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The Quad controversy (was : Ice Notes)



>  - Brief mention in CD Watchdog column that Quad remix has been well-received
> by most of ICE readership.  The quote from Ken Sylvester is "...the remaster
> of Quad is absolutely incredible.  Full dynamic range restored, crystal
> clear...if you don't own this, you're cheating yourself out of a sound
> experience unlike any other."

I really now starting to wonder if this is psychological more than 
anything else.  From my standpoint I was open ears for a new Quad remix 
because I never liked the album as much as Tommy/WN/WBN/Leeds. I've read 
many who love this album to the point of being buried with it in 
their coffins, and they seem to be the most upset.  I can see a 
gravestone with "Tragically killed on TWA Flight 800, but died happy 
listening to The Who's Quadrophenia (original mix)"  From 
WFang's view I truly believe he has sensitive ears, which is fine by me.  
My fiance' claims to get headaches from hearing those high AM frequencies 
that most humans can't.  Maybe when I finally get that pair of 
Vandersteen's (sorry Mark, these blew me away compared to Klipsch) next 
month I'll have a different opinion, but for now I love the new Quad.  


The stuff I was reading on "alt.music.who" really made me laugh.  Someone 
actually claimed to hate the new Tommy CD because "it's too perfect, too 
clean".  I now realize that LP diehards (without logical reason, IE 
the CD REALLY sounds due to bad transfer) have a gene defect.  Others 
looked at albums like Quad as rock documents in history and 
should be preserved in their original form.  An example, someone used the 
1990 remix of Layla as an example and claimed that he still has the old 
album for reference, I say WHY?  The song Layla sounded like utter crap on that 
album for years before they found the original master.  The old CD 
transfer was even worse. 

For those who believe in preserving damaged goods, 
I can't help you.  Many years ago someone was arrested in the bathroom of 
a french art museum for defacing a Picasso.  It happened to be Picasso 
himself, attempting to improve his "masterpiece".  That's how we should 
view Townshend's view of Quad, it's improved (IMHO) and fresh.  So what 
if the "Squawk" is missing in Dirty Jobs, I found it annoying anyway,  After 
WFang said that all Polydor Who CD's aren't as bright as MCA I had to 
think twice because if Poly's WN is duller than MCA's I'd be very upset 
(If I owned a Poly copy).