"This CD has an excellent selection of Colosseum tracks, but many seem to be poor quality mono recordings. Tracks from the original and brilliant Valentyne Suite album are especially disappointing in this regard. Surely recent CDs should be aiming at the best quality possible; otherwise, what's the point? Be warned!"
Why use mono versions ?
05/28/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The music is excellent, but for some reason they've used mono versions of songs from Valentyne Suite and Daughter of Time (the remainder are stereo). If you buy this to see if you like the band, as I did, you will probably end up wanting to buy the original cds mentioned above as well."
So good music, so bad sound quality!
Milan Hamovich | Israel | 05/24/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Be aware, it's not only that two thirds of this compilation are in mono (songs from Valentyne Suite and Daughter of Time)! While comparing it with stereo CD of Valentyne Suite I learned there are moments where I am missing an instrument (specially guitar solos), or I can here it, but very quietly in the background. And it is so-called "Original Recording Remastered", which after listening really sounds ridiculous.
By the way songs are not in their chronological order."
Good Representation Of Their Work
Fred Rayworth | Las Vegas, NV United States | 12/14/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"What I really wanted to get was a CD copy of Colosseum Live, but this was all the store had so I decided to check it out. I was not disappointed. As some reviewers said, the quality of some of the tracks may be a little off because they are in mono instead of stereo, but until they mentioned it, I had no idea. I listen to my music in the car, on the way to work, so I missed that little subtlety.
They present some great jams on here and I found myself absorbed in the music. However, I always found myself waiting for the next track with Chris Farlowe as I just never got into Litherland's singing style. In fact, I have one of heir earlier albums with him (Litherland) on it and could not get into it at all because of his voice. The way they mixed the tracks together, it was a welcome relief when the next track with Chris Farlow came on and he bellowed away. Even on the studio tracks, he (Chris) shines but my favorites are the live versions of Rope Ladder To The Moon and Lost Angeles, from, of course, the Live album. To me the Farlow era is definitely the best formation of the band. That is when they seemed the most alive and together. I am glad they were able to get together again before we lost Mr. Heckstall-Smith.
This is the best of Progressive Jazz/Rock from a band that did it as it should be done. Recommended.