Great find - great album!
Latest bin find.....Elton John
I found an unusually clean copy of EJ's second album, simply titled "Elton John"
This replaced my okay copy. Just when you've written off certain albums off as unobtanium(condition/cost) a minty copy awaits with persistence!
This Uni domestic press sounds fantastic. Perhaps it's just because it so clean/unmolested.
Ive never heard a Britsh press. Faves include "Take me to the Pilot" ""Sixty Years On" and "Border Song"
I lost interest after "Goodbye YBR" but always keep EJ as a "Hall of Fame" kinda performer.
This replaced my okay copy. Just when you've written off certain albums off as unobtanium(condition/cost) a minty copy awaits with persistence!
This Uni domestic press sounds fantastic. Perhaps it's just because it so clean/unmolested.
Ive never heard a Britsh press. Faves include "Take me to the Pilot" ""Sixty Years On" and "Border Song"
I lost interest after "Goodbye YBR" but always keep EJ as a "Hall of Fame" kinda performer.
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Yep, his early albums are great. I especially like "Tumbleweed Connection." The UK DJMs of these early records, including "Madman" sound very nice, but condition is always an issue. You know who Dick James (DJM) was? Interesting history if you look him up. I too lost the thread during the Yellow Brick Road era. |
"I especially like "Tumbleweed Connection." The UK DJMs of these early records, including "Madman" sound very nice, but condition is always an issue. You know who Dick James (DJM) was?" Whart-"Tumbleweed" is a favorite of mine. I have taken a very good domestic press to a show, just to hear "Talking Old Soldiers"...Wow! I do have a nice DJM "Yellowbrick" that sounds fabulous. Good condition DJM’s have become tough find for cheap. |
"plenty of other good albums from Elton, give them a second chance." russ69- With the release of "Don't shoot me" and later albums, I found Eltons music nearing the"jump the shark" phase before Fonzi did it on Happy Days. Thankfully EJ's "Yellowbrick" had substance to rise above "Don't Shoot Me." "Caribou" "Capt Fantastic" and so on....pass. I have read on other threads "The Diving Board" is worth a listen, just haven't heard it yet. |
"whom was DJM ?" jafant-Wiki is your friend.. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Jame A DJM labeled disc is a British copy. |
I also have DJMs from France and Japan from the era. I first mentioned it, aside from the pressings, to underscore that Dick James had some real history even before Elton; those mop tops from Liverpool. Had a nice chunk of the publishing. And sold it. I think there was considerable acrimony between EJ and Dick James. Should be a matter of public record. It was a colorful business, with some interesting characters. |
whart-took a peek at your system pics... Buddha definitely approves-especially with the Avant's. Not knowing how old the pics are, I noticed the David Lindley album in the background of one pic. That is one great sounding album. I remember "Mercury Blues" being a huge hit here, in SoCal. My copy gets played now and then. Whats the LP plugged into? My LP goes through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb(reissue) |
tablejockey---the Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb, both original (I used to own one) and reissue, is a FANTASTIC sounding amp! Jonny Kaplan played a Gibson Les Paul Jr. through one when I gigged with him, and it was the best sounding guitar I’ve ever heard live. And I’ve heard Dave Edmunds playing his ’58 Gibson dot-neck 335! Dwight Twilley’s original guitarist, the late (heavy smoker, lung cancer got him) great Bill Pitcock IV, played his 335 through a pair of blackface Deluxe Reverbs with an MXR digital delay between the two, to create the slapback that was a big part of his style and sound. His playing on The Dwight Twilley Band’s first album, Sincerely, is just incredible. slaw, I love David Lindley, and have for years used his albums as demo material for speaker evaluations. He puts on a great live show too. |
David Lindley is, as a number of us here and elsewhere have acknowledged, an American treasure. He is great fun to hear live--we’ve usually caught him in small clubs where his tone and virtuosity just shine. I also love his sick sense of humor- it reminds me of an era in LA that is now pretty much gone. @tablejockey - I should update my system pics. Those are from the set up in NY. We have since moved to Austin, and the room is longer, the structure is made of old shiplap planks, and the system sounds better than ever. Sadly, we left the Buddha behind--it was far too delicate to move. I haven’t yet come up with a sculptural object for the front of the room, but I’ll know it when I see it. The Les Paul gets plugged into one of those Marshall re-boots that has point to point wiring. I use an Echoplex preamp emulator to jack the gain out of the pick-ups even more (the guitar came from the CV Workshop where it was modified to copy the old Peter Green guitar). That amp, with only 18 watts or so, is ear shatteringly loud in a residential environment. I’m not much of a guitar player, was a very good keyboard player a long time ago, but I like to noodle, and we’ve have some visitors over the years who can really play. That’s when it gets fun. Here’s a glimpse of what things look like in Texas now:[url]http://thevinylpress.com/gone-to-texas/[/url] regards, bill hart |
Bill, upon hearing of the flooding in Texas I immediately thought of you in your really cool old (but new to you) house in Austin (I had already seen the pics of it in your Blog postings I received via email). I was relieved when the storm took a turn and headed away from you, though not as relieved as were, no doubt, you! Congratulations on the house, and the good fortune from Mother Nature. I got use to earthquakes in L.A., but flooding is a whole 'nother matter! |
bdp24-looks like you've had some amazing playing experiences! ROCK ON! Unlike audio gear, we know it's the player, not the instrument/amp that matters. The DR was one of the most used amps in the studio by countless artists. David Lindley playing a 2x4 strung with wire would still sound like David Lindley. whart-as bdp24 mentions, good fortune to you.The devastating events missed your area, which you now call home. Looks like a great old house. I like the attention paid to the line power. I'm sure it sounds great, if not better than your previous setup. "That amp, with only18 watts..." Yeah, my DR is 22 watts with plenty of headroom for a heavy handed drummer. I don't play out, and just noodle with records. My R&R tone is from a tubed stompbox, so I can play without annoying the S.O./neighbors. All the crunch and "woman" tone at near whisper levels. Since there's a few DL fans here, thought I'd mention I also listen Jackson Browne, particularly his early years when David supported JB's band. A moment of connect the dots here.... "Redneck Friend" from the album, "For Everyman" was a big hit during the period. Artist credits for this song list the keyboard player as "Rockaday Johnnie" Rockaday Johnnie happens to be the subject of this post...Elton John. https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=AwrS32F2x6pZz2QA99u5mWRH;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwN... Great slide by David Lindley. |
I remember hearing Lindley back in the Jackson Browne era- it was probably just before or after Late for the Sky (which is as much a Lindley album as it is a Jackson Browne album in my estimation)/ Lindley looked like Cousin ITT, seated, bent over his guitar, all hair. Lindley was part of a loose confederation of musicians that were like the LA Rock Mafia, worked with a bunch of big California based artists during that era. Really worth seeing him solo if you haven’t. He brings a dozen instruments, and once he gets a working on a tune, he develops all these overlays and counterpoints to his own playing. My wife, who had never heard him (or of him) said, after going to one of these solo shows for the first time: "He’s like Yo-Yo Ma." Since then, she keeps an eye out for his tours. |
whart, had the good fortune of seeing him during the El Rayo period. A friend asked me to join him, and catch Dacid at a now defunct venue in Huntington Beach.(The Golden Bear) I wasn't really hip to David at the time. After hearing his brilliance, I was hooked. I haven't seen him since, but I certainly will now, 35 years later! DL certainly had a head of hair.He is one of those musical instrument genius freaks. |
To get back to Elton John lps on DJM.. it's been years since I listened to various labels/pressings and so on, but what I remember is, even on DJM, there are sonic differences in various pressings of the same title just as there are in the U.S. I just put on my DJM of "Don't Shoot Me..." to start to familiarize myself again. |
slaw, i'd be interested in reading your assessment of sonic differences of DJM/UNI presses. Im in a lifelong quest of replacing subpar albums. Reading old threads, seems the DJM's is the press to get. If you buy into any of the "hot stamper"marketing ,there's a copy for you... http://www.better-records.com/search_adv.aspx?sp=elton+john&option=s_name&min_price=1&ma... I have a couple of stores walking distance in my neighborhood, so I just zip up the imaginary bin diving jumpsuit(Peter Townsend white, with boots!) and find these exact presses stamper guy writes about. |
tablejockey, Thanks for your interest. I pulled out my U.S. copy? I write this because it is somewhat interesting in that it has the feel (the outer jacket being of thinner cardboard stock, normally associated with UK pressings but is on the MCA label.) The actual record label is black with white printing. Both of my copies have the several pages of pictorial inserts. The original lp inner sleeve is solid black w/ MCA printed all over in white lettering. I put on side two and the difference was immediate. The soundstage was compressed drastically on this MCA pressing. There is no bloom, no presence, not a trace of the "goodness" that I just heard from my DLM copy. A total let-down! The bass response doesn't rise to the level an audiophile would like to hear on either pressing. My DJM was full of bloom/air, wide soundstage, musically satisfying, very fulfilling as a listener. I certainly don’t consider it as a jump the shark title, by a long shot! This label is mostly black with yellow highlights. My memory says that even these DJM labels can vary in their looks. I dig what you are saying about finding my/your own hot stamper. |
"The actual record label is black with white printing. Both of my copies have the several pages of pictorial inserts. The original lp inner sleeve is solid black w/ MCA printed all over in white lettering." A closer inspection of my so-so copy- perhaps an earlier press from yours?...a single,plain looking MCA logo along with the white lettering. Actually sounds good, but random ticks/stitches throughout. After giving side 1 a spin, I like this album now, much more than when it was released. Definitely looking for a nicer DJM of this ablum. Or I could wait unti the stamper site has a "white hot" for $800.00!.... |
I admit I took the plunge on a "Hot Stamper" years ago. CSN&Y "4 Way Street" for $125.00. I want to hear something before I critique it and I figured this title would be a good one since my feeling was it would be difficult to find in good shape. ( If you need a good laugh, listen to the intro to "Don't Let It Bring You Down.) I find it to be very transparent and has a very nice you-are-there quality. The bass could be more infectious and I wish the soundstage was slightly wider but it was a live recording from the 70's. I really have no regrets on that purchase. To be a regular Better Records customer, I'd have to be an investment banker that had little time for play. Thinking about my most expensive lp purchases, almost 30 years ago I bought a used MOFI "Aqualung from Elusive Disc for $120.00. I still consider that to be the biggest rip-off I've experienced. Of coarse he had just separated from Chad and I guess had to build capitol. I have a long memory. My most costly purchase when cost per song is the consideration is the 10" single song lp of Trixie Whitley "I'd Rather Go Blind". I think it was around $23.00 shipped? |
I admit I took the plunge on a "Hot Stamper" years ago. CSN&Y "4 Way Street" for $125.00." slaw- my favorite neighborhood store in the past, has reported Better Record "scouts" going through his bins. "Thinking about my most expensive lp purchases, almost 30 years ago I bought a used MOFI "Aqualung from Elusive Disc for $120.00. I still consider that to be the biggest rip-off I've experienced. Of coarse he had just separated from Chad and I guess had to build capitol. I have a long memory." I never got into the audiophile presses. Unless something is deemed unobtanium, I reluctantly buy a reissue(mono Beatles) Hearing the terrible news of Walter Becker, I played my black label ABC's of "Thrill" "Countdown" and "Pretzel" Based on stamper guys description of these timeless albums, I have over $1K in just 3 records! After a few $5 trial throwaways,I think they may approach "white hot" status! |
Putting on my GBYBR/DJM lp. The label is tri-colored. The top 1/3rd is black, then a thin white strip is on an angle, the rest is yellow. My "Madman" copy has the same label w/ Strawberry in the dead wax. I believe this was the name of the recording studio? This was all back in the glory days for vinyl. The presses were running non-stop. |
tablejockey, At the time I bought that "Aqualung" lp, there were little options for re-masters as there are now. I remember contacting ED regarding one tick on the lp. I made the mistake of disclosing that I had used LAST on the lp. This was his "out", saying he was not a proponent. I think he learned well from his former master, Chad. I feel much, much better now after your experience. Happy Listening! |
Side 2of GBYBR.....Elton’s vocal range is fully expressed. Elton’s low range is presented with a palpability that is unforgettable. The expansive soundstage is a thing to behold. These were my thoughts from the next room. Gotcha! Still very true! I will compare to my early MFSL later. This DJM has an "ease of presentation" that is palpable. BTW, ..comparing these two titles is great form of the complete differences of one to another! |
slaw- I think side 3 of GB is my favorite. It's the only DJM I have. The guitar riff that preceeds the chorus to "All the Girls" and bass lines sound fabulous with the volume knob at 2 o'clock and the tubes cookin. Lots of subtlety in that cut. An interesting newspaper clip was included in my copy. Dated November 5, 1977. Long Beach Press Telegram. Headline-"No more shows for Elton John" British rock star Elton John has told weeping fans he is giving up live performances onstage. The 30-year old creator of "Captain Fantastic and dozens of other million-selling hits made the surprise announcement in front of 7,000 fans at a charity concert Thursday night in north London... The article goes on with his love of soccer and involvement in a team, which was taking up a lot of his time. In closing, the article mentions his "coming out" and getting booed at British soccer stadiums. Also, he was listed as one of the world's "worst dressed women" by Hollywoods designer Richard Blackwell. My, times have changed! |
@tablejockey, I found my personal holy grail "Madman". I’ve always been disappointed in this lp and as such, rarely played it. I figured that I’d never find a great sounding original maybe ever, or at least without spending a lot of time and money. I knew that if a DCC copy ever came my way, I’d go for it. Well, I did and I got it. Compared to my two copies, the DCC is in a whole ’nother world! The orchestra is all encompassing with a wide/full/airy soundstage. The drums, when allowed to shine, come bursting out of the speakers. This lp is very dynamic! I can now understand how this music could be a challenge for the engineers to get the mix right. I’m very happy. |
slaw-congrats on your recent acquisition. Madman is another impossible title to find in an unmolested condition. Every copy is a victim of being played on the "all in one" system, stacked 5 deep on the changer,tracking @ 5 grams! What level did you get? Did you get an ultimate "white hot." I put my so-so Uni copy on the table and checked out the site. Is this a DJM copy? There is a white hot copy of HC for $700 and a super for $350. MAN! While I have no issue with price, my expectation level on condition(absolutely tick/noise free) would be off the charts! My favorite is side 2 of Madman. What a great album. Please list info on label, any significant etchings on wax, etc. so I have a reference when im bin diving. I want a killer copy of this fine album. |
"You misread" Ah..silly me. I default to stamper guy, when I see DCC in a sentence.I get his site as a hit, when I do a search. http://dccblowout.com Great album, regardless. |
slaw, are you certain it's the same dude? I agree with TP on a lot of his critique, but call BS on some his his attempts at being "technical" with descriptives. There isn't anyone who's 100%, and he sometimes hits a BS grand slam, now and then. I'm curious of his technical pedigree.and qualifications. Personally, im not sold on heavy presses. You probably have some decent,floppy Bowie copies in your collection? On the flip side, I have not heard a heavy press as inferior. Most, not all new, anything to my ears has bumped up bass and an unexplainable something(perhaps it just in my head?) which is lacking? Example-Friday Music copies I have...Trower,Beck etc.. sound like their pressed for my system I used in 1978! |
I can't be 100% certain. However, I do know from years of reading, buying, and so on that TP had a business relationship with Steve Hoffman at some point. More important, TP has said that the guy that is the head of Impex, Robert Pincus, was his main influence/mentor in his whole business plan of Hot Stampers/dead wax info, and IMPEX is an off-shute of Cisco (another Steve Hoffman label). Lots of interesting affiliations going on here that would lead anyone to believe my point. |
I went to Tom Ports apartment in Sherman Oaks (a couple of blocks from mine, just off the Ventura Blvd. that Tom Petty mentions vampires walking down in "Free Falling") a couple of times in the 90's, buying a French pressing of the Magical Mystery Tour LP. I was surprised to learn he had a decidedly mid-fi system through which he made his LP sound quality assessments. At the time his prices hadn't yet become absurd. |
A few years ago, I use to correspond with TP about music and such. One time I remember asking about the Herron phono stage, (which he use to sell). He told me he wasn’t a proponent. I believe that was when I quit my correspondence. I actually purchased my EAR 834P from him. When I received it, to my surprise, he had enclosed a used Amperex Bugle Boy at an extra $50.00 charge. When I inquired about it he did not make any apologies. I accepted it and never did business with him again. Life's too short. |
"I actually purchased my EAR 834P from him. When I received it, to my surprise, he had enclosed a used Amperex Bugle Boy at an extra $50.00 charge. When I inquired about it he did not make any apologies. I accepted it and never did business with him again. Life's too short." Slaw-that's an odd business move. That kind of maneuver would give me reason to drive to his place of business(since I live here, in SoCal) and have him look me in the eye and explain himself. Since this thread detoured earlier with dialogue about David Lindley and his history with Jackson Browne, thought I'd mention I found a very nice early copy of "Saturate Before Using." "Doctor My Eyes" is such a great cut. I really enjoy JB's first 4 albums Also, rediscovered an Elton John album that's rarely mentioned. Years ago, I found a sealed,DJM "Empty Sky" I guess I played it once, and put it in the collection, never pulled it out again. I have the stereo version, not the rare mono. I like more now, than the first pass. The only song that ever got any radio play at the time I believe was "Skyline Pigeon" I think it's an underrated album. |
