Neil Young Greatest Hits (2004) [FLAC] 200 gram vinyl transfer 16 bit audio

Neil Young

“Greatest Hits”, 200-gram vinyl transfer

2004

Reprise Records/Classic Records reissue

48935-1



16-bit/44.1kHz audio (for CD burning)

The 24-bit version of this transfer can be found here:

http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/1419948/



Note:

(April 6, 2008) This is a completely new transfer that was done after

learning that the first 24-bit version of this LP was not true 24-bit audio. -DLedin



This time around I’ve transferred a 2004 Classic Records/Reprise 200-gram vinyl release of Neil Young’s “Greatest Hits”. This is a double LP set that also comes with a bonus 7” 45 rpm on red, white, or blue vinyl that contains audio that has not been commercially released in a digital format. (My 45 was blue vinyl.)



I’m typically not drawn to “best of” packages but in reading about the details of this release I learned that the tracks (all but two that is) were cut from 30ips analog masters under Neil’s watchful eye. This pressing was mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. That’s usually a good sign.



In reading Michael Fremer’s review of this release he explains that these are “1-step” LPs meaning that they’re closer to the master tape source than the average release. (Read the full review for details)



The 7” 45 rpm bonus disc has “The Loner” on side “A” which was Neil’s first single for Reprise and features the original mix as previously found only on Neil’s debut LP “Neil Young”. The “B” side of the bonus single is “Sugar Mountain” (in mono) which was recorded on Neil’s 19th birthday on a consumer-level reel to reel.



The setup used is as follows:

-Technics SL-1900 direct drive turntable running an Ortofon Super OM-20 cartridge.

-JVC AX-R97 integrated amp

-Hoontech/Soundtrack Audio DSP24 Value sound card



The signal was imported into Adobe Audition at 96kHz/32-bit (float). All vinyl pop removal has been done manually using Audition's pop/click removal tool. No EQ or NR has been added. When ready, the audio was converted to 24-bit wav files and from there to level 8 flac files.



As far as my own impressions, I have to agree with Mr. Fremer when it comes to the tracks “Old Man” and “Heart Of Gold”. I was not expecting to enjoy these songs as I’d heard them played a million times on the radio and I thought I was tired of hearing them even now. But when I heard these tracks as presented on this LP I found they had a new life to them and I was surprised at how much they appeal to me now. They’re worth a good listen as is the rest of this collection here.



Without the two 45rpm bonus tracks this release would fit on one disc. With these two bonus tracks we’ve ended up with about 86 minutes worth of music, so I’ve split the eighteen tracks onto two discs. The tracks included are as follows:



Disc 1:

1. Down By The River (from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, 1969)

2. Cowgirl In The Sand (from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, 1969)

3. Cinnamon Girl (from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, 1969)

4. C.S.N.Y.: Helpless (from Déjà Vu, 1970)

5. After The Gold Rush (from After The Goldrush, 1970)

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (from After The Goldrush, 1970)

7. Southern Man (from After The Goldrush, 1970)

8. CSNY: Ohio (single, from Four Way Street, 1971)

9. The Needle and the Damage Done (from Harvest, 1972)



Disc 2:

1. Old Man (from Harvest, 1972)

2. Heart Of Gold (from Harvest, 1972)

3. Like A Hurricane (from American Stars 'n' Bars, 1977)

4. Comes A Time (from Comes A Time, 1978)

5. Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black) (from Rust Never Sleeps, 1979)

6. Rockin' In The Free World (from Freedom, 1989)

7. Harvest Moon (from Harvest Moon, 1992)

8. The Loner (From “Neil Young” 1968)

9. Sugar Mountain-mono (From The Canterbury House in Ann Arbor Michigan, Nov. 1964)



I’ve also included artwork for those who care for it.