Kate Bush

The original pressings are very good in most cases

I suppose both can be considered "original" pressings since they were released at the same time on both continents. For, what I assume, was a business reason, the American pressings were simply manufactured under license to an American company. I guess one could argue the European release is original since it's on the artist's label. What I'm very curious about is to see whether the source material used was the same and the European release is as noisy as the American one, as it should be, if the source material was indeed somehow compromised by the mastering process. I just find it very hard to believe that Doug Sax and James Guthrie would messed up a recording. These guys are icons in the industry.

I also have Kate Bush '50 Words For Snow'. It is a 180 Gram double LP that includes the CD and a 20 Page booklet.

I received it from a friend (Jazdoc) who visited in early December. The LP plays quietly and there are no issues in terms of noise that is out of the norm.

The one constant, Actusreus, i see is the copies you purchased were from the same Store and therefore most likely the same batch. This may be why you are experiencing the same issue with both pressings.

Dre

Dear Dre: Agree, same bad batch.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Actus....you owe it to yourself to buy Aerial. I'm convinced this is the best thing she's ever done.

At first play I thought the album too "sanitised" compared to her earlier work such as "The Dreaming". A judgement I regretted after the second play (200 since then). It's long and complex but an immensely rewarding listen.
It's so intimately presented that sometimes there is a sense that you are actually inside the composer's head and you feel honoured that she allowed us to hear this Work.

Kate is possibly the only composer I can think of who could write a song about a washing machine and make it profoundly listenable.
The principal guest stars on this album are the legendary Rolf Harris, and of course Kate's young son, Bertie. Rolf illustrates his artistic skills and even gets the chance to sing a verse. As a child I remember marvelling at how Rolf could create an impression of the Outback using a full sized decorators paintbrush. Kate's album is a fitting tribute to the man.
Some of the songs are so quirky (e.g. "Pi", where she sings the value of Pi to over 120 decimals) that your brain may struggle to absorb them at first.
Disregard your preconceptions and recognise true genius which achieves it's full expression here.
To those unfamiliar with Kate's work, if you dare "put your hand over the side of the boat" she will own your heart...

I didn't intend a makeshift review-come-thread-hijack so apologies for that.... :)
Best....