Search - The Rolling Stones :: Some Girls

You Know, The Audiophiles Are Right: Stick With The Virgin R

Erik Morton | Carmel, CA United States | 05/24/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm no audiophile; I own no fancy speaker systems or equipment, I don't know any of the lingo that goes along with sound quality, I don't own any vinyl, etc. I'm a casual music lover who still prefers to buy the CDs, but listens to the vast majority of my music on my iPod through $10-$20 headphones. And even I have to agree with what people are saying: the 1994 Virgin remaster by Bob Ludwig is better than this 2009 Universal remaster.



When I first bought this album a few months ago, it was the 2009 version. Right from the get-go, something about the sound quality hurt my ears; I don't blast my music very loud or often at all, but it actually gave me a bit of a headache listening to this album a few times. It just sounded too "bright," somehow, for lack of a better way to phrase it. Mind you, it's still a perfectly listenable CD.



So I finally bought the older 1994 version, and the difference is extremely subtle (to the point where I'm not sure if I can put my finger on the exact reasons), but to my untrained ears it sounds better than the 2009 version. It sounds more "full," more like the Stones I know. Sounds are perhaps less clear and crisp, but you know what? That's how I like my Stones. They're one of those bands who actually benefits from some "muddy" sound in their music, so to speak. It just gives them a certain atmosphere. I think the 2009 remasters cleaned up the recordings a little too much, and in doing so not only made a less pleasurable listening experience, but also lost a lot of that Stones feeling.



Conclusion: The 1994 Virgin CD is the way to go. Mind you, the 2009 UM version isn't the travesty a lot of people have made it out to be, but it's still a less satisfying listening experience, IMHO. I can't speak for any of the other 2009 remasters, but based on my 'Some Girls' experience, I'll continue to seek out the 1994 Virgin remasters."

Miss You Bass Line is Epic

Edward Z. Rosenthal | Collingswood, NJ, USA | 05/21/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The "Miss You" bass line alone is worth the price of this disc. It's got world devastating infectious power. I like the Stones more sinister, nasty stuff most, but this one tune never, ever gets old. If "Happy" off of Exile on Main Street is the height of joy - I can't think of a more boisterously celebratory sound in the Stones' catalog - then "Miss You" is their K2. (Note: K2 is the second highest peak on the face of the globe after Everest...) The rest of the songs here are fine, solid music with a few standout moments, like the radio friendly "Beast of Burden" that is the epitome of "timeless", or "Far Away Eyes" which could have easily nestled in on Exile. "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" predicts, in a minor way, the gorgeous mood of 'Waiting on a Friend", but without the island accent. "Before They Make Me Run" has Keith crooning as well as ever, propelled on Wyman's snappy bass line and Charlie's tight popping beat. And "Some Girls'" sly rhythm creeps deep under your skin and works some strange mojo there. It grows on you like the sweetest poison ivy.



The Stones are playing just easy and loose on all the rest of the tracks, and seemingly enjoying themselves very much, in spite of rumors to the contrary.



The sound quality is questionable as the compression is annoyingly audible; much of the original's softer, hazy balance is stripped out. The mid 90s remaster is much, much better, truer to the original. You might find this remaster to be a butchered sacrilege, or possibly a welcome refinement. There's no accounting for taste. With its pronounced, shrill highs and booming, over-sharp bass, this remaster really tests my patience."

I agree completely

The Plunkster | Fairfield, OH United States | 06/18/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have always loved this one. One of my 3 favorite Stones albums, along with "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile On Main Street". "Some Girls" has it all---the dance groove of "Miss You", the in your face rock of "When The Whip Comes Down", the humor of "Far Away Eyes". Every track is great.



But...



The comments on this site about the poor audio quality of the remaster are right on the money. Worst remastering job I have EVER heard. Just awful. A friend of mine had purchased the remaster and I listened to it, and then listened to the original Virgin release I have. I was amazed. The reviewers are absolutely right. Stick with the original here. Unfortunately, it is now very had to find."