Best vinyl version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

>>Tommy" is a better recording than anything that came after.<<

Not quite true.

"Quadrophenia" has much better dynamics than "Tommy" and is easily their best sounding record.

This is based on the original USA 1969 "Tommy" and 1973 "Quadrophenia" releases. Can't speak to foreign releases or reissues.

Have the Classic version. Overall a good if not great pressing that has detail and balance. Recommended, which is more than I can say for several other Classic recordings I own: Peter Gabriel 2 a total disaster in the lead in on side 1. Sounds like the stylus is running through 3/4 inch gravel.

Stevecham -
Do you hear any distortion on the last note of the title track (#1)?
Mika

I'll check it out and pay careful attention...stay tuned...

Those are strings at the very end and, though they don't distort, or at least I don't hear any at this point, I think that Garfunkel's voice just before those ending stings on the word "mind" does distort just a tiny amount, as though the limiting amp on his vocal was pushed up against the wall. Also, there's a hint of shrillness, and on both my Helikon and Argo i do I hear it, at this point in the recording.

Back then it was popular to push tape into the red but it could also be the caused by the cutting of the lacquer or the pressing itself. The vocals were recorded "hot" as most pop recordings were in those days. In any case I can live with this relative to all the other vinyl anomalies; it's a labor of love.