[marknoir]

Hi. Does anybody know why this album's cover was reissued with new artwork so soon after original? Could it be that original cover was just too expensive to produce? Gate fold had a 4-page booklet inside, with rice paper on both sides. With multiple illustrations. Or, were the illustrations deemed too "macabre" for general public? Would be nice to know... I have three copies: original US green cover, US new cover with no bar code, and US new cover with bar code. All sound great, with green having just a tiny bit of upper hand, and bar-coded one sounding just a tad warmer.

[Wayner]

I have the MOFI version MFSL 1-204 and the new release from Vinyl Lovers 900280, but can't find my original that I bought back in '76. It was in bad condition so maybe I tossed it,  shame on me.

I remember it to be the gate fold with booklet, but don't remember that it had a bar code, I think  they were not on lots of music at that time.

Wayner 

[marknoir]

Hi Wayner.

Original could not have had a bar code. They only started doing them around 1980. Which cover do your reissues have? How do you like the sound? How is that Vinyl Lovers? Regular pressings sound very good.

I sold 99% of all my MFSL, couldn't stand the sound (too bright for me, sucked-out mids). Getting rid of the last few. Kept "Blondie" Parallel Lines, Alice Cooper "Welcome to my nightmare", Pink Floyd "Dark Side" (only because I don't have a good British or US copy) and Fleetwood Mac (first press with straight lettering and sunset on record label). They all sound not great but at least clean and tonally OK. I can't understand why they bring so much money. I bought Beatles box just to get an idea and tossed it one week later. The worst was "Magical Mystery Tour".

It's not funny, but my first US press Pink Floyd's "Wish You were here" sounds exactly ten times better than that special half-speed master, that I also have. That stupid thing fetches nearly $150 on Ebay!!!!

Go figure...

[Wayner]

The Vinyl Lover's re-release is the origianl artwork, with gate fold cover and booklet. Much like the original, but the cover has a shinny gloss to it that the original didn't. While I agree that your assessment of some MOFIs sound is a bit off, if you will, I think this LP is pretty good. The Vinyl Lover's release is good, but you can tell the difference and in one passage, I hear a bit of over-modulation or something going on.

If you want to hear some bad half speed masters, listen to some Columbia stuff. I always think Columbia recordings (except classical) are very schrilly. Perhaps they had their own RIAA curve? Regardless, some good bands ended up on that label are are very hard for me to listen to.

Wayner 

[marknoir]

That's exactly what that "Wish..." is on - Columbia half-speed! I guess I will dump it as well. So I misunderstood you: does the MFSL have the original green gatefold, or the Vinyl Lovers reissue? Is this reissue the one that was "updated" / altered by Parsons later (I mean musically)? Or is it an exact 1976 version?

[marknoir]

Thanks - never mind - just found it on line. $39.99... I picked mine up for a wallet-breaking $2 US, and the later artwork for even heavier blow - $1. Both are near mint, no overmodulation anywhere... Thank God for Princeton Record Exchange!

[BobM]

Yeah, the original cover was a piece of work, with all the rice paper inserts and pretty graphic pictures. I think they dumbed it down to decrease costs. Haven't listened to this in a while, I'll have to put it on.