Patricia Barber. What's the deal!?

[Soundman]

Ok, so I was looking at the highly popular Patricia Barber CD, Cafe Blue. However, I've noticed there are numerous releases for the album from August 1999-June 2004. It's also interesting that the album has been released by multiple labels. What's the deal!?!?!? Does anyone know what the best version is? Is there any audible difference between the different releases.

 

[j_garcia]

The SACD is easily the best. For the CD, I think Mobile Fidelity went through some changes and the name changed, so that may account for some of the different releases/re-releases. I haven't heard a wide variety of them, but I wouldn't expect it to sound much different across the redbook CD releases.

 

[Soundman]

The SACD is easily the best. For the CD, I think Mobile Fidelity went through some changes and the name changed, so that may account for some of the different releases/re-releases. I haven't heard a wide variety of them, but I wouldn't expect it to sound much different across the redbook CD releases.

ok, well that does explain some things. I was leaning toward the SACD version. However, you can find great deals on the CD version on-line, so not sure. I havent actually heard the album, but I've heard of some dealers using the CD as part of their demo material, so I know the audio quality must be quite goood. Just not sold on her style of music yet. All I've heard is a couple short on-line clips.

 

[j_garcia]

I'm not a total fan of her voice actually, but the musicianship and the mastering alone are worth it, even though it is 2ch only. The music is great, and it will definitely show you what good 2ch should sound like. Given a choice of her albums, this would be the best one for someone who is not familiar with her to start with IMHO. My second choice would be Companion, which is live and also has some excellent tracks on it.

 

[gene]

She is a strange cat to say the least. But the SACD version sounds quite good. I have her entire collection on SACD produced by Premonition Records. You will notice I use these discs as reference material quite often in my reviews.

 

[j_garcia]

I bought Nightclub because most say it is probably the best recording, however I really just don't like most of the tracks. Modern Cool is also good, but fewer solid tracks compared to Cafe Blue.

 

[Soundman]

I'm not a total fan of her voice actually, but the musicianship and the mastering alone are worth it, even though it is 2ch only. The music is great, and it will definitely show you what good 2ch should sound like. Given a choice of her albums, this would be the best one for someone who is not familiar with her to start with IMHO. My second choice would be Companion, which is live and also has some excellent tracks on it.

Thanks. 'll check it out.

 

[Soundman]

She is a strange cat to say the least. But the SACD version sounds quite good. I have her entire collection on SACD produced by Premonition Records. You will notice I use these discs as reference material quite often in my reviews.

Oh, and thanks to you too, Gene!

 

[PENG]

I have both versions of the night club on the same disc and the CD version on a different disc. The SACD does sound better but not by much. I am going to buy the Cafe one if I can find it today.

 

[j_garcia]

The mastering is done very well, so even the CD versions sound really good. What the SACD gives you is a greater sense of spatiality and an extra bit of detail. I most notice the extra detail in the instruments more than anything, percussion mainly and it is most notable during the quieter sequences IMO. Put on track 11, Nardis, and just let it run. It has a little bit of everything; slow, fast, soft, busy, quiet, loud. The SACDs also have bonus tracks that I don't think appear on the CDs in most cases. I listened to her most recent album I think, Verse, and I wasn't too impressed with it.

 

[fmw]

I have the vinyl version - also excellent. I agree with Garcia. It is a technically outstanding job of recording, mixing and mastering.