 "THE BEST AUDIO VERSION AVAILABLE" | 2006-08-17 |
| - Reviewed By rcmjr@earthlink.net |
If you are looking for the best audio versions, navigating the array of domestic, European and Japanese releases for each Nilsson album can be a frustrating experience.
I have purchased and painstakingly A/B'd them all, and have posted this review on the best editions of each Nilsson title. All you have to do is find this review and the guesswork is eliminated.
As with all my A/B reviews, the discs were compared on two Sony XA7 transports wired via identical Acoustic Zen coax cables to a Camelot Uther DAC.
The entire catalog was issued in 2002 with Japanese K2 remastering. In terms of remastering, K2 would usually be the end of the story, but this catalog is the rare exception: The final six albums in the K2 offering are the best audio versions, but in the front half of the catalog, the UK and one domestic editions are superior.
The 2004 RCA remaster of "Schmilsson" is the only domestic release that is better than the imports.
Here is a list of the best audio versions:
1. Pandemonium Shadow Show/Aerial Ballet/Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (2CD) (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe (catalog number) 74321 757422
2. Skidoo/The Point (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757432
3. Harry/Nilsson Sings Newman (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757442
4. Schmilsson USA (2004) RCA 82876 572652
5. Son Of Schmilsson (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757462
6. A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37249
7. P*ssy Cats (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37251 (the UK has one extra track not on the K2)
8. Duit On Mon Dei (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37252
9. Sandman (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37253
10. That's The Way It Is (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37254
11. Knnillssonn (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37255
The three 2000 BMG Camden UK releases offer more clarity than the Japanese K2's. Perhaps they were working from better source material.
However, the Japanese K2's are definitely better than the UK "2-fer" discs in the later titles. Unfortunately, the K2's are now OOP, more difficult and expensive to locate, although the Japanese frequently re-issue catalog titles.
Before purchasing any OOP Nilsson title off Amazon Marketplace, Half or eBay, I would highly suggest e-mailing the seller (with the catalog number info I have provided above) and confirm the listing. The seller may have another edition of these titles mis-listed. |
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| "THIS PREVIOUSLY BEST-AUDIO VERSION NOW SUPERCEDED BY NEW '07 JAPAN REMASTER" | 2006-08-17 |
| - Reviewed By rcmjr@earthlink.net |
In 2006, after painstakingly purchasing and comparing all the Nilsson domestic, European and Japanese CD versions, I posted a review on the best-audio edition of each title. That was split between four UK, one domestic and six Japan CD's, and this CD was one of those titles.
However, time and technology have marched on. In Q307, the entire Nilsson pre-1978 catalog (except "The Son Of Dracula", announced but subsequently canceled), were remastered anew and released in mini-sleeve format by BMG Japan.
So, what was slightly confusing before, with all the different international and domestic versions, has now been simply resolved: In terms of the best audio available, the fifteen new BMG remasters are head-and-shoulders superior to any pre-existing Nilsson CD. While the older versions were no slouches, these new BMG's are absolutely GLORIOUS. And, finally, there's complete, matched-mastered sound through the entire catalog, in contrast to the dynamic range variations in the older releases from varying remastering schemes.
In A/B comparisons between the new and older versions, it is also obvious different masters were availed of, because there are snippets of additional audio on the BMG's that never appeared elsewhere.
In addition, there are now approximately seventy bonus tracks spread out through the new BMG set; demos, alternate takes, singles and non-album tracks. Only one previously-available track is not in residence on the BMG set: "Waiting", which is found only on the "Harry/Nilsson Sings Newman" UK 2-fer.
If you are a true Nilsson fan, then don't delay in getting these, as all mini-sleeve releases are limited edition. It is possible, of course, that BMG will release these as less expensive jewel-case releases down the road. However, as the original Nilsson LP jackets were often wonderfully imaginative affairs, having these exact replicas only heightens the joy of ownership.
Amazon only allows 10 product links per review, so below are the first ten titles. The remainder, you'll have to find on your own (TIP: look for the 2007 release date when searching):
Pandemonium Shadow Show
Aerial Ballet
Skidoo
Harry
Nilsson Sings Newman
The Point!
Nilsson Schmilsson
Aerial Pandemonium Ballet
Son Of Schmilsson
A Little Touch of Schmilsson In The Night
P*ssy Cats
Duit It On Mon Dei
Sandman
That's The Way It Is
Knnillssonn
Just in case you find this review after the `sleeve versions have sold out, here is a list of the previous best-in-audio jewel-case CD versions. I will re-post this review on each of the previous editions:
Pandemonium Shadow Show/Aerial Ballet/Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (2CD) (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe (catalog number) 74321 757422
The Point (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757432
Harry/Nilsson Sings Newman (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757442
Schmilsson (2004) RCA 82876 572652
Son Of Schmilsson (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757462
A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37249
P*ssy Cats (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37251 (the UK has one extra track not on the K2)
Duit On Mon Dei (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37252
Sandman (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37253
That's The Way It Is (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37254
Knnillssonn (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37255
WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?
Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.
Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 13.5MM X 13.5MM cardboard-sleeve, precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, everything else packaged with the original LP is precisely replicated and included, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and die cuts. An English-language lyric sheet is also included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.
Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have Japan-dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2 or K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.
Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "OBI" ("oh-bee-eye"), a Japan-language promotional strip. The OBI often also lists the original album's release date, the Japan street date of that particular disc, the catalog number, and mastering info. Bonus tracks are always only listed on the OBI, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork.
The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake copies of Japan `sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.
Also, there are older Japan mini-sleeve releases that have been supplanted with newer ones, usually with updated audio (such as JVC-Japan replacing older K2-mastered titles with new K2HD mastered releases).
All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common with some of the Japanese companies (but, again, not always). Mini-sleeve collecting can get expensive quickly, so, if you're a novice, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of an experienced `sleeve collector! |
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 ""Ok" remaster, "horrible" jacket" | 2004-09-15 |
| - Reviewed By mirrortime |
| One of my favorite albums. I was weened on it. When I got this re-mastered import I played the US RCA CD back to back (A/B'd certain songs). This one is much louder, crisper and better separation. I noticed more hiss on "Spaceman" and a few others than on the US version, but certain sounds come through much better on this import. I can live with it as it is a step in the right direction but really could be done better. I think it's worth the price. A major complaint is the jacket. Why do they have to have a different jacket for the main picture on these Harry remasters? They do include the original inside as part of the booklet but it's pointless to have a jacket for the jacket. If you're going to go to the trouble of remastering a classic album like this why not make the cover like the album when it came out. Even on the 2 albums on one disc CD's they could have just used the cardboard outer sleeve for advertising and included the jackets inside. Also there isn't any information about the remastering job. When, who etc. Oh yeah... they attempt to "recreate" the inner gate fold photo and chop off the heads of the photos etc. etc. An altogether "ugly" CD package. Still, the music's what matters and it's great. The bonus tracks are actually quite interesting but nothing to write home about. 2 versions of "Joy"... One version is 1:57 in length and one is 55 seconds long. Update: 2-22-07....Just sold this version and got the one that was released in May 2006 from RCA (USA). It's awesome. Much better than this one. The sound is awesome! The cover is perfect. It even has the single version of "Daybreak"! |
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| "Great Record- Nasty Sound" | 2003-01-18 |
| - Reviewed By captaincasual |
| This brilliant album has not recieved the love it deserves (that goes for Harry's entire catalog). These Camden remasters sound like they were sourced from 27th generation tapes. Go for the newly remastered Japanese releases. They sound great! |
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| "This Voice Is Not A Joke" | 2001-06-20 |
| - Reviewed By mrmartyfromsf |
| Harry Nilsson released this album in 1972 immediately after his immensely popular Nilsson Schilsson. It is Harry's tongue-in-cheek-response the the folks who fell in love with his previous songs. All the songs are meticulously recorded and mixed, but hilariously shocking when you are listening to "You're Breakin' My Heart" and hear Harry singing, "..." and other notable phrases. Comforting the listener back to serious, romantic nostalgia with, "Remember Christmas", Harry only continues to knock out the hilarious lyrics on the rest of the album. It doesn't matter as his voice has such an immense range and endearing quality, he proves he can sing anything he darn well wants and you will love it. Without lyrics, this collection would still be marvelous, but how can you stop from laughing with lyrics like, "Roy, I'm gonna make you my joy boy", or the choral backing of geriatrics singing "I'd Rather Be Dead" ('than wet my bed'). Listen carefully to the end of "The Most Beautiful World In The World". You'll ...! Harry had a great sense of humor, but his voice was the true prize. This Import has piano and guitar versions of "Joy", which may or not detract from the album, but who cares? Have fun. Listen to that incredible voice, no matter what it says. |
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| "A Classic" | 2000-09-03 |
| - Reviewed By jadebox |
| _Son of Schmilsson_ is Harry Nilsson's follow-up to his best selling album, _Nilsson Schmilsson_. On _Son of Schmilsson_ Harry let's loose and ... rocks. But the straight-ahead rock is balanced by some of Harry's most moving lyrics in "Remember" (featured not long ago in the film "You've Got Mail"), "Turn on Your Radio", "The Lottery Song", and "Ambush". But, if you were young and living at home in 1972, what you probably recall most about _Son of Schmilsson_ is running to turn down the volume each time the needle reached "You're Breaking My Heart." With two bonus tracks - previously unreleased versions of "Joy" - this CD belongs on your shelf next to _Nilsson Schmilsson_. |
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