Rhino Remasters sound quality

[doctor_how]

Hi, I'm new here, and I think my question fits best here. I'm wondering what you all think of the recently released Yes Remastered &Expaned CDs. How's the sound quality? I don't have many Yes CDs, just some old pressings of Yes, Time and a Word, The Yes Album, and Fragile.

[Martin Riley]

The sound quality is fantastic, making for a much better listening experience, spoil yourself, get the Rhino remasters.

And P.S. welcome aboard, I hope you keep posting and enjoy yourself, this is a great site

[spedblavio]

I've not heard any of the Atlantic remasters, but if your copy of Fragile is an old pre-remaster pressing, you will be astounded by the difference in the Rhino version. The ancient copy of Fragile I used to have was virtually unlistenable. The Rhino version is stunning, thanks to it I rediscovered that great album.

As for the earlier stuff, I previously only had the CD of Yesterdays. Compared to those versions, the Rhino remasters of Yes and Time and A Word are like night and day, so much clearer. They likewise did an amazing job with The Yes Album.

I wouldn't even care if these new Rhinos didn't have bonus tracks, that's just icing on the cake. The sound quality is incredible. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the latest batch I just ordered.

[rob1960]

I bought Time and Word, TYA and Fragile, RHINO re-issues I mean.. Quality is a lot better than original Atlantic re-masters (these a great improvement over the first CD issues I also have, along with the original 70's vinyl stuff). In fact I already placed an order for the newest releases (8/26 release date): CTE, TFTO, Relayer, GFO. Can't wait to receiving this last batch. If you're new to YES, do yourself a favour and get these RHINO re-masters. Only SACD would make a better sound. Also these are the YES very masterpieces (indeed, even TFTO!). I doubt I would order anything more recent than TORMATO. I have original 90125 and BIG GENERATOR vinyl albums and cannot be bothered to buy any CD re-issue, no matter their sound or price.

[RobAdams]

I will consume whatever YES releases RHINO offers up. I hope that YESSONGS and YESSHOWS will eventually get RHINOfied, and I do hope BIG GENERATOR and 9012LIVE get this expanded and remastered treatment as well.

As unnecessary as YESTERDAYS is now, it would be a great addition to the series. Perhaps the tracks could be given entirely different mixes, much like what Ian Anderson did on the CLASSIC REMIXED SONGS disc of the 25th ANNIVERSARY Jethro Tull Box. The collection won't feel complete without the YESTERDAYS cover art. Come to think of it, the CLASSIC YES album would be missed as well. What a lovely cover! Again, perhaps the tracks could be totally remixed for this one too. And of course both should have even more bonus tracks.

Right now I'm listening to GATES OF DELIRIUM from the new RELAYER and I must say I can hear things I never noticed and/or heard in this recording before. And the cluttered parts that distorted on the old Atlantic CD sound crispy clean!

[Faceintheplace]

Word is they're considering releasing the '75 to '76 solo releases. If they're going to get that thruogh, they'll probably do "Big Generator" and the live albums too.

Rhino hasn't put out Sire's Ramones live album, "Its Alive" yet either. Have they done Greatful Dead's "Live Dead" and "Europe '72" yet? If not, I have a feeling 2004 will be the year of the live Rhino releases.

[Dafty Boy]

I was listening to CLOSE TO THE EDGE (Rhino remaster) and it really does sound amazing. I didn't buy the previous remasters but it blows away the original CD release and also CTTE from YesYears.
I also played the 'definitive edition' of Foxtrot by Genesis and was very disappointed. No way as definitive as the Rhino Yes stuff.
Lastly. Get those headphones out. Wow! I thought the bass-line was drilling right into my forehead!
Dafty

[BredYes]

I bought Yes, The Yes Abum, Fragile and TFTO until now and they all sound amazing. A huge improvement compared to previous releases.

[deelovesyes]

I have the Tales and Close to the Edge, they are both amazing!!

Can't wait to get the others

Dee

[pianozach]

I have two different CD versions of DRAMA:

One is Yes DRAMA Digitally Remastered by Joe Gastwirt at Ocean View Digital Atlantic 82685-2 - no remaster date listed anywhere, but probably released in 1994.

The other is Yes DRAMA [Bonus Tracks] Elektra/Rhino R2 73795 - released 2004.

The Rhino mixes are definitely an improvement over the Gastwirt Digital remasters, although often the bass sound is identical on both. One big bass guitar difference is in the playout of DOES IT REALLY HAPPEN, where the bass guitar on the Rhino remaster is considerably less muddy. However, the tag's original subtle fade-in has been replaced with a sudden plopping in of Geoff's keyboards.

The only complaint is with the quality of the Paris sessions material - not sonically, mind you, but compositionally. They're just not up to Yes' usual standards. They do feel much like Jon solo songs, and they're somewhat uninspired to my ears.

[CybrKhatru]

As usual, I'm the lone voice of dissent. I found the Rhinos too harsh-sounding.

[Doctor Flang]

As usual, I'm the lone voice of dissent. I found the Rhinos too harsh-sounding.

I'm with you. That said, i think Relayer and Tales were superior to the previous versions.

The Rhino version of the Yes was clearly taken from a better source than the previous versions, but EQ'd very strangely. Still, i like the Rhino version better, and the bonus tracks on that one are great.

IMORhino's Close to the Edge, Fragile and Time And A Word sounded very unpleasent compared to the Gastwrit's remasters which were very nicely done.

Anyway, i have no doubt that then-Rhino-employer Bill Inglot would have done a great job on Yessongs and Yesshows either or which were remastered.