The perfect digital format for this beautiful work.
Darren La Salle | Melbourne, Fl United States | 01/23/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard, "Famous Blue Raincoat" back in 1987. It was first given to me by a friend that knew I would like 2 songs, "Joan of Arc," and "Song of Bernadette." The latter is about Saint Bernadette who, as a young girl, was blessed with a series of apparitions from the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I was 19 back then and had never heard such a sumptuous recording. I was impressed with the high level of complexity and depth in each song. They were each like epic movies; fully realized. I literally needed time to recover after listening to each song before I could begin the next.
The years came and went, and by word of mouth this virtually un-publicized recording quietly sold and sold and sold...so well, the demand for copies exceeded the legally available supply.
Frustrated by the poor sound quality of bootleg copies being sold, and further disappointed by the confining effects of digital sound reproduction when the album was sloppily released on Compact Disc; Jennifer wanted to re-release the album in a form that re-created the legendary, outrageous, sonics found on the original release. So, to mark the 20th anniversary, Jennifer re-mastered the recordings. She actually "un-mastered" them to be more precise. Bypassing all mixing boards and simply sending the music from the original analog master tapes directly to disc. She clearly loves this music. In fact, She kept the original master tapes in a closet in her home. They were found to be in better shape than the copies that were professionally archived!
Even the four additional tracks are exquisite. Contrary to many reports they are not left-overs from the original sessions. They were recorded after the album was released and at least one of the songs was lovingly rehearsed in Jennifers' living room. Hearing them is like finding buried treasure. "Ballad of the Runaway Horse" is simply a masterpiece.
Leonard's lyrics have a dark beauty all their own. The musicians are each, "A" listers. The spot on vocal interpretation and crystalline voice of Jennifer Warnes meld these songs into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. "Famous Blue Raincoat" has stood the test of time. I deeply love this work, and I am thrilled to recommend it. This re-mastering has truly expanded the soundstage of the music. The highs are higher and the lows are lower. Every instrument has room to breathe here. Jennifer sounds like she is in the room with you! WHAT A VOICE! Give this new release a listen. See if you too don't fall under its spell...
For the record..so to speak, there are really 3 purchase options to consider:
1. The standard re-mastered anniversary C.D. This includes a 24 page booklet on the making and history of the album.
2. A limited edition GOLD version. With expanded booklet notes. The C.D.'s recording surface is electroplated in 24 carat gold. Gold provides a more even recording surface and ultimately a more faithful reproduction of the source material. Not to mention gold is an infinitely less corrosive element than today's standard Compact Disc recording surface.
3. An ultra limited, (only 6000 copies were pressed) box set on vinyl. It is recorded at 45 RPM, which requires 3 discs to hold the work. Each disc is recorded on 180 gram, virgin vinyl, for the highest quality analog sound reproduction available. It also has an extra demo track of "A Singer Must Die" not available anywhere else!"
Still the Greatest Cohen Album Ever
QIOMD | Princeton, NJ | 12/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sure, it's overly familiar to audiophiles as the at elusive 'perfect' demo disc, but a clean FBR with details etc is to be welcomed.
Not for everyone - a bit too 'poppy' for many of my friends - it still has its place as the best Cohen album not by Lenoard Cohen."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1