When a literary or audio-visual work is worked on after the fact, it is said to be a “redux.”
The “Special Edition” of the original Star Wars trilogy, where TIE Fighters were adjusted, scenes and backgrounds were added, and things outright changed, is a redux.
Redux is not to be confused with “remake.” Lately, there has been an epidemic of 80’s remakes, in which a film’s original premise is used to make an entirely different, usually modern interpretation.
Some remakes are done very well. Ocean’s Eleven, for example, is a clever re-imagining of a Rat Pack classic. Although, most remakes fall short if for no other reason than it’s hard to top a brilliant original idea.
A redux is interesting. Why would a film maker or recording artist want to revisit something that is considered a classic?
Pearl Jam’s Ten was remixed a few years ago. This seemed like dangerous ground for a record that so many revere as one of the best from the early 90’s. The thing about early 90’s albums is that most were mixed like 80’s albums—cavernous reverbs and all. An updated mix totally makes sense.
This week, while on some form of gym equipment, before the sun rises, I’ve been listening to this Ten Redux. While I miss some of the quirkiness of the original mix, I appreciate the clarity and intensity of the new version. Thankfully, in the reissue package, the original mix was included—along with the ever awesome Unplugged set on DVD.
In some ways, every new day is a redux of the one that came before it. We are all works in progress.
