Rocking All Over the World - the remix

[I Ain't Complaining]

Again, probably in the wrong section, but I thought I'd start a thread to bulk this section up a bit since @bam had an early spring clean!  (I'm sure we didn't lose anything important)!!

A year on from it's release, what are your thoughts on the remixed RAOTW? 

Personally, I love it and still listen to it fairly regularly in the car.  I love the fuller sound and I love the extended endings.  To me it has moved the sound closer to Blue for You than what came afterwards.  I think if it had been released like this is the first place it could possibly have been classed as part of the 'classic albums' (PD - BFY) rather than being blamed as the beginning of the end. 

I was discussing it with my friend when we were in Paris for the postponed gig; although he bought it, he thinks they shouldn't have done it, and what was done at the time (for anything, not just a Quo album), was done for a reason and should be left as it was (although he said remastering is ok because it isn't changing the fundamentals).  I disagree.  I think the original album is there and will always be there to buy and to listen to, so I don't have a problem with changing it or trying to improve on it; enough people like the new version to justify it and make it worthwhile doing.

I think part of the reason it sounded as it did at the time is because of the number of tracks and the time restraints of vinyl.  So if it had been released today, the endings could have been left in, and the sound could have been fuller.  I think what was recorded in the studio was closer to the remix than what was released at the time, i.e. rawer guitars, more bass, longer endings; and what was released was due to certain factors that aren't there anymore (time restraints, American market etc). 

So in general I love the remix, and haven't listened to any of the original versions of the album in the last 12 months.  My only gripes are; I hate Baby Boy being 2nd in the running order so I skip it and come back to it after Let's Ride (where it was on the original), and I think this version of Can't Give You more sounds weak.  I think the bass on CGYM is heavier but this seems to overshadow the guitars, and I prefer it with louder guitars.  I actually prefer the sound of CGYM from the Rock til you Drop album, but I'm not keen on the repeated oh oh oh's. 

So all in all I'd give it 9 out of 10, I'd put it in with the classic album period, and I prefer it to BFY which was my least favourite of the classic albums.

      00008984 wos_musik4

  :cool: 00008989 guitarist

[I Ain't Complaining]

Dec 15, 2016 16:43:10 GMT ive said:

I prefer the remix to the original version, which sounded diabolical imvho,, and like you, BFY is my least fav album from what many regard as the classic era, only 3 decent songs on it

To be honest, there aren't any songs on BFY that I dislike or skip, and I love Rain and Mystery Song as standout tracks.  It's just that as a whole album I think it's a bit watered down, a bit less inspired as a whole than what came before it.  It doesn't inspire me as much as previous offerings did.  I can happily listen to it and enjoy it, I just don't pick it off the shelf all that often. 

What do you prefer about the remixed RAOTW?  Does anything stand out to you that didn't before or is it just the overall sound?

I think Hold You Back, Rockers Rollin, Who Am I, Let's Ride and Hard Time are so much better.

[Deleted]

After wanting a remix for years, we finally get one....and I'm not that impressed. There are improvements - like beefier bass throughout, more oomph on other songs (notably Let's Ride), but throughout there are a few choices that kinda irk me.

The sound of the album is a little off to me - I'm not sure I've figured out why, but it sounds very dry. Maybe lacking a bit of reverb. And then there are things like the little guitar riff in the second verse of You Don't Own Me that's barely audible. Why? The lack of percussion on Rockers Rollin' makes it sound really empty. Dirty Water is too fast. Who Am I sounds really flat and lifeless too - I was really surprised by that one.

All in all, it doesn't sound like a finished album, the mixes don't sound complete. Not sure if that's just cos I'm used to the final mixes, but it sounds more like a bunch of demos. At the end of the day, the band's song-writing had shifted slightly to poppier music, and no remix will fix that. So I'll just stick with the original mix as it sounds more cohesive.

[Rick Roper]

The remixed album is far, far superior to the original, as far as I am concerned. The original was almost unlistenable in terms of sound loss in the bass and midrange. The mix was as muddy as Hell.

Even on the remix, I skip You Don't Own Me, but even Who Am I sounds better than it did - And I've always liked Baby Boy, which I know many will deride me for! But songs like Rockers Rollin', Dirty Water and even the album's title song all sound immeasurably better.

And like Ive, I never really "got" Blue For You - It was always a bit too polished for me, it didn't sit happily after the previous 5 albums of rough-edged boogie - Although even On The Level shows a slightly more polished edge.
On Blue For You, I can't listen to the title song, it's just a boring monotone. I like the rest of the album apart from Ease Your Mind, the stand-outs for me being Rain, Rolling Home and That's A Fact. I don't even like the album version of Mystery song, the outro just sounds completely bizarre, like it was recorded for Maverick or Smokey and the Bandit or something. The single version is great though!

Rick Roper!

[smokie]

Haven't got around to buying this yet and if I don't get this for Christmas, then I'll buy it in the New Year.

Thought the album was alright at the time, nothing more than that but I seldom go near it now.

I did buy the re-master of Whatever You Want and I really liked that but so did someone else at work. Left it lying out on a desk at work and when I came back in the next day, it was gone. 

Still a bit peeved at that to be honest.

[I Ain't Complaining]

Dec 16, 2016 14:36:57 GMT smokie said:

Haven't got around to buying this yet and if I don't get this for Christmas, then I'll buy it in the New Year.

Thought the album was alright at the time, nothing more than that but I seldom go near it now.

I did buy the re-master of Whatever You Want and I really liked that but so did someone else at work. Left it lying out on a desk at work and when I came back in the next day, it was gone. 

Still a bit peeved at that to be honest.

 

Understandably so! 107

[I Ain't Complaining]

Dec 16, 2016 10:01:45 GMT @koeeoaddi said:

After wanting a remix for years, we finally get one....and I'm not that impressed. There are improvements - like beefier bass throughout, more oomph on other songs (notably Let's Ride), but throughout there are a few choices that kinda irk me.

The sound of the album is a little off to me - I'm not sure I've figured out why, but it sounds very dry. Maybe lacking a bit of reverb. And then there are things like the little guitar riff in the second verse of You Don't Own Me that's barely audible. Why? The lack of percussion on Rockers Rollin' makes it sound really empty. Dirty Water is too fast. Who Am I sounds really flat and lifeless too - I was really surprised by that one.

All in all, it doesn't sound like a finished album, the mixes don't sound complete. Not sure if that's just cos I'm used to the final mixes, but it sounds more like a bunch of demos. At the end of the day, the band's song-writing had shifted slightly to poppier music, and no remix will fix that. So I'll just stick with the original mix as it sounds more cohesive.

From my point of view, the 'demo' feeling comes from the talking bits which were left in, and the rough endings that aren't faded out or finish properly.  I think if the endings had been extended as long as possible but then still faded out it would've sounded much more professional.

Or are you two (ive) thinking it sounds like a demo for a different reason?

[Deleted]

Have there been a remix of raotw??

Is it the same songs?

If yes, NOOOO..... I wont listen to it and definately not buying it.

[Deleted]

Dec 16, 2016 15:06:52 GMT I Ain't Complaining said:

Dec 16, 2016 10:01:45 GMT @koeeoaddi said:

After wanting a remix for years, we finally get one....and I'm not that impressed. There are improvements - like beefier bass throughout, more oomph on other songs (notably Let's Ride), but throughout there are a few choices that kinda irk me.

The sound of the album is a little off to me - I'm not sure I've figured out why, but it sounds very dry. Maybe lacking a bit of reverb. And then there are things like the little guitar riff in the second verse of You Don't Own Me that's barely audible. Why? The lack of percussion on Rockers Rollin' makes it sound really empty. Dirty Water is too fast. Who Am I sounds really flat and lifeless too - I was really surprised by that one.

All in all, it doesn't sound like a finished album, the mixes don't sound complete. Not sure if that's just cos I'm used to the final mixes, but it sounds more like a bunch of demos. At the end of the day, the band's song-writing had shifted slightly to poppier music, and no remix will fix that. So I'll just stick with the original mix as it sounds more cohesive.

From my point of view, the 'demo' feeling comes from the talking bits which were left in, and the rough endings that aren't faded out or finish properly.  I think if the endings had been extended as long as possible but then still faded out it would've sounded much more professional.

Or are you two (ive ) thinking it sounds like a demo for a different reason?

For me I can't quite explain it - but no I'm not talking about the original endings being left in, rather the mix just sounds slightly unbalanced. I know that's a subjective thing, but it sounds too rough and unfinished. It sounds like a first 'rough' mix that would later be worked on to perfect it, like this was just a guide mix. It doesn't sound like the Quo to me - neither did the original, but this doesn't fix the faults of that mix. Still, just my personal opinion of course.

[Deleted]

Dec 16, 2016 12:16:22 GMT Rick Roper said:

And like Ive, I never really "got" Blue For You - It was always a bit too polished for me, it didn't sit happily after the previous 5 albums of rough-edged boogie - Although even On The Level shows a slightly more polished edge.
On Blue For You, I can't listen to the title song, it's just a boring monotone. I like the rest of the album apart from Ease Your Mind, the stand-outs for me being Rain, Rolling Home and That's A Fact. I don't even like the album version of Mystery song, the outro just sounds completely bizarre, like it was recorded for Maverick or Smokey and the Bandit or something. The single version is great though!

Rick Roper!

I'd agree if BFY had the same sound as RAOTW, but with Spud still thrashing away, the guitars loud, and Big Al being loose and playing at his most fluid, it perfectly fits in with the previous bunch of albums.

[deliveryofoblivion]

Must actually go and buy this....Personally i have been listening o some of my Vinyl Albums of late...Back o Back being one i have not played since i go it on release....Really enjoyed i.There are so many versions of everything out now,that i have gotten a bit lost with it all..Still not even seen the Film Bula Quo !! But back to original question..Not heard the New version of RAOTW.....Will make a point of getting it.

[The Lord Flasheart]

For those who have not heard it this is the remix version of Rockers Rollin.







For me the remix is an improvement though I get how the sound is still a bit poor. I know that Pip Williams said that the album was recorded in (I think) Holland and the studio was not the best one to get a good sound out of. 

[The Lord Flasheart]

And this is Hold You Back.

[smokie]

Dec 16, 2016 19:14:55 GMT deliveryofoblivion said:

Still not even seen the Film Bula Quo !!

I wouldn't bother if I were you, think it's very, very poor.

You'd have as much fun cutting your toe nails than watching this.

It's a waste of a couple of hours out of your life

[smokie]

Dec 21, 2016 8:45:44 GMT ive said:

Dec 21, 2016 8:32:03 GMT smokie said:

I wouldn't bother if I were you, think it's very, very poor.

You'd have as much fun cutting your toe nails than watching this.

It's a waste of a couple of hours out of your life

Well I liked it  ,,, but what you describe above fits perfectly with my thoughts of Aquostic and everything associated with it,,  :lolflg:

There you go Ive.

Proof that one man's meat is another man's poison

[frozenhero]

Dec 16, 2016 18:17:21 GMT @koeeoaddi said:

Dec 16, 2016 15:06:52 GMT I Ain't Complaining said:

From my point of view, the 'demo' feeling comes from the talking bits which were left in, and the rough endings that aren't faded out or finish properly.  I think if the endings had been extended as long as possible but then still faded out it would've sounded much more professional.

Or are you two (ive ) thinking it sounds like a demo for a different reason?

For me I can't quite explain it - but no I'm not talking about the original endings being left in, rather the mix just sounds slightly unbalanced. I know that's a subjective thing, but it sounds too rough and unfinished. It sounds like a first 'rough' mix that would later be worked on to perfect it, like this was just a guide mix. It doesn't sound like the Quo to me - neither did the original, but this doesn't fix the faults of that mix. Still, just my personal opinion of course.

My feeling is that the sound is closer to Just Supposin' than to BFY, but I still prefer most of the songs on the remixed version. The one I really don't think was improved is "Who am I" (didn't we go through this on the Steve Hoffman forum already? ). The tempo changes were also rather unnecessary. Other than that, I prefer it as a listening experience to the original album (even though I like Andy Pearce's remastering).

[Deleted]

Dec 25, 2016 20:28:06 GMT frozenhero said:

Dec 16, 2016 18:17:21 GMT @koeeoaddi said:

For me I can't quite explain it - but no I'm not talking about the original endings being left in, rather the mix just sounds slightly unbalanced. I know that's a subjective thing, but it sounds too rough and unfinished. It sounds like a first 'rough' mix that would later be worked on to perfect it, like this was just a guide mix. It doesn't sound like the Quo to me - neither did the original, but this doesn't fix the faults of that mix. Still, just my personal opinion of course.

My feeling is that the sound is closer to Just Supposin' than to BFY, but I still prefer most of the songs on the remixed version. The one I really don't think was improved is "Who am I" (didn't we go through this on the Steve Hoffman forum already? ). The tempo changes were also rather unnecessary. Other than that, I prefer it as a listening experience to the original album (even though I like Andy Pearce's remastering).

Never thought about it like that - I suppose with John Eden's involvement it will naturally sound more like JS than BFY. Might give it another listen with that in mind. Ha, yes we did mention that over at Hoffman's forum! Who Am I really sounds like a demo in this presentation.

[robaneurysm]

I do like the heavier sound on it but I grew up listening to the original mix for 39 years so that's what's in my head, it's not an album that I play very often but when I do I actually listen to both versions, I never listen to the bonus tracks cos they are terrible.

[Deleted]

I don't like Rockers Rollin on the remix, what has he done to the guitars!

Also, the volume is lower, I have loaded both albums to Sonos, when I play one song from the original and then one song from the remix, the remix is quieter. So, for me, it has not wowed me at all!!

I do like the extended plays though

[frozenhero]

Dec 28, 2016 22:33:57 GMT @jollyrocker said:

I don't like Rockers Rollin on the remix, what has he done to the guitars!

Also, the volume is lower, I have loaded both albums to Sonos, when I play one song from the original and then one song from the remix, the remix is quieter. So, for me, it has not wowed me at all!!

I do like the extended plays though

A quiet CD isn't a bad thing, they tend to be more dynamic. It's a slight bit quieter than the remaster on Disc 1. The 2005 remasters were too loud, losing dynamic information in the process while everything gets crammed into the loudest couple of dBs.

Personally, I breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the DR values because that meant they hadn't squashed it. If you think it's too quiet you can compress it yourself, the other way round doesn't work...

[mortified]

As someone who actually liked the original album - despite being aware of the sound limitations - the remix is still a great improvement. Almost all tracks benefit. Only really Can't Give You More sounds, to me, like it's not that different.

What John Eden has done is not only remix the album but altered individual arrangements and even extended of some of the songs.

I appreciate some of the band's view that an album is of its time and shouldn't really be tinkered with but this is an album that didn't turn out as expected; not even by the producer. There was work still to be done on it when the record company released it. So it was right and proper that it got the modern day treatment.

Like I say, I always liked the album anyway. It was only in retrospect (thank you, internet!) that I came to learn why it sounded the way it did.

Who Am I and Rockers' Rollin' remain classics for me. They're now even better classics. But there's not a bad track on it.

And what's all this about Blue for You? Wash your mouths out!!

[frozenhero]

Just listened to both versions again. As always, my opinion is more balanced and I see the faults of the remix (unnecessary tempo changes, missing instruments here and there, lack of ambience in some cases), but as a whole I still prefer it to the original mix, despite Andy Pearce doing a great job on the remastering as usual. Maybe the running order (which seems to flow better to my ears) plays into this but I certainly enjoy hearing the songs with more clarity and the drums in particular cut through the mix in a way they never really do on the original.

The one song I think sounds worse in remixed form is Who Am I?, it's supposed to be slow and hypnotic and the tempo change kinda ruins that idea, plus taking out some great guitar parts and adding a rather gimmicky delay effect did nothing positive for the song, though I do like the extended playout. I'm also not sure about Dirty Water, the new tempo sounds too breathless (though they played it even faster with Jeff Rich in the band!) but the more down-to-earth country flavour works well.

I think all of Alan's songs have been improved quite a bit. You Don't Own Me sounds a lot more aggressive, as of course it should. Let's Ride also sounds more exciting. And then of course there's the amazing Rockers Rollin' (having said that, I wouldn't have minded if John Eden had left the piano in), Hold You Back, Can't Give You More (with the great frantic groove at the end) and Hard Time, all of which also are quite a bit more fun than the original mixes, IMO.

It would be interesting to know what Pip thinks of the remix. I assume pupcious has sent him the new versions? One thing we shouldn't forget is that we're still listening to Pip's work (in terms of song selection, arrangements, solos, performances etc.), and in some ways we can now appreciate his production qualities more than on the original LP. Sure, it's no vintage mix, but aside from the delay in Who Am I? there is nothing that screams 2010's about it either and it could have been released like this in the late 70s or early 80s.

Still wish that we got a "Classic Albums" type documentary containing all the footage of John restoring & baking the tapes etc....