Porcupine Tree - new live Blu-Ray coming later this year!

[Simon M]

So, I've just had a look at the Blu-ray in the DVD set and it doesn't have any bonus features, just the concert film, so a bit of false advertising there! Anyway, I'm sure I can live without it for the extra £30, I guess if the 'extras' are just one 14 minute behind the scenes video then it will appear on YouTube at some point anyway. I feel somewhat relieved that I didn't jump on the 4 disc version now like I usually would have, it's the first PT deluxe edition that I've not bought...

I have really mixed feelings about this one, it sounds ok from what I've listened to, which is to be expected, but I've not listened to it all at volume yet. No Colin or John Wesley is a bit weird, Colin and Gavin are one of the tightest rhythm sections I've heard and that was a big part of PT live for me, I've being a fan since 1992 and have seen them live loads of times over the years. The whole CC album / Tour all felt like a bit of a cash grab to me, they certainly didn't reform because they had something new to say that's for sure. I've only listened to CC a few times, I like a couple of the tracks but that's it. Usually, a new PT or SW album would be on constant rotation for at least a month! To be honest I've just not been excited for this one, competent as it may be. I also think the bigger venue doesn't really help either. Similar sort of thing with Harmony Codex and The Future Bites, I've listened a few times and have not really been grabbed by either of them I'm sorry to say! Maybe it's finally time to admit that I may have hit 'peak' Wilson!

 

[sjcorne]

Just listened to the first half (through "Chimera's Wreck") in 5.1 and I'm loving it. The clarity is just amazing, it sounds almost like a studio recording. The drums & bass in particular really shine. The surround mix is pretty similar to the other PT/SW live releases: rhythm section and lead vocal in front, guitars hard panned to either side in both the front & rear speakers (though it sometimes sounds like Randy McStine's guitar is pushed out towards the rear left speaker and SW's is more in the front right speaker), and Barbieri's soundscapes in the back. There are also some cool vocal delays and pre-recorded elements (like the synth percussion in "Walk The Plank") that make their way into the rears. It'll be interesting to hear how he was able to expand on this for the Atmos mix...

 

[Rob Bills]

Jealous you guys have got yours. Mine has shipped from Burning Shed, but I don't expect it for a while.

Putting together a watch party with the other PT nuts I know. I promised I would stand in front of them and spill beer on them so it feels authentic

Yes, I too have arranged a watch session at a School Performance Centre with CINEMA size screen/State of the Art Stereo/120 Gold Class seating…
…just hoping mine was shipped from Burning Shed UK on 8/12, and have booked the Centre for 21/12. Should it not arrive, I’ll just have to buy another copy from JB’s!

 

[beerking]

This is like being in a good dream.

Where some of my musical heros are on stage playing at the top of their game.

But it's a not a dream , it's 100% real.

And, imo, it's brilliant, in every aspect.

Now on repeat for the rest of the day.

Don't tell my younger brother, I got him one, for his Xmas.

He will love this.

 

[srbjab]

Quick first impressions following first listen in atmos. SW's voice is definitely a bit raspier/hoarse than I'm used to, and he seems to struggle a bit at the start of the concert. However, this improves as the show goes on. Not sure the large venue does the band any favors - PT seems to thrive in smaller rooms. The atmos mix is very clear and generally front heavy (bass, drums, lead guitar, vocals) but with a surprising amount of directional/panning instrument activity (synths, percussion and vocal effects) in the heights and rears. I'm a bit torn by this as it definitely allows you hear incredible detail and subtlety but is not the way you'd hear the music in the actual concert hall. It's a long show and will need to compare with the 5.1 mix before deciding which I prefer. A quick note on packaging: the discs come in cardboard sleeves in the trifold stiff paper case. Normally I dislike discs packaged this way, but at least the sleeves are pretty loose and laminated in a way that makes the discs slide in and out more easily.

 

[bookofsaturdays]

Quick first impressions following first listen in atmos. SW's voice is definitely a bit raspier/hoarse than I'm used to, and he seems to struggle a bit at the start of the concert.

I believe this was recorded in November of 2022 and they had been touring since September. If I’m not mistaken I believe he was sick for a little while during some of the shows, maybe that could explain what you’re hearing?

 

[sjcorne]

I remember thinking he struggled with the 'hey did you curse this place' part in "Herd Culling" at the New York show, but it sounds great on the Amsterdam video.

It's also cool to see the videos that go with each song again (the one for "Dignity" in particular is great - wish they'd release that separately).

 

[thebarnman]

The atmos mix...I'm a bit torn by this...but is not the way you'd hear the music in the actual concert hall.

Well, that's the thing about any Atmos, stereo or surround mix. I've never heard a stereo LP have certain sounds placed as to how it sounded at a concert. When it comes to Atmos, many people complain there isn't enough movement above and some like the subtle placement above without any movement. Personally, I want to hear wild things going above and I feel in music Atmos mixes, there's not enough of that. So I'm actually excited about experiencing what you described.

It's also possible SW wanted us to hear it that way and/or it's how he envisioned the mix. It also sounds to me he's having a little fun with his own music which he is allowed to do. When he does mixes for older recordings of other bands; he tries to stick with vision of the original recordings.

 

[srbjab]

I have absolutely no doubt that SW's atmos mix is exactly what he wanted it to be and I can enjoy it for what it is - a deliberately enhanced, if somewhat artificial, version of a live concert. When comparing the atmos mix to the 5.1 and stereo mixes, it's often astonishing how much of the synths and various effects are only clearly audible in atmos, occasionally enough to significantly alter the experience.

It all comes down to what you want out of a recorded live performance. For me, I generally prefer listening to live music accompanied by video of the band performing, and a sound mix that closely resembles what you'd hear sitting in the audience. If that's what you prefer, we have the stereo and 5.1 mixes. But it's undeniably fascinating to be able to hear how much more was involved in the performance that would go unheard sitting in the concert hall or with a less detailed, differentiated mix. Assuming, of course, that we aren't hearing any overdubs.

 

[marpow]

I am confused:

I received from Amazon, great price a 1 DVD and 1 Blu Ray set.

There is a version I see that is 2 CD and 2 BD set. What am I missing by not having the 2 BD's?

Maybe I found answer from PT's website.

The Blu-Ray 1 features the full concert film, and bonus features, while Blu-Ray 2 includes Dolby Atmos surround sound, 5.1 Audio and 24 bit High Resolution Audio.

My one BD has the live concert in 4/K Dolby Atmos.
I think by not having BD 1, I am just missing three Bonus Tracks, Trains, Fear of a Blank Planet and Anesthetize.
And the CD's of course.
Looks like I am good with the 2 disc, DVD and BD, for Amazon's $26.00.

 

[Simon M]

I am confused:

I received from Amazon, great price a 1 DVD and 1 Blu Ray set.

There is a version I see that is 2 CD and 2 BD set. What am I missing by not having the 2 BD's?

Maybe I found answer from PT's website.

The Blu-Ray 1 features the full concert film, and bonus features, while Blu-Ray 2 includes Dolby Atmos surround sound, 5.1 Audio and 24 bit High Resolution Audio.

My one BD has the live concert in 4/K Dolby Atmos.
I think by not having BD 1, I am just missing three Bonus Tracks, Trains, Fear of a Blank Planet and Anesthetize.
And the CD's of course.
Looks like I am good with the 2 disc, DVD and BD, for Amazon's $26.00.

You're confused? Join the club! From what I can gather the BD / DVD set only has the 'bonus' backstage footage / interview missing. See post # 170.

BD 2 seems to be just the audio from BD 1. No mention whether it's higher Bitrate or any other differences, seems pretty pointless to me. I'm waiting to see what owners of the 4 disc set say, hopefully someone will confirm what it actually is...

It's the first time that I've seen those three 'bonus tracks' that you mentioned, they are all present on the concert BD in the BD / DVD set? Now I'm confused!

 

[sjcorne]

BD 2 seems to be just the audio from BD 1. No mention whether it's higher Bitrate or any other differences, seems pretty pointless to me. I'm waiting to see what owners of the 4 disc set say, hopefully someone will confirm what it actually is...

I don't have the four disc set, but here's my guess: the BD/DVD seems to have the full 'concert film' (with Steven talking to the audience before and after some of the songs), whereas the Atmos mix on Apple Music is presented more like a 'live album' with all that stuff edited out. The edited version is probably what's on that second Blu-Ray with no video.

 

[marpow]

I don't have the four disc set, but here's my guess: the BD/DVD seems to have the full 'concert film' (with Steven talking to the audience before and after some of the songs), whereas the Atmos mix on Apple Music is presented more like a 'live album' with all that stuff edited out. The edited version is probably what's on that second Blu-Ray with no video.

I’ll confirm
My one Atmos BluRay that I played in the machine is definitely full video and audio Atmos concert. There was a song where they had a video on the steen behind them, I couldn’t hear the audio of that person talking very well
I was not paying attention very well, but I do know they played Anethesize. One of the bonus tracks?
I will rip into chapters.
Fut I am starting to think the cheaper DVD/BD is the way to go I will confirm with all facts by tomorrow.

 

[Simon M]

I don't have the four disc set, but here's my guess: the BD/DVD seems to have the full 'concert film' (with Steven talking to the audience before and after some of the songs), whereas the Atmos mix on Apple Music is presented more like a 'live album' with all that stuff edited out. The edited version is probably what's on that second Blu-Ray with no video.

I don't use Apple music so didn't realise that version was edited. If that's the case couldn't they have just done that on BD 1 with 'branching' that I've seen done on a few films?

I only have the BD / DVD set so hopefully someone who has the 4 disc set can confirm exactly what's on each disc for us...

 

[sjcorne]

I don't use Apple music so didn't realise that version was edited. If that's the case couldn't they have just done that on BD 1 with 'branching' that I've seen done on a few films?

BD 1 is already pushing 40 GB, so probably not enough space.

 

[srbjab]

I don't buy any of it. Unfortunately this release is marred by excessive duplication whether it's across the DVD and BD in the 2 disc set or across 2 CD's and 2 BD's in the 4 disc set. The 4 disc set does not appear to have enough significant exclusive content to justify twice the price, unless you think 2 lower resolution CD's and an edited version of the concert audio sans video count as bonuses for a LIVE concert release.

The 2 disc set is clearly the best value for what's being offered.

 

[hedkandi]

Any news about the exclusive CD of Amazon? I booked when was linked here and even was charged to my card. And appears "preparing to dispatch".

 

[JediJoker]

Any news about the exclusive CD of Amazon? I booked when was linked here and even was charged to my card. And appears "preparing to dispatch".

There's an Amazon exclusive CD version? First I've heard of it.

 

[hedkandi]

There's an Amazon exclusive CD version? First I've heard of it.

Bad description, sorry. It was descripted as "Influential (Amazon exclusive CD signed)" and the photo is the BD+DVD edition. But It doesn't appears if you type to search.
I live in Spain and i guess that surely have to wait few days as usual, but hope that the "preparing" message could change soon.

 

[madship]

The back of the blu-ray gatefold.

Confirmed on menus the 2nd disc is three audio mixes. Below is what shows when played.