The Velvet Forum

Caridad Rodriguez wrote:

iaredatsun wrote:Why did they leave that in?

I always thought the same thing about the off-key backing vocals in "Stephanie Says". They really ruin the song for me, since that one is meant to be pretty.

I love those vocals. It lifts it out of 'prettiness'. It's pretty with a sour edge.

Caridad Rodriguez wrote:

iaredatsun wrote:Talking about warts-and-all approaches to archive reissues, what on earth is happening at 2:30 into One Of These Days?

Exactly that, a wart

iaredatsun wrote:Why did they leave that in?

I always thought the same thing about the off-key backing vocals in "Stephanie Says". They really ruin the song for me, since that one is meant to be pretty.

I guess that after the too-clean Eighties versions of VU and Another View, they now went the "authentic" route, leaving all in as it was in 1968-1969. A little sympathetic restauration would've been nice here though, just ducking the obviously wrong notes. Even David Briggs ducked wrong notes with Neil Young and Crazy Horse

But I'm glad they took the big Eighties production off the songs (flanger on Lou's solo in "Can't Stand It", all the reverb, ...)

That is a very odd wart to leave in. Very awkward and something that obviously should've been ducked in any mix.

I was so excited to hear the original 60s mix of 'Stephanie' when Gold came out. Then was hit with major disappointment when I heard the backing vocals. For a split second I thought that either my stereo or I was having a breakdown. Luckily, I don't really find the 80s mix for that one to be offensive. Still, I wish they would've remixed it for the WL/WH 45th instead of using the awful 60s mix. A poor representation of a great track. I know some feel the off-key vocals add something or were maybe even intentional, but I don't agree with either and think it's unlistenable.

I must say, for the most part I am very much liking the new and original mixes in the new set. Nice job there.

There are some tracks from the 'Matrix sampler' left over on this set, like 'Venus in furs 2' or 'Black angel's death song', someone knows why ?

Still waiting on my knees at the door, nothing recieved yet, can't wait.....to have it in my hands.

dial4 wrote:There are some tracks from the 'Matrix sampler' left over on this set, like 'Venus in furs 2' or 'Black angel's death song', someone knows why ?

I have been told by a very good source that the balance of the Matrix tapes will be released next year.

velvetfan wrote:

dial4 wrote:There are some tracks from the 'Matrix sampler' left over on this set, like 'Venus in furs 2' or 'Black angel's death song', someone knows why ?

I have been told by a very good source that the balance of the Matrix tapes will be released next year.

I really hope so. The lack of "New Age" right now is greatly disappointing. Very cool to have the 1969 Live "Sweet Jane" in such nice quality. Would love to be able to hear "New Age" in such nice quality.

They could make a great 1969 Live deluxe box if they got a hold of the End Cole tapes and combined it with the Matrix tapes.

nkdlunch wrote:They could make a great 1969 Live deluxe box if they got a hold of the End Cole tapes and combined it with the Matrix tapes.

That would be nice. But I fear they'd just grab the common End Cole boot for the source. The End Cole tracks released on the old French CD EP indicate that the label had a different, more complete copy. There's some talking not heard on the End Cole boots. Hopefully, they retain the full show from this source and can use that instead of copying the bootleg like with the Ohio '66 show.

My box just arrived. It looks beautiful, but it's going to take a while to digest.
So far I've only listened to the 'lost album' disc, which sounds great with a couple of quirks.
She's My Best Friend is definitely the song I'd record if I wanted to break a contract, and I'm not happy they restored the awful yelling at the end.
I'm Stickin' With You is interesting, but is the end messed up? It sounds like it's overdriven at the end.
I Can't Stand It is the big remix, and on first listen, I'm finding the differences distracting, like seeing an old friend who's had hair extensions and bleached their hair, and it's hard to pay attention to what they're saying. I think I'll end up liking it, but it's a bit strange at the moment.
Move Right In sounds great, as does Ride Into The Sun, but they would both be 10x better with vocals. I don't believe that they were written as instrumentals, so without vocals they're incomplete demos.

ETA: Now listening to the live recordings - it's a bit like a dream come true. The best sounding Velvets live recording I've ever heard. The performance is pretty hot as well. I've got my money's worth without even getting to the actual 3rd album

DavidH wrote:My box just arrived. It looks beautiful, but it's going to take a while to digest.
So far I've only listened to the 'lost album' disc, which sounds great with a couple of quirks.

Good to hear what you think, and your comments provoke me to put my own thoughts down - at least for disk 4.

The good things:
Of the 1969 material, nearly everything is a much needed improvement. A clear, revealing sound that to me feels quite modern, in its own way.

Overall, what I really like is the attention to the guitars throughout. This CD must now be a guitar-player's dream. I love it for the guitar sound, alone.

The new version of Ride is not as lush and dreamy as the 85 mix but I like the textures of the new one. Even Move Right is better for the new approach.

And a few minor criticisms:
As David mentions, Yule's yelping at the end of Best Friend is a bit naff. We heard it on the 85 promo tape before they mixed it down. I also think his vocal on that song now feels somehow weaker than it did in the 1985 mix.

But I have one real complaint and that is the 1 bar of vocal noise in One Of These Days at 2:30. Why did they leave that in?

Oversights or a deliberate decision not to cut anything in order to redress the balance after all the criticisms of the '85 mixes?

So, these few niggles aside, I really like it and I find I am playing it constantly!