Anthony Newley – Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

So, is this the same terrible pressing quality as the Golden Ticket variant from 2016? If so, that’s a crying shame. That 2016 pressing is so flawed in sound quality, on top of most records being badly warped. I went through at least 2 before I got one that wasn’t warped TOO badly, but the sound is still NOT good on it. The new red/white variant looks neat, but if it’s going to be the same exact pressing as their previous version, do not waste your money. One of the most popular soundtracks of all time and they can’t even give it a proper quality release.

Yeah this thing is definitely not a “pinwheel swirl” variant — it’s tri-color split (1 red, 1 white and 1 red stripe). Also, my copy came COVERED in scuffs, scratches and marks, which cause obnoxious and loud clicking and popping during playback.

The underlying mastering here is also kind of… “meh,” at best, and bad at worst… it clearly hasn’t been given any sort of proper remaster; honestly, it sounds like a needle drop. No idea if that’s the case but that’s what I can liken the sound of this pressing to, and the new gold variant is exactly the same (I ordered both). It just sounds lifeless, flat, shrill, bright and lacking in any dynamics whatsoever. There’s even a good deal of sibilance throughout. Super disappointing as I’ve been waiting AGES for this soundtrack to finally get a repress.

I really would have thought they’d take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary or the success of the new movie to do a big, splashy, remastered and expanded edition of this iconic soundtrack, but I guess not. Perhaps the tapes are lost? It’s kind of mind-boggling to me otherwise.

Candy swirl on my copy doesn't look like the d one.