Post by Beatle Bob on Dec 28, 2008 18:03:22 GMT -5
REVIEW: THE BEATLES (White Album) DMM Pressing (DESS) 2 CDs
By Beatle Bob
I have in my hands Dr. Ebbett’s (DESS)“crown jewel”. The “cream of the crop” of any version of the White Album issued to date. I have spent much time with this release over the past week: From playing it on the stereo system (speakers and headphones) to using my portable CD player. In all aspects, this is like listening to the album for the first time. It’s a new experience to say the least. This album is brought to a new level that is unparalleled in the DESS cannon. This literally is as good as it’s going to get until Apple releases their remastered version -- and to tell you the truth, I fear they may not be able to top Dr. Ebbetts release. This is the definitive version!
As usual, the DESS artwork reproduction is flawless and label reproduction (again), is immaculate! Green Apple with black border on disc #1, disc #2 has the cut opened Apple. Both say DMM (GEMA) on them. Can Apple/EMI make it look this good? I doubt it. The cover comes with an imprint (white on black) “Pressing WEISS” and insert has glossy reproductions of the four individual photos that came with the original vinyl release. Goddamn cool! There were some indexing problems on the first pressing, that Dr. Ebbetts jumped on to correct immediately, and with his attention to detail and customer service, issued an explanation via mass-mailer and has started to send out corrected copies almost as soon as the errors discs were mailed out. Who else would/could do that?
This album is well-known, so I’m not going to bother with full track-listings, but the first time I played this on my stereo system it was like the Beatles were playing in my living room! The music jumped out at me like an explosion once "Back in the USSR" tracked up. I’ve never heard such an excellent soundstage, and presence for this album. The clarity of hearing the band’s instruments is so well defined that it ushers in minute details that individually feel like they’re jumping right at you that you can grab. The acoustic tracks such as "Blackbird", "I Will", "Julia", feel like the Beatles are giving me a private concert in my living room. Rockers like "Back In The USSR", "Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey", "Yer Blues", "Birthday", "Helter Skelter", have such power and dominance that it’s almost overwhelming. Cymbals and guitars ring out. Bass thumps away. Vocal feel like they’re being sung in front of you. The music literally explodes from your speakers with a clarity unrivaled to date. I know I’m gushing, but even the wife was impressed and thought I got an advance copy from EMI! I’ve also put this side by side with the latest version from Mirror Spock ,which on its own is a great piece of work—but a/b’ing side by side vs the new DESS release you immediately hear the DESS has a bit more pronounced treble and a bass. The MS bass falls slightly short in comparison. Ebbetts has treble that in my opinion is perfect, open and brings out the high end with perfect definition without getting hiss (as happens with other releases). As I said, on it’s own, Mirror Spock’s is a great release and you’ll do fine with that in your collection. BUT, if you want the absolute best, Dr. Ebbett’s version is the one to acquire on all fronts. This is so good that I haven’t even gotten to Dr. Ebbetts other highly anticipated releases yet: Abbey Road Pro disc and Japanese “Red Mono” CDs (With The Beatles, Sgt. Peppers). I guess I have to finally take the DESS DMM White Album out of my CD player now.
Regards,
Beatle Bob
Go here for my previous reviews:
bootlegzone.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13023
By Beatle Bob
I have in my hands Dr. Ebbett’s (DESS)“crown jewel”. The “cream of the crop” of any version of the White Album issued to date. I have spent much time with this release over the past week: From playing it on the stereo system (speakers and headphones) to using my portable CD player. In all aspects, this is like listening to the album for the first time. It’s a new experience to say the least. This album is brought to a new level that is unparalleled in the DESS cannon. This literally is as good as it’s going to get until Apple releases their remastered version -- and to tell you the truth, I fear they may not be able to top Dr. Ebbetts release. This is the definitive version!
As usual, the DESS artwork reproduction is flawless and label reproduction (again), is immaculate! Green Apple with black border on disc #1, disc #2 has the cut opened Apple. Both say DMM (GEMA) on them. Can Apple/EMI make it look this good? I doubt it. The cover comes with an imprint (white on black) “Pressing WEISS” and insert has glossy reproductions of the four individual photos that came with the original vinyl release. Goddamn cool! There were some indexing problems on the first pressing, that Dr. Ebbetts jumped on to correct immediately, and with his attention to detail and customer service, issued an explanation via mass-mailer and has started to send out corrected copies almost as soon as the errors discs were mailed out. Who else would/could do that?
This album is well-known, so I’m not going to bother with full track-listings, but the first time I played this on my stereo system it was like the Beatles were playing in my living room! The music jumped out at me like an explosion once "Back in the USSR" tracked up. I’ve never heard such an excellent soundstage, and presence for this album. The clarity of hearing the band’s instruments is so well defined that it ushers in minute details that individually feel like they’re jumping right at you that you can grab. The acoustic tracks such as "Blackbird", "I Will", "Julia", feel like the Beatles are giving me a private concert in my living room. Rockers like "Back In The USSR", "Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey", "Yer Blues", "Birthday", "Helter Skelter", have such power and dominance that it’s almost overwhelming. Cymbals and guitars ring out. Bass thumps away. Vocal feel like they’re being sung in front of you. The music literally explodes from your speakers with a clarity unrivaled to date. I know I’m gushing, but even the wife was impressed and thought I got an advance copy from EMI! I’ve also put this side by side with the latest version from Mirror Spock ,which on its own is a great piece of work—but a/b’ing side by side vs the new DESS release you immediately hear the DESS has a bit more pronounced treble and a bass. The MS bass falls slightly short in comparison. Ebbetts has treble that in my opinion is perfect, open and brings out the high end with perfect definition without getting hiss (as happens with other releases). As I said, on it’s own, Mirror Spock’s is a great release and you’ll do fine with that in your collection. BUT, if you want the absolute best, Dr. Ebbett’s version is the one to acquire on all fronts. This is so good that I haven’t even gotten to Dr. Ebbetts other highly anticipated releases yet: Abbey Road Pro disc and Japanese “Red Mono” CDs (With The Beatles, Sgt. Peppers). I guess I have to finally take the DESS DMM White Album out of my CD player now.
Regards,
Beatle Bob
Go here for my previous reviews:
bootlegzone.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13023
