Customer Reviews

Rio (W/Book) (Coll)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the third CD release of the Rio album, and it compiles the original UK LP release of the album, the US Kershenbaum remixes, some original demos, as well as b-sides, non-album singles and Night Versions. Because there are literally dozens of versions of certain songs from the album, no one release will ever encompass all of them, but this one comes as close as any one release ever has, and most likely ever will.

Unlike the previous CD releases, the version on this disc is the original UK LP release of the album. Essentially, the UK album is identical to the previous CD issues, with three exceptions: The version of "Lonely In Your Nightmare" appearing on this disc is a different mix than that featured on the earlier CDs. This mix features a longer synth note at the beginning, a three-bar lead-in to the vocal (as opposed to four bars on the earlier CD versions), acoustic guitar that doesn't come in until halfway through the first verse (as opposed to starting at the beginning on the earlier CDs), different vocal and instrument levels, and a generally more ambient and diffuse sound. The version of "Hold Back the Rain" is virtually the same as the "remix" version on the "Save a Prayer" disc in the Singles Box, but with a slightly different mix and much better sound. This version is dramatically different from the ones featured on the previous Rio CDs. It has the synth intro, is more texturally jagged and more musicially propulsive, but omits two of the verses and thus feels somewhat structurally disjointed. Finally, "Save a Prayer" is nearly the same as the version appearing on the earlier CDs, but with a slightly different edit at the end, on Simon's "Save a prayer til the morning after" refrain. This is not the same as the mix used for the video (which has never appeared on any album or single, unfortunately), but is closer to it than any version previously available on disc. Whether or not this is the "best" version of the Rio album is subjective, but insofar as it was the version first issued on LP in the UK, which was the version Nick Rhodes and producer Colin Thurston mixed together, it is the most historically correct, and likely the most definitive.

Soundwise, this is arguably the best this album has ever sounded. This newest mastering is actually closer to the original CD mastering from the '80s than to the 2001 remaster. Compared to the '80s CD, the 2001 remaster greatly enhanced the higher frequencies present on the master tape, and as such sounded much brighter - arguably too bright. It also had much more tape hiss, and lost a certain degree of focus and tightness. Compared to the '01 remaster, the sound on this latest mastering is considerably tighter and more focused, and with much less hiss, but without sounding artificially processed by noise reduction techniques; it sounds natural and balanced. The new mastering also has more thrust, presence and sonic impact than the earlier '80s mastering, while still being brighter sounding. In effect, it combines the best of both worlds.

The Kershenbaum mixes are their own thing. Some are outstanding - his mix of "Lonely In Your Nightmare" is definitive - whereas some are just OK. To a greater or lesser extent, all of them capitalize on details not present in the original album mixes, and cause the listener to hear the music differently. Unfortunately, none of them sound very good compared to the polish of the original album mixes. Textures are thick and muddled, obscuring the wonderful engineering Colin Thurston used in recording the multitrack tapes, which was preserved in the original mixes. Nevertheless, these are the versions many fans have been hungering for for years, and this is the best these versions are ever likely to sound. Note: the Kershenbaum remix of "Hungry Like the Wolf" on disc one is the rare U.S.#2 album remix, which was quickly replaced by the Night Version of the song on subsequent pressings. It makes its CD debut here, as does the Kershenbaum mix of "Lonely in Your Nightmare."

The best packaging a Rio CD ever got was the limited edition mini-LP gatefold for the 2001 remastered CD. That version featured an outstanding reproduction of the album cover, and also included the second Nagel painting the band had commissioned - on the cover of the lyrics booklet - along with a separate inner sleeve for the CD, and a gorgeous reproduction of the gatefold photo. This latest version doesn't quite approach the grace of the earlier issue, even though it is more comprehensive in terms of content. For one, the cover is not as rich in its color palette; colors are more muted than on the more highly saturated and warmer-hued 2001 sleeve. This release has a more comprehensive booklet with thorough liner notes and many, many photos - some of which are anachronistic, clearly coming from different periods of the band's development. Unfortunately, the fixed sleeves for the CDs are quite tight, and will likely make disc scratching an issue if one is not careful. Generally, it is a nice package, but doesn't do quite the same justice to the original, innovative design of Malcom Garret as the earlier mini-LP gatefold design did. However, I would say this package is superior to any previous versions of the CD available in jewel boxes - although at least jewel boxes won't scratch the discs in them.

Beyond the Kershenbaum mixes of "Lonely In Your Nightmare" and "Hungry Like the Wolf," as well as two of the cuts on the album itself, there is scant little in this package that has not been made available on CD before, either on the Night Versions disc, or the Singles box. The four demos on the second disc are newly available, and are worth a listen once or twice through, but grow tedious pretty quickly. The rest of the songs - which include the 7-inch and Night Versions of "My Own Way," the b-sides "Like an Angel" and "The Chauffeur (Blue Silver)," and various other Night Versions and remixes - have all been available before on CD. However, by compiling them here, this collection provides an exhaustive look at the various incarnations of Duran Duran's music from this period. Add in a unique, superior mastering for the album tracks, and a handful of key mixes unavailable on any other CD release, and the result is a collection that will prove invaluable for fans of this band's finest hour.

At long last, the Rio album is released in a format that allows you to program your CD player (or download your Ipod) with the complete version of the album that we in the US and Canada listened to in 82/83. Personally, I could never listen to the UK version issued on CD a few years ago. It just wasn't the same album.

And while you could cobble together most of the US version from various albums/compilations released over the years, as far as I know, up until now, the 5:33 version of Save a Prayer, and the US Remix of Lonely in Your Nightmare, were not available on CD. They're both here, along with both US versions of Hungry Like the Wolf (the original US album version and the much better Night Version).

Sound quality is tremendous. It does seem like the US Remixes may have been taken from a vinyl copy, however; you can clearly hear noise at the beginning of Lonely in Your Nightmare and Rio; compare this to the absence of such noise in the UK versions. But even if that is the case, the sound quality is still pretty good, and well beyond that of the vinyl copies from the 80's.

This version of 'Rio' is worth every penny due to the release, for the first time ever on CD or in preservable digital format, of the U.S. album mixes (including both the U.S. "album mix" and subsequent "Night Version" of "Hungry Like the Wolf") as presented to in 1983. The U.K. mixes are present and accounted for as well, making this truly the definitive 'Rio'. I could not be happier with the sound quality of this release. Even the MP3's are balanced, clear and actually quite punchy: a step up even from the 2001 remaster, which was a tad bass-heavy.

To see how to burn your own copy of the U.S. version of 'Rio' using the files here, go check the 'Rio' album Wikipedia page [...] (album). It lists the track lists for the first American pressing and the revised version.

Thanks, EMI and Duran, for this wonderful and thorough collection!

So I bought this for the demo of "The Chauffeur," and I was not disappointed. I also loved the release of "Like An Angel," but was horrified by the demo of the same (WHAT was with the backing vocals?) As for the rest, I could not really tell it was all "digitally remastered," and the UK versions were different from the US version literally by seconds. All in all, though, I was pleased.
As a fan of Andy Taylor, it was interesting to me to hear how much more the guitar was prevalent on the four Manchester Square demos. I was also intrigued (listening to the songs on my iPod,) by the use of mono versus stereo on "New Religion."
I recommend for every fan. I'd also recommend this CD above the regular "Rio" CD. I look forward to (we can only hope!) the "Collectors Edition" SATRT .... from all I have heard, THOSE are the demos I want to OWN!

I was looking forward to this reissue for quite a while, as it has both the original UK LP and the remixed versions of songs that appeared on the US LP.

It appears, though, that I must be the only person in the US who prefers the original UK version. I did have a copy of the US LP, and then the Carnival mini-LP (as these 12" EPs were called at the time), but I got my CD copy almost as soon as it became available, and that is the version I have lived with since.

Though I can appreciate them as remixes (and I have always preferred the night version of "Hungry Like the Wolf" to the album version), in the context of the original UK album, the remixed songs that appeared on the US pressings sound too bright and sterile.

In terms of sound quality, this reissue is the rare instance of a remaster done up right. Dynamic range appears to be mostly left intact rather than squashed for the sake of loudness, and the overall sound is a bit fuller than the orignal CD, which sounds slightly anemic in comparsion. (EMI is excelling at this as of late, as anyone who has heard the Thomas Dolby or Beatles remasters can atttest.)

The packaging is fantastic (though I agree with the reviewer who complained about the typeface used for the liner notes), and I particularly appreciate the attention to detail in the track listings, especially the inclusion of catalog numbers for the original releases.

In any event, this reissue should satisfy anyone who originally bought the album way back when, regardless of which version you prefer. Recommended.

This is a really great release of the classic Rio album. However, I am a little mystified by Hungry Like the Wolf, the U.S. remix. My original album, which was unfortunately lost in a flood years ago, had a totally different version of that song on it. I remember it was listed at 6:37 on the album itself. It was basically an extended version of the Night Version with the instrumental beginning and such but it was longer. The ending was different too. I am going crazy looking for this version as it has never been released on CD that I know of. Has anyone else heard this version? I am wondering why I had this on vinyl and now this newest release claims the 4 minute version was the original U.S. mix release. Did I lose a special edition release of this album? I can't seem to locate a longer version then the night version either so maybe I am just going crazy.....LOL! I distinctly remember the instrumental beginning though and the lengthened ending and when I first heard the Night Version I was happy to have at least some of that version back. Anyone else ever heard of this mysterious version?

This is a great album overall and I was glad they did release the U.S. version again after all this time.

Personally, I found that the mastering on this new release is a bit shrill, with way too many highs that leave the songs sounding not only flat, but tinny at the same time with no dynamic range. Luckily, I have an old school system with an actual graphic equalizer, so i can manipulate the sound quality. But if you have a modern system that gives you 'predetermined' equalizer settings, you may have an issue finding the right setting. My only other complaint about this release is the final track on disc 2. The carnival mix of My Own Way is kind of ruined by the fact that they've tacked a spoken holiday greeting by Simon LeBon onto the end of the track! So guess what--if you want to put this mix on your ipod and don't have any editing software, you'll have to listen to that spoken greeting every time you play the song. So glad I have this mix on another CD...

For those of you who own the 2001 remaster of Rio, it's worth it to purchase this special updated remaster for many reasons.
First, the sound quality of this new remaster is far superior than the 2001 remaster. In comparing them I found the 2001 remaster to be hissy compared to this new realease. The improvements to this new 2009 remaster eliminates the hiss and is punchier and more present than the 2001 version.
Secondly, which is really interesting is that this UK version is different than the 2001 remaster(which I thought was the UK version as well). Tracks like "Hold Back the Rain" and most of the others are mixed differently...and are better! Plus you have the U.S. mixes which are interesting to hear(but I prefer the UK version on this 2009 remaster over them all). To top it off, you have the b-sides, demos, and night versions on disc two.
Speaking as a musician and a music fan, Rio is one of my favorite albums of all time and one that sounds fresh everytime I listen to it. This 2009 remaster is a must for any Duran Duran fan and a strong suggestion to those unfamiliar with this wonderful album. I hear they are going to give the same treatment to their debut album(which is a favorite of mine as well). This is an important album for rock history and if you happen to be a bass player, look no further...John Taylor rocks!

the hard cover book was nice to have. but not the paper sleeve the cd goes into. it could scratch the disc. the uk version on disc 1, the remastering was perfect. but the us version could have had more attention in remastering. it sounded bunched up instead of seperated. then there were 3 versions of hold back the rain. which we get the original uk version and the long lost us version. the one from the 2001 cd is not on this set. i liked that better than the uk version. so i keep both cd's. if you have the 2001. it's best to upgrade to this one for the sound of the uk version. my favorite is rio-uk, my own way-uk, lonely in your nightmare-us, hungry like the wolf-uk and either the 2001 hold back the rain and the us long version.

Why a package design review? I'll leave it to the rest to fully review the audio--which is amazing, by the way. This a rare album that is solid from beginning to end. Nice to be able to do a DIY US version. The demos are nice to hear, as are the digital-only extra tracks. I do wish Simon's Christmas message was made into a separate unlisted track.

On to the package design: The canvas texture was a nice touch, but not really necessary. The haphazard placement of "2 CD LIMITED EDITION" should tip you off right away that the packaging was put together with little regard for the original Malcolm Garrett/Assorted iMaGes design. Even the bottom of the Nagel illustration is clipped. The typography on the back is sloppy (check the alignment of "Versions & Mixes" relative to the other subheadings). And the booklet... On page 6, yikes, what happened to the "Duran Duran" type? The liner notes are mostly fluff with little revelation (set in a font out of context with the artwork, by the way), and it would've been nice if the photos stuck to 1982 instead of covering their entire classic lineup era--this is about Rio, after all. Lastly, the final page with the images of the singles: these are the poorly re-created single cover images with the wrong fonts from the CD singles box set, the designer(s) couldn't be bothered to faithfully recreate (or at least re-scan) the original singles art--I did not need to be reminded of these abominations.

Shame. This is arguably THE most classic, iconic album cover of the early '80s (other than MJ's Thriller, perhaps) and it deserves a better design effort to honor the band and Malcolm Garrett.