When I was stationed in Japan I picked up quite a few Japanese pressings, one of which is this same first Japanese pressing of Rumours. I also have an American Los Angeles plant first pressing. I can't be sure if it is due entirely to the pressing itself, or partly to how each have been cared for as neither were new when I purchased them, but my Japanese pressing is the better of the two. The stand out difference is that it is quieter with less surface noise, causing the dynamics and details in the recording to be much more easily heard.

I have found Japanese pressings to generally have this quality of quieter background, especially for records from the late 60's through the late 90's. Of course this is a generalization, but in my collection at least, I can't think of an exception. I understand there are at least several reasons for the quality of Japanese pressings:

1) With the smaller Japanese market, the record stampers did not become as worn as in America, meaning that quality was less dependent on whether you happened to get an early or late stamped record from the mother.

2) American vinyl from the oil crisis of the early 70's is often very thin, which may negatively impact playback sound. Additionally, recycled vinyl was sometimes used which can add impurities leading to noise. Japan did not follow suit as people were willing to pay more for continuing to maintain a thicker record using virgin vinyl.

I hope you enjoy your copy of Rumours.

I don't have any experience with Rumors to share. I'm just not a big fan of this type of rock, and man being a music fan while this album was released and became so popular it was heard everywhere for so long, in cars, at partys, in stores, in homes. . . I got really tired of it (just like Dark Side of the Moon, I don't need to hear that album again).

I have a few Japanese LPs of Blue Note material (items that were never released before the Japanese edition) and they sound really really good. Makes me think most Japanese LPs, especially of the 'seventies through the 'eighties, would be a bit better than US counterparts. Let us know how you like your new arrival.

I agree with your sentiments, Lon.  I haven't been able to listen to dark side for two or three decades, and the closest I've come was the Flaming Lips complete cover of the album which captured my interest for less than 10 plays.
There's just so much great music out there that goes unheard to keep falling into the repackaged marketing scheme.
Not to dismiss anyone else's interests though, or negate the value anyone finds in these new pressings.  We all love music for our own reasons and if it stokes you, more power to you.  

Me, I didn't like it much then, don't expect to enjoy it now. Pink Floyd eventually just depressed me--The Wall was the final nail. I'm fine without them in my listening life.

But that's just me. I think there are maybe 50 rock and pop albums I still like from my twenties and do or would listen to again. I've moved away from those genres into jazz and others as far as deep interest goes.

Dom,

 Thanks for the compliment. Believe me, I was lucky this time round.
As luck would have it, I am reworking the tube preamp that had a hand in bringing out the detail that I never knew existed in this recording. I played it again today, just to hear the difference with another cool but not as good little pre that uses a Korg SP1 tube. It is a head shaker of a difference between the two, and ThaT is while still using the phono preamp that I finally got right. I guess that we could go in circles here, but if the album doesn't have 'it' and/or the phono pre doesn't have 'it', etc. you may be missing some of the best part of the experience before even dropping the needle!
Ok, ok, back to shop to finish up the tube pre and get back to real music.

You guys got me searching my music collection. Turns out Rumours is not present! It use to be there. Maybe the X took it when she left.

Anyway, the 45rpm is on order from Acoustic Sounds. Amazon has it cheaper but it is not clear if it is the Pallas pressing. I hear there is another mysterious European pressing that is floating around.

Still find it hard spending 10x of what was spent back in a day but I did find some good finds today at the local flea store that will keep things in line.

John

Got myself in a corner on this adventure.
I first ordered from Amazon then found a more descriptive add from Acoustic Sounds that centers around the pressing. AS indeed refers it to being a Pallas product. While Amazon's 3rd party vendor description is vague.

I-deals Store(3rd party vendor) did not recognize the cancelation request placed less than 2 hours after ordering. They printed a shipping label 24 hours after the order was canceled and shipped. To further complicate this issue I was sent an e-mail within the 2 hour order time stating that my shipping date was delayed! I got Amazon involved and I-deals responded that it was too late because the item was shipped. So they ignored my request and responded to Amazons!

For an item that was estimated to arrive at the end of the month, it is setting on my dining room table after delivery yesterday! AS's is due today.

The package has not been open. It will be refused or a return will be requested through Amazon unless the AS copy turns out to be the European stamping.

John

Quote:


John,

Sorry you had these issues.

I am a definite, (and unfortunate) Amazon addict. There are so many things that I order from them - and the fast shipping can be amazing.

But, with that said, there are certain items that I never order from them. Albums are number one on that list - generally because of the reason quoted above. They seldom give any of the normal information that you look for, like condition, pressing info, etc.

I get my albums, generally, from Discogs, and eBay, sometimes. Still kind of a crapshoot, but if you stick to sellers with high feedback ratings, I have a pretty good success rate.

Best,

Geno

John,

Sorry to hear you had an issue with the Amazon seller for this album.  But I am glad that your Acoustic sounds album arrived and you got the right album pressed at Pallas.  Please let us know how you like the album after you give it a full listen.

Even though I have the Japanese first pressing,  I want the double disc Pallas Pressed album to act as a backup down the road.  So….In an effort to save a bit of money…I ordered the same album Pallas Pressing on eBay but got screwed bit time.  Not too much longer after the  eBay seller accepted my  bid…the seller somehow put in three purchases for 2 separate gift cards at Walmart online, as well a 2 phone cables from Monoprice.   I only caught it because the totals from Walmart orders were the exact same price as negotiated price for the Rumours album.  Needless to say I had to jump through hoops and put a claim in order to get refunded the money from Walmart and Monoprice.  I then canceled my album order from the eBay seller but I still need to put in a compliant with eBay about the seller.  

So for me…  I am done ordering albums from of eBay, and we only use trusted record store companies online and Discogs going forward.  

Dom

Yes he is definitely getting reported.  Funny you mentioned Elusive Disc….just got an email from them because I have the Fleetwood Pallas pressing in my cart.  
I was in 2 record stores today, one was small but fairly clean…the other one was atrocious and there was junk everywhere.  I basically walked in and out.

Dom

I spent some time listening to the 45rpm version of Fleetwood Macs Rumours LP; actually, spent time listening to my entire collection of FM.

The 45 version suffers from groove rub and snap, crackle, pop noise at a different pitch. This is not a bad thing but the result of playing at a different speed than normal. The copy I received has low noise but my ears surely picked up the difference in pitch of what noise there is easier because it simply was not at the normal pitch. It stuck out.

The music is raw, gritty, three dimensional bliss. A single hit on a cow bell at the beginning of a song is so distracting because its presence is unmistakable. Mick striking the drum heads brings a sense of the skins fabric texture and tightness. John’s bass notes are tauntingly tight blooming into richness. Lindsey’s guitar picking is sharp and cutting. Stevie’s sultry dry voice with hints of a sweet toddler's innocence is a joy on this copy. Christine with a deeper dry voice reminds me of Chrissie Hynde one of my favorite singers and may just top Chrissie on this pressing.

The final track on this album is interesting. It seems that the engineers pushed the dynamics on this one to the limits. It is a powerful summery of the whole album and a great song to boot.

Is it worth $50? For me yes, the old copy I had gone missing. It also gives me a reference of the differences in 45rpm record play.

I wonder what they could do with The Dance’s “Tusk” and “Don’t Stop” tracks. The Dance is one of my desert island must haves. It is very entertaining and well recorded. I think the DVD might have more dynamics then the CD. I do not have a copy on vinyl. My DVD copy is also missing! I think my brother borrowed it many years ago. Time to pay a visit!

John