Hendrix, Hendrix, Hendrix

Xenu · Postby **Xenu** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:19 am

Did we ever have a consensus on these CDs? Which version of the stock catalogue discs is best? I keep seeing the "ugly covers" versions about, and I know those are favored in some circles...?

Jelly · Postby **Jelly** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:29 am

"Ugly covers" are the early 90's ones, right? I don't have them anymore but I'm pretty certain that AYE ran a bit slow. I'm happy with the current EH versions.

Xenu · Postby **Xenu** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 2:25 pm

Thanks for the input. There've been tons of arguments about this here and other places, but nothing approaching any sort of consensus ever occurs.

Chris M · Postby **Chris M** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 5:12 pm

I haven't heard the '93 Gastwrit versions in forever. Are they really NR'd? Gastwrit claims he used the masters for AYE? and EL and that he was sure it was the master since the tapes they had splices in it. Copy tapes wouldn't have splices. Eddie Kramer said he was full of shit.

The EH versions would be fine if they weren't so damn loud and if Stone Free wasn't fake stereo. I think George Marino is responsible for this moreso than Kramer.

Many people think the 2CD EL set is the best - I've never heard it.

SH told me that one of the old Reprise AYE? discs used the master but the EQ was crap. I don;t rem,ember being impressed with any of the 80's Jimi CD's but it's been awhile.

Patrick M · Postby **Patrick M** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 9:58 pm

I would suggest starting with Russian pirates.

Ess Ay Cee Dee · Postby **Ess Ay Cee Dee** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:22 pm

Postby **lukpac** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:31 am

Boy, it sure is a good thing there isn't a thread already dedicated to this subject.

Xenu · Postby **Xenu** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 3:21 am

I know about that thread. That said, I'm still unsure of where exactly the discussion lead, in the end.

Patrick M · Postby **Patrick M** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:01 pm

Aren't your Russian pirates satisfying enough?

Xenu · Postby **Xenu** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 2:46 pm

Yes, Patrick, I get it. FWIW, I have one Hendrix pirate: it's "Are You Experienced," and it frankly isn't all that great.

Are you going to dig up some Usenet post now where I say differently?

Patrick M · Postby **Patrick M** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 3:53 pm

I will leave that to Ryan.

dudelsack · Postby **dudelsack** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 11:19 am

AYE: non-NR'ed Reprise CD
Axis: ? (only heard the LP for this one, which I will be buried with)
EL: 2-disc (non-NR'ed) Reprise CD (beats the WG naked ladies 2-disc, I think)
Band of Gypsys: Polydor CD from WG without bonus tracks
The Cry Of Love: Polydor CD from WG (the only one I've heard in this case)

JWB · Postby **JWB** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:31 pm

I think the Kramer/Marino remasters are EXCELLENT. Most people on SHtv complain about them because they're a mastered a bit loud, and we all know that's a no-no in Elitist Land. They sound great though.

dudelsack · Postby **dudelsack** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:39 pm

Chris M wrote:I haven't heard the '93 Gastwrit versions in forever. Are they really NR'd? Gastwrit claims he used the masters for AYE? and EL and that he was sure it was the master since the tapes they had splices in it. Copy tapes wouldn't have splices. Eddie Kramer said he was full of shit.

I actually picked up an Axis in this '93 ugly cover series recently and it sounds quite reasonable...not as nice and warm as my LP, but perfectly tolerable.

Dob · Postby **Dob** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:11 pm

JWB wrote:I think the Kramer/Marino remasters are EXCELLENT. Most people on SHtv complain about them because they're a mastered a bit loud...

They have been mastered at "modern" volume levels, and the waveforms do have a lot of flat tops. The thing is, I don't remember anyone complaining about that until someone actually checked out the waveforms.

Overall, I like the EH remasters. IIRC, Eddie Kramer said those mastering volume levels were chosen because that's what sounded best. Maybe flat top waves do make Jimi's guitar sound better...