Maxoom, Child of the Novelty & Strange Universe remaster
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:32 pm
Greetings Franksters!
As many of you know, Frank has been remastering his first 3 albums for re-release. He has finished them and I am honored to be given the first copies for review. My allegiance to this "era" of Frank's music is well documented throughout this site. Those albums were the soundtrack of my youth and I will always hold them in the highest regard.
What needs to be understood here is that these albums were NOT remixed because the original masters were accidentally destroyed many moons ago (crying moons!)
. These were remastered by Frank Marino himself while working from nearly pristine half-inch tapes.
Frank started the project by remastering Child of the Novelty first, followed by Strange Universe and then finally Maxoom. This was done so that he could apply the very best effort to Maxoom, the first album of his career and the one that needed the most help due to recording limitations as well as knowledge or lack thereof back in 1971. I will start with Maxoom.
Maxoom - Knowing that Frank Marino was a mere 16 years old when he recorded his first album while having only been playing guitar for about 3 years, is nothing short of phenomenal! This remaster definitely brightens up the overall sound and clarity of his first effort. I listened to everything in headphones and in my car's Kenwood stereo. It really is much clearer and louder. I even heard stuff that I never heard before in tracks like Maxoom and Funky Woman. Madness really did get plagiarized by the Eagles with Hotel California, just listen to the second half...wow. For it's limitations, this remaster still sounds way better than any version out there. I kinda miss the cracks and pops of my albums, but the newborn clarity is a revelation that speaks volumes throughout the 3 CD's.
Child of the Novelty - This was Frank's second album and also the second one that I ever heard. This records original recording was far superior (IMO) to that of Maxoom and the remastered version really shines here. The title track is so crisp, it brought a tear to my eye as I longed for my youth and remembering how this song really tugs on the heart strings for some reason. The evenness of this remaster is what I noticed first. The vocals and guitar are even with the drums and bass which makes for a very pleasurable listening experience. Plastic Man lives again!..LOL
Strange Universe - Oh My God! I can't believe that 30 years ago my mom yelled at me for playing the record over and over, and now, Frank sends me an advanced copy for my opinion! To say that I am honored to call him a friend is a huge understatement, but I am actually prouder to be a fan. This record was my first time hearing Mahogany Rush back in 1975 and I have worn out many copies. This remaster is AWESOME! Once again (no pun!) the evenness throughout is it's strong point. The clarity of the cymbals on the Tales of the Spanish Warrior track makes you feel like you are living inside Jim Ayoub's drum kit! The signature method of switching from left to right speakers that Frank did on these three albums is refreshing to hear crystal clear because when it switches, you hear stuff on the other side that you never heard before! When I played Land of 1000 Nights, I got the same goose bumps I got back in 1975! I was cold, so cold I can't pretend...nevermind...LOL
Thank you Frank for allowing me this honor. Onto IV, What's Next, World Anthem, Live, Tales of the Unexpected, Power of Rock and Roll, Juggernaut etc. Those have master tapes and can be remixed as well! Oh goody!
Also, I spoke with Frank and asked him if I could do my long overdue interview with him, he said yes. The reason that I felt this would be a good time because my interview will cover the early years, in depth and personal. I, as well as many fans want to know about the "youthful" prodigy. By remastering these, Frank has relived part of his youth, for better or worse, he is willing to share this with me, and in turn, all of you. I am ordering a case of batteries for my recorder because this will be one loooooooong interview! :winky
WW
As many of you know, Frank has been remastering his first 3 albums for re-release. He has finished them and I am honored to be given the first copies for review. My allegiance to this "era" of Frank's music is well documented throughout this site. Those albums were the soundtrack of my youth and I will always hold them in the highest regard.
What needs to be understood here is that these albums were NOT remixed because the original masters were accidentally destroyed many moons ago (crying moons!)
. These were remastered by Frank Marino himself while working from nearly pristine half-inch tapes.Frank started the project by remastering Child of the Novelty first, followed by Strange Universe and then finally Maxoom. This was done so that he could apply the very best effort to Maxoom, the first album of his career and the one that needed the most help due to recording limitations as well as knowledge or lack thereof back in 1971. I will start with Maxoom.
Maxoom - Knowing that Frank Marino was a mere 16 years old when he recorded his first album while having only been playing guitar for about 3 years, is nothing short of phenomenal! This remaster definitely brightens up the overall sound and clarity of his first effort. I listened to everything in headphones and in my car's Kenwood stereo. It really is much clearer and louder. I even heard stuff that I never heard before in tracks like Maxoom and Funky Woman. Madness really did get plagiarized by the Eagles with Hotel California, just listen to the second half...wow. For it's limitations, this remaster still sounds way better than any version out there. I kinda miss the cracks and pops of my albums, but the newborn clarity is a revelation that speaks volumes throughout the 3 CD's.
Child of the Novelty - This was Frank's second album and also the second one that I ever heard. This records original recording was far superior (IMO) to that of Maxoom and the remastered version really shines here. The title track is so crisp, it brought a tear to my eye as I longed for my youth and remembering how this song really tugs on the heart strings for some reason. The evenness of this remaster is what I noticed first. The vocals and guitar are even with the drums and bass which makes for a very pleasurable listening experience. Plastic Man lives again!..LOL
Strange Universe - Oh My God! I can't believe that 30 years ago my mom yelled at me for playing the record over and over, and now, Frank sends me an advanced copy for my opinion! To say that I am honored to call him a friend is a huge understatement, but I am actually prouder to be a fan. This record was my first time hearing Mahogany Rush back in 1975 and I have worn out many copies. This remaster is AWESOME! Once again (no pun!) the evenness throughout is it's strong point. The clarity of the cymbals on the Tales of the Spanish Warrior track makes you feel like you are living inside Jim Ayoub's drum kit! The signature method of switching from left to right speakers that Frank did on these three albums is refreshing to hear crystal clear because when it switches, you hear stuff on the other side that you never heard before! When I played Land of 1000 Nights, I got the same goose bumps I got back in 1975! I was cold, so cold I can't pretend...nevermind...LOL
Thank you Frank for allowing me this honor. Onto IV, What's Next, World Anthem, Live, Tales of the Unexpected, Power of Rock and Roll, Juggernaut etc. Those have master tapes and can be remixed as well! Oh goody!
Also, I spoke with Frank and asked him if I could do my long overdue interview with him, he said yes. The reason that I felt this would be a good time because my interview will cover the early years, in depth and personal. I, as well as many fans want to know about the "youthful" prodigy. By remastering these, Frank has relived part of his youth, for better or worse, he is willing to share this with me, and in turn, all of you. I am ordering a case of batteries for my recorder because this will be one loooooooong interview! :winky
WW
