Surroundablog

King Crimson 40th Anniversary Editions

Forty years ago this month King Crimson went onstage at Hyde Park London as part of a bill topped by The Rolling Stones. The concert propelled the band from being the “hottest new band in London” to “hottest new band in the UK” overnight.

This status was confirmed when their classic debut album In the Court of the Crimson King achieved a UK Top 5 chart placing upon release in October that year. Such chart success was quickly replicated elsewhere with the record entering the US top 30 and replacing The Beatles’ Abbey Road at the top of the Japanese International Artist chart by the end of the year.

To celebrate 40 years of the Crimson Kings, DGM & Panegyric proudly announce the release of a series of CD/DVD-A editions of the original King Crimson studio albums.

Each CD/DVD-A release features the full original album plus bonus tracks on the CD. Two of the titles – Lizard & In the Court of the Crimson King feature entirely new 2009 stereo album mixes by Steven Wilson & Robert Fripp.

The DVD-A presents each album fully remixed into stunning 5.1 Surround Sound with Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) in the producer role and King Crimson founder member Robert Fripp as executive producer.

The 5.1 mixes are accessible in full MLP lossless audio on DVD-A players & DTS 5.1 on standard DVD players/DVD Rom drives. Additionally, High Resolution stereo is also accessible on the DVD-A (24/96 DVD-A & 24/48 DVD/DVD Rom).

Selected DVD-A titles in the series will also feature era specific, rarely seen, King Crimson video footage. Each album is presented in a double Digipack, with booklet artwork featuring new sleeve notes by Robert Fripp and King Crimson biographer Sid Smith alongside archive material and photos, enclosed in an outer card slipcase.

The first three titles are set for release this year with further titles to follow throughout 2010:

Red: September 21st 2009
In the Court of the Crimson King: October 12th 2009  (various editions)
Lizard: October 26th 2009

Additional information about individual titles.

 

Red – (KCSP 7 CD/DVD-A) September 21st release.

(KCSP 1 CD/DVD-A edition)

CD: Features entirely new 2009 stereo edition mixed from the original pre mix multi track tapes by Steven Wilson and Robert Fripp, plus bonus tracks including early versions of I Talk to the Wind, the backing track for Epitaph and the session that produce the opening wind effect for 21st Century Schizoid Man.

DVD-A: Features the original album in 5.1 Surround Sound. The 2004 master edition & the 2009 new mix also appear in Hi-Res Stereo, along with several bonus tracks from the original recording sessions.  
Video Footage: Newly re-sequenced archive footage of 21st Century Schizoid Man from the legendary Hyde Park concert.

(DGM 5009 2CD edition)

CD1: as per above.

CD2: Features the 2004 master edition plus bonus tracks including the Morgan studios instrumental recording of 21st Century Schizoid Man, the John Peel Top Gear recording of I Talk to the Wind (not previously released on CD) and a transfer of the original single a/b side of The Court of the Crimson King.

(KCCBX 1 4CD/DVD-A Boxed set – Limited edition.)
Full details to be arranged.

Lizard – October 26th release.

King Crimson’s third album, a jazz-rock tour de force.

(KCSP3 CD/DVD-A edition)

CD: Features entirely new 2009 stereo edition mixed from the original pre mix multi track tapes by Steven Wilson and Robert Fripp plus three bonus tracks: Lady of the Dancing Water (alternate take), Bolero (alternative version originally from Frame by Frame) and a studio run through of Cirkus from the original recording sessions.

DVD-A: Features the original album in 5.1 Surround Sound. The 2004 master edition and the 2009 new album mix also appear in Hi-Res Stereo, along with the three bonus tracks from the CD. 

King Crimson reissues on their way

King Crimson's label DGM have announced that they will start to release the  Steven Wilson 5.1 surround sound mixes of the King Crimson back catalogue in June, with "Lizard" and "Red", followed by a special 40th anniversary edition of "In the Court of the Crimson King" in October. Where appropriate new stereo mixes and out-takes / alternates have also been mixed, although we don't know yet if DGM will approve these for release as part of the new editions.

According to Classic Rock Magazine, 5 albums have been completed with another 5 in the works...

GRAHAM NASH/SONGS FOR BEGINNERS DVD-A & CD

CD/DVD-Audio Reissue of the legendary musician's classic 1971 Solo Debut. Features Remastered Stereo plus DVD-A High Resolution 5.1 and Stereo Mixes.

Graham Nash first rose to fame with the band The Hollies. He went on to co-found the legendary rock supergroups Crosby Stills Nash and Young. Throughout it all Nash has also pursued an acclaimed solo career, beginning with the 1971 gem "Songs For Beginners." Rhino's landmark reissue of this classic title in CD/DVD-A special edition features the original album in remastered stereo on CD and a host of extra features including an all new interview with Graham Nash on the DVD.

"...a surprisingly restrained and beautiful production..." - Rolling Stone, 1971

Features:
• DVD-Audio & CD
• Deluxe edition of the Nash Solo Classic
• Expanded & Remastered on CD & Remixed on DVD in Surround Sound
• Advanced Resolution Surround Sound (96k/24bit), Dolby Digital & DTS
• Stereo Mix in advanced resolution (192k/24bit) & Dolby Digital
• DVD also featues an all-new 2008 video interview with Graham Nash, Photo Gallery & Complete Lyrics

Guest performers:
Rita Coolidge, David Crosby, Jerry Garcia, Bobby Keys, Phil Lesh, David Lindley, Dave Mason, and other greats.

Selections:
CD:
1. Militray Madness
2. Better Days
3. Wounded Bird
4. I Used To Be A King
5. Be Yourself
6. Simple Man
7. Man In The Mirror
8. There's Only One
9. Sleep Song
10. Chicago
11. We Can Change The World

DVD-Audio:
• Entire Album in advanced resolution Surround Sound
• Stereo mix in advanced resolution
• Lyrics
• Video
• Interview

Ringo Starr 5.1

Ringo Starr 5.1: The Surround Sound Collection Release Date: March 04, 2008 Label: Koch

Ringo Starr was so enamored with The Beatles' "Love" that he wanted to do a vaguely similar release of his own disappointing catalogue. Instead of encapsulating his entire set of yawn inducing solo work he settled on his favorites from his Koch years....anyways...apparently someone is excited...

"A selection of highlights from Ringo's latter-day albums for Koch, 5.1: The Surround Sound Collection is designed as a sampler for audiophiles and it should please most of that crowd...(except those that wanted true DVD-Audio instead of Dolby Digital).  This concentrates not on his steady stream of live recordings but rather his strong latter-day solo albums -- records that draw heavily from the lush sound of latter-day Beatles, so they lend themselves well to being opened up via Surround Sound. Of course, this is not a necessary purchase for listeners who don't enjoy immersing themselves with 5.1 sound, but for those who do, it's a nice experience." Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

porcupine tree - lightbulb sun (remaster) (cd+dvda preorder)

A brand new edition of the long out of print 2000 studio album by Porcupine Tree. The album contains the original studio versions of PT classics such as Shesmovedon, Russia On Ice, Hatesong, and Feel So Low, and has been lavishly revamped into a definitive 2 disc set. Disc one is a CD containing a pristine remix / remaster of the album, while disc two is a DVDA (playable on any DVD player) containing the album remixed into 5.1 surround sound (in DVDA and DTS versions), as well as a 24 bit high resolution version of the stereo mix and the original 2000 mix/master. Also included are 5.1 mixes of bonus tracks Disappear, Buying New Soul, and Cure for Optimism, which were recorded during the same sessions. This is the definitive version of one of the essential albums in the PT catalogue.

Porcupine Tree Fear of a Blank Planet pre-ordering

Fear of a Blank Planet pre-ordering 03-23-2007 Please note that Fear of a Blank Planet will *not* be available to order from the band directly, at least not until after the release date. What we need you to do this time is buy the album from regular retail outlets, and from within your own country (so if you're in Europe please order it from your local store, rather than from the US for example).

The album is being released in 2 different forms; the first is a regular crystal case edition with a 12 page booklet. The second is a deluxe 2 disc set, which contains the stereo CD, and a full 5.1 surround sound mix of the album on DVDV (which also includes 24 bit high resolution stereo). Both discs are housed inside miniature card LP sleeves, and come in a box with a 40 page book of Lasse Hoile images. Both Roadrunner in Europe, and Atlantic in the USA have pressed a limited number of these special editions. They differ slightly in that the US edition has 2 separate single card sleeves for the discs, while the Roadrunner edition has both discs housed in a single gatefold card sleeve. It's possible for US customers to pre-order both editions of the album from Newbury Comics with a signed booklet. The European edition is released on 16th April, the US edition on 24th April.

Porcupine Tree-er new remix

Editor's note: These side projects of Porcupine Tree are hit and miss. Let's hope this release is more interesting than the Bass Communion project; a lacklustre souless effort of nothing in particular....and with no place to go....but up?

No-Man's fifth album 'Together We're Stranger' undoubtedly comprises the band's most ambitious and personal project in its history.

Originally released in 2003, 'Together We're Stranger' saw No-Man (the duo of Tim Bowness and Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson) further extending the reach of its panoramic soundscapes and cracked, mournful, ballads.

Boasting impressive performances from Ben Castle (clarinets), Roger Eno (harmonium) and Gramophone's David Picking (percussion, trumpet), amongst others, the album is a powerful and emotionally direct statement that has deservedly garnered cult acclaim and led to a growing fanbase and internet presence for the band.

This new 2 disc Snapper edition of the album comes with the original stereo mix on CD, a new booklet featuring sleeve notes from Mojo's Johnny Black, improved packaging and an audiophile 5.1 DVD-A surround sound disc, also including high resolution 24 bit stereo.

Additionally, the DVD-A disc includes the Break Up For Real (drum mix), (bluecoda), the video for Things I Want To Tell You and a photo gallery.

Officially released on 20/4/2007 in Europe and 5/17/07 in the US, the album is available to pre-order now for £10.00 GBP and will be dispatched as soon as copies become available.

This edition comes with a postcard exclusive to Burning Shed.

'Britain's most underrated sorrowful sonic architects. - Chris Roberts (Uncut)

'A beautiful, heartfelt album.' - Nick Shilton (Classic Rock)

'Some of the most spine-chillingly gorgeous music imaginable.' - Johnny Black (Mojo/Back On The Tracks)

THE DOORS ALTER PERCEPTION

All six of The Doors' studio masterpieces will be released on March 27th for the first time as single disc releases, but you can pre-order your copies NOW through The Doors Official Store. The brand new 40th Anniversary mixes have been remastered and expanded to include outtakes and other bonus material. 40th anniversary mixes include The Doors (1967), Strange Days (1968), Waiting For the Sun (1968), Soft Parade (1969), Morrison Hotel (1970), and LA Woman (1971). These new mixes, completed in 2006, are being made available on CD for the first time. Pre-Order your copies of the 40th anniversary mixes today!

All six studio albums are newly mixed as supervised by The Doors and Bruce Botnick, their original engineer/ co-producer. "We want our fans, both new and old, to hear what we discovered on listening to the actual multi-track recordings," says keyboard player Ray Manzarek. "There are background vocals by Jim Morrison, piano parts of mine that weren't used, and guitar stingers and solos by Robby Krieger that never made the original recordings that can now be heard for the first time. We used state-of-the-art techniques to bring these discs to the same sound quality we experienced in the studio when we initially recorded our songs. We invite all our fans to join us in this recreation of the legendary recording sessions of The Doors. And to be a part of our original conceptions."

In addition to the individual albums, there are also special packages available including one featuring all six of the studio albums, and another featuring the studio albums and The Doors By The Doors Book, featuring many rare photos, and the inside story of the band as told by the band members themselves.Ron Wheeler

Editor....a few notes...I wonder if they fixed "Waiting for the Sun"....also; I can now replace my defective self-titled disc that was somewhat diminished by its lack of vocals...these "40th anniversary" mixes are actually the 1999 remixes...most of the videos are mono...no word on a surround treatment of the live album yet...BAD NEWS FOR COLLECTORS WHO SPLURGED ON BUYING-UP UNITS ON EBAY: the first edition of "Perception" sold-out its paltry 20,000 units immediately and was not supposed to be reissued again....ever...let alone as 2 more distinct (destinked?) units...it appears that these "new" reissues are cd only and do not include the DVDs...this time....maybe Genesis (the first set of multi-fun SACDs are scheduled for March 23rd) will get it right..er...

Neil Young Live at the Fillmore East

Editor's note: Its a little early to determine whether or not this release will be in surround or not...."Harvest" and "Greendale" were...."Stars and Bars" and others weren't...

The first release from Neil Young's long awaited Archive Performance series is here with Live at the Fillmore East.

In 1970, Young toured with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and released his platinum album Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, after which he performed a series of shows at New York City's then-new Fillmore East with his band Crazy Horse. That concert finally makes its official debut in the annals of rock history with Live at the Fillmore East, and the circle is unbroken for one of rock's greatest singer-songwriters.

This collection includes an extended Down by the River and a 16-minute Cowgirl in the Sand (which has previously appeared only on a '90s import). Country barnburner "Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown would later be heard on 1975's Tonight's the Night live album. 1977's Decade collection contained a studio take of the countrified folk-rocker "Winterlong". The DVD features all six songs in High-resolution audio with photo montages (no video).

Features:
• CD & DVD set
• High-resolution audio of entire album
• Photo montage
• Includes extended "Down by the River" & a 16 minute "Cowgirl in the Sand"

Musicians:
Neil Young, guitar, vocals
Danny Whitten, guitar, vocal
Jack Nitzsche, electric piano
Billy Talbot, bass
Ralph Molina, Drums, vocals

Selections:
CD:
1. Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
2. Winterlong
3. Down by the River
4. Wonderin'
5. Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown
6. Cowgirl in the Sand
DVD:
1-6. High Resolution audio of entire album
7. Photo montage

The Beatles' Love To Be Released in Stereo and 5.1 DVD-Audio

London, UK (October 23, 2006)--Apple Corps Ltd/EMI Music are to release the Beatles Love album in stereo and 5.1 on November 20. This will be the first Beatles album available in 5.1.

The stereo CD will contain 78 minutes of music. The DVD surround sound version on DVD disc album will be a slightly extended version with 81 minutes of music.

After being asked by the remaining Beatles, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, to make experimental mixes from their master tapes for a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, Sir George Martin, The Beatles' legendary producer, and his son Giles Martin, have been working with the entire archive of Beatles recordings to create Love. The result is an unprecedented approach to the music. Using the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, Sir George and Giles have created a unique soundscape. The release of this album, which is also featured in the Cirque du Soleil/Beatles collaborative production of the same name at The Mirage in Las Vegas, has been much anticipated.

Tony Wadsworth, chairman and CEO of EMI Music UK and Ireland said, "George and Giles' highly original work in creating the Love album gives us a genuinely new Beatles album. It makes us respect even more, if that were possible, the creativity and brilliance of the band behind the greatest catalogue in the history of recorded music."

The 5.1 disc is a DVD-Audio/DVD-Video hybrid. The audio is presented in high-resolution 96/24 5.1 surround on the DVD-Audio part of the disc. The DVD-Video part carries 5.1 surround in DTS and Dolby Digital as well as a PCM stereo mix. This DVD album is designed to be played on DVD video equipment but will carry no video component.

Apple Corps Ltd.
www.beatles.com