Now you're cooking with fire... that four record run by the Stones is unmatched.
Great albums. Need to do some research on what’s considered the best pressings.
I gots that information if you need some. I spent my first two years of collecting deep into those records.
Yea, give me your thoughts.
The Stones are fairly simple, IMO, for better or worse. Your first problem with the original analogs will be finding one without surface noise, simply because of the age. So I stopped getting hung up in the various conversations about "presswell" vs "Terra Haute" and what not. After 50 years, that's the least of the problems. I think the Stones basically have a fragile tape issue, so I'm not aware of any all analog modern remasters. If there's one out there that you find out about, please let me know.
1. Beggars - I have a first and second US pressing (PS 539) and it's a nice listen. They are from 68 and 69. I listen to the second because it has no surface noise. I can't really tell the difference in sound quality between the two. I also have the 2013 ABCKO Clearly Vinyl reissue which is the same as the box set reissue, but clear color. This is the Bob Ludwig DSD remaster. It's very good and well received by the Stones freaks. It's more lively and has better separation than the originals, IMO. But it does feel a bit squished. If you don't want to hunt through originals to find a clean copy with no noise, this is a perfectly good way to go. The original Decca is mono. I have not heard this, but I'm not really a mono seeker. People like it though. I had a London UK first at one point, but it was too noisy so I sold it.
2. Let It Bleed - Same story as Beggars. There's an original mono that is well received. I have an original US stereo which is nice. I think after that the quality will deteriorate through the 70's and 80's, etc. You still get people talking about their Japanese OBI blah blah, but that's sort of noise to me. If you can find a clean original, give it a shot. The same 2003 Bob Ludwig remaster from DSD also exists here, repressed in 2013 on clear vinyl. I have this as well and tends to be my 'go to'. BL did a really good job with these transfers and mixes.
3. Sticky Fingers - this is a tough one because I don't think a great copy exists. I have an original UK and US version. They both sound 'fine'. The zippers are intact so that's nice. My US is a "RI" copy. Neither have much depth although they feel analog. They are both inferior to my better copies of LIB and Beggars. The 2015 reissue is certainly from digital, but not DSD. No credit is given to the mastering although Fremer assumed is was Marcussen who did it. Fremer did a whole write up on Analog Planet. He didn't shred it, but wasn't impressed. I think it's fine as well. I actually listen to it more than the originals because it's quieter than my two OGs. None of them are great which is a damn shame.
4. Exile - one of my top five favorite records of all time. I currently have three of these but have had more. Almost every time I see a used one in a store, I'll buy it to try to find a better copy, and then gift one away to someone. I don't have a UK, but would love to find a clean one someday. For whatever reason, I currently have two Richmond Press (RI) original 72's right now. One is a unipak, one isn't. I think they sound the same, both very good. People say you want the artisan symbol in the deadwax on all four sides. Abbey Road did a half speed reissue from digital a few years ago (Marcussen). I have it. It is panned as compressed. Fremer was pretty tough on it too. I don't think it's terrible, but I definitely like the original better. If you can find a clean one, any 1972 version with the artisan is probably a better choice. But the remaster won't make you cringe.
Sorry for the long ass post.
great post brother.
I picked up the 2019 50th anniversary 180g RE of Let it Bleed yesterday. It sounded pretty good to me
According to discogs, that was mastered by Ludwig as well so that's likely the same as the 2003 and 2013 clearly vinyl version, which is DSD sourced.
Well, with our talk of the Stones and Let it Bleed, I pulled out my old late 70's reissue.
is good?
I like it, but I have no comparisons. Its an almost perfect copy, silent between songs, very little surface noise if any, cover is perfect. It was a hand me down from a friend of my wife's family as they were cleaning out some stuff a couple years ago. I enjoy it, but I may have to pick up a cheap 50th anniversary just to compare. Maybe a good time for me to make a Digital v Analog show down. Wish I had a nice original to compare, but I will have a VERY hard time finding one as clean as this late 70's issue I have without paying $$$$.
Comments
I'm pretty sure that FLAC came off a 1986 ABKCO cassette remaster.
Love In Vain is my favorite Stones song.
DC 2003
DC 2004 (VFC)
DC 2006
Pittsburgh 2006
Bonnaroo 2008
Virginia Beach 2008
DC 2008
Philly (Spectrum) 10/31/2009
DC 2010 (Jiffy Lube Live)
PJ 20 night 1
PJ 20 night 2
Phoenix 2013
LA 1 2013
Memphis 2014
Jacksonville 2016
Greenville 2016
Hampton 2016
Columbia 2016
Fenway 1 2016
Fenway 2 2016
Wrigley 1 2018
Wrigley 2 2018
Fenway 1 2018
Fenway 2 2018
Sea Hear Now 2021
Nashville 2022
Louisville 2022
Reorganizing and pulled this one out of the archives. An old friend gave this to me for my birthday, I believe.
2016: Lexington and Wrigley 1