SACD-Heathen David Bowie


At last I can report a disc that shows a noticeable difference on SACD over normal CD replay in my system.
This shows the kind of difference on SACD I was hoping for,more organic and more "real" sounding instruments than the CD version.
To be fair my previous analysis has only been on older source material and the Stones hybrids which I think sound great but arguably better on the CD layer(?!)in my system.
Biggest bonus for me is that this was my favourite record this year (I know some have been disappointed by it.)
The one thing they have messed up is that they've taken the track listing on the slip case direct from the CD version-there are 16 tracks on this as opposed to 12 on the original CD.
Only Converstion Piece has been previously availble (on the original ltd edition double cd which I have)
I would guess the other three tracks are from the Heathen sessions.
The disc is a single layer multichannel-I am refering only to the stereo playback.
ben_campbell

Showing 2 responses by ben_campbell

Sean-mmm-I think perhaps this is where I and audiophiles start to diverge.
I can find nothing "lo-fi" about this records production whereas you may not like the actual production by Tony Visconti-I tend to think it's been put together with a whole lot of thought-it doesn't sound much like any of Bowie's early work to my ears-I take it you mean pre-'72?-"hurting"-well I'm sure it is to your ears.
You are right of course the SACD offers about a 10/15% improvement to my ears but it doesn't change the overall sound of the record.
I think it's a rather good production but I do listen to the music first and I am no purist when it comes to record production-I think we'll agree to disagree on this one.
My main point was actually outwith the merits of this record in itself I was merely pointing out it's probably the first current SACD release I've heard and it is unusual in that to to me that it shows an improvement I consider noticeable over redbook,in my system.
Sean,
I was reasonably aware of Bowie at the time,my older brother was a big fan in the 70's so I heard classic era Bowie growing up,on vinyl,on a record player that probably cost £5-:-)
I haven't heard anything on vinyl for a long time I admit and the only "high" end stuff I've ever heard is on digital-I don't doubt the quality of vinyl but I don't really have access to it.
I have listened to a lot of Bowie over the years so I very familar at least with the classic 70's albums.
Again I think we disagree on the music,as I said on my records of the year list,the idea of Bowie going back to record with Visconti filled me with fear because this type of move usually doesn't work.
Whilst it's impossible totally for Bowie to escape his past-I don't think this record actually recalls one specific era of Bowie-it has rockier moments,poppier moments,some atmospheric moments.
It works for me because I think the record simply stands on it's own as a collection of good/great songs.
I think the production is contemporary,you can hear that from the layers,the sampling,the keyboards,to my ears it enhances the songs without being overdone.
It might not be an "audiophile" production but then I'm not sure what that is or whether it exists in rock/popular music.
Yes,maybe because the songs are more straight forward it evokes 70's Bowie (which intself is a very very wide range of music)but imho the actual music is very good.
Sure others will disagree,it just works for me,as a new stand alone Bowie album.
Would it be fair to say give it 6 or so listens and then get back on it?