Gold Discs and Remasters

["David C. Olstein" <born2run@pipeline.com>]

On Mon, Jul 3, 1995 3:45:01 AM TheWho Digest wrote: 
 
>I noticed that since there is a GOLD QUADROPEHINA already on the market, 
>does that mean that QUAD will not be re-mastered ?  
> 
>I read recently on this list that since TOMMY was already available in 
>that form, that they would not be re-mastering that disc. 
> 
>Who are You is already on Gold, that means no new WAY either ?  
> 
> 
>Pete 
 
First, the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs' Quadrophenia Ultradisc is
out-of-print.  While you may still be able to find a few copies
(particularly in specialty stores), I don't think that will cause MCA not
to release a revised version of Quadrohphenia for the less affluent Who
fans out there (the MFSL version retailed for a round $45-50).   
 
In the case of Tommy, MCA released their own single disc remastered version
shortly after the MFSL Tommy gold disc was released.  It's not entirely
clearly to me whether they used the exact same source tape or not, since
the MFSL version has a different take of Eyesight to the Blind.  In the
case of Quadrophenia, on the other hand, MCA has not released a remastered
version. 
 
Anyway, there's no need to speculate on whether MCA will release a revised
verion -- that's definitely going to happen.  The more important questions
are when this will happen (the MUZE computer says 8/95, but I'm skeptical)
and what form the reissue will take.  If MCA wants to take the easy way
out, they could simply follow Mobile Fidelity's lead and release a
remastered version of the album in a slip case with a jewel-boxed size
reproduction of the  photo booklet that accompanied the original LP
release.  Since most of the die hard Who fans (including myself) already
have the Ultradisc version,  I'd much rather have them go back to the
original multitracks and remix the entire album from sratch.  Judging from
the movie soundtrack and Scoop (which had some unused Quadrophenia piano
parts), as well as Roger's comments, there's a lot more music on tape than
there is on the final mix.  Personally, I don't have as much of a problem
with the final mix as Roger does, but I wouldn't mind hearing something
different.    
 
Charlesworth says in the new guide to Who music on CD that a thorough
remixing s planned for Quadrophenia, but then Charlesworth has occasionally
spoken a little too soon ("shakin all over/spoonful").  And judging from
Marty Secero's comments, there may be some problems with the multitracks
that would make remixing unfeasble.  Why they've just realized this now,
however, is a bit mystifying, since the Quad tracks on the box set were
reportedly remixed (or were they?).  Whether or not they remix the album, I
do hope they'll include some newly-penned liner notes.  I also think a
limited editional version in an LP sized box (a la Live at Leeds) makes
sense as well.   
 
As for Who are You, I think it's safe to assume that a new version of that
will be released as well, the gold disc nothwithstanding.