Surrealistic Pillow [Original recording remastered]

 

 

Create your own review

This latest CD incarnation of Jefferson Airplane's second album, Surrealistic Pillow, is the third U.S. version to be issued by RCA/BMG. I have owned all three versions. The first CD version was in the mid-80's when CD technology was in its infancy. Many of us were abused by the major labels as they exploited us by charging premium prices for CDs of classic albums mastered from very bad (as in worn out) LP masters that were never intended nor engineered for the dynamic range capability of the compact disc. At any rate, all of the criticism about the first version is valid. It is easily identified because it has shoddy packaging as well and the old Airplane label moniker, GRUNT. The second version wasn't issued as an individual CD until 2001. It was significantly improved and included liner notes from Jefferson Airplane/Starship historian Jeff Tamarkin. The "audio restoration" for that one was done by BMG engineer, Bill Lacey. This CD was originally part of a four disc boxed set, and it included both mono and stereo versions of the album. Interestingly, the credits list two different engineers for the digital transfers of each version (stereo by Eddie Tallia and mono by Mike Hatry).
The third and most recent reissue of Surrealistic Pillow is part of BMG's Heritage series which is supposed to be as close as they are going to get to mimicking the fine reissue works of competing labels like Rhino (WEA), Hip-O (Universal), and Legacy (Sony). In fact, BMG Heritage contracted with independent engineer, Bob Irwin, to do the latest Jefferson Airplane remasters (also includes - Takes Off, After Bathing At Baxters, and Crown of Creation). Bob Irwin's past remastering credentials includes the fabulous Legacy reissues of The Byrds classic catalogue. If you have heard those albums, then you know he has high standards. His work on Surrealistic Pillow is not an exception, despite the belly aching criticism some other Amazon reviewers have written. Irwin is based at the independent label, Sundazed when he's not doing contract jobs.

For those who say that this latest CD sounds hideous, I think they protest too much. This is as good as it is going to get as long as they use the original two-track stereo masters. The only other possible way to improve the sound is to remix from the multi-tracks, and that rarely happens if the record is a classic. The biggest exception to this was the reissue of the Who's catalogue in the late 90's, but Pete Townshend himself was involved with approving each remaster. While I thought they sounded great, there was a lot of protest from fans that they did indeed sound different. When the Beatles catalogue was being prepared for CD transfer by George Martin, he remixed the earliest albums, but wisely chose to leave the later albums as was. It is possible to make an old two-track master sound good if the LP EQing is removed and the dynamic range is expanded. The late engineer/producer Gus Dudgeon (he engineered early albums by Moody Blues, Bowie, and produced many classic Elton John albums as well as remastered his entire catalog) wrote a very interesting technical article about the remastering of older albums and how it can and should be done. It can be found by searching on Google. His remastering of the 70's Elton albums is flawless.

So, my opinion is that the 2003 CD of Surrealistic Pillow is the best there can and will be using the original mixes. The packaging has been restored with all the original elements and there are 6 bonus tracks including mono single mixes of the classics, "White Rabbit" and "Somebody To Love". Therefore this is the definitive remaster...unless Paul Kantner and Marty Balin are allowed to remix the multi-tracks with a very good engineer.

All the accolades afforded this album over the years are well justified--and if you're reading this, I'm sure you've heard (and likely experienced for yourself) them all. This is truly one of the greatest albums not only of the Sixties & the folk-rock/psychedelic era, but of the entire pop music era period! That said, I'm afraid we've yet to see the ultimate cd issue of this masterpiece--though this latest one offers the added attraction of four songs not on the original LP, three of which were cut during the "Pillow" sessions. Airplane aficianados are well familiar with all these tracks (scattered through various compilations over time), but in fact, the extra tracks are really the only reason to purchase this edition of the album, if you don't already own one of the more recent issues. The real killer in the bonus bunch is "Go To Her," a showcase for Marty Balin's soulful wail, and a song more than deserving of inclusion on the original album. You'll also hear Jorma Kaukonen step out front on an original blues "in The Morning," as well as on an excellent reading of Lightning Hopkins' "Come Back Baby," the latter actually recorded a few weeks after the album came out. Further, there's an unlisted bonus cut at the end, an instrumental run-through of "B.C.D.A. -25," on which Paul Kantner's 12-string rhythm playing takes the spotlight.
All that said, I want to caution you: If you're looking for an improved-quality recording of this album over the gold disk, the 1996 issue or the 2001 issue, you ain't gonna get it here! That's not to say it doesn't sound good, rather to say it's not been improved upon. Fans are well aware of the differences between the mono and stereo mixes of the album: It's great to have both, but this version only has two of the mono mixes (the two monster hit singles.) As for the standard stereo mix, all the tape hiss is still there, not to mention the early fade-outs on the tracks which go on a little longer on the mono album. I've thought for quite a long time that this album begs to be remixed, from top to bottom, from the original four-track masters. Perhaps that'll be done someday--either after someone gets smart or after someone dies! Fact is, the bonus tracks (all of which are in stereo outside of the two singles) are technically of higher quality than those from the original album.
In the meantime, to reiterate: If you have one of the above-mentioned issues of this album, the bonus tracks are really the only reason you may want to purchase this one. They were my reason; I needed them and am quite pleased with them. And oh yes: The liner notes are very good--with stories behind and recording info about--all the tracks, but of course, you can't play the liner notes!

A divine presence must have been at hand when this album was recorded. If ever there was an American supergroup this was it. The vocals of Marty Balin and Grace Slick are heartybreakingly beautiful. Jorma Kaukonen's Embryonic Journey is a tremendous piece of acoustic guitar work. Think of this album as a perfect blend of folk and psychedelia.I have never heard a rock group sound as tight and creative. This would be one of my picks for the top five best albums of all time.Perhaps only one filler song. The rest is perfection.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 26 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars What is this guy on
i just want to get started by saying that the dude that said the doors are over rated, well man u have no idea. Read more

Published on Oct 2 2006 by Smeg

5.0 out of 5 stars THis IS a Must have...Grace is WONDERFUL...
But Josh, you're from another friggin' planet...screw the Beatles , Screw the Stones, he says!! ...your screws are loose, friend.. Read more

Published on April 10 2004 by P. Jasper

1.0 out of 5 stars Remastered????
This "remastered" CD (the domestic CD with 4 bonus tracks and the 2 mono tracks) still does not sound very good! Read more

Published on Nov 22 2003 by Mr. Get Real

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget "Sgt. Pepper", THIS Is The Real Deal
This is one of the albums that led to the famous Summer Of Love in 1967. If you ask me, Jefferson Airplane and The Doors were the two greatest rock bands of the 60's, and... Read more

Published on Oct 28 2003 by Josh H.

5.0 out of 5 stars Airplane fans can rest easier with this Pillow
Excellent re-mastering of this great album and really the first decent sounding CD of "Surrealistic Pillow". Read more

Published on Sep 3 2003 by R. Baker

5.0 out of 5 stars Marty Balin's best album!
Make no mistake: Jefferson Airplane was a group effort. Grace had the hits, Paul had the sci-fi/political vision, and Jorma had the superb blues-based guitar licks. Read more

Published on Aug 25 2003 by chris meesey Food Czar

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique splendor
SURREALISTIC PILLOW (1967) is Jefferson Airplane's second album, and the first with Grace Slick and Spencer Dryden. Read more

Published on July 26 2003 by MurrayTheCat

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Ensemble Work on One of Rock's Top Albums
This is a great rock record that has stunning individual talent everywhere in evidence, harnessed together to the Haight-Ashbury communal ethos of the mid-Sixties. Read more

Published on Jun 26 2003 by Gregory Kerwin

5.0 out of 5 stars One masterpiece made for the Summer Of Love...
It's an album that gave a generation some amazing music to listen to. It's an amazing album, with those 2 big hits from the Airplane; "Somebody To Love", and "White Rabbit", which... Read more

Published on Jun 19 2003 by Mike

5.0 out of 5 stars This album was my introduction to the opposite sex
I have been familiar with this album for as long as I can remember. I was born the same year that this album came out, and I remember as a child hearing this album and thinking... Read more

Published on Jun 15 2003

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 26 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!