Chicago II The Steven Wilson Remix Review

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 63

  • @sagaciousp5267
    @sagaciousp5267 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you TJR for your excellent and concise review of this great work. Steven Wilson did a tremendous job working only with high resolution recordings of the original tracks. I’d read a forum online that talked about how poorly or “differently” Chicago II’s mix is compared to the CTA album, and Chicago III and thereafter. Those discussions immediately hit home with me since I always thought, since I was a kid, that Chicago II sounded like it was recorded in a garage compared to CTA. A lot of theories in that discussion about why, from having to record late night at Columbia between well known acts, to severe time constraints, to damaged tapes, etc. It’s hard to believe that some of the things I’ve always hated like the shaker way too loud in “Make Me Smile” and the mid-boost EQ of many tracks actually passed through to mastering and beyond. Steven has done the work to really fix a lot of this. As a few others here have mentioned, I wish he would have been able to work a better horn EQ into those mixes, but I know from experience when you start to rework where those frequencies lay in the overall mix, it can be like opening Pandora’s box. Some say the original album mix is fine because that’s how the whole piece of work was presented and should be observed that way, but I guess I can’t accept that perception completely, and find myself wanting to be able to experience more of the depth of sound and creative genius of this amazing work and these musicians.

  • @dougcarson5202
    @dougcarson5202 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks, TJR! Yes, Steven Wilson is a treasure on many levels. Really happy to see that he is re-working early Chicago. Great stuff! If anyone is looking for a good introduction to Steven's work with Porcupine Tree, I would recommend the "In Absentia" album. A masterpiece in my opinion.

  • @spiral2012
    @spiral2012 7 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Nice review. Enjoy your journey navigating the discography of the prolific genius Steven Wilson.

    • @frankmarsh1159
      @frankmarsh1159 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      His mixes are a bit sterile sounding IMO. The original albums were mixed to analog tape through vintage analog gear. Steven Wilson mixes on a lap top computer with digital software.

  • @SamFugarino
    @SamFugarino 7 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Steven Wilson is brilliant.

    • @TJRtheOriginal
      @TJRtheOriginal  7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      +Samuel Fugarino Yes he is, and I am glad that I have discovered his other re masters

  • @LouiePlaysDrums
    @LouiePlaysDrums 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for the shout-out, TJR. Keep up the great work, my friend.

  • @johnb9507
    @johnb9507 7 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Kudos to Steven Wilson for the great remix on this! I've loved this album since practically it's release in 1970. It's still my favorite album and even Chicago themselves never were able to outdo it (IMHO). What I love the most is there is something for everybody in this work of art. Rock to Jazz and even some Classical. It contained three of the band's biggest hits and established them as a serious band to contend with. All of the songs were composed and arranged within the band (as was the practice in their early days). I have this remix and I don't regret buying it. I've heard the original mix probably well over 100 times over the years and I can say I know every nuance of every track. I agree the the original mix was great but a bit muddy sonically and didn't really do the music the justice it deserved. Steven Wilson corrected this here. It sounds like it was just recorded last year. I can hear Danny's kick drum on "Movin' In" and the brass is much cleaner. I can hear a few alternative takes here and there and some passages that were not as clear on the original. It's apparent that Steven paid great attention to detail in this area. Everything is heard and not burried. Not to knock Jim Guercio's effort on the original as the technology wasn't the same back in 1969, but I'm grateful that SW chose to take this project on. After almost 50 years, this album is still my favorite of all time and now a new coat of polish was added to bring the beauty and luster out even more.

    • @CTAWorshipper
      @CTAWorshipper 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I’ve always said that Chicago II and Chicago VII are IMHO the best albums ever recorded in music history. Authentic masterpieces.

  • @markwideman339
    @markwideman339 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My favorite band of all time and favorite album of all time.

  • @catire98
    @catire98 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Steven Wilson is a master. Most importantly, a music fan first. He created, as you stated, a new way to listen to the album. Much more depth and detail in the mix. A must have for any music collection.

  • @kenm.3512
    @kenm.3512 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    It sounds very good. Kath's voice and guitar are warmly presented. A subtlety effective remix of a brilliant album. I don't always go for these types of things but I have to give this 5 stars. It's what it always needed. A stereophonic clarity, and a more bassier ambience, I do not think there is a lack of punch. Just a more subtle texture that brings more beauty and detail. All of the fuzzy mono, scratchy, trebleful passages are cleaned up. Aural glare eliminated. Wonderful detail that makes the album sound like it was recorded in 1975 instead of 69/70. And if you love ALBUMS from these periods, you will know what I mean.
    A FEAST FOR LEARNED AND FAMILIAR EARS, AND TO ANY FAN OF CHICAGO'S GREATEST MUSIC. Truly inspiring and heartwarming to this veteran audiophile.
    A remarkable job by Steven Wilson.

  • @sunguar
    @sunguar 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for the review.
    When I was designing and building audio speakers, one thing that became clear in listening to music was the quality of the speaker and the volume it was listened to. In other words, you could have a cheap system with good speakers or a great system with cheap speakers. When listening to both copies of this CD, if you play them on two different systems, you get four different results. If you are playing them on the same system for comparison, the quality of your system and the volume you are listening to them has an effect. (Sorry for being long winded on this) So my question is, what type of an audio system are you using for comparison and what do you recommend?

  • @Chuixupu
    @Chuixupu 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    As a long time fan of both Chicago and Steven Wilson, I was very excited when this was announced! I have to say that personally, I think Steven's remix is absolutely better. I have the othe remaster as well as vinyl copies and I honestly don't really hear the extra "beefiness", just a bit more muddiness and more clarity and depth with the remix.

  • @Vince_Tasciotti
    @Vince_Tasciotti 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like the new Steven Wilson remix. It gives an old picture a little more light and shade in the right areas.

  • @eddiewalkerjr.8229
    @eddiewalkerjr.8229 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    recently, I purchased the Chicago II collector's edition, that includes Wilson's remix CD & also on Vinyl. It is superb! Nice review. I enjoyed watching/listening.

  • @bhusar1
    @bhusar1 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I became a fan of Wilson a few years ago, and when I heard his 5.1 remixes of his own stuff, I said he was the gold standard, then I heard his stereo remixes and 5.1 surround mixes for other artists, namly Yes and Jethro Tull and King Crimson, and he is the only person I will be a remix from because of his name as opposed to the artist, although he has done alot of favorites like Tears For Fears and XTC but I never heard of Caravan until I found out he did a surround mix of their album In The Land Of Grey and Pink. He finally made Chicago II sound beautiful. Wish he did a surround as well, but this mix is taking the place of the original album.

    • @63supercobrajet
      @63supercobrajet 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I got the Steve Wilson remixed Blu-ray's of Yes-(Close The the Edge), and a couple King Crimson DVD-A's and they're noticeably better than my old originals.
      I find it odd that Steve Wilson's Chicago II Remix is not to be found on his website/online store ? maybe Rhino is selling/marketing it for him?

  • @escarabajomierdero
    @escarabajomierdero 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for the review. Very useful indeed. Keep them going. Cheers

  • @bwithrow011
    @bwithrow011 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    TJR, I have the Chicago Records CD of this album. One thing that stood out of the remix is sonic integrity. From a technical standpoint, it sounds more hifi than the original. Steven could have added more bass to In the Country, but that could be his effort to remain true to the original. The Rhino remasters of Chicago albums are over compressed which is why I sought out the Chicago Records CDs.

  • @catmayrant3336
    @catmayrant3336 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Keep up the great reviews, sir! Kath
    was a very gifted guitarist. An incredibly talented band.

  • @Express-420
    @Express-420 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The Terry Kath years 1968 to 1977 great era
    wasn't the same in 1978 and after

  • @bone53head
    @bone53head 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Maybe 2 minutes of this 9:22 review of the Steven Wilson Remix of Chicago II is a review of the actual sound.
    It's a wonderful explanation of remixing versus remastering, some Steven Wilson history, and pictures of the repackaging. Basically, we're told that we should have both. The reviewer likes the subtilties of the remix, and ALSO prefers the beefier sound(6:12) of the 2002 Rhino. Although after a closeup of the cover(6:19) he has switched that version to his right hand and now holds the Wilson version in his left. I don't disagree with anything included in the video. I'm just expressing an interest in more sound analysis in my reviews of a remix and/or remaster.
    I note that no one has given this review a thumb down..? There's a shocker. I'm not on the popular side, but I didn't think it bad enough to deserve a downer. Like your t-shirt on the Welcome video.

    • @TJRtheOriginal
      @TJRtheOriginal  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You need to watch the video again. I said I preferred the mono version of Please Please Me by the Beatles over the Stereo version for it’s beefier sound but I never said that about the Chicago II.
      I said I liked how the 2017 remix brings out more detail, but “also" like the beefier sound of the 2002 remaster.
      “Also” being the operative word here.
      In other words: I like them both for different reasons.
      Thanks for your comment.

    • @bone53head
      @bone53head 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TJRtheOriginal Fixed it. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

    • @TJRtheOriginal
      @TJRtheOriginal  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      No worries.

  • @miguelmendoza2903
    @miguelmendoza2903 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very good review. 25 sounds great but the "ballet" is definately their máster piece and it sounds amazing!

  • @jonnykhatru
    @jonnykhatru 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    I hope you'll be reviewing the upcoming Steven Wilson record, my dude :)

  • @janinesmith369
    @janinesmith369 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Cant wait to hear the remastered version.

  • @Express-420
    @Express-420 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Chicago 2 is a great album

  • @randyduncan4004
    @randyduncan4004 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    sceptical first then you did an EXCELLENT JOB presenting this to Us, the Chi Heads. im gonna get it. INCIDENTALLY this album, played LIVE, is their 2018 project w dvd to be released as well. my tip for your good vid. AGAIN WELL DONE. i dont hear a single bit of variance on the youtube releases of the Wilson remix. headphones perhaps.

    • @TJRtheOriginal
      @TJRtheOriginal  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Perhaps, but also maybe it's the compression that youtube is going to put on the audio as well. Steven Wilson goes out of his way to remain faithful to the original mix...The difference is that you hear more clarity and better separation between the instruments on his remix. But I think that the original mix sounds meatier and has more punch.

    • @63supercobrajet
      @63supercobrajet 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Is this official Chicago II (Steve Wilson Reminx) only offered in Audio-CD, or Vinyl?

  • @jonnykhatru
    @jonnykhatru 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Steven's remixes are really excellent. His work on Tull's Thick as a Brick and King Crimson's Red are especially impressive. Funnily enough Chicago II is the only Chicago album I've heard and I really like it so I'll definitely pick this up!

  • @amberlynn6914
    @amberlynn6914 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of my vinyl copies of Chicago II actually says "Chicago II" on the side... and it might say it on the actual record.

    • @tylerernst4363
      @tylerernst4363 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      amberlynn6914 a few years after the album was released, they started printing the II on them, but the older ones just say Chicago

  • @vcp93
    @vcp93 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Obviously not a Porcupine Tree fan. ;-) Can't wait to hear the new "Yes" box set. I've heard good things.

  • @pimtelman
    @pimtelman 7 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Steven Wilson is only one of the most brilliant musicians on this planet.

    • @anthonyfesta1224
      @anthonyfesta1224 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      pim telman seen Steven a month ago on his Bad To The Bone Tour @ The Ritz Ybor Incredible Show... John Wesley opened

  • @redfalcon9
    @redfalcon9 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Actually being able to hear Kath's guitar solo in 25 or 6 to 4 for the first time, is worth the price of admission alone. You're thinking "yeah, whatever". So was I until I listened to this remix. It makes the original vinyl mix (I haven't heard the 2009 remaster) sound like hot garbage. This is the definitive version, bar none of this album to date... now if someone could talk Wilson and Rhino into doing a quad/DTS mix of it....

    • @tylerernst4363
      @tylerernst4363 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bad-Voice-Bob you can buy the box set of the original quad mix, and the original quad mix is much better than even the Steven Wilson remix.

  • @bwithrow011
    @bwithrow011 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Rhino remasters of Chicago albums are, in my opinion, over compressed perhaps victims of the loudness wars. The versions of Chicago albums on CD to have which replicate the LP's are by Chicago Records. If you can find them, get them.

  • @Ricktpt1
    @Ricktpt1 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    He should've spent as much time on the Horns as he did on the kick drum. Just sayin'.

    • @TJRtheOriginal
      @TJRtheOriginal  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks for sayin' it! :)

    • @jokinboken
      @jokinboken 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Agreed - they sound like they're off in the corner of the studio, especially compared to the original stereo mix. Still , tons of previously obscured details in this mix - glad to have both!

  • @bumpdunlop
    @bumpdunlop 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    You should have compared it to the original vinyl also. I think you would be very surprised.

  • @VOLKOV9
    @VOLKOV9 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Helpful; thanks

  • @haskellbob
    @haskellbob 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    The recording that has been out there forever has been terrible - all mushy and imprecise... Really bad. I just ordered this remix. It can't be worse (or can it?) I'll know soon. This is one of THE MAJOR RECORDS of my life and to hear it really cleaned up and clear would be a delight!

    • @Roostermania2010
      @Roostermania2010 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hey Robert... It's been a couple of years since your post... So, what did you think of the Steven Wilson Remix??

  • @JB19504
    @JB19504 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    To bad Giles Martin couldn't try his hand on this one.

  • @Malandirix
    @Malandirix 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very cool. I definitely agree that neither is better from listening to 25 or 6 to 4. I still much prefer the Nashville Sessions version of 25 or 6 to 4. I'll definitely give this a full listen at some point though.

    • @TJRtheOriginal
      @TJRtheOriginal  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Cool!

    • @Roostermania2010
      @Roostermania2010 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The entire Nashville Sessions IS TRASH in that the iteration of Chicago at the time of it's recording includes Jason Scheff (bass & vocals), Tris Imboden (drums), Keith Howland (guitar), and also either Bill Champlin or Lou Pardini (keyboard & vocals), as well as Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, yada yada yada... The "trash" that I'm referring to on the Nashville cd is simply that Chicago re-recorded a dozen (or so) of their hits for whatever reason, be it a particular purpose (as some fans have noted online) for future marketing and licensing, or simply to make some kind of musical statement "validating" the band line-up at that time as if to say, "See? This line up is as good, if not better, as the Original members", which is laughable since Tris Imploding... I mean, Imboden, is NO WHERE NEAR the same class of a jazz/rock drummer as Danny Seraphine ~ In fact, I KNOW that Tris (himself) would agree that he's not a jazz/rock drummer AT ALL... He's a fine, and very good pop/rock time keeper, and yet on this Nashville Sessions album he's doing all he can to re-create what Seraphine originally recorded and, to be honest, he's laboring quite a bit... Is it his fault? No, not at all, but no one can expect Hank Aaron to "swing the bat" exactly like Babe Ruth => they both have their own unique style, they're two completely different athletes... Paul isn't George, EVH isn't SRV, Imboden isn't Seraphine... and so the glaring question stands = WHAT was the point of attempting to ask/require Jason Scheff & Tris Imboden to re-create every note, nuance, drum fill, cymbal crash, etc. that Peter Cetera & Danny Seraphine tracked on the original records?? WHO KNOWS?? ...and THAT magnifies the pointlessness of the Nashville Sessions album... It's simply absurd that Chicago took their time and fans' money on such a venture... Malandirix, you honestly prefer the Nashville version of "25 Or 6 To 4" over the classic original??? Heh, okay... To each their own... Knock yourself out... I don't, and I'm confident that a few million others won't either... It's like preferring plastic imitation grapes (used for decorative purposes only and not to be eaten) over actual fruit. :P

  • @FVD
    @FVD 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As an added bonus, Hi-Res audio tracks of Wilson's remix are available on HDTracks and other Hi-Res audio sites, and that's my go to for this remix. Sounds incredible in 24/96.
    And I look forward to your thoughts on Wilson's remixes of XTC's Skylarking and Yes's Fragile (Relayer is the remix you must check out) as both of them sound amazing, especially Skylarking. It sounds better than ever. And Wilson's remix of Jethro Tull's Songs from the Wood is coming out next month too - a week before the Sgt. Pepper 50th set. :)
    Also, the reason why you found the remix quieter is that Wilson never masters his work. He likes to keep his final mixes in a flatter transfer therefore no compression etc. And I do think it's a good thing as the music will be crankable as a result where most remasters fail in that regard.

    • @63supercobrajet
      @63supercobrajet 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Steve Wilson and/or Rhino are only offering his Chicago II Remix in Audio CD (Stereo-16/44), or Vinyl.
      I would NOT trust half of what HDTracks sells for download. Most of the stuff they sell for download, is just phoney "upsampling" from existing Audio-CD's.
      buyer beware.

  • @badger1492
    @badger1492 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    You never looked anybody up on the Internet before? Really?