Although I haven't finished listening to the entire set yet, I just thought I'd share some intials thoughts regarding ABC's newest release.
I'm from the generation that first witnessed these movies when they were originally released and since then they have played such an imoprtant role in my life and I guess, my happiness.
I've lived with and loved this music deeply for over 30 years, so when the '97 SE scores were released, it was a great joy to finally have the complete scores, good times indeed ....well kind of.
In my naivety and a certain amount a happy ignorance, I've lived with the appalling sound of TESB simply because it was the easiest and most convenient way to experience this score as a whole.
Previous CD releases did sound better but the fact that they were far from complete was the reason I found myself going back to the 'SE', even though there was always a sense of drinking fine wine from a tramp's shoe.
So what does this new release offer and why is it better than the previous 'AUDIOPHILE EDITION'?
Well, when I first listened to the 'AE' I was completely blown away by the sense of warmth that was present and the details that had been obliterated by the 'SE'.
Something like 'Snowspeeders (Luke's Rescue)' is a perfect example.
Overall, I feel this new release improves on those details even more. The strings, especially the lower strings have so much warmth and depth.
The brass and percussion still retain their power but never offend the ears by distorting. The music now sounds like a genuine, although a more operatic companion to the original SW score.
Something I feel the 'SE' denied us of.
To be honest, when a piece of work touches you so deeply, I feel no amount of words can do justice to the actual experience itself and that's kind of how I feel now.
I do however feel a responsibility to acknowledge my satisfaction and gratitude towards this release.
I realise that a huge percentage of SW fans are not necessarily fans of the music outside of the films so perhaps all of this is no big deal and obviously that's completely fine.
However, if this score 'in' and 'out' of the film is something that you cherish, I've never heard it sound better and at the risk of sounding even more stupid, this presentation has ignited genuine physical sensations that I first experienced 30 years ago.
Something that only a beautiful sonic resonance can achieve.
This new 'IMPERIAL AUDIOPHILE EDITION' along with 'Dark_Jedi & ABC's - ESB: IMPERIAL EDITION' DVD is to me such an incredible and fitting tribute to the 30th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back.
Once again, this is the type of work which is testament to the love that these movies and just as importantly, the music have inspired over the years.
I cannot praise this work enough and feel incredibly fortunate to have accidentally stumbled upon ABC's original AUDIOPHILE EDITION, which since then has had me following his recent endeavours with great interest.
Anyway, enough time has been spent typing ......back to the music!!
Thanks for all your hard work ABC, it is sincerely appreciated.
Cheers.
Impressive, most impressive