Post by dougs on Jan 22, 2021 19:08:28 GMT
"Philadelphia Freedom" has been remixed for both DIAMONDS and now the JEWEL Box set:
Someone on the board astutely mentioned in the past year or so that "Philadelphia Freedom" had been given a new mix for DIAMONDS. This same mix of the song apparently has been included on the THIS IS ME album & disc for the new JEWEL box set.
I have to say that I am really disappointed with the recent remix; greatly reduced is the incredible arrangement by Gene Page. Some of the dynamics of "Philadelphia Freedom" are now barely discernable. The strings originally gave "Philadelphia Freedom" more bounce to the ounce and this dynamic has been greatly reduced. The flute which used to fly out of the speakers is now lost in the background. It seems that Elton's piano is a little higher in the mix and the vocal is still prominent. Even Dee's amazing bass playing seems a little muted in the new mix.
I am curious as to why the new mix of the song has happened. I played the version off the THIS IS ME (JEWEL) vinyl and compared it to my old 1977 vinyl version on GREATEST HITS VOLUME II and the new one pales noticeably by comparison. By the way, the new 2020 LP should have superior sound as compared to the 1977 LP version because the 1977 has way more music jammed on each side of the album which reduces the dynamic range and overall sound quality. Once you hit 20 minutes on one side of vinyl the sound quality drops off quickly - yet the 1977 album with "Philadelphia Freedom" blows the new THIS IS ME vinyl version of "Philadelphia Freedom" out of the water!
This is not a big deal in the scheme of things but it was Gene Page's superb arrangement that really helped "Philadelphia Freedom" fly and to have this superb arrangement (strings, horns, flute, etc.) muted is a bit of a disappointment.
Anyone else notice the difference? Or is it just me!?
Doug
Someone on the board astutely mentioned in the past year or so that "Philadelphia Freedom" had been given a new mix for DIAMONDS. This same mix of the song apparently has been included on the THIS IS ME album & disc for the new JEWEL box set.
I have to say that I am really disappointed with the recent remix; greatly reduced is the incredible arrangement by Gene Page. Some of the dynamics of "Philadelphia Freedom" are now barely discernable. The strings originally gave "Philadelphia Freedom" more bounce to the ounce and this dynamic has been greatly reduced. The flute which used to fly out of the speakers is now lost in the background. It seems that Elton's piano is a little higher in the mix and the vocal is still prominent. Even Dee's amazing bass playing seems a little muted in the new mix.
I am curious as to why the new mix of the song has happened. I played the version off the THIS IS ME (JEWEL) vinyl and compared it to my old 1977 vinyl version on GREATEST HITS VOLUME II and the new one pales noticeably by comparison. By the way, the new 2020 LP should have superior sound as compared to the 1977 LP version because the 1977 has way more music jammed on each side of the album which reduces the dynamic range and overall sound quality. Once you hit 20 minutes on one side of vinyl the sound quality drops off quickly - yet the 1977 album with "Philadelphia Freedom" blows the new THIS IS ME vinyl version of "Philadelphia Freedom" out of the water!
This is not a big deal in the scheme of things but it was Gene Page's superb arrangement that really helped "Philadelphia Freedom" fly and to have this superb arrangement (strings, horns, flute, etc.) muted is a bit of a disappointment.
Anyone else notice the difference? Or is it just me!?
Doug