"Stand Up: The Elevated Edition" by JETHRO TULL (November 2016 Parlophone/Chrysalis 2CD + 1DVD-Audio Book Pack Reissue - Steve Wilson Remixes) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Look Into The Sun..."

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR   

The Nov 2016 'Stand Up: The Elevated Edition' 2CD + 1DVD-Audio Reissue ***

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2016 'Stand Up: The Elevated Edition' 2CD + 1DVD-Audio VERSION ***

Let's be blunt about this - although "Stand Up: The Elevated Edition" is technically a better reissue of 2010's Chrysalis CHRX 1042 (2CDs and 1DVD in a fold-out hard card digipak) - I'm already thinking that this new November 2016 edition may well be 'Rock Reissue Of The Year' with a speeding bullet.

I was mightily impressed with the '40th Anniversary Adapted Edition' of Tull's 1971 opus "Aqualung" from April 2016 - but this new version of "Stand Up" is sensationally good - hammering the fan boy in us all on the three fronts that matter - sound - content and presentation.

You could argue that a British No. 1 album deserves such an elaborate display - but when you think about how 'ordinary' (if that's the word) some of the Panegyric reissues have been for YES (Steve Wilson Remixes also) especially on the presentation front - the no-stone-unturned 112-page booklet attached to the hard-back book is going to big-time impress even the most jaded of fans – the kind of visual and written feast you want to own and keep (that Bear Family feeling). There is a ton of detail to wade through so once more my bearded friends unto the Fat Man in Leicester Square...

UK released Friday, 18 November 2016 - "Stand Up: The Elevated Edition" by JETHRO TULL on Parlophone/Chrysalis 0190295932862 (Barcode 0190295932862) is a 2CD + 1DVD-Audio reissue housed in a Hardback Book Pack with a 112-page attached booklet. 

STEVE WILSON of Porcupine Tree fame (and an acknowledged solo career) has once again done the honours and sprinkled his knob-twiddling magic on the original 1969 Island Records LP – newly remixed here into both Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound. Disc 2 offers A Stockholm Concert from January 1969 and Includes Two Filmed Songs and other Rare Bonus Studio Tracks. It plays out as follows:

CD1 (71:40 minutes, 19 Tracks):
"Stand Up" The Album - A New Steve Wilson Stereo Remix
1. A New Day Yesterday
2. Jeffery Goes To Leicester Square
3. Bouree
4. Back To The Family
5. Look Into The Sun
6. Nothing Is Easy [Side 2]
7. Fat Man
8. We Used To Know
9. Reasons For Waiting
10. For A Thousand Mothers
Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Stand Up" - released 27 July 1969 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9013 and 29 September 1969 in the USA on Reprise Records RS 6360 (both Stereo only - reissued August 1973 on Chrysalis CHR 1042). All tracks written by Ian Anderson (Produced by Ian Anderson and Terry Ellis) - the vinyl LP peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 20 in the USA.

Associated Recordings - Steve Wilson Stereo Remixes
11. Living In The Past
12. Driving Song
13. Bouree (Morgan Version)
Previously Unreleased

Original 1969 Stereo Single Mixes
14. Living In The Past
15. Driving Song
July 1969 US Promo-only Stereo Single on Reprise 0845-S
Also released on a 1970 Japanese LP compilation "Golden Jethro Tull" on Reprise SWG-7183

BBC Sessions (Mono)
16. A New Day Yesterday
17. Fat Man
18. Nothing Is Easy
19. Bouree
Recorded in Mono on 16 June 1969 at Maida Vale Studio 4 for the BBC Radio 1 'Top Gear' programme - broadcast 22 June 1969

CD2 (71:22 minutes, 13 Tracks):
Live At The Stockholm Konserthuset - 9 January 1969 (Recorded in Mono by Sveriges Radio)

Second Show
1. Introduction
2. My Sunday Feeling
3. Martin's Tune
4. To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be
5. Back To The Family
6. Dharma For One
7. Nothing Is Easy
8. A Song For Jeffrey

First Show
9. To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be (Different Lyric)

Original 1969 Mono Single Mixes
10. Living In The Past
11. Driving Song
Released 24 April 1969 in the UK as a 7" single on Island WIP 6056 - peaked at No. 3

Radio Spots
12. Stand Up Radio Spot No. 1
13. Stand Up Radio Spot No. 2
Issued as US Promo 45 on Reprise PRO-353

DVD-AUDIO and VIDEO:
NTSC, Region 0 (Exempt from Classification), Aspect Ratio 16:9 (except film footage 4:3):
Contains the entire "Stand Up" LP with the three 'Associated Recordings' in THREE variants (running order as per Tracks 1 to 13 on CD1):
(i) Remixed to 96/24 LPCM Stereo (Tracks 1 to 13)
(ii) Remixed to DTS 5.1 Surround Sound (Tracks 14 to 26)
(iii) A 96/24 Flat Transfer of The Original 1969 Stereo Mix (Tracks 27 to 36)

(iv) A 96/24 Flat Transfer in MONO of the 1969 Single "Living In The Past" and "Driving Song" (Tracks 37 and 38)
(v) A 96/24 Flat Transfer in STEREO of the 1969 Single "Living In The Past" and "Driving Song" (Tracks 39 and 40)
(vi) Film footage recorded 9 January 1969 at The Stockholm Konserthuset of two songs - "To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be" and "Back To The Family" (Tracks 41 and 42)

Produced by TERRY ELLIS (of Chrysalis) and bandleader IAN ANDERSON – Research is by TIM CHACKSFIELD – the liner notes are by MARTIN WEBB and PHIL SMEE did the superlative Reissue artwork and layout. STEVE WILSON handled the Stereo Remixes and 5.1 Surround Version while CD master assembly and DVD authoring are by PHIL SHULMAN at Isonic. Before we get to the sound – let's talk about the packaging...

Unlike the laughable Pink Floyd 'Discovery' Editions of 2011 that left little to 'discover' in barely annotated 12-page booklets (piddly gatefold card sleeves - the 2016 Pink Floyd Records reissues are the same) - this new Elevated Edition of "Stand Up" is gorgeous stuff. The opening pages are an accurate replica of Jimmy Hashow's beautiful 'Pop-Up' sleeve – something that made the original 1969 Island Records vinyl feel so special (Reprise Records in the USA). Style-wise the whole book package is the same size as the "Aqualung" set and others so sits on your shelf neatly. To give you an idea of the attention to detail - Pages 80 to 89 feature a day-by-day 'Chronology' of the band - each page is filled with as much fan memorabilia as possible - the 25th April 1969 advert for the UK release of the "Living In The Past" single on Island WIP 6056 (went to No. 3) - the advert for the August 1969 gig in the Anaheim Convention Centre in LA as a support act to Atlantic's hot new signing Led Zeppelin.

Martin Webb's charting of the band from the underground Progressive Bluesy Rock darlings of 1968's "This Was" (their Island Records debut) through to the international stars they became with 1969's second platter "Stand Up" is chronicled from Page 6 onwards. It includes contributions from Ian Anderson, Martine Barre, Clive Bunker and archive quotes from the late Glenn Cornick. Every page is filled with black and white and colour photos - Page 16 has a trade advert for The Jimi Hendrix Experience in Copenhagen with Tull as the support act in January 1969 - just days after the Stockholm concert captured on CD2 - there are lyrics to all songs - sheet music - live snaps of Ian dancing like a loon with flute in hand and all that hair flowing underneath his wool hat - reproductions of NME articles from December 1969 as they turned on US listeners too.

There's even pages from Ian's diary showing that Monday 29 September 1969 is the day for the US issue of "Stand Up" on Reprise Records whilst they would play Belfast's Ulster Hall that same night. Pages 92 to 95 is a 'remembering' tribute to original band member GLENN CORNICK that even goes to the length of showing his Wild Turkey band and their brief Discography. The final pages are about New York Artist JAMES 'Jimmy' GRASHOW who designed the gorgeous and elaborate pop-up cover from woodprints based on the Trevi Fountain in Rome (he also did the colour artwork for the 'Live Yardbirds' sleeve on Epic) - and finally words with John Burns and Andy Johns - the Engineers responsible for the album's sound. Parlophone have even put the DVD-Audio into a separate flap so it doesn't scuff - meaning that only two CDs are clipped into the back leaf and therefore you don't get that scratching thing that can happen on multiple disc sets - smart and practical. The album CD sport the original ‘Pink’ Island label, the 2nd CD a master tape from Stockholm and the DVD-Audio a picture disc of the album artwork.

But the big news is of course the AUDIO – new Steven Wilson Stereo Remixes for the album and its associated singles as well as a 5.1 Surround Version - and to borrow from Jack Sparrow's drunken parlance - they ROCK. The first few seconds of "A New Day Yesterday" will probably come as a shock to listeners – huge riffage now unleashed. I was frankly worried about my B&W 652 floorstanders as this beast came marauder-like into my nice Feng Shui living room – grungy guitars and harmonica a go-go (where's the party pal). The bass and rattling treated guitar/flute combo of "Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square" is much clearer too - punching like Donald Trump on a blow-up Hilary Clinton doll. But then I'm properly taken aback by an instrumental that I've been listening to for over 47 years - "Bouree" - the clarity of the Bass and Flute on this transfer is utterly amazing (Wilson has outdone himself on this). I've always loved Ian Anderson's treated vocals that so cleverly works all through the mid-tempo "Back To The Family" - and when the band does come crashing in - you can really feel the nut-kick.

I think I genuinely fell in love with Tull and their unique sound when I first heard the brilliant "Look Into The Sun" - a stunning swirling song that works its Acoustic magic on your senses as it floats along on summer lyrics. The guitars and that gentle bass are so sweetly clear. The throaty "Nothing Is Easy" brings us back to rocking - a very JT rollick. The drums and guitar breaks are superb - that cymbal rattling your speakers with naughty intent. I must admit I might have shed a wee Proggy tear when "Fat Man" came on - wow! This thing sounds incredible - not too much to carry around with you (Take 4 was the master apparently). Deceptive is what you'd call the slouching "We Used To Know" - an acoustic strummer that now has that distant vocal centred and those flute interludes wonderfully full (great guitar solo too). The album's other hidden masterpiece is the brill "Reasons For Waiting" - a sight for my eyes indeed. The Audio here can only be called sublime - clear and fresh - not loud for the sake of it - just present and beautifully captured (check out those strings arrangements towards the end of the song). The album pounds to a finish with the angry "For A Thousand Mothers".

As if the album isn't enough - we're clobbered with three Previously Unreleased Stereo versions of "Living In The Past", "Driving Song" and a 'Morgan Studio Version' of "Bouree" - and each is brilliant in their own way. My fave here is "Bouree" which features an Anderson spoken intro followed by that Flute and Bass - very clear and at 4:18 minutes goes off in tangents that will thrill hardcore JT fans. The 'Stereo' versions of "Living In The Past" and "Driving Song" for the US Reprise label sound a tad lacking after Wilson's work on the Unreleased Versions. The four BBC Maida Vale recordings are interesting Top Gear fare but after so much Stereo glory feel like an Audio let down in thinny Mono. I would say that the "Fat Man" combo-rattle of Mandolin and Tambourine is always 'good fun' in any shape of size and there’s great guitar work on "Nothing Is Easy".

"...The equipment is not ours so we'll do our best..." bandleader Ian Anderson complains in the Introduction to the Stockholm concert but then proceeds into a brilliant version of "My Sunday Feeling" despite the audio compromise. Thing is the band's freshness and humour come through as they continue with the flute instrumental "Martin's Tune" – clearly still milking the "This Was" album (you can hear how confident they were and that they were getting better as a live unit). Martin Barre's guitar is a bit fuzzy but the Audio is way better than bootleg status and still pretty exciting stuff. The R&B of the lesser-heard "To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be" is fantastic stuff – rough and rocking with that huge bass sound anchoring everything. And on it goes to the inevitable drum solo of "Dharma For One". The Mono Single Mixes are cool additions but the bomb is the short but witty 'mind blower' Radio Spots where the first has some geezer talking like he’s Maxwell Smart the secret agent ratting out some Russians. The second Radio Spot has some laughably despondent DJ telling us that the new Reprise album is 'like Roland Kirk playing flute over Cream...whatever that means' Yikes!

Admittedly I haven't had time to wade through the massive amount of material (and duplication) on the 42-part DVD-Audio - but I'm certain that the 5.1 Surround Sound Remix alone will elicit a movement where it might be embarrassing at my age (naughty Ian).

Naught embarrassing about this reissue though – a genuine 2016 major label triumph. And hopefully Warner's Parlophone will give the much-loved "Living In The Past" double-album compilation from 1972 the same superb all-over treatment in 2017 (its 45th Anniversary). Bring it on you wonderful bearded man...

"Tales From Topographic Oceans: Definitive Edition" by YES (October 2016 Panegyric 3CD/1BLU RAY Reissue with Steve Wilson Remixes) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Fusions Of Wonder..."

Porcupine Tree's STEVEN WILSON has transformed the back catalogues of King Crimson and Jethro Tull in the last five years with his meticulous and sensational digital transfers – not to mention Gentle Giant, XTC, Caravan, Emerson, Lake And Palmer and Hawkwind all benefitting from his even-handed yet sympathetic ear. Artists trust their work to this man precisely because he has a love for their complexity and the technical know-how to match his and their musical passions (Ian Anderson of Tull will have their music go nowhere else). But fans of England's best experimental band YES have been licking their lips in glee over this one – Progressive Rock's most ambitious and commercially successful adventure ever – the 4-sided double-album monster that was and still is "Tales From Topographic Oceans" (December 1973, Atlantic K 80001 in the UK - Atlantic SD 2-908 in the USA).

The net-blurbs tell us that the 'go to' man for Classic Rock Masters has been working on "Tales..." for three years on and off. Well - it was worth every painstaking minute because our Stevie has wrenched absolute magic out of his aural trick bag once again. YES fans are going to have a Topographic coronary when they get a load of the fabulous audio – but I've docked it a star overall (four stars) for what I feel is the staggeringly unimaginative visual presentation - especially after all that hype and such a long wait. Here is the revealing science of details and Linear Pulse Code Modulations (LPCM to You and I mate)...

UK released Friday, 7 October 2016 – "Tales From Topographic Oceans: Definitive Edition" by YES comes in two forms - a 2CD/2DVD-A version and this - the 3CD/1BLU RAY version on Panegyric GYRBD80001 (Barcode 633367901026). It plays out as follows:

2016 STEREO MIXES (for all three CDs)

Disc 1 CD (59:30 minutes):

1. The Revealing Science Of God – Dance Of The Dawn (Side 1 of the 2LP set - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

2. The Remembering – High The Memory (Side 2 of the 2LP set - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

3. The Ancient – Giants Under The Sun (Side 3 of the 2LP set - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

Disc 2 - CD (66:42 minutes):

1. Ritual – Nous Somme Do Soleil (Side 4 of the 2LP set - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

ADDITIONAL TRACK:

2. Dance Of The Dawn (New 2016 Stereo Mix)

ALTERNATE ALBUM:

3. Dance Of The Dawn (Studio Run-Through)

Disc 3 - CD (79:20 minutes):

1. High The Memory (Studio Run-Through)

2. Giants Under The Sun (Studio Run-Through)

3. Ritual (Live, Zurich, April 1974)

SINGLE EDITS:

4. The Revealing Science Of God (Single Edit - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

5. The Remembering (Single Edit - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

6. The Ancient (Single Edit - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

7. Ritual (Single Edit I - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

8. Ritual (Single Edit II - New 2016 Stereo Mix)

Disc 4 – Definitive Edition BLU RAY DISC:

2016 STEREO MIXES - LPCM Stereo 24/96

1. The Revealing Science Of God

2. The Remembering

3. The Ancient

4. Ritual

5. Dance Of The Dawn (Extended Version of 'The Revealing Science Of God')

5.1 SURROUND MIXES - 24/96 LPCM & DTS-HD MA

6. The Revealing Science Of God

7. The Remembering

8. The Ancient

9. Ritual

10. Dance Of The Dawn (Extended Version of 'The Revealing Science Of God')

ORIGINAL STEREO MIXES - Flat Transfer from Original Master - LPCM Stereo 24/192

11. The Revealing Science Of God (Stereo Mix)

12. The Remembering (Stereo Mix)

13. The Ancient (Stereo Mix)

14. Ritual (Stereo Mix)

BLU RAY Exclusives:

ALTERNATE TAKES - LPCM Stereo 24/96

15. Dance Of The Dawn (Studio Run-Through)

16. High The Memory (Studio Run-Through)

17. Giants Under The Sun (Studio Run-Through)

18. Ritual (Live, Zurich, April 1974)

SINGLE EDITS - LPCM Stereo 24/96

19. The Revealing Science Of God (Single Edit)

20. The Remembering (Single Edit)

21. The Ancient (Single Edit)

22. Ritual (Single Edit I)

23. Ritual (Single Edit II)

2016 STEREO INSTRUMENTAL MIXES - LPCM Stereo 24/96

24. The Revealing Science Of God

25. The Remembering

26. The Ancient

27. Ritual

28. Dance Of The Dawn (Extended Version of 'The Revealing Science Of God')

VINYL TRANSFERS - UK Needle-Drop Transfer - LPCM Stereo 24/96

29. The Revealing Science Of God

30. The Remembering

31. The Ancient

32. Ritual

US BANDED PROMO Needle-Drop Transfer - LPCM Stereo 24/96

33. The Revealing Science Of God

34. The Remembering

35. The Ancient

36. Ritual

For such a prestigious release - I was expecting visual fireworks - but the outer box slipcase has the Roger Dean painting front cover artwork only and nothing on the rear - no details of any kind. Both the gatefold 2-disc cardholders are identical - even the booklet has the same artwork. Inside each card sleeve are the four discs - but they're housed in blank black card inners without any track details (they’re only in booklet). Where's the alternate Roger Dean artwork for the second card gatefold - or how about making the card inners interesting with tour posters - magazine advert campaigns - tape boxes - even the original Atlantic LP labels.

The first gatefold card sleeve with Disc 1 and 2 in it has the beautiful inner gatefold of the original 1973 double but the lyrics and explanations of the songwriting are barely readable and not featured in larger form in the booklet. The second card sleeve with Discs 3 and 4 has at least a live shot on the band on the inner gatefold and different RD artwork on the CD label - but that's it. The oversized 20-page booklet is a pleasant enough affair but large parts of it are taken up with just tracks-lists. Pages 2 and 3 show Steve Howe standing beside the massive American billboard advert for 'Tales From Topographic Oceans on Atlantic Records & Tapes' - but I've seen it before.

On the upside there's a nice collage of concert tickets - rare label variants from around the world peppering the text – shots of their stage show from the American tour and of course Steve Wilson's copious notes on the Audio Sources and how to get the best out of the BLU RAY's massive storage capacity. The SID SMITH liner notes (penned July 2016) are suitably informational and smartly written - but with all that visual repetition there's simply no oomph to the entire package - and not using alternate Roger Dean artwork somewhere seems like a very badly missed opportunity. I do like the BLU RAY menu that opens with the album cover in black and white that then slowly morphs into glorious colour on my 55" tele with the Roger Dean 'YES' logo finally appearing as if by magic beneath the 'Topographic' LP title. And the choices within the three principal selections (2016 Mixes, Original Mixes and Audio Extras) are bewildering if not massively repetitive.

But at least all that underwhelming distaste pales when you actually play the albums – the new 2016 Stereo Mixes by Steve Wilson churning up details and clarity everywhere. I remember playing this dense 2LP beastie side to side back in the day – my poor worried parents concerned for their boy's sanity amidst all those synths and layered vocals and Sanskrit lyrics and his endless gawking at the encapsulated colour photos on the inner gatefold (more clouds - yum yum). Slagged off and beloved in equal measure – I've always thought of "Tales..." as breathtaking in its reach and this reissue only rams that home even more. That huge Wakeman synth solo during "The Revealing Science Of God" – the sheer prettiness of Side 2's opening passage as they sing of '...velvet sailors...' and '...moments that start to linger...' - the adventurous percussive Side 3 with rattling cymbals and those manic rhythms where Howe's guitar does a Japanese hula-hula dance on your speakers - ending in my favourite part - the brilliant and varied "Ritual" - Squire making his Bass heard above all that Mellotron and that genius break into percussive chanting and then dancing - 'Nous Somme Du Soleil' indeed.

I hadn't expected much from the 'Studio Run-Through' Alternatives or a live version of "Ritual" - but how wrong can you be. When Howe goes into that solo at the end of "Ritual" he's ripping up and down the frets like a demented Robert Fripp and then it changes into that bizarre percussive section that sounds vaguely Chinese - in the live environment - it's explosive stuff and the band’s playing virtuosity a thing of genuine wonder.

When I worked in Reckless Records in Soho – even the album’s name would engender giggles and sighs of disbelief. The young ones would look at me corkscrewed when I told them of its lofty chart position – is he mad? Yes's "Tales From Topographic Oceans" went No. 1 in the UK on release in December 1973 and achieved No. 6 in the USA - incredible for such a challenging double and a music-form referred to as naff only two years later.

Time has proven the public right – and Steven Wilson has done this YES music a powerful justice. I just wish I wasn’t so nonplussed by the visuals for something I loved so much (docked a star for that). Over to you...

"Aqualung: 40th Anniversary Adapted Edition" by JETHRO TULL (2016 Chrysalis 2CD and 2DVD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Elephants And Lions Too…”

Back in the tenement fog of Monday the 31st of October 2011 – I got terribly excited about the 2CD variant of the '40th Anniversary' Reissue of Jethro Tull's "Aqualung". Remastered with real skill and care by Porcupine Tree's STEVE WILSON – compared to the audio dreck we'd had for nearly 30 years – the 2011 2CD set was/is a sonic revelation. Out of my financial reach at the time (and the same for most everyone else I suspect) – there was also a 2011 5-Disc 'Collector's Edition' of "Aqualung" with LP, CDs, DVD and BLU RAY that was pricey then and has become something of an extortionate collectable ever since.

Well along comes Chrysalis in April 2016 and offers up a cheaper alternative - a fully-loaded 'Adapted Version' of that Super Deluxe 'Collector's Edition' Box set – this time with 2CDs and 2DVDs clipped inside a beautifully packaged 80-page Book Pack. It's the same Remastering from 2011 but 'newly' handled in 2016 'only' by Steve Wilson with some multitrack transfers by Kris Burton. The Audio is fabulous - it's packaged better and at under a twenty-spot - priced to sell. Here are the snots running down my nose...

UK released Friday 22 April 2016 - "Aqualung: 40th Anniversary Adapted Edition" by JETHRO TULL on Chrysalis 0825646487080 (Barcode is the same) is a 4-Disc REISSUE BOOK SET consisting of 2CDs and 2DVDs (1 is Audio, 2 is Audio and Video) that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (43:45 minutes):

1. Aqualung

2. Cross-Eyed Mary

3. Cheap Day Return

4. Mother Goose

5. Wond’ring Aloud

6. Up To Me

7. My God [Side 2]

8. Hymn 43

9. Slipstream

10. Locomotive Breath

11. Wind Up

Tracks 1 to 11 are their 4th album "Aqualung" - released 19 March 1971 in the UK on Chrysalis ILPS 9145 and 3 May 1971 in the USA on Reprise MS 2035. It reached number 4 and 7 on the UK and US LP charts. No 45's were released to support the album in the UK - but "Hymn 43" was put out as a 7" single in the USA with "Mother Goose" as its B-side on Reprise 1024 (see Disc 2 Track 1 re UK singles).

Disc 2 – Associated 1970 & 1971 Recordings (51:25 minutes):

A Steven Wilson Stereo Remix (Tracks 1 to 10)

Flat Transfer (Tracks 11 to 15)

1. Lick Your Fingers Clean - an album outtake that first appeared on the 1996 25th Anniversary reissue - this is a 2011 'New Mix'. It was supposed to be released as a single in 1971 on Chrysalis WIP 6098 in the UK but was withdrawn

2. Just Trying To Be - first appeared as the last track on Side 2 of the July 1972 double album "Living In The Past". This is a 2011 'New Mix' at 1:37 minutes

3. My God (Early Version) - a 9:42 minute outtake complete with studio dialogue at the beginning

4. Wond'ring Aloud - a 1:51 minute outtake recorded 13 Dec 1970

5. Wind Up - an 'Early Version' at 5:21 minutes with Ian Anderson on piano. This is a 2011 'New Mix'

6. Slipstream (Take 2) - a 54-second outtake

7. Up The 'Pool - an 'Early Version' at 1:12 minutes (released version is Track 10)

8. Wand'ring Aloud, Again - a 7:07 minute 'Full Morgan Version' with the band and extra verses

9. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix)

10. Up The 'Pool (New Mix)

Life Is A Long Song (Original EP, Flat Transfer)

11. Life Is A Long Song

12. Up The 'Pool

13. Dr. Bogenbroom

14. From Later

15. Nursie

Tracks 11 to 15 were recorded in May 1971 and made up the "Life Is A Long Song" 7" EP released September 1971 on Chrysalis WIP 6106 in the UK (the picture sleeve is featured in the last collage pages of the booklet along with its sheet music). They reappeared as Tracks 3 to 7 on Side 4 of the "Living In The Past" double LP in 1972.

16. Reprise Radio Advert - is a 52-second "US Radio Spot" featuring Ian Anderson talking about the album and God with music snippets from several tracks

NOTE: Tracks 3, 4, 6 7 and 8 were PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in 2011. The original Disc 2 in 2011 had 14 tracks – this 2016 16-track version adds on the flat transferred remasters of "Life Is A Long Song" and "Up The 'Pool" (tracks 11 and 12) as extras.

DVD ONE (Audio):

'Aqualung' remixed in 5.1 surround and presented in DTS 96/24 AC3 Dolby Digital and 96/24 LPCN Stereo

Associated 1970 & 1971 Recordings. Seven tracks remixed in 5.1 Surround and presented in DTS 96/24 and AC3 Dolby Digital, and 10 remixed in 96/24 LPCM Stereo

DVD TWO (Audio & Video):

A flat transfer from the original Stereo master of the album in 96/24 LPCM Stereo

Original 1974 Quad Mix as 4.1 presented in DTS 96/24 and AC3 Dolby Digital Surround

A flat transfer from the original Stereo master of the 5-track EP "Life Is A Long Song" in 96/24 LPCM Stereo

The 1971 "Life Is A Long Song" promotional film with new remixed stereo soundtrack

The 4-discs are housed in a gatefold BOOK PACK with an 80-page booklet attached to the centre (the 45-page variant in the original 12" x 12" Collector's Edition reduced in size). It has the 6000-word DOM LAWSON Essay on the whole "Aqualung" process (recording, tours, singles, aftermath), recollections from Engineer John Burns, songwriter and band leader Ian Anderson's own track-by-track recollections, notes from remastering Engineer Steven Wilson on the whole transfer process (July 2011), lyrics to all songs (including the extras) in the same script as was depicted on the original LP inner sleeve, an article on Island Studios and the usual plethora of pictured memorabilia. This looks and feels substantial and at twenty quid (or less) is a deal for fans and newcomers alike.

A smart move is to have the entire "Life Is A Long Song" EP on Disc 2 (5 tracks) rather than the three that appeared on the 2011 2CD version. Disc 2 now has 16 tracks rather than 14 – and they've included the lyrics too - so someone in the Chrysalis camp has heard those moans. As you can see Disc 3 is DVD Audio only while Disc 4 is DVD Audio and Video – but what an array of stuff. I've never seen the "Life Is A Long Song" promotional film – but they've even remixed it with a new stereo soundtrack. I find the channel separation in the 1974 'Quad Mix' to be utterly bizarre and fascinating at one and the same time. I must admit having lived with the Wilson Remaster – I find the flat Stereo transfer just that – flat as a bleeding pancake. But I hadn't heard the Surround 5.1 mix before and listening to it (admittedly on a mate's system) is a truly stunning experience. Stuff comes at you from every direction – clarity and instruments colliding like a wild dodgem ride on a recording you thought you knew inside out. Another smart move is to keep both DVDs Region 0 - Region Free in other words. Other nice touches include the painting-artwork of Burton Silverman reproduced beneath the front and rear see-through trays (the inner gatefold of the original vinyl LP) - the CDs are green in colour as per the original Chrysalis labels – the DVDs carry the LP cover and inner sleeve shot - and even the booklet numbers the pages in Roman numerals in keeping with the original album artwork.

As I said before – the 2011 Audio is a sensation. STEVEN WILSON explains in suitably techno gobbledygook the lengths he and his team went to get the best possible sound out of the 8 and 16-track master tapes without compromising the integrity of the original recordings. Multi-track Transfers were done by KRIS BURTON and Mastering carried out by PETER MEW at Abbey Road (a name long associated with quality reissues - see Listmania and tags). The results are amazing. However for 2016 (as I said above) - the liner notes have 'only' Steven Wilson listed as the mastering engineer this time out and are definitely credited as new (2016 copyright). Harking back to say "My God" - the track that opens Side 2 - the clarity on this most brilliant of tracks is truly hair-raising and ever so slightly better than I've heard before. 

Even as the opening riff of "Aqualung" rattles around your speakers accompanied by the sleazy "...sitting on a park bench..." lyrics - the audio quality is in your face, but not in a forced way. Suddenly the track has real muscle and the details leap out at you. It's breathing for the first time. "Cross-Eyed Mary" has superlative bass end now and the treated guitar 'so' good. But for me the real fireworks start with the double combo of the acoustic "Cheap Day Return" with the acoustic/rock of "Mother Goose". The improvement is GLORIOUS - and when the guitar kicked in half way through "Mother Goose" - I'll confess to blubbing out a little proggy tear. "Up To Me" is fantastically good too - huge guitar riffage. The improvement continues on Side 2 with amazing clarity on "My God" - especially those acoustic passages. The riff in "Hymn 43" is just huge now and the quiet lead into "Locomotive Breath" is not drenched in hiss - but clean and powerful. The album ends with "Wind Up" which has the best lyrics Anderson ever wrote about personal beliefs and it sounds just wonderful (lyrics above).

I had thought after the blast of the album that Disc 2 would be throwaway - not so. A truly lovely gem tucked away on the "Living In The Past" 1972 double is "Just Trying To Be" which I had on a 1999 Mobile Fidelity remaster (see review) - well here the sound quality is beautiful and far better. I was also taken aback by the full 7-minute band version of "Wand'ring Aloud, Again" which properly stretches out - it's a superb bonus. It takes the "Wand'ring Aloud" album track from "Aqualung" at 1:53 minutes length and adds on the "Wand'ring Again" outtake at 4:15 minutes length that turned up on the 1972 "Living In The Past" double and segues way them together with an extra bridge in the song and more lyrics (hence its new title here is a make up of both song titles). It's very cleverly done and because there are new bits in it - it's been called 'Previously Unreleased'. The roughest sounding outtake here is the 'Early Version' of "My God", but again his passion in the vocals is the reason for inclusion. And again the clarity on the 5-track "Life Is A Long Song" EP is far better than that on the MF release. Great stuff...

Fans who bought the original 2011 2CD 'Collector’s Edition' may feel they don’t need this – but I'd argue the extras and the new sound make it yet another 'must own'. The curious should just dive right in as the cost is now within the bounds of most people's pockets...

2017 is the 45th Anniversary for 1972 - so roll on "Living In The Past" - Jethro Tull's July 1972 double album of odds and sods. I've always loved the beautifully packaged "Living in The Past" and it deserves no less than the same lavish treatment...

PS: see also my reviews for Steven Wilson's remaster of 1970's "Benefit" (the album before "Aqualung"), EMI's superb 'Collectors Edition' of their 1968 debut "This Was" and Mobile Fidelity's 1999 2CD stab at "Living In The Past"...

"The Yes Album: Definitive Edition CD + DVD-A" by YES (2014 Steve Wilson CD/DVD Remaster On Panegyric) - A Review By Mark Barry...

“…Speak To Me Of Summer...”

After the incredible tape transfer and audio restoration work STEVE WILSON of PORCUPINE TREE did on the remasters of KING CRIMSON and JETHRO TULL’s early catalogue – the other big Proggy Monster was always going to be YES. And with their 3rd breakthrough record “The Yes Album” from 1971 - man has our Stevie stepped up to the Topographic plate. This 2014 CD and DVD-A reissue is awesome stuff and worthy of the praise so far heaped on it. No harm then in a little more - here are the details that are no disgrace…

UK released April 2014 – "The Yes Album: Definitive Edition CD + DVD-A" by YES on Panegyric GYRSP40106 (Barcode 633367900326) breaks down as follows:

Disc 1, Definitive Edition CD, 2014 Stereo Mixes, 50:55 minutes:

1. Yours Is No Disgrace

2. Clap

3. Starship Trooper (a) Life Seeker (b) Disillusion (c) Wurm

4. I’ve Seen All Good People (a) Your Move (b) All Good People

5. A Venture

6. Perpetual Change

Tracks 1 to 6 are the vinyl LP “The Yes Album” – released March 1971 in the UK on Atlantic 2400 101 and Atlantic SD 8283 in the USA

BONUS TRACKS:

7. Clap (Studio Version) – the version on the album is a Steve Howe ‘live’ acoustic instrumental recorded at the Lyceum in London, 17 July 1970. This is the rare unused ‘Studio Version’

8. A Venture (Extended Mix) – the album track runs to 3:19 minutes – this longer version extends towards the end to 4:46 minutes

Disc 2 is the Definitive Edition DVD-A. It’s a NTSC Region 0 Hybrid DVD-A compatible with all DVD Players and DVD-ROM Drives. From the visual/audio menu on your television or computer - it allows you to choose from 4 variants of the album as follows:

1. 2014 Stereo Mixes: 24/96 MLP Lossless (tracks 1 to 6 above)

2. 2014 5.1 Surround Mixes: 24/96 MLP Lossless/dts 96/24 (tracks 1 to 6 above)

3. Original Stereo Mix: Flat Transfer From Original Master LPCM Stereo 24/96 (tracks 1 to 6 above)

4. Alternate Album:

1. Yours Is No Disgrace (Live, London 1971)

2. Clap (Studio Version)

3. Starship Trooper (a) Life Seeker (Single Edit)

4. I’ve Seen All Good People (Live, London 1971)

5. A Venture (Extended Mix)

6. Perpetual Change (Live, New Haven 1971)

With a gatefold digipak within an outer card wrap - the reissue feels classy right from the off. CD to the left, DVD-A to the right and booklet loose between them – each disc pictures different parts of the albums original artwork while the photo on the albums inner gatefold is beneath the see-through trays. The well-stocked 20-page booklet offers photos of rare 7” picture sleeves from Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Japan dotted through the text - as well as the original UK LP on the Atlantic Records plum label beloved by collectors (US originals pictured too). There are British and American trade adverts, reel-to-reel boxes and tape files, a white label promo of the LP – even the lyrics to the songs for the first time. SID SMITH gives us superb liner notes on the creation of the album while STEVE WILSON explains about the master tapes and the new Stereo/5.1 Surround Mixes. It’s exemplary stuff…

Yet all of that presentation icing on the cake is not what fans are really after – it’s the audio. And having listening to “The Yes Album” for 40 years of my life – I’m amazed at the clarity on offer here compared to previous Rhino versions. Some of the tracks are so clean it’s almost disconcerting - they’re not supressed nor trebled for effect – just treated with care and attention to transfer detail.

As the opener “Yours Is No Disgrace” goes into that Chris Squire Bass break – it’s so good – and that Howe solo still amazes. Listening to the rather dry and somehow uninspired ‘studio’ cut of “Clap” – it’s easy to see now why they chose the live version – there’s just something extra in the playing that lifts it up into the realm of special. There’s real muscle now in the swirl of “Starship Trooper” and “Wurm” kicks in – Wilson captures the build up and spread across the speakers perfectly. As opposed to the album version – I have to say that I’m loving the ‘Extended Mix’ of “A Venture” with its loose and funky King Crimson finish – Yes tripping out. But if I was to single out just one track where the audio improvement is magnificent – it’s the Side 2 opener “I’ve Seen All Good People”. It’s layers and beautiful arrangements are even more magical now – and those fantastic vocals by Jon Anderson – genius. I have a friend who has his stereo rigged to his television’s surround kit – and I can’t tell you how utterly brilliant the 5.1 version sounds – wow! I’m going to have to bleeding invest-damn! I thought the ‘Alternate’ version of the album was interesting if not a tad gimmicky – but I don’t if it’s just that I’m too used to the original (relistens methinks)…

I can imagine that nowadays there’s probably a queue of Prog band’s sat outside Steve Wilson’s front porch clutching bags of master tapes – hoping to catch his eye as he exits for a latte. And on the strength of this groovy reissue – I can totally understand why…