Review by Audioflea February 28, 2013 (8 of 8 found this review helpful)
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Sonics: |
First-time release of The Doors 6-album catalog on SACD from Analog Productions. Each disc contains both multi-channel and stereo. The surround sound layer comes from the original 96K, 24-bit files that were originally mixed and mastered for the 2006 DVD Audio Doors/Perception release. For stereo purists, the re-mastered, hi-rez stereo layers on all of the discs are fantastic and have never sounded better. However, in my opinion, it’s the multi-channel presentation that, when done right, takes this music to a whole different level. My reviews are based solely on the quality and fullness of the stage presence of the multi-channel layer of each respective disc in the set.
On the classic 1-10 scale, IMHO, here’s how each disc ranks in quality and fullness of the stage presence of the 5.1 layer. Strange Days (9) The Soft Parade (9), LA Woman (8.5), Morrison Hotel (7.5), Waiting for the Sun (7), The Doors (3)
Note that, with few exceptions, the multi-channel layer on all of the Doors discs puts Jim Morrison’s vocal almost exclusively in the center channel, so your enjoyment of the surround-sound experience is going to be directly proportional to the quality of your center speaker. And what better reason to upgrade your CC?
I am truly knocked out by what I am hearing. Nothing too fancy going on here, but what is immediately apparent is just how un-restrained this music is. With the multi-channel spacing, there is just no constriction of the music. Instead of all of the individual parts competing for a meager percentage of representation within the confines of a 2 speaker frame-work, the sound stage is just busted wide open; allowing each band member’s contribution to shine through in glorious detail. Nuances in Morrison’s vocals, prominently displayed through the center channel, have never been clearer; and with crisp cymbals and well-defined snares like I’ve never heard in this music before. Krieger’s guitar & Manzarek’s keyboard alternately share the front & back corners of the room; opening up never-before-heard details in the slide guitar. Omni-present keyboards are proudly displayed in all four corners; always supporting, yet never dominating or drowning out.
Now this is a text-book example of what 5.1 surround can do for classic rock & roll albums!
Highlights include:
Track 5—L.A. Woman; Intro with a crazy Krieger, Guitar ad-libbing at the front, then ramps up to an in-your-face, Morrison, vocal-assault; rounded out by quad-channeling keyboards and setting the stage for a beautiful, vocal-circling, conclusion. Truly a musical masterpiece.
Track 6—L’America. Begins with circling guitars around the sound stage...and a snake. A right corner snare, a shredded center vocal, a crying guitar, pounding keyboards and soul-crushing drums....This is blues on LSD.
Track 10—Rider’s On The Storm; Presented exactly the way you always hoped this track could sound like someday. Immersive rain & thunder effects; steady cybals and Black Velvet vocals pour out of the center.... sinister Krieger-guitar creeping in the background.
“Some may call it heavenly in its brilliance. Others, mean and rueful of the Western dream.”—J.M.
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