Whats on your turntable tonight?

Justin Townes Earle -- "The Saint of Lost Causes"

Neil Young -- "Barn"

Taylor Swift -- "Red" (Taylor's version)

@dayglow

Yep, it's very quiet. As quiet as the Allnic, quieter than either the VAC or Herron in my system.

@dayglow

I made exactly the move you are contemplating, moving from an Allnic 1202 (and before that the 1201) to the Luxman EQ-500. Yes, it is a considerable step up, even though I liked the Allnic. The Luxman is an improvement across the board, with improved tone, dynamics, and refinement. I've also owned the Herron VTPH-2 and VAC Renaissance phono stages. I preferred the Luxman to all of them, although all were excellent performers. I hope that helps. As always, YMMV.

 

Sonic Youth -- "Battery Park, NYC: July 4th, 2008

Great recording, but this is the second bad pressing  in a row (lots of noise, and not the good kind, especially on side one), so back it goes. Will have to settle for streaming this one on Qobuz evidently.

The National - "Boxer"

I also really appreciate this thread and all here who participate. It is the rarest of threads--one that is not only unfailingly congenial, but actually focuses on music instead of constant gear-churning or pointless debates on which (or whose) is better. So refreshing, and such an up. Thanks to you all, and Happy Thanksgiving.

@puffball08

I really lucked out on this box. I snagged one about a month ago for $40 shipped. Really sad to hear there are no more and that the label is folding. Seminal recordings.

 

+2 on the Feelies. Their first four albums are all great, and the comeback albums aren't bad either. Love "The Good Earth" especially!

 

+1 on James McMurtry. I have been looking for Too Long in the Wasteland for years, but it has been next to impossible to find one in decent condition. I was bidding on one on eBay a few months ago but dropped out when it got to $75. Then, a few weeks ago, I was in Fort Wayne, IN, for a wedding and stopped by the Wooden Nickel, where I found one in mint condition for $4.99. Score!

 

Now Playing:

Peter Laughner, The Smog Veil box set

 

Happy Thanksgiving, vinyl spinners!

 

 

Captain Beefheat, "The Spotlight Kid"

Bobby Timmons, "Moanin'" (Double LP on MIlestone)

NRBQ, "Grooves in Orbit"

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Graham Parker, "The Real Macaw"

Billie Eilish, "Happier Than Ever"

Sheer Mag, "Need to Feel Your Love"

Sonic Youth, "Battery Park NYC: July 4th 2008"

+1 Steve

LOVE  "Fight Songs." Great album and one I need to pick up on vinyl.

Now playing:

Tiny Grimes, "Callin' the Blues"

Mose Allison, S/T (2-LP on Prestige)

Hamiet Bluiett, "Birthright"

Withered Hand   "New Gods"

Beach Boys  "Pet Sounds"

The Blasters  "Hard Line"

James McMurtry -- "Too Long in the Wasteland"

Ryan Adams -- "Gold"

Charles Mingus - "Blues and Roots"

John Prine -- S/T

Rolling Stones -- "Black and Blue"

PS for whatever this may be worth to anybody contemplating seeing the Stones on their current tour, I saw them in Charlotte last week and they were shockingly good. Very nice tribute to Charlie, and then two hours and ten minutes of pure rock and roll bliss. They've been my favorite band for forty years, but I was not expecting much more than a novelty act. Instead, they were...the Rolling Stones. I didn't see one person after the concert who was not also on cloud nine. Hey, you, get off of my cloud!

Anyways, if you're thinking of seeing them, do it. I'm going back for seconds in Atlanta on Nov. 11.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program...

The Kronos Quartet -- "Monk Suite"

Charles Mingus -- "Black Saint and the Sinner Lady"

The Green Pajamas -- "If You Knew What I Dreamed: Songs of Jeff Kelly"

@tomic601 

What do you think of Mary Gauthier? I am a big fan of both Mercy Now and Rifles and Rosary Beads. Great stuff.

Thelonious Monk -- "The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall"

Lee Ranaldo -- "Electric Trim"

Feeling a little unhinged tonight after a long day working, so...

Stooges -- "Funhouse"

Van Halen -- "Women and Children First"

Beausoleil -- "Bayou Cadillac"

Justin Townes Earle - "The Saint of Lost Causes"

I saw his father, Steve, do a moving cover of the title song last Friday at a show here in Asheville. Just incredible. RIP, Justin.

Record spinning soon to resume, but first a live show here in Asheville.

Los Lobos and Steve Earle

Not too shabby!

Tom Petty -- "Finding Wildflowers, Alternate Versions"

Thanks, Steve!

@tomic601 

+1 on "Too Long in the Wasteland" and your sentiments on McMurtry in general. Have you tried "Complicated Game"? That may be favorite and I kick myself daily for not snagging the vinyl when it was available for about $20. Good luck finding one now at any price.

The Gun Club -- "Fire of Love"

James McMurtry -- "The Horses and the Hounds"

The Green Pajamas -- "Phantom Lake: Northern Gothic 3"

Otis Redding, "Soul Ballads"

The Avett Brothers, "I and Love and You"

Jon Hassell, "Vernal Equinox"

Dave Alvin, "West of the West"

Curtis Amy,  "Katanga!" (Blue Note Tone Poet, very nice pressing)

@tomic601 

I agree with you about Blue Heron Suite. I fell in love with it immediately the first time I streamed it and ordered the vinyl a few weeks ago. I think it's coming this week. I've been streaming BHS for a couple of weeks and like it better every time I hear it. Also, there's a great cover of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I Am Looking For" that is outstanding, though it is not on this album. She can do no wrong in my book. I hope that her great U2 cover shows up on a future album.

@grey9hound 

Thanks for the tip on her Knoxville show. Alas, we'll be at Merlefest that weekend--which is where I saw her last, a couple of years ago. Otherwise, I'd make the drive over without hesitation.

@mammothguy54

Thanks for your kind remarks on the Fynes. I've been really impressed with them. If you are ever near western North Carolina, you are more than welcome to drop in for a listen!

Now Playing: 

Sarah Jarosz -- "World on the Ground"

If you folks don't know her work, check it out. Barely thirty years old, she already has six very good records under her belt, well-recorded, too. Highly recommended.