SoulAlive said:

yeah. maybe that why I like it more. Dianas version, while obviously very good, is too polished(when compared to the other version). I guess the thing that I loved about chic was the musicianship, and the 'chic mix' has the music way up front.It revealed all these subtleties in the music that arent present in "Dianas mix". I understand why Diana re-did it, because she really wasnt the focal point of the original mix, and we know she wasnt having any part of that!

SoulAlive said:

Something you can't say about many of her albums since.

unkemptpueblo said:

You gotta love her,though.She never takes a backseat to anyone,lol

thedribbler said:

Hey there. You're very welcome.

I was going to say I've never been to either of those places but - checking on the map - I used to go to university in Aberystwyth so it's quite possible I passed through those towns quite regularly. Do you still live in Wales?

Um, as to your question - what do you want, the long or short answer? I do love South Wales - if you go off in any direction, I can quite easily be in the city, in the countryside, the mountains, the beach, by the sea; they're all in close proximity. It's a beautiful part of the world - something I take for granted sometimes, maybe.

Then there's the people - okay, you get your fair share of idiots like anywhere else but you couldn't find more warmer, open people than round here. It's hard to describe but - especially in the Valleys - people just look out for each other, I guess. For example, Natisse came to visit last week and we went to the Museuem of Welsh Life in St Fagans - had a fantastic day, I couldn't believe how beautiful it was there. (The last time I went, I was probably about 8 or 9, if not younger). It made me really proud in a lot of ways and, whilst we were walking around, we kept bumping into this particular family. The oldest woman - probably the grandmother - was just hysterical - she reminded me of so many of my older relatives and people that I grew up amongst. I was saying to Natisse that it was people like her - warm, friendly, down-to-earth - that makes me so proud to be Welsh sometimes.

Plus, I have a lot of close friends in this area - some I see a lot, some not so often - but I am very lucky in that I am surrounded by some very special people. I like my own space sometimes, but I am never lonely. And, compared to how small a group of friends I had growing up, it's something that always amazes me.

The only issue I have - and this is a personal thing - is that I've spent all my life here. I was born here, I grew up here, I went to Uni here. I live and work here. Whilst other friends have travelled the world and seen things I will never see - or moved to other parts of the UK (and, in some cases, returned) - I've always stayed here. It's very, very similar to something Fauxie describes on his 'No Humouring' thread. Not that I haven't wanted to move away - I have, on *many* occasions - but finances, lack of ambition, direction, comfort-zones, etc., have prevented me from doing so. Previously, I didn't want to leave this area to go somewhere and find myself friendless - I used to think I would collapse, almost. That doesn't concern me now - I'd like to think I could overcome that obstacle. Plus, I've seen people go off, settle elsewhere and be absolutely miserable as sin. But the older I get, the more I long to break free and go somewhere else, if only to come back eventually. I want a new life, that's for sure. But I'm 32 now - not ancient, but much harder to go off and make my mark somewhere, make friends (perhaps), than if I was 22. Plus, I don't know if I could afford it. There are other issues but I'd be here all day if I went into those.

I look around and have so much to be thankful for; even the silly, tiny insignificant things that wouldn't matter much to other people. So it's a case of do I give up this for that or venture outside the box? I just feel a bit fenced in sometimes, I guess. Nothing to do wth the area itself, just a personal issue.

So, yeah, I do love the area - it's my home after all - but I just feel a bit frustrated at this point in my life. Something has to give. I know that's not the answer you might have been looking for, sorry , but it's the most honest one I can give you.

I loved the countryside there! I think if you're earning enough, and you're happy with the people you've got around you, then the occaisional interesting holiday should be enough to keep the wanderlust (itchy feet) at bay.

I'm sure your life is enviable.

I lived on a yoga ashram between those two villages I mentioned for about two years, and I didn't get out much into the surrounding area. I didn't get to meet many welsh peeps but my general impression of them was very positive.

The ashram has an internet site, you coud find it easily if you google "mandala ashram, yoga centre". It's well worth a visit.

I live in Chile now. Learning the language.

I've read that it was Diana who didn't like the Chic mixes and thought they sounded too much like Chic, and that SHE went into the studio with a sound engineer and re-did them.

Props to her! She knows what she's doing.

I was going to buy this, but what else is on there besides the Chic mixes? It sounds like most people prefer the originals, so what else is good about buying this edition?

GaryMF said:

There are songs from the late 70's in there including an extended alternate mix of Love Hangover, over 10 mins, and other 12" songs like combining No One Gets the Prize and The Boss into one song. It's worth having IMHO.

She's no shirley Bassey though is she now?
Her voice has always been a bit unreliable.
Check out the infamous "mike toss" on U tube.

thedribbler said:

I've watched that but they don't actually show the "mic toss"....they just show Patti takin' over.

GaryMF said:

never mind the toss. It's the contrast between the 2 voices.
I love Diana, always have, but she doesn't really have a powerful voice.

GaryMF said:

never mind the toss. It's the contrast between the 2 voices.
I love Diana, always have, but she doesn't really have a powerful voice.

I've read that it was Diana who didn't like the Chic mixes and thought they sounded too much like Chic, and that SHE went into the studio with a sound engineer and re-did them.

Props to her! She knows what she's doing.

I was going to buy this, but what else is on there besides the Chic mixes? It sounds like most people prefer the originals, so what else is good about buying this edition?

I've read that it was Diana who didn't like the Chic mixes and thought they sounded too much like Chic, and that SHE went into the studio with a sound engineer and re-did them.Props to her! She knows what she's doing.

GaryMF said:

here's a comment from Russ Terrana,the engineer,explaining why he and Diana made changes before it was released:

Suzanne DePasse played me the original mix in the studio.It had a very nice,clean,rich sound.But I felt a song would come on and,20 seconds later,it was still there---there were no peaks and valleys.The dynamics seemed limited.The track is so important because the voice sits on it.It seemed like a Chic album with a Diana Ross voice.It wasn't a Diana Ross album..


[Edited 3/19/07 6:23am]

SoulAlive said:

Thanks for posting that, David. It'a amazing to think how just a few tweaks here and there can totally alter the sound of a record. The mixing process is something that really fascinates me - it just goes to show how vital it is to the *whole* recording process.

Personally, I agree with you - I'm happy to have the original mixes (from a fan's perspective, it's interesting to see what could have been) but I think Motown made the right choice eventually. The album, as we know it, is perfect.