Author
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Topic: Nine Hours to Rama/The Lion on Artemis
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JEC
Standard Userer
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Unlike the QUO VADIS reissue, the sound quality on this one is not very good. Definitely an LP transfer. THE LION is the worse of the two. In some places the distortion is so bad it's unlistenable. This may have to do with the source. It's been over 20 years since I heard it, but I seem to remember the sound quality wasn't too good on the London LP either. Buyer beware on this one. [Message edited by JEC on 11-09-2001]
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posted 11-09-2001 06:56 PM PT (US) ip
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Lou Goldberg
Standard Userer
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Too late for me. I already ordered it! A real shame since both of these scores, The Lion especially, are great. Both of these were re-issued on LP some years back and I guess I'll have to rely on that vinyl.
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posted 11-10-2001 08:04 PM PT (US) ip
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JEC
Standard Userer
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Who reissued them? And when?
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posted 11-11-2001 10:11 AM PT (US) ip
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Lou Goldberg
Standard Userer
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I think London reissued them on LP and it was atleast 10-15 years ago. I'll have to check my copies for a date and get back to you.
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posted 11-12-2001 09:27 PM PT (US) ip
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JEC
Standard Userer
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Don't go to all that trouble! I didn't know they ever had been and was a little suprised. I'd be interested in your opinion of the sound quality of the Artemis CD. I think the distortion in THE LION was also in the original LP, but I got rid of mine 22 years ago.
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posted 11-13-2001 05:28 AM PT (US) ip
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Lou Goldberg
Standard Userer
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9 Hours/The Lion arrived in the mail. Nine Hours sounded clean to me, maybe a bit shrill in places, but as I remember it. The Lion was a different story and it's too bad since this is not only the better of the two scores but one of the better scores written. There's talk that the Artemis CDs are transferred from LPs. I didn't get that feeling from listening to these or other Artemis CDs. The Lion sounds as if it comes from a tape source as there's a noticeable tape hiss sound. The Main Title begins with what seem to me to be either tape dropouts or the effects of over processing with a computer. In any case, previous LP versions of the score don't have the problems that this main title does. As for the rest of The Lion, most of it sounds clean as well, but at certain points in some cues, when the orchestra reaches louder climaxes, there comes a crackling distortion that I've always associated with recording levels being up too high so that things peak way into the red. I don't recall the original LPs sounding this drastic but I haven't played them to compare for this since the CD's arrival. But, while the sound is less than perfect, I don't think it's horrible either, especially compared to the boots out there that people consider passable to listen to. I'll need to play this a few times before a final verdict. The question for others is whether the sound quality is so bad that they should pass this up despite how wonderful the music is. I'll give you my opinion on that soon.
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posted 11-15-2001 08:24 PM PT (US) ip
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Lou Goldberg
Standard Userer
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I was outbid on Ebay for a London CD of 9 Hours that was probably a lot cleaner than this.I don't know what to say as a follow up. I played a muddy-sounding cassette of these for years before getting vinyl. The sound quality on the Artemis CD topped that but still leaves a lot to be desired. However, the scores are there and they've wonderful. I've got to say thumbs down but if it's between this and never hearing them, then the thumb turns up.
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posted 11-20-2001 01:04 AM PT (US) ip
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JEC
Standard Userer
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Thanks for the assessment, Lou. It's a little bit disappointing to wait so long for a score, then be presented with a CD that is no better than this. THE LION is my favorite Sir Malcolm score, after AFRICA TEXAS STYLE, which will probably never see the light of day. If I ever start collecting LPs again, THE LION will be one of the first ones I go after.
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posted 11-20-2001 06:42 AM PT (US) ip
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Dana Wilcox
Standard Userer
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As regards the suggestion that some Artemis recordings may be LP transfers, there is no question in my mind that one in particular IS an LP transfer. RING OF BRIGHT WATER (which shares a disc with a fine sounding KHARTOUM) has a very noticeable low-frequency rumble -- I swear, it sounds like turntable rumble, like it was dubbed off of an old cheap Radio Shack turntable! I swore off of Artemis recordings after discovering this, but broke that pledge to pick up the QUO VADIS and NINE HOURS TO RAMA releases. A transfer I made of the London LP rerelease of NINE HOURS to CD a few months ago frankly sounds better than the Artemis version, although I can't say conclusively that it was an LP transfer. I'm not so sure that the additional music (on the Artemis CD) adds much. As has been mentioned, FSM concluded that Artemis' output is bootleg at worst and poor quality at best, and has discontinued reporting their new releases in the magazine.
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posted 11-21-2001 05:23 PM PT (US) ip
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Wedge
Standard Userer
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I too was suspect after all I read. But I'm VERY GLAD I made an exception to pick up Quo Vadis. What a score! Superior to the London CD, in that track order is correct and it includes the suite (in not-as-good sound). Don't miss it!
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posted 11-21-2001 05:42 PM PT (US) ip
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Dana Wilcox
Standard Userer
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In case anyone cares, there's an LP reissue of THE LION listed at Footlight:
http://www.footlight.com/product.cfm?product_id=21024 Pick one up, run it through the Cedar processing system and give Artemis a run for their money!
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posted 11-22-2001 06:49 PM PT (US) ip
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PeterK
FishChip
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New Vocalion issue remastered by Dutton is shipping now!
http://www.moviemusic.com/soundtrack/ninehours
The Quo Vadis is also in stock as well...
http://www.moviemusic.com/soundtrack/quovadisbenhur
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posted 06-23-2008 01:17 PM PT (US) ip
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Lou Goldberg
Standard Userer
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Interesting to read the history of my trying to locate a good copy of these scores again.I haven't picked up the new Dutton/Vocalise yet but it's at the top of my To Buy list. Both of these scores are great. Of course, I love Arnold so would I say any different? Nine Hours to Rama has an Indian music tinge to it while The Lion has an African music tinge to it. Things haven't changed since I wrote the above. I still consider The Lion to be the better of the two scores and among the best scores ever penned (at least in the top 50). If the sound is as I hope, any one buying this is in for a good listen.
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posted 06-23-2008 01:38 PM PT (US) ip
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tjguitar
Standard Userer
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quote:
Originally posted by PeterK:
New Vocalion issue remastered by Dutton is shipping now!
http://www.moviemusic.com/soundtrack/ninehours
The Quo Vadis is also in stock as well...
http://www.moviemusic.com/soundtrack/quovadisbenhur
The Quo Vadis doesn't really do much for me, but the Ben Hur is great. Definitely recommended.  Of coures, after I get tadlow EL CID, I could never listen to another Rozsa disc again and be satisfied with just that one.
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posted 06-23-2008 01:39 PM PT (US) ip
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PeterK
FishChip
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Yeah, no kidding. El Cid is coming early September... still waiting on a price from the label:
http://www.moviemusic.com/soundtrack/elcid-tadlow
Nice artwork to me!
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posted 06-23-2008 01:50 PM PT (US) ip
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tjguitar
Standard Userer
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I hope the price isn't bad but with the $ sucking so much, I wouldn't be surprised if that is in the $30 ballpark at least. Isn't it a 3 discer?
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posted 06-23-2008 02:01 PM PT (US) ip
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