Wings Over America & London Town: Paul McCartney Digital Sound Quality Guide
Picking the best-sounding CD & hi-res versions isn't as easy as you might think
Welcome to my ongoing research on the best-sounding Paul McCartney CDs and high-resolution downloads. You will either find this a tedious journey that you wish to skip or a fascinating take on the CDs and hi-res downloads of titles in McCartney’s classic period.
I judged these different versions by comparing multiple tracks in an a/b test to determine which sounded best. I also took dynamic range readings (DR) so that you can consider that as one factor in deciding which version you want, if that matters to you.
I have only compared the digital versions I own, which is to say this is not an exhaustive list, and there is a possibility that there is one that I haven’t heard that could be a “winner.” If you have a version that isn’t included here, I’d love your feedback, especially if you’ve done comparisons of your own.
Most of these are out of print. However, they can be found used on websites like Discogs, eBay, or Amazon. Some are more scarce and expensive than others, but there are surprises here: expensive doesn’t always mean better. I have linked the titles to their Discogs counterparts so you can get more information on whichever ones you like.
Wings Over America (Wings, 1976)
Comparison of 4 Different Digital Releases of Wings Over America (excluding bonus tracks):
CDS 7 46715 8 Capitol (Disc 1 DR11, Disc 2 DR11)
HRM-34313–00 Hear Music 3 CD + 1 DVD Archive Collection 2013 (Disc 1 DR10, Disc 2 DR10)
2013 High Resolution Download Hear Music 24/96 (Part 1 DR11, Part 2 DR11)
Columbia C2K 37990 (Made in USA by DADC) (Disc 1 DR12, Disc 2 DR12)
The biggest difference among these 4 is that the HRM-34313–00 Hear Music 3 CD + 1 DVD (2013) is overly compressed and limited resulting in clipping, which is enough to make me not recommend the CD version of this mastering. Its companion 2013 high resolution download has a better dynamic range with no clipping.
I recommend the high resolution 24/96 Hear Music download. The drums sound more natural than on the Capitol or Columbia CDs, and it has better overall EQ. I’m not hearing any bad EQ or weird processing on any of the different masterings, but the Columbia doesn’t have the punch that the other 2 share. They all share a similar tonality, including the Archive Edition 3-CD set (which I don’t recommend for the reasons above).
That said, on the beginning of CD 2 of the Columbia CD (the preface of “You Gave Me the Answer”), there is 10 seconds of vamping that isn’t present on any of the other masterings. It’s not very interesting, but if you’re a completist, you might want to buy this CD in addition to one of the other “winners” for this additional material, brief as it is.
*Winner: 2013 High Resolution 24/96 Download (Hear Music)
London Town (Wings, 1978)
Comparison of 4 Different CD Releases of London Town (excluding bonus tracks):
MPL/Parlophone 0777 7 89265 2 8 (1993, The Paul McCartney Collection) DR12
EMI/Fame — CD-FA 3223 (1987) DR12
Capitol CDP 7 48198 2 (1989) DR12
Odeon/EMI TOCP-5988 JPN (1989) DR12
The Odeon/EMI TOCP-5988 and the EMI/Fame are digital clones. The Capitol CD has a little more detail, but I attribute that to having more high end.
Avoid the 1993 Paul McCartney Collection MPL/Parlophone CD as it is processed with noise reduction. It sounds muffled and unpleasant.
The Capitol CDP CD, while free of noise reduction, still sounds muffled compared to the EMI/Fame (and Odeon/EMI clone).
The EMI/Fame (and Odeon EMI clone) have a lovely, open sound. The Capitol CD doesn’t sound bad on its own, but when compared to this mastering, it doesn’t hold up.
Note that there is no high definition download or Archive Edition of this title (as of 2024). There have been rumors of an Archive Edition being released (in addition to Back to the Egg) for many years, but so far, nothing has materialized.
*Winner: EMI/Fame — CD-FA 3223 (and Odeon/EMI TOCP-5988 — Clones, so you only “need” one of them)
As always, your ears, and your mileage may vary (YMMV).
I just received Steely Dan "Katy Lied" AP Sacd I am really impressed with this its a keeper. Can't buy a thrill AP Sacd sent it back I like the Citizen Dan box set version better.
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