Released today and managed a quick listen to favourite tracks from Qobuz - builders in the house now. First impressions are favourable. The expected better definition on bass drum and bass guitar and much better separation on Brian’s guitar lines. Really looking forward to listening to the harmonies on Fairy Feller and Black Queen! As it is Brian’s favourite album I was always confident they would get this right.
As an aside, I see that Tidal has the whole box set but Qobuz only the first disc. I may have to take out a temporary membership! Hi Res Audio seem to have the whole collector’s edition at a very reasonable £46 - I may be tempted!
Now had the chance to listen to this version ‘properly’ and I am very impressed.
The main change for me is the separation of instruments / layers, particularly where there are different guitar tones or piano and harpsichord. It is much easier to hear what is going on. Focussing on bass drum and bass guitar it is clear how intricate some of John’s playing is. Black Queen and Fairy Feller remain real highlights but Some Day and Loser are both surprises. Naturally Brian takes the opportunity to lay out the guitar lines in Father to Son to great effect.
Downsides for me are that in places the separation of the elements leaves a bit of a hole in the middle of the mix. This is noticeable on rockier elements but not on quieter parts so I don’t think it is the balance of my system. Also the cymbals sound very splashy at times - perhaps extra echo or some form of harmonizer? At the moment, Qobuz won’t let me play Seven Seas as an album track or single so I don’t know what is going on with that.
All in I am really pleased this has been released. It won’t convince anyone who isn’t already keen on the band / album but the effect for me is as I imagine an art lover would see an old master before and after cleaning - it sparkles.
Please, Brian May and Roger Taylor, stop releasing remastered albums. The early Queen sound was shaped so much by producer Roy Thomas Baker, and that original feel is getting lost. The Queen II remaster might be cleaner, but it’s not better—it loses the atmosphere and the time stamp of that era.
I think it is interesting to have a choice now. I never thought the production was poor at the time - but then my excitement was with the songs - ‘Ogre Battle’ and volume were keys for me. Poduction was something I reflected on much later in life and with a much better system!
I well remember recording (illegally) songs from the TV using a portable cassette recorder and a hand held microphone. We simply couldn’t afford to buy the music we wanted to listen to - modern streaming fans don’t know they are born (…. said the old man!).
).