21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE HEARD, and then some..., February 10, 2004
This review is from: Days of Future Passed [DTS DVD Audio] (DVD Audio)
I upgraded this record from the LP to the DTS version. Of course, it has been a very radical change in the quality of the sound. I wasn't interested in getting the original or subsequent versions on CD, because one thing that left me disappointed was the poor quality sound in the LP (muffled and low in fidelity). I didn't expect great changes in the CD versions (anyway I've read that they didn't improve the sound a lot), but when I got the oportunity to buy de DTS version, I decided to give it a try...and it was a right move. Maybe if you are a CD owner, you are suspicious about the goodness of the DTS edition. But I reccomend it. It makes great use of the five channels, so when the orchestra enters, you feel the sound all around you. My only complaint here is that the 5.1 channels are well taken advantage of when is the symphonic orchestra what we're hearing, but some of the songs (properly of the group) don't use that mixing well. And overall, the sound of the group could have used some more loudness and volume in the drums and bass, but my guess is that regarding the mixing of the sound of the band, there were some limitations in the tape source. But it doesn't matter, because in the end the product is very satisfying. You will find that the songs sound a little different, although that's because any new mixing (wether it is for DTS, or DVD audio, or SACD) is a little tricky in that sense: we never have the original stereo mix distribuited in 5 channels, but a new mix, so the songs will neccesarily sound a little different. Moreover, when this is done, there must be always a dilemma for the engineers and mixers: do we make some changes or do we leave the songs alone?. In the case of DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED, they decided to make some changes, and the more noticeable are: 1) In ANOTHER MORNING, the melody that goes before the fade out gets a second repetition, so the song lasts about 10 seconds more. 2) In PEAK HOUR, when the third verse (which anyway is a repetion of the first verse) is played, what we get is a re-introduction of the first verse, so the song is played all over again, and we have a new "long" version, giving the song some additional 3 minutes. 3) In TWILIGHT TIME, the voice that is originally heard in the background from midway the second verse on, in the new mix can be heard from the very first moment Ray Thomas begins to sing. This is to say that in addition to the polished sound, by buying this DTS edition you'll get something else that is new. It's a pity that this record had to wait over 30 years to be heard as it should. But better late than never.
2007 UPDATE: as part of the reissued collection of all the early MOODY BLUES LPs in Super Audio CD's, Days of Future Passed is now available in that format. ALL the sorround CD's in that edition claim to be 5.1, but the truth is that they are 4.1, since the central speaker has been left out ("In search of the lost chord" is only in stereo). Although fidelity has been improved a little in this new SACD edition, some will miss the central speaker.
Also it's important to note that all the changes in the mixing that I wrote about, might be nothing new for those familiar with the QUADRAPHONIC version of the album, that is, the earliest sorround version that was released of Days of Future Passed, in an early technology that was developed (and discontinued)in the 70's. The reissues come from those original remixes, and the DTS version of DAYS must have come from there too, except that they mixed it in the way that it fills the 5 speakers, as I said.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Classic Becomes Better - In A Way., July 9, 2001
This review is from: Days of Future Passed [DTS DVD Audio] (DVD Audio)
This is the hallmark recording that started the Moody Blues on their sojourn and it is a remarkable one at that. This grouping brought in John Lodge and Justin Hayward maximizing the songwriting and vocal harmonizing that is so well known now. Although the symphonic arrangments may sound slightly dated, it is still a 'mood-piece' to wash away your worries and dive into your dreams. "Night In White Satin" was released in 1967 and 1971 as a single, so strong is it's appeal. The other songs display how talented and unafraid these musicians were to experiment, bringing classical pop into the rock arena.
Note: You need to have a audio system that is has a DTS Digital Decoder to enjoy this CD. It sounds great with 6 speakers and a woofer. Otherwise you are better off buying the other digitally enhanced CD versions.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
an earlier attempt at true 4 channel sound, June 1, 2003
This review is from: Days of Future Passed [DTS DVD Audio] (DVD Audio)
The Moodies were approached in mid '67 to do a concept album for London Records (remember their Phase 4 albums?). Deram, the Moody's label and a London subsidiary, wanted to show off their new high dollar four channel board to the London brass. Tony Clark called on the late Peter Knight to write and perform the musical interludes with the London Festival Orchestra, the record company's in house band-orchestra. Once the recording was done and the project finished it was played in the studio for the record execs. It was a real hit. DOFP is one of the few albums of it's day recorded in true four channel sound. When quad came out in the seventies some albums were recorded in multichannel form. The problem was that LPs and the upstart cassette format emerging at the time could not reproduce discrete 4 channel sound. Only the Quad 8 tapes of the time could reproduce DOFP as it was meant to be heard. All 8 tracks had crappy sound (regardless of how we quad system owners told ourselves it was really great). With a high end under 12,000 cps, and channel cross talk from out of alignment heads, it simply was not up to snuff. Many albums recorded or mixed for stereo listening don't translate well to a multi channel format so be careful what you buy. By all means try to give it a listen before deciding. You will not only be safe with this ultimate version of DOFP- you'll be tickled. For it's day, this recording holds up really well. I have both the DTS multi channel and the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs gold cd versions of this album and I am far happier with the DTS format. Problem is I can't play it in my car with just a standard Pioneer cd player. Buy this version of Days... load it into you player, dim the lights, and enjoy.
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