how's the sound on new american trilogy FTD?
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My American Trilogy and 50M CD's turned up this morning - thanks to Andrew at Essential Elvis - great service as usual. I've just listened to a handful of tracks off each at present but here are my initial thoughts;
AT - The opening song selection is for me the best start to any concert in Elvis 69-77 career. I just love the line up. As ever in this era Elvis is focused and in great voice. Mountain sounds great as does Spain. I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the CD even though we already have much of it its nice to get it in this context.
Unfortunately, though I have to disagree with Tom on the sound quality. It is no way as good as the Burning Love CD IMO. On that CD there was clear air between instruments/vocals, Ronnie's drumming never sounded better with the kick drum in particular carrying real weight, also JB's guitar had a great tone to it and was nicely placed in the mix. Here there is a lack of clarity around the instruments - I'm no mastering expert but I wonder if there is some re-verb added? I could say more but it's just my opinion and I think i'll leave it until others have had the chance to review.
50M - its hard to believe that this material was recorded over 50 years ago as it sounds so fresh. This is my favourite 50's session is I love this stuff anyway but it sounds great to. I've not compared with any songs released on issues like 2nd to nothing but it's a pleasure to listen to. Nice one Kevin. I'm goig to spend a bit more time back in front of the hi fi now as I'm keen to hear how the outtakes sound.
cheers Jamie
AT - The opening song selection is for me the best start to any concert in Elvis 69-77 career. I just love the line up. As ever in this era Elvis is focused and in great voice. Mountain sounds great as does Spain. I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the CD even though we already have much of it its nice to get it in this context.
Unfortunately, though I have to disagree with Tom on the sound quality. It is no way as good as the Burning Love CD IMO. On that CD there was clear air between instruments/vocals, Ronnie's drumming never sounded better with the kick drum in particular carrying real weight, also JB's guitar had a great tone to it and was nicely placed in the mix. Here there is a lack of clarity around the instruments - I'm no mastering expert but I wonder if there is some re-verb added? I could say more but it's just my opinion and I think i'll leave it until others have had the chance to review.
50M - its hard to believe that this material was recorded over 50 years ago as it sounds so fresh. This is my favourite 50's session is I love this stuff anyway but it sounds great to. I've not compared with any songs released on issues like 2nd to nothing but it's a pleasure to listen to. Nice one Kevin. I'm goig to spend a bit more time back in front of the hi fi now as I'm keen to hear how the outtakes sound.
cheers Jamie
Gator's got me Granny.
I've just had another listen but not on my no.1 hi fi (my wifes come home so I've been banquished from the hot seat!). It's a good CD - as someone mentioned Mountain and Trilogy are worth the admission price alone. I don't recognise the version of Big Hunk either - it's shown as already released but I don't think it is. I've listened to the versions on Burning love and Greatest hits (vinyl) and they are definately different versions. They are also listed as different nights 16th and 17th. I presume that it's just an error on the cover notes? Unless there's a version out there I'm not aware of.
I'm going to give it another chance sound wise as when I listened earlier my hi fi had been switched off all week - and it does take time to warm up to perform to the optimum. Fingers crossed that it makes a difference.
cheers Jamie
I'm going to give it another chance sound wise as when I listened earlier my hi fi had been switched off all week - and it does take time to warm up to perform to the optimum. Fingers crossed that it makes a difference.
cheers Jamie
Gator's got me Granny.
The main body of this CD is great. Very little dialogue, but there is a little banter with the audience. Elvis suddenly has a coughing fit and says something like, "Pardon me while I die."
It is a let down though when the CD goes from the multitrack recordings to the soundboard recordings. It is a very good release though.
We've been asking for a show from the winter season of 1972 and we now have it.
Enjoy!
It is a let down though when the CD goes from the multitrack recordings to the soundboard recordings. It is a very good release though.
We've been asking for a show from the winter season of 1972 and we now have it.
Enjoy!
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Let me say this is my favorite standard series FTD in a LONG while. Fantastic performances is 16-track sound quality. The sound on this CD is good and, while I don't have 'Burning Love' for comparison, I will say it's at least on par with Live In Las Vegas disc 3 and FAR superior to the tracks on 'Writing For The King'.
I am surprised no one has commented on the unusual version of 'Hound Dog' included on this disc.
This is an essential FTD release, the best live release since 'All Shook Up'.
I am surprised no one has commented on the unusual version of 'Hound Dog' included on this disc.
This is an essential FTD release, the best live release since 'All Shook Up'.
King Of The Jungle
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I don't think that's a mixing issue at all, the audience was definitely more subdued at this point given the fact that this was Elvis' sixth Las Vegas season and he had become a regular staple by then. In addition his stage show at this point had become a very polished affair and clearly lacked the raw and intense nature of his 1969 stage shows (and understandably so). Personally I think Presley was at his peak in 1972 in terms of mastering the Vegas stage performance, it doesn't get much better than 1972 in my book!Big Boss Man wrote:The only thing I was a little disappointed with is that the audience sounds do not seam to be mixed very high on the multi track recordings as compared to the recordings from 69-70.
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Ok, I don't have this release yet, so, would you mind explaining just what could be so unusual about this version ofKingOfTheJungle wrote: I am surprised no one has commented on the unusual version of 'Hound Dog' included on this disc.
Hound Dog
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I just recieved this CD today and am enjoying it. obviously the soundboard from Jan 26th isn't as good a listen, but still nice.mountain is 'good' but i don't care for Elvis's brief singing with the Stamps on trilogy.false start to 'it's impossible' is interesting and we get 24 different songs in total...pity their isn't any version of 'help me make it through the night'! i'll probably listen to it all this week and because its from multi-track its pretty 'easy' to listen too.
Bruce Jackson Born June 3rd 1949- Died January 29th 2011 Elvis's Sound Engineer from 1971-1977.
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WAITING
Still waiting for mine from "Elvis.co.uk" but with "A big hunk o love", there are already 3 different versions released from this season; namely on "Greatest hits / the sound of your cry" LP, "writing for the King" and "70's box set / "Burning love". If the version on this new FTD is unreleased, this would make 4 versions!!
Re: WAITING
AAT contains the same version of ABHOL as released on WFTK (Feb 14, 1972 MS), however this time without the atrocious clipping that plagues the WFTK release (and that's why it sounds a lot better and much less distorted on AAT than it does on WFTK).TONY wrote:Still waiting for mine from "Elvis.co.uk" but with "A big hunk o love", there are already 3 different versions released from this season; namely on "Greatest hits / the sound of your cry" LP, "writing for the King" and "70's box set / "Burning love". If the version on this new FTD is unreleased, this would make 4 versions!!
In fact I just compared these two tracks and it turns out the track on WFTK is clipped by as much as 6dB compared to the original unclipped signal present on AAT. What the hell were they thinking at Tocano when they mastered this one?
Last edited by thenexte on Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: WAITING
That's a very interesting read, thanks for posting that article. It does make you wonder doesn't it? With so much technology and supposed attention to detail why SO MANY mistakes have been made on Elvis product that has passed through their hands and also why, in light of these continuing problems FTD continue to use them.thenexte wrote: In fact I just compared these two tracks and it turns out the track on WFTK is clipped by as much as 6dB compared to the original unclipped signal present on AAT. What the hell were they thinking at Tocano when they mastered this one? Simply unbelievable!
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Re: WAITING
Yes, it's a mystery for sure - and a depressing one too.Matthew wrote:That's a very interesting read, thanks for posting that article. It does make you wonder doesn't it? With so much technology and supposed attention to detail why SO MANY mistakes have been made on Elvis product that has passed through their hands and also why, in light of these continuing problems FTD continue to use them.thenexte wrote: In fact I just compared these two tracks and it turns out the track on WFTK is clipped by as much as 6dB compared to the original unclipped signal present on AAT. What the hell were they thinking at Tocano when they mastered this one? Simply unbelievable!
Keith Richards, Jr.
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Thanks for the info on versions to date Tony. I don't have WFTK so wasn't aware it was the same version. By the sound of it this release is much better sound wise.
I to struggle with the level of inconsistency in the FTD live releases (sound wise). It doesn't seem to plague the studio releases. I would love to know whats going on? If you hit on a winning formula why not try to stick with it assuming the source tape is not damaged etc.
Whilst the new CD sounds pretty good the drumming on the start of CC Rider and Proud Mary sounds like Ronnies playing out by the Blackjack tables! Yet most of the time his drumming is right up front.
Jamie
I to struggle with the level of inconsistency in the FTD live releases (sound wise). It doesn't seem to plague the studio releases. I would love to know whats going on? If you hit on a winning formula why not try to stick with it assuming the source tape is not damaged etc.
Whilst the new CD sounds pretty good the drumming on the start of CC Rider and Proud Mary sounds like Ronnies playing out by the Blackjack tables! Yet most of the time his drumming is right up front.
Jamie
Gator's got me Granny.
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I agree with you : the best sound so far for the multitrack jan - feb 72 are on the Burning love CD.Jamie wrote: Unfortunately, though I have to disagree with Tom on the sound quality. It is no way as good as the Burning Love CD IMO. On that CD there was clear air between instruments/vocals, Ronnie's drumming never sounded better with the kick drum in particular carrying real weight, also JB's guitar had a great tone to it and was nicely placed in the mix. Here there is a lack of clarity around the instruments - I'm no mastering expert but I wonder if there is some re-verb added? I could say more but it's just my opinion and I think i'll leave it until others have had the chance to review.
cheers Jamie
The FTD "An america trilogy" deserve better mastering than the work that was done at Tocano.
enjoy your day
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Seems that some censor erased my yesterdays posting regarding Tocano... very interesting.
So once again, I wrote basically this: no high end technology in studio can save the situation, if the person responsible for mastering process is ignorant and sloppy. And I will add: regarding the technology available, Lene Reidels mastering is almost always disaster.
So once again, I wrote basically this: no high end technology in studio can save the situation, if the person responsible for mastering process is ignorant and sloppy. And I will add: regarding the technology available, Lene Reidels mastering is almost always disaster.
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Good thing Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson weren't around to hear this! He'd be in the same boat as Imus.Ton Bruins wrote:It isn't worse. Didn't know by the way that Elvis had a false start when he sings "It's Impossible". He stops at 1.10 and starts over again, because he messes up the lyrics. "Ho,ho,ho, blew it, blew it, blew it, go back, go back, start over again", Elvis reacts...
Mike in WV
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yes now i have had time to listen to 'an american trilogy' i agree burnin g love sounds better and yet big hunk is better than on writing for the king. certainly this recent FTD doesn't sound as 'live' and good as i was expecting it to be.
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