Pink Floyd / Brussels Affair / 2CD

Pink Floyd / Brussels Affair / 2CD /Sigma

Translated text:

Live at Forest National, Brussels, Belgium 5th December 1972.

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Live at Forest National, Brussels, Belgium 5th December 1972 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(UPGRADE)

Yeeshkul Yeeshkul ! It! Introducing a new Floyd This week is the European tour of 1972 winter proud of adequacy one of the best live Floyd that there is a number, but to give a high evaluation from magazines and fans as the definitive edition once “BRUSSELS AFFAIR ( There was titled Sigma 66) “. The Ya the first appearance from our Sigma label in May 2011, rarity of sound source including “Childhood’s End” and good sound quality of the remainder is also a big topic together, it was a title that was sold out instantly. What will the revival masterpiece title of the legend is subjected to quality improvement further! Week this master tape, which has been recorded by using the microphone of AKG and reel-to-reel deck called “Report Stereo” of UHER made , originally sound quality had been very good. Former board of the “BRUSSELS AFFAIR” was one that tried to improve sound quality by adjusting the recorded sound, but there was equalized feeling crowded created somewhat look back now and it was fact. Without it the new work, it features it has become a natural sound of the original is close to the actual performance sound. In the texture of high-pitched has changed particularly large, the texture of the drum and the sound output of the vocal direction was distracted has been improved dramatically.Snare is revived bright original sound above all, This alone you should hear the overall impression is very different. And the sound of the cymbals was out in sound pressure overdriven tracks nearly all have regained sound that moderate pin point in the old board, which also has become a major topic much more than anything else. In other words, is why you listen to this excellent performance in realistic sound much closer to the sound and tone of the actual day than Kyuban, with “version sound quality Natural” of Brussels 72 was instantly sold out of the very popular to speak The! I difference in the texture of the introductory part performance sound and is the raw and the voice of the audience has been ascertained already immediately after you press the play button in the “Speak To Me,” for example, which is to believe “Breathe” at first note changes. unnatural thickness raised the sound pressure to tone you stand up disappears and I stand up to big-boned in the strength of the core of the unprocessed instrument have originally. Movement of the sound image overall was blurred somewhat regained clarity, the sound of each instrument’s become like chase well from the beginning, or you are a special mention in the old board due to the effect of this sound pressure resolution. In (00 seconds ~ ※ 1 minute) scene characteristic that continues to emit a sound like a warning sound sequencer is running away, the contour of the tone and manner in which the sound goes around is with a clarity no turbidity in the old platter or more You hear, and that the sound of the cymbals ringing in the back, even since the beginning of the singing part was flat secondary residence diffusion in sound overall in the old van, it has become conservative pinpoint in this work I think that it’ll find. The improvement of resolution outlook and sound with no unpleasant taste will feel more able to use in the “On The Run”.To begin with this song because I Kimo how the Yuku overlapping dialogue that each instrument was accompanied by motility in place where silence dominates, metal cymbals, which has been about excess in (= center that element was sparse in the old board By state) sound had Nigorase the outline of the overall sound has been corrected, the charm of this music is music is coming straight toward this place. Sound difference between the old and new stands out also “Time”. For example, the sound of the bell or alarm bell at the beginning while had become dull sound that I got of the corner a little so far, you will find that it is ringing in the light sound sharp in this work. I think the pitch because it was modified to more closely, it’s (we adjust more accurately = slightly higher ※ The one of this film) the height of the sound is also slightly different from that of previous board also to be able to confirm. By the way for the performance of the day, I got to sing in the first part of Rick wrong lyrics sung in part finale before the original (18 seconds near ~ ※ 2 minutes), the band has been tempted by it “Breathe (Reprise) how Yuku into the guitar solo, even while becoming likely go to “will be confirmed, but the natural sound guitar (50 seconds near ~ ※ 2 minutes) part of this guitar solo, bass, drums did not taste the old board It is spelled bulge, this also contrasts of stunning tone coupled with sound image a sense of transparency. Depiction of space of using skillfully the sound of the piano from the middle and a feeling of condensation of the first half, has revived vivid sound which worked of the suppression in “The Great Gig In The Sky”. This scene was also attractive sound boost of Kyuban worked for, but you should close the person of this work probably as sound of music the band originally intended. I think “Money” and I’d like your attention to that extent and clarity of the sound is out. The primary difference in the deployment of from 59 seconds near the 2-minute middle section guitar begins to sing, here have also been found here and there is a scene of losing scraped in sound output cymbal is too strong and crunchy melodies guitar sings in the old board . But it is no longer at all in this work, we are reborn as sound image fingering of Dave chase firm. Because I jumped out in vivid sound sound output balance of back growth and sounding guitar cry in the treble, and vocals from the back to the song was also released from the spell of equalization, the sound image If you have the old board And I think I’d like it by all means check the difference. Scat Dave was full of expressive power will come tickle the ear in the freshness of the old platter or more in the “Any Colour You Like,” but this song Topics also that the tapping sound of the snare has regained the sound of the original instrument is. Nature of the sound clarity and sense are provided in each of the one note in (46 seconds around 5 minutes 07 seconds near to 4 minutes) scene to increase the motility Over the one and a half minutes or more in the second half in particular, which also It will be the part you can feel the superiority of this work. It will remain in this work the old platter same deterioration of the right channel that occurs moment over in 22 seconds about 18 seconds near to 1 minute (However ※, the sound comes out) is, but “Eclipse” is out of the sound There is no noticeable impression about Kyuban who so natural. In Disc-2, excessive loud is that there is no sound in the base to come out at the beginning of “One Of These Days” First of all, the song is Yuki moving while emit sound heavy blunt instrument of the original. More towards the sound that Gorigori of the old board is that it is like perhaps the bass in this song also might be home, but with a smile on bass sound straight if those who are beaten instruments at the same time I think you learn a sense of security also Rassharu home not a little. Dramatic movement of the base alone will come out from 20 seconds around 3 minutes, but it has a sound image of how the Yuku rocking mysterious the Kyokuso by Ikora feeling disappeared even this comes through vividly even, that at the same time It will be noticed also that clarity of bass sound behind is increasing. How to issue a sounding guitar taut severely songs late is also a must-listen. That the clarity of the sound is turned up with a jerk would be ad Vantage “Eugene”. I think this difference is very large simply because it is a song that emphasizes sound and silence, and it has become a sound grasp well the aim of the original music. Part, such as a poetry reading by Roger are deployed in front of Scream as a feature of this time on this day, but there is a clear sense of the old board more than sound out the word of the whisper, murmur, or music to Screaming after how Yuku a moving will also be playing along with the tension explodes with a bold sound, deep lingering finale after you should enjoy. First, Please pay attention to the sound of the rising and vivid glossy vocal line singing the beginning of the “♪ Overhead the albatross …” part of the “Echoes”. Fine duet of clarity is also excellent. Effect of equalization is out some vocals a whole, including the first part in the old board, it had been recorded in sound veil thin piece is applied, but it also I have been resolved this time. For the old platter that slapping sound of cymbals too had prevented the sound with the momentum of the long-awaited, the movement of the sound of the expansion section just before to plunge from 32 seconds around 7 minutes, of high resolution easy to listen surprisingly this work has realized sound, here it should be marvel at the difference. The point where the sound of the snare that rage violently everywhere in front of the finale is greatly improved, is ringing in the sound of the original instrument is also a point of interest. And rare song of illusion that premiered in France performance of December 1, several times only slightly was not played until Zurich performance of the 9th also “Childhood’s End”, this time has been revived by the sound fresh more You. Difference came out big in the sound of the guitar, it is remarkable to guitar solo that starts from 52 seconds around six minutes into the second half in particular. Guitar sounds metallic to shrill in cymbals similar version of this ringing Ketatamashiku sound image center in the old board, but are you back the “sound of crying expressive” of the guitar original in this work with that you have corrected this I think to be noted. Sounding cymbals shot solo after was out too much in the same way is revived in lush tone, you will’ll find the treble was excess Which’s been greatly improved. Speaking of whether there is an implication that if I went to that again out again this time the title that originally sound quality was excellent, it would like to deliver to the fans more accurately the performance sound attractive Floyd of this day spelled solely because there was a thought. In fact, since the sentence “intelligible sound” that the person who was to sound strong attack by increasing the sound pressure comes out is sharp, there is a case that would be captured such a sound is “good sound” is the listener, this Multi-even regular board remastered in recent years is not limited to a boot leg people is one case. But the more if there is open to the sound that is recorded in the master and sound fancy create, it will be things that do not reportedly as the correct original sound instead of delivered in easy to understand sound music. Remastered work for the sake of clarity of sound master if Hidokere too is required as well, but the nature of the sound could not be lost, if you do it in excess. Of course, it does not do the work, such as bending the essence even at the time of release “BRUSSELS AFFAIR (Sigma 66)” of the old board, but to correct accurately all the pitch was lower semitone closer to the center the (※ show the second half, in a few places It was the extent to which you have carefully removed the noise that has been confirmed), but equalization “to convey easily understood than” performance sound is also true that it was a title that was applied moderately.But this time aimed in this work is the latest in 2014 remastered “to tell more correctly” the performance of the day. In other words, it is work that put the focus on bringing out powerfully attractive performance of the day have to root in that you review carefully the performance sound, avoid crowded created by equalizing, to try to strict pitch correction and sound correction of the best is. But the work of such quality improvement and sound improvement is not limited to this work, I can say the same thing to other titles. Speaking of why and how stressed especially in this film it, because it was a rare population in pursuit of the possibility of a music band called Floyd borrowed the characteristics of the sound solely. This means that unlike rock sound normal, rather than trying to get the results to boost the original whole was recorded, in the case of Floyd emphasis how to work to reconsider the very nature of sound by reviewing the original sound But, is that it would aim to pull out most attractive characteristics and performance of music of Floyd as a result. I wanted to tell you whether there is much in the old and the new title is a difference of attractive sounding and playing music of such Floyd has underlying, but is that of the late, and it had been writing on and on about the difference in sound quality of old and new in the text as well, this You will enjoy the attempt to assent it was a great success and if you can listen to the work. Come this weekend, please expect this performance to Brussels in ’72 that was revived new. I have confidence that you can reach simply because it is Sigma label Floyd expert
Yeeshkul ! Yeeshkul ! 今週もフロイドの新作が登場です!
数あるフロイドのライブでも屈指の充実度を誇る1972年冬の欧州ツアーですが、かつてその決定版としてファンや専門誌から高評価を得た『BRUSSELS AFFAIR (Sigma 66)』というタイトルがありました。2011年5月に当Sigmaレーベルから初登場するや、そのあまりの音質の良さと「Childhood’s End」を含んだ音源という珍しさも相まって大きな話題となり、瞬時に完売したタイトルでした。今週はなんと、その伝説の傑作タイトルが更なる音質改善を施されて復活致します!

このマスターテープはUHER製の”Report Stereo”というオープンリールデッキとAKGのマイクロフォンを使用して録音されたもので、元々音質は非常に優れておりました。前記の旧盤『BRUSSELS AFFAIR』はその収録音を調整して音質向上を図ったものでしたが、今振り返るとやや創り込まれたイコライズ感があったのも事実でした。今回の新作はそれが無く、実際の演奏音に近い本来の自然なサウンドとなっているのが特徴です。特に大きく変わったのが高音の質感で、散漫だったボーカルの出音方向とドラムの質感が飛躍的に改善されています。中でもスネアは本来の音色で鮮やかに蘇っており、これだけでも全体の印象が随分違って聴こえる筈です。そして何よりも旧盤ではほぼ全てのトラックで音圧過剰気味に出ていたシンバルの響きがピンポイントで節度ある響きを取り戻していて、これも非常に大きなトピックスとなっています。つまり旧盤よりも当日の実際の音色と響きにずっと近いリアルな音色でこの名演奏が聴ける訳で、言うなれば大好評のうちに瞬時完売したブリュッセル72の”ナチュラル音質版”となっているのです!

例えば「Speak To Me」では再生ボタンを押した直後から観客の声の生々しさや導入部演奏音の質感の違いが既に判然としていますが、これが「Breathe」1音目で確信に変わります。立ち上がる音色に音圧を上げた不自然な厚みが消え、楽器の生音が元来持っている芯の力強さで骨太に立ち上がるのです。この音圧解消の効果により旧盤ではやや滲んでいた音像全体の動きが鮮明さを取り戻し、冒頭から各楽器の音がしっかり追える様になっているのも特筆されます。シーケンサーが暴走して警告音の様な音を発し続ける特徴的なシーン(※1分00秒～)では、その音が回り込む様子や音色の輪郭が旧盤以上に濁りの無い鮮明さを伴って聴こえますし、歌唱部分に入ってからも後ろで鳴っているシンバルの響きが旧盤では音像全体に平べったく拡散していたものが、本作ではピンポイントで控え目に鳴っているのがお分かり戴けると思います。また「On The Run」では雑味の無い音の見通しと解像度の向上が更に御実感戴けるでしょう。そもそもこの曲は静寂が支配する場に各楽器が運動性を伴った対話を重ねてゆく様子がキモなのですから、旧盤で希薄だったその要素(＝中央で過剰なほど鳴っていたシンバルの金属音がサウンド全体の輪郭を濁らせていた様子)が正された事で、楽曲本楽の魅力が真っ直ぐこちらへ向かってくるのです。

「Time」も新旧の音像差が際立ちます。例えば冒頭の目覚ましベルや鐘の音がこれまではやや角の取れた鈍い音で鳴っていたのに対し、本作ではシャープで軽快な音で鳴っている事に気付かれるでしょう。ピッチもより厳密に修正されたので、音の高さも旧盤とは若干違っている(※本作の方がやや高い＝より正確にアジャストしてます)のも御確認戴けると思います。ところでこの日の演奏では、本来終曲手前のパートで歌われる歌詞をリックが間違って最初のパートで歌ってしまったため(※2分18秒付近～)、バンドがそれに釣られて「Breathe(Reprise)」に行きそうになりながらもギターソロに入ってゆく様子が確認出来ますが、このギターソロの部分(※2分50秒付近～)でのギター、ベース、ドラムも旧盤では味わえなかった自然な音の膨らみを綴っており、これも透明感のある音像と相まった見事な音色の対比を成しています。「The Great Gig In The Sky」では前半の凝縮感と中盤からのピアノの響きを巧みに使った空間性の描写が、抑制の効いたサウンドで鮮やかに蘇っています。このシーンは旧盤のブーストが効いた音も魅力的でしたが、バンドが意図した楽曲本来の響きとしては恐らく本作の方が近い筈です。

「Money」はサウンドの広がりと透明感が出ている点に御注目戴きたいと思います。一番の違いはギターが歌い始める中間部2分59秒付近からの展開で、ここも旧盤ではギターが歌う旋律をシンバルがシャリシャリと強過ぎる出音で掻き消してしまうシーンが散見されました。でも本作ではそれが一切無くなり、デイヴの指使いがしっかり追える音像として生まれ変わっています。ギターが高音で泣く響きの伸びや、歌に戻ってからのボーカルとバックの出音バランスもイコライズの呪縛から解かれた生々しいサウンドで飛び出してきますので、旧盤をお持ちの方は音像の違いを是非お確かめ戴きたいと思います。「Any Colour You Like」では表現力に充ちたデイヴのスキャットが旧盤以上の瑞々しさで耳をくすぐってきますが、この曲はスネアの打音が楽器本来の音を取り戻している点もトピックスです。特に後半で1分半以上にも渡って運動性を増すシーン(4分07秒付近～5分46秒付近)ではその一音ずつに明瞭感と音色の自然さが備わっており、これもまた本作の優位性が感じられる部分でしょう。「Eclipse」は、1分18秒付近～22秒程度に掛けて一瞬発生する右チャンネルの劣化(※但し、音は出ています)が旧盤同様に本作でも残っていますが、音の出方が自然なので旧盤ほど目立った印象はありません。

Disc-2では、まず「One Of These Days」の冒頭で出て来るベースのあの音に過剰なラウドさが無くなり、楽器本来の鈍くて重たい響きを発しながら曲が動いてゆきます。この曲でのベース・サウンドはひょっとすると旧盤のゴリゴリした響きの方が好みだという方も居られるかもしれませんが、しかし同時に楽器をやられている方ならばストレートなベースの音色に納得と安心感を覚える方も少なからず居らっしゃると思います。3分20秒付近からはそのベース単体の目立つ動きが出てきますが、これもイコラ感が消えたことで曲想を妖しく揺らしてゆく様子が一層生々しく伝わってくる音像となっており、同時にそのベース音背後の透明感が増している点にもお気付きになるでしょう。曲終盤でギターが厳しく張り詰めた響きを出す様子も必聴です。「ユージン」はサウンドの透明感ががグッと上がっている点がアドヴァンテージでしょう。静寂と響きを重視する曲だからこそこの差は非常に大きいと思いますし、楽曲本来の狙いもよく掴める音像になっています。この日はこの時期の特徴としてロジャーによる詩の朗読の様なパートがスクリームの前で展開されますが、その呟き・囁きの言葉の出音も旧盤以上に明瞭感がありますし、スクリーミング後に楽曲が動いてゆく様子も大胆な響きと炸裂する緊張感を伴って再生されますので、終曲後の深い余韻もお楽しみ戴ける筈です。

「Echoes」はまず、歌唱冒頭「♪Overhead the albatross…」部分でのボーカルラインの艶やかでくっきり鮮明な立ち上がりの音像に御注目下さい。デュエットの微細な明瞭さも抜群です。旧盤ではこの冒頭部分も含めボーカル全体にイコライズの影響が若干出ており、一枚薄いヴェールが掛かった音で記録されていましたが今回はそれも解消されているのです。7分32秒付近から突入する展開部直前の音の動きも、せっかくの勢いあるサウンドを強過ぎるシンバルの打音が邪魔していた旧盤に対し、本作は驚くほど聴き易い高解像の音を実現しており、ここはその差に驚嘆される筈です。また終曲手前の随所で激しく暴れるスネアの響きも大幅に改善され、楽器本来の音で鳴っている点も注目ポイントです。そして12月1日のフランス公演で初演され、9日のチューリッヒ公演までの間に僅か数回しか演奏されなかった幻のレア曲「Childhood’s End」も、今回は更にフレッシュな音で息を吹き返しています。大きく差が出たのはギターの響きで、特に後半6分52秒付近から始まるギターソロに顕著です。旧盤ではシンバル同様にキンキンする金属質なギター音が音像中央でけたたましく鳴っていましたが、これを補正した事で本作ではギター本来の”表情豊かな泣きの音色”を取り戻しているのは特筆されると思います。同様にソロ後のシンバル・ショットも過剰に出ていた響きが瑞々しい音色で蘇っており、どちらも過剰だった高音部が大きく改善されているのがお分かり戴けるでしょう。

元々音質が優れていたタイトルを今回改めて出し直す事にどういった意味合いがあるのかと言えば、それはひとえにこの日のフロイドが綴った魅力溢れる演奏音をより正確にファンの方にお届けしたいという思いがあったからです。実のところ、音圧を上げてアタックの強いサウンドにした方がメリハリが出るぶん”分かり易いサウンド”となるので、リスナーにはそうしたサウンドが”良い音”と捉えられてしまうケースがあり、これはブートレッグに限らず昨今の正規盤リマスターでも多々ある事例です。しかし創り込んだ音像とマスターに記録された音に開きがあればあるほど、それは音楽を分かり易い音で届ける代わりに本来の正しい音色としては伝えていないという事になります。マスターの音があまりに酷ければ分かり易くするためのリマスター作業も必要ですが、でも過剰にそれをすると音の本質が失われかねません。勿論、旧盤『BRUSSELS AFFAIR (Sigma 66)』のリリース時にも本質を曲げる様な作業はしていませんが(※ショウ後半を中心に半音近く低かったピッチを全て正確に補正し、数箇所で確認されたノイズを丁寧に除去した程度でした)、しかし演奏音を”より分かり易く伝える為”のイコライジングは適度に施したタイトルだった事もまた事実です。しかし今回本作で目指したのはこの日の演奏を”より正しく伝えるため”の最新2014年リマスターです。それは即ち、演奏音を丁寧に見直し、イコライジングによる創り込みを避け、最良の音像補正と厳密なピッチ修正を試みる事でその日の演奏が根底に持っている魅力を力強く引き出す事を主眼に置くという作業です。
でもそうした音質向上・音像改善の作業は本作に限らず、他のタイトルにも同じ事が言えます。それを何故本作で殊更強調したかと言えば、それはひとえにフロイドというバンドが響きの特性を借りて音楽の可能性を追求した稀有な集団だったからです。つまりフロイドの場合は通常のロック・サウンドとは違い、収録された原音全体をブーストして結果を得ようとするよりも、原音を精査して響きの本質そのものを見詰め直す作業に重きを置く方が、結果としてフロイドの楽曲の特性や演奏の魅力を最大限に引き出せるだろうという狙いです。文中で新旧の音質の違いについて延々と書いてきたのも、そんなフロイドの楽曲と演奏が根底に持つ響きの魅力の差が新旧タイトルでどれだけあるのかをお伝えしたかったが故の事ですし、本作を聴いて戴ければその試みが大成功だったと御納得して戴けるでしょう。今週末は是非、この新しく蘇った72年ブリュッセル公演に御期待下さい。フロイド専門のSigmaレーベルだからこそ到達出来た自信作です!

Disc 1(47:29)
The Dark Side Of The Moon

1. Speak To Me 2. Breathe 3. On The Run 4. Time 5. Breathe(Reprise)
6. The Great Gig In The Sky 7. Money 8. Us And Them 9. Any Colour You Like
10. Brain Damage 11. Eclipse

Disc 2(50:34)
1. One Of These Days 2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene 3. Echoes
4. Childhood’s End
Sigma 114