The Replacements
FILEUNDER The Sire Years
original packaging, are the Stones’ Exile On Main St., Ghost In The Machine by The Police, John Martyn’s Solid Air, Cream’s Disraeli Gears (in mono), Fire And Water by Free and Simple Minds’ New Gold Dream. Each has indeed been taken from high-definition digital transfers of the original tapes but Showell, who declines to use digital limiting when he cuts, is adamant that this affords the best available result. “Historically, there have been some horrible digital transfers used as a vinyl cutting source. This has absolutely not been the case with this series. If the source isn’t good enough, I won’t be doing it. I’m not here to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” Comparing this new Exile… with an original ’70s pressing and the much-trumpeted 2010 remaster, the ’70s copy wins hands down, but the new half-speed is considerably warmer and clearer at higher volume than the 2010 version, which becomes brittle and noticeably digital when cranked. On the other hand, Fire And Water sounds so much better than my old copy it’s like a different mix. In fact, I’m wondering if I might have inadvertently bought an Albanian bootleg or something. One downside of half-speed mastering can be accurate reproduction of the bottom end, but Danny Thompson’s double bass sounds rich and full on a pristine Solid Air and the ’80s albums play back with the requisite punch. Also striking: the quality of the pressings, there is barely a pop or crackle audible. All in all, a splendid series. More please.