Back To Basics "Helter Skelter" label

Any ideas/thoughts/opinions on the recent "Back To Basics" series by this label? Studio outtakes, etc.? I just started downloading some but haven't had time to A/B them with the Silent Sea/PC Deluxe, etc.

old material with New Cover and Label not NEW only most complete on one CD





http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aIdT86YJJs...s1600/rear.jpg

I lost count of how many labels there are releasing the same material over and over. Apart from the releases by the His Master Choice label there is nothing really new on the bootleg market. If you have all the PC titles I say there is no need to download this material again. The rockband mixes are around on varous different bootlegs as well.

Okay, thanks for the info. Each time someone comes out with another collection of outtakes, etc., it's always the greatest sounding, pitch-corrected, blah blah blah known to man . And of course I want to have the best sounding stuff in my collection, so I never know what to believe. Thanks again for the input.

Originally Posted by 834

Any ideas/thoughts/opinions on the recent "Back To Basics" series by this label? Studio outtakes, etc.? I just started downloading some but haven't had time to A/B them with the Silent Sea/PC Deluxe, etc.

834

I must unfortunately totally disagree with Legs.

I have all the Helterskelter releases and not only are they a clear upgrade they are also posting new material/upgrades that have never been bootlegged


But don't take my word for it take the word of Bootleg Labels

The Helterskelter series have been factory Pressed by at least three different labels

Secret Garden aka Mistercladuel
Smilin Ears
Extract Factory


Additionally the Beatles Outtake experts of the 910 have given CORE status to the releases.


So I would recommend picking up the free fan created releases which are now up to Help!

Originally Posted by Legs

I lost count of how many labels there are releasing the same material over and over. Apart from the releases by the His Master Choice label there is nothing really new on the bootleg market. If you have all the PC titles I say there is no need to download this material again. The rockband mixes are around on varous different bootlegs as well.

Legs

Sorry , whilst I am a fan of HMC releases . You are 100% wrong with regards to new material.

There have been several totally new sources with significant upgrades and some totally new and previously unreleased material . More on that later.

Concerning Purple Chick releases some were good some bad. The acclaimed A/B road series has a considerable amount of lossy material and whilst they have done a good job , hopefully soon to be updated the original factory pressed sources are better for some of the material. Several of the album series have also been updated.

I would recommend these sets for the sake of the compilation, it's great for the sequential recording. But depending on your preference for sound, no brand new material here; still, there is plenty of anticipated unreleased material out there to work with.

Originally Posted by Serena

I would recommend these sets for the sake of the compilation, it's great for the sequential recording. But depending on your preference for sound, no brand new material here; still, there is plenty of anticipated unreleased material out there to work with.

Serena you are exceptionally hard to please. I agree technically nothing new. But I doubt that there are many people out there who already owned all of alternate mixes and takes. With the rare vinyl rips , I would have thought that these were must have titles for all Beatles collectors.

Slightly off topic , so I don't stray too far from the mark in the future , at what level of collecting is this forum aimed at.But many comments seem to knock what many collectors consider to be CORE and desirable titles and others praise lossy copies that are just worthless.

Thanks in advance.

Actually I'm quite easy to please which is why I can humbly accept even the 'lossy-est' of all recordings for the sake of the recording and I'm not constantly out on an endless search for the greatest quality ever of the same recordings. I've been pleased and satisfied with my Dr. Ebbetts and Purple Chick releases enough to pass over the official remasters. Vinyl may be my most preferred format, but I don't necessarily need to have it, I'm just not a perfectionist.

The hard-core audiophile collectors are the ones that seem to be the hardest to please, they accept absolutely nothing below high quality lossless or CD/vinyl ripped format and they are always looking for something better. If I can can get ahold of some high quality material first, I'll go for it, otherwise MP3's are better than nothing. Between everything I already have, I just don't have the room to collect repetitions of the same material over and over again. Depending on your sentiment for this material, nothing is completely 'worthless.'

For me the main problem has always been to determine the actual sources for the different bootlegs, not the quality. Is this version of Helter Skelter the same or a different take than that version, which is two seconds shorter? Most tracks are simply listed as undetermined or unidentified - hardly helpful! I rather people got busy getting the provenance of existing tracks rather than add yet another collection to the confusion. My 2c.

Originally Posted by hibgal

For me the main problem has always been to determine the actual sources for the different bootlegs, not the quality. Is this version of Helter Skelter the same or a different take than that version, which is two seconds shorter? Most tracks are simply listed as undetermined or unidentified - hardly helpful! I rather people got busy getting the provenance of existing tracks rather than add yet another collection to the confusion. My 2c.

I agree that is a total pain with some releases but I thought the notes on this series were very good.

How would you expand upon source and Take/Mix details.

The only undetermined or unidentified I can think of on a Helterskelter is on on the Yellow Chatter Custard, is that the release you are thinking of? If so the majority is New material that no one knows the identity , yet.

AHDN Liner notes as are other Back to Basics are very detailed. If these are not detailed enough , I would be interested in a copy of your database of songs.

Volume 1

Disc One

Recorded At Emi Studio 2, 16th April 1964
01. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 1) (Mono) [2:48]
02. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 2) (Mono) [0:10]
03. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 3) (Mono) [0:08]
04. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 4) (Mono) [2:33]
05. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 5) (Mono) [2:36]
06. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 6) (Mono) [1:28]
07. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 7) (Mono) [3:00]
08. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 8) (Mono) [0:13]
09. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 9) (Mono) [2:40]
Source: Track 1 Anthology 1, Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes Vol.2 & Studio 2 Sessions At Abbey Road Vol.3 (Yellow Dog)
Track 2-3 Abbey Road Video Show (Strawberry Records)
Track 4 Abbey Road Video Show (Strawberry Records) & Studio 2 Sessions At Abbey Road Vol.3 (Yellow Dog)
Track 5,6 & 8 Studio 2 Sessions At Abbey Road Vol.3 (Yellow Dog)
Track 7 Unsurpassed Masters Vol.2 (Unique Tracks)
Track 9 Studio 2 Sessions At Abbey Road Vol.3 (Yellow Dog) & Cv For End Of Track

Recorded At Emi Studio 2, 16th April 1964
10. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 1 - Anthology 1 Mix) (Stereo) [2:43]
Source: Anthology 1 (Official)

Recorded At Emi Studio 2, 16th April 1964
11. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 1 Monitor Mix) (Mono) [2:48]
12. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 2 Monitor Mix) (Mono) [0:10]
13. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 3 Monitor Mix) (Mono) [0:08]
14. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 4 Monitor Mix) (Mono) [2:33]
15. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 5 Monitor Mix) (Mono) [2:37]
16. A Hard Day’s Night (Take 6 Monitor Mix) (Mono) [0:58]
Source: Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes Vol.2 (Yellow Dog)

Mixed For Mpi Home Video Release Of A Hard Day’s Night Movie In 1984 (Originally Recorded 16th April 1964)
17. A Hard Day’s Night [Rs From Take 9 V1 - Film Mix] (Stereo) [2:31]
Source: A Hard Day’s Night Mpi Home Video Stereo Mix (Yellow Dog)

Mixed By Ron Furmanek For The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Documentary In 1995 (Originally Recorded 16th April 1964)
18. A Hard Day’s Night [Rs From Take 9 V2 - Extended Film Mix, 10 Guitar Riffs At End] (Stereo) [2:40]
Source: The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Dvd

Mixed At Emi Studios, June 9th 1964 (Possibly) For Film Company (Originally Recorded 16th April 1964)
19. A Hard Day’s Night [Rm10 From Take 9 - Last Line Repeated 5 Times] (Mono) [2:40]
Source: Mythology 2 (Strawberry Records) [Taken From 8 Track United Artists Us Release]

Mixed For The Dvd Release Of Anthology In 2003 (Originally Mixed 22nd June 1964)
20. A Hard Day’s Night [Rs1 From Take 9 - Partial] (Stereo) [1:20]
Source: Two Track Mind (Brown Nose Records)

Mixed For ‘The Beatles Rockband’ Video Game In 2009
21. A Hard Day’s Night [Rockband Mix] (Stereo) [2:30]
Source: Beatcomber Records

Recorded At Emi Studio 2, 26th February 1964
22. I Should Have Known Better (Take 8 Partial) (Mono) [0:15]
23. I Should Have Known Better (Take 11 Partial) (Mono) [0:15]
24. I Should Have Known Better (Take 8 Partial - Clean Vhs Mix) (Mono) [0:15]
25. I Should Have Known Better (Take 11 Partial - Clean Vhs Mix) (Mono) [0:15]
26. I Should Have Known Better (Unknown Partial Take) (Mono) [0:05]
Source: Tracks 22-23 Two Track Mind (Brown Nose Records)
Tracks 24-25 Anthology Vhs
Track 26 All Together Now Dvd

Mixed For Us Album ‘Reel Music’ In 1982 (Originally Mixed 26th February 1964)
28. I Should Have Known Better [Rs From Take 22 V1] (Stereo) [2:44]
Source: Dess Us Reel Music

Mixed By Ron Furmanek For The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Documentary In 1995 (Originally Mixed 26th February 1964)
27. I Should Have Known Better [Rs From Take 22 V2 - Partial] (Stereo) [0:14]
Source: The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Dvd

Mixed For The Dvd Release Of Anthology In 2003 (Originally Mixed 26th February 1964)
29. I Should Have Known Better [Rs From Take 22 V3 - Partial] (Stereo) [0:20]
Source: Anthology Dvd

Recorded At Emi Studio 2, 27th February 1964
30. If I Fell (Montage Of Unknown Studio Chat) (Mono) [0:21]
Source: All Together Now Dvd

Mixed By Ron Furmanek For The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Documentary In 1995 (Originally Mixed 27th February 1964)
31. If I Fell [Rs From Take 15 V1 - Partial] (Stereo) [0:31]
Source: The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Dvd

Mixed For The Dvd Release Of Anthology In 2003 (Originally Mixed 27th February 1964)
32. If I Fell [Rs From Take 15 V2] (Stereo) [2:19]
Source: Two Track Mind (Brown Nose Records)

Recorded At Emi Studio 2, 25th February 1964
33. And I Love Her (Take 2) (Mono) [1:52]
Source: Anthology 1 (Official)

Recorded At Emi Studio 2, 26th-27th February 1964 (Although Track 34 Is Really Unknown)
34. And I Love Her (Take 11 + Take 21 Announcement) (Stereo) [0:16]
35. And I Love Her (Take 11 + Take 21 Announcement Clean Vhs Mix) (Stereo) [0:16]
36. And I Love Her (Unknown Take Partial) (Stereo) [0:05]
Source: Track 34 Two Track Mind (Brown Nose Records)
Track 35 Anthology Vhs
Track 36 The Beatles On Record Documentary

Mixed For German Album ‘Something New’ In 1964 ( (Originally Mixed 27th February 1964)
38. And I Love Her [Rs From Take 21 V1 - ‘German Stereo’ Mix, Looped Ending] (Stereo) [2:36]
Source: Dess Us Rarities (Same Mix Used On This Album)

Mixed By Ron Furmanek For The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Documentary In 1995 (Originally Mixed 27th February 1964)
37. And I Love Her [Rs From Take 21 V2 - Partial] (Stereo) [0:29]
Source: The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Dvd

Recorded At Emi Studio 2, 27th February 1964
39. Tell Me Why (Take 2 Studio Chat) (Mono) [0:14]
40. Tell Me Why (Take 4) (Mono) [0:15]
41. Tell Me Why (Take 4 - Clean Vhs Mix) (Mono) [0:16]
Source: Track 39 The Beatles On Record Documentary
Track 40 Two Track Mind (Brown Nose Records)
Track 41 Anthology Vhs

Mixed For Mpi Home Video Release Of A Hard Day’s Night Movie In 1984 (Originally Mixed 27th February 1964)
42. Tell Me Why [Rm From Take 8 - Film Mix] (Mono) [1:45]
43. Tell Me Why [Rs From Take 8 V1 - Film Mix] (Stereo) [1:45]
Source: Track 42 Vinyl To The Core (Upgraded)
Source: Track 43 A Hard Day’s Night Mpi Home Video Stereo Mix (Yellow Dog)

Mixed By Ron Furmanek For The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Documentary In 1995 (Originally Mixed 27th February 1964)
44. Tell Me Why [Rs From Take 8 V2 - Partial] (Stereo) [0:16]
Source: The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Dvd

Recorded At Emi Pathe Marconi Studios, Paris, 29th January 1964
45. Can’t Buy Me Love (Take 1 Monitor Mix) (Mono) [2:21]
46. Can’t Buy Me Love (Take 2) (Mono) [2:31]
47. Can’t Buy Me Love (Take 3) (Mono) [0:41]
48. Can’t Buy Me Love (Take 3 Extended Monitor Mix) (Mono) [0:45]
49. Can’t Buy Me Love (Take 4 Monitor Mix Partial) (Mono) [0:09]
Source: Track 45 The Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes Vol.1&2 (Yellow Dog)
Track 46-47 The Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes Vol.1&2 (Yellow Dog) + Unsurpassed Masters Vol.7 (Yellow Dog)
Track 48-49 The Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes Vol.1&2 (Yellow Dog)

Recorded At Emi Pathe Marconi Studios, Paris, 29th January 1964
50. Can’t Buy Me Love (Edit Of Takes 1&2) (Mono) [2:10]
Source: Anthology 1 (Official)

Mixed By Ron Furmanek For The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Documentary In 1995 (Originally Recorded 29th January 1964)
51. Can’t Buy Me Love [Rs From Take 4 V1 - Partial] (Stereo) [0:33]
Source: The Making Of A Hard Day’s Night Dvd

Mixed For The Dvd Release Of Anthology In 2003 (Originally Mixed 29th February 1964)
52. Can’t Buy Me Love [Rs From Take 4 V2 - Partial] (Stereo) [1:13]
Source: Anthology Dvd

Mixed For The ‘Beatles Rockband’ Video Game In 2009
53. Can’t Buy Me Love [Rockband Mix] (Stereo) [2:13]
Source: Beatcomber Records

Mixed For The Dvd Release Of Anthology In 2003 (Originally Mixed At Emi Studios 3rd June 1964)
54. Any Time At All [Rs From Take 11 - Partial] (Stereo) [0:36]
Source: Anthology Dvd

Mixed For The Dvd Release Of Anthology In 2003 (Originally Mixed At Emi Studios 3rd June 1964)
55. Things We Said Today [Rs From Take 3] (Stereo) [2:34]
Source: Two Track Mind (Brown Nose Records)

Okay, let's take an example. On this very detailed track list (great!) scroll down to

38. And I Love Her [Rs From Take 21 V1 - ‘German Stereo’ Mix, Looped Ending] (Stereo) [2:36]
Source: Dess Us Rarities (Same Mix Used On This Album)

Now, is this basically the same mix/take as on The Alternate A Hard Day's Night

19. And I Love Her [2:39]
Alternate Mix Stereo (date unknown)

which also has the guitar riff repeat at the end? It probably is since it's so distinct but I don't KNOW that.

Now, take another of those And I Love Her tracks. Like #5 on the Alternate. Supposedly this is yet another alternate stereo mix [2:32] with John single-tracked instead of double-tracked. Looking at the list of tracks you posted there is no equivalent. Obviously the collection of tracks on this bootleg is not complete.

So basically, in this example, it comes down to how many tracks or mixes are there for And I Love Her and what bootlegs do I need to gather in to have them all and how do I know which tracks are which so I don't get too many duplicates? How do I know when the difference between this track and that track is some tweaking by the bootlegger and what's originally there? How do I know whether I have all significantly different takes of a song or not? Not to mention which are the most significant takes of the song?

That's just ONE song from ONE album. The original UK release of AHDN contains 13 songs. Then we have to add in all the other Beatles albums with their local variations and not forget the singles neither. The whole thing just makes my head hurt! And unlike you, I don't keep a database of every single bootleg track in my collection. I'm frankly amazed to learn most people do. That's not what I want. I like to listen to them, not just collect them. I enjoy alternate takes that are unique enough it's worth listening to. If it's like three notes different from the released version then I'm not interested. To find that out without collecting and listening to every version of every song - that would be bliss!

Originally Posted by hibgal

Okay, let's take an example. On this very detailed track list (great!) scroll down to

38. And I Love Her [Rs From Take 21 V1 - ‘German Stereo’ Mix, Looped Ending] (Stereo) [2:36]
Source: Dess Us Rarities (Same Mix Used On This Album)

Now, is this basically the same mix/take as on The Alternate A Hard Day's Night

19. And I Love Her [2:39]
Alternate Mix Stereo (date unknown)

which also has the guitar riff repeat at the end? It probably is since it's so distinct but I don't KNOW that.

Now, take another of those And I Love Her tracks. Like #5 on the Alternate. Supposedly this is yet another alternate stereo mix [2:32] with John single-tracked instead of double-tracked. Looking at the list of tracks you posted there is no equivalent. Obviously the collection of tracks on this bootleg is not complete.

So basically, in this example, it comes down to how many tracks or mixes are there for And I Love Her and what bootlegs do I need to gather in to have them all and how do I know which tracks are which so I don't get too many duplicates? How do I know when the difference between this track and that track is some tweaking by the bootlegger and what's originally there? How do I know whether I have all significantly different takes of a song or not? Not to mention which are the most significant takes of the song?

That's just ONE song from ONE album. The original UK release of AHDN contains 13 songs. Then we have to add in all the other Beatles albums with their local variations and not forget the singles neither. The whole thing just makes my head hurt! And unlike you, I don't keep a database of every single bootleg track in my collection. I'm frankly amazed to learn most people do. That's not what I want. I like to listen to them, not just collect them. I enjoy alternate takes that are unique enough it's worth listening to. If it's like three notes different from the released version then I'm not interested. To find that out without collecting and listening to every version of every song - that would be bliss!

I agree that ever one collects to different levels.

But the Helerskelter release is ideal for new collectors , there are many and any one who is solely interested in the music and not collecting titles and merely A/B's new releases and keeps the best.

It s not fair to complain about not being able to identify all the mixes or compare if you do not wish to keep track yourself of the variations.

I for one prefer the Helterskelter release over the Pear edition that is an exact clone of the Stamp Out The Beatles release two years earlier, but accept that each to their own.

There will be new material here for anyone who wishes to collect variations and in part the number of labels that have factory pressed them suggests that I am not the only one who the thinks so.

Concerning And I Love Her track. Like #5 - Alternate AHDN , have you established the version are you looking for a discussion to establish?

Unfortunately liner notes are not always as explicit as you'd like, so sometimes you will end up collecting them all just so you can listen and ensure yourself of any differences, then eliminate the duplicates from there.

As for "And I Love Her," this is the same six riff rendition as heard on The Alternate Hard Day's Night and the Rarities LP. Some of these takes are hardly significant and only last a few seconds, but again I guess that would be up to the listener to determine its value. It may take some keen ears to really hear the difference in sound, that's partially why quality does have its importance, but often the results end up being the same take being tweaked and experimented with by bootleggers.

Some collectors will go out on and endless search for everything, when in reality, they already have everything. But there's always this 'incomplete' feeling and need they have to run through everything to make sure that truly have it all, and they still need a little more. I personally find it to be a waste of time and space when there's so much more out there to experience. As I said, it all comes down to the listener's peak of satisfaction and when they have finally reached it.

Originally Posted by moptop

Legs

Sorry , whilst I am a fan of HMC releases . You are 100% wrong with regards to new material.

There have been several totally new sources with significant upgrades and some totally new and previously unreleased material . More on that later.

Concerning Purple Chick releases some were good some bad. The acclaimed A/B road series has a considerable amount of lossy material and whilst they have done a good job , hopefully soon to be updated the original factory pressed sources are better for some of the material. Several of the album series have also been updated.

It depends on on what definition of the word new you use.
I don't know about the sources, so it's good to know that these are new sources with significant upgrades. So in that regard you can say it's new, but when I look at the material I can't say that I have the desire to download it all again. Just like the new Sessions deluxe version that's out. I don't get really excited at the prospect of getting "If you got troubles" and " That Means A lot" for yet another time.

The good thing is that's all free, you can download it again compare with what you already have and decide what to keep. Obviously when you're just starting out, these sets might be the way to go, and there won't be the need to download the Purple Chick versions first, or at all. But I look at these selections with claims about being a sonic upgrade etc and just think, how many times do you have to obtain the same material, how many times can they claim it's been improved? How is it improved what did they do with the material? There are so many bootlegs with the same material. So yes I think there is nothing really new out there.

Originally Posted by moptop

It s not fair to complain about not being able to identify all the mixes or compare if you do not wish to keep track yourself of the variations.

Let me get this straight. It's not fair for me to want a simpler way of comparing different bootlegs than the almost non-existent situation that exists today? From what you say every bootleg collector must separately listen to every single variation of every single song on every single bootleg because it's unfair to wish we could all pool our resources together? Wouldn't developing a central register be of more use to the collectors than yet another 'new' collection? I enjoy the bootlegs I do have but for crying out loud, I have a life too!

It certainly would be easier to refer to one ultimate source, but I guess that wouldn't be any fun to the distributors. I wish other artists got this much attention, there are so many great albums that could use and upgrade. For this reason of needless new sources, I've actually have moved on from the Beatles a long time ago.

Originally Posted by hibgal

Let me get this straight. It's not fair for me to want a simpler way of comparing different bootlegs than the almost non-existent situation that exists today? From what you say every bootleg collector must separately listen to every single variation of every single song on every single bootleg because it's unfair to wish we could all pool our resources together? Wouldn't developing a central register be of more use to the collectors than yet another 'new' collection? I enjoy the bootlegs I do have but for crying out loud, I have a life too!

Sorry I think you are missing the point, I wasn't saying that but the Helterskelter has considerably more information than the STATB/Pear release.

The Helterskelter releases whilst collated by a HSR are an open FAN project and there are in depth discussions as to Takes and variations available and to include all versions in the best quality. It is easier to say there is a missed version than do a complete A/B on every previous, is this not the pooling to which you refer.

The idea is that these are the primary sources and if an improved version is located it can be slotted in . Unlike factory pressed titles.

I can let you have details of the forum if you wish, sorry I do not know if is allowed to post openly here.

With regards to pooling resources the Beatleg Project and Bootleg Zone were exactly that until dozens of traders were more interested in collecting titles than than the music and the songs data base is now almost worthless.

As a major contributor to the project with RMW and T I retained a 'clean' version of the songs database along with 'Entomology' which I have added to and continue to use.

The problem you identify is that there is not an accurate database of what has already been released and from my experience there is little or no interest in creating one.

I have numerous discussions with collector about a bootleg only to find the mastering and some times takes are different on a single title pressed by two different labels with the same title and some times same artwork.

I have yet to locate and listen to the And I Love Her track. Like #5 - Alternate AHDN , but I will locate and report back.

My initial thoughts, just from the description is that it is the AHDN Stereo USA mix. Either with or without the 'Ping pong' stereo effect error and is readily available on the commercial release.

If any one has researched feel free to jump in and save me a job.

The original fan who created the first Pear CDR' s over a decade ago rarely put anything exceptional into his discs, so I doubt this is unique or rare.

Originally Posted by Serena

Some collectors will go out on and endless search for everything, when in reality, they already have everything. But there's always this 'incomplete' feeling and need they have to run through everything to make sure that truly have it all, and they still need a little more.

That's me these days. I am lucky to have all the space I need and then some to download everything. So, how do you know if the most recent version is more of same unless you download it and give it a listen? The endless search for the best version of each demo/outtake, etc., and I have to say, I like the "Back to Basics" series better than the Silent Sea, Pear, etc. versions. The technology is getting more sophisticated all the time and maybe I'm brainwashing myself, but some of these new releases are super.

Originally Posted by 834

That's me these days. I am lucky to have all the space I need and then some to download everything. So, how do you know if the most recent version is more of same unless you download it and give it a listen? The endless search for the best version of each demo/outtake, etc., and I have to say, I like the "Back to Basics" series better than the Silent Sea, Pear, etc. versions. The technology is getting more sophisticated all the time and maybe I'm brainwashing myself, but some of these new releases are super.

Downloading and listening is generally how I do it if the notes are ambiguous; I won't always do it though, many times I'll just pass it up and assume the versions are the same. I just don't have the time to listen to the same thing over and over with possibly some very minor differences in sound. Personally I think newer technology is turning to shit which is why I prefer going back to vinyl. But since I cannot acquire most of these in vinyl, I'll go with a decent lossless copy or even settle with MP3 if that's all I can find. Some of these compilations really are more convenient than others, such as Lazy Tortoise, they might be the best for live material. "Back to the Basics" is nice if you are strictly looking for outtakes, but Purple Chick is probably a more definitive collection than these unless you have a fear of some potentially MP3 sourced tracks. I'm glad that these releases are working for you though and will hold out long enough until the nest best thing arrives.