Bruce Mandel: Blog

     Why re-master my first CD you ask?

     Well... when I recorded "Follow Your Heart" back just before the turn of the century, digital technology was not quite yet a teenager.  I recorded the record in the loft of my Log Cabin in Colorado using some of the latest digital recording equipment available at the time for the DIYer.  

     Now... jump to the 21st Century and the digital advances over a very short time boggle the mind.  Gone is the old digital sound that could sometimes be a little harsh or brittle sounding and here now is relatively affordable recording equipment that in the hands of the right person can produce what many say is a more pleasing analog like sound.  Of course, there are endless Analog vs. Digital debates and "relatively affordable" is just that, relative.

     Anyway, I recorded my second CD, "Between Dreams and Regrets" with better equipment at my disposal and it was Mastered by Toby Mountain at Northeastern Digital.  I found (and still find) myself really diggin' how the record sounds.  So, I thought when it came time for the next re-order of "Follow Your Heart" CD's from the manufacturer, that I would take my original mixes to Toby and have him do his Mastering mojo for "Follow Your Heart", taking full advantage of all of the technological advances that have been made since "Follow Your Heart" was recorded.

     Once again, Toby worked his magic, and brought the sound of "Follow Your Heart" into the next Century.  And once again, I'm diggin' it!

     So now you are wondering, "How am I going to be able to tell the difference between the old and the new versions of "Follow Your Heart"?

     There are a few visuals to clue you in.

Front cover:  Original - my name is black, Aspen bark is tinted blue.  New - my name is yellow, Aspen bark is   black & white

CD Jewel Case:  Original - CD tray and case spine is black.  New - CD tray and case spine is transparent with a black & white Aspen forest visible through.

Back Cover:  New - The song list now has the lengths following the titles.  The copyright notice now reads 1997 & 2010

     Of course, my contact info has been updated as well.

     Now if you happen to misplace the case and find yourself left with only the disc, the Original disc has orange lettering and the New disc has green lettering.

     I hope you will check the newly re-mastered "Follow Your Heart" out.  It sounds great.

     Peace... Bruce