I was worried that I would regret not buying this one at Tower Records' going-out-of-business sale some months back. Thanks for confirming it :howl.
I remember putting this back on the shelf because I was already spending too much money (with the discount, it was about $20.00).
Hindsight is always 20/20.
I was worried that I would regret not buying this one at Tower Records' going-out-of-business sale some months back. Thanks for confirming it :howl.
I remember putting this back on the shelf because I was already spending too much money (with the discount, it was about $20.00).
Hindsight is always 20/20.
Jon, I agree with you 100%. This was also an unexpected joy for me as well. Quite moving in spots. I'll drop the Doc a note about this thread.Before I begin, let me just say that despite buying thousands of albums in many formats over the years, I had never purchased a recording by Paul Williams. It's not that I did not know of his music, how could anyone not? He is one of the greatest songwriters of the last 50 years. It's just that I never was a MOR kind of guy. Sure I liked a ballad here and there, but I never really seeked them out.
That being said, I have to say that this is one of the most amazing DVD-Audio discs I have ever owned, and I am glad that I finally can say that I own a Paul Williams disc, and that it is THIS disc!I have gained so much respect for this guy after watching and listening to this disc, he is far more than the little guy with the blond hair from "Smokey and the Bandit"!
In reality, this release is like having a 4 disc set of various formats on 2 DualDiscs. The DVD-Audio 24/96 5.1 mix is done with great class and taste, and while being discrete, it does not hit you over the head.
Disc 1 is a CD/DVD-Audio of a new AIX recording of many of Paul Williams biggest songs, starting off with a duet with Willie Nelson of "Rainbow Connection". Willie is in the front left, Paul is in the front right. I was first introduced to this song by hearing it sung by Livingston Taylor in concert, and did not know for many years that it came from the Muppet Movie and that it was written by Paul Williams. I have always loved this song, and this version gets better and upon each listen. In crytsal clear 24/96 5.1, it's a joy to listen to. You can hear Willie's guitar like it's in your speaker, every finger moving up and down the strings is revealed in extreme detail. Then, to make it even more amazing, after you listen to this on your DVD-Audio player, you can then pop in disc 2 and WATCH THE RECORDING SESSION on your DVD player in 16x9 video!! (However, the video is not anamorphic, which is surprising in a package as elaborate as this)
yes, Disc 2, Side 1 is the same recordings in a user selectable Dolby Digital 5.1 "Audience Mix" with Video, or a DTS 5.1 Stage Mix with the video, and the video takes you literally on the stage, where you can watch the musicians do their thing. It is very cool.
Disc 2 Side 2 is sort of a documentary on Pauls' career interspersed with interview segments and a live concert performance of some of the same songs on the recorded program on the other discs, as well as other songs he's written, like "You and Me Against the World", a hit in the '70s for Helen Reddy. During the concert portion of this side, Paul is joined by Melissa Manchester for "Crazy Lovin' You".
Housed in a large DVD-V sized case with a pull out insert, this set was created, recorded, assembled, and blessed with amazing care and detail that AIX does with all of their excellent discs.
This ain't Rock and Roll, but if you are a fan of Paul Williams writing or just nice relaxing music, this set is a must buy. Set aside a few hours, cue up the disc player, and be prepared to be amazed.
I could probably say a lot more about this set, but my head is spinning! This one is a TEN all the way. Great job by AIX. If Dr. AIX stops by, I'd love to hear some behind the scenes stories about this one.
........BTW This same track was licensed for a compliation by a company in the Midwest for use on a Phil Ramone produced CD of legacy artists doing a new and old tune. I jumped at the chance to have our track along side tracks from Kenny Loggins, Carole King and Brian Wilson. I was asked to send along the multitrack master so that Phil and his engineer could "remix" the track to better fit in with the rest of the tracks. When the finished disc finally arrived I was quite surprised to see that they had replaced virtually all of the music in New York with local session players. They added synth strings, replaced the acoustic bass with an electric one, took out the accordian and replaced the electric guitar part. I was astouned! The tune had been "re-mixed" from the amazingly warm and personal duet that we had captured in the fall of 2004 to a homogenized, musically vapid flat-sounding track. Oh well.........
And yes, I was disappointed in the results for "Rainbow Connection"...it is a beautiful rendition that I had hoped would find a wider audience on the compilation...such is the state of record production and the business as realized by the "professionals".
You really should check out the movie Phantom of the Paradise. The Blu ray is in 5.1 and sounds awesome. Paul Williams can write rock and roll. Upholstery is one funny and awesome song. Beautiful Beach Boys parody. Goodbye Eddie Goodbye skewers 50s rock and roll and Sha Na Na perfectly. Somebody Super Like You and Life At Last lampoons Kiss before Kiss existed. Paul is also a credible actor, singer and piano player. This movie flopped when it came out but now is a cult classic. It just doesn't get any better than this.Before I begin, let me just say that despite buying thousands of albums in many formats over the years, I had never purchased a recording by Paul Williams. It's not that I did not know of his music, how could anyone not? He is one of the greatest songwriters of the last 50 years. It's just that I never was a MOR kind of guy. Sure I liked a ballad here and there, but I never really seeked them out.
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