.0.0.1:443
    Hi @strippies, Here you go:

    Mastering #2 Matrix DIDP-20091 21 Japan for US

    77.1/78.9/77.8/74.7/88.9/82.5/76.0/91.9/84.7/77.2/93.0/98.1/100.0

    12/11/12/12/12/12/11/12/12/10/11/13/11
    Official DR value: DR12

    36:36.30
     
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  2. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Thank you. Do you have an opinion on the sound quality?
     
  3. ricks

    ricks Senior Member

    Location:
    127.0.0.1:443
    Hi, I think it compares quite favorably to IMP FIEND CD13. I found the EQ to be a bit more to my liking.
     
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  4. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Then I suggest you try the third Columbia digital master.
     
  5. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Been listening to the two Columbias and IMP Fiend of 'Trust'. Big difference between the first Col and the other two. Col1 has much more presence in the mid and upper frequencies, drums and voice sound much thinner. The IMP and Col2 have a much more bassy, duller sound and beefier drums.
    I wonder if this reflects the difference between the US and UK vinyl...
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2020
  6. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Some more information for those interested:

    According to Discography - The Elvis Costello Wiki the UK IMP Fiend cds were first issued in january 1986 except for 'Punch The Clock' and 'Goodbye Cruel World'. At that time the rights outside the North Americas of these two albums still lay with F-Beat, distributed by RCA which had released cd versions in 1984, pressed by Polygram West Germany.
    Also in 1984, apparently before the setup of US DADC, US Columbia issued these two albums on cds pressed in Japan. The first F-Beat/RCA Polygram WG cd issue of 'King Of America' followed in february 1986. Later in 1986 these three albums were also issued and pressed on F-Beat cds in Japan.
    Another few months later legalities must have changed because in september 1986 'Blood & Chocolate' was released as Fiend CD 80 on IMP Records, the only non compilation first press album on this label. Fiend CD re-issues of PTC, GBC and KOA followed in march 1987.

    Has someone established if IMP Records copied the digital masters of the F-Beat/RCA cds?
     
  7. Matty

    Matty Forum Resident

    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    I was equally young and dumb -- dumber, actually, since I didn't keep any of 'em, even though I had gone to the trouble of sending my early pressings to Columbia (for a while they let you exchange those early discs for the "silent," IMP-based remasters).
     
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  8. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Do you remember when the exchange was 'on'? Before 1989?
     
  9. Matty

    Matty Forum Resident

    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    I believe Columbia upgraded the Costello discs in (or about) 1989, so it would have been around then (I don't know how long the offer remained in effect). There was an article about the upgrade in the now-defunct ICE newsletter indicating that if you mailed in your old discs, Columbia would send you copies of the new versions, so I did. I added to the package an unrelated CD that had subpar audio quality (might have been Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits), hoping that there had been an upgrade of that, but there hadn't been; they gave me a new copy anyway.
     
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  10. InStepWithTheStars

    InStepWithTheStars It's a miracle, let it alter you

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Try to imagine a company replacing a CD now. They'd probably return whatever you sent with a 50-cents-off coupon for Spotify premium.
     
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  11. Duke Fame

    Duke Fame Sold out the Enormodome

    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Here's the Girls! Girls! Girls! (DADC Pitman) you requested:

    foobar2000 1.4.5 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
    log date: 2020-03-06 17:28:43

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Analyzed: Elvis Costello / Girls Girls Girls
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR14 -1.79 dB -18.43 dB 3:44 01-Watching the Detectives
    DR11 -1.47 dB -14.40 dB 3:08 02-I Hope You're Happy Now
    DR11 -2.09 dB -14.81 dB 3:21 03-This Year's Girl
    DR16 -0.52 dB -17.55 dB 2:19 04-Lover's Walk
    DR11 -2.26 dB -15.04 dB 3:15 05-Pump It Up
    DR14 -1.00 dB -15.99 dB 2:41 06-Strict Time
    DR12 -1.58 dB -14.71 dB 2:33 07-Temptation
    DR12 -1.97 dB -15.94 dB 3:10 08-I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea
    DR13 -0.49 dB -15.74 dB 2:28 09-High Fidelity
    DR13 -1.28 dB -16.38 dB 2:52 10-Lovable
    DR13 -0.06 dB -16.39 dB 1:41 11-Mystery Dance
    DR12 -0.79 dB -14.69 dB 3:11 12-Big Tears
    DR12 -2.11 dB -15.50 dB 3:23 13-Uncomplicated
    DR11 -2.21 dB -17.16 dB 3:32 14-Lipstick Vogue
    DR12 -1.40 dB -15.47 dB 5:28 15-Man out of Time
    DR13 -1.41 dB -17.07 dB 3:44 16-Brilliant Mistake
    DR15 -0.58 dB -18.28 dB 3:48 17-New Lace Sleeves
    DR13 -0.98 dB -15.68 dB 3:00 18-Accidents Will Happen
    DR12 -1.69 dB -15.79 dB 2:30 19-Beyond Belief
    DR12 -1.83 dB -16.31 dB 1:56 20-Black and White World
    DR16 -0.37 dB -19.67 dB 2:41 21-Green Shirt
    DR13 -0.93 dB -15.84 dB 2:46 22-The Loved Ones
    DR11 -1.61 dB -14.19 dB 2:13 23-New Amsterdam
    DR14 -0.01 dB -15.81 dB 2:49 24-(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
    DR12 -0.77 dB -15.45 dB 3:00 25-King Horse
    DR11 -3.25 dB -16.90 dB 2:12 26-Big Sister's Clothes

    DR14 -1.71 dB -20.36 dB 3:19 01-Alison
    DR12 -2.05 dB -15.51 dB 2:17 02-Man Called Uncle
    DR14 -0.10 dB -17.34 dB 3:23 03-Party Girl
    DR14 -1.13 dB -18.30 dB 4:44 04-Shabby Doll
    DR13 -1.09 dB -17.11 dB 2:31 05-Motel Matches
    DR13 -0.59 dB -16.10 dB 2:42 06-Tiny Steps
    DR12 -4.53 dB -20.40 dB 2:46 07-Almost Blue
    DR12 0.00 dB -15.03 dB 3:38 08-Riot Act
    DR15 -0.02 dB -16.87 dB 3:27 09-Love Field
    DR12 -0.53 dB -14.26 dB 2:05 10-Possession
    DR12 -2.22 dB -17.91 dB 4:08 11-Poisoned Rose
    DR12 -2.48 dB -18.54 dB 4:09 12-Indoor Fireworks
    DR13 -4.08 dB -21.37 dB 5:50 13-I Want You
    DR12 -1.01 dB -15.17 dB 2:58 14-Oliver's Army
    DR14 -5.60 dB -21.27 dB 3:44 15-Pills and Soap
    DR12 -2.30 dB -15.98 dB 3:22 16-Sunday's Best
    DR14 0.00 dB -16.12 dB 3:00 17-Watch Your Step
    DR16 -0.02 dB -19.19 dB 3:12 18-Less Than Zero
    DR13 -0.65 dB -16.65 dB 3:46 19-Clubland
    DR12 -0.87 dB -14.61 dB 6:26 20-Tokyo Storm Warning
    DR12 -2.34 dB -18.64 dB 4:51 21-Shipbuilding
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of tracks: 47
    Official DR value: DR13

    Samplerate: 44100 Hz
    Channels: 2
    Bits per sample: 16
    Bitrate: 725 kbps
    Codec: ALAC
    ================================================================================
     
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  12. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Thank you.
     
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  13. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Analyzed: Elvis Costello / Out Of Our Idiot (Demon FIEND CD 67, 1987)
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR11 0.00 dB -13.52 dB 2:38 01-Seven Day Weekend (Guest Star Jimmy Cliff)
    DR11 -2.12 dB -15.97 dB 3:21 02-Turning The Town Red
    DR13 -1.80 dB -17.52 dB 3:07 03-Heathen Town
    DR12 -1.39 dB -15.80 dB 3:40 04-The People's Limousine
    DR12 -0.92 dB -15.96 dB 3:27 05-So Young
    DR13 -0.66 dB -15.27 dB 2:29 06-Little Goody Two Shoes
    DR14 -0.72 dB -16.68 dB 3:35 07-American Without Tears No. 2
    DR14 -1.43 dB -17.55 dB 4:03 08-Get Yourself Another Fool
    DR13 -0.20 dB -15.72 dB 3:43 09-Walking On Thin Ice
    DR13 -3.73 dB -21.24 dB 3:16 10-Withered And Died
    DR13 -0.26 dB -15.30 dB 3:40 11-Blue Chair
    DR11 -2.17 dB -17.90 dB 3:17 12-Baby It's You (Guest Star Nick Lowe)
    DR13 -0.60 dB -15.35 dB 2:36 13-From Head To Toe
    DR13 -1.20 dB -16.68 dB 4:17 14-Shoes Without Heels
    DR12 -0.60 dB -14.00 dB 3:23 15-Baby's Got A Brand New Hairdo
    DR13 -0.40 dB -15.03 dB 3:00 16-The Flirting Kind
    DR13 -0.93 dB -16.39 dB 3:12 17-Black Sails In The Sunset
    DR16 -2.44 dB -21.72 dB 5:45 18-A Town Called Big Nothing (Really Big Nothing)
    DR10 -2.73 dB -14.69 dB 2:17 19-Big Sister
    DR13 -0.35 dB -15.44 dB 2:49 20-Imperial Bedroom
    DR11 -1.01 dB -14.19 dB 3:10 21-The Stamping Ground
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Number of tracks: 21
    Official DR value: DR13
     
  14. czeskleba

    czeskleba Senior Member

    Location:
    Seattle
    The F-Beat of KOA is definitely a different mastering than the later Fiend CD. I no longer own it to provide any stats, but my recollection is that it was thinner and brighter, and to my ears inferior (hence my decision to get rid of it and keep the Fiend).
     
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  15. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    I don't really like to quote unknown sources but according to this submission the last 5 tracks have the exact same fingerprint values as the Fiend CD and most of the others are close: Album details - Dynamic Range Database
     
  16. czeskleba

    czeskleba Senior Member

    Location:
    Seattle
    Hmm. I recall that the difference was notable enough that it caught my attention, even though I was not expecting there to be any difference. I had a full set of Fiend CDs back in the 90s, and like a fool I sold them when I acquired the Ryko remasters. About 12 years ago I decided to reacquire them, and when I was looking for a Fiend KOA I came across a copy of the F Beat and decided to buy that instead (figuring it would be identical to the Fiend). When it arrived I was disappointed in the sound which didn't seem characteristic of Fiend masterings and was different than I'd recalled my old Fiend CD sounding. So I proceeded to track down a Fiend CD also. When I compared them I found the sound to be different in the manner in which I described above. I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility I was wrong (I don't claim to have golden ears) but I would be pretty surprised since it didn't seem a subtle difference.

    I looked through my old PMs and it turns out I sold my F Beat copy to a member here, @onlyconnect . If he's willing to chime in and post a sound sample, we could verify whether the difference is real or a figment of my imagination.
     
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  17. onlyconnect

    onlyconnect The prose and the passion

    Location:
    Winchester, UK
    No time to do a sample right now but a quick look confirms that the first 8 tracks are different and the last 7 tracks are the same. This is side 1 vs side 2 of the vinyl.

    Tim
     
  18. InStepWithTheStars

    InStepWithTheStars It's a miracle, let it alter you

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Scored a few new Elvis CDs over the weekend. Here's what I got, along with DR logs:

    Get Happy!!
    Columbia CK 36347
    DIDP-070083 3
    Code:
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Analyzed folder: Get Happy!! (1989 - Columbia - CK 36347 - 0074643634724)
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     DR          Peak            RMS          Filename
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
     DR12     -3.12 dB    -17.15 dB    01 Love For Tender.wav
     DR11     -0.72 dB    -14.63 dB    02 Opportunity.wav
     DR13     -1.45 dB    -16.81 dB    03 The Imposter.wav
     DR13     -1.23 dB    -15.99 dB    04 Secondary Modern.wav
     DR12     -1.06 dB    -16.15 dB    05 King Horse.wav
     DR12     -1.31 dB    -15.29 dB    06 Possession.wav
     DR11     -2.33 dB    -15.81 dB    07 Man Called Uncle.wav
     DR13     -1.32 dB    -16.86 dB    08 Clowntime Is Over.wav
     DR11     -3.17 dB    -16.13 dB    09 New Amsterdam.wav
     DR13     -1.37 dB    -16.84 dB    10 High Fidelity.wav
     DR12     -1.73 dB    -16.15 dB    11 I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down.wav
     DR12     -3.10 dB    -17.57 dB    12 Black And White World.wav
     DR12     -2.61 dB    -17.39 dB    13 5ive Gears In Reverse.wav
     DR14     -0.90 dB    -18.05 dB    14 B Movie.wav
     DR13     -1.74 dB    -18.41 dB    15 Motel Matches.wav
     DR11     -1.39 dB    -14.70 dB    16 Human Touch.wav
     DR12     -5.75 dB    -18.84 dB    17 Beaten To The Punch.wav
     DR12     -2.29 dB    -15.93 dB    18 Temptation.wav
     DR11     -3.30 dB    -16.13 dB    19 I Stand Accused.wav
     DR12     -1.34 dB    -17.13 dB    20 Riot Act.wav
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
     Number of files:    20
     Official DR value:  DR12
    
    ==============================================================================================
    
    King Of America
    Columbia CK 40173
    DIDP 70030 11A3
    Code:
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Analyzed folder: King Of America (1986 - Columbia - CK 40173 - 0074644017328)
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     DR          Peak            RMS          Filename
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
     DR13     -1.28 dB    -16.67 dB    01 Brilliant Mistake.wav
     DR13     -1.35 dB    -16.30 dB    02 Lovable.wav
     DR13     -3.16 dB    -17.81 dB    03 Our Little Angel.wav
     DR14     -1.87 dB    -18.09 dB    04 Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.wav
     DR13     -1.34 dB    -15.72 dB    05 Glitter Gulch.wav
     DR11     -3.62 dB    -18.57 dB    06 Indoor Fireworks.wav
     DR11     -4.44 dB    -18.46 dB    07 Little Palaces.wav
     DR14     -1.79 dB    -19.65 dB    08 I'll Wear It Proudly.wav
     DR12     -2.14 dB    -15.82 dB    09 American Without Tears.wav
     DR13     -1.67 dB    -16.82 dB    10 Eisenhower Blues.wav
     DR12     -2.19 dB    -17.75 dB    11 Poisoned Rose.wav
     DR12     -1.92 dB    -15.82 dB    12 The Big Light.wav
     DR13     -1.00 dB    -17.85 dB    13 Jack Of All Parades.wav
     DR13     -0.40 dB    -16.63 dB    14 Suit Of Lights.wav
     DR15     -1.87 dB    -20.20 dB    15 Sleep Of The Just.wav
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
     Number of files:    15
     Official DR value:  DR13
    
    ==============================================================================================
    
    I also got Girls Girls Girls with DIDP-07309# matrix numbers (where # is the disc number), but disc 1 has skips on the last handful of tracks, so I'm not posting the DR logs. I'll re-rip it in a better disc drive and post the results when I know it's error-free. I also got an original Brutal Youth, but I think that only has one mastering.
     
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  19. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Same as my pressing from post #1. Still missing is the 1986 first Columbia pressing without a leading zero in the matrix.

    Same as my leading zero pressing from post #1 and
    KOA probably has only 1 Columbia mastering.
     
  20. InStepWithTheStars

    InStepWithTheStars It's a miracle, let it alter you

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Do we know if a leading zero exists for this one?
     
  21. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Mine from post #1: DIDP-070030 3
     
  22. InStepWithTheStars

    InStepWithTheStars It's a miracle, let it alter you

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Ah, missed that! Interesting. Is Girls Girls Girls known to have more than one mastering? It came out in '89, so I wouldn't think so, but maybe the Demon is different.
     
  23. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    The DADC Pitman is at post #111.

    Does the stereo image shift to the right in the DIDP-070083 3 Get Happy!! bother you?
     
  24. I’m not sure but be careful of CD rot as I recall there was a problem with it.
     
  25. InStepWithTheStars

    InStepWithTheStars It's a miracle, let it alter you

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Haven't listened much, but I did check the shaved peaks on "Opportunity". I expected it to be a simple case of digital clipping, but curiously, it looks like the tape that was transferred had perfectly shaved peaks. They aren't perfectly flat, nor do they happen at exactly the same level. I'd like to hear the original Columbia mastering.

    I've been listening to a lot of artists' early CDs recently, and compared to some of those discographies, Elvis's early discs are a walk in the park. Ever try to sift through the pre-1997 Kinks katalog? There ought to be university classes on understanding that stuff!
    Thanks for the warning, but it's a used CD that was sitting in a record store bin for at least six months (I remember it being there the last time I visited) and I didn't attempt to clean it before I popped it in. I have a very soft blanket that has gotten nearly unplayable CDs to rip cleanly, so I'll give the discs a few minutes with that and then try again. (I haven't even attempted disc two yet - that one could be fine.)
     
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