Search - Grant Lee Buffalo :: Fuzzy (Reis) (Dig)

Original Recording, hmmm?

monday night by satellite | Los Angeles, CA. United States | 08/27/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As much as i love the original album i must say this ain't it.



Back in 1993 i found a used promo of "Fuzzy", checked it out and purchased a minute later.

Over the years the disc has been replaced for various reasons (one was given to an ex girlfriend, another played to death prompting me to buy a third copy late last year).



Last week - hey! - i discovered a reissue and was thrilled to hear the 2007 edition AND read the "liner notes written by Grant Lee Phillips himself" (as opposed to the other Grant Lee Phillips??)



The original intent was to sum up my review in one sentence:

"Great, always wanted to hear the inferior version of one of my favorite albums".



Yeah that's childish...however true.



As the magnificent opener "The Shining Hour" came to a close i was quite happy with this reissue. Slightly more vibrant, drums clearer sounding but not too much high-end which is a problem with most "Newly Re-Somethings..".



So we're good and now "Jupiter & Teardrop" should come stomping in and...and... and no because "Shining Hour" has not yet finished as a new section has been sloppily pasted to the end.



WHAT!?!

Well kids, that's why we have liner notes.



Woops, the liner notes are but one vague paragraph as Grant Hisself offers up the geography of the recording sessions or whatever else i skimmed through. Curious there's no mention of "By the way, this is not the album you have been buying since 1993" but i guess i just have to be crazy.



Perhaps this is the original version? Has the curtain finally been pulled back to reveal the rejected mix? If so then lemme go on record as saying for once a record company actually made the proper decision.



One example is how Grant awkwardly moves into the first chorus of the song "Fuzzy".

As a songwriter i understand though it simply does not work as well as the 1993 version.



My next thought: "please tell me you did not screw up 'The Hook'".

Well that one's safe because you really CANNOT improve on perfection.



OK Kids, check out the clip of "Grace" from the reissue then scroll down to the same song listed as Audio CD 7/30/96.





i am sure ego, politics and a few thousand arguments (probably dating back to '92) are reason enough to release these (inferior) versions but under the guise of the original (same packaging aside from those extensive liner notes)this is all a bit "fuzzy" to say the least.



In any case the material is superb and alt. mixes can not detract from the original spark of what is a masterpiece.



It is painfully obvious this should have been a double-disc package.

A few dollars more and we all would have gained so much.

And why should i be the one telling you this?

rb





"

A classic among classics

03/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this album is in my opnion the best grant lee buffalo album out there. it's pure americana folk rock that reaches to your spine. grant lee philips has the best voice i've ever heard, surpassing jeff buckley. how can this guy give it only three stars? it deserves as many stars as the night sky, and more."