Black Sabbath: Paranoid: Best Pressing, Budget Pressing? What Makes the Most Sense?
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- čas přidán 9. 05. 2023
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Would have loved to seen the 2007 AAA Kevin Gray compared, many prefer that pressing over the OG
I have the VMP release, which features the Kevin Gray cut and personally i prefer it to the OG with management credit.
I have the UK swirl with no management credit, and the 2000s Kevin Gray cut, and I prefer the Kevin Gray. Much more detailed in the high end. It does not have the same low end of the UK though
The biggest difference to me between the German and the UK 1st pressing are the drums and the bass reproduction. The UK does a stellar job. The German shines in the mids, like Michael said.
Especially on Side B, the UK 1st Paranoid shows what WALL OF SOUND means. The bass and drums on the UK Paranoid are out of this world. They seem to be in your living room. And you can delineate each note Geezer plays.
I own Paranoid: U.S. white WB, UK Vertigo, German Vertigo Space Ship. They all sound great.
I just discovered that I have an Italian Vertigo first pressing.
I have a UK space ship vertigo pressing which sounds incredible. I believe that it's from the same mastering as the UK swirl vertigo pressing. The sound on this one is also really punchy. Excellent video Michael!
Another superb video Michael that reaches out to the mainstream VC. Thanks
Great video Michael. Really informative.
This was great, I really enjoy these comparisons of older pressings. I also hope you and Patrick do more videos together -- I've gotten some amazing tips from those.
I own a 1st US white label promo and sounds awesome forme me😍😍Wish someday I could find a first vertigo like the one you found!😍
Fantastic Michael,love these comparisons WWA & Nems offer amazing value especially regarding Sabbath.
I’m loving the German pressings offering not only value,but in sound quality too.
Also don’t you love the vertigo label & vertigo inner sleeve.
The German pressings overall have a beautiful midrange particularly with Floyd records.
Keep doing these Michael,love em ✊👍
Very interesting and informative video. I haven’t got into this record yet, so lots of great information to me! Love these comparison videos, can’t wait to see the next one
You are entertained watching comparison videos about albums you don't even listen to...wtf...that's pretty weird bro.
@@Matasky2010 Bless!
Great video as usual!! Thanks.
Thx for the video Michael. ❤
Glad I bought my first Vertigo UK press 10 years ago
They are stupidly priced now
So dynamic
Based on some detailed research, I have an original first UK pressing of Paranoid without the "management credit". It is the Vertigo large swirl on the record label that determines the first pressing of this record. Only hundreds of the "management credit" records were released before the management credit was removed. When I heard this pressing for the first time, I had to pick myself up off the floor. That's how great it is. 😻 Not only is the UK first pressing the best version of Paranoid, it is one of the very best pressings of any record I've ever heard. 😍
You are correct. The only one which could be counted as a first pressing is the laminated gatefold version from 1970 without the credits. But the matrix numbers on this pressing are higher than on the pressing with the credits…oftentimes the lower the numbers, the better the sound…of course, there are also exceptions to this…but in general. I had the one without the credits and it sounded awesome, but the one with the credits opens up the sound even a bit more…more of everything.
@@thoronmetal108 It is hard to imagine any other record sounding as good as the uncredited NM one I have, but I agree that the management credit pressings are without doubt the earliest pressings and are likely to sound slightly better, since they're so close to the fresh stampers. Unless we were to do a comparison with my specific copy and a NM management credit version, we'll never know.
@@audiophileman7047 I agree. Certainly not a big difference…most important is a very clean vinyl. 🙏
@@thoronmetal108 My copy was owned by a guy who worked in a Maryland, U.S. record store back in 1970. He was responsible for ordering import records. The record was played very little. It looks like new. I have just a brief moment of crackle in a spot on Planet Caravan. Other than that, it's as clean as a whistle. It only cost me $125 U.S. years ago and was worth every single penny. 😻 To have such a great album sound so great in its vinyl pressing is just a dream come true. I don't need to look any further for a better copy; this is it for me.✨✨✨
That Nems press from 1976 is excellent as well
I have an early UK repress without the management credits. The whole thing sounds great and Planet Caravan feels like you're being transported into a different world
Critical listening is one of my favorite things to do with specific records. Mostly by myself and at times with like minded audiophiles who understand how to contribute to the love of music. Black Sabbath has become more interesting to myself and truly enjoyed the comparisons ! Thank you Michael for the wonderfully put together review !
I got my NM first UK Vertigo Big bear press for $400 dollars. Still expensive but they're out there. My 1st USA WB press sounds great too!
I appreciate these types of reviews the most, since I have to find the best pressing I can afford on many bands, rather than ultimate grails. Thanks for the detailed comparison, I will start looking now Michael!
If you actually love the music you'll be satisfied with any great original pressing. Put a bunch of audiophiles in a room and play them a 3rd pressing, tell them it's a first pressing- they wouldn't know the difference.
I take your point about comparing originals with half-speed mastered and records from digital files etc... but I do think there is a valid case for some comparisons.
e.g. I have the 30th anniversary of Dark Side of the Moon, mastered by Doug Sax, I think, and so it is interesting to know how that compares to other pressings - and this has been done and it is bettered by originals - but I don't necessarily want to go down the rabbit-hole of used originals and could buy this album new, for example.
The Sabbath album that you showed - there is a 2009/2010 Rhino version of this from the original master tapes, mastered by Kevin or Ryan or Bernie or Chris (I can't remember), and it may be a lot cheaper and easier to get hold of than an original. Maybe it is worth it because the difference is huge; maybe it is not worth it because the difference is subtle and the difference in price is huge.
I'm sure you get the idea... there are probably valid cases where it is worth knowing what one to hunt out based on one's budget and sound desires.
You did mention about the AP / SC / Impex etc releases that are definitely worth comparing, of course.
Thank you as always!
ps....re:DSOTM.....I have the 30th, mfsl, uhqr, japanese pro use, UK 1st a3b3, UK 1st a2b2......and the clear winner is the UK a2b2. It is a no contest. The UK a3b3, is next. I just recently acquired the a2b2 and did, with help obviously, do a blind listening. I did choose the a2b2!!
I`m looking forward to more episodes that compare related versions of classic albums. I think we all now know that the original pressings from country of origin is the one we want, but lets hear about great pressings akin to them. Thank you Michael
You do like "heavy metal"! Just not the "super fast" stuff of today, I get it now! Fantastic LP, great pick for a "shootout "!
I got Thor’s copy of what I believe to be a 2nd UK pressing and there are sections of that album that just completely blow my mind. I was skeptical, because the US green labels I had, were underwhelming, to say the least. It’s not even close between those two. I will say the US green label self titled is incredibly good.
Nice!!!!......I never had that album but I still have my original 45 of Paranoid....with the SWIRL label
The UK 1st pressing is unbeatable for me. But the German Swirl sounds great too.
1. UK
2. German
3. US
Great video. Thank you.
Fantastic video Michael. Can you please do the most recent release also. Thank you
Black Sabbath UHQR??!! Yep, I’m in!!!!!!!!!!
I was very fortunate to score a lovely WWA pressing with the original Vertigo stampers about a year ago for around $65 and yes it sounds excellent! For what it's worth and for those who want a decent less expensive alternative, the 2016 Sean Magee pressing (either coloured or black vinyl) is actually quite close in tone to the original pressing. Very dark like the original. Whereas the 2010 Kevin Gray pressing is much brighter which some people like, but is not as similar to the dark tone of the original like the Sean magee remaster is.
Thanks 👍🏼
Thanks so much for this. I'll be on the look out for that WWA. Pressing, if that's the closest without breaking the bank.
Does the stamper matrix on the WWA have the same number as the Vertigo? I would guess that it has to be the same if they used the same stampers.
The WWA sounds amazing....absolutely amazing at max volume.
My 2015 vinyl pressing sounds incredible..pressed by Optical Media GmbH in Germany.
Sweet. TY
The reissue sabbath vinyl from a few years ago don’t sound half bad either. If you want a nice quiet copy that sounds close to the originals then they are great.
I have had the German 1st Vertigo pressing of Paranoid, but now i have a US 1st pressing (Warner, green Labels) which does sound much better. ( It’s tough to find great copies of Paranoid and even tougher to find good sound on the original Green Label - most are awful, if even playable. Drop the needle on a GOOD COPY and you’ll quickly hear how correct it sounds. It’s got a HUGE bottom end, excellent presence, a good amount of tubey magic and TONS of energy.)
Hi Michael another fine analysis, but its not just about the great sounding uk and German pressings , its also especially in latter years that fantastic vertigo spiral record label, highly collected in any condition, they have a huge fan base regardless of the artist .
Love the comparison, as I was unaware of all these pressings, but also because I'm SO Metal, I rust 🤘 😝 🤘
I've got an original US pressing on the green warner label in VG+ condition. The vinyl is a little noisy, but the music is well mixed and punchy.
You may want to consider Portuguese, for some strange reason the UK metal work for many pressing was used in Portugal, I have a few such pressings and the dead wax is identical, all I can say is weird... 🤯
Interesting. I have a NEMS ‘UK’ issue from 1978, made in Holland, but cut in the UK at Strawberry. I’d describe the sound of the title track on that cut as a little bit murky.
Yes…the early pressings of NEMS (1976) use better sources…and like Michael said, the WWA from 1973 comes closest to the 1st.
the best version of Paranoid I ever heard was sung by a female vocalist with simple acoustic guitar accompaniment in a basement bar in Cardiff before going to see Journey, Whitesnake and Thunder back in 2013. Absolutely sublime and perfect 🙂
I had a later (80’s?) US reissue for years. Never thought highly of it. Got one of the new reissues, that thing totally sucked. Good old US green label Warner Bros pressing is totally fine for me now.
MORE BLACK SABBATH! WHAT IS THE BEST VINYL BOX SET
None. Get the German or UK Swirls. Next up are WWA and then the NEMS.
Interesting. Got one copy of a early French Press of that album and frankly I'm disappointed in its lack of punch an dynamic which is not the case with a nearly mint copy of their fourth album (also French Press) that i got which i find much more "well achieved". Great video. Danke für den Tipp !
Hopefully VMP will reissue their pressing. Probably a one off contractual deal though. Regretfully I passed up the colored Black Sabbath editions WB issued years ago. Impossible to find now.
I have the VMP, quite good
Hi Michael, and what about the Kevin Gray version? Tks!
3:10 Hell yeah giving the devil's horns. Chuck those art nouvo albums and spin some more metal on the channel! You need to bust out the Venom albums now!
I own a 1979 warner us reissue of Paranoid, also i had the current in print remaster (not sean magee one), the newer remaster is trash and the 1979 us reissue is "listenable", but i want to buy a vmp or 2006 rhino reissue, because a 70's issue of paranoid must be full of pops and clicks, may be hard to find a clean copy
I got really lucky found the management pressing in good condition not mint for £20
didnt realize that a band like this could have a good sounding record. Another cool video Thank You
I guess you don't think 'rock' music can sound great then...WTF is wrong with the world today lol.
@@Matasky2010 lol usually rock records dont realy sound good but sometimess woow
@@mikecoffee100 More proof that the future of mankind is doomed.
I would like to know if any readily available reissues are analogue but I cannot find that information.
The WWA pressings are just as good as the first Vertigo pressings and easier to find clean. Vertigo used these plastic lined inners that were notorious for messing up the vinyl leaving a marbled like stainy pattern. Often causing nasty surfacenoise.
I just recently scored a virtually mint WWA. OMG I could not believe my ears. It sounds so friggin amazingly good!!!!
i dont own any sabbath on vinyl but i would appreciate any analog cut from any of the main vinyl producing countries us uk ger jpn
WAR PIGS IST WIEDER SO REAL LEST DEN TEXT LEUTE
Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor, yeah
Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait till their judgement day comes, yeah!
The Kevin Gray pressing you exclude. I think you should include in some cases. Don’t forget the SQ version of paranoid. Interesting you getting records from Dave. I submitted my list about 1 year ago? No response
Hi Michael, Not relevant to Sabbath, however wondering if you were considering a shoot-out between the various releases of John Lee Hooker - The Healer ? The OG sounds great in my opinion and fairly cheap on discogs. I'm aware of a Craft Recordings version and hearing of a forthcoming re-issue by Analogue Productions.
I'm curious, are these blind listenings or do you know which version of the record you're playing? If you do know, are you afraid that that might color your perception of what you're hearing?
no blind listening is not the way i do this
Do a Nico - Chelsea Girl comparison
personally, I have compared the UK pressing against the 2010 SHM-SACD and find that the SACD kills the original in terms of sound quality. A highly popular, sought after, and expensive SACD that wins overall in my opinion
Agree to disagree. The SACD sounds great, but has nothing from the charm and the „in your face“ from the UK 1st. It sounds more refined and more „nice“, but I much prefer the original sound of the UK and even the German to the SACD.
@@thoronmetal108 It’s definitely preference and due to system differences as well. I prefer that refined sound (and always NM SACD sound lol), but can see the other side as well with a real clean OG
Don’t get me wrong, I am not putting down the SACD…I just think it is very different from the original UK pressing…🙏
@@MrSteff1123 I totally understand
@@MrSteff1123 CDs give you clean and clear. Only the best vintage vinyl pressings offer the kind of Tubey Magic that was on the tapes in 1970
I never cared for the drum sound on the Paranoid album compared to they’re other albums. I have a US original pressing on the green Warner brothers label. Do the drums really sound any better on a UK first pressing?
would you say that you can draw the same conclusions with black sabbath - s/t, when you can/have made the comparison?
Hi. You’ve probably been asked this a million times, my apologies. What make/model are your immaculate record storage shelves? Probably custom, but I thought I’d ask. Thx. Great job, BTW.
yes they are custom made
@@Michael45RPM as you are want to say, “of course”! :) Gorgeous! All the very best.
Save $700+ and get a Sean Magee remaster. It has been favorably compared to OG beating the KG.
What makes the version with management text sound better? or does it only cost more because of the rarity?
it really sounds pectular
It is the 1st pressing with the first (earliest) stampers.
No Big Bear credits, no true 1st pressing. Simple. I had a 2nd and a 3rd pressing... The Big Bear is the one.
@@thoronmetal108 What time gap was it from 1st press before switching credits and plates?
@@1byte4 Sorry, no idea…maybe discogs might provide an answer
I know this is an old video, but I only just watch this recently out of FOGF ("Fear Of Getting Frustrated" ;-). Why did you include the extremely rare (as in never sold on Discogs) WWA '73 pressing? BTW, be aware of the very similar looking 1976 WWA issue which is NOT from the original metalwork!!! Why not (also) include the 2004 Kevin Gray remaster?
Did you headbang while you listened to the music?
rarely :-)
Could you do this with Kiss Alive?
ЦАРЬ🙂 с таким прессом_ lp vertigo (сверло)_🙂 но мне его не надо😁.
Call me ignorant, but what do you mean when you keep saying, "the same metal works"?
The same original stampers for making the vinyl.
The mother and, to a lesser extent, father plates. The stampers are disposed of after each 500-1000 pressings. In the UK at least the metal parts were moved around between pressing plants to save money. It depends on the label and how much money they had and whether they wanted to invest in the metal work at each plant or courier the parts to where they were needed.
@@MarcovanB Ok, that makes sense now. I don't know why I hadn't realized what he meant to begin with. I remember years ago, back when vinyl was starting to lose appeal, records were released with the "Original Masters Series" which did basically the same thing.
$1000 euros?? Umm, no.
Black Sabbath Paranoid, the housewife mainstream album from the masters of heavy metal. I am iron man huh huh LoL
Mainstream album? No way. Classic and legendary? Yes. Housewife album…right…those riffs are some of the best in the whole metal genre.