The "best" shadows recordings?

[sixtiesman]

Hey, I ordered the latest EY set and it's fantastic.

I have listened a lot and I'm greatful to Jim for the recommendation.

Very very clean, the best I've heard.

Thanks

sixtiesman

[Moderne]

Going back to what Jim was saying about recording level and VU meters, when making compilation cassettes (or 'mixtapes' as seems to be the 'retro' name for them) people (well...me!) used to pride themselves on setting the recording level on the cassette recorder so as to maximise the volume of the source (without distortion) - so it would be set to a medium setting for a 'normal' 12 or 14 track LP, a fair bit higher for a 20-track LP, a bit lower for a 45 and lower still for a 78 as they seemed to be the loudest. In fact, I believe there is a school of thought that says that 78rpm records have the best sound quality of all records as they have the greatest groove length:sound quality ratio (notwithstanding the hiss, of course - which is often barely noticeable on 'loud' rock 'n' roll songs anyway). My CD player has a 'peak search' facility which makes it easier when including CD tracks on compilations. Is anyone still reading...?!

I still listen to cassettes when I'm doing the ironing...

Incidentally, re. I Want You to Want Me, is it my imagination or is there a touch of reverb on the guitar on the mono single which is absent on the stereo? There are a few other instances of this...the drums at the end of Tomorrow's Cancelled, for instance.

PS (!) referring to the Early Years boxed set, I agree with all earlier comments regarding the excellence of this. I've only really appreciated recently how gorgeous the remixed-for-stereo Lady Penelope sounds on the 1966 CD (CD 5, I think).

[Iain Purdon]

I must be mad , I've ordered it!

Me too! Very pleased to have it.

[Arpeggio]

Glad you are all enjoying the expanded Early Years set. Yes....I love it too....as I was heavily involved ( & thanks to a certain Mr J N!!! for his advice / comments / input too). I know that Tim Chacksfield & Peter Mew put a lot of time / effort into the remastering.

Yes...."Lady Penelope" in stereo.....fabulous!!! I can tell you all that it was done in 6 takes....but the previous 5 were all very short false starts!! Firstly.....the tapes started rolling when no - one was quite ready. Everyone (nicely & politely) ticked off by Bruce....but then Hank & Brian weren't ready. Then Hank is absent mindedly strumming etc. All of the FS occupied less than one minute & (for once)...everyone is actually OK about it....with Hank sheepishly apologising 'Sorry everyone.' on FS#5

Bests....Rob

[Fenderman]

Would be nice to hear more Shad's out takes and studio chatter, maybe one day......
Can anyone confirm if Parlophone have given the green light to a second stereo/mono CD set for 1967-1980?

[Arpeggio]

It has been 'under consideration' for some considerable time. I wouldn't rule it out completely....but....

[JimN]

It has been 'under consideration' for some considerable time. I wouldn't rule it out completely....but....

If it comes to fruition, Rob, it will be the only realistic chance of getting the mono versions of the few remaining 1959-1966 B-sides and EP tracks not available on CD. And there are still a few.

Let me send you my list after I get home. It's on my desktop PC.

[Fenderman]

I've got a few gaps such as i don't have mono versions of any singles after 'The Dreams i dream', and i don't have a digital mono version of the Rhythm and Greens EP (i only have it on vinyl).