Hello, Steve?!? I’ve got a question about the 1993 DCC version of Pet Sounds and "Caroline, No"*

I got my hands on a used but perfectly good version of this cd recently, and like it very much; the warmth - but not total domination - of the bass, the odd revealing intricacy given the wall of sound production and ‘mono-ness’, but I have a question that I really can’t find an answer to ANYWHERE and I’m hoping that maybe Mr. Hoffman himself can answer...

Why was ‘Caroline, No’ split into two tracks, i.e.: the song itself and the dogs and train ending (the latter being named “Conclusion”? This doesn’t seem to have been repeated since, nor was this edit made previous to 1993 (correct me if I’m wrong, though). Mr. Hoffman himself kept the song as one track for the AF remaster in 2009 - why this time and not then? It just bugs me, that’s all. I’ve blended the two tracks on my iTunes library, so the total number of tracks for the DCC version numbers 14 instead of 15.

Anyway, I’d love to find the answer to the above, if anyone (Steve?! Pretty please??!?!) can offer any insight. Thank you!!

 

Wow. Thank you, that makes perfect sense. And thank you for your personal reply (and quickly!).

Since you’re on, can I ask one more question? I’m getting the AF CD for Christmas (CAN’T FREAKIN’ WAIT). I’ve read that it’s a HDCD. Will I still hear the benefits of this newer version, even though I’ve only got a standard CD player? Thank you.

 

I prefer "Caroline, No" -- possibly my favorite BB's song -- a separate track (and yes, I have the DCC CD ).

Why should we listen to Brian Wilson when it comes to the Beach Boys if he disagrees with me, anyway?

 

I like that the artist would care enough to at least do it this way "just this once", so there was at least a chance the marketplace would give consumers the choice (of course, only if they know the difference, and why). It's not like Brian can go re-commission new versions of the DCC master with the later fix.

I don't know what the print runs on these do to the artists' decisions as to "what if this time we...", but, do you suppose this was a whimsical thing for Brian, or is this a one-last-chance of fixing a long-time irritant for him.

 

You know what? I’m gonna rip those tracks to iTunes again, and leave them as they are - ‘Caroline, No’ and ‘Conclusion’ - if only to acknowledge that MR. STEVE HOFFMAN PERSONALLY REPLIED TO ONE OF MY POSTS!!!

Sorry, it’s a big deal to me!

Anyone else re: my question regarding the benefits of the rebook layer of the AF?? I’m getting it anyway, but it would be useful to know.

 

No peak extend on AF HDCD's, you'll only hear the mastering
If any benefits are to be found because of HDCD use it's the converter itself used, not if the 'little light' comes on
You're going to get the same mastering with or without-
So you're good to go

 

Great! Thanks, man!

 

Thank you again!

It’s gonna be a good Christmas!!

All the best

Tim

 

I’ve finally listened to the AF. It’s early days yet, but my God it sounds lovely. More ‘refined’ somehow - has the warmth of the DCC but with greater detail. A happy balance, really. Could well be the holy grail for me.

Merry Christmas Steve, and thank you for your work.

 

Happy Hanukkah to Steve and family as well.