Elton John/Greatest Hits Original DCC Compact Classics

DCC Compact Classics is a high-quality CD label that is as charismatic and popular as Mobile Fidelity. Elton John’s biggest hit, “GREATEST HITS,” which was reprinted from “GZS-1071,” will be released. [High-quality CD series “DCC” by charismatic engineers] High-quality CDs that appeared in various ways from the 90s to the 2000s. However, even if you say “high-quality CD”, there are many different methods. As companies began to compete with each other to release products, there were differences in their superiority and popularity. The various miscellaneous methods can be broadly divided into three. One is what could be called “material-based.” Normally, CDs have a structure in which the aluminum vapor-deposited film on which signals are recorded is sandwiched between polyocarbonate sheets, but this material is replaced with a highly reflective metal film or highly transparent resin to reduce reading errors. This applies to “SHM-CD” and “Blu-spec CD” (however, the recorded data itself is the same as normal data, and it is said that errors may increase depending on the reading tuning of the player. ). The second one is “digital technology”. The CD standard is 16-bit, but high-quality digital remastering involves digitizing the analog master with a high quality of 20 bits or more and converting it to 16-bit. A type that uses new technology to suppress digital deterioration during conversion. Typical examples include “SBM CD” and “HDCD.” The third category is “Engineer”. They borrow the master tapes of albums from record companies and digitize them, and are extremely particular about the tape playback environment and process. Of course, each manufacturer has their own unique know-how, and they pay close attention to the finish, focusing on reproducing the “sound of the master tape itself.” Representative examples of this are “Mobile Fidelity” and “DCC Compact Classics.” And the important thing about this type is “Who remastered it?” Because the sound quality is not improved through digital technology or materials, each step depends on the skill and taste of the craftsman, and no matter who does it, it will not be the same. Among them, popular engineers appeared, and many engineers became charismatic, such as the master Bob Ruddick and Bill Inglot of the Rhino label. Their masterpieces are extremely popular among the many high-quality CDs out there, and some are even sold second-hand for tens of thousands of yen. And one of them is Steve Hoffman. The analog sound that uses vacuum tubes for mastering equipment is even called magic, and it is the charismatic sound that has spread the “DCC Compact Classics” brand around the world. [“GREATEST HITS”, where the genius of the engineer shines because it is a compilation album] And this work is “GREATEST HITS”, a historical masterpiece of a compilation edition revived with such Hoffman sound. Since the late 1960s, the supremacy of original albums has taken hold in the music scene, and it is usually the original albums that are handed down as “masterpieces.” However, as with everything there are exceptions. Some artists, such as Muddy Waters, the Eagles, and Queen, have established themselves as masterpieces with compilation albums that have become huge hits. Elton’s “GREATEST HITS” is also such a historical piece, and it has been made into a high-quality CD. Since this work is a compilation, the recording time and production are different for each song, but that is precisely why you can feel Hoffman’s design. The current remastered version has a uniformly raised sound pressure despite the disparate recordings, making it a harsh sound. As a result, over-peaks occur frequently, and the sound can be said to be somewhat violent. It’s a finish that makes me wonder if there’s an unconscious bias on the part of the record company and engineers that “this is the best album after all.” However, craftsman Hoffman is different. In total, the sound pressure is lower than the current remastered version, but that’s why there is plenty of sound width, and the subtleties left on the master tape have been firmly transferred to the CD. This is clear from the opening songs “Your Song” and “Daniel.” In the current remastered version, the snare that is supposed to support the gentle melody is harsh, the peaks are crushed, and the reverberation is cut off, piercing the ears. However, this work retains its natural sound and blends naturally into the ensemble, yet each note has a lingering aftertaste. While the remastered version destroyed the song idea, the emotion that Elton was originally aiming for is beautifully expressed. Even more intense is “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting”. The real pleasure is the dynamism of the previous song “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” where it suddenly changes from the emotion to an up-close song, but the current remastered version ruins this. The original recording is also a little noisy, but it has been amplified and becomes “dirty” beyond wild. The ringing has been cut down to the extreme, and only the jagged core is exposed. This sound is not only disappointing, but even painful. On the other hand, in this work, the sound of each note remains clean until the moment when it is muted, and there is no “protruding feeling”. The magnificent orchestration that sounds at the ending of the previous song “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” transitions beautifully to electric. Why was “GREATEST HITS” able to become a historical masterpiece, and why does it continue to be reprinted even after the best-of-release albums are overflowing? Hoffman firmly understands the meaning of this, and is able to portray not only each song, but also the beauty of editing and the elegance of masterpieces. Even though it’s a digital CD, music is still a product of human hands and sensibilities. This is especially true if the work was handmade in the analog era. The new digital technology and materials are wonderful, but in the end, the freshness of the master tape itself and the engineer’s “kan” are the pinnacle. This work is a rare masterpiece that was digitized during the heyday of such charismatic Steve Hoffman. Taken from the original DCC Compact Classics CD(GZS-1071) Mastered by Steve Hoffman 1. Your Song 2. Daniel 3. Honky Cat 4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 5. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting 6. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time) 7. Bennie And The Jets 8. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me 9. Border Song 10. Crocodile Rock Plus 11. Candle In The Wind