|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
216.221.34.117
As promised, ex-GG lead singer and head of DRT Entertainment (the New York cie that releases this collection) Derek Shulman mailed me an autographed replacement stereo CD a mere 2 weeks after I sent in the wrongly mono mastered disc I had bought at HMV.
And yes, the replacement CD is really good stereo this time. A real fine disc which, on close A/B comparison with the original UK Chrysalis album, reveals it's... just as good as the original LP!... Let's be honest now, "Design", one of the most extraordinary pieces of music ever recorded by a rock combo (or ever recorded, period!) - a multiple vocal and percussion track which ends a side, is better now on the CD, clearer and sweeter, with Kerry Minnear's basso profundo just as impressive and deep as on the vinyl, but better defined percussion instruments you can make out more easily. "Empty City" is the 2nd and last piece which I find is quite better this time out. A joy to hear the acoustic guitar parts without the crackle, and louder in the mix too...
And finally, the live title piece as extra track is really excellent, and not so badly recorded or mastered as the original mono disc led me to believe. Fascinating re-orchestration of an already fascinating ditty!
All in all, unless you were lucky enough to acquire a real neatly pressed and cared for original UK LP, you need to buy this new CD if you are a fan of the album. Plus the extra track is worth it too (CD is cheaply priced).
Follow Ups:
a rabid GG fan needs to know ;-)Thanks for posting this!
> > a mint original Uk press and and unplayed one < <So two mints then! I wish I had that kind of luck!!
Are you in the UK?
Yes, if you really dig this album I would say the live track is worth it. Unless you would own one of those bootlegs that has it or a similar version. I never did, so it is a complete surprise for me. Band and bass groove and lead singing surprisingly close to the original (that is, the way I need to hear it!!). Some differences: John Weathers' bridge lead singing bit is replaced by Derek Shulman... Prepared grand piano solo replaced by synth... Complicated electric sitar theme replaced by violin and vibraphone in unison. Last time I might have heard this arrangement must have been at the Montreal show in June '76, but I couldn't recall it was that different from the album. But was I any familiar with the album at all in the first place?? When exactly was it released? I bought it import when it came out.
if they've reissued the very 1st album? It's the only one I've never been able to find. Thanks.
I believe DRT has the rights, so far, to the only Capitol (US) catalogue + In a Glass House, that is from IaGH (which is the fifth album) to "Giant For a Day" inclusively.
If you are referring to the CD version of the 1st LP, here in Canada the old cheapo version from Polygram is still available aplenty.
If you mean in the US...
they aren't going to reissue an album that was never released in the first place.
If you ever get to the UK, most record stores have used GG's. Not necessarily first edition pressings though...
That's not entirely true, since the new release of In a Glass House marks the first US release of this album.
True.However, IAGH was the biggest selling import LP in history in the US.
The 1st GG was pretty difficult to find, even when it came out.
I picked up in Chicago awhile back. I'll have to pull it out and see if I need an updateed version. It is a good album. Thanks for the review.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: