Happy Boxing Day! Listening to Analog Productions/QRP The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Like the other release from this series, Selling England..." this is not from the exact same set of masters used for the excellent 2008 reboot--or the 74 original. According to QRP, this was cut directly to lacquer from either the original tape or the "best available source."
The Good: Super clean vinyl. 45 RPM. Numbered copy. Great channel separation and imaging. Dynamic range is amazing for vinyl even on my reasonably priced rig in the theater room. DEEEEEEEEEEEP bass especially on synths. The original had excellent bass extension, as did all of the 08 remasters.
The Good or Bad depending on your expectations: Obvious alternate takes/mixes (most--maybe all of them on the vocals) of some songs, especially on Discs 1 and 2 (Sides 1 - 2 on original release). Side 3 sounds like the original. Extra modulation efx on PG's vocals in places. Additional half speed voice can be heard on a couple of songs. Anyone remember this from the original?
The Bad: On the obvious non-original mixes/takes, the vocals sound thin in several places. EQ is boxy on Side E. Flip to Side F and it's total beauty from there on. 45 RPM will have you out of your seat every 12 minutes. Slight warpage on Disc 2. Had issues with this with Selling... Acoustic Sounds replaced the disc promptly, Customer service is great.
Bottom Line: This release can be thrilling in places, especially where more familiar takes were used. There is some inconsistency in EQ from side to side. Not sure if this is from the original master tapes or if it was introduced in remastering.
Someone is going to tell me that I'm totally wrong about all of this and that the 08 versions were rejigged in the digital domain. And this is a possibility. If you're a big fan of TLLDOB, you'll likely enjoy it. If you don't mind a bit of surface noise and aren't obsessed about dynamic range, the 08 ½ speed master from Miles @ Abbey Road is more consistently voiced and PG's vocals on the first two sides sound fuller and more natural. And it's ⅓ of the price.
www.allmusic.com
Let's hear what happens here...
