I corresponded with Holger Czukay for a while, years ago. I was so disappointed in the original CDs. He said something close to "The CDs sound exactly like we always wanted our music to sound. You always fall in love with what you first experience.".
He meant I was in love with the LP sound for that reason. I suggested releasing the catalog in SACD. He said "That is something to consider for the future, not now." I was excited when the SACDs came out. Then I listened and found them worse than the CDs. I didn't understand mastering back then.
He and I didn't specify. The unremastered US Spoon/Mute editions are what I had with the exception of 'Soon Over Babaluma' which was made in Canada on Mute/Spoon/Restless. I am pretty sure that the original CDs all had the same masterings.
At the time, I wished I could have him over to my house and play any of my Can LPs and CDs and see if he still felt the same. That was basically impossible, but I wished...
@Merrick - I didn't take his "The CDs sound exactly like we always wanted our music to sound." with any weight. It seems to me that great musicians are not necessarily audiophiles. Who knows what kind of system(s) he heard the LPs and CDs on, or how his hearing was after playing with the band for years.
Well I assume most musicians who have an opinion on how their music should sound hear it on studio monitors with pro gear. Maybe a few hear it on home systems of varying quality. Regardless, I think it's fair to say you prefer a presentation that may not be the artist's preferred presentation. Some people prefer the theatrical cut of Blade Runner over the director's cut or final cut, as an example.
I understand what you mean, @Merrick. But the difference between the original LPs (I have a mix of UK/German/US) vs CD are night and day. The LPs are vivid, beautiful, detailed, soundstage is incredible. The CDs are just kind of blah all around. I can't imagine...
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