What are your go to LP's for evaluating new gear or new tubes?

Some great info. Thanks. Now, I have more to look for. I do not have Mona Bone Jakon. I think I had it on 8 track or possibly cassette ages ago but it is no longer in my collection. It was not a favorite of mine, as I recall or I would have replaced it long ago. My other favorites would be Catch Bull at Four and Buddha and the Chocolate Box. I just picked up an Island copy of Catch Bull at Four and look forward to comparing it to my A&M copy. 

Others that I have are The World of Cat Stevens on Decca.

Very Young and Early Songs on Deram/London

Matthew & Son two album set on Deram/London

Cat Stevens Greatest Hits on red vinyl A&M

Teaser and The Firecat on Island, two copies

Catch Bull at Four A&M and now an Island copy

Back to Earth promotional copy A&M

Buddha And The Chocolate Box A&M

Izitso on A&M

Numbers on A&M

7 copies of TFTT, Island original pink label, Island pink rim, Island German blue label, two A&M copies and the off-center re-issue from Universal and the A&M dbx copy. 

I think that's it but often adding more. I'm going to have to check the other albums to see if I find any similar issues. Most are A&M but I always thought they were well done. Have more to compare now so will be interesting. I've certainly learned a great deal on this subject. Thanks for all the info.

@billpete 

I totally get what you are saying about Mona Bone Jakon. But since you are obviously a huge Cat Steven's fan. I would encourage you to give it another listen.

After being near death from tuberculosis when he was admitted to the hospital and his two year absence from the music scene, while struggling to recover. What we see is a new Cat Stevens appear. The "spiritual" Cat Stevens. He had spent that time contemplating his life and death and what was the important things in life. And what emerged from that experience was the birth of the Cat Stevens that was to come. He managed to get released from his current record label, and also managed to get signed by Island. Who promised to let him do whatever he wanted in whatever manner that he wanted. Mona Bone Jakon, was the first album of that rebirth. He no longer desired to be a teenage pop star. The songs on MBJ are sometimes not developed totally. But, there are some great songs. "Trouble", "My Lady D'Abanville", "Maybe You're Right", "Fill My Eyes".

As Joni Mitchell said about her album "Blue". I must say about MBJ.  I don't believe that there is an insincere note on the album. He was gaining his footing as a serious songwriter with serious things to say. And he would go on to release TFTT within the same year. MBJ represents a rebirth of the Cat Stevens that would take the world by storm. I encourage you, as a serious Cat Stevens fan. Invest in a CD at least, and give it another listen. There is some gold to be found in its simplicity. And it should be given a spot in your collection. If for no other reason than to make his transition complete. From one Cat Steven's fan to another. Just my humble opinion.

This has been a pleasure for me. Thank you.

@flash56 

I recently read about the TB and the hospital stay. It said that he wrote over 40 songs while there. I don't know why I didn't know any of this stuff way back when. You'd think it would have been big news but it was also a time when my life was moving very quickly and I didn't pay much attention to things around me. 

I do plan to give MBJ another chance. I hope to have all of his different original albums at some point.  I often find that things I used to like, I now wonder why and things that I didn't like seem OK or good. Funny how that goes. Kind of like the Joni Mitchell albums. I probably had them for over 50 years and don't remember listening to them before recently. Two of them were really good.

This has been an adventure and a big pleasure for me as well. Many thanks to you and all who had input. Great stuff. 

Another recommendation for an album with great sound is Suzanne Vega "Solitude Standing" (A&M SP 5136). I bought it on cassette in 1987 and hadn't heard it for many years. Since finding a vinyl copy on discogs it has become a regular wife-annoyer (she objects if she hears the same thing twice in a month). Remarkable sound.

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