I’ve been a fan since 1978 as well, I first heard her played on college radio. I bought each original LP release over the years from TKI up to The Red Shoes (UK only in 1993). Also own the original box set of UK CDs and a VHS of her videos released in the 80’s.
Her super high register will grate on some (even her it seems, as she’s made an album called ‘Kate Bush director’s cut’, where she put down new (less shrill) vocals). She removed the horrible 80’s techno drum beats on other cuts.
I highly doubt Kate recorded The Director’s Cut because her voice was "shrill," she had millions of fans that loved that voice. She probably wanted to rework those songs. But it’’s clear that at the time of this release she no longer had the same vocal range.
All her albums were recorded and mixed analogue, I believe, except for The Red Shoes. She hated the digital sound of her voice so she released a remastered album under her "Fish People" label. And I highly recommend picking up this version over the EMI UK or Columbia US.
"I always felt the sound of the original version of ’The Red Shoes’ was a little edgy due to the digital equipment we were using at the time. Everyone was under pressure back then to work in the digital domain as it promised so much with the lack of tape hiss and its supposed clarity.
I remain a devoted lover of analogue and was delighted to recently come across the back up mixes of this album on 1/2" analogue tape. I hope you will enjoy this truly remastered version."
(Kate)