Elton John SACD releases

Well, Yellow Brick Road has some wonderful music on it, but the recording was so-so in my opinion.

Too bright in spots, recessive vocals, shelved up dynamics, etc. etc.

The SACD release (Hybrid) does improve on that, and interestingly enough, the redbook layer on that disc sounds better on my Exemplar 2900 than any other version I've heard short of vinyl. I'd say somebody tweaked it for this release- and for the better.

Just to bring this thread up to date... since my initial posting I've bought 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy' and 'Honky Chateau'.
I'd like to stress again that I'm not an EJ fan. Having said that, right now I would say that 'Captain Fantastic' might very well be the best sounding SACD I've ever heard. And 'Honky Chateau' might be second.
Also, I've only listened to the 2 channel versions so far. I'll give multi-channel a spin eventually.

Agreers? Dissenters? You don't care because Elton's a lamo pop weenie now?

I recently bought Madman Across the Water and think it sounds great. Better IMO than GBYBR.

I prefer both of these recording in stereo as opposed to multi-channel. Elton's vocals are still crystal clear and the depth across the front is retained where it thins out a little in multi-channel. As for Madman, the stereo is so enveloping it sounds like it's in surround! An excellent recording and I was very impressed.

I just bought Madmann Across the Water and Elton John. I am listening to Elton John as I right this and I love this album. It ticks(pisses) me off that I have lived this long being an EJ fan and have never heard this album. This SACD Hybrid is simply wonderfull.

Chuck

I think that the Super Audio Center in Boulder Colorado is doing it right! These discs were mastered there. I read also that the new John Hiatt album is being done there.