I checked and did not see a tread on the new or re-release of The Last Valley by John Barry on Quartet Records. I read in the listing that it has been mastered and it says IT HAS NEVER SOUNDED BETTER. I have the Intrada, but was curious if anyone had bought the Quartet version and could compare the sound with the Intrada version. Is it really better ? Is it worth spending 25 bucks better ? I am a budget audiophile but as we know sometimes when they say improved, the volume is just turned up. Anyone heard the Quartet and Intrada and can give an opinion ? Thanks.
Second. My copy will arrive next week, but I'd like to quote person from John Barry's Facebook group about this release:
Since Thursday I have the Quartet-Album of "The last Valley". What can I say: terrific, outstanding!!! What Chris Malone have done with the sound is realy magic. From the first view bars of the main title you here the difference. On the Intrada the male chorus was on the left chanel, female on the right. On this one the chorus is in the middle - as it should be. On the Quartet-Album you have a realy Stereo feeling and a good portion of punch. Great work is done, Valley sound's as it should be and never has on CD. forget the Tickertape-Cd (Bootleg???) and the Intrada (for fairness: Intrada get a finished Mastering from Universal, the have nothing to do with the mastering; if they have it done it I am sure the sound would be fine) - the Quartet-Album is it, if you want an outstanding sounding of the original recording! If you want it complete and modern Hifi-sounding you have to Go to the find Silva recording of James Fitzpatrick, The City of Prague Philharmonic, Crouch End Festival Chorus and Maestro Nic Raine! I realy Hood the next Quartet-Album is The Lion in Winter or Mary...with the forces of Chris Malone! Have a nice sunday!
Though it's not the complete score, this is an album worth buying, for it's spectacular remastering. The soundtrack album has never sounded so good IMHO.
Great review, Hutch! Though I may be a bit biased, I'll add my voice to those praising the mastering of the Quartet release. The improvement in sound is immediately noticeable.
