Tír Na HiFi

Steve Mason's first release under his real name.His best since "The Beta Band" first release.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKUe2NEPP9c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cdDmqvkpV4Steve Mason's first solo work as "King biscuit time".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eHLA_BvaiEThe Beta band.

Fran wrote:

I'll be purchasing this myself very shortly. I'm impressed with Ms May, I must admit.

As I ponder on the sheer madness of actually thinking of buying the Mono Box set on vinyl (HELP!)
I'll give this a listen tonight and convince myself how crap they really are - joke! (and how wonderful The White Album
would sound in glorious Mono...)

Undoubtedly, the Mono CD Box was overpriced and represented a fine example of EMI cashing in on the hordes of Beatles fans that are out there. Ostensibly a limited edition, when initial stocks sold out they thoughtfully made more copies available for Christmas. As I write this, these boxes are still available on Amazon and, locally, in Tower (€200). (I wonder just how much they'll charge for the vinyl reissues!)

But, despite the fact that I paid €250 for my copy of this box set in Tower last year, I do think it's worth every penny. Beautiful presentation of the individual CDs (which I believe was overseen by EMI Japan) and the sound is incredible. It really is the most live and immediate that I have heard this music sounding. There's a real raw feel to the music which really does bring you much closer to how the original sessions must have sounded. I haven't heard the stereo issues yet but apparently, "judicious" use of compression was utilised here and there and the mono releases have been acknowledged to be the most authentic-sounding. Sgt. Pepper and The White Album are revelations in mono, but the albums I keep coming back to are my favourites, Revolver and Rubber Soul. But, really, it's all good.

With regards to next month's vinyl box, however, I really can't see a vinyl hound like yourself resisting this one, Dermot - whatever the price (and it will be steep).

Personally speaking, this year's mono box of choice will be the Dylan mono box which collects his first 8 albums in mono and is released next month as, naturally, a limited edition. I can't wait. There's also a vinyl box as well.

mcq wrote:Undoubtedly, the Mono CD Box was overpriced and represented a fine example of EMI cashing in on the hordes of Beatles fans that are out there. Ostensibly a limited edition, when initial stocks sold out they thoughtfully made more copies available for Christmas. As I write this, these boxes are still available on Amazon and, locally, in Tower (€200). (I wonder just how much they'll charge for the vinyl reissues!)

But, despite the fact that I paid €250 for my copy of this box set in Tower last year, I do think it's worth every penny. Beautiful presentation of the individual CDs (which I believe was overseen by EMI Japan) and the sound is incredible. It really is the most live and immediate that I have heard this music sounding. There's a real raw feel to the music which really does bring you much closer to how the original sessions must have sounded. I haven't heard the stereo issues yet but apparently, "judicious" use of compression was utilised here and there and the mono releases have been acknowledged to be the most authentic-sounding. Sgt. Pepper and The White Album are revelations in mono, but the albums I keep coming back to are my favourites, Revolver and Rubber Soul. But, really, it's all good.

With regards to next month's vinyl box, however, I really can't see a vinyl hound like yourself resisting this one, Dermot - whatever the price (and it will be steep).

Personally speaking, this year's mono box of choice will be the Dylan mono box which collects his first 8 albums in mono and is released next month as, naturally, a limited edition. I can't wait. There's also a vinyl box as well.

Welcome back Paul (no relation!); Thanks for clearing all that up, I know now I'm not mad :) A beautiful Christmas present it will be when I'm 64 :-) Drat, that's not for a few years yet! Ah well, I can always pretend.... Can't wait.

As regards the Dylan Mono set do let us know what you think when you get it.

In the meantime I'll have another listen to this...