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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: roll plymouth rock on January 21, 2009, 04:54:34 PM



Title: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: roll plymouth rock on January 21, 2009, 04:54:34 PM
hey, other than the obvious inclusion of cottonfields on the uk lp, are there any differences in the sound quality and/or mix on these different pressings of sunflower?


Title: Re: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: petsite on January 21, 2009, 06:28:44 PM
Not that I am aware of. I do know the single version of CottonFields is in wonderful duophonic sound.

Now, if you want to talk about the 1979 LP repress on Caribou from the UK....Great sound!


Title: Re: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: adamghost on January 21, 2009, 07:17:35 PM
Yeah, my first copy of SUNFLOWER was the UK version with "Cottonfields" on it, and I can confirm that song sounds craptastic.


Title: Re: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: ? on January 21, 2009, 08:59:54 PM
Never heard a UK, but the US pressing sounds terrific.  I believe a couple songs are in Quad as well, but I've never had the equipment to check it out.


Title: Re: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: MBE on January 21, 2009, 09:26:36 PM
Well they all are encoded with Steve Desper's 360 Spatial surround sound. I have a Spatializer hooked up to my turntable and all stereo sounds better. The best stereo albums I have on there are the ones he mixed. Sunflower is easily the best.


Title: Re: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: roll plymouth rock on January 22, 2009, 12:05:44 AM
Well they all are encoded with Steve Desper's 360 Spatial surround sound. I have a Spatializer hooked up to my turntable and all stereo sounds better. The best stereo albums I have on there are the ones he mixed. Sunflower is easily the best.

I really wish I had purchased a Spatializer from Steve when I had the chance, or that he offers them for sale again. I can only imagine what Sunflower is like, but can easily picture how it would even better. I'll never forget the first time I really "heard" Sunflower, I'd already had the album for a while and was fairly familiar with it, but one time I listened more attentively than usual and was really able to tune into the songs and wow, did they ever just come to life! I don't think I'd debate that the songs are the best ever on this album (although I still love them), but I'd say the production and recording techniques on Sunflower are second to know.

Also, a semi-related question: how does The Flame album sound on the Spatializer?


Title: Re: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: MBE on January 22, 2009, 12:22:14 AM
It sounds very vibrant, very alive. It really has a lot of energy.


Title: Re: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: The Heartical Don on January 22, 2009, 12:41:45 AM
I have the German pressing, on EMI Electrola (yellow/black label). It is gorgeous. Listening to 'All I Wanna Do' and 'Cool Cool Water' is quite an experience.
German pressings of the time were great in general. Heavy vinyl, the works. Might have something to do with the German obsession about technical standards, these were defined by the 'Deutsche Industrie Norm (DIN) 45,500' for hi-fi equipment and recordings.


Title: Re: Sunflower: UK vs. US pressing
Post by: DonnyL on January 22, 2009, 12:49:15 PM
the original US 1st pressing should be the closest to the master tape.  The foreign pressings would be at least one generation away.