Customer Reviews

Axis: Bold as Love [Vinyl]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Classic Records releases a new title on vinyl, it's always special. But when that title is the mono version of Jim Hendrix's classic Axis Bold as Love, it's an event. Original mono pressings of this album (if you can find them) go for as much as $2000. Several of the songs are noticeably different than the stereo versions most of us know and love. In general, the 180g vinyl pressing has considerably more bass than its CD counterpart, although the sound on the CD is clearer in several places. The album was mastered from the original mono masters by Eddie Kramer--the original engineer on the sessions. Let's talk about the specifics...

"EXP" is almost 40 seconds shorter on the vinyl, and the vocals by `Paul Caruso' are louder. The difference on the stereo version is extended feedback at the end. "Spanish Castle Magic" and "Wait Until Tomorrow" boast a much better low end than the CD. On the latter tune, the first note is too loud on CD. The volume is corrected on the LP, but the song fades up to full volume, as opposed to maintaining a consistent level throughout the track. One of the other problems with the CD is audible tape hiss. The false ending on "Ain't No Telling" is louder on the CD. The vinyl is much warmer on "Little Wing" and the end solo is more up front.

"If 6 Was 9" doesn't have near as much high end as the CD, and the bass is slightly muddy. Although the song's highs are much brighter on the CD, it also has considerable tape hiss that isn't heard on the vinyl. "You Got Me Floatin'" is missing the intro on the LP. "Castles Made of Sand" has a cleaner intro on the CD; the vinyl is slightly muddy in comparison, but features a different vocal performance. "One Rainy Wish" has much more bass on LP and a slightly different ending. The title track, "Bold as Love" is the one instance where the CD is superior. Without the channel panning, the song is clearly missing something.

The burning question here is: which one sounds better? It really depends on your personal preferences. The analog aficionados will no doubt pick the vinyl. It's much warmer than the CD and the bass will literally shake the room. Digi-fans will be more than happy with the sound on the CD (even if they need to crank up the bass a bit), and the booklet is excellent. It's a shame that it's not included in the vinyl pressing. On a positive note, the vinyl is on the Track label, plus when you consider that the mono version has been out of print ever since the original pressing hit the stores, this is the perfect addition for the Hendrix collectors out there. The choice is yours.

Some of the reviews here are for different versions of this LP. The stereo LP I'm reviewing is the absolute best version of Axis available. It's on Amazon here: [...]
It's listed as a Label: Boss Entertainment release, LP Record (October 28, 2008) but is more accurately the Back To Black 60th Vinyl Anniversary pressing on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl in all original packaging. All Analog Pressing. (The 60th anniversary this series commemorates is Universal Records 60th anniversary).
I used to think the 200gr mono version LP was great, and it is, but this is the definitive version of Axis. Absolute perfection! Nice quiet vinyl, thick, heavy, flat, just a terrific reproduction. I've never heard a better version of Axis, and I've got many different CD & LP pressings.
Do not hesitate, get this now! You won't regret it.

All of the other reviews before this one were for the CD version. Let's be clear: This LP release is the MONO version of Axis: Bold As Love. It is pressed on 180 grams of virgin vinyl by Classic Records, an audiophile specialist label.

This release is nothing short of fantastic! The LP was mastered from the original MONO master tapes. If you wanted to buy an original mono LP of this, it would set you back around $1,500! No kidding! The mono edition was never again released until now. The mixes are completely different from the stereo release.

Jimi's original engineer, Eddie Kramer, oversaw this release and cut the record from the original full track Mono tapes played back on a special full-track Mono head specifically made for this reissue.

I just bought my copy from Amazon and you should, too, to support vinyl! The sound is full and open, just as Jimi (probably) would have wanted it!

Despite much that has been said in its favor, I am firmly of the opinion that there is absolutely no comparison to be had between this 2008 B2B pressing and the Reprise tri-color. Frankly, I find it's overall sound to fare quite poorly even when set against the singularly unremarkable 1970's tan-label reissue.

Apart from the general advantage of greater contiguity with the master tapes, both the vaunted tri-color and the ubiquitous tan-label Axis seem to be completely free of the oppressive bass heaviness exhibited throughout by the B2B--a conspicuous alteration of the original sound which has been noted with disappointment by a number of experienced listeners. The more recent 2010 vinyl re-release by Experience Hendrix LLC appears to represent an earnest attempt by sound engineers to address precisely this, but does not go far enough and ends up merely confounding the problem by leaving in most of the undesirable bottom-end heaviness while artificially brightening the highs. The result is a sound which is strident, thumping, and dreary: in sum, a travesty of the larking and sonically buoyant Axis whose fabled 1967 release cast the British rock scene under a spell that would dramatically and irretrievably alter henceforth the very fabric of popular music.

The B2B LP still sounds fine, having been sourced from analogue tapes and not the nearly reprehensible 97' digital remaster, though if you are seeking to experience the original AXIS sound with its wide sound stage and generous top-end sizzle, this is not it.

This record is in stereo, NOT mono. At least that's what arrived at MY door. Looking at the reviews here on Amazon, some of them say Mono and some say Stereo- I thought I'd receive a Mono version, but I received a Stereo version. The packaging says "Back to Black: 60th vinyl anniversary, premium audiophile pressing on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl in all original packaging" it also says "ALL ANALOG PRESSING". It sounds great and I'm very happy with it but I did want to review it and make note of the stereo/mono confusion. It also includes a nice full color mini-booklet with info about the making of the album and cool pics of Jimi and friends. I'd love to hear what the mono version sounds like, but I can't imagine it being a better choice than stereo for this spacey/trippy content.

I can only agree with the review by J. P. Flanagan.

This is the back-to-black reissue, by "Universal Music Group", and I prefer it to Classic Records' mono version too (it's also a lot cheaper!)

Part 4 or am I counting???
Got this from a good third party seller, sealed/brand new from Amazon
and once I got it on the turntable....Dang......Not only is it pressed off
center, but it's warped and noisy during EXP! It cleaned up after that
song but it killed the whole vibe. So, Classic records has this reputation
for these incredible sounding records, but at $30, I'm not only NOT
impressed, I'm very skeptical about any more Classic pressed lp's.
But, there are plenty of other Hendrix Vinyl offerings out there so I'm
not worried about it. But, once bitten, twice shy, especially at $30 a pop
in this economy.
Now, the Audio part is very interesting. Sure it doesn't have the impact
of the stereo version, but listening to the whole album on headphones,
it IS a valid alternative to the stereo, that is to say, especially Mitch's
drums just DRILL you with a force that's not on the stereo mix. And Jimi's
vocals, being dead center and mixed high, put a slightly more powerful
sound experience that you simply don't get on the stereo version.
But other than that, there is nothing revelatory about the mono mix.
But I'm glad I bought it and am waiting for my replacement to get here.
So, Classic Records: -1. MCA pressings +2
more later........
Gerard Masters

When Classic Records releases a new title on vinyl, it?s always special. But when that title is the mono version of Jim Hendrix?s classic Axis Bold as Love, it?s an event. Original mono pressings of this album (if you can find them) go for as much as $2000. Several of the songs are noticeably different than the stereo versions most of us know and love. In general, the 180g vinyl pressing has considerably more bass than its CD counterpart, although the sound on the CD is clearer in several places. The album was mastered from the original mono masters by Eddie Kramer--the original engineer on the sessions. Let?s talk about the specifics?

?EXP? is almost 40 seconds shorter on the vinyl, and the vocals by ?Paul Caruso? are louder. The difference on the stereo version is extended feedback at the end. ?Spanish Castle Magic? and ?Wait Until Tomorrow? boast a much better low end than the CD. On the latter tune, the first note is too loud on CD. The volume is corrected on the LP, but the song fades up to full volume, as opposed to maintaining a consistent level throughout the track. One of the other problems with the CD is audible tape hiss. The false ending on ?Ain?t No Telling? is louder on the CD. The vinyl is much warmer on ?Little Wing? and the end solo is more up front.

?If 6 Was 9? doesn?t have near as much high end as the CD, and the bass is slightly muddy. Although the song?s highs are much brighter on the CD, it also has considerable tape hiss that isn?t heard on the vinyl. ?You Got Me Floatin? is missing the intro on the LP. ?Castles Made of Sand? has a cleaner intro on the CD; the vinyl is slightly muddy in comparison, but features a different vocal performance. ?One Rainy Wish? has much more bass on LP and a slightly different ending. The title track, ?Bold as Love? is the one instance where the CD is superior. Without the channel panning, the song is clearly missing something.

The burning question here is: which one sounds better? It all depends on your personal preference. The analog aficionados will no doubt pick the vinyl. It?s much warmer than the CD and the bass will literally shake the room. CD fans will be more than happy with the sound on the CD (even if they need to crank up the bass a bit), and the booklet is excellent. It?s a shame that it?s not included in the vinyl pressing. On a positive note, the vinyl is on the Track label, plus when you consider that the mono version has been out of print ever since the original pressing was in the racks, this is an ideal item for the Hendrix collectors out there. The choice is yours.