Nick Drake remasters

... and what about the 2007 Fruit Tree Box (the CD set, with the DVD)?
Is that a new mastering as well, or just a repackage job?

 

I'm happy with the 1979 box.
assuming you can't get the original vinyl
this is the best bet.
The sacd comp is good if you want digital.

 

I have not really heard any bad masterings on CD for Drake's catalog. There is very little difference in sound between the Hannibal CDs and the newer remastering, though I have not gone wild and heard the Japanese CDs. The older Hannibals are a touch more relaxed.

 

Well, I had the 1979 vinyl box which I thought sounded too muffled and therefore sold when I bought the 1986 Hannibal box which I then sold when I obtained the current "Fruit Tree" CD/DVD box.This one is actually the first of which I think it has been mastered directly from the master tapes(and not off copies).

In between I had vinyl of the "Five Leaves Left" album from Japan which in my opinion souds awful as it was mastered(badly)from a third generation tape.

So the current "Fruit Tree"is the one to go for as far as sound quality is concerned.

 

I really like the sound of the HNCD 4434, 4435 & 4436 CDs.

 

Thanks! to all for the info in this thread.

 

CD version is fine, apart from the fact it's incomplete and missing the 1974 tracks that all previous versions included. The vinyl was sourced from a 16/44.1 digital source and IMO is a waste of money and sounds crap. There is also a pressing defect at the start of Fives Leaves Left.

 

Yep

 

New Fruit Tree Box (2007) were " ... mastered directly from the master tapes" ?

This is the first that I've heard of this.
Can anyone else verify or chime in on this?

If so, I would think that this would be the way to go.

Thanks.

 

swedgin ...which FLL version has the pressing defect .... from the new 2007 Fruit Tree Box?
I'm looking for the CDs ... not vinyl.

 

Vinyl......

 

I prefer the originals but the remasters are no slouch either... either way, enjoy the music!

 

Originals for me. On my system the remasters just didn't sound right when turned up.

 

It's from a new digital transfer on the new box, but I believe the original mastertapes have always been used for Drake's releases.

 

great info and dialog in this thread; bumping because the winter season is perhaps the best season to enjoy Drake's music; not to mention, I found both Five Leaves Left and Pink Moon (for 3.95 and 5.95 USD respectively) in the used bins this week!

 

... and they do sound excellent - warmer than the Heyworth remasters. Little bit 'o hiss which I've limited by switching the fader to emphasize my rear speakers in my auto, dropping the front tweeter a bit. Sounds great CRANKED to a high volume.

A slight but distinct preference for the Hannibal/Ryko discs over the Island remasters.

 

The British originals are, not surprisingly, amazing. All the subsequent reissues are a real drop down. That having been said, the music is so gorgeous that I'm not sure it matters. Of the various CD reissues, I like the Hannibal box and the 2003/4 remasters.

 

Found the "Fruit Tree" box on Amazon for 35.99 --- think I'll take the plunge, for "Time of No Reply" (and the liner notes/pictures) alone.

 

You mean the reissue box set? It does only contain the three studio albums and the small book.

 

I believe it reads HNCD ( for Hannibal) not HDCD. And I think the stickers stating Not HDCD were added to avoid such confusion: unsuccessfully, it would seem from the trail of confusion on this thread...

 

interesting - the edition of "Fruit Tree" that I see on Amazon lists 4 discs (his studio discs+ the posthumous Time of No Reply).

Really loving the Time of No Reply material. Black Eyed Dog and Rider on the Wheel are incredible songs.

 

Just remembered - the fourth disc is the DVD.

 

appears to be different editions. here is the one with Time of No Reply as disc 4:

http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Tree-Nick-Drake/dp/tracks/B00000064P/ref=dp_tracks_all_4#disc_4

 

Alright, the one I was thinking about came in a thick cardboard box (the CD and vinyl version, both).