All Over You (Re-Recorded Special Edit) - Caravan

Advantages: Both stereo and mono mixes on one disc
Disadvantages: can't think of any!

...Caravan are another of those groups who were (and are) around forever, playing concerts all over the world to enthusiastic audiences but who never seemed to sell many records. If you look in the Guinness Book of Hit Albums you find that over the course of the decade when the band was at its height--late 60s to late 70s-they racked up just 2 weeks in the chart, somewhere down at number 53. This is a travesty because Caravan consistently knocked out albums that were right up there with the best British Rock music of that halcyon period. "Caravan" is, logically enough, the band's debut album, recorded in late '68 and issued in early '69 on the Verve label. Verve were an American label who had successfully mined the Folk and Protest scenes during the 60s. Caravan were the first signings to Verve's newly established European arm... Read review

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Advantages: The Performance
Disadvantages: The Sound

...of sound). All in sum: the EMI sounds like a bad recording broadcasted in 1958. The "Pearl" edition sounds like you're listening the original mono (almost stereo!) master tapes made in 1958! Finally, I would like to say that this transfer and Re-equalization was not made by Pearl Engineers but by a engineer and opera scholar named Mike Richter. Shamefully, Pearl hasn't credited Mr. Richter on the booklet but apparently he doesn't seem to mind at all. For more information about the transfer search on Google for "Callas recording update". Just buy the new Pearl edition! Even if you already have the EMI edition! I bought the EMI edition for the excellent booklet notes and substituted the CDs for the ones released by Pearl. For those wanting more details of the Pearl Edition search for "B0009K8L8E" (without the quotes) on Amazon site... Read review

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Advantages: Every track is a masterpiece
Disadvantages: Very hard making your mind up CD1 or CD2!

...I have been listening to Blur since the days of the Leisure album and have never looked back. The band continues to develop and mature and always seems to come back stronger than before. The quality of the songs on CD1 is first class and I could quite easily think of a few more that could get on there but that have missed the cut. I am not normally a fan of live albums but CD2 is fantastic. The tracks were recorded at Wembley Arena in December 1999 and the atmosphere and buzz from the songs is transmitted loud and clear through the tracks. Definitely worth getting the Special Edition if you can get your hands on it, otherwise you don't know what you're missing!... Read review

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