A classic case of Live and Learn
Our shootout quite a while ago for Cream’s classic second album provided proof positive that We Was Wrong when we said:
“No reissue we’ve ever played sounded especially good and none likely ever will.”
Ah, but some do! We would love to tell you exactly what to look for so that you can go find one for yourself, but that’s bad for business as I’m sure you can see. Let’s just say there will be at least one later reissue of the album with very good grades coming soon to a site near you.
We also have to admit to being wrong about this:
If you’re expecting Sunshine of Your Love to rock on record like you remember it rockin’ on the radio back in the day, forget it. When you heard that song your brain added the bass and dynamics that are missing from the record. Either that or you did it through the loudness control on your old receiver. There’s maybe five db of dynamic range on that song and there can never be more than that.
There are copies with dynamic vocals on that track. The vocals are practically the only thing that do get loud, but on some copies they do; we heard it. Likewise, on some copies the drums have much more body and punch than than they do on most.
So, when it comes to bass and dynamics, yes, some copies have some, maybe even more than you remember. (more…)