Not the hits - Nowhere in the description did I see the fact that this is all newly recorded digital versions of Bob s best songs.If,like me,you prefer the original versions in all cases,this is not the CD for you.If all you want is good sounding versions of Bob s best,go ahead and give it a try,but,beware.These are NOT the hit versions.
Excellent New Recordings - Normally, I don t care for re-recordings, but I have to agree with Bob on this one (see his comments of April 17, 2008). I understand that the reviewer who called the new recordings inferior is probably used to the originals, and we all have a tendency to expect songs to sound exactly the way we first heard them, especially after they ve been burned into our memories for years, or even decades. In this case, the new album sounds much better than the originals, and listening to both versions (on CD) of each song on a good sound system, there s no comparison. Obviously, the production is better, considering it was done thirty years later and Bob had total artistic and technical control, but what struck me the most is how clean the vocals sound. Not that his voice was bad in the 1970s, but now it sounds smoother and more consistent throughout the songs. There are a couple of exceptions, though. I do prefer the crisp, lively, slightly edgy guitar in the original recording of Precious Love (it sounds a bit muffled and subdued on the new recording), but the rest of instruments sound better in the new recording of the song. Also, I prefer the high-pitched vocals singing ahhh-ahhh ebony eyes (twice) toward the end of the original recording of Ebony Eyes, but on the new recording, both the lead guitar and bass are tighter. I never disliked the originals, but right now, I m really enjoying this new album. If you re a fan, you should check out the new recordings.
Re-produced classics by the classic Bob Welch - This disk could be rated good or bad. Bob Welch himself over saw and produced this compilation and isa note by note recreation (his words). These songs are not exactly the same as the ones released back in the 70 s so the buyer should know that ahead of time. If you are looking for the same cuts from yearsago, the original French Kiss or Three Hearts albums are what you need to search out. With that said, thenew recordings sound crisp and will add another dimension to Bob Welch collections.
BETTER than the originals says Bob Welch - Inferior ? The reason I did these re-records is because the ORIGINAL versionsare inferior...the re-records are better. Why ?...1.I was never able to get the engineersin the old days, with Fleetwood Mac, and as a Capitol records solo artist, to record myvoice the way I wanted it to sound. 2. The original recordings lack dynamic range, i.e.the highs and deep lows that you re able to record with todays digital equipment becausethe originals, French Kiss, Mystery To Me etc were mixes made for MONO AM RADIO. In otherwords, the record companies needed the records to jump out on the crummy radios peoplehad in their cars in 78....Therefore, the music was highly compressed,and filtered with shelving eq at the mastering stage, cutting off highs above 7600kz and lows below about250 kz so the needle wouldn t jump out of the viynl grooves as the record neared it s end,where the sound quality was the worst.These re-recordings have full bandwith dynamic range...they will easily drive a modern subwoofer,and the highs go all the way to 20000 kz. The songs were also recorded very meticulouslyso as to be letter perfect as to the original arrangements, tempos etc.And my voice finally soundsthe way I always wanted it to.If you are nostalgic for old plastic records, that s your right,but, in in my opinion, as Bob Welch,the artist who recorded (and wrote, except for Oh Well) the orignals, these new versions sound MUCH better...and were a labor of love btw...I don t need the money.(Read the liner notes)Signed, Bob Welch ex-Fleetwood Mac, Capitol Records solo artist
Finally A Greatest Hits Collection With All The Hit plus more! - I ve been waiting for this for years, a Welch collection that includes all his great recordings with Fleetwood Mac and the best of his solo career. I always felt this guy was underrated from day one. This collection really shows you the talents of the man as a musician and composer.