Search - Prefab Sprout :: Steve Mcqueen (Dig) (Spkg)

A Sonic and Musical Masterpiece

gnagfloW | Rosa Barks | 04/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steve McQueen is an album I've been hoping to be re-mastered for years, along with Prefab's other great album, Jordan: The Comeback. Jordan was an incredible album packed with great songs diverse both musically and lyrically. SM was, however, more ethereal in its production with a sound that really has not been duplicated, ever. Most people who listened to their first record, Swoon, are aware that Thomas Dolby, the producer, had an enormous influence on the outcome of SM. Not only is the production different but the structure of the songs is better crafted. Having at first listened to SM as a record, I always felt that the CD version lacked depth. It must be added that the CD version I am used to is the American version of SM (called Two Wheels Good because the estate objected to the title). That version included a fantastic extended version of Faron Young, a great county cover of He'll Have To Go and one more track. When Love Breaks Down is also in an inferior state on Two Wheels Good, being slightly edited and mixed



Now, more than 20 years after its initial release the album has been re-released, re-mastered by Thomas Dolby himself. The extra tracks from Two Wheels Good are nowhere to be found. That is understandable since Dolby had nothing to do with that production and they were also not really part of the original Steve McQueen release. On a brighter note, the better version of When Love Breaks Down is intact.



Although some recent re-mastered versions have improved the sound quality significantly, often it is simply because the transfer to the CD was initially incredibly sloppy. Despite not being satisfied with the sound quality of Two Wheels Good, I cannot say that it was bad. Many CD releases in their early stages simply were substandard and TWG was actually above the average for that period sound quality wise. This makes the difference even more astonishing. It is as if the music was transferred into 3-D. Not only is there (much) added depth, the clarity and yet softness is way beyond what I am used to. I even suspect that Dolby may have done some subtle re-mixing to obtain this effect because this is better than most productions done even in today's standards. The only re-release that I can think of having been re-mastered closely as well is Fleetwood Mac's recent 2-CD edition of Rumours, but that version was initially transferred in an atrocious manner. This re-mastered version would be worth the price alone.



There is, however, an extra CD included in this release. Paddy McAloon decided to re-record acoustically 8 of the 11 songs from SM, as opposed to the usual demo/different versions/live versions/omitted tracks route. This is admirable both in regards of bothering to set so much effort in a re-release project (recording of the acoustic set took supposedly much longer than the initial one) and also taking the chance re-recording classics that probably are a hard act to follow. What surprised me is how complex the arrangements are. Instead of Paddy strumming through the tracks with a guitar in his hands, most of the songs are complex interactions of guitars woven together. Many of them are also re-arranged in a fashion that they are almost like different songs. This works well on most of the songs but it most be kept in mind that in general people listening to these tracks are biased, being used to the older versions, including me.



The standout track is, surprising, Desire As. The acoustic version is almost unrecognizable from the original one and, dare I say, better than the original one. Another track which falls into that category is When the Angels, a lovely version that brings the text more to life. The two tracks that I feel are lacking are Bonny and Goodbye Lucille #1. Bonny is my favorite Prefab Sprout track, period, so maybe that makes it simply almost impossible for me being unbiased, but the singing is way below Paddy's usual standards and the arrangement lacks cohesion. Goodbye Lucille #1 needed actually more re-arranging because the vocal interaction makes the song special but with only one voice it does not work out. Faron Young has a Western feel in this arrangement and becomes very addictive after a few listens. When Love Breaks Down, however, has a sweet feel, approaching the performance with a gentle approach once again but from a different angle. Trying to maintain an objective stance, I rate this version as a 4 star record.



This set, however, is a 5 star project, both sonically and musically and very worth purchasing, both for those who own it already and others who still lack one of the most ethereal and stunningly produced releases in the last few decades.

"

One of Paddy's finest albums

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 08/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I honestly didn't discover Prefab Sprout until 1988 but immediatley fell in love with this album. I had the "Two Wheels Good" version so, like a lot of American fans here, I do miss the two bonus tracks (the "Faron Truckin' Remix" was never a big deal to me)and wish they had added them on either to the second disc or, after a brief pause, on the first. Regardless, "Steve McQueen" sounds extremely good in this reissue with nice detail and warmth in the remastering done by producer Thomas Dolby.



We also get the 8 track acoustic album with Paddy playing and singing solo (although he does double track some stuff on here as well). Reportedly this 8 track acoustic disc took more time to record than the original album. If so, it was certainly worth the wait--Paddy's playing and singing of the songs offers a fresh alternative and is as close to the original demos as we'll ever get (he doesn't have a copy of the demos anymore although Thomas Dolby might...mmmm...here's an opportunity for a rarities CD).



A terrific album got better although, like a lot of folks, I'm not getting rid of my "Two Wheels Good" just yet because I want the other songs NOT on this version. Also, the mastering on the previous disc is actually pretty decent with good dynamic range even if it was done at the beginning of the CD era. This remaster is louder than the previous version and, if compressed, most of the dynamic range has been kept intact. Regardless, fans should truly treat themselves to this if nothing else than for the second disc."

Sorely missing "He'll Have to Go" and "The Yearning Loins",

G. A. Skala | Chicago, Illinois USA | 05/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record is a pop mastepiece. Not only has it held up well over the years, but it's taken on a beautiful mystical aura unlike anything from the 80's. The 80's were filled with great rock records, but as far as the pop side of music goes, this record is the cream of the crop..



Frankly I've grown so accustomed to the bonus tracks "The Yearning Loins" and "He'll Have to GO' on the American version of SMcQ (titled 'Two Wheels Good) as a regular part of the record. "He'll Have To Go", a bonus track and one of the Sprout's best, the song that won me over initially as a Prefab fan, rounds out the record-long meditation on the male condition beautifully.



On the American side of the fan fence, it's wonderful to hear great old tunes with a fresh polish, but I'm still holding onto my copy of Two Wheels Good. I like the title better (and Thomas Dolby's vision and contribution aside) the non-Dolby produced bonus tracks really do make a big difference.



When I first heard Paddy McAloon was re-recording acoustic versions of the songs I groaned. But when I finally heard them, it was an amazing experience. I never realized just how great "Appetite" was until I heard the demo. And the version of "Desire As", is incredible. "When Love Breaks Down" should be on heavy rotation at Starbucks. We'll see ..."