In the summer of 73, I went into a high end stereo store for the first time. I entered the place with the idea of spending between four and five hundred dollars. Out of curiosity I wanted to hear what the more expensive systems sounded like, so I kept going. I was completely surprised that I could hear significant differences in every system that I heard. By the time I got to the BACK ROOM, my head was spinning. The guy put on OCTOPUS BY GENTLE GIANT, the song with the coin drop, if you know it. I never heard anything like this, on two counts. The music and the equipment. I ended up spending nearly $4000 over the next two years on my system. I still have most of it and it's all still working. As far as the music is concerned, I am probably as big a fan of GENTLE GIANT as you will find anywhere. So I have been into stereo equipment and progressive music ever since. Yes, sometimes when I play that album I sit back and close my eyes, and I know I'm still in the BACK ROOM.
Time machines
Do you have any favorite albums that act like a virtual time machine? Just listening to them sends you back in time. Care to share your experiences?
For me, Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat". After the first few seconds, it's 1977 all over again. I'm back at law school. Jimmy Carter is in the White House. Elvis is still alive. (At least for part of the year.)
For me, Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat". After the first few seconds, it's 1977 all over again. I'm back at law school. Jimmy Carter is in the White House. Elvis is still alive. (At least for part of the year.)