Re: QUAD Wars

ML,

>Actually, I'd say that Drowned is (one of if not) the most improved song on
>this remix. The piano is definitely there, but this version is driven by the
>bass and drums. With some fantastic guitarwork previously hidden. And please
>note that Daltrey after singing "In cold water..." is moaning. Bet that
>isn't on the Japanese version...
>Bell Boy sounds damned good, too. It's more of a "live Who" sound.

Now, having listened to it at home (was at work on headphones before) I can
hear the "hidden" guitars much better. However, the piano solo (2:05 - 2:45)
is completely overrun by the rest. That is what is extremely disappointing
about it. 

>It's there. True, some things (on the entire thing) have a different
>emphasis. As on here. And there are many things different, as on The Real Me
>is missing one "Can you see..."

Along with the removed second guitar line in the last verse of pinball
wizard, I don't see the need for the "removal" of such parts, like the "can
you see..." as if Astley were the producer.

>Are you sure you've got that timing right? That is the point where Keith
>begins to sing: "People often change..." I don't hear what you're talking
about.
>BTW, on Bell Boy it's quite obvious that Astley deadened the backing vocals
>("Bell bo-oy...") intentionally. As he did with the piano on Helpless
>Dancer. He also added a bit of reverb on most (if not all) of Daltrey's
vocals.

It's still there at home. At about 3:47, it pulls down the backing track to a
lower level as the "people often change..." starts. Though I can't
specifically remember where, there were at least a few instances in which the
quick pulling down of the backing track are noticible.

As far as others, having now listened to the first side, both Cut My Hair and
Punk/Godfather are *flaccid*, for lack of a better term. The "oomph" and
"angst" are conspicuously absent from the mix. 

The rest were acceptable. Some were excellent. I'm one especially. But it was
very difficult to pick out the definitive remixed track on this -- a track to
play to someone for the expressed purpose of "winning" them over to
Quadrophenia. For Tommy, an a/b comparison of the middle of Christmas would
do it. What to do here? I tried I'm One and the Dirty Jobs to no avail. 

What could make it better? All the entire thing really needed was to bring
the vocals up and the rest would take care of itself. The original 8 (or was
it 16 by '73?) track would cleanly bring out the hi-hat and ride that was
missing from the old CDs. Some tweaking here and there.  Overall, it is much,
much cleaner. And for that we should all be thankful. But these "alternate"
mixes leave an acerbic taste on my palate. 

Still unconvinced,

Litgo