Vinyl transfers in 2008
L. Tucker | NY | 11/08/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"First the good:
-Awesome album by Pat Travers (5 stars)
-Incredible packaging on this first ever available on CD (8 page booklet with nice period piece interviews, photos, and new commentary from David Ling -albeit with a few glaring typos) -4 stars
Now the bad:
-these are obviously vinyl transfers (source being taken from an actual record album instead of the original master tapes), although the best vinyl transfers I've heard yet. You will not hear any scratches, pops, or clicks. But there are some sonic shortcomings that are inherent in vinyl that is still present. Low frequency rumble for one (at the beginning and during some quiet passages, you can actually hear the needle riding the record groove) and the ever increasing distortion that record albums have as the needle progresses towards the end of each side (there was a reason that they didn't cut the record groove any farther towards the center than they did). Each revolution that the record makes keeps getting shorter and shorter in length, but the speed of 33 1/3 rpm remains a constant. So with each revolution of the record, the same amount of time & music (approx 7 seconds) is given less and less space or distance. Thereby reducing sound quality gradually with each turn of the record. Think of it in the tape world where slower speeds mean less sound & picture quality (VHS in the SLP or EP mode anyone).
One would think that vinyl transfers to digital CDs to not even remotely be a legitimate source (as far a legal licensing from the original record label -in this case it is now Universal). It's something that the high class bootleggers have been doing and now it's gone legitimate mainstream. The linear notes of this CD clearly have all their legal bases covered, with full licensing approval from Universal.
In closing, I will say this:
-in light of anything better (real digital transfers from the original master tapes), I am happy to see these available. Pat Travers is a true legend and deserves to have his entire catalog available. I understand that it was too expensive for Lemon/Cherry Records to go the better route. So for that I say thank you for releasing them.
On an ironic note: the CDs themselves are adorned to look like a record album, which may be more telling then my review above...
"
A Great Last Gasp For Pat Travers
The Footpath Cowboy | Kingston, NY United States | 03/30/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pat Travers had been plying his blend of Foghat and the Outlaws with varying degrees of success since 1976 when, after a couple of flop albums, he was in danger of losing his record contract. He made this album in a last-ditch attempt to get his career back on track. Musically, despite the reviews it has received, it succeeds surprisingly well. Commercially, it was a flop, thus costing him his record deal, which is unfortunate because, despite somewhat more commercial production, it's musically in the same mold as Travers' 70s stuff. If you own his earlier work, you'll enjoy this CD."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1