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Yes remasters/ HDCD

A number of times on here people have asked about the best sound quality of various Yes albums available on CD.

I have previously reviewed the complete Rhino remasters set on Lugs http://lugsmusicreviews.com.

Last week I at last tracked down a copy of a Japanese import HDCD version of Close To The Edge.
I have to say I was very impressed by the sound quality,it is louder and clearer than the Rhino version-of course I can't state if this is true for every release but I have to say the HDCD versions (remastered by a Japanese gent whose name I don't have at hand) seem the way to go.
These versions unlike the Rhino ones only contain the original track listing.
ben_campbell
jsujo
348 posts
 
maybe after I get the plum label Fragile, i will look for one,,,thanks for the tip!
joeb
121 posts
 
this is a little off topic but, 2weeks ago I found a new HDCD by Yes; "Magnification" on a Beyond label. Though not my favorite Yes album, there are some tremendous tracks and the sound quality was/is phenomenal. I love these guys spirit and ability. They are a wonderful creative inspiration.
jb
jsujo
348 posts
 
oh yeah...the Orchestra thing...it has some strong moments, but it boggles down sometimes, but I still listen to it.
davetherave
95 posts
 
Of the Jaqpanese HDCD remasters, I've found Topographic Oceans and Relayer to be the most worthwhile; good instrument/vocal separation and an ability to "hear/look into the music" more than on lp or atlantic remasters. I have to disagree about the CTTE HDCD— mine has that oversaturation on the organ that Atmasphere refers to; I prefer the Rhino versions of CTTE and Fragile.

If anyone likes Yes but has been out of the loop for a while, there is some excellent "new" material on 'Keystudio,' which appeared originally of 'Keys to Ascension' I and II. I've seen Yes live seven times from 1974 - 1980, and 12 times from 1997 to 2004. I'd like to see one more new album and tour.
jsujo
348 posts
 
Honestly, The Ladder, I am finding to be the best produced/sounding YES LP since Fragile...
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