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Kate Bush

I hesitated between posting this question in the Music forum rather than Analog, but since the question regards the quality of the vinyl pressing and sound rather than the quality of the music, I decided the question was more fitting in the Analog forum.

I own all of Kate's records with the exception of "Aerial," and all of her albums are exceptionally good sounding, even the recent reissues of "The Hounds of Love" and "The Sensual World." Her last release before "50 Words for Snow" was "Director's Cut," which she released under her own label Fish People. The quality is beyond reproach. I just purchased "50 Words for Snow" and cleaned it with the AIVS 3-step formulas before first play. I had to stop a few minutes into the first song as the sounds was being marred by the loud crackling noise every several seconds. Same with the second song. It pretty much continued throughout the entire two-record album. The album was mastered by Doug Sax and James Guthrie and the CD sounds spectacular so I know it's not the recording but the quality of the pressing. Does anyone who owns this release share my experience? As much as I'd want it to be the case, I find it hard to believe I just happened to buy a bad isolated pressing. I'm so bummed as the music is heavenly.
actusreus
moonglum
619 posts
 
Something you may be interested in Actus : getting back to the technical details for a moment I must say that Kate's vinyl productions are among the most lavish, no expense spared examples I've seen. This is one artist who really takes Analogue seriously.
I'd pre-ordered the "Director's Cut" and "50 Words.." last year abd was blown away by the production values on the D/Cut. The attention to detail was almost unprecented.... anti-static poly lined paper sleeves, properly de-burred immaculately clean and properly finished records, a generously sized book of notes...
Sumptuous and perfect-looking is the only way to describe it.
There were criticisms about the analogue sound on DC by some...
Here is Kate's take (on Analogue) and the logic behind the D/Cut in a rare BBC Radio4 interview :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b010vxyv/Front_Row_Kate_Bush_in_a_rare_interview_and_John_Cleese_reviewed/
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
I was referring to her earlier work. I have a copy of Ariel and although it is a fantastic album, my vinyl is terrible. I listen to the CD which is pretty good
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,095 posts
 
Dear Moonglum: I never heard the Aeriel one but the three LPs reissius I own are just great by the in deep content of Kate composition and the music it self.

It is almost impossible hear those recordings and not been moved with.

I will buy that Aeriel CD because what you and other posted here and because I already been " touched " by Kate.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
moonglum
619 posts
 
Dear Raul...many thanks for your confidence in our critiques.
That you already know Kate from the past is a sure guarantee of success, but I really hope you like it.

Prior to Aerial, Kate disappeared "off the radar" for 12 yrs. When Aerial's release was announced there was a stampede(!) to pre-order.

Best regards...
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Moonglum,
Thank you for the link to the BBC interview with Kate; it was great to hear her speak about her music, creative process, and touring. It amazes me that her huge popularity in the UK and Europe for decades has not seemed to affect her in any negative way.

I read somewhere that she was a fan of the analog sound and was dissatisfied with the recording quality of some of her newer albums. It must have been in the context of "Director's Cut." I own most of her albums, with the exception of "The Red Shoes" and "Aerial" and they sound amazing. The sound is full, rich, and organic. Perfectly analog.

I know "DC" is quite controversial and a lot of her die-hard fans outright reject it. Some were even angry that she dared to remake "This Woman's Work." I'm in the smaller camp that fully embraced the album. I think it's terrific. She managed to make the songs sound as great as the originals, but also different. To me they do sound like new songs so I completely agree with her that statement that she considers it a new album.

I'm now hoping that "Aerial" will be reissued at some point, just like "Hounds of Love" and "Sensual World." I'm baffled as to what happened with that album that it commands such ridiculous price. Almost all of her albums are rather easy to find used for less than $10. I have two copies of each I own, but "Aerial" is just impossible to find used, even on eBay.
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