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Label:
  Universal (Japan) - http://www.universal-music.co.jp/
Serial:
  UIGY-9560
Title:
  Allman Brothers Band: Beginnings
Description:
  The Allman Brothers Band
Track listing:
 
Genre:
  Pop/Rock
Content:
  Stereo
Media:
  Single Layer
Recording type:
 
Recording info:
 

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Related titles: 2


 
Reviews: 2

Review by analogue June 27, 2014 (12 of 12 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I will compare this new sacd release with several other versions in my collection. This release is the bands first two albums compiled together plus two additional bonus cuts. If you are a fan of the band and southern rock.....you cant go wrong in getting this album as there is a lot of bang for your buck.

I own Mofi's sacd release of the first Allman brothers album and I am a fan of Mofi's effort. One does have to take the good with the bad however as the transfer easily highlights the weak recording and the age of the tapes. Allmans voice is pushed back into the mix and I didn't like that one bit. Mofis effort was very good and it has a specificity of sound that comes from the master tape source. The warmth and feel of the sacd is a pleasure to listen to.
I also own Mofi's gold cd of the Allmans 2nd album and as far as cd's go......its pretty awesome and features warm and very detailed sound. Its also very musical and organic.

Now we come to this newly remastered shm sacd. Two things are obvious right off the bat. 1} The tape source was remixed way back in the day and 2} its a secondary copy of the original masters. The latter point should not surprise anyone as that's exactly how compilation albums are created. I believe the tape source was remixed for the vinyl record release.

This new shm sacd is a very good sounding disc. Because of the remixing and the shm treatment the disc features very big, bold and powerful sound. Yes you have to crank the volume and it makes for a great listen. While I cant say that this sacd sounds as authentically analogue as the Mofi efforts...I can state that whatever weaknesses that were heard on Mofis sacd release of the bands first album......well its not present on this new sacd. And to make things more interesting......Allmans voice in now rightly up front and center where vocals should be. The music does not seem to suffer as a result of any of the remixing. This new sacd is a flat transfer of a remixed tape source. In this case I think it works out just fine.

When listening to mofi's sacd it was very obvious that some tracks were muddier than others. Now due to the remixing.....things seem more consistent sounding. Soundstage is very good. While not possessing the warmth of the Mofi sacd the music has more vitality and power. If the Mofi caressed your face...this new sacd slaps you pretty hard.
Thus the listener trades authentic warmth and feel for a more robust and bolder presentation. One need not worry.....its all good. The trade offs are worth it.

There are certain moments where the recorded limitations of the original recording come through.....but its very rare. And the distortion heard on the Mofi sacd is gone now.


The second portion which features Idlwild sounth I will compare to Mofi's gold cd. The cd was very good with terrific detail and clarity. The second album was a better recording and a fresher tape source to be sure. It sounds good on this shm sacd. Tracks like Midnight rider still manage to impress.

Albums that are remixed in this way are sort of a sugar rush. They tend to addict the listener.....at least until the sugar rush give you a headache. You'll forgive my comparison.

I don't want to go on and on. If you're a fan of this album, the band and southern rock...........this is a great listen.

Terrifc remastering and a very good sounding shm sacd.
Highly recommended and must be played loud.

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Review by Marpow October 23, 2014 (0 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
The Allman Brothers Band-Beginnings Japanese Import SHM SA-CD Stereo Only

Well Analogue's reviews are stunning so this is just my little take. My first version that I had was the original cassette in 1973. I knew of the two albums but as my budget then and now, a two for one is always hard to beat.

This 2014 Japanese reissue is good but not fantastic. I will say honestly because of the older recordings the first in 69 and the second in 70 and this reissue double disc 1973 it could be by the time it gets to 2014 that it is not as sonically brilliant as I wanted it to be.

I have been listening to this my whole life and as great as this single disc is, fantastic stereo balance, vocals are front center including Gregg's organ comes center when he sings which is quite nice, you know Duane is on the left and Dickey is on the right. Great kick drum presence throughout. I am not dissapointed, just that it is not what I would expect from an SHM SACD.

Packaging: I can never say how much I love these little Japanese boxes with mini versions of actual original LP's. The original liner notes by Jean-Charles Costa are actually brilliant, written in a way that would seem to be as if it was written today from a historical point of you, and I guess so as Duane and Berry where dead by this 1973 reissue.

Glad I have added this to my library.

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