The best sounding (produced/mastered) tracks/albums

The best sounding (produced/mastered) tracks/albums

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2020vision

55 posts

2 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
Blood on the Tracks - Bob Dylan SACD in 5.1 surround. Feels like you are in the band.

NDA

Original Poster:

22,176 posts

231 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
2020vision said:
Blood on the Tracks - Bob Dylan SACD in 5.1 surround. Feels like you are in the band.
Talking of Dylan....

I am a big fan of the Street Legal album - largely because I was at Blackbushe in '78. But the album has always sounded very lacklustre. However, there's a remix which came out a few years ago (in 2003) which is massively improved.

The only way you can easily tell if you have the 2003 remix is Changing of the Guards is a 7:04 track time instead of 6:37. An A/B comparison is night and day.

Maybe there's someone out there who might be interested! biggrin

Swikes7

4 posts

3 months

Saturday 7th September
quotequote all
This is a brilliant thread. I’m giving my Phantom Gold a workout.


miniman

25,997 posts

268 months

Saturday 7th September
quotequote all
offspring86 said:
One track that has always stood out (to me) as a joy to listen to, from a production perspective is Two Princes by Spin Doctors.

When I started playing the drums in the mid-nineties it was one of the first tracks that really jumped out at me as having really clear drum production.
I remember when that first came out, the drum intro was particularly striking. One of my most-played albums of all time.

This thread is one of those that makes me wish I’d done something like music production for a living.

rjfp1962

8,240 posts

79 months

Saturday 7th September
quotequote all
miniman said:
offspring86 said:
One track that has always stood out (to me) as a joy to listen to, from a production perspective is Two Princes by Spin Doctors.

When I started playing the drums in the mid-nineties it was one of the first tracks that really jumped out at me as having really clear drum production.
I remember when that first came out, the drum intro was particularly striking. One of my most-played albums of all time.
I "inherited" Pocket Full Of Kryptonite amongst many other CD's from my brother a couple of years back. Going to give it a spin now to remind myself what it's like smile

miniman

25,997 posts

268 months

Saturday 7th September
quotequote all
rjfp1962 said:
miniman said:
offspring86 said:
One track that has always stood out (to me) as a joy to listen to, from a production perspective is Two Princes by Spin Doctors.

When I started playing the drums in the mid-nineties it was one of the first tracks that really jumped out at me as having really clear drum production.
I remember when that first came out, the drum intro was particularly striking. One of my most-played albums of all time.
I "inherited" Pocket Full Of Kryptonite amongst many other CD's from my brother a couple of years back. Going to give it a spin now to remind myself what it's like smile
Some of the last tracks (eg Shinbone Alley) are fab.

rjfp1962

8,240 posts

79 months

Saturday 7th September
quotequote all
miniman said:
rjfp1962 said:
miniman said:
offspring86 said:
One track that has always stood out (to me) as a joy to listen to, from a production perspective is Two Princes by Spin Doctors.

When I started playing the drums in the mid-nineties it was one of the first tracks that really jumped out at me as having really clear drum production.
I remember when that first came out, the drum intro was particularly striking. One of my most-played albums of all time.
I "inherited" Pocket Full Of Kryptonite amongst many other CD's from my brother a couple of years back. Going to give it a spin now to remind myself what it's like smile
Some of the last tracks (eg Shinbone Alley) are fab.
Agreed and it'scertainly is a long-player at 70 minutes and 29 seconds long! - In the main it's very good though smile

miniman

25,997 posts

268 months

Saturday 7th September
quotequote all
rjfp1962 said:
miniman said:
rjfp1962 said:
miniman said:
offspring86 said:
One track that has always stood out (to me) as a joy to listen to, from a production perspective is Two Princes by Spin Doctors.

When I started playing the drums in the mid-nineties it was one of the first tracks that really jumped out at me as having really clear drum production.
I remember when that first came out, the drum intro was particularly striking. One of my most-played albums of all time.
I "inherited" Pocket Full Of Kryptonite amongst many other CD's from my brother a couple of years back. Going to give it a spin now to remind myself what it's like smile
Some of the last tracks (eg Shinbone Alley) are fab.
Agreed and it'scertainly is a long-player at 70 minutes and 29 seconds long! - In the main it's very good though smile
Their second album has a few good tracks but it’s generally weak in comparison.

2020vision

55 posts

2 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
NDA said:
2020vision said:
Blood on the Tracks - Bob Dylan SACD in 5.1 surround. Feels like you are in the band.
Talking of Dylan....

I am a big fan of the Street Legal album - largely because I was at Blackbushe in '78. But the album has always sounded very lacklustre. However, there's a remix which came out a few years ago (in 2003) which is massively improved.

The only way you can easily tell if you have the 2003 remix is Changing of the Guards is a 7:04 track time instead of 6:37. An A/B comparison is night and day.

Maybe there's someone out there who might be interested! biggrin
I was at the first Earls Court gig in 78 and Blackbush. Recall queuing in Grosvenor Square for about 14 hours for tickets.

I’ve got the SACD of Street Legal. And all of his other SACDs. The biggest difference I notice is Blood on the Tracks. Maybe easier to spot on the instrumentation compared to others.
I was sceptical of the 5.1 and thought it a TV gimmick, but a direct feed from an SACD of all 6 channels to a 120W/Ch system is quite spectacular. So much that my wife, usually a “turn that down” type, could hear the difference.

I’ve got a few other SACDs, DSOTM one of the, not so much clear differences for me.

Edited by 2020vision on Monday 9th September 07:42

NDA

Original Poster:

22,176 posts

231 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
2020vision said:
I was at the first Earls Court gig in 78 and Blackbush. Recall queuing in Grosvenor Square for about 14 hours for tickets.

I’ve got the SACD of Street Legal. And all of his other SACDs. The biggest difference I notice is Blood on the Tracks. Maybe easier to spot on the instrumentation compared to others.
I was sceptical of the 5.1 and thought it a TV gimmick, but a direct feed from an SACD of all 6 channels to a 120W/Ch system is quite spectacular. So much that my wife, usually a “turn that down” type, could hear the difference.

I’ve got a few other SACDs, DSOTM one of the, not so much clear differences for me.
Interesting..... I assume the SACD is the same mix I have on CD with the longer version of the first track?

You did Earls Court AND Blackbushe? That's dedication. smile

My little group drove up from North Devon to Blackbushe in 1978 and bought tickets on the day - which turned out to be forgeries. So we were all barred entry and put in a sort of holding pen to wait. Some chap turned up and told us he'd decided to let us in for for free - amazing! That chap turned out to be Harvey Goldsmith.

Fast forward to a recent dinner I was at and I sat next to chap, I introduced myself and, guess what? It was Harvey Goldsmith.... I told him I'd waited 40 years to say 'thanks'.

2020vision

55 posts

2 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
NDA said:
Interesting..... I assume the SACD is the same mix I have on CD with the longer version of the first track?

You did Earls Court AND Blackbushe? That's dedication. smile

My little group drove up from North Devon to Blackbushe in 1978 and bought tickets on the day - which turned out to be forgeries. So we were all barred entry and put in a sort of holding pen to wait. Some chap turned up and told us he'd decided to let us in for for free - amazing! That chap turned out to be Harvey Goldsmith.

Fast forward to a recent dinner I was at and I sat next to chap, I introduced myself and, guess what? It was Harvey Goldsmith.... I told him I'd waited 40 years to say 'thanks'.
Good story and what a coincidence. All promotors can't be that bad then. I wonder what he would make of the latest debacle with Boreasis.

I've seen Dylan 13 times. Went to the Saved tour in 81 at Earls Court. Dylan unexpectedly started early and caused a bit of a rush to the seats from those of us at the bars. Unfortunately that wasn't to result in a good experience as the performances in that tour were poor.
I saw the 1991 show in Hammersmith, where he was mostly drunk and inaudible, Seen him in a few other UK locations, but not yet in the USA. Time is running out for him and me I guess,

Saw him at the Blackpool Winter Gardens which was a smaller venue and I enjoyed that. That was 2012. Good show with a great band but no guitar for Dylan, only keyboards and mic. Hoped to get tickets for the Usher Hall in Edinburgh but that sold quickly, its a small hall so tried that. Will be attending Nottingham in November. 10,000 in that venue unfortunately. My line for ticket prices is way below the Royal Albert Hall.


NDA

Original Poster:

22,176 posts

231 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
2020vision said:
I've seen Dylan 13 times.

Dylan and Steely Dan were my 'go to' concerts - I've travelled far and wide to see both. Although not quite your 13 times record... I still have the programme from The Picnic and a very ropey audio bootleg of the concert. I'd forgotten the shouts of 'SIT DOWN!' that rang out during his set.

Street Legal, Slow Train and Desire are regular listens for me - just love those albums so much. I am not ashamed to say that I often feel quite emotional when playing Street Legal, it takes me back to my teenage years.

Anyhoo, the remixed version of that album is so much better - I'd love to hear it in surround, I'll bet it sounds great.

paralla

3,812 posts

141 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
I recently moved house, the old house was all Sonos and a Dennon AVR/KEF 5.1 system. The new house is all B&O and the front room is Dolby Atmos capable.

I switched from Spotify to Tidal as they both cost the same and Tidal offers higher bitrate/FLAC/Atmos.

I've been revisiting my playlists (that ported from Spotify to Tidal easily) in the front room on the new system noting if any of the tracks have been remastered and are streaming Atmos rather than 2ch. It really does make a difference and is a joy to listen to.

NDA

Original Poster:

22,176 posts

231 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
paralla said:
It really does make a difference and is a joy to listen to.
And the reason for this thread. smile

But, as has been said a few times, all that glitters is not necessarily gold. I listen to a lot of music and seek out high resolution music out of habit - but there are an awful lot of CD quality albums that actually sound better. It is, more often than not, down to production and mastering. Anything mastered by Bob Ludwig (for example) tends to be exceptionally good.

And then there are total gems - like the Talk Talk album which someone on this thread put me onto. As Chandler would have said 'Oh. My. God!'

I find it a fascinating subject. Fortunately (for me) my tastes are largely jazz based and that's a genre which is blessed with some great recordings.

dickymint

25,561 posts

264 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
NDA said:
2020vision said:
I've seen Dylan 13 times.

Dylan and Steely Dan were my 'go to' concerts - I've travelled far and wide to see both. Although not quite your 13 times record... I still have the programme from The Picnic and a very ropey audio bootleg of the concert. I'd forgotten the shouts of 'SIT DOWN!' that rang out during his set.

Street Legal, Slow Train and Desire are regular listens for me - just love those albums so much. I am not ashamed to say that I often feel quite emotional when playing Street Legal, it takes me back to my teenage years.

Anyhoo, the remixed version of that album is so much better - I'd love to hear it in surround, I'll bet it sounds great.
I get that. Desire is probably my favourite Dylan album. I'm a bit of a blubber with certain songs - hard to explain as they don't make me sad just the emotions get me going. For me on that album it's The Hurricane especially when you know the story behind it..........and watched the film 'The Hurricane' umpteen times thumbup

Another that gets me going (coincidentally about boxing) Is Nils Lofgren's "No Mercy"

"Pick it up, dig it up
Pick it up, dig it up, pick it up now
Oh, bring him down
I wish another could do this thing for me
His eyes are flooded, doubt he can even see
I hungered this title, but now it don't seem right
I fight back tears while I destroy his life" cry



paralla

3,812 posts

141 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
The tap of a plectrum on a guitar body or the hum of a valve guitar amp in a live recording that you are hearing for the first time despite him being one of your all time favourite artists. Jeff Buckley, Live at Sin-é - Mojo Pin
https://open.spotify.com/track/3rANzj4jmgcaKKAxVMk...

The subtle intake of breath of a female vocal. Nina Simone, Four Women: Nina Simone The Phillips Recordings. I Loves You Porgie - Live at Carnegie Hall 1964
https://open.spotify.com/track/2VwFNJfJtqG5qAIWZOo...

Being moved by the power and scale of an orchestral strings section mashed up with some late 90’s trip hop turned up to eleven. Portishead - All Mine
https://open.spotify.com/track/785Qya5mtMUwBQtuypV...

Feeling the kick of a rocking bass line as much as hearing it. Harry Nelson - Jump Into The Fire
https://open.spotify.com/track/3hgHrfMdtnLtH54HYTd...

Realising that the guitar lick in a track is a thing of beauty (I was too young at the time to fully appreciate it) Pearl Jam - Go
https://open.spotify.com/track/7HB80cV49jisD0LepcG...

S600BSB

5,934 posts

112 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
rjfp1962 said:
S600BSB said:
The new album from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Wild God - is fabulous. Incredible production as you would expect!
Heard this interview on BBC 6 Music where Mary Ann Hobbs interviews Nick Cave. Might be of interest to you smile

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00225qk
Great - cheers man!

tdm34

7,392 posts

216 months

Tuesday 10th September
quotequote all
The New David Gilmour Album, Luck and Strange, is very good.

MC Bodge

22,463 posts

181 months

Wednesday 11th September
quotequote all
rjfp1962 said:
miniman said:
rjfp1962 said:
miniman said:
offspring86 said:
One track that has always stood out (to me) as a joy to listen to, from a production perspective is Two Princes by Spin Doctors.

When I started playing the drums in the mid-nineties it was one of the first tracks that really jumped out at me as having really clear drum production.
I remember when that first came out, the drum intro was particularly striking. One of my most-played albums of all time.
I "inherited" Pocket Full Of Kryptonite amongst many other CD's from my brother a couple of years back. Going to give it a spin now to remind myself what it's like smile
Some of the last tracks (eg Shinbone Alley) are fab.
Agreed and it'scertainly is a long-player at 70 minutes and 29 seconds long! - In the main it's very good though smile
Having remembered the band from the early 90s, I listened to this the other day.

The drumming is quite good in places, but I can't quite understand the love for it. I won't be bothering to listen again.

Boleros

575 posts

12 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
Came across this on Faceache today:



biggrin