Rec'd the title from a supplier recently, it's on Floating World, an import company that also includes Evangeline, Acadia, and Voiceprint among others. I have seen bootlegs on a couple of these labels, so not sure if this is one too. Maybe Webb knows. Anyway, it has the standard album versions in the set, sound quality seems fine, with a note on the back saying it's licensed from Sony UK. One strange thing is the Acres Of Suede disc says it's by Steve Young, another Floating World artist who, like Webb, used to be on Watermelon as well. Wondering if anyone else thinks this release is a bit unusual?

Ned, I remember you telling us about this release when you were solicited for it a while ago: http://www.webbwilder.com/?goto=board&postid=2957
Sounds like a low-budget reissue...if they paid Sony, and Sony actually has the UK rights to these two titles, I guess it's legit.
Maybe Webb will get a check or two some day, that would be nice!

I bought it a few weeks ago, and it does give the impression of being completely legit.

Hunter

It's the damnedest thing. Ownership of these masters was tied up in a bankruptcy case. I was told all the assets (many albums by many artists) had to be kept together until some sorta verdict was reached. At that time, some other label was to take ownership of ALL of them (these two included) and begin to see about re-releasing some or all of them. In the MEANTIME, this division (Evangeline) of Floating World (UK label) put out both in one package with a "Kinkos" lookin' cover, a booklet fulla typos PLUS one of the discs is attributed to Steve Young! I don't understand how they had the right to put it out. I have NO idea how Sony ever got involved. I'm told New West bought the catalog. At any rate, my people told me these Brit people would pay royalties and I THINK the sound is cool enough plus you can now get these otherwise deleted titles. Perhaps there will be a domestic New West release as well if this two fer hasn't muddied the water too much. Don't YOU wanna be in the music business? WW

Now available at Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Town-Country-Acres-Suede-Wilder/dp/B00369K2FA/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1294669797&sr=1-2

"Digitally remastered release containing a pair of albums from the American Roots Rocker who combined Country with a hint of Surf music and a Duane Eddy-influenced twang. Town & Country (1995) was an eclectic set of covers of songs from Waylon Jennings, The Small Faces and Rodney Crowell and is prime roadhouse music. Acres Of Suede (1996) was considered to be his most radio friendly album at the time of release, with this collection of mostly original material. 28 tracks."

I actually own one of these double CDs. You can buy them on ebay from $10-$20. I hope Webb eventually can collect some of his royalties for these.

Quick question - it says digitally remasterd ... does it sound like it has a better sound quality then before?? .... not that there was ever anything wrong with my originals. But could be an additional reason to own one of these. A must for any WW collector.

E

Eric, I can promise you that these CDs have not been remastered especially for this release. A budget label won't do that, it costs more than they want to spend. I just hope they sound as good as the original releases.

Almost all CDs made before the birth of digital recording are labeled "Digitally Remastered" somewhere, but it's usually meaningless. The original analog master tapes HAVE to be digitally remastered in order to put them on a CD...

Didn't sound any different to me. I may take another listen. The old CDs of these two albums sound good and I hope (and think) these are identical. Many of the high profile artists' remasters are actually ruined. Ben Folds told me to visit a website called volumewars.com. Everybody wants their's LOUDER. What happens is all the dynamic range and subleties are destroyed, there's is no "happy spot" on the volume knob and they are inevitably BRIGHTER. The Beatle remasters sound GREAT. Just got the Apple Badfinger remasters done by the same folks and they are real nice, too. The ABCKO era Stones stuff is maybe not done quite as nice as the Beatles remasters but, very good. The post ABCKO stuff which starts with "Sticky Fingers" is not recommended by me. I bought "Sticky," A/B'd it with the previous version of the CD, liked the old one better and traded the new one in. The "Mother Ship" Zeppelin collection was where I first noticed this trend. That set is not like the originals. It is loud and outta wack, IMHO. WW

I also carry these two titles separately, they look like the original Watermelon releases, but the supplier that carries them has them listed on their site as import. So I really don't know what the hell to make of that. I think Watermelon pressed the titles in Canada for U.S. release.

Ugh, Webb, music that's TOO loud, as in "to the point of self-obliteration," really makes my blood boil.

Especially when it's self-inflicted by the listener. Setting aside bad mastering for the moment, an example: Every frickin' 10,000-watt thumper-mobile that's rollin' down the road, that you can *literally* hear coming and going for a good mile-plus. But ONLY the frequencies between 60 and 200 hertz.

Rumor has it this can start earthquakes!! I wonder if those people have ever even HEARD the music that's blasting into their ears?

... and how old are you, Mike?

BTW, I agree.
Signed,
Much Older Than You

Somewhere I heard that many CDs are being produced at high volumes so they have more of a kick in iPods, mp3 players, etc. Don't know if this is true or not, but I remember buying Bruce Springsteen's CD, Magic, and the sound seemed very muddled. I then read a review stating that it was recorded at a higher volume.

By the way, I agree with Webb...the Beatles remasters are AMAZING!!! Crystal clear.

The whole point is that you have a VOLUME knob on your stereo be it an ipod, a car or whatever so that YOU can choose. With "over mastered" (especially stuff that you're familiar with) you can't find the "happy spot" on the dial. It sounds wrong at any setting. WW