Janis Ian 'Between the Lines' Remaster v Original Pressing

[GaryProtein]

I like this album. I have several copies from 1975, including one that i bought a few months ago, sealed. I also bought the recently remastered version.
Today, during a listening session with a few astute listeners assembled (and the TT had just been completely gone over, re-levelling, including arm (remember, I use a lateral tracker), azimuth using the fogozometer, VTF, VTA, etc), i first played the remaster. It sounded lifeless, flat and sterile. Pulled out one of the 1975 copies- the magic was there, much more alive, deep, warm. . . . .Not a rant against remasters in general, but this was surprising, because I thought the remaster was well-received.

That happens a lot, and not only with old vs new remastered LPs. Remastered CDs often suffer the same problem.

Newer is not always better.

 

[MylesBAstor]

That happens a lot, and not only with old vs new remastered LPs. Remastered CDs often suffer the same problem.

Newer is not always better.

And their are many reasons for it including tape aging (or how well the record label took care of the tape that is not a given by any means), which tape they used in remastering (ie was it the original master -- or in worst case scenario--a digital copy) and the remastering process (machine, alignment, cutting, plating, pressing, etc). Lot's of places where the remaster can be screwed up.

In the case of the Boxstar release, Bernie Grundman did the remastering IIRC and he usually does a good job. Now the one mistake that people often make is not adjusting/compensation for VTA/SRA for the significantly thicker 180/200 g reissues. Most of these original rock LPs were pressed on crappy, often recycled vinyl that rivaled Dynawarp. So unless you account for that difference, one can often reach an erroneous conclusion.

OTOH, and I'm notgoing to get into it, there are many other reasons to get reissued LPs.

 

[audioarcher]

Hi Janis, Welcome to WBF. It's quite unusual for an artist to post to an audio forum. Thanks for the info and sorry to hear about not having control over your own work. It must be very frustrating.

I just got the new Analogue Productions reissue of Breaking Silence and am enjoying it very much. Do you plan on any performances on the west coast?

Sean

 

[Bill Hart]

Hi Janis, Welcome to WBF. It's quite unusual for an artist to post to an audio forum. Thanks for the info and sorry to hear about not having control over your own work. It must be very frustrating.

I just got the new Analogue Productions reissue of Breaking Silence and am enjoying it very much. Do you plan on any performances on the west coast?

Sean

Sean, I very much doubt she is going to be an active poster here, would be happy to be wrong about that, but it was fabulous that she took the time to weigh in on the sonics of her records. Here's her tour schedule fwiw:

http://www.janisian.com/ontour.php

PS: I agree that Breaking Silence, at least the AP pressing, is a sonic spectacular.

 

[audioarcher]

Hi Bill, thanks for the link. Looks like Janis is coming to Portland,OR. next April. That's a 2 1/2 hour drive from me. That might work if it's on a weekend.

Sean

 

[MylesBAstor]

Hi Bill, thanks for the link. Looks like Janis is coming to Portland,OR. next April. That's a 2 1/2 hour drive from me. That might work if it's on a weekend.

Sean

For Janis Ian fans:

http://www.citywinery.com/newyork/tickets.html?event_date=2012-11-02

Good seats still available. Got mine! Maybe even get her to autograph one of her albums!

 

[janisian]

Sean, I didn't realize there was a new reissue or Breaking Silence - do you have any other information? Vinyl, I assume? Please feel free to email me at janisianmail@earthlink.net, as that's a bit easier for me. (No offense to the forum.)

 

[janisian]

Thanks for the push, Myles - and I always stay after shows to meet people and sign things. Please remind me who you are when we meet!
Love "Vinyl Rules" btw. Wish it was a bumper sticker...

 

[audioarcher]

Looks like Janis added a tour date in Seattle April 6 2013. Shes playing at the Triple Door.