Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd – Yesteryear Vinyl
Wish You Were Here is the ninth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 12 September 1975 through Harvest Records and Columbia Records. Based on material Pink Floyd composed while performing in Europe, Wish You Were Here was recorded between January and July 1975 over numerous sessions at Abbey Road Studios in London.
The album went 6x platinum in the United States, reaching number 1 on the US Billboard 200, number 1 in the UK Albums Chart, going 2x platinum. Since then, the record has sold an estimated 13 million copies.
This 140gram Psychedelic Rock album is the original 1975 release by EMI – 1C 064-96 918.
Tracks:
Side A:
- Shine On You Crazy Diamond:
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
- Part 4
- Part 5
- Welcome To The Machine
Side B:
- Have A Cigar
- Wish You Were Here
- Shine On You Crazy Diamond:
- Part 6
- Part 7
- Part 8
- Part 9
Owning the 5.1 SACD that was issued in 2011 as a digibook-style package on the EMI Records and Analog Production labels; Analogue Productions – CAPP 33453 SA, EMI – 5099952243325, EMI (UK) – 522 4332, I was very familiar with all the tracks. This ‘plastic’ version was re-mixed and mastered at das boot recording at Lake Tahoe, CA. by owner James Guthrie and engineer Joel Plante.
This 140gram original vinyl version, from my wife’s collection, had only been played a few times, so after a quick clean with my Nitty Gritty I had high hopes for its sonics. So did it satisfy them? Read on.
The vinyl rated at a pleasing 4+ for surface noise with just a few few pops and clicks on both sides. Imaging was solid and open on all tracks with the general mix being set back behind my speakers except for the solos, guitar riffs and some keyboard work. While significant reverb was clearly apparent on guitars and kit on a few tracks, it was generally low and short with very little added to the lead vocal that was set dead center but well back, only coming to the front of the mix on a couple of the tracks. These vocals being very open and showed no signs of mid-range hardness or sibilance. Backing vocals were clearly spread across the image. The electric bass was tight, extended and clean with a well defined decay, being solidly integrated with the kick drum which showed two flavors. Side A tended to be tight and impactful lacking a little in bottom end, where as side B was generally a ‘softer’ and fuller sound with more bottom end extension. This integration between the kick and bass was well portrayed during the short bass/kit solo towards the end of side 2. Overall the kit is well imaged and sits behind the lead singer, with a tight punchy snare and clean, bright and detailed hi-hat and cymbals. Tom-toms were very apparent on many occasions having a short well damped decay. The sax was very open and natural and its solo, that sat right at the front of the mix, felt like you were staring down its bell, inviting you to clearly hear its read. Pianos were clean and tight, and together with the synthesizers, were well detailed with Welcome To The Machine having some really extended synthesizer bottom end. Phasing and flanging effects have nice sharp edges and effects like steam, engine noises and audience etc. were fitting and not overdone.
I did note two issues as T2S1 rolled into the opening of T2S2. The mix created a brief surround effect where sounds emanated from the location of my RHS unpowered side surround. I also noted what appeared to be a vinyl pressing defect that produced a brief repetitive low frequency and low level thump that emanated from the location of both of my unpowered side surrounds.
While the album sounds very good, is well recorded, has respectable dynamics and a good frequency response I cannot quite call it audiophile. Especially when compared to my SACD version, either the stereo or especially the 5.1 mix that was produced in 2009.
Over the years there has been many re-release of this album on 180 gram & audiophile vinyl, CD, SACD, quadraphonic vinyl, DVD, Blu-ray and even 8-track. I have to believe that like my SACD version some of these versions will also reach audiophile levels.
Checkout Discogs for all your used and sometimes new golden oldies, vinyl and more.
I don’t own much Floyd material at all, but I did buy this on 180gm Vinyl from a supermarket for a very reasonable price. Nice quiet pressing and pleasing to listen too.
I only ever purchased DSOTM and Wish You Were Here, both on SACD. All the Pink Floyd vinyl was purchased by my wife. Unfortunately she wasn’t very ‘kind’ to the vinyl and some of it is very badly worn. However, this album was still in good condition and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t rise to what the SACD provided in terms of sonic performance. I am just reviewing Pink Floyd, Animals (so,so!) and a couple of Beatles albums as my wife owns virtually all of them, but again some are in terrible condition and I cannot play them on my system.