King Crimson DVD-A Discussion

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Not surround-related (alas) but are there really *FOUR* different stereo mixes/masterings of USA available now? (This is the listing from the Road to Red DVD/BluRay tracklist)


LPCM Stereo (24/96)


Casino Arena, Asbury Park, NJ (2013 Mix)


Casino Arena, Asbury Park, NJ (2005 Mix)


LPCM Stereo (24/48)


USA – 30th Anniversary Remaster


LPCM Stereo (24/96)


USA – Original UK Vinyl Transfer



is the '30th anniversary remaster ' version just the '2005 mix' with a different sample rate?

From Wikipedia:

Original vinyl release in 1975. Includes tracks 1 - 7 (although track 1 & 2 are combined) and Eddie Jobson's overdubs.
30th Anniversary Remaster released 2002. Added tracks 8 & 9 to original release, credited track 1.
2005 mix of original multi-track tapes by Ronan Chris Murphy at DGM. Released as download from dgmlive.com in 2005 and on The Collectable King Crimson Vol. 1 in 2006. Includes all tracks, with the uncut versions of "Asbury Park" and "Easy Money"; "21st Century Schizoid Man" is moved to be the last track and is now the version from Asbury Park 28 June 1974. Does not include Eddie Jobson's overdubs.
2013 mix by original multi-track tapes by Robert Fripp, Tony Arnold and David Singleton at the Courthouse, Cranborne, Dorset. Same track order and versions as release #3. Splits improv at end of track 6 into its own track.


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Good to know. I have three of these. I judge them on the basis of how distorted and powerful Wetton's bass sounds. On the LP/original mix it's massive. The 30th Anniversary mix is not good, they tamed JW far too much. The 2005 mix is much closer sounding the to the original LP mix, which makes it better. I'll have to check out the 2013.

Not sure why they don't just release the original LP mix, from the master tapes.
 
I love what Jakszyk's done with ANY live Tull . Keep em coming.:D

Exactly. The first and only live Jethro Tull mix of his that has been released so far is not amazing, but I do think he did the best he could do with it. From what I have gathered, Steven Wilson certainly does not have the patience to deal with mixing live recordings like that one, so I appreciate Jakko stepping up and fulfilling that role for the "Minstrel" release and the upcoming "Songs from the Wood" set.

:)
 
I thought the 2002 30th anniversary release was the original LP mix, just with a new mastering and the bonus tracks tacked on to the end.
Correct. To my knowledge, all of the 30th Anniversary Editions were remasters from the original mix master tapes, save the first album for which the original tapes could not be found at the time (and so a copy—still the original mix—was used). It was later superseded by an "Original Master Edition" upon the tapes' discovery.
 
Correct. To my knowledge, all of the 30th Anniversary Editions were remasters from the original mix master tapes, save the first album for which the original tapes could not be found at the time (and so a copy—still the original mix—was used). It was later superseded by an "Original Master Edition" upon the tapes' discovery.


I tend to judge 'USAs' by how Larks II sounds.

The original vinyl mix /mastering of USA (e.g. the UK vinyl transfer on Road to Red) is the one I grew up with and love best, overdubs, deleted Cross, and all.

The mastering of the 30th Anniversary edition of USA is notably different from the original vinyl. Someone added tons more reverb and it's very distracting. That can't have been on the original master tapes. Not good

The 2005 mix of the Asbury Park Casino show sounds more like the vinyl (no added reverb). It's louder (which isn't necessarily bad) . Too bad the mellotron is still audible on 'Asbury Park'.. Still, for me, this the best of the 'alternate' versions of USA.

The 2013 mix of the Asbury Park Casino show is awful. Wetton's bass has been simply emasculated. (and there's that mellotron)


My go-to now is the UK vinyl transfer offered on Road to Red.


(it may be that my whole subthread about USA should be transferred to the 'Road to Red' discussion'...)
 
I should add that the only commercially available digital version of original 1975 vinyl mix and mastering of USA is the needledrop found on BluRay disc 2 of the Road to Red box. It's not on any of the CD or DVD discs in the same set.
 
I LOVE this album, will dig that version out and listen.


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USA?
yup freakin awesome...
we even got it in MCH and everyting..


you know..for being such a small group...we DO tend to make things happen..

"So ...we ARE TO BE TRAINED!"

(no, no ...keep it in the background!!! ...."Too dangerous!" To quote Gomez Addams...)
 
Sadly true. Some surround included in the Starless box but not USA. I have to play it twice as loud in the car.


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I had a friend, unfortunately dying of cancer, who had a great turntable years after I had given up on vinyl, and who I visited often to digitize our vinyls (and spend time with -- I didn't consciously be a user! This was a good "together time" that his wife blessed). I had the equipment and knew how to digitize; he had the pristine vinyl. We did USA and that is my "personal needle drop" album to go to. That said, I have the anniversary version that I am glad to have, but don't prefer for obvious reasons. The King Crimson box sets are amazing, and yes, Fripp can be an a-hole, but he is perfectly correct in demanding standards. My attitude to the whole box sets series is that I'm glad to have it. Complain as you will, the surrounds are a fabulous addition, and I bless Fripp for being so forward-looking.
 
The UK vinyl USA needledrop on the Road to Red Bluray disc 2 could use some de-clicking, but it's otherwise fine. Years ago I did a needledrop /declick of my own of the old half-speed mastered LP version, I might have to dig that out to compare...
 
I've had Discipline on my Amazon wish list for a year, pulled the trigger when the price dropped to $15.

Enjoying it immensely, besides the stellar surround, I appreciate the videos just to see the Chapman Stick in action.
Still have the scratchy vinyl I bought in '81.

(Because of what I read in the deadwax on Fripp's League of Gentlemen.)



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