DVD/DTS Poll Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink (Steven Wilson 5.1 Mix) [DD DVD+2CD]

[wavelength]

Could there possibly have been a good reason for the DD release?
Maybe the tapes were digitized crappily, then degraded, so resolution above DD would just reveal defects?
Just trying to understand it.

Lack of vision?

 

[rtbluray]

Could there possibly have been a good reason for the DD release?
Maybe the tapes were digitized crappily, then degraded, so resolution above DD would just reveal defects?
Just trying to understand it.

Nope. I can assure you that Steven Wilson's mixes were full-resolution (at least 48 kHz / 24 bit)
It was probably down to financial reasons that this released ended up as a DD only DVD-V disc, that and a lack of understanding of a what a hybrid DVD-A/V disc is and how it provides full quality and full compatibility for everyone.
So basically there was NO good reason for the decisions made on the part of Universal.

 

[edisonbaggins]

Well, that just plain sucks then. But. Still a damn good sounding Dubly mix!

 

[skherbeck]

Finally opened this one... what the hell was I waiting for!? The content is wonderful... I'm completely unfamiliar with the band or the "Canterbury Scene", but this reminds me of what an English version of The Doors might sound like (and it's GREAT!). The fidelity is excellent, the surround mix is discrete and immersive. I would love to get more surround from Caravan if it sounds like this... a winner from start to finish. 9.

 

[Ninecats]

Finally opened this one... what the hell was I waiting for!? The content is wonderful... I'm completely unfamiliar with the band or the "Canterbury Scene", but this reminds me of what an English version of The Doors might sound like (and it's GREAT!). The fidelity is excellent, the surround mix is discrete and immersive. I would love to get more surround from Caravan if it sounds like this... a winner from start to finish. 9.

Agree, would also like some more Caravan, even though they never got better than this imo. Davids organ is nothing short of fantastic.

Also Hatfield and the Norths two albums would be nice!

 

[hwkn]

The organ playing on this album is at times very Jon Lord like imho......at times this mix has me feeling like the band's in my room[without the extremely loud volume].

 

[antoine555]

Bought this a couple of month back on discogs, well, it's a SW mix

Anyway I really like the album.

 

[Simon M]

Shame this was not a full strength DVDA or reissued as a HFPA Blu ray

It is a shame, but to be fair I think this is probably the best sounding Dolby Digital 5.1 audio disc that I own, I'm always amazed how it sounds so good for a standard Dolby mix...

 

[MrSmithers]

I agree... Sounds excellent! I wouldn't have even noticed it was DD to be honest. It's a really great mix. I'm hooked from the very first notes on Golf Girl. The lyrics really crack me up too!

 

[rusinurbe]

It is a shame, but to be fair I think this is probably the best sounding Dolby Digital 5.1 audio disc that I own, I'm always amazed how it sounds so good for a standard Dolby mix...

For sure one of the very few excellent sounding Dulby mixes. Imagine how much better it could sound though

 

[antoine555]

Really liking the record and the mix (not sure I would have heard any difference if it was DTS instead of DD btw...)

 

[edisonbaggins]

Not if you have actually heard the original PCM files of this remix and compared it to the Dolby DVD, like I have.

+1...

 

[sjcorne]

It's a 9. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite Wilson-remixed titles. I really dig the album - musically, I'd describe the band as a quirkier and more upbeat version of the Moody Blues. The vocals definitely remind me of Justin Hayward at times.

The surround mix has a 'Columbia Q8' vibe for sure - very dry and discrete, with different instruments pegged into the back corners (usually different acoustic guitar parts, though you also get backing vocals, keys/organ, etc). Every track is mixed well, but it's all just a warm-up for the epic 22-minute "Nine Feet Underground" suite, which is nothing short of a surround masterpiece - organ solos effortlessly dance around the room while the rhythm section stays anchored towards the front.

My only issue with the surround mix is that, like other SW mixes, the center channel volume can be a bit inconsistent. Sometimes the vocals seem a bit buried, but raising the volume can result in other center-panned instruments becoming overbearing (organ solos and the explosion sound effect in "Nine Feet Underground, for instance).

"Golf Girl" (gotta love the trombone in the center channel):


"Nine Feet Underground":

 

[GOS]

One of my favorites too!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[4-earredwonder]

I really wonder who chooses the codecs these albums are released in. I mean you go to the trouble of locating the multitracks.....hire Steve Wilson to remix an iconic album .... design the gatefold packaging which includes a RBCD when just as easily the album could've [and frankly should've] been released on a single hybrid SACD which includes the CD layer and a HI RES STEREO/MULTICHANNEL layer....thus doing FULL justice to the album itself and Steve's STELLAR efforts.

Does it really take a genius to figure this out? And insult to injury: a DTS option and at the very least a 96/24 stereo remix could've [and frankly should've] been included.

 

[fredblue]

I've said it before; I haven't had my hearing checked in forever; and I think I don't want to know.

"i don't wanna know
the reasons
my hearing's
gone walkin' down the drain!"

F.blue Mac @2019

 

[Chris Gerhard]

Although I am sure I would have preferred this mix with MLP or SACD, probably even DTS 96kHz/24-bit, this is an absolute bullseye as is. Great album, great mix and shows just how good standard Dolby Digital can be. I knew nothing about this album before buying it on CD in 2018, then I had to have it in surround when I saw it was available. A solid 9, better than 75% of surround discs I own, regardless of format. As usual when I find a new to me album I love, it will be something I missed decades ago. I am on the hunt now for other Caravan albums on CD.`

 

[Juggsnelson]

I voted a 9. I just listened to this a few times over the last few days and I thought it was fantastic. This sounds great for a Dolby Digital disc. The Steven Wilson mix is great as usual. I really enjoyed the live performance video too. A nice package.

 

[Infomas]

Of all the Caravan albums, this is the one I keep going back to; partially because it is in 5.1 and partially because it is just such a fun album to listen to.

 

[GOS]

Of all the Caravan albums, this is the one I keep going back to; partially because it is in 5.1 and partially because it is just such a fun album to listen to.

It's simply killer! One of my favorites...