Remasters: which are the good ones?


I have had mixed luck with CD remasters; could others post their experiences with various ones? Some are great, some overly compressed, others just terrible.

Opinions appreciated as I consider which albums to repurchase (some for the 3rd time, starting with vinyl...)

PS: I suggest this thread be (roughly) limited to rock/R&B/soul type stuff.

My experiences:

Good / Worth getting the remasters:
- Bob Marley remasters (excellent!)
- Steely Dan (Gaucho, CD layer off hybrid SACD; Aja CD remaster OK)
- Grateful Dead (HDCD, but I refer to the "regular" CD playback of these. All very nice but Terrapin Station, where I don't appreciate some of the mix changes, though sound quality is good)

OK:
- Fleetwood Mac (Fleetwood Mac)

Poor/bad:
- Baron von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun (terrible)
- Jefferson Airplane remasters
nas

Showing 3 responses by ludimagis

I agree with Sugarbrie, but there are many that sound very good. These are some pop & folk rock that I have noticed:

Almost any that are done as HDCD, even on a regular cdp.
The James Gang - the 1st 3
Van Morrison
Bob Dylan - Greatest Vol I II III
Steve Miller Band - Complete Greatest Hits
Moody Blues - OK, but wide soundstage
Spirit - 12 Dreams
Joni Mitchell
Have to 2nd what Wireless 200 said, Zep and Van Halen are for the most part, disappointing. Who's Next is outstanding. Rush and Boston are pretty good.