Great progress in this topic already.
I suggest we use this topic for the debut album only. When all is discussed and we have a final track list (including a nice set of bonus material on disc 2) we can open a new topic for the next album.
In the end all topics can be made sticky or indexed so that's it's clear for everyone where to find them.
As far as the debut album is concerned: I think the Hollywood issue is the best sounding one.
Bonus disc suggestions:
De lane Lea demos
Mad the swine
Keep yourself alive (long lost retake / acetate version)
Great King rat (bbc)
Great King Rat (convention recording)
Keep Yourselrf Alive (bbc)
Liar (bbc)
My Fairy King (bbc)
Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll (bbc)
Polar Bear (Queen version)
Silver Salmon
Son and daughter (bbc)
and maybe the instrumentals from the Eye or the greatest kareoke hits could be included too...
pittrek · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]John S Stuart wrote: [/b]
Perhaps a poll or a panel would be better?
I am loath to say that the Hollwood remaster of Queen is the best so far until we start pulling in a few more votes and opinions, but so far, all (who have replied) think Hollywood have got this one correct.
Any opinions about the Japanese remasters?
[/QUOTE]
I personally love the Japanese remasters of the 70's albums, the 80's are worse and Innuendo & MIH suck. The live albums are excellent.
However I don't have the Hollywood remasters so I can't compare
pittrek · Member since
Copying from an older thread
[QUOTE]
" Oh well, since this is here anyway I'll try to answer your slightly more specific question. I have at least 2 versions of each so I'll list which one I'd grab:
"Queen" - Hollywood version 1991. A warmer, not-so-harsh and tinny sound compared to the 2001 which actually hurts my ears at times.
"Queen II" - Hollywood 1991 again. While the 2001 version never hurts my ears, it does venture into the same type of sound. And I actually listened to the 2001 version last night and swore I heard some very minor but noticeable drop-outs.
"Sheer Heart Attack" - 2001 remaster for sure. Much fuller sound."A Night At The Opera" - 30th Anniversary, and preferably the DVD's PCM track which is noticeably better than the standard CD due to the higher sampling rate.
"A Day At The Races" - 2001 remaster. Flawless I think and a significant improvement over 1991.
"News Of The World" - 2001 remaster, absolutely. This is one of the two best of the 2001s. Big, rich sound that blows other versions away.
"Jazz" - Tough call. I'm gonna say the 1991 version because again, there's a warmth there which is missing on the over-loud, bit-too-tinny 2001 version. UK version from 1994 has a glitch during the intro of Fat Bottomed Girls which was carried over to 'Rocks'.
"Live Killers" - 2001 version all the way. This version sounds more rich and full than the weak 1991 version.
"The Game" - 2001 version. This is tied with NOTW as my favorites of the 2001 series. I've tried the PCM from the DVD-A and it was lacking something, and the 1991 version is totally lacking a fullness/bass.
"Flash Gordon" - 2001 version. Much like 'Live Killers', this isn't a very well-produced album and the 2001 remaster at least improves it slightly.
"Greatest Hits" - 2001 version, which is also contained in the U.S. Platinum Collection (not the European version) and "Greatest Hits - WWRY Edition". Major improvement from the early 90s UK version.
"Hot Space" - 2001 version. Excellent sound and much richer than the 1991 version.
"The Works" - This one kinda parallels 'Jazz'. Again, I think the 1991 version is slightly more pleasing sounding.. the 2001 is a bit too loud and kinda flat sounding.
"A Kind of Magic" - Very tough call. I actually like the sound of the 2001 version, though once it was pointed out that there was midrange missing, I heard it too.. I guess technically I'd have to say the 1991 version is more like it should be. I love this one as a 2004 card sleeve though.. being a gatefold and with such rich artwork.
"Live Magic" - 2001 version without a doubt. The 1996 Hollywood version is very weak compared to this. Major improvment.
"The Miracle" - Here again, like AKOM, if you like a sort of V-shaped EQ pattern like myself, the missing midrange won't bother you and this will sound nice. And since the 1991 Hollywood version has an alternate mix of 'I Want it All', this 2001 version is my best choice for an original representation of the album. I have the 1989 Capitol version
as well and it's quite weak sounding compared to either of those.
"Innuendo" - original 1991 version. 2001 remaster is horrible at times. 'I Can't Live With You' sounds really harsh, other tracks sound weak.. they botched this one when remastering.
"Greatest Hits II" - 2001 version is much cleaner sounding, doesn't have that 'compressed' sound
that the original 1991 version had. Plus they've restored the endin
[/QUOTE]
The end was truncated during the SQL injection attack
John S Stuart · Member since
[b]Pittrick[/b]: Excellent list there.
I guess it would be easier to do it that way - but I was looking for a Queenzone concensus rather than any one personal opinion.
The debut album seems to be easy - but remember it will get harder eg: I believe the 'Teo Torriate' HQ remix may not be bettered, but that is only on one album.
So what is the best way forward?
Poll, sticky, committee, average opinion?
Remebber this is not my thread - I will go with the flow if I am overwhelmed with disagreement.
mooghead · Member since
I fear if the thread is limited to those that have at least 3 different editions of every album you may have little response.
Adam Baboolal · Member since
I like the idea of getting the best of the best and creating a set from that lot. Good one!
But I'm curious, my professional opinion differs from Pittrek's list there. Does that mean it's my personal one??? Tell me what you think and I'll get back to you. I own the UK remasters and have access to the 2001/04 remasters. I could maybe seek out all others.
In fact, compilation albums are well worth checking at some stage as remember Under pressure on Classic Queen? That sounds sooo much better than the Hot Space album version.
Adam.
Yara · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]John S Stuart wrote: [/b]
[b]Pittrick[/b]: Excellent list there.
I guess it would be easier to do it that way - but I was looking for a Queenzone concensus rather than any one personal opinion.
The debut album seems to be easy - but remember it will get harder eg: I believe the 'Teo Torriate' HQ remix may not be bettered, but that is only on one album.
So what is the best way forward?
Poll, sticky, committee, average opinion?
Remebber this is not my thread - I will go with the flow if I am overwhelmed with disagreement.[/QUOTE]
First, discussions followed by a poll. Then we could draw up a list based on the results of the poll and bits of the discussion - some marginal comments on each recording - and make it sticky.
Ale_Pisa · Member since
Good idea! Personally I prefer the last Japanese remastered edition, the MSFL album, NOTW sounds great to me and some HR Remastered. I don't like the Europe/UK version.
For the 1st album we can use the HR Edition.
But what do you think about the vynil issue?
jozef · Member since
[i]By audio quality ...
I have from the 70´s albums these CD/DVD versions ... and the audio winners are ...
Finaly for me absolutely the best sounding audio on CDs-DVDs (stereo) ever from that period and those versions is on ADATR Hollywood rec. UDCD 668.
[/i]
pittrek · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]John S Stewart wrote: [/b]
[b]Pittrick[/b]: Excellent list there.
I guess it would be easier to do it that way - but I was looking for a Queenzone concensus rather than any one personal opinion.
The debut album seems to be easy - but remember it will get harder eg: I believe the 'Teo Torriate' HQ remix may not be bettered, but that is only on one album.
So what is the best way forward?
Poll, sticky, committee, average opinion?
Remebber this is not my thread - I will go with the flow if I am overwhelmed with disagreement.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, unfortunately it's not mine, but I agree with it for cca 50%
pittrek · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]Adam Baboolal wrote: [/b]
I like the idea of getting the best of the best and creating a set from that lot. Good one!
But I'm curious, my professional opinion differs from Pittrek's list there. Does that mean it's my personal one??? Tell me what you think and I'll get back to you. I own the UK remasters and have access to the 2001/04 remasters. I could maybe seek out all others.
In fact, compilation albums are well worth checking at some stage as remember Under pressure on Classic Queen? That sounds sooo much better than the Hot Space album version.
Adam.
[/QUOTE]
Why ? I think it's normal that 2 persons have 2 or more opinions :) I sometimes have myself 2 opinions on 1 problem ;)
Adam Baboolal · Member since
True, I suppose it is possible to show which is technically better but still like one more than the other.
Adam.
Rick · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]Ducksoup wrote: [/b]
Great progress in this topic already.
I suggest we use this topic for the debut album only. When all is discussed and we have a final track list (including a nice set of bonus material on disc 2) we can open a new topic for the next album.
In the end all topics can be made sticky or indexed so that's it's clear for everyone where to find them.
As far as the debut album is concerned: I think the Hollywood issue is the best sounding one.
Bonus disc suggestions:
De lane Lea demos
Mad the swine
Keep yourself alive (long lost retake / acetate version)
Great King rat (bbc)
Great King Rat (convention recording)
Keep Yourselrf Alive (bbc)
Liar (bbc)
My Fairy King (bbc)
Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll (bbc)
Polar Bear (Queen version)
Silver Salmon
Son and daughter (bbc)
and maybe the instrumentals from the Eye or the greatest kareoke hits could be included too...
[/QUOTE]
Don't forget Hangman
;-)
onevsion · Member since
Ah yes... Hangman.
How could I forget? :-)
brians wig · Member since
What on earth does MFSL stand for?????
Since John started this thread, would he be willing to delve into his own archives and offer some unreleased material of his own that we could plunder!? ;)
