CAPITOL RECORDS CONCEPT ALBUMS 2004

Markus · #**121** 11-10-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryjg

My question is this. Is the same mastering on the 2000 box used on the 2004 Capital Records Concept box? I know it doesn't include everything on the 2000 box, but it's selling on Amazon for $30 so it would be a cheap way to sample the different mastering.

These are the identical remasters by Bob Norberg. I have the box and I think you can't go wrong with it. You'll get 14 CDs along with the original cover artwork. I also like the sound very much (but that's a different topic)

Bob in Boston · #**122** 11-10-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryjg

Hi, I'm new here so apologies for not knowing a lot about how to use all the features on the forum.

I read this post: http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/sh...23&postcount=2 regarding the mastering on the 2000 Concepts box. I have the UK box (1999?) but am intrigued enough about the reverb v. no reverb to want to hear the versions mentioned.

My question is this. Is the same mastering on the 2000 box used on the 2004 Capital Records Concept box? I know it doesn't include everything on the 2000 box, but it's selling on Amazon for $30 so it would be a cheap way to sample the different mastering.

Welcome, Henry.

First of all, that very old post you linked at the Hoffman forums is absolutely INCORRECT about the 2000 Norberg-mastered Concepts box set. For the real scoop, see my post here:

Concepts: 16 CD Box Set (Capitol) 1992 & 2000 (post #17)

To answer your question: This mini box set from 2004 uses the same (Norberg) mastering as the larger 2000 box (and the individual "Entertainer of the Century" CDs from 1998-2002). The discs are not identical, as bonus tracks have been eliminated, but they stem from the same digital masters. The sound is the LEAST true to the original LPs of any Capitol/EMI digital remasters (and almost universally reviled by audiophiles), but this set can't be beat for bargain pricing. It's a tradeoff.

Bob in Boston

Tim · #**123** 12-17-2011, 05:58 AM

A co-worker of mine is just starting to get in to Sinatra, so I have been letting him borrow a few of my discs to enjoy. He really liked Wee Small Hours, but did not like Cycles (even though he has a massive Beetles collection, and Cycles has a picture of George Harrison and his wife in the liner notes...). Since this package is for sale at such a low price, I ordered it for him, and am going to give it to him as a Christmas gift.

For $25, you are giving someone an outstanding package of music. That's cheaper than what The Captiol Years 3-disc set goes for! I'm wondering if this is one of those sets that you buy a bunch of, just to give to friends who haven't had much exposure to FAS.

I'm not a big fan of the Norberg remasters, but only when comparing them against the earlier digital versions. If you don't compare the two, I don't think you'd have much of a problem with this remastering.

***Nancy*** · #**124** 12-17-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

For $25, you are giving someone an outstanding package of music. That's cheaper than what The Captiol Years 3-disc set goes for! I'm wondering if this is one of those sets that you buy a bunch of, just to give to friends who haven't had much exposure to FAS.

Wonderful idea, Tim.

Tim · #**125** 12-23-2011, 05:25 PM

Boy, the folks at Amazon must love me...

I told another colleague of mine about this, and since he is also starting to get in to Sinatra, I got a copy for him. I also decided to order an extra copy of this, and am going to give it to my father-in-law on Christmas Eve.

My two friends at work were really happy to get this, and I think the father-in-law will be, too. Honestly, at this price, you can't go wrong.

Chris92 · #**126** 12-23-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim

Boy, the folks at Amazon must love me...

I told another colleague of mine about this, and since he is also starting to get in to Sinatra, I got a copy for him. I also decided to order an extra copy of this, and am going to give it to my father-in-law on Christmas Eve.

My two friends at work were really happy to get this, and I think the father-in-law will be, too. Honestly, at this price, you can't go wrong.

Best bargain that I've ever received!

I'd love to see a full release of all the Capitol albums once again, mastered in a way that meets the current Concord standards.

bferr1 · #**127** 12-29-2011, 08:56 AM

I just nabbed a minty fresh copy from Newbury Comics yesterday. Their price was 29.99+tax. I had a $16 store credit, so my out-of-pocket was under 16 bucks! Biggest no-brainer in the history of no-brainers!

I've only listened to Swing Easy/Young Lovers and Swingin' Lovers so far. Call me crazy, but I don't find the sound quality objectionable. In fact, it sounds kind of pleasant on my home system, not bright and a seemingly warm sound. I'm sure these wouldn't compare favorably to the British CDs from 1998, but then again this set cost me only 16 bucks, whereas I could get the British box on ebay for $500.

By the way, I love the mini-LP packaging! I think they look great. The only problem is that this box does not contain every Capitol-era album, and the missing albums sold separately are not available in mini-LP sleeves. I'd love to have a truly complete Capitol albums collection in mini-LP format!

Chris92 · #**128** 12-29-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bferr1

I just nabbed a minty fresh copy from Newbury Comics yesterday. Their price was 29.99+tax. I had a $16 store credit, so my out-of-pocket was under 16 bucks! Biggest no-brainer in the history of no-brainers!

I've only listened to Swing Easy/Young Lovers and Swingin' Lovers so far. Call me crazy, but I don't find the sound quality objectionable. In fact, it sounds kind of pleasant on my home system, not bright and a seemingly warm sound. I'm sure these wouldn't compare favorably to the British CDs from 1998, but then again this set cost me only 16 bucks, whereas I could get the British box on ebay for $500.

By the way, I love the mini-LP packaging! I think they look great. The only problem is that this box does not contain every Capitol-era album, and the missing albums sold separately are not available in mini-LP sleeves. I'd love to have a truly complete Capitol albums collection in mini-LP format!

Maybe one day, we'll get an entire set of each studio album Sinatra ever had released under all of the labels he was on.

bferr1 · #**129** 12-29-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris92

Maybe one day, we'll get an entire set of each studio album Sinatra ever had released under all of the labels he was on.

Ooh, like the one Tony Bennett just came out with? That would be AMAZING!

bferr1 · #**130** 01-22-2012, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bferr1

Call me crazy, but I don't find the sound quality objectionable. In fact, it sounds kind of pleasant on my home system, not bright and a seemingly warm sound.

Well, listening to these on headphones is kind of a different story. Using the track "Nice and Easy," I did a quick comparison with the original Walsh CD version and felt that I preferred the Walsh mastering. The highs don't sound muffled like they do on this Concepts box edition. The Norberg version also sounds like the air has been sucked out of it. I can see now why some people dislike the Norbergs...

Nick_Bradley78 · #**131** 01-22-2012, 10:10 AM

Fully agree, I always play my Capitol from the UK box or the individual Walsh ones but, and its a big but, as a very cheap way of getting the pinnacle of Franks album career in one hit, this makes a good gift. It definitely isn't for the audiophile but at between $30 or $50 a pop, its a great introduction piece to those unfamiliar. I've done it and whenever Im round that persons house one of these albums is always on now (the next task is to steer them onto the great sounding stuff) but this is a start.

Dave K · #**132** 01-22-2012, 01:59 PM

I agree 100%, Nick.

bferr1 · #**133** 01-22-2012, 07:52 PM

My next mission is either a Walsh Concepts "bread box" or that UK set...

edgarryan · #**134** 03-02-2012, 10:28 PM

This is a bargain purchase. If you want the albums in CD the way they were programmed on vinyl (except for Sinatra's Swinging Session!!! which has bonus tracks) then this is for you. I was, however, listening to Come Swing With Me, and I was quite disappointed, since the ping-pong action between the two channels was more pronounced on the vinyl version. Maybe they used the mono. But at the price I purchased it, I cannot complain. I still haven't listened to the earlier Concepts box.

Markus · #**135** 04-09-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick_Bradley78

To be honest the mastering differences are only noticeable between CD versions if you have good equipment and even better hearing.

Right. IMO the albums from the Mini Box sound louder than the EOTC versions, but they are mastered from the same Norberg Masters.

Ron37 · #**136** 04-19-2012, 04:03 PM

I just got this in the mail yesterday. It boggles my mind that I was able to buy a SEALED copy for $30! I like the fact that almost all the discs do not contain the bonus tracks. I prefer to listen to the album the way it was originally conceived. For a budget box, i think they did a fine job. Yes, the cardboard sleeves don't quite match up with, say, the beatles mono box, but they are still really cool. And the black box is great, i love the artwork...

Ron