AC/DC - Live From The Atlantic Studios download free

This is one case where the unofficial CD release (Mixing Records, LAAS 001) absolutely slays the official CD (released as part of the Bonfire box set). The unoffical release has a good low-end punch combined with a smooth sound, the original 1977 mix ensuring it can be cranked loud and still remain an enjoyable listen. In comparison the official CD uses a modern remix which pushes the guitars above everything else and renders the bass virtually inaudible. To compound matters its also hugely compressed, as a consequence of which the low-end punch found on the original mix is completely gone and the general sound is quite harsh.It's probably fair to say the remix was an early loudness wars casualty, having a brash and punchy sound which initially may sound good but doesn't really bear extended or repeated listens. It's certainly not an album I have the urge to keep cranking up in volume, unlike the bootleg. Live From The Atlantic Studios was originally released by Atlantic Records as a strictly limited editon LP, handed to radio stations for promotional use. All of the unofficial versions of this title have so far been sourced from the original vinyl album or copies thereof. It's a cruel irony that the official release for the first time had the benefit of using the original session tapes, yet the mastering and mixing of the CD completly destroys that benefit and makes the end result less pleasant to listen to than the original mix.It's my view that if you want to hear the best possible version of this album you're going to have to hunt down an unofficial release. The difference between the official CD and the bootleg really is one of night and day.