"Thick As A Brick: The Steven Wilson 2012 Stereo Remix" by JETHRO TULL (June 2015 Chrysalis 1CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...St. Cleve Chronicle..."

For those of us who can't afford or won't pay the price for the now deleted and suddenly extortionate "40th Anniversary Edition" BOX SET from 6 Nov 2012 - there's now this simpler yet beautifully presented June 2015 single-CD reissue of Tull’s 1972 epic "Thick As A Brick". It comes resplendent with 'The 2012 Steven Wilson Stereo Remix' and a big old chunky 24-page booklet. And at under six quid – isn't a rip-off either.

Riding on the shirt tales of 1971's hugely popular "Aqualung" and although heavyweights like Lester Bangs mauled the new 1972 album - Tull's "Thick As A Brick" took the charts by storm on both sides of the Atlantic (especially America) – No. 5 in the UK and an astonishing No. 1 in the USA. Speaking of critically controversial yet commercially successful records - when you think that Yes then put a triple-live-set “Yessongs” and a double-studio album of four full-length sides "Tales From Topographic Oceans" ‘both’ at Number 1 in Blighty in May and December of 1973 – 1972 and 1973 really were the Progressive Rock years - whether the Press liked it or not. We (Joe Public) certainly did.

But in the cold light of 2018 – does a 44-minute piece of Rock Music from 1972 still stand up (if you’ll forgive the pun)? Well with this sparkly new sprinkle of remaster fairy dust from the Wilson Prog-meister – you'd have to say that Little Milton's Girl Pregnancy Row is in fine fettle. Let's unfold the newspaper and find out if an 'On-Form Eileen' really has 'pulled them out'...

UK released 29 June 2015 - "Thick As A Brick: The Steven Wilson 2012 Stereo Remix" by JETHRO TULL on Chrysalis 0825646146468 (Barcode 0825646146468) is a straightforward Single CD Reissue of the 1973 album that plays out as follows (43:44 minutes):

1. Thick As A Brick (Part 1) [Side 1] – 22:39 minutes

2. Thick As A Brick (Part 2) [Side 2] – 21:05 minutes

Tracks 1 and 2 are their fifth studio album "Thick As A Brick" - released 10 March 1972 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1003 and 10 May 1972 in the USA on Reprise MS 2072. Written and Produced by IAN ANDERSON - the album peaked at No. 5 in the UK and No.1 in the USA.

JETHRO TULL was:

IAN ANDERSON - Lead Vocals. Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Violin, Saxophone and Trumpet

MARTIN BARRE - Electric Guitar and Lute

JOHN EVAN – Organ, Piano and Harpsichord

JEFFREY HAMMOND-HAMMOND - Bass and Vocals

BARRIMORE BARLOW - Drums, Timpani and Percussion

David Palmer arranged the String Section towards the End of Side 2

The 7 Jan 1972 foldout newspaper sleeve gimmick of the original vinyl album supposedly penned by an 8-year old child prodigy called Gerald Bostock (smug winner of a school poetry competition) is discussed in the booklet. The entire 12-page edition legendarily took longer to create than the album to record and came complete with a crossword, fake advertisements, bowling and fishing news etc - all written tongue-in-cheek by band members Ian Anderson, Jeffrey Hammond and John Evan (if you want the entire contents of the 'St. Cleve Chronicle & Linwell Advertiser' edition you can access it at jethrotull.com/taab-booklet). The 'Late Extra' square that was used to announce the contents of the new CD Remaster has rightly been replaced with the original 'UFO Sighting Sensation' paragraphs to the right of the album sleeve in the new booklet (although the JETHRO TULL Title is gone for some reason). Judges disqualify Little Milton In Last Minute Rumpus...it's all there.

DOM LAWSON has his ‘Full Story?’ liner notes for the 2012 '40th Anniversary Edition' Box set reproduced and original album Engineer ROBIN BLACK has Page 22 on the intricacies of the recording – speed mistakes on the tapes that had to be fixed and mentions GEORGE PECKHAM who mastered the album at Apple Studios in January 1972. The lads in trench-coats looking slightly seedy, then bare-chested in a hotel room with some semi-naked lassie on the phone (what was that about) and one of Ian giving it his one-legged pose as he plays live. It's comprehensive stuff - although funny enough this would be one occasion when I feel the booklet would have benefitted from the lyrics - but they're available online. The CD colouring reflects the original British Chrysalis Records label and there's a set of band-member photos from the period beneath the see-through CD tray.

But the big news over previous editions is the new 2012 STEVE WILSON Remix and Remaster which is beautifully clear and full of life. The Clarity is obvious - but his work on "Aqualung" he seems to have removed a haze from the original sound that was muddying up the listen. Around 10:55 when they start that Organ vs. Saxophone passage - the kick is fantastic and it's like that throughout. To the music...

When that keyboard Prog March starts at about 11:50 – I'm transported back to Genesis and all things Charisma. I keep expecting Peter Gabriel to start singing about Giant Hogweeds or Cuckoo Cocoons. There’s no doubting the wallop of the Remaster. And as they get towards your comic-book idols bending the rules (about 18:10) – the Audio is gorgeous and the music returned to a variant of that lovely Acoustic Guitar melody that opens the Side (cut as a 7" single edit in the USA). Huge keyboard notes and guitar chops fade out Side 1 and again wonderfully clear as they echo those notes and heartbeats see the Side out. Side 2 opens with the 'teach him to be a wise man' portion - rapid Prog Rock at its most expressive - stunning drumming from Evans as he lets rip. The 'overwhelming response' and 'all fluffy' voices flit from speaker to speaker as Tull go all King Crimson on us before returning to that fabulous Anderson Acoustic guitar. I take my place with the lord of the hills - he sings - the music returning in some ways to "Aqualung" and its most melodic moments. And again the Audio is storming as the Electric Guitar gives way to Acoustic at 5:35 minutes. By the time we get to 6:45 (light the sun) - we're into a full-on acoustic instrument exploration complete with Harpsichord flourishes. The pavements are empty, the gutters are full - Tull tell us as they do March of the Lemmings come 14:30. Where the hell is Biggles when you need him lyrics bring the wild Prog flourishes to an end with a few David Palmer string moments and that Acoustic melody - wise men don't know how it feels - well they do now.

For sure the whole shebang requires some serious commitment on the part of a listener - especially the denser parts of Side 2 - but "Thick As A Brick" is also musically adventurous in a way that much new music isn't.

Taking our bow and quoting the witticisms of the rear sleeve - do you want to be part of the 'Chrysalis and Bostock Firm Foundation Deal' for pre-teen enlightenment and listen to forty-four minutes of complicated Rock (all royalties go to this cause you know and not Ian’s pocket or his wife’s Maserati). Well of course you do...

"Songs From The Wood: 40th Anniversary Edition - The Country Set" by JETHRO TULL (May 2017 Parlophone/Chrysalis 3CD + 2DVD Reissue - Steve Wilson Remixes and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Ring Out, Solstice Bells..."

Lavish and Loony are the words that come to mind.

I must admit by the time Tull's 10th studio album came out in February 1977 - my mind and musical interests were elsewhere. As I recall I bought the UK Chrysalis Records LP as an afterthought later that year and reckoned it was good rather than great. But my God this extraordinary 2017 five-disc reissue has made the country squire in me sit right back up and take notice (pass the jugs of mead boys).  Everything about this fan-pleasing '40th Anniversary Edition' Reissue is utterly exceptional and at an opening gambit of twenty-two pre Brexit quid represents genuinely good value for money in my manure patch. Time to ring out those Solstice Bells methinks...

UK and USA released Friday, 19 May 2017 - "Songs From The Wood: 40th Anniversary Edition - The Country Set" by JETHRO TULL on Parlophone/Chrysalis 0190295847876 (Barcode 0190295847876) is a 3CD + 2DVD Reissue and Remaster with Stereo and 5.1 Surround Remixes by Steven Wilson in a 96-page Hardback Book Pack that plays out as follows:

CD 1 (76:55 minutes):

A Steven Wilson Stereo Remix

1. Songs From The Wood [Side 1]

2. Jack-In-The-Green

3. Cup Of Wonder

4. Hunting Girl

5. Ring Out, Solstice Bells

6. Velvet Green [Side 2]

7. The Whistler

8. Pibroch (Cap In Hand)

9. Fire At Midnight

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 10th studio album "Songs From The Wood" - released 4 February 1977 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1132 and 21 February 1977 in the USA also on Chrysalis CHR 1132. Written and Produced by IAN ANDERSON - it peaked at No. 13 in the UK and No. 8 in the USA

Associated Recordings

10. Old Aces Die Hard - Previously Unreleased Studio Outtake (Take 3) recorded October 1976 (working title was "Dark Ages")

11. Working John, Working Joe - Previously Unreleased Studio Outtake (Take 5) recorded September 1976

12. Magic Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells)

Track 12 is a Studio Outtake recorded September 1976 - first appeared on the November 2016 "Ring Out, Solstice Bells" UK 7" double pack on Chrysalis CX 40 - a Record Store Day Limited Edition Reissue (2000 Copies only) with Different Tracks to the December 1976 UK 7" double-pack originally on Chrysalis CXP2.

13. Songs From The Wood (Unedited Master)

14. Fire At Midnight (Unedited Master - Previously Unreleased)

15. One Brown Mouse (Early Version - New Mix)

16. Strip Cartoon - non-album B-side to the UK 7" single for "The Whistler" released 4 February 1977 on Chrysalis CHS 2135

17. The Whistler - Original 1977 US Stereo Single Mix - released March 1977 in the USA on Chrysalis CHS 2135 (peaked at No. 59)

CD 2 - Live In Concert 1977 (Part One) – Mixed to Stereo by Jakko Jakszyk (52:09 minutes)

1. Wond'ring Aloud

2. Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day

3. Jack-In-The-Green

4. Thick As A Brick

5. Songs From The Wood

6. Instrumental

7. Drum Solo Improvisation

8. To Cry You A Song

9. A New Day Yesterday

10. Flute Solo Improvisation/God Rest Ye Merry gentlemen/Bouree

11. Living In The Past

CD 3 - Live In Concert 1977 (Part Two) – Mixed to Stereo by Jakko Jakszyk (59:49 minutes):

 1. Velvet Green

2. Hunting Girl

3. To Old To Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die

4. Minstrel In The Gallery

5. Cross-Eyed Mary

6. Aqualung

7. Instrumental Improvisation

8. Wind-Up

9. Back Door Angels/Guitar Improvisation/Wind-Up (Reprise)

10. Locomotive Breath

11. Land Of Hope And Glory/Improvisation/Back Door Angels (Reprise)

DVD 1 (Audio) - NTSC, Region 0 Coding (All Regions)

(i) Contains "Songs From The Wood" album with all associated recordings on CD1 except Tracks 13, 14 and 17 - Remixed to 5.1 DTS, AC3 Dolby Digital Surround Sound and 96/24 LPCM Stereo

(ii) "Songs From The Wood (Unedited Master)" and "Fire At Midnight (Unedited Master)" as 96/24 LPCM Stereo

(iii) The original 9-Track Album as 96/24 LPCM Stereo

(iv) Original Quad Mixes for "Songs From The Wood", "Jack-In-The-Green", "Velvet Green" and "The Whistler" with DTS 4.0 and Dolby Digital AC3 4.0 Surround Sound

DVD 2 (Audio/Video) - NTSC, Region 0 (All Regions)

(i) Jethro Tull live on video for almost two hours at the Capitol Centre, Landover MD, 21 November 1977 - Mixed to Stereo, 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital Surround

(ii) Beethoven's Ninth (Original Audio)

(iii) Promotional Footage of "The Whistler"

Like all of these Jethro Tull Book Packs so far - the visuals are truly spectacular and put most other reissues from major labels firmly in the 'D' for dunce corner. A 96-page booklet attached to a Hardback Book Pack assaults your senses with essays and a memorabilia collection that borders on 'W' for worry. Using lyrics from the title track - Pages 8 to 51 start proceedings with a lengthy and definitive new set of liner notes entitled "Let Me Bring You..." It features reminiscences on the mythology surrounding the songs (Anderson living as a 'country squire' in the UK and how the set would be written in-between gigs and influenced by books he was reading whilst on the road), the record's launch, public and press reaction (good and bad) and the subsequent US Tour – all of which was told to MARTIN WEBB by principal band members Ian Anderson (Lead Vocals, Flute, Principal Songwriter), Martin Barre (Guitars and Vocals), David 'Dee' Palmer (Keyboards) and Barrie Barlow (Drummer).

The memorabilia stuff is amazing and exhaustive - Barrimore Barlow draped in suitable Tull attire in front of his kit for a full-page advert selling 'Rose-Morris Ludwig' Drums - differently designed Backstage Passes for Detroit, Toronto and Maryland's Landover (where the live gig on CDs 2 and 3 was recorded) - trade adverts for the album that played on the pun of trees - colour photos from the tour, the lyrics in suitably pretty script, repros of reviews, master-tape boxes, foreign picture sleeves, Chrysalis promotional photos, Dee Palmer's orchestration charts, a day-by-day tour date guide and finally interviews with Trevor White and Jakko Jakszyk about the 21st Century problems of remastering 1977 tapes with inherent audio faults (the live stuff). They've even got a photo of Morgan Studios and the mixing desk used.

But for most fans it will be the STEVEN WILSON Remixes and Remasters that draw. And once again his legendary empathy with Prog Rock and a mixing desk do his growing legend proud. I had the 2003 variant for a while but sold it and I honestly can't A/B this. But I'm thinking I don't need to because my ears are opened. The Acapella voices that begin "Songs From The Wood" are beautiful - the madrigal instruments that usher in the song so clear - those Prog Rock keyboard flourishes from John Evans and David Palmer are everywhere. "Jack-In-The-Green" is sensational - Anderson's slightly echoed vocals perfectly aligned with those acoustic strums - it sounds just huge. "Cup Of Wonder" is the same - the instruments alive and swimming in your speakers - amazing to think that this much musical complexity and precision was Take 1. Synth sounds open "Hunting Girl" which for me is the most Prog sounding romp on the LP - those rattling Barrie drums - that flanged guitar - now right up and in your face. You feel that Bass in the festive "Ring Out, Solstice Bells" - kitchen prose and gutter rhymes indeed. "Velvet Green" is probably the most impressive of tracks improvement-wise - that final Flute and Piano battle - those acoustic strums that hark back to "Living In The Past" Tull - brilliant. At 3:32 minutes and sporting a vaguely usable melody (treated vocals and a bop-Irish beat) - "The Whistler" was issued as a 45 in March 1977 and amazingly its Gordon Giltrap vibes pushed it all the way up to No. 59 on the US singles charts. The mad Prog guitars that open "Pibroch (Cap In Hand)" take no prisoners - floating in and out of the soundstage until they settle into a familiar Tull shuffle. The album ends on the ethereal drums of "Fire At Midnight" - so eccentrically Jethro Tull.

Fans will flip for the near nine-minutes of the Previously Unreleased "Old Aces Die Hard" - gorgeous acoustic guitars - brilliant vocals and choppy rhythms alternating between Folk and Prog. It's almost like an "Aqualung" outtake as the electric guitars build and build towards the end in a very Yes kind of way (nice touch to include the lyrics on Page 64). Someone sawing wood opens the second genuine outtake offered here - "Working John, Working Joe". Again it's shockingly good with fantastic guitar chops from Martin Barre – the character in the song waxing angry about how he slaves while others sloth - working thirteen hours when most work only eight. And as far as I know this is also the first CD appearance of the November 2016 Record Store-only 7" single track "Magic Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells") – a rarity in itself after less than a year in the vinyl marketplace. "Old Brown Mouse" is a great Anderson acoustic jangle and if it is 'probably a Demo' as the liner notes suggest – it's an amazingly accomplished one. Fans will appreciate the B and A-side singles of "Strip Cartoon" and "The Whistler" - both of which bring a near perfect CD1 to a close.

I suspect that some judicious editing was done on the two live CDs (not that I'm complaining) because they work so well thematically and the Audio is also shockingly good. Introducing every song with his customary witticisms and broad English squire voice - Ian Anderson opens proceedings by announcing himself as the support act 'Arnold Stirrup'. He then promptly thrills the crowd with a one-two of Acoustic goodies - "Wond'ring Aloud" and the US hit single "Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day". Even though the audience seems miles away if not entirely removed from the tapes - the band and the instrumentation feel live and in your living room - superbly cleaned up and with their playing prowess as impressive as ever - something that becomes very evident when they go into the complexities of "Thick As A Brick" (announced with a Led Zeppelin jab) and the Medieval Acapella beginning of "Songs From The Wood" (John Evans has Bronchitis so he’ll be crap Anderson teases). The same applies on Disc 2 with the "Aqualung" tracks "Cross-Eyed Mary" and "Wind-Up" eliciting frenzy. Jakko Jakszyk did the Stereo masters and Audio transfers and I think Tull fans will be licking their lips at the thought of "Bursting Out - Live" Part 2 – because that’s what this 100-minutes of primo JT feels like.

After the high of the three CDs - DVD 2 comes as a slight letdown. The Audio is the same top-notch job but the video is blurry (so very Seventies) and is best described as a really good bootleg rather than anything better than that. With his red bowler hat, half beard, acoustic guitar and mad bug eyes - Ian Anderson's witty ad-libs between songs suddenly start to make sense when you see what accompanied them - his band looking like a troupe of woodland gypsies that have gorged on too many wild mushrooms or extras from "One Flew Over The Cuckoo Nest". But the concert is great and it also allows you to pick three Audio options from the Menu - Stereo LPCM, DTS 5.1 Surround and Dolby AC3 5.1 Surround.

To sum up - Jethro Tull are very much a Marmite band - they engender true collector's passion amongst fans whilst others will develop a fatal Ebola rash at the mere mention of their Minstrel Name. But there's no doubting in my mind that like 'em or no - this is already a contender for 'Reissue Of The Year' 2017. Well done to all involved and please apply the same lavish lust to 1972's "Living In The Past" double-album - 45 years young this very year.

"...Let me bring you love from the field..." - Ian Anderson sang on the title track to "Songs From The Wood". Job done mate...

"Chicago" from 1970 aka "Chicago II" by CHICAGO (January 2017 'Steven Wilson Remix' and Remaster CD Reissue on Rhino) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Hundreds of Others Is Available In My

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CLASSIC 1970s ROCK and POP - Exceptional CD Remasters  

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Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
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"...Colour My World..."

It doesn't take a Mensa certificate to work out that old fart 'remaster' fans like me (and a few million others) have come to worship at the feet of Steve Wilson – the go-to Musician and Audio Engineer for CD transfers – especially those albums with a Proggy leaning.

But what needs to be pointed out about this 2017 SW reissue of Chicago's second platter "Chicago" (January 1970 on Columbia Records in the USA and March 1970 on CBS Records in the UK) is that it's a 'different' "Chicago" than the straight-up 1CD remaster Rhino put out in July 2002. Housed in a fetching and accurate Mini Gatefold LP Repro Card Sleeve complete with fold-out poster inside – the small print on the back of this new reissue wants to hammer home this 'different' point by stating clearly what you're buying - 'Original Mix released 1970. This remix copyright to Rhino for 2017...'

So what's so different that they need to put a Steve Wilson Remix box in the upper left corner of the sleeve beneath the Rhino catalogue number? Porcupine Tree's SW has taken the 16-track original tapes and reconstructed a 'new' Stereo Remix - and with modern-day technology - that's allowed him to get down and dirty with the musicianship at a nuclear level. Working with isolated High Resolution 96kHz/24-Bit digitally transferred files - guitars, piano, brass jabs, strings, layered vocals and even stereo positioning - all came up for grabs and improvement on what was a notoriously audio-compromised vinyl release in the first place.

Painstakingly rebuilt from the rhythm section upwards - the results are amazing - 'different' to the straightforward Rhino transfer for sure - but stunning nonetheless – especially on those string-heavy sections on Side 3 and the Brass and Flute Movements of Side 4. And as Wilson quite rightly points out in his page-long October 2016 explanation - those who are used to the original 1970 double-album 'sound' and would only want that variant on CD - can buy the Rhino reissue of 2002 in its card slipcase easily (and cheaply too). And if you want more of that variant Rhino also released a DVD-Audio in 2003 with 5.1 Surround Mixes. Now let's get to the details of this 2017 variant – Chicago Transit Authority's second 'poem for the people'...

UK and USA released 27 January 2017 - "Chicago: Steven Wilson Remix" by CHICAGO offers the full original 2LP set from 1970 Remixed and Remastered onto 1CD housed in card repro artwork with a fold-out inlay. The US issue is on Rhino R2  559549 (Barcode 081227941499) – the UK one on Rhino 081227941499 (Barcode 081227941499). Both play out as follows (67:17 minutes):

1. Movin' On [Side 1]

2. The Road

3. Poem For The People

4. In The Country

5. Wake Up Sunshine

Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon [Side 2]

6. Make Me A Smile

7. So Much To Say, So Much To Give

8. Anxiety's Moment

9. West Virginia Fantasies

10. Colour My World

11. To Be Free

12. Now More Than Ever

13. Fancy Colours [Side 3]

14. 25 or 6 to 4

15. Prelude

16. A.M. Mourning

17. P.M. Mourning

18. Memories Of Love

It Better End Soon [Side 4]

19. 1st Movement

20. 2nd Movement

21. 3rd Movement

22. 4th Movement

23. Where Do We Go From Here

Tracks 1 to 23 make up their 2nd studio set - the double-album "Chicago" (sometimes referred to as "Chicago II") – released January 1970 in the USA on Columbia KGP-24 and March 1970 in the UK on CBS Records 66233. Produced by JAMES WILSON GUERCIO - it peaked at No.4 in the USA and No. 6 in the UK.

CHICAGO was:

ROBERT LAMM - Vocals and Keyboards

TERRY KATH - Vocals and Guitar

PETER CETERA - Vocals and Bass

LEE LOUGHNANE - Trumpet and Vocals

JAMES PANKOW - Trombone

WALTER PARAZAIDER - Woodwinds (including Flute) and Vocals

DANIEL SERAPHINE – Drums

The inner gatefold of the original double-album is reproduced complete with the lyrics to the socially charged "It Better End Here" over on the right side while credits fill the left. The foldout insert gives us the poster of the seven-piece group individually photographed in sepia – all barefoot and leaning on chairs – looking suitably in touch with a zeitgeist that eludes us mere mortals. The flipside of the foldout poster gives us album/reissue credits alongside Steve Wilson's in-depth explanations of what had to be done and how it was technically pulled of. To the music...

In all honesty (and having lived with this sucker for 47 years) I don't know if I share the sentiments of the 'Chicago 50/1967 to 2017' sticker on the front cover of this reissue that screams "Chicago" is the preeminent masterpiece. I much prefer Sides 3 and 4 to the first LP - but there's no doubting the wallop of the Trumpet and Trombone on "Movin' On" as they hit your speakers - the first of eight James Pankow compositions on the double-album (tracks 6 to 12 are the others). Terry Kath forks up "The Road" where those crashing cymbals feel more alive while the piano intro to Robert Lamm's "Poem For The People" is just plain beautiful. Other faves include "Make Me Smile" - the brass dancer that opens the 'Buchannon Girl' suite on Side 2 where children play in the park. There's amazing sound from the tambourine and various keyboards doing battle with the brass on the short "West Virginia Fantasies" segueing tastefully into the pretty "Colour My World" where Chicago sound like Terry Callier over on Cadet Records.

While the obvious hit single "25 or 6 to 4" is here in its full 4:52 minute album glory (the 7" single was an edit) - my poison has always been the four-part "Memories Of Love" suite that follows - "Prelude", "A.M. Mourning", "P.M. Mourning" and the title track. The Flute and String arrangements are startling - unnervingly lovely - cool even. The same applies to the funkier parts of the "2nd Movement" as that slinky Terry Kath guitar plinkers alongside Walter Parazadier's breathy Flute. I love this. And the build-up in "3rd Movement" and wild guitars in the 4th is like C.C.S. or the better bits of the Blood, Sweat and Tears catalogue from 1969 and 1970. Hell there's even Ian Anderson's Jethro Tull in there too.

Wilson is (yet again) to be praised for his work on an album that has fallen by the appreciation wayside. "Where Do We Go From Here" - Peter Cetera asks in the final song of "Chicago". You buy this and get all Funky Prog Classical on your living room's ass...

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"Close To The Edge: Definitive Edition CD+DVD Version" by YES (November 2013 Panegyric 'Definitive Edition CD+DVD' Version - Steve Wilson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

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CLASSIC ROCK & POP 1970 to 1974 - Exceptional CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
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"...Emotions Revealed..."

It's April 2017 and I'm currently pouring over a rather cool paperback called "Close To The Edge - How Yes's Masterpiece Defined Prog Rock" by author and uber-fan WILL ROMANO. 

Published by Backbeat Books in early March 2017 (only weeks ago) - across its 304 oversized pages the acclaimed New Yorker and Music Journalist puts up a strong case for "Close To The Edge" being 'the' greatest album of the Prog Genre. I don't know about that personally - how about Genesis and the magnificent "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" double on Charisma in late 1974 or the single LPs "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" on Bearsville (again late 1974) or even Jon Anderson's own solo debut "Olias Of Sunhillow" in July 1976 (and so on)?

You could of course argue that point until the Topographic Oceans come home - but what isn't deniable is that the three tracks on this one YES album from September 1972 have spawned four and a half decades of devotion, endless critique and even awe amidst those who rather get a rash on their favourite appendage than listen to Progressive Rock. The layered multiple-parts "Close To The Edge" has had legs and for many is a pinnacle of many musical sorts. But which issue of CTTE do you buy? I want to concentrate on that...

This new 11 November 2013 Reissue/Remaster of "Close To The Edge" by YES on their own 'Panegyric' label comes in two forms:

The CD+DVD issue in standard 5" card packaging on Panegyric GYRSP50012 (Barcode 633367900128)

Or a CD+BLU RAY issue in Mini LP Sized packaging (roughly 6") on Panegyric GYRBD50012 (Barcode 633367900227).

Both variants feature new Remasters from STEVEN WILSON of Porcupine Tree and Exclusive Bonus Material. This review will concentrate on the CD/DVD variant.

Disc 1 - Definitive Edition CD (66:31 minutes):

1. Close To The Edge (18:43 minutes)

(i) The Solid Time Of Change

(ii) Total Mass Retain

(iii) I Get Up I Get Down

(iv) Seasons Of Man

2. And You And I (10:09 minutes)

(i) Cord Of Life

(ii) Eclipse

(iii) The Preacher The Teacher

(iv) The Apocalypse

3. Siberian Khatru (9:03 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 3 are their 5th studio album "Close To The Edge" - released September 1972 in the UK on Atlantic K 50012 and September 1972 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7244. Produced by EDDY OFFORD - it peaked at No. 4 in the UK and No. 3 in the USA.

ADDITIONAL TRACKS:

4. America (10:31 minutes)

5. Close To The Edge - Early Assembly/Rough Mix (18:42 minutes)

Disc 2 - DEFINITIVE EDITION DVD-A:

2013 Stereo Mixes - 24-bit / 96kHz MLP Lossless

1. Close To The Edge (18:43 minutes)

2. And You And I (10:09 minutes)

3. Siberian Khatru (9:01minutes)

5.1 Surround Mixes - MLP Lossless DTS 96/24

1. Close To The Edge (18:43 minutes)

2. And You And I (10:09 minutes)

3. Siberian Khatru (9:01minutes)

2013 Stereo and 5.1 Surround mixed and produced from the original multi-track tapes by Steve Wilson

Original Stereo Mixes - Flat Transfer From original Master LPCM Stereo 24/96

1. Close To The Edge (18:43 minutes)

2. And You And I (10:09 minutes)

3. Siberian Khatru (9:01minutes)

AMERICA:

1. America (10:31 minutes) - 5.1 Surround Mix - 24/96 MLP Lossless/DTS 96/24

2. America (10:31 minutes) - 2013 Stereo Mix - 24/96 MLP Lossless & LPCM 24/96

3. America (10:31 minutes) - Original Mix - Flat Transfer From The Original Master - LPCM Stereo 24/96

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL:

Alternate Album - LCPM Stereo 24/48

1. Close To The Edge (Early Assembly - Rough Mix) - 17:42 minutes

2. And You And I (Alternate Version) - 10:18 minutes

3. Siberia (Studio Run Through of Siberian Khatru) - 9:20 minutes

SINGLE VERSIONS & EDITS - LPCM Stereo 24/48:

1. Total Mass Retain - Single Version (3:21 minutes)

2. And You And I - Promo Single Version in Mono (3:29 minutes)

3. America - Single Version (4:13 minutes)

YES was:

JON ANDERSON - Vocals

STEVE HOWE - Guitars and Vocals

RICK WAKEMAN - Keyboards

CHRIS SQUIRE - Bass and Vocals

BILL BRUFORD - Drums and Percussion

A 20-page fact-filled picture-festooned booklet sits uncomfortably in-between a 2-disc card digipak – itself inside a card slipcase. The famous Roger Dean artwork is all accounted for – that inner CTTE panorama painting that took up the whole of the inner gatefold takes pride of place on the inner pages while the equally cool/beautiful lyric bag that came with original LPs is featured in all its Roger Dean text/greenness towards the end of the booklet (how I poured over those words back in the day – trying to read and understand was a job in itself). Next to all that techno mumbo-jumbo I had to type out above are picture sleeves of rare 45 edits for "America", "And You And I" and "Total Mass Retain" from around the world – Portugal, Germany, Spain, Holland and Turkey. A very sweet touch is three unused paintings from Roger Dean - ‘mountain landscapes’ used both in the booklet and as pictures for each disc.

Bill Bruford famously found the recording of the album seriously stressful – so left at recordings end. His face is craftily replaced with Alan White (the new drummer) in an American Trade Advert for the LP. But best of all is a truly spectacular photo from a distance of a giant billboard on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles at the album’s release in September 1972. Dean’s inner gatefold sleeve painting is given full reign – at least fifty feet in diameter with that gorgeous YES logo sat above it (Roger Dean took the photo). Concert tickets from the early 1972 “Fragile” Tour are pictured - the Manchester Free Trade Hall in the UK and the Tucson Community Center and Cobo Arena in Detroit. There’s even hand-written instructions on the artwork from Roger Dean’s own archives and of course that side profile photo of Engineer and Producer Eddy Offord that graced the rear sleeve – a name synonymous with YES and their unique sound.

For all of its prettiness (and I’ve said this of each of these Panegyric reissues) – I find the CD+DVD variants just that tiny bit ordinary in their presentation. Noted writer and Prog Rock fan SID SMITH provides the new liner notes and they’re insightful, balanced and feature reminiscences from band members including the sorely missed Chris Squire. But it still feels like a lot of the flat transfers are unnecessary padding and the overall tactile feel could have been so much more expansive. The slightly larger CD+BLU RAY variant carries more stuff – so that may be your poison of choice. Let’s get the music...

For the first four albums of their extraordinary career – Yes had been a covers band gradually premiering increasing amounts of highly original material. Even "Fragile" from the year prior (November 1971) had featured a cheeky interpretation of Brahms' Fourth Symphony in "Cans And Brahms". 1972's "Close To The Edge" changed all of that. It was bold, original and out of its own perch. Three songs - one of whom was a side long piece in four parts of nearly twenty minutes - a feature that would dominate in the unlikely No. 1 double-album "Tales From Topographic Oceans" in 1973 and the Patrick Moraz line up for 1974's equally brilliant "Relayer" in 1974. The technical wizardry of Producer Eddy Offord and Roger Dean's beautiful otherworldly artwork were also now as much part of Yes The Band as was their Progressive Rock sound.

As the echoed birds and flowing streams and imagined noises of another interplanetary plane slink their way into your living room for Part 1’s "The Solid Time Of Change" – you can feel the experimentation and brilliance of the music. And even now as I re-listen to it for the umpteenth time (and having lived through King Crimson and ELP and their albums prior to CTTE in 1969, 1970 and 1971) – that wild odd time-signature guitar piece that follows the lead in is amazing – no prisoners – you dig in or you butt out. The audio transfer here is just amazing – Wilson having wrenched nuances I didn't notice nor hear before. Howe's Guitar is clearer – Squire's Rickenbacker Bass is warmer – Anderson's falsetto voice and those multi-layered lyrics – Wakeman's side-long contributions on every imaginable keyboard including church organs – Bruford doing a sterling job trying to keep up with the ambition of the whole thing. By the time I reach the glory of "I Get Up, I Get Down" where the soundscape is floating towards me like the Star Child at the end of Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" – I’m blubbing like a sappy schoolboy whose discovered an extra cake in his lunchbox. 

The same applies to the Acoustic beginning of "And You And I" over on Side 2– that wall of six and twelve string guitars – utterly gorgeous. The impact of the Remaster is so damn good and I'd honestly forgotten about the chops and changes in "Siberian Khatru" - the brilliance of it. Like most fans I bought (and still have) my copy of "Yesterdays" in 1975 - the compilation LP that first featured their ten-minute reinterpretation of Simon and Garfunkel's "America". It makes for a smart bonus track - Howe letting rip on the guitars - apparently influenced by the unlikely duo of Duane Eddy and Delaney Bramlett. But the studio assembly 'run-through' of the slightly shorter "Close To The Edge" is fascinating. "Part 2's "Total Mass Retain" and Part 4's "Seasons Of Man" have these subtle playing differences that feel like Howe is searching for that right note. "Siberia" - an early "Siberian Khatru" - hears Bruford count in Howe as the guitarist launches into that almost (dare we say it) commercial riff. You can literally 'hear' the months of painstaking work in these outtake glimpses - how the whole was gradually built (rehearsing the material for a month, studio time for two).

I don't have 5.1 Surround myself but a mate of mine does. Popped round for that and again the Wilson Remaster is an awesome thing to hear - a great big streak of kit-envy racing through me - like hearing the instrument-reveal on those old Quadrophonic Records in 1974 - only way better. I keep saying it but I'm going to have to invest in 5.1. - Damn!

My son Sean is 22 and a budding self-taught guitarist - he's up for anything that's musically 'interesting' or pushing the boundaries. A tad suspicious but oddly drawn to it at the same time - he looks on Prog Rock as a fine line between brilliance and indulgence. I played him this variant of "Close To The Edge" and his jaw dropped - and not just from Howe's playing both on the Electric and Acoustic - but the whole band gelling in this complicated masterpiece.

Floating worlds - mountaintop lakes - Pandora cliffs - the symbolic geography of Siddhartha - jigsaw puzzle Rock music - I've loved "Close To The Edge" for over 45 years and this reissue of it has brought that love full circle. Man I even drew the CTTE logo – RD stylee - on my schoolbooks (oh dear)...

"...All complete in the sight of seeds of life with you..." Jon Anderson sings on "Cord Of Life" - the first verse in "And You And I". Count me in - in 4/3-time baby...

"Tarkus: Deluxe Edition" by EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER (2016 Mastered BMG 2CD Set Reissue - With 2012 Steve Wilson/Andy Pearce & Matt Wortham Remixes/Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 500 Others Is Available In My

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CLASSIC 1970s ROCK On CD - Exception Remasters  

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"...A Time And A Place..."

Some fans have noticed that this reissue malarkey has gone a bit Donald Trump on ELP - spend, spend, spend – then blame someone else.

'Deluxe Edition' 2CD sets of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Island Records catalogue appeared in 2012 with Steve Wilson and Andy Pearce Remasters and Remixes galore. Those supposed 'definitive' issues were going to put out to pasture numerous reissues on Sanctuary that went before in the 80s through to the 00's.

Yet here we are again in July 2016 (itself reissued March 2017 too). But there's a subtle difference that I feel should be pointed out - the 2016 mastering fro both discs is new and just that bit sweeter in my less than humble opinion. These reissues sound utterly amazing – but let's get to the gun-totting armadillo details first...

UK released 27 July 2016 (reissued 1 March 2017) - "Tarkus: Deluxe Edition" by EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER on BMG/Leadclass BMGCAT2CD2 (Barcode 4050538179996) is a 2CD Reissue containing both 2012 Versions by Steve Wilson and Andy Pearce with new 2016 Andy Pearce mastering and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 - "The Original 1971 Album (2012 Remaster)" - 38:42 minutes:

1. Tarkus [Side 1]

(i) Eruption

(ii) Stones Of Years

(iii) Iconoclast

(iv) Mass

(v) Manticore

(vi) Battlefield

(vii) Aquatarkus

2. Jeremy Bender [Side 2]

3. Bitches Crystal

4. The Only Way (Hymn)

5. Infinite Space (Conclusion)

6. A Time And A Place

7. Are You Ready Eddy?

Tracks 1 to 7 are their second studio album "Tarkus" - released June 1971 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9155 and June 1971 in the USA on Cotillion SD 9900. Produced by Greg Lake and Engineered by Eddy Offord - it peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 9 in the USA. 

Disc 2 - "The Alternate Album (2012 Steven Wilson Stereo Mixes)" - 50:47 minutes:

1. Tarkus [Side 1]

(i) Eruption

(ii) Stones Of Years

(iii) Iconoclast

(iv) Mass

(v) Manticore

(vi) Battlefield

(vii) Aquatarkus

2. Jeremy Bender [Side 2]

3. Bitches Crystal

4. The Only Way (Hymn)

5. Infinite Space (Conclusion)

6. A Time And A Place

7. Are You Ready Eddy?

8. Oh, My Father

9. Unknown Ballad

10. Mass (Alternate Take)

The 16-page booklet includes new 2016 interviews with all three musical prodigies – and just before Keith Emerson passed in March 2016 and then tragically – Greg Lake in December 2016. Well-known writer and musicologist CHRIS WELCH fills in the rest of the details – William Neal's amazing drawings of flying pterodactyls with guns, missile-bearing lizards and a scorpion-tailed Manticore (they'd adopt their record-label name from this track) - all of which are complimented by the Armadillo Tank with Propulsion Tracks out front. With the album's title 'Tarkus' spelt out in parched animal bones – the three musician names didn't even appear on original album covers. There's witty anecdotes about the no English Greek sandwich lady who kept interrupting sessions no matter what – so much so that her cries of 'am or cheese' to the band was left on the record ("Are You Ready Eddy?"). There's discussion on the organ at St. Mark's Church in Finchley that's featured on "The Only Way (Hymn)", the influence of Jazz Musicians Lenny Tristano and Dave Brubeck on Keith's playing and style - Greg coming up with the name (a possibly more vengeful Tarka The Otter). The inner gatefold artwork of the 1971 album is reproduced in the centre pages - but it's sloppily a Manticore reissue version and not the 1971 Island Records original.

The audio was done by Andy Pearce fro Disc 1 and Porcupine Tree's Steve Wilson for the Alternate Album on Disc 2 - but hey key here is that both have been mastered in 2016 by ANDY PEARCE for this reissue and I'd swear that his tweaking has made the transfers more substantial, clearer and given them less of a clinical sheen. I've never heard this Progressive Rock LP sound so good. Let's get to the music...

Side 1's 21-minute 7-part "Tarkus" Suite opens with a real dawn-of-man lead in - before exploding into wild keyboard stabs in 5/4 time. It soon settles into a prolonged solo - and when those staccato Moog and Drum jabs kick in at about eleven minutes - the remaster is huge. Lake gets his guitar parts towards the end and his 'let there be no sorrow...be no pain' lyrics. "Jeremy Bender" is a fictional London Spiv brought to life my Keith's barrelhouse piano and Greg's witty lyrics. Inspired by Dave Brubeck's "Count Down" - "Bitches Crystal" races along in 6/4 time - Lake singing of tortured spirits and ghostly images while Keith lashes into more alehouse piano. Bach's "Toccata In F Major" provides the inspiration for the churchy "The Only Way (Hymn)" which in itself segues into the funky Prog swing of "Infinite Space" - a piece of Piano Jazz inspired by Lennie Tristano. ELP get King Crimson heavy with the buttermilk cream of "A Time And A Place" before they bring it all to a finish with the rather silly and out-of-place cod Rock 'n' Roll of "Are You Ready Eddie?" (turn those faders down).

I wasn't expecting the "Oh, My Father" Bonus Track to be so good - four minutes of Greg Lake examining his relationship with his Dad - the words never spoken - no more time left to speak them. It's an Acoustic/Electric Guitar ballad - sad and beautiful and moving. Both it and the equally melodic "Maybe It's Just A Dream" simply don't fit in with the Pure Prog of the LP - but that doesn't step from being alarmingly pretty given the harsh iconoclast music that's preceded them. The harmony vocals and pretty piano playing will thrill ELP fans. There's a count-in to the Alternate of "Mass"  - section four of the seven-part "Tarkus" suite. It's really good - especially Keith's virtuoso playing and Palmer's skin-tight drumming - but you can also hear why the more lively finished version was chosen. 

"Tarkus" will not be everyone's favourite ELP album for damn sure (I prefer the first and "Trilogy") - and there are those who will dismiss it as very much of its 1971 Progressive Rock time. But it was a Number 1 for a reason. And fans are going to need this superb sounding version of it on CD. Another reissue I know – but this is the one worth buying...