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bgart
  • Rank:Silver
  • Posts:87
  • From:Unknown
  • Register:12/19/2007 12:12:59

Date Posted:11/13/2009 02:48:31Copy HTML

While poking around this evening online, I found that one of my top-five all-time fave Christmas albums has been remastered and released this week on CD from Sony Legacy. I don't think there are any new tracks or anything, but I'm just hoping this CD will be more reliable than my old one (which just appears to have been cheaply made). My lp is sorta frazzled too...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N1AEV4/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p15_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=046SR788RB9YFZMDG5SA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Ben
Christmas Music Guru Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #1
  • Rank:Honorary Member
  • Posts:3892
  • From:USA
  • Register:09/07/2005 11:04:22

Re:A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Remastered new CD

Date Posted:11/13/2009 04:00:48Copy HTML


The 2009 Sony Music CD release of A Christmas Gift For You is the exact same CD that was remastered by Phil Spector and Larry Levine in 1989 and distributed by Abkco Records.

The only thing Sony has done is taken over distribution rights for the CD. Sony did not remaster or remix the recording in any way whatsoever; so for all of you out there who have the earlier released CD in your collection already, you will be completely wasting your money if you buy this newly released Sony CD.



Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
bgart Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #2
  • Rank:Silver
  • Posts:87
  • From:Unknown
  • Register:12/19/2007 12:12:59

Re:A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Remastered new CD

Date Posted:11/13/2009 07:42:21Copy HTML

Chip,

That's not what I've been reading in the reviews of the cd. Sounds like it was remastered compared to what Spector did before. But, it is the cd that was released a year or two ago that was in a Spector set. Or something like that.

Ben
Christmas Music Guru Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #3
  • Rank:Honorary Member
  • Posts:3892
  • From:USA
  • Register:09/07/2005 11:04:22

Re:A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Remastered new CD

Date Posted:11/14/2009 12:56:59Copy HTML


Ben,

Here's the scoop: Sony did not remaster or remix the recording in any way. What they did do, however, is instead of using the 1989 Phil Spector/Larry Levine remastered version for their release, they elected instead to use the 2006 U.K. remastered version that was done by Bob Ludwig for the second disc of a box set of Phil Spector's music that was released by the British label U.M.T.V. Records called The Phil Spector Definitive Collection.

Supposedly, the U.K. remaster has slightly smoother bass and is a little louder. However, I must say that personally, I have more faith in the Phil Spector remaster. Since he was the original creative genius behind this classic 1963 LP, no one would know better how this album should sound than he.

It reminds me of something that Stu Phillips (conductor of the Hollyridge Strings) said to me when I asked him why Collector's Choice Music felt there was a need to remix his Hollyridge Strings Christmas album when they reissued it last year. Here's what he said:

"It seems that all the record companies think that they have to better what was done before."

For me, and other collectors and connoisseurs of Christmas music on this board who are sticklers for the original, that attitude really sticks in our craw. It seems to me there are just too many hands in the pot and I really don't think these record companies really know when to leave well enough alone.

 
Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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