Elton John Diamonds (SDE Blu-Ray #31) Dec. 27th, 2024

[fredblue]

I'd ask. On this Diamonds release, are the songs based on the number of album sales? On some of these later songs I'm very unfamiliar with some of those tracks.
I would have loved if some of his earlier songs were included here.
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Madman Across the Water
Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleading
Tower of Babel
.... many others

the later tracks comprise the 3rd disc of the original Deluxe CD set, with notable tracks, singles, duets etc from throughout his career, i don't know for sure but i don't think sales were a determining factor in their inclusion.

fans were clamouring for a hits compilation that included tracks beyond the established "Jukebox" of Hits (as Elton himself calls the 70's & 80's Standards) so when Diamonds first came out certain tracks were very welcome additions including "Island Girl", "Song For Guy", "The One", The Lion King, etc.

 

[inspclouseau]

! Heavenly! Penny's mixing for Elton is sublime on the 5.1s, and I expect no less here in Atmos.

I am a bit disappointed though that Mr. Penny did not do his 5.1 versions on this Diamonds set. We own all of the Greg Penny sacd's. Any of the atmos supposed 'fold-downs' to 5.1 just sound off on our non atmos system. I almost did not pre-order for this reason, but am really hoping that Penny did keep his past fantastic 5.1 style in mind as well when mixing this. Our receiver will see the atmos as dolby true 7.1/ but play through our 5.3 speaker setup. Kathy and I are looking forward to this one~
It'll get here in time for a short break from moving snow... And to SDE~ Just want to send a THANK YOU as well. Any music we order from there arrives in perfect condition all the way here to our doorstep in Montana. Love these people
Image from front deck~

 

[dr. simple]

I am a bit disappointed though that Mr. Penny did not do his 5.1 versions on this Diamonds set. We own all of the Greg Penny sacd's. Any of the atmos supposed 'fold-downs' to 5.1 just sound off on our non atmos system. I almost did not pre-order for this reason, but am really hoping that Penny did keep his past fantastic 5.1 style in mind as well when mixing this. Our receiver will see the atmos as dolby true 7.1/ but play through our 5.3 speaker setup. Kathy and I are looking forward to this one~
It'll get here in time for a short break from moving snow... And to SDE~ Just want to send a THANK YOU as well. Any music we order from there arrives in perfect condition all the way here to our doorstep in Montana. Love these people
Image from front deck~

I have to echo this sentiment. Penny's 5.1 mixes are sublime. I hope his Atmos mixes are as good.

 

[himey]

I have to echo this sentiment. Penny's 5.1 mixes are sublime. I hope his Atmos mixes are as good.

They are better.

 

[inspclouseau]

They are better.

wont know until after it arrives.

 

[jaybird100]

I'd ask. On this Diamonds release, are the songs based on the number of album sales? On some of these later songs I'm very unfamiliar with some of those tracks.
I would have loved if some of his earlier songs were included here.
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Madman Across the Water
Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleading
Tower of Babel
.... many others

Many of those other tracks have been included on the SACD's that were released previously.

 

[jaybird100]

They are better.

I hope they fold down to 5.1, or 4.0, reasonably well.

 

[JulesRules]

wont know until after it arrives.

Aren't they on streaming?

 

[inspclouseau]

Many of those other tracks have been included on the SACD's that were released previously.

yup. purchasing for those that were not~

 

[inspclouseau]

Aren't they on streaming?

we do not 'stream' here. Never will.

 

[madscot]

I partially agree with you. I've bought some Atmos only surround mix discs. They sound better than plain old stereo for sure, but when they have a 5.1 version on them, it usually blows away the "food down" Atmos on my 5.1. sometimes, the stereo through my Surround Master or Sansui synthesizer actually sounds better. So, for example, this Elton disc is not high on my list. I have the SACDs with most of the tunes. Plus, SDE shipping is quite expensive for the US. And with no 5.1 version, it's a pass. (Although I may regret it at some point.)

I count 11 songs that are on the 5.1 sacd’s which means there’s 37 not already in surround, although a lot of them are very average it’s worth having. I agree about the p&p between the uk and the us, it sure puts me off buying from the us unless it’s free which only ever happens on ebay

 

[Ryk]

I was thinking of stopping my run of sequential purchases at #30 (a nice round number), but I am tempted by this. I'll probably pick it up before the close of the order window. Does that mean I'll feel the need to continue until #40 now?

 

[Todd 987]

I was thinking of stopping my run of sequential purchases at #30 (a nice round number), but I am tempted by this. I'll probably pick it up before the close of the order window. Does that mean I'll feel the need to continue until #40 now?

Yes

 

[jefe1]

FOMO got me.
At the last minute I ordered a copy. Have been off the SDE boat for a while.
Nervous about the hacking issues reported here.....

 

[madscot]

FOMO got me.
At the last minute I ordered a copy. Have been off the SDE boat for a while.
Nervous about the hacking issues reported here.....

Always use paypal for online purchases if possible, then there’s no need to be nervous

 

[SeanSKA01]

FOMO got me.
At the last minute I ordered a copy. Have been off the SDE boat for a while.
Nervous about the hacking issues reported here.....

Same here . I couldn’t resist this

And same concerns about the hacking. I check my bank accounts online two or three times a day since I ordered the “Who’s Next “ Blu-ray a couple of weeks ago. So far, so good

 

[GOS]

I must be a baby. I'm not concerned about hacking, nor have I ever been hacked. Spend, spend, spend. lol

 

[jefe1]

Ok Gos just got your cc number from sde gonna help you spend a lot this weekend...

 

[SeanSKA01]

I must be a baby. I'm not concerned about hacking, nor have I ever been hacked. Spend, spend, spend. lol

You’re lucky! I’ve been hacked a couple of times and don’t want to be again

 

[humprof]

Here is an article I wrote about the streaming release of Diamonds in Atmos, including an interview with Greg Penny.

That's a brilliant piece; thanks for writing it and for reminding us of it. Penny's approach is sensibly conservative when that's called for and admirably adventurous when the material allows.

On another level: isn't it fascinating to hear that yet another surround mixer (I'm thinking of Elliot Scheiner, Dave Fridmann...who else?) has a chip off the old block who's gone into the family business? Penny credits his son Felix for 13 of the 48 mixes on the album.