Vinyl Icons

Of the 40 officially released versions of Shoot Out The Lights, 15 appeared very early on in its history with no significant differences between them, so choosing a representative selection isn't as tricky as it might otherwise be.

Original LP And Cassette
This 1982 British edition [Hannibal HNBL 1303], pressed by the long-established French company MPO, has never been rated particularly highly. The Japanese pressings of 1984 [YX-7332-HB], for example, are felt to have better dynamics. The album also appeared as a cassette [HNBC 1303] in both the UK and the States.

First CD Version
The 1990 first CD edition of Shoot Out The Lights seems to have appeared in Japan via Tokyo-based Midi Inc [MDC6-1109]. It differs from the earlier vinyl editions only in the addition of an old B-side, 'Living In Luxury', of which producer Joe Boyd has admitted, 'I'd been led into the bonus track trap on CDs'. The track – which Boyd disliked intensely – is not included on any subsequent editions of the album.

Gold CD Reissue
This 1993 transfer [HNCD 81303] was part of Ryko's 'AU20 Mastering' Gold CD series [see top right] of 20-bit digital masters. It used Sony's Super Bit Mapping [SBM] mastering process to reduce the digital master from 20-bit to 16-bit to meet the Red Book compact disc standard.

SACD Reissue
This 2004 SACD [Hannibal HNCD 1470] attracted fulsome praise for the clarity of the separation of instruments and vocal parts, and in particular for reducing what was felt to have been a certain harshness in Richard Thompson's guitar parts on earlier versions.

180G Vinyl
Over two decades on from the original vinyl, the San Francisco-based specialists 4 Men With Beards finally delivered the beautiful-sounding 12in disc [4M139] that Boyd and the Thompsons deserved from day one. If you're seeking vinyl with immaculate transparency, minimal edge, impressive imaging and three-dimensionality, look no further. (I also like the fact that the 4 Men label took its whimsical name from the presumed appearance of hi-fi geeks.)

Deluxe 2CD Edition
Rhino and Hannibal pushed the boat out for this 2010 deluxe 2CD limited edition [RHM2 523875]. CD1 features the original album, with CD2 offering 11 live bonus tracks from the accompanying American tour. And there's a 40-page booklet featuring notes from Richard, Linda, band members, and Boyd. As a complete document of the album and the drama surrounding it, in digital form, this is the one to get.