The Free Story - Limited Release Cardboard Sleeve (Mini LP) Hi-Res 2CD MQA x UHQCD

The Free Story [Hi-Res 2CD (MQA x UHQCD)]

[Limited Release] [Cardboard Sleeve (Mini LP)]

Japan UICY-40307/8

Available as cardboard sleeve packaging for the first time. Features Hi-Res CD format (UHQCD format x MQA technology). The 2020 DSD master is available in 352.8kHz/24bit high resolution (perfect for MQA-enabled audio players / Not digitally distributed up to this time), using the original master tapes made in the UK. Cardboard sleeve faithfully replicates its UK first pressing LP design (gatefold), including a 4-page booklet and two inner sleeves. Includes an obi, which faithfully replicates its Japanese first press LP design. Comes with lyrics and a description. Green colour label coating.

The disc can also be played on regular CD players in UHQCD 44.1kHz/16bit resolution. However, MQA-enabled hardware/software is necessary to harness the full potential of this Hi-Res CD.

Disc One: I'm a Mover / I'll Be Creepin' / Mourning Sad Morning / All Right Now / Heavy Load / Fire and Water / Be My Friend / The Stealer / Soon I Will Be Gone / Mr. Big

Disc Two: The Hunter / Get Where I Belong / Travelling Man / Just for the Box / Lady / My Brother Jake / Little Bit of Love / Sail On / Heartbreaker / Come Together in the Morning.

After being delayed a couple of times this has finally come out, and VERY nice it is too. I have been trying to get someone at Universal/Island to get this out as the complete set (2CD and new 180g 2LP) for YEARS!! I'm constantly bringing the idea up, but no one has bitten - so the Japanese have done it instead and it comes on the new MQA CD format, so mastered at 352.8kHz / 24bit but playable as a regular 44.1kHz /16bit on any CD player.

Beautifully packed with the original booklet in the gatefold mini LP sleeve (individually numbered originally and also for this MQA CD set) complete with replicas of the inner bags. It's all there. This also has a English/Japanese lyric booklet and yes, it has errors, don't they all! The original analogue tapes have apparently been sourced for this, and a flat transfer was done by Richard Whittaker at FX mastering before the files were edited for DSD by Manabu Matsumura in Tokyo. All transfers were done in 2020.

Sadly, like the 'Fire And Water' MQA CD while my Oppo will play in the high resolution it won't play it from the CD (only as files - which aren't available! WTF?). However the CD does play in 88.2kHz - 24bit, so SACD quality, and I have to say it sounds absolutely fantastic! I always have thought that 'The Free Story' played really well as a 2LP four sided set and this 2CD version really works too. Sadly the UK CD of the double album was put onto a single disc and criminally omitted the 'Live' version of 'Heartbreaker', one of the main reasons for wanting it! I can clearly recall telling Trevor Wyatt that he was out of his mind to remove that track, but the argument that greeted my complaint was one of  the 'low res' sound quality of the 'live' audio (part of it's charm actually!). Anyway, the CD was released without the
song and only in Australia at the time did a 2CD version of the complete set come out. Very rare it is too. Since then, and other than that first Aussie release, this has been a single CD everywhere it has been available, including in Japan.

Finally then, it's REALLY nice to have this in it's complete form and newly polished with really lovely sound quality. I truly was smiling ear to ear on the first play through this. The audio is outstanding, and just to pick one track, 'Be My Friend' sounds incredible!

At the time (1973) Toby's 'Travelling Man' was down for inclusion on the original release along with 'Lady' by Peace and 'Just For The Box' from Kossoff Kirke Tetsu Rabbit. Removed at the time, probably at Andy's request, that Toby version can be found on the original German issue of the LP (where someone forgot to exchange the master tape) and copies of the 'Pop Chronik' set (also German) but not on any CD, and not here either. That's fine - it never came out on the original UK or Japanese issue of the album at the time, and I didn't expect to find it here. That would have been a treat of course, but maybe a little too much to ask!

So, do you need this? Well I guess that depends on the thickness of your wallet. This is going to cost you about £33 if you shop around for the best price, and I would actually recommend the seller 'neco_kick' on Ebay as your source. I seen it for £40+ elsewhere, but his prices always seem to be good and I've never had a problem with anything I've ordered from him in the past. It does float about a bit price wise day to day, but that's the exchange rate with Japan changing, not him fiddling with the price!

As a Japanese 'limited edition' we all know that means nothing, and the chances are this will be issued again and again with a different obi strip. Still, if you want the first issue then this is it, get a move on. Personally I'd recommend this over the 'Fire And Water' MQA CD every time. I was somewhat unimpressed with that. The sound wasn't particularly improved to my ears and the packaging, other than that weird outer plastic wallet, wasn't very good either. Here they've upped their game considerably and I'd have to say that this is simply spot on. I can't think of any way they could have improved it - so full marks. Myself, I think this is a good buy, but remember I do have the advantage of the ability to play it in at least part of it's higher resolution. Your situation may be different, but even so, the complete package here is so nice and well done, with all the attention to detail lavished on it you could possibly want, I can only say that in my opinion this is brilliant and I absolutely LOVE it !!

No, I'm not endorsed to be nice about ANY product and I don't get any back-handers from 'neco_kick' either!