Comments on: Pink Floyd – Exposed In The Light Of Landover (Godfather Records GR396/397)

By: wgpsec

wgpsec — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:40:36 +0000

Just got this one and while I agree there is some rust in the performance, it is really nice to see this source making its silver debut and the packaging is certainly up to Godfather’s high standards.

By: gsparaco

gsparaco — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:27:11 +0000

Regarding Osaka Triple, yes, there will be a review posted sometime this week.

By: lug_nutz6

lug_nutz6 — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:43:36 +0000

YES. Plomerus has summed it up. If you were to stick to collecting just one labels Floyd releases you would be missing out on a lot. On a separate note will ‘Osaka Triple’ be reviewed? I am super curious about this one…

By: Plomerus

Plomerus — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:43:36 +0000

Actually, I’d say both Godfather AND Sigma truly serve both collectors AND the common listener – it all depends on the release.

By: Argenteum Astrum

Argenteum Astrum — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:56:39 +0000

I think Plomerus has right – Godfather is the label dedicated to more common listener while Sigma/Sirene are Floyd-dedicated efforts. But this didn’t implicate anything wrong – it’s just the matter of anyone’s choice and preference. Personally I think Godfather did a great job putting an unreleased source and we should be grateful for that. And I bet that someday Sigma/Sirene rerelease this material in its raw and unaltered form too.

By: aleebee

aleebee — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:38:29 +0000

And please DO keep detailing ‘every single cut, warble, fade, etc’ as this influences my decision. :)

By: Plomerus

Plomerus — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:30:46 +0000

I stand by my statement that Sigma/Sirene and related are the ultimate in Floyd…on the basis of sound quality, completeness, attention to detail, and very careful mastering. Sure, there are labels with better packaging – but these releases are all about hearing, not fancy packaging right? Further, in my reviews, I make it a point to detail every single cut, warble, fade, etc. specifically for those of us who DO have 10 previous versions of a given show. Now, of course we all want more previously unreleased material on silver…but considering my last calculations, there are only about 74 additional shows from 1981 and prior that are known to exist on tape which haven’t been released in ANY form – many of which sound awful or are merely fragments. There are approximately 180 shows from the Gilmour-led era that also fall into this category, and the CDR-only Amity label (related to Sigma) has in fact been whittling away at these, but alas, no silver. All that being said, my theory is that ultimately between Sirene and Sigma, the intention IS to release definitive versions of EVERYTHING eventually…which in many cases does mean replacing inferior sounding releases from Highland, STTP, TSP, etc. as well as unearthing unreleased recordings. The bottom line for me is I rather have 1 version of each gig that sounds truly amazing, than a bunch of inferior versions from 15 years ago that are unlistenable. Upgrades are welcome. Previously unreleased shows are welcome. Direct copies are not generally. That’s my 10 pence on the matter.

By: aleebee

aleebee — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:55:39 +0000

Well, we’ll have to agree to disagree. :) I do find the Sigma titles often ARE definitive, eg for Alameda May 9th 1977 this was by a comparison of FIVE different silver titles. Of course, the ears used for the comparisons were mine but as I’ll be the one then listening to future plays, that’s fine. FTR, I have to get my Sigma’s mail order (no fairs or other outlets here, not for many a year) and they cost me considerably more than the equivalent of $60US, so, yes, in that respect, Roberto, I do consider you lucky! Some titles, on any label, shall become redundant: that’s the nature of the beast. Myself, I only want one copy of any gig but I want it to be the best there is. Sometimes I’ve been lucky and HAVEN’T already got several versions: I go straight to the best version. Ultimately, as with any hobby, you pays your money, you makes your choice!

By: relayer67

relayer67 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:51:56 +0000

Consider this when you speak of titles being overated, I ordered a few that you have listed, labyrinths of corals caves for one. My only other silver title of this gig is the old Live in Montreux swinging pig that runs very slow and for me was an upgrade. The only copy of the Oakland 77 show I have is on the stonehenge label that is years old and I will upgrade in the future. I do applaude companies like Godfather who are releasing new product but find a need for upgrading older titles that I do not have. Ultimatly if you have a large collection some of the titles seem redundant but for other we are glad for some of these releases.

By: classicrawker

classicrawker — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:13:56 +0000

Well Roberto While I respect your opinion it would be interesting to hear what titles by what labels you feel are better quality to the Sigma titles you are saying are overrated? It is always welcome to get other opinions on quality as it the most subjective element of our hobby

By: strummerville

strummerville — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:45:07 +0000

I hear what you’re saying Roberto, but surely you want the best sounding version available…? The time and effort that goes into restoring the sound, speed-correcting, patching glitches and drop-outs, smoothing transitions between different tape sources, isn’t it worth paying for a more pleasurable listening experience…? As for new and unreleased material rarely seeing the light of day, isn’t that the fault of hoarders rather than labels…?

By: ROBERTO

ROBERTO — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:28:27 +0000

wow! that’s a debate! well, i’d like to explain my opinion better: in a past review ( the “labytrinths of..” one) someone said “the pf top label”, i only guess that’s not correct, that’s the only label fully devoted to floyd but not so far to be the best one, if i take a look at the past 20 sigma titles, i only see a handful of them carrying unreleased ( on silver) stuff !! where’s the greatness? they only spend time in mastering and not in locating new stuff, and some of the older titles keep well the ground in front of newer ones. Wanna know overrated titles?” pink jungle”, “westworld”, “one flew..”,”animal cops”, “oakland”, “labyrinths of..”, “washington 71″, and i really could go on listing. i’m not a “tone snob” , i’m just looking at new unreleased stuff and that’s all!! neither packaging is so outstanding, “tarantura”,”empress valley”,”mid valley”, “hoochie coochie man”, “scorpio” and so on, in japan ,are still undefeated for it, this is for east. In the west there’s currently only the “godfatherecords “label ( and a couple of times “rover records”) providing value for money. No posters, no digipacks, no liner notes can( neither occasionally) be found on sigma titles, just a nice artwork on the front and back covers ( on a small piece of paper). sigma rereleased the hakone gig in the past: well, sirene , when issued it included a really excellent , exact(and perfect!) replica of the tour programme of the festival!! Wanna talk about prices for this stuff? i usually pick up a sigma title (a double cd)for 60$ ( and this dealer makes the same price for the “godfather..” one), maybe i’m lucky because , at the local fairs, i buy the “godfather..” double cds at 30$, but i contacted a wholesale dealer that usually provides me other live stuff and he guaranteed me that the “godfather.. “titles retail ( in shops)at 10-15$ dollars less than sigma ones. respect to all opinions , of course, but please don’t tell me anymore ” the definitive issue”, or “well worth having because it doesn’t carry that very little hiss at the first song” or stuff like that. Sure, that’s only my point of view but i wanna spend my hard-earned money in something new to me ,not the forth or fifth issue of a gig!!

By: Plomerus

Plomerus — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:36:35 +0000

I’ve never had a problem identifying a Sigma release as “for completists only” or of lesser sound quality as appropriate in my reviews. The truth is, more often than not Sigma deliver fantastic releases, but some of the more recent releases are questionable indeed – moreso for the content rather than quality. There’s no disputing Godfather does an amazing job too, but in ALL cases, if something doesn’t sound fantastic, our reviews will say as much. Keep in mind also that reviews are the opinion of the reviewer – you might hear things differently, and that is what makes the discussions here so interesting.

By: eric99

eric99 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:39:50 +0000

I recently bought a CD-R myself that didn’t play and had to exchange it.

By: aleebee

aleebee — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:10:36 +0000

On a slight inside, as a Floyd collector I am pleased to be *getting* silvers: I also collect Aerosmith, Sabbath, Dio, Tull, Priest, Scorpions and there are some wonderful releases but. on. CDRs. I regularly have to return for exchange a CDR or 2 from a newly-arrived order, due to burn errors. Saddest part of all is that one of the major new labels for some of those bands named (Shades) started off with silvers. It’s not like they cost any less, either! Not that I’m defending rubbish silvers, of course, but we all know which we prefer.

By: eric99

eric99 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:00:01 +0000

I think the reviews have been very balanced. Sigma is a Floyd label and have filled in spots for collectors, which have been clearly stated here by the reviewer with the best available version at the time. Believe me, there’s some serious “tone snobs” here (that’s a compliment!) who will give their opinion on quality, and keep in mind the recording technology of the given time. Can you imagine lugging around a reel to reel deck into a concert these days? Try getting past a metal detector.

By: DLee

DLee — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:22:20 +0000

I’ve regularly bought Floyd CD’s on both Sigma & Godfather labels, as well as those on other labels, and Sigma discs are either no more expensive than those of Godfather or other labels, or only a couple/few U.S. Dollars more in price. And I don’t think Sigma releases have been “hyped” here that much more than those of Godfatherecords – no one is being forced to buy Sigma items (or any other boot products). Collectors have varying personal preferences, and whether you prefer Sigma or not, they have their own “niche” in the Floyd boot-collecting community that many appreciate – especially as a replacement for Highland as the most prolific producer, & esp. for recordings that can be upgraded one way or another.

By: aleebee

aleebee — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:58:27 +0000

I think the reviews have always been balanced, Roberto: there are some titles I WON’T be buying because the reviewer rates them as ‘for completists’ or has mentioned the SQ as being less than VG. However, all the Sigma I have bought have, on listening, been upgrades on earlier titles. The only one where I prefer the original is Highland’s Fillmore rather than Sigma’s Westworld. That is, of course, only MY opinion. ;)

By: LedMan

LedMan — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:29:12 +0000

Roberto I have quite a few Sigma releases that I bought based on reviews on this site and I think most were accurate.

By: gsparaco

gsparaco — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:03:39 +0000

Roberto, could you be more specific? And remember these articles are opinions, not scientific data.