The Band

The one that had "Up on Cripple Creek" on it.

 

Do you mean Music From Big Pink?

 

No, he means "The Band". Self titled.

Not sure if the original master tape is around anymore though. I think that one seen better days.

Music From Big Pink is a notorious album that inlcudes "The Weight" and "Tears Of Rage".

"The Band" (shown below) is actually a tender sonic masterpiece on vinyl. I recommend anyone get it, even the Purple label Capitol. It has never sounded correct on any digital format, and is argueably the Band's best effort 2nd to Big Pink.

 

Sckott,

Do you remember if Steve was ever asked or stated why he didn't do the S/T album?

 

Yes I recall reading somewhere that the original masters couldn't be found for The Band when they were doing the recent remasters.

In fact listening to it it is significantly flatter and less dynamic than the Big Pink remaster.

 

Bummer!

 

I have to disagree!!!
The latest remaster sounds GREAT!!!
I have never heard the album sound better and I own a pristine first edition of the vinyl!!

 

DCC tried doing "The Band" but as mentioned, the original masters couldn't be found. When Capitol took a crack at it for their reissues years later, the best they could do was the multitracks and settled on a production copy.

 

The bonus tracks on all of the Band 20-bit CDs are well worth buying the discs for, though. The alternates and demos are amazing. Should not be missed!

 

Yes, couldn't agree more!

 

I may be a little late for this (remaster sound quality wise), but how did the "To Kingdom Come" compilation from 1989 stand the test of time?
Thank you for your comments
Thomas

 

I'm begging you Steve!

Whether or not the original master tapes can be had, Steve *must* master "The Band" (2nd album) to vinyl! I'm prepared to keep repeating this at the end of each posting, like Cato did with "Carthage must be destroyed"!

I don't think not having the absolute original masters makes the big difference. This record just won't sound so good as a CD as it did on LP. Something about overtones.

Li'l Fred

 

Agreed. People, if you haven't found a mint copy of "The Band" on vinyl, you must seek one out. Doesn't matter what issue, as they're all good (I have the reissue and the original, and they sound equal, although the Purple Label Capitol is easier on the surface noise).

Definately a recommendation.

 

LOL! Yeah, lately the calverlry's been trigger happy.

 

Re: Re: I'm begging you Steve!

I can't find whatever flame war Steve is talking about (in the big messy world of Audio Asylum, that's not uncommon) but I guess I've been listening to the Brown Album on scratchy vinyl for twenty years and can do twenty more!

 

Definitely. It took me three tries (all green-label originals), but I finally scored a NM copy. They pop up fairly frequently for about $10 or so in Boston-area LP shops. No CD version, not even the latest one, which is pretty good, comes close.

 

I scored a green label mint copy a few years ago. I was going to get around to getting the remaster, but after reading the comments here, I think I'll let things stand!

I do have Music From Big Pink(reissue). Was this also from sub masters or did they find the multis for this album? It sounds ok; it never was the greatest sounding album, but the extra tracks are cool!

 

If you mean the regular CD release, not the remaster, I do agree, but have you ever heard the MFSL? It's incredible!

 

That's odd! I think the Big Pink remaster sounds great.

 

Damn, I want to see this album done by Steve. Maybe I'll come across a vinyl copy, but I'd love to see a well done CD of it.

Something... Pleeaase...

I agree that the MFSL Big Pink is incredible. I haven't heard other versions though.

 

I've even heard rumours that Levon Helm has possession of the original master of "The Band".

And he ain't givin' it up either.

Just what I've heard.

 

Any day now I expect a copy of the EMI Centenary Collection LP, which is reportedly very good, and I'll report on that if the forum sees fit.

 

So as promised I report on the EMI "Centenary Series" reissue of The Band (brown album). Well, it's very good, but it isn't as good as my first-pressing Capitol LP.

But if it's true that the original masters are lost or up Levon's sleeve (but how likely is that? doesn't EMI/Capitol own them?), it is easy to believe that this is hampering the sound of this reissue. Something certainly is. Bass is weaker on EMI, and the imaging and ambience suffer a little too. It is still pretty good, and I'd be really recommending it if it weren't much easier to find the original Capitol LP. (All-analogue mastering, and the packaging is superb, a good re-creation right down to the gatefold and the pebbly surface.)

Having spent some time with these LP versions, I went to the recent CD reissue and was aghast. Harsh, with instrumental and vocal lines exposed to merciless glare of day; by comparison the LP seems to "shadow" the individual sounds, allowing them to emerge and regress into a thick, mellow evening.

OK, so that was impressionistic, but ... how else can I do words about music?

 

Although possibly slightly off-topic I feel it is worth a mention. The Last Waltz 4 CD box is HDCD encoded, although the packaging does not mention it anywhere.

I highly recommend this set. The sonics are well above average for a live recording, the performances are outstanding, and very historic!