Hello, mahoganyrush68
Yes, I like the perfectly aggressive remaster of the Brick. I switch between it and the tamer MFSL gold CD. IMO there has not been a "bad" sounding release of The Brick on CD. The Aqualung remaster is most certainly the worst sounding release. (***Aqualung remaster wasn't all bad, see below)
Cheers!
Please excuse any repeats as I'm combining a couple of posts.
www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=132673&highlight=tullI like:
This Was - Mono remaster or 2001 stereo remaster
Stand Up - MFSL UD
Benefit - USA original CD
Aqualung - DCC or UK CDP32 1044-2
Living In The Past - MFSL UD II or first USA CD
Thick As A Brick - MFSL UD
A Passion Play - MFSL UD II
WarChild - MFSL UD II
Minstrel In The Gallery - Made in Japan for UK Chrysalis
Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll - first UK Chrysalis
Songs From The Wood - MFSL UD II
Heavy Horses - Remaster
Stormwatch - Remaster
A - Remaster
The Broadsword And The Beast - first Made in W. Germany for UK Chrysalis (low volume transfer that sounds good turned up loud)
Under Wraps - Made in W. Germany for UK Chrysalis
Crest Of A Knave - Remaster
Rock Island - Remaster
Catfish Rising - Original CD
Roots To Branches - Original CD
I don't necessarily prefer these remasters over other versions, but I like these remasters:
This Was
Thick As A Brick
A Passion Play
WarChild
Minstrel In The Gallery
Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young To Die
Heavy Horses (my fave version)
Stormwatch (my fave version)
A (my fave version)
The Broadsword And The Beast
Ian Anderson: Walk Into Light (my fave version)
Under Wraps (crazy bass for a disco)
Crest Of A Knave (original CD/LP other room echo is tamed) (my fave version)
Rock Island (my fave version)
Catfish Rising
WarChild MoFi is to die for.
*** Aqualung my friend...
The DCC Aqualung CD is a thing of beauty. Just pointing out the other options.
IMO these songs suck on the remaster:
Aqualung
Cross-Eyed Mary
Up To Me
My God
Hymn 43
Locomotive Breath
Aqualung CD's reviewed: Remastered Mother Goose & Wind Up get a free pass.
www.soundstage.com/music/mus0997g.htmRead on: Nice vinyl options. Learn more about the master tape:.
www.musicangle.com/album.php?id=520www.classicrecords.com/item.cfm?item=ILPS%209145-200Gwww.soundstage.com/music/reviews/rev991.htmFrom the Steve Hoffman forum more on CD releases:
www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=192184&highlight=aqualungwww.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=194689&highlight=aqualung***Aqualung
"O.k., we have a great sounding DCC version mastered by our dear host Steve. Of course it sounds very nice, and it was the very first time this actual master tapes were used. What could you want more? Well, I personally think the Japan for Europe Chrysalis CD with catalog number 610 016-217 sounds more laid back and natural, and this version is actually my preferred version right now. O.k., I said it, now I need to go hiding..." by Roland
Joel Cairo a mod at Steve Hoffman forums weighs in on the Aqualung CD action. ;D
www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showpost.php?p=3357374&postcount=211"Well, at the risk of jacking up the price of yet another old CD, here goes:
The original UK CD release of Aqualung (Chrysalis CCD-1044) is just fine.
It lacks the "solid feel" of Steve's DCC version, mind you (for a variety of reasons), but if you can't afford the DCC gold disc, and want a CD that sounds a like a lot of the LP versions available at that time (i.e.- it lives higher in the mid-range), then this is the disc that you're looking for.
I don't know what they did here in the US, but I don't think this disc exhibits **any** of the commonly-cited faults of the first American CD version: nothing appears to be clipped short, and there's no excessive hiss. It seems to be a totally separate mastering." -Kevin
For the best in sound Tull CD's -My view today:
This Was - Mono remaster & in stereo the 2001 remaster
Stand Up - MFSL UD
Benefit - USA original CD
Aqualung - DCC & not too shabby the UK Chrysalis CCD-1044.
Living In The Past - MFSL UD II & not too shabby the single disc first USA CD (avoid the Canadian CD)
Thick As A Brick - MFSL UD
A Passion Play - MFSL UD II
WarChild - MFSL UD II
Minstrel In The Gallery - Made in Japan for UK Chrysalis (no matter the medium I've always found this recording to be too bright.)
Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll - UK Chrysalis
Songs From The Wood - MFSL UD II
Heavy Horses - Remaster
Stormwatch - Remaster
A - Remaster
The Broadsword And The Beast - Made in W. Germany for UK Chrysalis ( a low volume transfer that shines at loud volume. Plus the remaster is fine by me.)
Under Wraps - Made in W. Germany for UK Chrysalis
Crest Of A Knave - Remaster
Rock Island - Remaster
Catfish Rising - Original CD
Roots To Branches - Original CD
btw: The Tull sound was tested on all kinds of vintage Infinity speakers, here.
With respect I give you this link:
www.bobbyshred.com/infinity.html***Speaking of Aqualung on CD, maybe what you were hearing wasn't all bad. Here's a couple of quotes that are positive about the remaster. I might agree with them on a good day. (keep it quiet)
Plus the original Chrysalis CD UK CDP32 1044 of this is just fine.
Thanks to .....Greg Smith (link below)
"I've always been a big fan of Mother Goose, and it's one of the few spots where the original Chrysalis CD sounds pretty good. Compared with the previous three tracks, this one has better dynamics and a big fat kick drum. The bass on the 25th anniversary edition is even better, and actually edges out even the DCC version by my taste".
"As we Wind Up the disc, we find (all join in) more quiet piano parts you can barely hear and fake guitar bodies. The 25th anniversary edition restores this music, it's quite nice. Surprisingly, the DCC release is still pretty noisy, and overall I actually prefer the anniversary version in both that area and how the guitars sound. Amazing, something to like about it just as we were nearing the end."
www.soundstage.com/music/mus0997g.htm...you can witness now the everchanging nature of the beast...