The Ultimate Black Sabbath Creative Sounds Compact Disc Thread

As I understand it, Patrick Meehan is Dorchester Holding, who licensed out those albums to Creative Sounds. After the famous and acrimonious split in 1975, Meehan was given rights to license out the first six albums + Live At Last, Greatest Hits and We Sold Our Soul For Rock And Roll. The exact terms of this settlement have never been made public to my knowledge, but it may be expired by now.

Meehan Sr. and Meehan Jr. ("A poison father with his poisonous son"), Wilf Pine, etc started Worldwide Artiste Management, who handled Sabbath amongst others. They had lured Sabbath away from Jim Simpson. This management company was making so much money from Sabbath that they were listed on the London Stock Exchange by late 1970. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Meehan_(producer)

The Sabbath story really should be properly told one day. What they dealt with in terms of management hassles would probably blow our collective minds. In the end, they gave the Meehans the boot and no amount of legal trouble could stop them. It's no wonder they felt the pressures mounting and came out with Technical Ecstasy after everything they went through. They must have felt they had to change in order to survive in a changing musical climate and the pressures on them to make it work without all of Meehan connections which had helped carry their name for five years must have been daunting. And while TE sort of "flopped" in the US, it did very well in England and the band were back on tour to capacity crowds worldwide. Conversely, after Sabbath canned Meehan, to my knowledge he was never heard from much again. However, he apparently did purchase George Harrison's 'HandMade Films' sometimes in the 90's.

 

Update to Master Of Reality

Disc Information:

Black Sabbath

Peak levels: 100/89.8/85/92.3/89.8
For the following 3 discs:

449805-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449805-2 103

6006, USA, red
Matrix: W. O. # H9556-1 11518AZ 6006

6006-2, Power Sound 2001, black
Matrix: ADFL 02VH4<530> 8413 IFPI DG22 6006-2


Peak levels: 99.3/87.2/83.1/85.2/85.8
For the following disc:

Matrix: INTER SERVICE PRESSE DIGIP 6006

Paranoid

Peak levels: 100/100/92.0/93.3/100/100/100/78.0
For the following 2 discs:

449806-2, Germany, black
Matrix: 449806-2

6007-2
Matrix: Made In Israel PS-6007-2 A2 <3110456>

Peak levels: 98.1/96.9/88.0/90.6/97.1/96.7/97.1/75.3
For the following disc:

6007, Holland, red
Matrix: CDM CA ZZ 01/6007 01 @

Master Of Reality

Peak levels: 92/81.3/94.3/47.3/61.9/93.2/43.6/89.8/98.6
For the following disc:

6004, USA, black
Matrix: SRC-01 NELCD6004

Peak levels: 74.4/77.9/40.5/81.6/47.2/88.9/84.1/66
For the following 2 discs:

6004-2
Matrix: PS-6004-2NS 3112697 IFPI DG22

449803-2
Matrix: PILZ CD 449803-2 103

Children Of The Grave

Peak levels: 87.1/49.4/68.3/38.5/60.8/71.9/99.5/59.1/55/59.1/60.7
For the following disc:

6011-2
Matrix: ADFL 0ABU4<530>60112

Peak levels: 65.4/49.4/68.3/38.5/60.8/71.9/70.9/59.1/55/59.1/60.7
For the following 2 discs:

449807-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449807-2 [K 30546 A]

6011-2, Germany
Matrix: PILZ CD

Peak levels: 66.9/50.5/69.8/39.3/62.1/73.5/72.4/60.4/56.2/60.5/62.0
For the following disc:

6011, USA
Matrix: manufactured by American Helix

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
No peak level information yet acquired.

We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'n Roll
No peak level information yet acquired.

Sabotage

Peak levels: 86.3/37.3/91.6/91.2/87/59.3/96.4/84.3
For the following disc:

449802-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449802-2 103

Greatest Hits

Peak levels: 99.2/81.4/86.7/99.2/99.2/99.2/92.0/61.8/97.8/99.2
For the following disc:

Matrix: CSL/EMS 6002 SRC=01

Live At Last
No peak level information yet acquired.

 

Update to Master Of Reality

Disc Information:

Black Sabbath

Peak levels: 100/89.8/85/92.3/89.8
For the following 3 discs:

449805-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449805-2 103

6006, USA, red
Matrix: W. O. # H9556-1 11518AZ 6006

6006-2, Power Sound 2001, black
Matrix: ADFL 02VH4<530> 8413 IFPI DG22 6006-2


Peak levels: 99.3/87.2/83.1/85.2/85.8
For the following disc:

Matrix: INTER SERVICE PRESSE DIGIP 6006

Paranoid

Peak levels: 100/100/92.0/93.3/100/100/100/78.0
For the following 2 discs:

449806-2, Germany, black
Matrix: 449806-2

6007-2
Matrix: Made In Israel PS-6007-2 A2 <3110456>

Peak levels: 98.1/96.9/88.0/90.6/97.1/96.7/97.1/75.3
For the following disc:

6007, Holland, red
Matrix: CDM CA ZZ 01/6007 01 @

Master Of Reality

Peak levels: 92/81.3/94.3/47.3/61.9/93.2/43.6/89.8/98.6
For the following disc:

6004, USA, black
Matrix: SRC-01 NELCD6004

Peak levels: 74.4/77.9/40.5/81.6/47.2/88.9/84.1/66.9
For the following 3 discs:

6004, USA, red
Matrix: 6004 (11516 AZ) SRC=01

6004-2
Matrix: PS-6004-2NS 3112697 IFPI DG22

449803-2
Matrix: PILZ CD 449803-2 103

Children Of The Grave

Peak levels: 87.1/49.4/68.3/38.5/60.8/71.9/99.5/59.1/55/59.1/60.7
For the following disc:

6011-2
Matrix: ADFL 0ABU4<530>60112

Peak levels: 65.4/49.4/68.3/38.5/60.8/71.9/70.9/59.1/55/59.1/60.7
For the following 2 discs:

449807-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449807-2 [K 30546 A]

6011-2, Germany
Matrix: PILZ CD

Peak levels: 66.9/50.5/69.8/39.3/62.1/73.5/72.4/60.4/56.2/60.5/62.0
For the following disc:

6011, USA
Matrix: manufactured by American Helix

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
No peak level information yet acquired.

We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'n Roll
No peak level information yet acquired.

Sabotage

Peak levels: 86.3/37.3/91.6/91.2/87/59.3/96.4/84.3
For the following disc:

449802-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449802-2 103

Greatest Hits

Peak levels: 99.2/81.4/86.7/99.2/99.2/99.2/92.0/61.8/97.8/99.2
For the following disc:

Matrix: CSL/EMS 6002 SRC=01

Live At Last
No peak level information yet acquired.

 

Wow is Sabbath ever a lot to take in on CD. Has anyone confirmed that the Master Of Reality 6004, USA, black Matrix: SRC-01 NELCD6004 is not the same mastering that's on the Castle NELCD 6004 CD?

 

If you do a search in some of Roland's old threads, you'll find that some forum members like maybe Roland, Kevin5Brown, or Jeff Carney found that messing with the preemphasis or some other manipulation in a digital workstation got a Creative Sounds and a Castle to cancel out or almost cancel out. I guess that they are not too drastically different, once one accounts for the difference in preemphasis.

 

Yeah, really. All over the place.

 

Hello, account created just to post my informations:

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
on the disk: Creative Sound 6005, made in USA
disk's inner ring: 6005 (11517 AZ) SRC=01
backcover barcode: 0 16726-6005-2 3
peak levels: 89.0/100/57.0/93.1/100/88.0/99.9/100

Children of the Grave
on the disk: Creative Sounds 6011, made in USA
disk's inner ring : 12268 AZ CD-6011 SA12506
backcover barcode: 0 16726-6011-4 8
peak levels: 66.9/50.5/69.8/39.3/62.1/73.5/72.4/60.4/56.2/60.5/62.0

 

Bumping this because I'm wondering if anyone can post some more numbers on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

 

Update for Children of the Grave, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and Live at Last.


Disc Information:

Black Sabbath

Peak levels: 100/89.8/85/92.3/89.8
for the following 3 discs:

449805-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449805-2 103

6006, USA, red
Matrix: W. O. # H9556-1 11518AZ 6006

6006-2, Power Sound 2001, black
Matrix: ADFL 02VH4<530> 8413 IFPI DG22 6006-2


Peak levels: 99.3/87.2/83.1/85.2/85.8
for the following disc:

Matrix: INTER SERVICE PRESSE DIGIP 6006

Paranoid

Peak levels: 100/100/92.0/93.3/100/100/100/78.0
for the following 2 discs:

449806-2, Germany, black
Matrix: 449806-2

6007-2
Matrix: Made In Israel PS-6007-2 A2 <3110456>

Peak levels: 98.1/96.9/88.0/90.6/97.1/96.7/97.1/75.3
for the following disc:

6007, Holland, red
Matrix: CDM CA ZZ 01/6007 01 @

Master Of Reality

Peak levels: 92/81.3/94.3/47.3/61.9/93.2/43.6/89.8/98.6
for the following disc:

6004, USA, black
Matrix: SRC-01 NELCD6004

Peak levels: 74.4/77.9/40.5/81.6/47.2/88.9/84.1/66.9
for the following 3 discs:

6004, USA, red
Matrix: 6004 (11516 AZ) SRC=01

6004-2
Matrix: PS-6004-2NS 3112697 IFPI DG22

449803-2
Matrix: PILZ CD 449803-2 103

Children Of The Grave

Peak levels: 87.1/49.4/68.3/38.5/60.8/71.9/99.5/59.1/55/59.1/60.7
for the following disc:

6011-2
Matrix: ADFL 0ABU4<530>60112

Peak levels: 65.4/49.4/68.3/38.5/60.8/71.9/70.9/59.1/55/59.1/60.7
for the following 2 discs:

449807-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449807-2 [K 30546 A]

6011-2, Germany
Matrix: PILZ CD

Peak levels: 66.9/50.5/69.8/39.3/62.1/73.5/72.4/60.4/56.2/60.5/62.0
for the following 2 discs:

6011, USA
Matrix: manufactured by American Helix

Creative Sounds 6011, made in USA
Disc inner ring : 12268 AZ CD-6011 SA12506
Back cover barcode: 0 16726-6011-4 8


Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Peak levels: 89.0/100/57.0/93.1/100/88.0/99.9/100
for the following disc:

Creative Sound 6005, made in USA
Disc inner ring: 6005 (11517 AZ) SRC=01
Back cover barcode: 0 16726-6005-2 3

We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'n Roll
No peak level information yet acquired.

Sabotage

Peak levels: 86.3/37.3/91.6/91.2/87/59.3/96.4/84.3
for the following disc:

449802-2, Germany, black
Matrix: PILZ CD 449802-2 103

Greatest Hits

Peak levels: 99.2/81.4/86.7/99.2/99.2/99.2/92.0/61.8/97.8/99.2
for the following disc:

Matrix: CSL/EMS 6002 SRC=01

Live At Last

Peak levels: 95.1/89.1/77.4/68.5/86.6/65.3/93.7/97.8/97.8
for the following disc:

PS NEMS 6001-2, black
Matrix: MADE IN ISRAEL PS-6001-2 A2 <3110450>

 

Here is what I have for:

Live at Last
1987
CSL/NEMS 6001
Creative Sounds
Made in USA
Red printing on disc face
Matrix: Technidisc #294-127-002-B 12/30/87J "BLACK SABBATH" "LIVE AT LAST"

Peak Levels 96.7/87.1/77.4/68.4/88.2/67.9/94.9/99.6/99.7

Master of Reality
No date on disc face
6004
Made in USA
Black printing on disc face
Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN HELIX 1/1C1099A00440 W.O. # E8007-1

Peak Levels 67.1/71.6/40.1/76.5/48.7/77.2/78.9/64.8

 

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
449804-2, Germany, Black (discogs number=5285071)
Matrix: PILZ CD 449804-2 [K 30551 A]
Peak levels: 87.1/97.8/55.8/91.1/97.8/86.1/97.7/97.8

 

Hello,

I am new here and I was wondering if these cd's are worth owning?
I have 3 of them already and wanted to know if the rest are worth seeking out?
Sabotage, S/T and SBS
I don't seem to hear any problems with them.
Any feed back would be welcome.

Thanks

 

On Creative Sounds, the s/t is very bright. There is a "fix" for it which you can read about on this forum.

SBS and Sabotage are ok. Not from great sources. Sabotage swaps the sequence of the final two tracks which is just ridiculous.

 

Ok thanks
I have 6006-2 for the s/t is that disc ok?
Or does that one need the fix too?

 

They all need the fix, as far as I recall.

 

Ok Thanks,
This whole thing is really crazy!!!!Lol
Would trying to burn a cd-r in itunes as an AIFF OR APPLE LOSSLESS disc work?

 

I don't know.

Is there a reason you don't just get the 1986 Castle CD?

 

No not really
That disc is a little hard to come by too.
I have a few different versions right now.
WB 2016 deluxe
castle 1996
and the creative disc
Is the castle 1986 really worth seeking out if I have those other discs?

 

As long as your player decodes Pre-Emphasis, I think it's better than any other version except vinyl.

Also, the CLACD186 pressing (same exact sound) is still reasonable.

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

 

Ok sounds good I will have to look into that disc then. I am assuming the disc to get rid of would be the remastered castle 1996 then correct?

 

Well, this is all personal taste, but for me, yes. In fact I do not like any of the 1996/2004 Castles.

 

Of course!!!!
But I do find it interesting since some cd's
I own I was not happy with the sound on them which lead me here to the forum.
I a/b the castle 1996 with the creative disc,
And the only difference I mainly heard was volume.
For a cheap piece of crap looking cd the creative disc sounds pretty good.

 

My biggest grip with the '96 remasters is the no-noise. Listen to "Planet Caravan" on something like even the Warner CD for comparison.

 

The no noise takes away from the hiss/sound of the analog tape correct?
Making it sound like the band was playing in a vacuum more or less?

 

Yes. It also removes the original reverb in terms of the way it extends. It just kind of chops everything off. It can be used very carefully without too much problem but this is not such a case. Very heavy usage.