IIRC the original tapes have some problems with this title, though I remember comparing the original West German standard jewel case against the digipac you have and preferring/keeping the former. Can’t remember exactly why though, but usually the later ones sound a bit compressed and ‘loud’, though not badly so. They are perfectly decent IMO unlike say RVG Edition Blue Notes. I've got a 1960s UK stereo original too which is IIRC better again, but I’ll have to dig it out to really assess it.
Thanks for the detailed description. I am considering getting either that CD and/or the HDTracks download.I’m currently playing my CD of Night Train via the upstairs system (Marantz SACD, Audio Synthesis ProPassion, Leak Stereo 20 and JR149s). The CD is an early West German Verve, black text on silver-to-centre disc, smooth-case catalogue number 821724-2 YH. It sounds fine to me. Nothing horrible about the top end at all. It is a quiet disc and has some audible tape-hiss and nice natural dynamics, i.e. I suspect they just threaded the tape up and pressed record to master this one with minimal digital post processing shenanigans. The only odd thing is the first two tracks are in the wrong order, it starts with ‘C Jam Blues’. The drummer likes his ride cymbal, but it is anything but a splashy mess here, its just somewhere out behind the right 149 with the rest of the kit. I’d not have singled it out for attention on this system (which is very natural and clear up top, not bright or forward at all).
I thought there was a sleeve note on this one pointing out that the engineers were unable to do anything about Thigpen's close-miked rivet cymbal....
(Postscript - Page 3 of the booklet, last paragraph)
Cheers for that.Yes, it's the recording. The cymbals are a swishy, phased mess. I also prefer the late 1980s Verve CD. I'm sure the Master Edition liner notes state that the problem lies with the recording. It is possible that the higher resolution of that remaster emphasizes the flaws as well as providing more detail in other elements.
My CDs are stored in another country so I can't access the booklet. Thanks.
Ah, OK.
"Thigpen's rivet cymbal was recorded at almost point-blank range, and has sonically dominated every issue of Night Train. It may be found objectionable to listeners, but is indelible without a significant diminishment of the trio's presence"
ORG double LP from 2009 that I have considered buying but at £40 - 50
now £250 tony but best version
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002ZFELNA/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21