Can someone explain the different re-issues for Japan on compact discs? I understand that there are three times they have been done in 1998, 2001, and 2004. Is there any significant type of difference in these? Why were they re-release three times? It also seems like they do not say the year on them or at least the re-issue year on them for the 2004 re-issues from what I can see on the front and back sleeves as well as the c.d.s in some pictures. Thanks for all of the information you all can give and have a good day!
I've also been wondering about these. More specifically about Live Killers from one of these, which is supposed to be one of the best masters out there. The problem is I don't know what to look for to find the specific version.
I learned the hard way that you should not bother with most of the remasters. Google and you tube "loudness war". The newer the remaster, the louder it is. And not in a good way. Honestly, most of the early pressings non-remasters are best on cd. I bought the 2001 Japanese remasters and they don't sound as good as the non-remasters. The 2011 remasters on SACD are a waste because they are way too compressed and loud. Don't waste your money on these like I did.
The exceptions to what I was saying are here. In other words, the good remasters
A Night at the Opera (DCC version), MFSL comes 2nd.
The Game (MFSL version)
Otherwise, search for "first pressings"
The new remasters trick you at first because of the loudness, but by the end of the albums, the harshness of the compression literally leave you ear fatigued
Are there any other features with the re-releases besides sound such as packaging, artwork, liner notes? I am confused for example between the story as to why there are some releases for a 25th anniversary of Queen. Are those the same as the others that were remastered and released in 1998?
Also I don't know what "DCC" or "MFSL" mean. Sorry.
I do hear what you are saying concerning the "loudness" issue. I am going to have to do my own studying I suppose in comparisons though I must say it has frustrated me quite a bit in the past how Queen would have such quiet music and then become WAY too loud and within the context on specific songs at times. Is this what people are talking about that has been changed where the music does not do that? That sounds actually good to me. I suppose that it depends on what your preference is.
Other than what you are saying (and I DO appreciate it) does anyone know what the difference is between the three years I was originally talking about 1998, 2001, and 2004? Are those all seperate remasterings? I thought that Japan only got two years (1998 and 2001) where the catelog was re-released and remastered each time.
There really does need to be someone somewhere on the internet (and where ever else) that explains why Japan got these extra re-release remastered releases and what their differences are so that people don't have to keep asking (such as myself).
The (EMI) first pressing of A Day at the Races is to be avoided. The initial piano intro to "You and I" fades in instead of being a clean, key-hit intro.
2004 re-issues use 2001 Remasters, so there is no diffrence between 2001 and 2004.
Actually, 2004 reissues CDs say "These reissues apply Queen Digital Remastering Series which was released in 2001."
I always thought that the ONLY difference between the 2001 remaster and the 2004 remasters is that 2001 editions were released as vinyl replicas and the 2004 editions were released in normal jewel cases
pittrek wrote:
I always thought that the ONLY difference between the 2001 remaster and the 2004 remasters is that 2001 editions were released as vinyl replicas and the 2004 editions were released in normal jewel cases
That's not true...
2001 editions are in jewel cases, 2004 editions are in card mini-LP sleeves.
the 2001 japanese remasters are very nice in my opinion. they were in my playlist until we got the latest remasters with the extra tracks.
However, the widely regarded best versions of Queen albums are
DCC - Anato
MSFL - Anato Adatr Notw The Game
West Germany Target (First pressing) - Notw The Game
pittrek wrote:
My 2001 editions are all in mini-LP sleeves and the 2004 I had were all in jewel cases
As far as I know, EMI Music Japan didn't release mini-LP sleeves in 2001 nor jewel cases in 2004.
I thought; (from '90s, in Japan)
Mini-LPs were released in 1998, 2004, 2008.
Jewel cases were released in 1994, 2001, 2005, 2011, 2012. link
The 30th Anniversary ANATO is good too and, apparently, the 2011 version is essentially the same, give or take 1 or 2 small tweaks on (I think) Bo Rhap.
I like the 2011 Queen and Queen II. The Innuendo is worth it for the bonus tracks.
I have most of the 2001 Japanese remasters in mini LP style the Jazz one even includes a mini Bicycle Race poster.I have not played them so i could not tell you how they sound,but they look fantastic.Almost no chance of finding them now,maybe on Ebay but i should think they would be very expensive.
If one set of remasters was a ‘go to‘ best version it would be nice and easy, but different albums sound better on different editions - eg Queen and Queen II are generally agreed to sound best in the 2011 releases, 2011 remasters mostly have brighter piano and vocals but The Miracle and The Game 2001 remasters (also released in 2004) have much better, less boxy-sounding bass and drums than 2011, the original UK/German CD release of Jazz is generally better balanced throughout than any other etc...etc....
I’m seriously considering losslessly ripping all my original vinyl editions!
dowens wrote:
Is an original cd (not released as a remaster) considered a first pressing?
All CDs are not necessarily a ‘first pressing‘, Ben if pressed using the same master as the first pressing CDs. Even different pressing plants In different countries produced slightly different sounding CDs despite often using the Same master!