I will limit my review for lack of space on the third CD. The same applies to the other two slices of this box. I agree with the enthusiasm of my pre-reviewers "Jo" on the present sampler itself: For the lovers of the German pop scene this time he has many well-known titles as well as some surprise eggs. And the price is right.
Remastering until the doctor comes
But I would like all interested nevertheless that the technical material from which this compilation was put together, obviously is very heterogeneous. That's "Jo" indeed particularly noticed in Track III-24. I do not understand why you have brought these technical scrap at all on the box. The source is likely to be a very old LP or single, which was often played and therefore is hardly listenable. But she was still on the PC "remastered" The result is an acoustic cruelty.
Similarly failed are manifestly III-5, III-12 and III-23rd The electronic hum and metallic-sounding murmur reveals that the PC processor had to work hard. But from scrap grooves may be the best computer program generate no clean sound.
It is noteworthy that the art of Remasterns seems to be increasingly practiced by amateurs. Since each expertise and care remains fast on the track is missing. Today automated PC programs provide a button the hardship of the sound engineer - that costs next to nothing! But looks can be deceiving. Such programs coils from standard algorithms and replace a human ear. Out often come here acoustic violence, the pimp every Tonkonserve exaggerated. Especially "noisy!" must sound anything and: absolutely the treble tear! Hissing, rattling "S" sounds are the result. This need not be so.
"Only original recordings"
The Title III-11 and III-15 are unmistakable admissions, but with the original Stars (Cc Catch and Willy Hagara). Especially "The Laughing Vagabond", with the sounds created on synthesizers, just sounds ugly. The to-find in the booklet assertion: "Only Original Recordings" is therefore not to be taken literally. Many hits from the 50s and especially the 60s, there are several variants that may have been quite well received in parallel with the "original", but were often rerecorded in the 80s of the now impoverished Stars of yesteryear. These inexpensive productions were all without orchestra in small synth studios - who should otherwise fund that ?! And of course, they still sound like music from the eighties ...
Eyes on the CD-buying
Why I write everything? 50 years old, recordings are "free", ie everyone must grab on a sampler and sell. This is a cheap thing - if you do not care about expensive licenses for original master tapes. Because they are still owned by the original record companies (such. As "Polydor") or its successor. The repeatedly calling notable exception is the company Bear Family, which invariably strives for the best possible sound quality and at the same time authentic. The course comes at a price, both for Bear, as well as the CD-customers.
Summary
For a boozy party this sampler is ideally suited - it sounds anyway nobody exactly. That's fine too. For head-phones and serious collectors, this product is not suitable and probably not even thought of. No way to the much more expensive products from Bear Family passes for this target group.
