HiRez Poll John, Elton - DIAMONDS [Blu-Ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[RustyM]

10
An active Atmos environment. A terrific mix by Greg Penny. Plenty of Diamonds. Hats off to Paul Sinclair for SDE #31.

 

[Rstaylor]

This is an outstanding release in every way. I was initially disappointed that there wasn't a dedicated 5.1 mix, but this is by far the best-sounding fold-down Atmos mix in my collection. I would never know it's not a dedicated 5.1 mix. It easily rates a 10 for quantity and quality.

Not understanding several calls I've seen lamenting the exclusion of Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. This is a greatest-hits collection, and that track wasn't a single or a hit, nor was it included on the many previous releases of Diamonds. So why would it be included on this Blu-ray Audio version?

I know this wasn't on the cd version either, but the studio version of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me is the only missing track that I wish were on Diamonds!

 

[Godman]

I never had any regular EJ releases but we all know so many of these tracks through AOR radio. I played it through last night, skipped only 3 or 4 tracks and its a great "guilty pleasure" type of record for me as a prog rock fan. Excellent sound! Value for money for sure!

 

[esimms86]

The fact that it sold out so quickly gives good hope for further EJ releases, I hope.
A Hi-rez stereo, 5.1, Atmos combi for his 1970-1976 run (and maybe some more atmos releases of his later albums) would have my wallet crying especially if they keep up this quality of mixes.

…crying with joy.

 

[ar surround]

Positives:

- Really good value for the money.

- The songs Crocodile Rock, Daniel and The B***h Is Back are devoid of the excessive sizzle that is so evident and annoying on the stereo albums.

- Virtually all of the songs from the earlier classic albums have excellent mixes and sound very discrete. No complaints at all.

However...

Negatives:

- Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting is a horrid mix. Listen to the 5.1. Why even bother with such a lame Atmos mix?

- Regarding the songs from Elton John's later catalog, many of these mixes sound like Penny was just going through the motions. These mixes are inferior to his mixes of the earlier material.

- As I've said in the past, it seems that most of these commercial Atmos releases are mixed to the lowest common denominator, that being headphone listeners. Example: the song Sacrifice. Although the mix here is very good, I've heard a non-commercial Atmos mix that is superior and much more satisfying. But this non-commercial mix is meant for a true 7.1.4 system and not recommended for headphone listeners. How to make an Atmos mix that sounds good to all listeners has got to be a dilemma for commercial mixers.

So for me it is a mixed bag that I give an 8.