Search - Emitt Rhodes :: Emitt Rhodes Recordings 1969-1973

Emitt Rhodes Recordings 1969-1973
Emitt Rhodes
Emitt Rhodes Recordings 1969-1973
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (25) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #2


     
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CD Details

All Artists: Emitt Rhodes
Title: Emitt Rhodes Recordings 1969-1973
Members Wishing: 12
Total Copies: 0
Label: Hip-O Select
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 7/14/2009
Album Type: Original recording remastered
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock
Styles: Singer-Songwriters, Oldies
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPCs: 602527042732, 0602527042732
 

CD Reviews

Rhodes seminal solo recordings remastered with good sound, b
Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 07/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Emitt Rhodes Recordings" represents everything that Rhodes recorded post-The Merry-Go-Round (and with "The American Dream" recorded during his tenure with The Merry-Go-Round as well). This excellent boxed set from Hip-O gathers these four albums that have been in and out (largely out) of print for the last 30 years. The sound is exceptionally good. Remastered under the supervision of Bill Levenson, these have a nice dynamic range and the don't have any weird EQ effects to mar the sound of the reissues. I should note for purists that Rhodes has gone on record that he didn't care for the sound on these but he also admitted he didn't listen to them in depth and I suspect he just wanted to remaster them himself.



I can't give you a comparison to anything other than the albums "Listen, Listen: The Merry-Go-Round" anthology and Rhodes self titled album that wsa issued in Japan about seven years ago. In comparison to both of those the respective albums as presented here sound quite good with nice clarity and and the lack of any noise reduction, nice dynamic range, the use of the original masters for all four albums makes this a must have if you're a fan of Emitt's work and don't have it on CD. These definitely sound better than my old worn out copies of the albums on vinyl (with the exception of "Mirror" which I never had on vinyl)



Rhodes has always reminded me of early 70's McCartney backed by Badfinger or even Badfinger's own Pete Ham. Rhodes who played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts (save for some female backing vocals), engineered and produced the album himself ended up as a staff producer at Elektra Records after getting burned by the music business (he didn't have the rights to any of his songs until recently for example having signed them away as a 17 year old when he was with The Merry-Go-Round and laboring under an unfair contract for years).



The four albums "The American Dream", "Emitt Rhodes", "Mirror" and "Farewell to Paradise" all appear in full ("American Dreamer" also includes a track that was taken off the early pressings and replaced as well as its replacement track). We also get the single A-side track "Tame the Lion" a topical song written in response to the Vietnam War but that still has relevance today.



There aren't any previously unreleased or rare tracks. Levenson has stated that the goal of the album was to get ALL of Rhodes offically released material back into print in one boxed set. "The Emitt Rhodes Recordings" accomplishes this goal with extremely good sounding remasters plus two bonus tracks. This is packaged in a double digipak with the albums arranged by their recording dates ( "The American Dream" is first).



We also get a booklet that is good but does leave a bit to be desired. It's not nearly as good or comprehensive as the booklet that came out with the Rev-Ola reissue of "The Merry-Go-Round: Listen, Listen" set (which also includes "The American Dream"). It might have been nice to have a contemporary interview with Rhodes for this set. Still, Levenson and his crew have done an exceptional job of presenting these classic, long MIA albums in excellent fidelity and with some nice extras.



"The American Dream"-four stars, "Emitt Rhodes"-5 stars, "Mirror"-4 1/2 stars, "Farewell to Paradise"-3 1/2 stars. Sound Quality-4 1/2 stars. Packaging 3 stars.



Highly recommended for fans of power-pop, "The Emitt Rhodes Recordings 1969-1973" is a limited edition release so you should pick it up while you can. After it goes out of print, E-bay will probably be demanding high prices for this terrific collection."
Makes all other Emitt Rhodes CDs obsolete....
Jamie Tate | Franklin, TN | 07/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"They finally got them right. I'm so grateful they decided to remaster this set without the annoying top end EQ boost like the Japanese CDs. These are somewhat dull sounding recordings yet turning the top end up makes them harsh and thin. They're not supposed to be bright and shiny nor will they ever be bright and shiny. They sound perfect with the thick, dark, ultra analog fidelity that is very much intact here. Bravo!



They also didn't slam the levels and crush the music just to satisfy those with a louder-is-better mentality.



It sounds like they found the proper tapes with this set. These are far more natural sounding versions than I've ever heard even when compared to original vinyl pressings. I'm so amazed this set made it through without someone telling them to crank up the high end and make it louder.



Thanks to Hip-O Select for a fine job!"
The reissue the world has waited more than thirty years for
Quinn | Oakland, CA United States | 07/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"To the extent that he is known at all, Emitt is usually described as a "lost" treasure for fans of beautifully-crafted, melodic pop. His albums, which go in and out of print frequently, have long been difficult to find with imports fetching high prices. This reissue collects all four of the solo recordings Emitt made before his early retirement as a recording artists at just twenty-four years of age. The two discs are beautifully packaged with detailed liner notes and photos. Fans really couldn't ask for more from a reissue. If only they were all this comprehensive!



An earlier reviewer complained about poor sound quality. As a musician myself, I have a pretty discriminating ear and I also happen to own the Japanese reissue of "Emitt Rhodes." I do hear some slight differences in the mixes - on some tracks there's a bit more bass in this version and the highs are slightly less crisp, particularly the cymbals. However, these are minor nuances. I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from buying this very worthwhile collection unless you are a true audiophile, in which case, it might be worth it to you to try to track down all four albums and pay a premium. Otherwise, I don't think this will interfere with your enjoyment and, all things considered, this package remains a bargain.



If you are interested in Emitt's music and don't already own these albums, you really should snatch this up before it goes out of print."