Reissues of the Year 2022
I have to be honest, I am less than enthusiastic about this post. Mostly because there has been a torrent of re-issues in 2022 and it has been really difficult to keep up. So, no lists, just comments.
Blue Note – Tone Poet and Classic Series – these have been universally good, occasionally great – but I feel that the whole thing is running out of steam. Was a tad disappointed by “Pictures of Heath” (Playboys) by Art Pepper and Chet Baker – I must do a comparison between this and the version on the Mosaic box set. Best of the lot: Blue Trane the Complete Masters.
Analogue Productions – the reissue company of the year. Loads of Impulse and Verve reissues, the Contemporary records series arrived at last. Then there was the rather expensive Steely Dan reissue series.
“Ok confession – I eventually took the plunge and bought CBAT via Elusive disc and and used my brother as a vinyl mule. I have a 1978 UK pressing, Speakers Corner (2008 pressing), original and remastered CD versions of the album. I also listened to the recent Hi Res stream on Qobuz. I know this album intimately.
I was not impressed with the packaging – the whole thing seemed to be thrown into the big ugly box – the records were parceled in a plastic cover separately. The “liner” notes won’t be giving Vinyl Me Please sleepless nights.
Anyway, I put the record on the platter and dropped the needle. Within 3 seconds I could tell that this 2 x 45rpm clarity vinyl version was light years better than any version that I had previously heard. Exceptional balance, deep soundstage, rumbling bass, distinct but balanced midrange and trebles. No real compression. Breathtaking.
I am sort of relieved and disappointed. Relieved that the purchase wasn’t a bust. Disappointed in the knowledge that these releases are likely so much better than other released versions and I will have to find some way to purchase them. Damm/Bless you Chad.” Enough said. I ordered “Countdown to Ecstasy” from Michael 45rpm audiophile (who seems to have an Analogue Productions store. I’ll figure out how to pay for it next year.
One of the best reissues was “Saturday Night in San Francisco” by Al DiMeola et al. That was on Impex. One of the worst reissues was “Saturday Night in San Francisco” by Al DiMeola. That was on Ear Records.
Craft released a nice one-step of “Relaxin’” by Miles Davis. Enjoyable listen. Probably not worth $109. They also released You Must Believe in Spring by Bill Evans (everybody reissues Bill Evans – can we please get an audiophile version of “Walz for Debby”).
I bought two Miles Davis early 1980s albums (same band that I rather enjoyed): Star People (Vinyl Me Please) and Live Montreal 1983 (Record Store Day).
If you like Ornette Coleman, there were 2 boxes – from Contemporary and from Blue Note (Tone Poet). Both are to be recommended. I also really enjoyed Sun Ra – Futuristic Sounds and the Candid reissues of Charles Mingus.
In terms of classic rock, it is hard to beat the live Little Feat album from 1974 (Waiting for Columbus was also reissued) and the two recent Frank Zappa reissues cut AAA by Bernie Grundman: Waka Jawaka and the Grand Wazoo. Hendrix at the LA Forum (which I have had on tape for 30 years), was finally reissued in 2022. The Pink Floyd Animals (2018 remix) box set was terrific – and received several listens. There was also a very nice Beach Boys greatest hits box – but there are loads of great Beach Boys boxes.
All of the Roxy Music albums were recut at half speed (new versions not the box set) by Miles Showell and packed in heavyweight cardboard. All looked and sounded great.
Intervention Records are my current favorite reissue label: this year Joe Jackson’s Body and Soul and The Fantastic Expidition of Dillard and Clarke were among my favorites.
My reissues of the year: Art Pepper meets the Rhythm Section (RSD) in mono and My Favorite Things (John Coltrane).
For big boxes – my favorite has been the VMP Quincy Jones box.
I didn’t buy any big vinyl box sets this year (but am holding out hope of getting Blondie for Christmas). I cannot understand why anybody would buy an 11 LP version of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – but uber fans will approve.
Sour reissue story of the year – no question – the MOFI debacle.
I must save my venom for the 50th Anniversary version of Harvest. A spectacular fail. For €180,in my local shop, you get a big box containing the original LP, an LP and DVD version of “Live at the BBC” (every Neil fan has a bootleg copy of this), a 7″ outtakes single and a second DVD of home movies. No interest – I already have the album, DVD-A, 24/192 file, Archives version and about 10 CD versions and it is ludicrously expensive. Then I spotted the 2 x CD and 2 x DVD version for €43 on Amazon. No Blu-Ray but a reasonable price. The vinyl version cost that day on Amazon was €150.
Hence there is a €107 euro difference (3 x more expensive) in price between the CD/DVD version and the Vinyl/DVD version (Amazon.de). Assuming that the two CDs are worth about €20 and the two DVDs are worth about €22 – the box is worth, maybe €1 (maybe nothing).
Now let’s look at the vinyl version. The same Harvest album is available for €35 (2009 Bellman cut). That means that if the DVDs are worth €22, add €35 for Harvest. The vinyl record of the BBC concert, the single and the box are being valued at €93. Assuming that the second album is worth €35 and the single €15 – then the box is valued at €43 (and there is nothing special about it). So, you are paying the same amount of money for the big empty box as you are for the 2xCD and 2xDVD version in the smaller box.
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