Vinyl album reissues: which ones are worth the money?

[TinMan]

I rediscovered vinyl last year when I bought a turntable (first I’ve owned in over 30 years) and started listening to my old collection and began selectively purchasing records again.

As I type this I’m listening to the 2018 remix of the Beatles’ White Album. It’s remarkable what George Martin’s son did with this record. I still have my old 70’s-era pressing, so I can confirm this conclusion is not just based on memory.

It has me wondering which other old albums are worth buying again, even if I already have a copy from my younger days. For example, I’d love for S&G’s Bridge Over Troubled Water to get the White Album treatment. The original mix was atrocious, in retrospect. My research, though, indicates there doesn’t seem to be a current release that’s worth the money.

Anyone else enjoying the vinyl renaissance who might have recommendations?

[Prolongus]

I have several vinyl albums from the sixties but somehow, the sound of bacon frying has crept in to most of them. Here’s a few I’d like to hear, if they’ve been remixed:
War Heroes - Jimi Hendrix
American Beauty - Grateful Dead
Burgers - Hot Tuna (Jefferson Airplane refugees)
Sgt. Peppers - Beatles
Overnight Sensation - Frank Zappa
There’s just something about a new album, new needle and cartridge that digital music can’t quite get...that crisp, fresh sound.

[CG2014]

I still have vinyl 45 and 33 1/3 and 12" singles from the early 70's (belonged to Dad and passed on to me) all the way to when I stopped buying them in the 90's.

They all still work and in good condition including many first prints
I just don't have a turntable anymore.

[TinMan]

Sgt Peppers was remixed and reissued in 2017. Giles Martin led that effort as well. I own the CD, but haven’t yet bought the vinyl. May need to add that one to the shopping list.

[TinMan]

If I had 60s era first pressing classics in mint condition, I’d probably not play those but buy new versions instead. Chances are, it’s been reissued on heavier 180 g vinyl, which sounds better (assuming the masters are of equal quality).

Back when I was in college, I’d go out of my way to find “virgin” vinyl and imports, which were considered superior quality to cheap US product. Some of that was probably hype, but I listen to those records today and most still sound great.

[CG2014]

[TinMan]

[CG2014]

[TinMan]

[Chung Tran]

Originally Posted by Prolongus

I have several vinyl albums from the sixties but somehow, the sound of bacon frying has crept in to most of them. Here’s a few I’d like to hear, if they’ve been remixed:
War Heroes - Jimi Hendrix
American Beauty - Grateful Dead
Burgers - Hot Tuna (Jefferson Airplane refugees)
Sgt. Peppers - Beatles
Overnight Sensation - Frank Zappa
There’s just something about a new album, new needle and cartridge that digital music can’t quite get...that crisp, fresh sound.

I highly recommend the CD from Mobile Fidelity, of American Beauty.. great, clean sound, no compression. I imagine the Mobile Fidelity Vinyl would be great as well.

[TinMan]

Thanks for that recommendation, CT. I have a late CD release of American Beauty, but I don’t think it’s that version. That’s a good one for me to try to find on vinyl.

I believe I read there was a MoFi version of BOTW as well. I need to look into that, since that may be a solid option for that record.

[Grace Preston]

Most of my vinyl tends to be a bit off the beaten path.... Miles Davis, Louis Prima, etc. Though I do have a really good reissue of Joni Mitchell's "Blue"

[Prolongus]

Is it my imagination (or maybe I’m going deaf) but does it seem like little has changed in MP3/sound technology? The way TVs have changed in the last few years, you’d think recorded sound would be better.

[TinMan]

I have all those artists in my CD collection, too, Grace. “Blue” on vinyl is something I definitely should consider...”Court and Spark” is already on my list.

For years, all digital audio was about getting more music in less space. Audio quality was not a priority. I’ve read some recent press that indicates the tide may be about to move in the other direction. I hope so...it still disappoints me that the iTunes Store doesn’t offer a lossless option.

[Chung Tran]

Originally Posted by Grace Preston

Most of my vinyl tends to be a bit off the beaten path.... Miles Davis, Louis Prima, etc. Though I do have a really good reissue of Joni Mitchell's "Blue"

I could never "warm up" to Blue.. everyone talks about how it is a landmark album, so I gave it a try.. too morose for me. perhaps too sparse.


I heard a Louis Prima song on the public radio station.. the title was something like "the meat next to the bone is the sweetest".. that is the theme of the song, at least.. never found it on a cd or record. cool novelty song that praises skinny girls.