Personally, I shy away from each remix and rather look for an original copy. I truly believe it's a joke when someone who's just out of his/her diapers thinks he/she can put their stamp on decades old recordings, when they were not part of the initial process (and in most cases weren't even born). Although I don't collect the Beatles, I think the remixes (of which I haven't heard one) is one of the cheats that need to be pointed out. I put myself into the position of a collector of the releases of said group and I want the original sound. Not someone's interpretation of it.
Remasters are a different topic and tastefully done, are actually quite welcome to me. They don't really alter what the original product is and the changes are mostly quite subtle. But the real spirit of the music recorded and produced is still there and I don't have to listen to some Steven Wilson (to name but one) crap, "reinventing" stellar records with an updated mix half a century after the fact. Of course, I know this is all marketing and the labels would like to sell you the same old same a hundred times over. Ultimate remix! Just like it should sound! In glorious forest green wax! With new liner notes by the butcher down the street! With a hole in the exact middle of the record!
I believe, I own only one remix and that is a Deep Purple one. As in the band Deep Purple, in case you'll ask. And frankly, I either saw it too late or it's actually a set with a remastered and a remixed version. I can't remember exactly and I'm too lazy to dig for the item now. Which brings me to an interview I've read in the German language Classic Rock with Roger Glover of Deep Purple (the band) fame. The first page about Remaster and Remix can be seen in full. It's a case of opposition to remixes and Roger Clover is very clear about it, there is no reason for a "remix". It was done the way it was done and it should stay that way. To read between the lines, one can easily extract that noone has the right to do a remix (legal matters notwithstanding).
The very short version:
How well do you know Steve Wilson? I've never met him.
Have you ever heard his music before? No.
What do you think about his new version of "Made In Japan"? Paice and I have chosen the tracks on the original album and it's kind of sacrosanct to me.
So, the Original version is the best? Yes, that's the one who's catapulted us into stratosphere.
I know, it's all about money. Used to be and still is. But I don't buy one word the marketing gurus try to push at me. And, I hope for the sake of Steven Wilson, he's doing this for his bankaccount only. Which is okay with me, you have to pay the bills somehow. As for any value in artistic expression, you might as well sell snakeoil in the old West.
Cheers
Roland
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