The Smiley Smile Message Board

http://www.musictap.net/2015/03/24/brian-wilson-debut-gets-expanded-reissued-in-may/ (http://www.musictap.net/2015/03/24/brian-wilson-debut-gets-expanded-reissued-in-may/)


Personally speaking, I have a promo copy (CD) of the original and think it still sounds amazing; great dynamics, etc.  I also have the 2000 remaster which I have read uses incorrect mixes on two songs (including "Melt Away").  I've never noticed honestly. 

Hopefully the mastering on this one will be close to the original maybe with a little more "warmth" that is seemingly always missing from cd's made in the 1980s.

I still can't tell the difference between 1988's "Melt Away" and 2000s. I can easily tell "Let It Shine," though.

What am I listening for when I A/B the two???

So does anybody know if this will indeed be the album with the original mixes? Or will it just literally be a re-press of the 2001 reissue? Because if indeed they have the right mixes on this one I will definitely buy it.

High vocal on the tag. It's not there on the reissue. Some have said its a woman singing, but I never heard it that way ...

I've never been able to tell the Let It Shines apart!

I got into this a bit in the other BW ’88 thread (the one about the vinyl reissue).

I would guess this will simply be a case of putting the 2000 Rhino CD reissue back in print. The main question would be whether the incorrect mixes on a few of the tracks will be fixed. My recollection is that “fixed” versions of those tracks were submitted by the production team to Rhino back in 2000 after fans noticed the mistakes. But I haven’t heard any reports of Rhino ever re-doing the CD to include those fixed mixes. I would hope that even if they don’t “remaster” anything form scratch on this new pressing (the stuff doesn’t really need a remastering again anyway), they will at least incorporate those fixed mixes.

On “Let It Shine”, I don’t think there are any bits actually missing or added compared to the “original” mix. It’s just generally a more muddy mix. The drums aren’t as sharp. I can definitely hear the overall mix difference. But it isn’t a case where “oh, they didn’t mix in that guitar or keyboard part” or anything like that. It could be the same mix with VASTLY different EQ (I haven’t A/B’ed them in years to see if anything is panned left or right differently). I don’t think it’s just EQ differences. Either way, it’s wrong, and I believe it was confirmed that this and the other errors were pulled simply from the wrong tape, as they apparently never made a “banded” album master with all the songs on one tape. They had always mastered from individual song masters, and a few incorrect tapes were pulled in 2000. Why nobody did some QA on it to catch those mistakes, I don’t know. But no use beating them up about it 15 years later.

I didn’t even know the 2000 CD ever went out of print. I guess it may not have.

Anyone get the re-issue yet?   

I ordered tonight from Amazon, expecting delivery later this week.  Hoping for different mastering than the 2000 version.

Hey there JCM, would you let us know if the mixes on "Melt Away" and "Let It Shine" are indeed the original 1988 mixes or not?

Will be delighted to.  Expecting it by Saturday in the mail.

The mix of love &mercy on the 2000 reissue is also wrong. Has that keyboard ascending note thing at the end of the bridge before brian's "hey-ey". I remember being really bummed out that they coudln't even get the most well known and first song right on this expanded set. Seems impossible that would get by the compilers...

I thought the keyboard notes were on the original mix? I'll need to have a listen.

When I saw the thread title, I thought that meant expanding even further than the last reissue, to which my first thought was "Disc 2 - Sweet Insanity".  :o  But of course that would never happen (and I'm okay with that never happening, Sweet Insanity is way too depressing to listen to and has aged badly, Brian's first album is the opposite).

People wondering about the mixes.  It should have the proper 88 mixes of both songs. Rhino corrected the issue fairly early and even offered replacements iirc.

This was back in the day of the Usenet, so it's a bit sketchy. But I recall that it had been noted that a fixed mastering had been submitted to Rhino, but I don't recall hearing anything after that as far as replacements being offered or the fixed version actually being pressed up (though I recall it was tough for anyone to justify repurchasing a copy at retail again just to check). I may just have missed that happening a bit later on.

Either way, hopefully someone can confirm if the corrected mixes appear on this new reissue.

That was on the original CD.

I think there is an additional little "keyboard spurt" (sorry, couldn't think of what else to call it) at the very end of the middle section/bridge on the 2000 reissue CD that is either missing or mixed way lower on the original album. Definitely a very subtle mix difference, but a difference nonetheless, and one that can't be explained by alternate EQ and whatnot.

That's what I thought and posted further back! ;D

There are audio samples on Amazon that I just listened to on a listing that includes the new 2015 reissue, but the sound samples could easily just be from the previous 2000 iteration. In any event, based on my crummy computer speakers that I'm hearing at the moment, the mix of "Let It Shine" there sounds like the "incorrect" 2000 version.

Honestly if they are reissuing a reissue without any new content, why should it be bought?  Is Rhino releasing this to capitalize on the movie release??  I second an official release of Sweet Insanity, but I heard the master tapes were stolen, so who knows how long it will take (if ever) for it to be released.

8
yeah, you are right. Its like a fader was lèft up or a cue was unmuted a second too early. Its for sure NOT on the 88 release!

The ascending keyboard figure is indeed present in the original release. It's just mixed more quietly.

Anyway, I picked up the re-reissue today, and the mixes seem to be corrected. So buy away, everyone!

It sounds to me like the several notes of ascending keyboard is on both mixes (at relatively the same volume), but there is literally a one-note sort of "stab" or "spurt" right before that figure that is on the 2000 reissue and mixed down nearly inaudibly on the '88 CD.

Having done an A-B comparison, the entire keyboard figure in the break is definitely louder (along with that blurt you're talking about) in the uncorrected reissue.

But yes, everything seems to be fixed in the re-reissue.

A new interesting point: Warners has reissued the plain, 11-track BW88 album too! That's right, there are TWO BW88 reissues out there now, one with the bonus tracks, and one without.

Sucks they didn't expand the expanded reissue even further. It'll be good to have a CD copy of the original mix. My vinyl can have a rest for once. :lol

Isn't the bonus-less version on vinyl (only)?

Image comparison of all 3 copies I have (left-to-right: 2000, 2015, 1988 promo).

(http://s29.postimg.org/520yfxvlj/bw1.jpg)

Barcode and copyright details are identical to 2000 release.

(http://s27.postimg.org/b6hj76mo3/bw2.jpg)

Hype sticker on the front is new for this release, emphasis on the LOVE AND MERCY (song) inclusion.

(http://s18.postimg.org/itvfebiqx/bw3.png)

Have yet to open it and compare the actual mastering, will do so very soon.

The standalone vinyl was issued last year I think.

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-118787-brian-wilson-brian-wilson-limited-edition-180g-colored-vinyl-lp.aspx (http://www.musicdirect.com/p-118787-brian-wilson-brian-wilson-limited-edition-180g-colored-vinyl-lp.aspx)

It's a CD. Has a different version of the sticker just posted, highlighting L&M.

How many copies you buy wirestone? ;D

Wirestone, did you buy at a Brick & Mortar store?  Just curious. 

I've been at two brick-and-mortar stores over the last three days. The first one just had a copy of the deluxe re-reissue. I picked that up -- it has the sticker already shown.

I dropped by the second store this afternoon. It had the deluxe re-reissue, but it also had a new, sealed copy of the vanilla BW88 album, complete with a variant front cover sticker. (I believe it says just "Featuring Love and Mercy.") It's a straight re-run of the '88 CD from the look of it -- it doesn't have the clear spine on the jewel case, for instance, and it has the godawful huge "Executive Produced by Eugene E. Landy" credit. The prices were different, too, with the expanded being a few bucks more.

Looks like Amazon has a listing for the vanilla version, too: http://www.amazon.com/Brian-Wilson/dp/B00V862FSA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1432437909&sr=8-6&keywords=Brian+Wilson

The only thing that seems dicey about the reissue of the full, expanded edition is that it appears to absolutely identical to the 2000 version outside of the sticker on the shrinkwrap. In other words, other than perhaps the matrix numbers on the hub of the disc itself, there would be no way to tell the difference between a used copy of the 2000 edition and the 2015 edition.

I’d still like to get the “fixed” mixes, but I’m not super into paying $15 for a new copy. I did just listen to the 1988 CD, and the mastering on it is actually just fine. The 2000 remaster was mastered louder, that’s really the main difference. I’d actually say for folks with nicer systems and headphones who can run stuff mastered at lower volumes, the ’88 mastering is arguably preferable. The only issue with the ’88 version is the clipped intro to “There’s So Many” as I recall.

I also saw both “2015” versions at a record shop over the weekend. They have indeed literally just fired up the presses on the 1988 and 2000 CDs and thrown a new sticker on both. Weird that they kept Landy’s name on the barebones reissue; I thought it was by court order and/or by a settlement agreement that Landy’s name would be taken off everything. The barebones reissue is weird; they even simply kept the “Sire” logo on it, with no mention of Rhino or anything relating to the 2000 reissue. I’m curious if the 2015 barebones reissue simply uses the first 11 tracks from the deluxe remaster, or if it uses the original 1988 mastering. I’d guess the former is much more likely.

It absolutely is.  It's a very well mastered CD (the '88).  Unless you are completest or never bought the 2000 version and would like to have the bonus offerings, there is no reason to purchase the 2015 reissue of the 2000 version. 

In case anyone is looking for more confirmation that the mixes are correct, I A/B'd "Melt Away" and "Love and Mercy" and they are the correct, 1988 mixes on the new remaster. Wirestone already reported it and I purchased it on his recommendation, but I know that I always appreciate as much verification as I can get before I buy something for the third time.   :)

But, I really can't tell a difference between the "Let It Shine"s. I'm not sure what I am listening for as regards differences.

Not everything. The 2000 reissue still includes his name as executive producer. And given that's the credit on the outside of the 1988 CD, keeping it must not have been a huge deal.

I had forgotten that Landy’s name was still on the 2000 reissue. I know they did take his name off of the back cover of the 2000 (and thus 2015) reissue, and they of course took his name off the songwriting credits. But it sounds like they did keep his name as Executive Producer somewhere in the innards of the booklet.

$2.99?  If this sounds like the 1988 original, this is what you want.  I assume it would, since I think that's what the Flashback Warner label does -- straight up, ports of old-timey 80's CD masterings.  They don't spend a nickel.

So if you need a new copy of just the original album and for the price, put one in your car, by the pool, in the garage, whatever.

The 2000 version is way too loud for me, great bonus tracks aside.  For pure album listening, the original slams it.  The 2015 could be better than the 2000 though I don't know.

Why would they re-release it, and then sell it for $2.49 (or low enough, that a guy on Amazon can sell it for $2.49) ?  Is this pretty common for the older stuff?

BTW Bean Bag, I never would have took you to be one to brag about having a car, a garage to park it in, and a pool.  Tisk Tisk Tisk :)

I wonder if that was just a goof of someone not doing a CONTROL + F for all instances of "Landy" at the printing factory, or if there was any intention to keep that lone credit there.

A production credit is pretty hard to dispute as opposed to a songwriting credit.  It's at least honest, not erasing him from history altogether.  Though from what I've read, I think Lenny Waronker was more accurately the album's "executive producer" and was more invested in the album, at least emotionally (I don't know about financially) than Landy was.  

This great Rolling Stone article from 1988 basically outlines that the album never would have been finished without Waronker and Russ Titelman.  Landy's actions only delayed things.  http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/god-only-knows-19880811 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/god-only-knows-19880811)

Sorry if I missed this while skimming the thread but I received my BW reissue (non expanded version) today.  It is supposed to be the 2015 reissue but I do NOT see anything on the outside (I haven't taken the plastic off yet) indicating that it is a 2015 reissue.  Did they send me the right item?  It does have the dark blue sticker that says features Love and Mercy but nothing to give you the indication that it is a new reissue.  If someone who purchased  this can help me out and let me know that would be great.  I don't want to open it in case it is the wrong issue and they won't let me take it back.  Thanks in advance!  Also to anyone who has done an A B comparison in terms of sound quality from the old 1988 to the new reissue, is it worth the upgrade?

The sticker is the only way you'd know -- that, and the fact I doubt there are any shrink wrapped albums from 27 years ago hanging around.

And it's incorrect, really, to call any of the new BW88s out there reissues. They are more properly repressings -- the exact 1988 and 2000 versions of the album, just with the duff mixes corrected on the latter.

Thanks for the response Clay!   Much appreciated.  I don't feel the need to expend much energy arguing semantics as it doesn't really matter much, but they are indeed reissues.

My butler, posts 99% of my posts.  I'm usually by the pool with my walkman.  My car is likely not in the garage, but getting waxed by Obama's undocuemented voters.  Open borders = taken orders!!!  Right?!!  Am I right!!?!?  :lol

"Dat's a good vun"

(http://abcnews.go.com/images/Entertainment/gty_arnold_schwarzenegger_jt_130302_wblog.jpg)

Benghazi! Am I right Bean Bag?

I used to have a butler, but I really like reading Agatha Christie novels, and well... frankly I stopped trusting his ass. 

Well, I put my mouth where money is and had my butler order the 2015, non-expanded edition of Brian Wilson '88 for $2.99.  And, yes, it appears to be a straight-up reissue of the original 1988 pressing.  Good news!

It might even be a new digital transfer of the original master, since there's a minor, perhaps imagined, digital refinement (smoother/more articulate?) compared to the '88 promo version.  If there is, it's so extremely slight that I could be making it up.

I would imagine the 2015 expanded edition is a digital copy of the previous expanded edition from 2000(??) -- meaning, its too loud.  The bonus tracks are nice if you don't have them... but if all you have is the 2000 expanded version -- you should consider getting the new bonus-track free 2015 version.  For $2.99, it's worth it.  It sounds spectacular.

As I'm a bit of a completist when it comes to collecting the Beach Boys I bought the 2015 Expanded CD today.  It does have the corrected mixes as mentioned earlier.  Anther easy way to tell it apart from the 2000 version (apart from the sticker on the front) is that the 2000 font cover has blue musical notes on it as part of the design.  The 2015 version doesn't (as per my original Sire 1988 release).  All 3 versions have subtle white musical notes on the back covers.

Just airing an old gripe but how in the hell could those in charge not notice the bum mixes on the 2000 reissue?  I noticed immediately -- the missing high "ahhh ahhhh's" on the "Melt Away" tag send a wonderful song over the top.  Not saying someone should have been fired over that but if I made such an egregious mistake at my rent gig well.....

I have the 88 CD with the correct mixes of Melt Away and Let It Shine and I have the 200 CD for the bonus tracks and for the incorrect mixes of Melt Away and Let It Shine.  So I guess I'm good and don't need either of these "repressings."  Oh and  I have a Brian interview CD about the 88 solo album, and I think I have a digipack promo CD of the album.  Don't have a vinyl copy however.

Sounds like what you need  to find, then, is one of the three inch  Night Time CDs...  


  

Is it possible that original 1988 CD's are still being sold as 'new'?

The new 2015 “barebones” edition of the CD is apparently essentially a case of resuming pressing up that 1988 CD (down to the format of the album credits on the back cover, etc.). In that sense, it is still being sold. I don’t know if the CD label is literally identical as well, etc. (No doubt, at the very least the matrix numbers on the actual hub of the pressed CD would be different). The only definitive way I can see that you’d know a sealed album-only CD is the 2015 version is that it has a 2015 sticker on the front (and there’s no way to know if all pressings going forward will retain that sticker).

Is the prior album-only, 1988 edition still being sold as new? Unless you’re buying “new old stock”, I would doubt it, as that CD went out of print at some point in the 90’s. It had been out of print for some time (although not necessarily difficult to find used in CD shops) when the 2000 reissue came out.

My local record-lending library has a 1988 CD version (it only just occurred to me to check there!). Can't wait to borrow it...   

http://www.muziekweb.nl/Link/JKX6014

This thread made me look at the cd version I have of the album. I actually have the original 88 pressing. I totally can't stand this album though with the exception of a few strong songs.