Surrounded On Sundays - 5.1/quad reviews and summaries

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by mark winstanley, Jun 15, 2019.

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  1. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    We probably have about 500 to go through. We'll get there :)

    I am sure that Wish you Were Here has been put in the polls. If Speaking In Tongues hasn't yet I would be surprised. I am kind of random in the polls, just trying to keep it as broad, musically, as I'm able, at any given time.
     
  2. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Oranges & Lemons
    [​IMG]
    Studio album by
    XTC
    Released
    27 February 1989
    Recorded 6 June – September 1988
    Studio Ocean Way Recording and Summa Music Group Studios, Hollywood
    Genre Pop rock psychedelic
    Length 60:50
    Label Virgin (UK)
    Geffen (US)
    Producer Paul Fox

    Oranges & Lemons is the 11th studio album and the second double album by the English band XTC, released 27 February 1989 on Virgin Records. It is the follow-up to 1986's Skylarking. The title (derived from the nursery rhyme of the same name) was chosen in reference to the band's poor financial standing at the time, while the music is characterised as a 1980s update of 1960s psychedelia. It received critical acclaim and became the band's highest-charting album since 1982's English Settlement, rising to number 28 in the UK and number 44 in the US.

    The album is primarily pop and rock, although a variety of other styles are plundered throughout, such as jazz, reggae, hard rock, Middle Eastern music and Zairean soukous. All of the songs were written by guitarist Andy Partridge, except three by bassist Colin Moulding. The work projected brighter, more upbeat and aggressive moods than Skylarking, and the harsher effect returned the group closer to the sound of their earlier records. Lyrically, most of the songs focus on parent-child relationships and the state of world affairs. Partridge's ornate vision for the psychedelic opening track "Garden of Earthly Delights" exemplified the album's general aesthetic, which he described as songs that could be singles in a "bizarre perfect universe".[1]

    XTC recorded the album in Los Angeles with American producer Paul Fox (his first major production job) and Mr. Mister drummer Pat Mastelloto. Recording lasted from June to September 1988, during which Virgin threatened to drop the project numerous times due to its growing expenses. Total production costs were estimated to be £180,000 (about a quarter million in US dollars). The cover art was intended to resemble the work of Heinz Edelmann, the art director for the 1968 film Yellow Submarine.

    Lead single "Mayor of Simpleton", a jangle pop song, reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their only US single to chart. It was followed with "King for a Day" (number 11 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks) and "The Loving" (no chart showing). The group embarked on a brief acoustic-guitar American radio tour and made their first live performances in front of an audience since 1982. One performance for MTV inspired the network to invite more artists to perform stripped-down sets, calling the series "unplugged". Afterward, the band tried to coax Partridge back into regular touring but were unsuccessful.

    XTC
    Additional musicians
    Technical
    • Paul Fox – producer
    • Ed Thacker – engineer
    • Clark Germain – assistant engineer
    • Joe Fiorello – assistant engineer
    • Tim Weidner – assistant engineer
    • Andy Partridge – sleeve
    • Dave Dragon – sleeve
    • Ken Ansell – sleeve
    • Sheila Rock – inner sleeve photography
    1. "Garden of Earthly Delights" 5:02
    2. "Mayor of Simpleton" 3:58
    3. "King for a Day" 3:35
    4. "Here Comes President Kill Again" 3:33
    5. "The Loving" 4:11
    6. "Poor Skeleton Steps Out" 3:27
    7. "One of the Millions" 4:42
    8. "Scarecrow People" 4:12
    9. "Merely a Man" 3:26
    10. "Cynical Days" 3:17
    11. "Across This Antheap" 4:49
    12. "Hold Me My Daddy" 3:47
    13. "Pink Thing" 3:48
    14. "Miniature Sun" 3:49
    15. "Chalkhills and Children" 4:59
    Total length: 60:50
    ----------------------------------------------
    The Last album we did of XTC was Black Sea, and from there they made the magnificent English Settlement, which again I really hope they can find the multitrack tapes for, because it really deserves this treatment. Mummer and The Big Express followed, which I also enjoy, and then came that wonderful Dukes album 25 o'clock which we also covered here.
    During the eighties the band had a lot of financial issues and litigation issues involving management. Those kind of things tend to make life difficult for a band, but also often condense into fertile writing and recording periods.
    This brings us up to the 1986 album Skylarking, and the second Dukes album, that Partridge was reluctant to make Psonic Psunspot. This brings us to Oranges and Lemons.
    The band toured Us radio stations playing acoustic sets, and they appeared on David Letterman. They were also supposed to play a little 5000 seat gig that was going to be televised but Partridge pulled out. No matter how hard the band tried they couldn't persuade Partridge to get back into any regular touring. It's such a shame, I do completely understand the anxiety involved in going on stage but if you organise your set properly to get your confidence up, it isn't that difficult to get through it, and even enjoy it greatly.
    Here is Xtc on Letterman, such a rare thing, it is worth sharing I think.


    It's really funny how time gets away form you, I have had this for four years now. I think it has had two listens, I do enjoy it, it is merely a time thing, getting up at 4-4:30 on a Sunday has been very worth it :)

    This album is still available new! woohoo
    Amazon has it for $14.35 https://www.amazon.com/Oranges-Lemons-Remixed-Expanded-Xtc/dp/B013M0ODIO
    Burning Shed has it for about 16pounds Oranges And Lemons
    Acoustic Sounds has it for about $30 XTC-Oranges Lemons-Blu-ray|Acoustic Sounds
    Discogs has it for about $17 XTC - Oranges & Lemons

    Xtc are another band that have really been giving the fans value for money with these sets. Like Crimson and Tull, it seems they value their legacy and want folks to hear it, rather than, they think their legacy is valuable and charge like wounded bulls for the anyone to have the honour to hear it ... but anyway ...

    The cd is the 2015 stereo mix.
    The bluray has the 5.1 mix that we are here for this morning, but it is worth seeing all the extra bits and pieces.
    2015 5.1 Mix
    BLU-1 Garden Of Earthly Delights
    BLU-2 The Mayor Of Simpleton
    BLU-3 King For A Day
    BLU-4 Here Comes President Kill Again
    BLU-5 The Loving
    BLU-6 Poor Skeleton Steps Out
    BLU-7 One Of The Millions
    BLU-8 Scarecrow People
    BLU-9 Merely A Man
    BLU-10 Cynical Days
    BLU-11 Across This Antheap
    BLU-12 Hold Me My Daddy
    BLU-13 Pink Thing
    BLU-14 Miniature Sun
    BLU-15 Chalkhills And Children
    2015 Stereo Instrumental Mix
    BLU-16 Garden Of Earthly Delights
    BLU-17 The Mayor Of Simpleton
    BLU-18 King For A Day
    BLU-19 Here Comes President Kill Again
    BLU-20 The Loving
    BLU-21 Poor Skeleton Steps Out
    BLU-22 One Of The Millions
    BLU-23 Scarecrow People
    BLU-24 Merely A Man
    BLU-25 Cynical Days
    BLU-26 Across This Antheap
    BLU-27 Hold Me My Daddy
    BLU-28 Pink Thing
    BLU-29 Miniature Sun
    BLU-30 Chalkhills And Children
    2015 Stereo Mix
    BLU-31 Garden Of Earthly Delights
    BLU-32 The Mayor Of Simpleton
    BLU-33 King For A Day
    BLU-34 Here Comes President Kill Again
    BLU-35 The Loving
    BLU-36 Poor Skeleton Steps Out
    BLU-37 One Of The Millions
    BLU-38 Scarecrow People
    BLU-39 Merely A Man
    BLU-40 Cynical Days
    BLU-41 Across This Antheap
    BLU-42 Hold Me My Daddy
    BLU-43 Pink Thing
    BLU-44 Miniature Sun
    BLU-45 Chalkhills And Children
    Flat Transfer Of Original Mix
    BLU-46 Garden Of Earthly Delights
    BLU-47 The Mayor Of Simpleton
    BLU-48 King For A Day
    BLU-49 Here Comes President Kill Again
    BLU-50 The Loving
    BLU-51 Poor Skeleton Steps Out
    BLU-52 One Of The Millions
    BLU-53 Scarecrow People
    BLU-54 Merely A Man
    BLU-55 Cynical Days
    BLU-56 Across This Antheap
    BLU-57 Hold Me My Daddy
    BLU-58 Pink Thing
    BLU-59 Miniature Sun
    BLU-60 Chalkhills And Children
    Album In Demos & Work Tapes Form
    BLU-61 Garden Of Earthly Delights
    BLU-62 The Mayor Of Simpleton
    BLU-63 King For A Day
    BLU-64 Here Comes President Kill Again
    BLU-65 The Loving
    BLU-66 Poor Skeleton Steps Out
    BLU-67 One Of The Millions
    BLU-68 Scarecrow People
    BLU-69 Merely A Man
    BLU-70 Cynical Days
    BLU-71 Across This Antheap
    BLU-72 Hold Me My Daddy
    BLU-73 Pink Thing
    BLU-74 Miniature Sun
    BLU-75 Chalkhills And Children
    Extra Demos & Work Tapes
    BLU-76 The Good Things
    BLU-77 Living In A Haunted Heart
    BLU-78 Skeletons
    BLU-79 Blue Beret
    BLU-80 Way Of The World
    BLU-81 Everything
    BLU-82 REM Producer Enquiry (First Version Of The Mayor Of Simpleton)
    BLU-83 The Mayor Of Simpleton (Early Version)
    BLU-84 Miniature Sun (Early Version)
    BLU-85 Miniature Sun (Early Version)
    BLU-86 Pink Thing (Early Version)
    BLU-87 Was A Yes
    BLU-88 Miller Time
    BLU-89 Child's Crusade
    BLU-90 Rousseau (Early Version Of My Paint Heroes)
    BLU-91 My Paint Heroes
    BLU-92 Chapel Lane Radio
    BLU-93 In Another Life
    BLU-94 This Is The End
    Rehearsals At Leeds Studios L.A.
    BLU-95 Antheap 1
    BLU-96 Antheap 2
    BLU-97 The Good Things
    BLU-98 Working On Chalkhills And Children
    BLU-99 Working On One Of The Millions
    BLU-100 Working On Pink Thing
    BLU-101 Working On This Is The End
    BLU-102 Working On Miniature Sun
    BLU-103 Merely A Man
    Promo And Id Work
    BLU-104 Us And Canadian Radio IDs
    BLU-105 Canadian Radio IDs
    BLU-106 Geffen Merry Christmas Song
    BLU-107 Geffen Psychedelic Christmas
    Other Recordings
    BLU-108 Ella Guru
    BLU-109 My Train Is Coming (Demo Recording)
    BLU-110 The Mayor Of Simpleton Rough Mix (Dave's Guitar Only. Andy Guide Vocal)
    BLU-111 King For A Day (Czar Mix)Remix [Uncredited] – Ivan Ivan
    BLU-112 King For A Day (Versailles Mix)Remix [Uncredited] – Ivan Ivan
    BLU-113 King For A Day (12" Mix)
    Videos
    BLU-114 The Mayor Of Simpleton (UK Version)
    BLU-115 The Mayor Of Simpleton (US Version)
    BLU-116 The Mayor Of Simpleton (Long Version)
    BLU-117 King For A Day
    BLU-118 The Road To Oranges & Lemons
    Hidden Track
    BLU-119 My Train Is Coming (Recorded Live At Ocean Way Studio With Mike Keneally On Guitar)

    Even at $30 that is good value for money in my book.

    This is another Steven Wilson 5.1 project

    We have a dts master audio and pcm 5.1... it started automatically on the dts track, so I went with it.
    So without further ado

    Garden Of Earthly Delights
    We start with a rising sonic swirl in all channels, and it bounces in to the song really well.
    Percussion up front and a snare sound that sort of moves across the centre of the sound field, mainly right side.
    We get all sorts of wonderful effects all over the place.... the album came after the Dukes, but hearing this is light of now having heard the Dukes, this could have been part of that from a mix and music perspective.
    This is a great song, and this mix is marvelous.

    Mayor Of Simpleton
    This is a great song also.
    Drums and vocal up front.
    A guitar on either side. They are playing different parts, so it works really well. Bvox in the rears.
    A very good balanced mix. It doesn't have the psychedelics of the first track, but sounds great.

    King for a Day
    Gtr left side playing a riff. Chordal gtr, just left of front left.
    Beautiful blending of backing vocals in rears with the main front vocal.
    Floor tom right.
    A nice section of layered vocals all round.
    Some percussive effects around the field.
    Another really nice mix.

    Here Comes President Kill Again
    We start with a death march up front on the drums with a swelling musical section in the rears, and it's a very good effect.
    A slower track.
    Horns on either side.
    Guitar on right.
    Another really nice balanced mix.

    The Loving
    We start with a faux live thing, crowd in rears.
    Guitars either side.
    More really nice layered vocals covering the field.
    A little slide gtr on the right.
    Again we get a really nice mix that is a pleasure to hear.
    When I got this set, it was the first time I had head this album.
    Revisiting it again is turning into a really nice exercise, because now the songs have the familiar comfortable feel.
    Great stuff.

    Poor Skeleton Steps Out
    Bass up front. A series of percussive section spreading from left side all the way around to the right. Bvox rears.
    Bass? Riff rears...
    Synth across middle.
    This track is an exercise in rhythm and percussion, with a nice melodic infusion of vocals.
    Another really nice mix.

    One of the Millions
    Bell on the left rolls around to the right. Gtrs swell either side. Pulsing sound slowly moves from left to right and back.
    The sub isn't working hard on this album, but we have good presence.
    Percussive elements either side. The drums are up front.
    Horn left with fx send to the right.

    Scarecrow People
    Nice sitar-ish guitar left side.
    Percussive elements either side.
    A really nice drum playing the roll of a tom, but warmer and deeper, is kind of right on top of my head ... unusual but really effective.
    The use of spread percussion on here is excellent.
    Gtrs either side.
    This is all great, but this mix is really very interesting, in a good way.
    Thanks for participating in the thread guys, I am loving this immersive dive into immersion!

    Merely a Man
    Clicking gtr right.
    Other guitars either side.
    More rears percussion.
    You can really hear the residue of the Dukes albums on here.
    Horns in rears. I thought the horns sounded almost synthesized, but checking the credits I assume they are real .... not a criticism, just an observation.

    Cynical Days
    Vocal starts us upfront.
    Percussion left. Organ just left of left front. Nice guitar right side.
    Nice muted trumpet, gives a cocktail lounge vibe.
    This is a cool song.
    Bvox in the rears.
    Good stuff

    Across This Antheap
    Vocal up front. Muted trumpet right side.
    Song gives the impression that we are keeping the cocktail lounge vibe and then bursts into a quirky pop/rock thing.
    Percussion all around.
    Riff gtr just right of front right.
    Little synth stabs either side.
    Lots of very cool bvox around the field.
    Trumpet comes back in the rears.
    Another great mix. This is really a great mix, and a great album to boot.
    Drums kind of play off against each other in the rears, alternating sides, very effective fade out.

    Hold Me My Daddy
    Hold me bvox either side. Gtr just left of front left. Vocal comes in upfront.
    Gtrs either side.
    This is a slightly less full on mix, but effective for the song.
    Bvox rears.
    Then we get a very immersive set up.
    Gtr right rear, percussion right side bvox rears ... nice work.

    Pink Thing
    Claps in rears. Gtrs either side.
    This is probably a slightly lesser song in some ways ... but at this stage, I reckon we already got our value for money.
    Some nice surround bvox.
    Percussion either side.

    Miniature Sun
    Percussion all round, but more left.
    Synths either side. Horn sounds either side.
    Bvox rears.

    Chalkhills and Children
    Synth swell up front. Then chordal synth either side rears.
    Hats left rear.
    Vocals in rears and front.
    Shimmering percussion on rears.
    A really nice wide spread of drums in the fade out rolling left side and right side.
    Another excellent mix.

    I would think anyone raving about the Dukes release would want to have this album. There is a certain amount of psychedelic residue here. It isn't quite as crazy in the mix as the Dukes, but it is every bit as engaging. I feel comfortable putting this in the highly recommended albums. I think the first three quarters of the album is quite sensational from a surround and a mix perspective.
    Pink thing, to me, is a throwaway, and Miniature Sun and Chalkhills and Children are both very good, but lean more in a slightly jazzy ... almost Steely Dan being a little weird direction.
    Excellent album, great mix, great sound.
     
    ti-triodes, DPM, zobalob and 2 others like this.
  3. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Tarkus

    [​IMG]
    Studio album by
    Emerson, Lake & Palmer
    Released
    14 June 1971[1]
    Recorded January 1971
    Studio Advision Studios, London
    Genre Progressive rock[2]
    Length 38:55
    Label Island
    Producer Greg Lake

    Tarkus is the second studio album by the English progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released in June 1971 on Island Records. Following their 1970 European tour, the group returned to Advision Studios in London, in January 1971, to prepare material for a new album. Side one has the seven-part "Tarkus", with a collection of shorter tracks on side two.

    Tarkus went to number one in the UK Albums Chart, peaked at number 9 in the US, and reached number 12 in Canada on two occasions totalling 4 weeks.

    Emerson, Lake & Palmer began to work on their second studio album in January 1971.[3]

    The "Tarkus" suite caused tensions within the band—Lake objected to the music Emerson was developing and nearly left the group over it; one of the band's managers persuaded him to stay. He eventually came to see the work's value, and even contributed the "Battlefield section".[4]

    "Tarkus" is a suite in seven parts—one of the earliest multipart progressive-rock suites. The recorded version lasts nearly 21 minutes and takes up a full side of the album. The odd-numbered sections are instrumentals, and the even-numbered ones vocal tracks. It is a concept piece the idea for which is gleaned not from the music and lyrics alone, but also from the album artwork and the section titles; nevertheless the concept and narrative remain ambiguous and open to interpretation. The second side of the album is made up of short songs unrelated to "Tarkus" or to each other.[4]

    Emerson, Lake & Palmer
    Production
    1. "Tarkus"
    • "Eruption" (Emerson)
    • "Stones of Years" (Emerson, Lake)
    • "Iconoclast" (Emerson)
    • "Mass" (Emerson, Lake)
    • "Manticore" (Emerson)
    • "Battlefield" (Lake)
    • "Aquatarkus" (Emerson)"
    Emerson, Lake 20:46
    2. "Jeremy Bender" Emerson, Lake 1:57
    3. "Bitches Crystal" Emerson, Lake 3:59
    4. "The Only Way (Hymn)" Emerson, Lake 3:47
    5. "Infinite Space (Conclusion)" Emerson, Palmer 3:23
    6. "A Time and a Place" Emerson, Lake, Palmer 3:03
    7. "Are You Ready, Eddy?" Emerson, Lake, Palmer 2:12
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    ELP were a bit of a phenomenon in the seventies, but it seems that these days they aren't thought of as fondly. Three very talented musicians that pushed the limits of what the audience may want to hear. Tarkus is actually my second favourite ELP album, after Brain Salad Surgery.

    The band came together in 1969 when The Nice and King Crimson played together at the Fillmore West. Emerson and Lake were both looking for something different. they approached Mitch Mitchell, of the Hendrix Experience fame, and Mitchell suggested that they get Jimi involved ... it was spoken about but never eventuated.... Imagine HELM - Hendrix-Emerson-Lake-Mitchell ... that really leaves the imagination wandering as to what they could have put together, but I imagine Hendrix and Emerson would have had some issues working together, as it is rare two leaders work together easily. Anyway, it never eventuated.

    They auditioned drummers but couldn't find what they were looking for, Emerson asked their manager Tony Stratton Smith for suggestions and Carl Palmer of atomic Rooster, and previously The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown was suggested.

    Initially Pictures At An Exhibition was supposed to be the second Album, but the record company was not keen to release a classical piece of music that "wouldn't sell". The band were offered a separate label release, but decided against it. Their reasoning being that they didn't want people thinking they couldn't write and just did classical music. So Pictures was held off until after Tarkus. Pictures itself is a marvelous album, and we may well look at it at some point, as it is an interesting release in itself. It has a concert of the piece of music recorded at the Lyceum dec 9 1970, but also an orchestral 5.1 of the piece of music by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine ... but anyway, today is Tarkus.

    Sadly another out of print album. I bought this in 2012, and I assume that is the year it came out.
    It is available on Amazon from about $75 https://www.amazon.com/Tarkus-Deluxe-Emerson/dp/B008FPZQRO
    On Discogs European pressing, from about $40 Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Tarkus
    On Discogs the US pressing from about $55 Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Tarkus

    This is another Steven Wilson 5.1 mix
    I believe and please forgive me if I am wrong, that Wilson wasn't really a big fan of the band or something. So this is the only ELP album that Wilson did.

    This is a dvd audio

    Tarkus
    A really nice slow swell, with cymbals in the rears.
    Organ up front, piano rears, synth in rears.
    Nice balanced mix.
    Nice wide drum mix. Cymbals in the rears.
    Lakes vocals up front with effects sends to rears. Piano left side.
    Staccato organ across the middle.
    This is a very Emerson oriented piece, but everyone's contributions really add to it.
    Organ run goes from right rear to front left.
    In the change the drums are all around and the layers of keyboards are also everywhere.
    Then we get a nice guitar riff in the rears.
    Vocals up front. Drums upfront with bits and pieces in the sides.
    Organ lead break of sorts in the rears, covering the full width, with a nice key slide running across the back.
    Some nice power chords up front.
    Cowbell in the rear.
    Lake vocal up front effects in rears.
    Piano in the rears, organ upfront.
    I have head folks say they are dissatisfied with this mix, but I really like it. It is different, but balanced and immersive, and I am not sure what more one could ask. Perhaps a clarifying mix like the crimson king mix from last week.
    A nice drum break across the rears.
    Some nice lead guitar across the centre.
    Lots of front and rears action here, and Lakes vocals are excellent.
    Drums are getting some nice field spread and it sound natural and good to me. Lead guitar over on the left... now there is a couple of lead guitars on either side.
    Vocal comes back in upfront with fx sends to the rears.
    We break down to an organ upfront... then a couple of unusual key sounds either side.
    I can see how some may think this has aged, but that isn't something that I really pay much attention to.
    We get a sort of military snare march up front with the three keys around us... the drums fade out, and we are left with a synth in the rears and then just the snare upfront.
    Then we burst into a reprise of the opening theme.
    For me this works really well, and is very immersive... I never had an original stereo album, so I can't compare the mix from that perspective.

    Jeremy Bender
    Studio chatter up front.
    Honky tonk kind of piano across the rears.
    Bass, vocals and drums upfront.
    Unusual handclaps all round.

    Bitches Crystal
    Fade up of pretty sounding keys.
    Piano all round, synth swell in the rears.
    We get the piano in the rears. Synth swell across the middle.
    I can hear how Brain Salad Surgery developed from this writing.
    Music box up front piano, full blown on the rears. Synth swell on the left.
    Siren like synth upfront.

    The Only Way/Infinite Space
    Cathedral organ upfront, swells around us.
    Then cathedral organ ip front, and another organ in the rears.
    A great vocal by Lake with splashy reverb to the rears.
    Bass upfront in the change, piano right rear.
    Piano across rears, bass and drums up front.
    The two songs mesh as one to me.
    The mixing on this is immersive to the point of literally being inside the mix.
    I like it a lot.

    A Time And A Place
    Organs left right and front.
    Vocals upfront.
    Drums upfront.
    Balanced and immersive.
    Organ lead break on the right.
    Good mix.

    Are you Ready, Eddy?
    A rock and roll song.
    Bvox rears.
    Vocals upfront with fx sends to rears.
    Emerson does his version of Jerry Lee.
    Some swirling and movement.

    Oh My Father
    This sounds almost like sixties Bee Gees.
    Nice.
    Vocals front fx to rears.
    Bvox rears. Drums upfront with a nice spread to sides. Nice gtr lead break.
    Pianos either side.
    Good song, surprised it missed being on the album.

    I really like this album, even the odd little songs that ELP liked to add to their stuff. I guess the mix may be seen by some to be a little erratic, but in reality the music is a little erratic, so for me it suits.
    I don't really hear any problems with the mix at all, and it is certainly immersive. I would imagine any big fan of ELP would really like this. The addition of Oh My Father on the 5.1 version is, to me, a better way to end the album than the lighthearted Are You Ready Eddy?
    I like this, and reckon it's worth having.
     
  4. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    In Cauda Venenum

    [​IMG]
    Cover art by Travis Smith
    Studio album by
    Opeth
    Released
    27 September 2019
    Recorded November 2018 – January 2019[1]
    Studio Park Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
    Genre Progressive rock[2]
    Length 67:44
    Language English Swedish
    Label Moderbolaget Nuclear Blast

    In Cauda Venenum (Latin for "Venom in the Tail") is the thirteenth studio album by Swedish progressive rock band Opeth, released on 27 September 2019 through Moderbolaget and Nuclear Blast.[3] It was released in two versions: a Swedish language version and an English language version.[4] The band will tour in support of the album throughout 2019.[5]

    The album was recorded in November 2018 at Park Studios in Stockholm.[6]

    The album received a score of 10 out of 10 from Wall of Sound, who stated it was "the best album the band has ever created in their prog era".[13]

    Opeth
    English version
    1. "Garden of Earthly Delights" 3:29
    2. "Dignity" 6:35
    3. "Heart in Hand" 8:30
    4. "Next of Kin" 7:08
    5. "Lovelorn Crime" 6:34
    6. "Charlatan" 5:29
    7. "Universal Truth" 7:21
    8. "The Garroter" 6:44
    9. "Continuum" 7:23
    10. "All Things Will Pass" 8:31
    Total length: 67:44

    Swedish version

    1. "Livets trädgård" 3:29
    2. "Svekets prins" 6:35
    3. "Hjärtat vet vad handen gör" 8:30
    4. "De närmast sörjande" 7:08
    5. "Minnets yta" 6:34
    6. "Charlatan" 5:29
    7. "Ingen sanning är allas" 7:21
    8. "Banemannen" 6:44
    9. "Kontinuerlig drift" 7:23
    10. "Allting tar slut" 8:31
    Total length: 67:44
    --------------------------------------
    I am very new to Opeth. I would have avoided their earlier work, because I prefer singing to growling, but what I have heard of their post growl music, I like very much.
    I haven't studied their lyrics, but I kind of assume that they aren't necessarily my thing, but I can enjoy the delivery of the lyrics and the prog styling of the music.
    I bought this on a whim after enjoying Pale Communion from a surround and musical perspective.

    This was only released in September, and unfortunately this is one of those releases where the surround mix is only in the deluxe box with
    2cd's - Swedish vocal and English vocal
    2x double records Swedish and English vocals
    and a bluray audio with Swedish and English vocals.
    The box is nicely presented with the ominous artwork looking very nice. The internals are reasonable simple, without fancy bits and pieces
    [​IMG].
    I think this is the first time I have listened to it, merely due to time constraints. I did listen to the album on my drive to Destin, which is what led me to buy some Opeth stuff.

    This is still available new
    Burning Shed about 65 pounds In Cauda Venenum
    Napalm Records for about 70 Euros opeth in cauda venenum vinyl boxset
    Discogs for about $72 Opeth - In Cauda Venenum
    Amazon has it for about $63 https://www.amazon.com/Cauda-Venenum-Box-Set-VINYL/dp/B07TPYWZGG/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=CjwKCAiA5o3vBRBUEiwA9PVzauc2Kk_SU4saCLrWw1ro8wYJmPea8WaoeuDd9syPtlcDY8zG2iGe7hoCJE0QAvD_BwE&hvadid=384722547511&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9025852&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1o1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=8454491077144061064&hvtargid=aud-836690481282:kwd-813954356828&hydadcr=14162_9782501&keywords=opeth+in+cauda+venenum+vinyl&qid=1575209942&sr=8-1

    I assume if this is a popular release that the value will rise over time ... so perhaps for the more thrifty of you buying two copies and keeping on in the plastic wrap, you may get your money back down the track.... that isn't really how I work, but it does make sense in some ways ... depending on how many pressings there are and how soon it may go out of print, if it does... I don't know, just throwing it out there.

    I can't see any details of who did the 5.1 ... if there is something on the disc, I will let you know.
    I'm listening to the English version, because that is my language, but people tell me the Swedish is better....

    Garden Of Earthly Delights
    Synth swell leads us in, with a kind of choral effect.
    This moves into the rears.
    We get some bell tones up front, and a pulsing sequencer type sound also.
    Then some nice sounds of a few people and someone walking on gravel go around us.
    A single synth up front.
    A child speaks... and then we move to the second track.

    Dignity
    We burst in here.
    Synth up front. We get a spoken foreign language, front, then left rear, then right rear.
    Then we get a nice lead break.
    An acoustic guitar comes in up front.
    A delicate vocal upfront also.
    Bell- like synth in the rears.
    Cymbal swell to the rear.
    Nice piano run right side.
    Then the crunch kicks in.
    The vocals have sends to the rears.
    The mainline of guitar drums and bass is upfront. With synth in the rears. Bvox in the rears.
    Laughter breaks out in the rears and cuts off

    Heart In hand
    We get another foreign spoken section to start this. Front right, then rear left.
    The mainline is across the front again.
    Gtr right, different gtr left. Bvox in the rears.
    We move into a wall of sound, and get some squawl synth in the left rear.
    It moves into an acoustic section.
    We have an effected vocal coming through front and rears.

    Next Of Kin
    A voice on the rear.
    Some layered reverse vocal effects up front.
    Then we punch into a steady groove.
    Back to the acoustic section.
    Synth following melody line in the rears.
    Cymbal left rear.
    Bvox in rears, and an orchestral type sound in the rears also.
    Electric piano upfront to fade us out.

    Lovelorn Crime
    Piano rear left. Vocals upfront.
    Gtrs either side.
    Piano upfront now. Strings and synths on the sides an rears.
    Vocal melodic moan up front, with effects send to right rear.
    Really nice lead break.

    Charlatan
    We open with drum and guitar riffage.
    Synth left rear. Spoken tape inserts in rears.
    The mainline upfront again.
    Synth in rears.
    Spoken inserts on either side of the rears.
    Synth pad upfront.
    Choir comes in upfront to fade.

    Universal Truth
    Vocals front effect sends rears.
    Synths sides.
    Mellow section with guitar and vocal front, with synths strings in the rears and sides.
    Synth left rear, vocal tape right rear.
    Layered vocals front and sides.

    Garroter
    Acoustic guitar right side, leaning toward the rear. Piano left. Drums front left.
    Vocal front fx send to right rear.
    Guitar swell right side.
    Reverse gtr right side.
    Nice reverse effects in rears.
    Guitar right side.
    This track isn't what the title would suggest, it is musically excellent and really works well. Tape effects inserted up front.
    The jazzy little guitar bits are very cool.
    An effected scar vocal doubling the guitar right side.

    Continuum
    Drums front left. Electric piano front left. Vocal front left.
    Effect sounds in rears.
    Sounds a little Alice In Chainsish here.
    Gtrs either side.
    Shimmer of keys right to centre.
    Unsure of the onstrument... oboe? Right side.
    Strings/synth either side.
    Bvox rears and sides
    Well mic'd acoustic in the whole field.
    Really nice, interesting mix

    All Things Will Pass
    Slight pause entering into this track.
    Guitars rears and front.
    Acoustic guitars rears.
    Vocal fx sends to rears.
    Crashes left sides.
    Nice snare delay on rears.
    Vocal swaps sides in rears/sides.
    Nice fade

    I entered this one with a little trepidation, because I read somewhere that someone said it wasn't a discrete mix but one of those digital auto mix things ....
    I can hear on occasion why someone may say that .... but there seems to be too many discrete things happening for that to be the case.
    If we have any experts reading, I would really like your input...
    So in my layman way I am going to try and say what I hear.
    To me what is happening with this one, is we have a very level mix, and in the power sections, it gives it a kind of everything coming from everywhere type of feel, but I don't think that it is a machine mix, because there are too many sections, particularly the quiet sections where we are getting what sounds at least, to be a very nice discrete mix.
    I found the album to be immersive and enjoyable from an audio perspective.
    I honestly don't think a fan of the more recent Opeth albums would be disappointed at all.
    For the most part we are getting a solid wall of sound from the front, and effects sends to the rears. We have things occasionally in the middle of the room, and as stated in the individual breakdowns, we are also getting some nice discrete mixing in all the fields. I think the style of music (prog meets metal, with a leaning toward prog) lends itself to the surround wall of sound approach.
    So I think that Opeth fans would get their value out of this.
    It is slightly disappointing that we are essentially getting the two language versions in 3 different formats. I don't mind the bluray and cd set up, because the cd can be for when/if you want to listen to the album in the car... I may play the vinyl some day, but for me I feel I am buying an item that isn't really a priority or necessity for me.
    When you look at the price though (60-70) you are getting two double vinyl albums, 2 cd's and a bluray .. so in one context it is good value, yet in the context of just wanting the surround mix, it is on the expensive side of the equation.
    All in all, I enjoyed this, and don't regret getting it, or feel ripped off, so no harm, no foul.
    I think it is a very good album, and is very musically dynamic. The lyrics lean towards dark themes, but you kind of expect that with a band like this.
     
  5. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Machine Head

    [​IMG]
    Studio album by
    Deep Purple
    Released
    25 March 1972
    Recorded 6-21 December 1971
    Studio Grand Hotel, Montreux, Switzerland with the 16 Track Rolling Stones Mobile Studio
    Genre Hard rock heavy metal
    Length 37:46
    Label Purple (Europe, Oceania, South America)
    Warner Bros. (USA, Canada & Japan)
    Producer Deep Purple

    Machine Head is the sixth studio album released by the English rock band Deep Purple. It was recorded during December 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland, and released in March 1972.

    Machine Head is often cited as a major influence in the early development of the heavy metal music genre. Commercially, it is Deep Purple's most successful album, topping the charts in several countries following its release. The album reached number 1 in the United Kingdom and stayed in the top 40 for 20 weeks. It reached number 7 in the United States, remaining on the Billboard 200 for 118 weeks.

    Deep Purple
    Production
    • Martin Birch – engineering, mixing with Deep Purple
    • Jeremy "Bear" Gee – assistant engineer
    • Nick Watterton – Rolling Stones Mobile Studio operator
    • Ian Hansford, Rob Cooksey, Colin Hart – equipment technicians
    • Shephard Sherbell – photography
    • Roger Glover and John Coletta – cover design
    • Peter Denenberg and Roger Glover – remixing (1997)
    • Peter Mew – remastering at Abbey Road Studios, London (1997)
    1. "Highway Star" 6:05
    2. "Maybe I'm a Leo" 4:51
    3. "Pictures of Home" 5:03
    4. "Never Before" 3:56
    5. "Smoke on the Water" 5:40
    6. "Lazy" 7:19
    7. "Space Truckin'" 4:31
    --------------------------------
    I got into Deep Purple from a very young age, and their kind of power rock/hard rock/heavy metal really suited me, because I always had an affinity for blues, and it has just a touch of blues in it .... by the way, lets not get into a genre classification war, because I just don't care what you or I call something, as long as we know what we are referring to.

    This is Deep Purple Mark 2. The early version of Purple was great too and released three albums with some very recommendable music on them. Then the band did the band and orchestra project .. it has been a long time since I heard it, but at the time it didn't make sense to me .. I should probably get the surround version and see if it appeals more these days, but we'll see what happens.

    After the orchestra experiment the band focussed its efforts on their brand of hard and heavy music. In Rock (1970)was the first release from the guys in this style and it hit like a ton of bricks. Fireball (1971) came next and was also a very good album.
    Then we get to Machine Head and I think that it is really their pinnacle of albums. It was somewhat made legendary by the incidence surrounding its recording, which led to the classic Smoke On The Water. I actually used to have the Zappa Beat The Boots box set, and the Montreux show is on the Swiss Cheese album, and you hear the audience reaction and the aftermath. I did kind of enjoy that album as a piece of history, and also a decent bootleg quality recording.

    anyhow
    I love Machine Head and think it is probably the best of the Purple albums. If the band had a flaw it would be consistent writing. Their playing, and Gillan's vocals were never an issues back then at all, but occasionally the writing was a little poor ... perhaps lazy. Not knocking the band, just my personal observation.
    There are a couple of versions of this in surround I believe and i have the sacd with the original quad mix on it.

    There is a Dvd audio that I used to have back in Oz, but I can;'t remember if it is 5.1 or quad. It does have the bonus When A Blind Man Cries track, and also two video's.
    Discogs has it from about $21 Deep Purple - Machine Head

    The sacd
    Discogs has from about $30 Deep Purple - Machine Head
    and also from about $27 Deep Purple - Machine Head

    The sacd also has When A Blind Man Cries mixed by Roger Glover in 1997, and Also alternate mixes of Maybe I'm a Leo and Lazy

    I am guessing the quad mix is by Martin Birch and Deep Purple

    Highway star
    Organ right side. Guitar left side.
    Chuck gtr right rear.
    Opening vocal effect is really good starting in the rears.
    Nice sub on the kick and bass.
    This a perfect mix for this track.
    We get beautifully separation , yet the whole sound whole.
    The organ lead starts on the left incorporated both sided and finishes on the left.
    Ritchie's famous lead is up front.
    For a 1972 quad mix this is incredibly well balanced.
    Gillian's vocals are upfront with some rears fx sends.
    Great stuff. This was one of my favourites to play in the pubs, back in the day.

    Maybe I'm a leo
    A funky strut of a song here.
    Gtr left side and organ right.
    And the great Glover/Paice rhythm section up front, again with really nice sub assistance.
    Bvox (Gillan) centre of room
    Ritchie takes a lead again up front.
    Jon runs a nice electric keys lead across the middle?
    Again this mix is brilliant and perfect for this style ... perhaps a couple of vocals come in a little loud, but rarely.
    Lead break up front again, with Ritchie's patented strutting feel.

    Pictures Of Home
    Price opens with a really nice drum fill.
    We have the same solid set up, giving the album a nice consistency of sound.
    Riff guitar upfront.
    This lead break is in the middle of the room.
    This is a good song, that probably gets a little overlooked.
    Jon takes a lead on the right rear, and then it gets layered to nice effect across the whole back.
    Glover takes a lead on the bass leading back to the the guitar riff.
    Then we get a really nice crescendo from everyone, coming from everywhere.
    Gtr lead upfront to fade out.
    Great stuff.

    Never Before
    A slow funky groove.
    Again gtr left. Organ right rhythm section up front.
    Then we break into a more traditional rock feel.
    This really is a good mix.
    So long since I listened to this ... great album, and mix.
    Gtr lead break on the right side, just for fun I guess.
    Electric piano across the rears.

    Smoke OnThe Water
    Nobody knows this one lol
    Gtr right, organ right. Snare crack.
    Pulsing bass with the kick. Classic.
    Really nice sound. The opening guitar does have that breaking up kind of sound, but always did, to the best of my knowledge.
    Lord played rock organ so well.
    Lead break up front.
    Really nice sound, I'm just noticing.
    Some great counter rhythms by Paice... he often seems overlooked.
    Just a great band rocking with a great mix.
    Jon psychedelic keys lead us out. Nice

    Lazy
    My favourite Purple track.
    Organ across the room. The angriest organ ever recorded? Some nice movement going on too. All the channels get some action.
    Then gtr left side. Plus a lead gtr middle of the room, slightly right. Then we break into the beat with lead gtr upfront.
    Btw, the organ is back on the right now.
    The riff is gtr left rear, organ right rear.
    Organ lead upfront.
    I love this, they just sound like they are having a fat time.
    Modulation.
    Vocals.
    Cool groove.
    Harmonica in the middle of the room.
    Some effective minimal vocal movement during the yelled lazy's.
    Lead break up front bleeding into the sides.
    The blues change end this beautifully.

    Space Truckin'
    Bass up front, organ right side. Nice choked cymbals, burst into the beat, great Paice fill.
    Gtr comes in on the left side.
    This is great
    Ritchie lead left. Jon effects right.
    Drums front and right counter rhythm thing.... excellent stuff.

    Time is short, so I'm skipping the two alternate mixes

    When a Blind Man cries.
    Organ right, gtr left.
    Lead break up front.
    This mix isn't quite as good as the rest of the album... but the rest is sensational, so that isn't harsh criticism.

    This is great, and although I believe it is out of print, the second hand copies for 20-30 bucks says get this now.
    If you like Purple this is a must have ... If you don't like Purple .... oh well, I don't know what to say lol.
    No, honestly I loved that mix, it is early seventies raw rock, but it is mixed like a modern mix, just with the rawness left in it.
    Essential.


     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2019
  6. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Ok... this weeks voting options

    Black Sabbath - Paranoid
    Uriah Heep - Gold From The Byron Era
     
  7. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    The Who - Tommy
    Steven Wilson 4 1/2
     
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  8. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Pink Floyd - Wish you Were Here
    Talking Heads - Speaking In tongues
     
  9. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    John Lennon - Imagine Box
     
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  10. Trainspotting

    Trainspotting Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Have you heard the Gene Clark No Other box yet, Mark?
     
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  11. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Eric Clapton - Give Me Strength (461 Ocean Blvd and There's One In Every Crowd)
     
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  12. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Queen - The Game
    REM - Document
     
  13. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth
    Randy Newman - Little Criminals
     
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  14. Juggsnelson

    Juggsnelson Senior Member

    Location:
    Long Island
    I didn't know about this Heep disc. Any good?
     
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  15. JakeKlas

    JakeKlas Impatiently waiting for an 8-track revival

    Location:
    United States
    Normally, Steven Wilson would be a top vote for me. But I got Paranoid recently and was kind of disappointed by it compared to other titles I’ve been picking up.

    Unlike you and others on this forum, I would stink at objectively evaluating music. So I’d be curious how you (and others who have it) view that one.

    Coincidentally, it was the Give Me Strength set that set me off on my recent SACD/Surround spending spree. That one really struck me (in a good way).
     
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  16. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    I don't really know what to do about that one. I don't know it at all. I am vaguely a Byrds fan, but not deeply ... it is only in the box ... I have had an expensive few months and a box of someone I don't know is just out of my sights at the moment.
    If you want to do a review of it for us, to perhaps persuade us otherwise. that may be good
     
  17. Trainspotting

    Trainspotting Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I've been wanting this for ages. Guess I should pull the plug.
     
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  18. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    From memory it is very good.
    It is very hard to get hold of.
    I had it in Oz, but of course they were left in Oz.
    When I went to get it here, I had to wait for it to become available, and pay too much.
    If I remember rightly it is alternative versions of the classic tracks that they found, and decided to do a 5.1 mix of.
    1 Bird Of Prey
    2 Time To Live
    3 Look At Yourself
    4 Lady In Black
    5 Salisbury
    6 Tears In My Eyes
    7 Gypsy
    8 Ill Keep On Trying
    9 Here Am I
    10 July Morning
    11 What Should Be Done
    12 Simon The Bullet Freak
    13 Dreammare
    14 Wake Up (Set Your Sights)
    15 Come Away Melinda

    1 on discogs currently for $54 Uriah Heep - Gold From The Byron Era
     
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  19. Trainspotting

    Trainspotting Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I'm lousy at being articulate about these things. I like surround sound mixes which utilize the rear speakers in an aggressive manner. I told you before that the quad Bitches Brew is my fave surround sound mix and it's for that very reason. You've got two keyboards for instance - each in a different speaker. Miles will play a riff and it will start in one speaker and end in another. That kind of thing is right up my alley.

    The No Other 5.1 mix sounds fine, but it's not aggressively using all the speakers. It sounds about like most 5.1 mixes I guess. It certainly fills the room, and I prefer it to the two-channel stereo mix, but I'm not enough of a critic to say it's one of the best surround sound mixes I've heard. They haven't reviewed it yet on the Quadraphonic site either. Probably because it's already out of print I think.
     
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  20. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    I find it really hard to be objective, because I really love music ... My enthusiasm has caught me out in a couple of the reviews I did, and the forum folk set me straight ... I kind of hat to say bad things about albums I like, and so a couple of them I soft soaped the review, and the guys set me straight.
    I'm doing a bit better now.... but it is very hard for me.
     
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  21. Juggsnelson

    Juggsnelson Senior Member

    Location:
    Long Island
    Interesting! I see someone reported the left rear speaker being slightly ahead of the others. If you do spin this, I would love to know if that is the case.
     
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  22. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    well that would be typical .... no time to think these days
     
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  23. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    I will hopefully check that out soon.
    I keep putting it up there, but I guess Heep aren't a big name these days, I love them.
     
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  24. dpv2008

    dpv2008 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ukraine
    [QUOTE="mark winstanley, post: 22666003, member: 36538"

    There is a Dvd audio that I used to have back in Oz, but I can;'t remember if it is 5.1 or quad.

    [/QUOTE]
    5.1. I have DVD Audio and SACD.
     
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  25. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Cheers mate.
    Input appreciated :righton:

    Edit
    Give us a rundown on the difference if you feel like it
     
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