The last decade has seen some amazing surfacings of lost quad mixes by Laura Nyro, Jethro Tull and other greats — as well as new 5.1 mixes of titles like Yes/Close to the Edge that once teased us with a quad release. Sweet.
But there remain a number of unreleased or announced big albums that remain out of reach. Two different things, those are: “unreleased” presupposes an actual existing mix, while “announced” doesn’t.
Here is my list of the most coveted in both categories combined, with those announced but lacking any evidence of an existing tape starred (*). I invite disagreement, or correction in the case of the starred titles. But I’m pretty sure about most of them. One, in fact, I believe towers over the others as the clear winner.
One rule: the mix must not be currently available to collectors in decent quality. This disqualifies any of the Mike Walt Robin reels. Though many of us might well love a 4.0 SACD of Edgar Winter/White Trash (and I would bet we’ll see one), it’s availability on QR — bootleg or no — makes it a lower priority. Also not counting SQ-only greats like Bob Dylan/Desire — such “indiscrete” titles will have to wait for another list.
(Alphabetically by artist)
Boston — Boston
*Ohio Players - Contradiction
*Ohio Players - Skin Tight
*Ringo Starr — Ringo
Styx — The Grand Illusion
*Supertramp — Crime of the Century
Stevie Wonder — Talking Book
Stevie Wonder — Innervisions
Note: At least a couple have recently dropped off the list because of a new 5.1 release (Pink Floyd/Animals) or several (Jethro Tull/M.U.), leaving two more spaces to fill.
Have at it!
But there remain a number of unreleased or announced big albums that remain out of reach. Two different things, those are: “unreleased” presupposes an actual existing mix, while “announced” doesn’t.
Here is my list of the most coveted in both categories combined, with those announced but lacking any evidence of an existing tape starred (*). I invite disagreement, or correction in the case of the starred titles. But I’m pretty sure about most of them. One, in fact, I believe towers over the others as the clear winner.
One rule: the mix must not be currently available to collectors in decent quality. This disqualifies any of the Mike Walt Robin reels. Though many of us might well love a 4.0 SACD of Edgar Winter/White Trash (and I would bet we’ll see one), it’s availability on QR — bootleg or no — makes it a lower priority. Also not counting SQ-only greats like Bob Dylan/Desire — such “indiscrete” titles will have to wait for another list.
(Alphabetically by artist)
Boston — Boston
*Ohio Players - Contradiction
*Ohio Players - Skin Tight
*Ringo Starr — Ringo
Styx — The Grand Illusion
*Supertramp — Crime of the Century
Stevie Wonder — Talking Book
Stevie Wonder — Innervisions
Note: At least a couple have recently dropped off the list because of a new 5.1 release (Pink Floyd/Animals) or several (Jethro Tull/M.U.), leaving two more spaces to fill.
Have at it!
I'd buy the lot even if each came in a box set - where or where are the Quad Masters?
