Roxy Music - Country Life (Half-speed Mastering)
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Bryan Ferry – vocals, keyboards, harmonica
John Gustafson – bass
Eddie Jobson – strings, synthesizer, keyboards (credited as 'Edwin Jobson')
Andy Mackay – oboe, saxophone (credited as 'Andrew Mackay')
Phil Manzanera – guitar
Paul Thompson – drums
Written by Bryan Ferry (all tracks), Phil Manzanera (A4, B5), Andy Mackay (A2, B1)
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Half-speed Mastering
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Optimal Media GmbH
Label : Republic Records
Original Label : Islands Records
Recorded July 1974 – August 1974 at Air Studios, London
Engineered by John Punter
Produced by John Punter, Roxy Music
Remastered at Abbey Road Studios
Lacquer cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios
Originally released in November 1974
Reissued in May 2022
Tracks:
Side A:
- The Thrill Of It All
- Three And Nine
- All I Want Is You
- Out Of The Blue
- If It Takes All Night
Side B:
- Bitter-Sweet
- Triptych
- Casanova
- A Really Good Time
- Prairie Rose
Awards:
Number 387 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Reviews :
“Continuing with the stylistic developments of Stranded, Country Life finds Roxy Music at the peak of their powers, alternating between majestic, unsettling art rock and glamorous, elegant pop/rock. At their best, Roxy combine these two extremes, like on the exhilarating opener "The Thrill of It All," but Country Life benefits considerably from the ebb and flow of the group's two extremes, since it showcases their deft instrumental execution and their textured, enthralling songwriting. And, in many ways, Country Life offers the greatest and most consistent set of Roxy Music songs, illustrating their startling depth. From the sleek rock of "All I Want Is You" and "Prairie Rose" to the elegant, string-laced pop of "A Really Good Time," Country Life is filled with thrilling songs, and Roxy Music rarely sounded as invigorating as they do here.” AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Half-speed mastering. In half-speed mastering, the whole process is slowed down to half of the original speed. A typical 33 1/3 rpm record is cut at 16 2/3 rpm. The source material is also slowed down (reducing the pitch in the process) meaning the final record will still sound normal when played back. Slowing the whole process down allows more time, which means the end result sounds better and is more efficient — allowing engineering to minimize the effects of inherent limitations within the vinyl format. The result is a more accurate and more open high-frequency response in the half speed vinyl when compared with a normal speed recording.
Ratings :
AllMusic : 5 / 5 , Discogs : 4.17 / 5