Surroundablog

Little Richard "WOOOS" SACD

Editor's note: Here's a bit of news that just came to light recently. Mobile Fidelity is ready-teddy-ing this Little Richard collection for August 22nd, 2006. Hopefully; it doesn't get delayed to '07. After that...I would love LOVE to see\get the Hoffman remastered "Buddy Holly" on SACD...

LITTLE RICHARD/HERE'S LITTLE RICHARD/LITTLE RICHARD (HYBRID MONO SACD)

2 Complete LPs on One SACD!

• Featuring two albums HERE’S LITTLE RICHARD (1957) and LITTLE RICHARD (1958) on one SACD. Twenty-four tunes in all!
• Featuring the original versions of Little Richard’s biggest hits!
• HERE’S LITTLE RICHARD - #50 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums

Comprised of Little Richard’s first two 12” LP releases on the Specialty label, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is proud to reissue these seminal chart toppers by rock and roll’s most enduring legend and a true American musical pioneer. Featuring twenty-four of Little Richard’s most memorable hits, this is an essential collection of superior sounds and songs by a primary architect of rock and roll. Mastered from the original analog masters from various single and EP sessions, this inimitable legacy is now perfectly preserved, enhanced and protected for future generations by MFSL’s heralded GAIN 2™ mastering process.

Contains twenty-four songs including the original hit versions of: Tutti Frutti, Ready Teddy, Slippin’ And Slidin’, Long Tall Sally, Miss Ann, Rip It Up, Jenny Jenny, Keep A Knockin’, Good Golly Miss Molly, Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey, The Girl Can’t Help It, Lucille and many more! 

Save SACD petition online

I just stumbled across this petition online. Sign on and be heard...hopefully. Afterall; we have a stake in the survival of Hi-Rez audio. Click to spew...

Guitar Army prepares invasion

Editor's note: A little off topic perhaps...I was unaware that Eric Clapton is now touring with both Doyle Bramhall 2 and AND Derek Trucks. They're not opening for EC...they're part of his band! Bramhall has been in demand ever since he cleaned up after The Arc Angels. He opened for EC a couple of years ago (the tour's highlight) and was also strongly featured on Roger Water's world tour and subsequent "In The Flesh" SACD. Derek Trucks has carved out quite a niche as a slide guitar extraordinaire both with and without the Allman Brother's Band. Me thinks a killer version of "Layla" will close the show....however, this writer would love to see\hear a version of "Mean Old World". Anyhow...the tour is expected to last 2 years and I suspect a DVD (hopefully multi-fun and Hi-Rez of some description) will be released soon after. Look for Robert Cray to open in North America...!

Given EC's history with Hi-Rez releases, hopefully we'll hear a 96-24 version of the show...

Porcupine Tree Stupid Dream

Editor's note: Here's a submission from a usual suspect of Surroundablog who is a fan of more varied styles than just Weird Al. Incidentally; my copy should be arriving any day now...

Thanks for keeping up with the latest (and greatest!) that surround sound music offers via your blog. You rock, and you've helped me find some titles I'm sure I'd have missed otherwise.

As you've been a friend of Porcupine Tree in the past, I just thought I'd mention that today I received via mail the latest PT 5.1 DVD-Audio disc, Stupid Dream. As far as I know, it's only available via the band's website as a bonus disc to the CD (no DualDisc- yay!), as I think they're going to release just the two channel CD to stores. Note that the 5.1 mix is DVD-Audio and also DTS, although I've not heard the DTS mix yet. I understand that there are some technical problems with the first pressing relating to the DTS mixes and the bonus tracks, so check the news on the website for further information.

Stupid Dream was released around 1999 and was followed by their first proper set of US tour dates so it's not new music, but the 5.1 mix is new (dated September 2005.) The original disc has been out of print for some time and going for prime dollars on eBay. Unlike In Absentia and Deadwing, Elliot Scheiner was not involved with the multi-channel mix, although Darcy Proper did the 5.1 mastering. The 5.1 mix was done by Steven Wilson himself. All the artwork has been completely redesigned as none of the original is present. There are also two surround-only bonus tracks, Ambulance Chasing (previously available on the B-side to Piano Lessons) and the long version of Even Less (from Recordings, a long out of print disc of rare tracks.)

Rush Dolby-Digital DVD set offering

Editor's note: News on this release squeaked out sometime ago. Now that we can get this one out of the way, maybe someone will speed up their marketing plans and printing presses to ship some multi-fun Hi-Rez quality STUDIO remasters from Rush. Now that would be news worth reporting. Anyways...

Rush built its phenomenally loyal following on its legendary live performances.  Even after more than 30 years on stage, Rush live on video remains a guaranteed hit, and they have the gongs to prove it. The DVD companion to the band’s most recent album, 2003’s Rush In Rio, is five times platinum (U.S.), and more recently, 2005’s R30, a DVD-only live-and-more package, is already triple platinum (U.S.).  Now the band’s first three concert videos will be issued for the first time together and on DVD.  The four-disc box set Rush ‘Replay’ will be released on 26th June 2006 in the U.K.

Universal Music Enterprises and Anthem Entertainment have returned to the Rush archive and digitally re-mastered the visuals, whilst founding member, guitarist Alex Lifeson, has mixed up brand new dts and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround versions of the original concert multi-tracks for the three videos which started it all, ‘Exit… Stage Left’, ‘Grace Under Pressure’ and ‘A Show Of Hands’.

Highlights include live performances of Rush classic hits, such as Limelight, Tom Sawyer and Closer To The Heart, plus 12 live tracks previously unreleased on DVD.  Also included are magnificent, rare medleys of By-Tor And The Snow Dog / In The End / In The Mood / 2112 Finale and YYZ / The Temples Of Syrinx / Tom Sawyer.

Rush ‘Replay’ and also comes complete with a never-before-released audio CD soundtrack version of the newly re-mastered DVD, ‘Grace Under Pressure’, plus the stunning packaging boasts reprints of the original tour booklets for the three featured concerts.

Its now official...surround sound has jumped the shark

Editor's note: Oh the humanity...first Depeche Mode....Bjork next...and now word on Weird Al....! Who would have believed that our beloved format would be overtaken by the hacks before we could get our ears around complete catalogues from Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Jimi Hendrix, Genesis, Yes et al. Its time for a petition...or some private financing...(don't worry honey, the nest egg is safe...but what do you think we could get for a cat or 2?)

"Weird Al" Yankovic Masters in Surround at Bernie's

Hollywood, CA (May 17, 2006)--"Weird Al" Yankovic has mastered new tracks in 5.1 surround sound at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios.

Demonstrating the 5.1 immersive sound experience are (l-r): recording engineer Tony Papa, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and mastering engineer Bernie Grundman. Photo by David Goggin.

Yankovic's new songs are especially suited to exploring the full potential of the Surround Sound experience, as assorted instruments and sound effects travel throughout the entire 360-degree sonic panorama. The as-yet-untitled Way Moby/Volcano Records album features a wealth of Weird Al bonus material, and is scheduled for release later this year.

Bernie Grundman Mastering
323-465-6264

 

We have a weak Pulse Doctor...

Editor's note: Before you get all excited about this surround sound mix...remember that Gilmour did NOT mix the sweet spot of 5.1 heaven onto the stage. Rather; the listener will be held back behind the barrier right where they belong. In other words...you'll get the audience neatly screaming out of your rears while the band will drone out the front...

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The Pink Floyd live DVD "Pulse," originally set for release last December, will now hit stores June 27, according to Columbia Records.

The set was originally released on VHS in 1995 in conjunction with a double-disc CD set of the same name. The film chronicles the band's 1994 tour in support of the album "The Division Bell," which turned out to be its last.

The "Pulse" DVD was taped during a 14-night run at London's Earl's Court and is highlighted by the first complete performance of the 1973 album "Dark Side of the Moon," which can be found on the second disc. The first disc features a blend of older hits ("Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2," "Learning To Fly") and material from "The Division Bell" ("Keep Talking," "Take It Back").

Among the bonus features are the back-screen stage projections used during the 1994 and 1987 tours, as well as music videos for a host of "Division Bell" tracks, the off-stage documentary "Goodbye To Life As We Know It" and Floyd's performance of "Wish You Were Here" with

at its 1996 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, Pink Floyd guitarist/vocalist

will tape a live DVD of his own during his May 29-30 stand at London's Royal Albert Hall. The project is expected to be out before the end of the year. He previously issued a DVD in 2002 derived from an acoustic performance at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Reuters/Billboard

David Gilmour

Billy Corgan