Listening now to this stereo/mono CD.

[Quad Linda]

Paul Simon, Rhymin' Simon & Still Crazy bonus tracks only and entire Hearts & Bones from 9 CD Paul Simon Studio Recordings

https://www.discogs.com/release/5542011-Paul-Simon-The-Studio-Recordings-Box-Set
A Piano - Tori Amos 5 CD

https://www.discogs.com/master/398272-Tori-Amos-A-Piano-The-Collection

 

[Blackwood]

Thijs van Leer (or Thys van Leer).

Flute/keys/singer/yodeler for Focus, but a number of solo albums, too.

This was done shortly after the the “reunion” van Leer had with Jan Akkerman. They did an album called, somewhat confusingly, Focus which I really love. My most unrealistic Atmos wish.

Renaissance came out a year or two after that album and some of the songs sound like they could have made it on the Focus album had Akkerman been able to put his own touch on them. Apparently quite a number of extra tracks were recorded for Focus that didn’t get used, so it’s probably not a stretch to think some of the songs/ideas ended up on this solo album.

I only have digital now from the CD, so it could fit in this thread if you squint. Is there a “Listening" thread for digital (or streaming) stereo? Can’t find one.

 

[DuncanS]

Thijs van Leer (or Thys van Leer).

Flute/keys/singer/yodeler for Focus, but a number of solo albums, too.

This was done shortly after the the “reunion” van Leer had with Jan Akkerman. They did an album called, somewhat confusingly, Focus which I really love. My most unrealistic Atmos wish.

Renaissance came out a year or two after that album and some of the songs sound like they could have made it on the Focus album had Akkerman been able to put his own touch on them. Apparently quite a number of extra tracks were recorded for Focus that didn’t get used, so it’s probably not a stretch to think some of the songs/ideas ended up on this solo album.

I only have digital now from the CD, so it could fit in this thread if you squint. Is there a “Listening" thread for digital (or streaming) stereo? Can’t find one.

I'd love the Focus albums in surround, saw them in April, excellent gig.

 

[4-earredwonder]

I'd love the Focus albums in surround, saw them in April, excellent gig.

According to QQ Discography:

Live at the Rainbow. Sire 7147-7408H (Q8)
> Moving Waves. Sire C7147-7401 {Previously 7147-7401H} (Q8)
Stereo Pop Special 120 '76 Record CN 2537/SQ (SQ) [UK]
{BBC Transcription Services LP for radio air play}

Perhaps D~V can tackle them, Dunc! Moving Waves is a classic!

 

[Blackwood]

According to QQ Discography:

Live at the Rainbow. Sire 7147-7408H (Q8)
> Moving Waves. Sire C7147-7401 {Previously 7147-7401H} (Q8)
Stereo Pop Special 120 '76 Record CN 2537/SQ (SQ) [UK]
{BBC Transcription Services LP for radio air play}

Perhaps D~V can tackle them, Dunc! Moving Waves is a classic!

The details escape me, but on the Hoffman forum, the guy who did the remaster of the Focus albums a few years back (Wouter Bessels) said the tapes weren't available. Don’t take that as the final word as this was a few years ago and I might have missed some important distinctions in what was being discussed, or tapes may have been found since then.

 

[JohnN]

Led Zeppelin II

 

[Quad Linda]

I bought both Focus Q8's as new releases. Mixes underwhelmed be. Kind of double stereo augmented. "Discrete" Quad mixes would be most welcome. As to these, IMHO, don't bother. OK< the music is wonderful. Bought music 3 or 4 times each. Others were 2ch LP's, single CD's & CD box.

Akkerman & Van Leer have some great solo stuff. Van Leer's Introspection I & II are SQ. I is Q8, too.

 

[DuncanS]

According to QQ Discography:

Live at the Rainbow. Sire 7147-7408H (Q8)
> Moving Waves. Sire C7147-7401 {Previously 7147-7401H} (Q8)
Stereo Pop Special 120 '76 Record CN 2537/SQ (SQ) [UK]
{BBC Transcription Services LP for radio air play}

Perhaps D~V can tackle them, Dunc! Moving Waves is a classic!

The details escape me, but on the Hoffman forum, the guy who did the remaster of the Focus albums a few years back (Wouter Bessels) said the tapes weren't available. Don’t take that as the final word as this was a few years ago and I might have missed some important distinctions in what was being discussed, or tapes may have been found since then.

If they did I'd buy them! (if they could do more I'd be even happier) but that is assuming the tapes could be found, may be they could find some pristine Q8s? Music of my teenage years!
My Focus collection. Red Bullet releases are the 2001 remasters, sounded much better than the Polydor CDs I had.

 

[DuncanS]

I bought both Focus Q8's as new releases. Mixes underwhelmed be. Kind of double stereo augmented. "Discrete" Quad mixes would be most welcome. As to these, IMHO, don't bother. OK< the music is wonderful. Bought music 3 or 4 times each. Others were 2ch LP's, single CD's & CD box.

Akkerman & Van Leer have some great solo stuff. Van Leer's Introspection I & II are SQ. I is Q8, too.

I've a few Jan Ackerman & Van Leer releases, shame to hear that the Focus Quad 'mixes' are poor

 

[4-earredwonder]

Earl, Perkins, Jones & Smith EYE TO EYE [Audioquest/Stereo RBCD] With Bruce Katz on Hammond b 3 organ!

 

[The Rang]

Thijs van Leer (or Thys van Leer).

Flute/keys/singer/yodeler for Focus, but a number of solo albums, too.

This was done shortly after the the “reunion” van Leer had with Jan Akkerman. They did an album called, somewhat confusingly, Focus which I really love. My most unrealistic Atmos wish.

Renaissance came out a year or two after that album and some of the songs sound like they could have made it on the Focus album had Akkerman been able to put his own touch on them. Apparently quite a number of extra tracks were recorded for Focus that didn’t get used, so it’s probably not a stretch to think some of the songs/ideas ended up on this solo album.

I only have digital now from the CD, so it could fit in this thread if you squint. Is there a “Listening" thread for digital (or streaming) stereo? Can’t find one.

Thijs van Leer (or Thys van Leer).

Flute/keys/singer/yodeler for Focus, but a number of solo albums, too.

This was done shortly after the the “reunion” van Leer had with Jan Akkerman. They did an album called, somewhat confusingly, Focus which I really love. My most unrealistic Atmos wish.

Renaissance came out a year or two after that album and some of the songs sound like they could have made it on the Focus album had Akkerman been able to put his own touch on them. Apparently quite a number of extra tracks were recorded for Focus that didn’t get used, so it’s probably not a stretch to think some of the songs/ideas ended up on this solo album.

I only have digital now from the CD, so it could fit in this thread if you squint. Is there a “Listening" thread for digital (or streaming) stereo? Can’t find one.

That’s the first picture of him I’ve seen without those crazy sideburns

 

[sjcorne]

I've a few Jan Ackerman & Van Leer releases, shame to hear that the Focus Quad 'mixes' are poor

I haven't heard the live one, but the Moving Waves Q8 is definitely *not* double stereo. It's a bit too reverb-y like a lot of the ABC quads (Steely Dan, Jim Croce, etc), but I remember "Hocus Pocus" being a pretty active mix with Van Leer's yodeling flying around the room.

 

[steelydave]

The Focus quad mixes were only issued in the US on Q8 - this was because their US label, Sire, was distributed by a company called Famous Music, which was bought by ABC in 1973 or 1974. ABC had a licensing deal (still with me?) with GRT, who made Q8 tapes. Shortly thereafter, Sire switched distributors to Warner, and then a year after that (1978) Warner bought Sire outright.

So my guess is that given the Focus quad mixes were an entirely US affair (made for GRT on the dime of either Sire, Famous Music or ABC) the tapes are either in the Warner vaults, or they were in the UMG vaults with the rest of the ABC masters that went up in the 2008 vault fire.

 

[Quad Linda]

I'll stick with the "augmented" double stereo. Seemingly, as Dave alluded to, ABC may not have had any multi's to work with. I know, 2ch is multi. It appears to have been done as double stereo with some discrete elements. So, it appears NOT to be Double Stereo. There are some discrete elements for sure.

My suspicion: take Dave's comments as the background. Then, add very few instruments/tracks available. 2 tracks? Yet, ABC wanted Quad product. Same people who took a mono radio broadcast and turned it into "compatible Quad!"

Working within the limitations of 70's technology, they could have used a simple Dynaquad matrix or Quad synthesis to isolate flute or yodeling. Once isolated, that track with some good panning and you've got it. Now, add in some/all of the info from front tracks to rears at a lower volume level, perhaps -6db. Why? Few instruments, makes it sound fuller.

It's a dessert topping. No, it's a floor wax. It's both. Hence, something akin to what I've laid out has happened. Perhaps there's some fiddling with EQ, as well.

When I bought this one, I was scratching my head. It sounded discrete, yet it didn't. Hence, my description as "augmented" double stereo. Viewed in that way, it all fits together nicely. So, sjc, you're not wrong. Perhaps neither of us is wrong...

BTW: I was on Superbowl trip with the former label head of ABC. I believe it was early '87. Pasadena He was running the co that acquired us. Spouses came, too. Somehow, these mixes never came up.

I haven't heard the live one, but the Moving Waves Q8 is definitely *not* double stereo. It's a bit too reverb-y like a lot of the ABC quads (Steely Dan, Jim Croce, etc), but I remember "Hocus Pocus" being a pretty active mix with Van Leer's yodeling flying around the room.

 

[esimms86]

Paul Simon, Rhymin' Simon & Still Crazy bonus tracks only and entire Hearts & Bones from 9 CD Paul Simon Studio Recordings

https://www.discogs.com/release/5542011-Paul-Simon-The-Studio-Recordings-Box-Set
A Piano - Tori Amos 5 CD

https://www.discogs.com/master/398272-Tori-Amos-A-Piano-The-Collection

How is Simon’s new album, Seven Psalms?

 

[Quad Linda]

How is Simon’s new album, Seven Psalms?

Haven't bought that one yet. Heard very good things about it. Money has been going to surround and super deeeluxe boxes.

That Simon Studio box came out in '04. He was still being distributed by WB at that time. Box stops at You're the One.

 

[Quad Linda]

Oregon in Performance
Graceland & bonus tracks from Graceland deluxe box
I Wonder What She's Doing - Boyce & Hart Japan CD

 

[Hamilton59]

Back to some more…

Peter, Paul and Mary - See What Tomorrow Brings

 

[Hamilton59]

Such a short album so…

Peter, Paul and Mary - A Song Will Rise

 

[esimms86]

Haven't bought that one yet. Heard very good things about it. Money has been going to surround and super deeeluxe boxes.

That Simon Studio box came out in '04. He was still being distributed by WB at that time. Box stops at You're the One.

That's been my reading of the reviews as well, and I don't have a copy either. I hope that Simon's recent hearing loss doesn't end his career. Of course, unilateral hearing loss hasn't curtailed the artistic careers of people like Brian Wilson or Marcus Miller.