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Post by Quoincidence on Feb 8, 2020 2:30:59 GMT
John E had pushed to get the chance to re-mix Rockin'. Because he had been the engineer with his hands on the original recording and mixing desks, he had a good recall of the original sessions and an understanding of what could be achieved given the opportunity. Pip W wasn't keen on a re-mix. He was very much in the leave things as a moment in time and best left alone and I think Rossi had been very much in that camp as well. Bob Y has been putting his name to some Quo re-mastering projects but the Rockin' re-mix was very much down to John in the end, due to his understanding of the nuts n' bolts of what would be needed to get everything moving. A huge undertaking as it turned out in terms of ensuring the integrity of the old tapes and acquiring the right equipment to run the tapes on and more besides. In a recent interview, Francis has said that he has a lot of stuff at his house. It's all being copied at the moment, into digits (!) Though he doesn't get over excited by such things. Most of it has been digitised mate. All that has been getting done since around 2007. Just shows how clueless Rossi is... He didn't even know what was in his archives either. As far as I know, he didn't have many album reels and he certainly doesn't have the IYCSTH multritracks. Mostly just outtakes, with the majority being from the 1983 - 1986 period. I'm still hoping that there's a reel with Quo's recording of Johnny B. Goode that can be heard on the Hale & Pace appearance.
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Post by fretbuzzzzz on Feb 8, 2020 7:50:28 GMT
John E had pushed to get the chance to re-mix Rockin'. Because he had been the engineer with his hands on the original recording and mixing desks, he had a good recall of the original sessions and an understanding of what could be achieved given the opportunity. Pip W wasn't keen on a re-mix. He was very much in the leave things as a moment in time and best left alone and I think Rossi had been very much in that camp as well. Bob Y has been putting his name to some Quo re-mastering projects but the Rockin' re-mix was very much down to John in the end, due to his understanding of the nuts n' bolts of what would be needed to get everything moving. A huge undertaking as it turned out in terms of ensuring the integrity of the old tapes and acquiring the right equipment to run the tapes on and more besides. In a recent interview, Francis has said that he has a lot of stuff at his house. It's all being copied at the moment, into digits (!) Though he doesn't get over excited by such things. Most of it has been digitised mate. All that has been getting done since around 2007. Just shows how clueless Rossi is... He didn't even know what was in his archives either. As far as I know, he didn't have many album reels and he certainly doesn't have the IYCSTH multritracks. Mostly just outtakes, with the majority being from the 1983 - 1986 period. I'm still hoping that there's a reel with Quo's recording of Johnny B. Goode that can be heard on the Hale & Pace appearance. Cheers. I guess Rossi's heart isn't really in it and down to others such as Bob Y to have dusted off the cobwebs of Rossi's stash at home. That's done it now...I'm going to have Hale & Pace's 'The Stonk' rattling round my head for a while!
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mortified
4500 Timer
Posts: 5,879
Favourite Quo Album: Hello!
Favourite other bands.: Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, Sheryl Crow, Gary Numan, Alabama 3, ZZ Top, Paul van Dyk, Jeff Beck, Bowie, Gerry Rafferty, Band of Skulls, UFO, S.A.H.B
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Post by mortified on Feb 8, 2020 9:37:00 GMT
Much as it's far from my favourite album, I'm not persuaded (or rather I've yet to be persuaded ) that remixing the album and simply taking out the brass and the female backing vocals is a good idea. This is the way the album was recorded - for better or for worse (obviously worse for most of us). The Rockin' album was remixed because the sound on the original vinyl was so poor and did not reflect what the intended album should have sounded like. It did the actual recording no justice at all. John Eden's remix project has turned the album into a bona fide classic for me. But that's just a personal view because I rather liked it first time round. Technically, every single Quo album could be remixed to suit someone's idea of what they'd like it to sound like. Removing this instrument or that backing vocal. But I don't think that's a good enough reason to do it. These are indeed moments in time. Rockin', to me, was an exception because, sonically, it was all over the place and bludgeoned into release by squeezing it onto that painfully thin vinyl they had back in the day with the oil crisis still in the memory. Does anyone really believe that remixing I'm Giving Up My Worrying will make for a much better track? I rest my (admittedly flimsy ) case.
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Post by longgrey on Feb 8, 2020 9:55:36 GMT
I'd have to double check, but I think the tapes are in the Universal archives. The only reel I know of in Rossi's archive is a version of Accident Prone without the drum track(s). Whether it will get remixed or not, I'm not entirely sure. John would have to propose the idea to Universal himself for the costings of the project to be sorted and a budget to be put in place. Thanks Quoincidence ! If the tapes are in the Universal archives ( John thought so as well), it's up to someone close to propose this to Universal (NOT John Eden) He would love to do it, but not like the RAOTW project, wich costed John a lot of money, as Universal was not involved because they didn't have the tapes. So, in order to (even) start a project, Universal ( Lucian Grainge, CEO?) would have to be contacted to get in touch with John. As we know from the previous project, it will take quite some time to get to the point where it can be purchased for the fans. Either way, a first step has been done. Who knows a way to go on?
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Post by jamielotustech on Feb 8, 2020 10:29:58 GMT
I would also be very interested in hearing a remix, although I’m not sure I would like the songs any better..... I hated this album when it came out and it wasn’t just the brass and the girl backing singers. It was the ‘poppy’ nature of some of the songs and the awful self parody of Again and Again. The less said about LLL the better 😎 4th Chord
Couldn't have put it better myself Viv, without doubt the FF album at the bottom of the pile for me, although there are some ok (ish) bits here and there, (I like the solo in GTYTLM, simple but effective) and AP is a decent track.
If I was able to have a say in the remix it would be to take away all Brass and the girl singers (nothing against girl singers but not in a Quo track) and give it a rawer and heavier sound, probably take away SSMH and LAGG altogether and replace with 2 unknown throw away tracks from the recording sessions between 72 and 76 (there has to be some! ), and lastly get rid of that electric cooker ring cover and replace it with a great HD picture of our heroes of the day giving it some in full Rocking mode.
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Post by paradiseflats on Feb 8, 2020 11:49:38 GMT
Just leave it alone. Is it great...well no. However I do like the songs.
Why change it ? I assume it’s the record they wanted at the time.
Not a fan of changing albums to fit what you want decades later.
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ant
Rocker Rollin'
Quo covers & more https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfcyZng8z03-RpOhdWdawvw
Posts: 626
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Post by ant on Feb 8, 2020 13:18:27 GMT
As some have said, there was an impetus in remixing the RAOTW album because of the poor sound resulting from: 1) the poor quality of vinyl at the time due to the oil crisis 2) the band politics of squeezing an equal number of writing credits onto it 3) there was a push from John and Pip around the awful sound which was partly forced on them as a result of the above 4) the push from the fans who could all see that a better sound could be achieved
From a personal point of view, I would say there are a couple of songs on that album which could easily have been dropped with a bit of quality control.
I'm not sure that there is the same impetus for IYCSTH. Some (most?) fans want some of the embellishments removed but there isn't the push from the producer/engineer (see above), vinyl quality and song quantity couldn't be blamed for the sound, and the Deluxe opportunity has been missed - this would need a full release!
Personally I LOVE Again and Again - I laughed at the self-parody, I think the lyrics are very good and I love the way the brass adds a level of crescendo to the later part of the song. I don't mind SSMH and LLL (interesting having heard Andy Bown's version on the Reading 1973 album for a few years beforehand), I don't mind Accident Prone now but didn't like it at the time and I really like the last 3 songs on the album.
I can't see it happening, but I would buy it if it did. Further, I would contribute to a crownfunding campaign and would add my name to any list requesting it if that would help. Even if it was only made available digitally (FLAC minimum).
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Post by Quoincidence on Feb 8, 2020 14:22:28 GMT
As some have said, there was an impetus in remixing the RAOTW album because of the poor sound resulting from: 1) the poor quality of vinyl at the time due to the oil crisis 2) the band politics of squeezing an equal number of writing credits onto it 3) there was a push from John and Pip around the awful sound which was partly forced on them as a result of the above 4) the push from the fans who could all see that a better sound could be achieved From a personal point of view, I would say there are a couple of songs on that album which could easily have been dropped with a bit of quality control. I'm not sure that there is the same impetus for IYCSTH. Some (most?) fans want some of the embellishments removed but there isn't the push from the producer/engineer (see above), vinyl quality and song quantity couldn't be blamed for the sound, and the Deluxe opportunity has been missed - this would need a full release! Personally I LOVE Again and Again - I laughed at the self-parody, I think the lyrics are very good and I love the way the brass adds a level of crescendo to the later part of the song. I don't mind SSMH and LLL (interesting having heard Andy Bown's version on the Reading 1973 album for a few years beforehand), I don't mind Accident Prone now but didn't like it at the time and I really like the last 3 songs on the album. I can't see it happening, but I would buy it if it did. Further, I would contribute to a crownfunding campaign and would add my name to any list requesting it if that would help. Even if it was only made available digitally (FLAC minimum). Crowdfunding is a no go with Universal. I suggested it for a Quo project recently and it was an instant no.
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gerh
Grizzled Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 2,981
Favourite Quo Album: 'Hello' [and 'Quo Live']
Favourite other bands.: Zappa, Kansas, Rush, Deep Purple, Yes, Richard Thompson, Horslips, Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest etc etc. [ANYONE but Kiss!]
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Post by gerh on Feb 8, 2020 17:09:40 GMT
Rockin' All Over The World was done simply because the tapes were in Rossi's home archive and it was possibly Bob's idea originally and he will have talked to John about getting the album remixed. Done without Universals knowledge pretty much. It was originally due for release in 2014, IIRC before being pushed back by a whole year as I remember the artwork leaking at the time. I'd have to double check, but I think the tapes are in the Universal archives. The only reel I know of in Rossi's archive is a version of Accident Prone without the drum track(s). Whether it will get remixed or not, I'm not entirely sure. John would have to propose the idea to Universal himself for the costings of the project to be sorted and a budget to be put in place.This year is a busy year for Universal / Quo releases, and next year could be also if all goes well Hey Quoincidence - you teasing us here.. 'if all goes well' ?! What does it mean or are you just talking about deluxe versions etc.? G
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Post by sqcollector on Feb 8, 2020 17:29:09 GMT
Having a full version of Accident Prone would be cool. Having a full(er) version of Living On An Island would also be cool, given that demo consisting of 6+ minutes. If it wasn't for vinyl limitations, perhaps they could have recorded more guitar parts or just hadn't made the fade out so soon. It's a nice progressive outro that I wouldn't mind to listen for two more minutes. This to say that, even a well produced/mixed album could hide some parts that could emerge through a remix.
Back to IYCSTH, I get why people would want a remix. Would acquire it, if it was made available. Even wouldn't mind remixing it myself ahah but that's me dreaming.
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Post by vivfromcov on Feb 8, 2020 17:33:19 GMT
Great conversation in this thread! I can see both sides to the argument for and against this proposed project. Yes maybe RAOTW was an exception for technical reasons and re-doing an album just because we don’t like it is not morally right and disrespects the artists who created it? As others have said, it was of it’s time and some people actually do like it. jamielotustech, I am so pleased to hear that somebody else also thinks that the album cover is pants! Another reason I disliked the album..... 😏
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Post by vivfromcov on Feb 8, 2020 17:44:14 GMT
sqcollector and roquer , totally agree that it would be great to hear full recordings of songs which were faded out on albums. I would definitely buy an album that included those sort of songs ala Director’s extended cuts...
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Post by Quoincidence on Feb 8, 2020 17:47:48 GMT
Rockin' All Over The World was done simply because the tapes were in Rossi's home archive and it was possibly Bob's idea originally and he will have talked to John about getting the album remixed. Done without Universals knowledge pretty much. It was originally due for release in 2014, IIRC before being pushed back by a whole year as I remember the artwork leaking at the time. I'd have to double check, but I think the tapes are in the Universal archives. The only reel I know of in Rossi's archive is a version of Accident Prone without the drum track(s). Whether it will get remixed or not, I'm not entirely sure. John would have to propose the idea to Universal himself for the costings of the project to be sorted and a budget to be put in place.This year is a busy year for Universal / Quo releases, and next year could be also if all goes well Hey Quoincidence - you teasing us here.. 'if all goes well' ?! What does it mean or are you just talking about deluxe versions etc.? G Me? Teasing fellow Quo fans... Never! No Deluxe Editions at all this year, and this upcoming batch in March could possibly be the last of the Deluxe re-issues. QI
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Post by longgrey on Feb 8, 2020 18:40:51 GMT
I'm not sure that there is the same impetus for IYCSTH. Some (most?) fans want some of the embellishments removed but there isn't the push from the producer/engineer (see above), vinyl quality and song quantity couldn't be blamed for the sound, and the Deluxe opportunity has been missed - this would need a full release! As John (Eden) was the engineer and having a chat with him and he DOES want to do a remix, I might say he's got a lot to say and wants to show that it could be a better one than the orriginal. If John was not in to doing it, I trust him that it would not benefit to the orriginal. Seeing and hearing what he did to RAOTW, me thinks it would be a hard rocking album in the (remix) end. I, personaly, loved to see the videos of the remix process with the indepth memories, like Rocker's Rollin'and the emotions it brought up to John. Still, we need someone to contact Universal. Even if it takes 2 years to be published.
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ant
Rocker Rollin'
Quo covers & more https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfcyZng8z03-RpOhdWdawvw
Posts: 626
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Post by ant on Feb 8, 2020 18:51:22 GMT
I'm not sure that there is the same impetus for IYCSTH. Some (most?) fans want some of the embellishments removed but there isn't the push from the producer/engineer (see above), vinyl quality and song quantity couldn't be blamed for the sound, and the Deluxe opportunity has been missed - this would need a full release! As John (Eden) was the engineer and having a chat with him and he DOES want to do a remix, I might say he's got a lot to say and wants to show that it could be a better one than the orriginal. If John was not in to doing it, I trust him that it would not benefit to the orriginal. Seeing and hearing what he did to RAOTW, me thinks it would be a hard rocking album in the (remix) end. I, personaly, loved to see the videos of the remix process with the indepth memories, like Rocker's Rollin'and the emotions it brought up to John. Still, we need someone to contact Universal. Even if it takes 2 years to be published. I'm not suggesting he doesn't want to do it but I thought someone said he wasn't going to put the money in? So that's less impetus from him. Apologies if I misunderstood.
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