Search - Gordon Lightfoot :: Sundown

A completely unnecessary and unchanged reissue

MB 450SEL 6.9 | 06/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is more of a warning than a review. The five stars are for the original content of the LP and later CD rather than for this CD itself. Other than to say that this is one of Gord's best albums and probably his most widely known and remembered, I'll allow those interested to read other's reviews for the original Reprise release of this record on CD. So what is the warning? This is merely a reissue of the old Reprise CD: it hasn't been remastered, nothing has been expanded, and it includes no bonus tracks (yes, I know, bonus tracks can often be of questionable value and sometimes detract from the record's original intent, though still with the price increase you do expect something more!) The credits in the four-page "booklet" are identical to the earlier Reprise issue with no mention of any mastering or remastering work except what was done for the original CD transfer. Upon listening to this and the old Reprise CD back-to-back, the only difference I could note was perhaps a very slightly blunter (i.e. less crisp and sharp) sound on this new reissue. That's hardly an improvement. About the only differences between this "new" issue and the earlier one is that the cover art is fuzzier and not as sharp (as if taken from a low-resolution, digitized copy of the original LP cover), there's a new record label (Wounded Bird) listed and the retail price is higher. This is a sadly unnessary "reissue" of a classic album that has nothing new to offer. The recording itself is still among my favorites; however, this reissue is very questionable (except for the profits the record companies will collect) and not at all worthwhile if you already own all of Gord's albums on CD since this is the very same thing as what you already have."