FLEETWOOD MAC RUMOURS 45 RPM 12" 2011 RECORD STORE DAY RSD AUDIOPHILE PRESSING

$

90

You are bidding on a Brand New Limited Edition 12" 45 RPM 2 DISC LP Set of  FLEETWOOD MAC - RUMOURS .

Rumours 45 RPM Set:

The Packaging

Everything about this 45 RPM release says deluxe. The laminated gatefold cover, which is made of heavy cardstock, is very nice. The heavy, 180 gram double vinyl was immaculately pressed at the Pallas facility in Germany and is housed inside poly-lined paper sleeves. It played absolutely silently on every side. Contained inside the gatefold, is the original  photo collage of the band. The lyric sheet is included as a double-sided single page insert.

The Sound

While almost everyone interested in vinyl has a copy of this record in their collection, it has been re-pressed so many times that sound quality can vary widely, with some copies coming from sources other than the original tapes.  In preparation for this review, I've listened to several vinyl versions--including original Ken Perry-mastered Capitol pressings, a later Eighties Robert Ludwig-mastered vinyl reissue, and the recent deluxe edition compact disc. 

Mastered from the original analog tapes by the veteran team of Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray, and cut at 45 RPM, this deluxe two-record set edition contains all of the hallmarks of a typical Hoffman mastering, with increased dynamics, full bass and lower mids, and smooth, somewhat restrained upper mids and highs. With this 45 RPM cutting, however, comes even more dynamics, utterly silent surfaces, quicker transients and more low level detail.

While sound quality of  earlier pressings of this album has undoubtedly varied depending upon the cutting, I've always thought the better sounding versions to be quite good--until I dropped the needle on this 45 RPM version. Even the best sounding original pressings sound compressed in comparison, with lesser versions sounding drenched in reverb, and possessing thinner vocals shrouded by echo and a splashy cymbal sound. 

In contrast to all of the earlier incarnations, this Hoffman/Gray mastering features much bigger bass, allowing the drums and bass to come forward, yet also manages to present more nuanced vocals, with individual backing vocals occupying their own spaces within the mix.

 In a treat to fans, presumably for re-buying this album for the umpteenth time, Hoffman includes an alternate "countdown" beginning to Gold Dust Woman, which also features some of the most realistic dobro I've ever heard recorded to wax, and an remarkably wide dynamic range, with swings of over 20 decibels throughout the song. There isn't a hint of compression or limiting anywhere on the record.

While virtually every song is a delight, Dreams is nothing short of intoxicating, with big drums that come to life and a bassline from John McVie that up to now remained dormant. Stevie Nicks' vocal is dead center and sounds so incredibly real--almost angelic at times. 


This 45 RPM version is so good--that it literally shattered my long held belief that Rumours was a good sounding record. One wonders what a recording like Steely Dan's Aja would sound like, given similar treatment. This set is nothing short of demo quality--and I wish nothing more than it would be available to every audiophile.

This Is The Limited Edition 12" 45 RPM 2 Disc 180g Vinyl LP Set Released only Record Store Day April 16, 2011.

This LP Set is in Brand New Unplayed Condition. In Hand for Quick Shipment. 

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