Whats on your turntable tonight?

That’s tough Joel, but glad he doesn’t have COVID. Getting all excited then let down. Oh well, they ain’t going nowhere (actually, I assume they are all made to order).

Sir Neville Marriner conducts Händel - Concerti A Due Cori. The Academy Of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Philips 1980, Netherlands pressing 

Listened to 1-6 last night. Will finish with 7,8,&9 tonight. Not sure why, but of them all, the 4th was really pleasing to me last evening. Stuck between 3 and 5, I don’t think it gets enough accolades. Fun, and very enjoyable.

Szell conducts Beethoven - The Nine Symphonies. The Cleveland Orchestra. Columbia Masterworks 7LP box, 1974 reissue, originally 1964.

Antal Dorati conducts Haydn - Symphony No. 103 In E-flat Major ("Drum Roll") & Symphony No. 104 In D Major ("London"). Philharmonia Hungarica. London Records, Treasury Series 1979

@pierce911  Congrats on the stage

@tomic601 

For those seeking don’t underestimate a Grace F9 w new Soundsmith stylus

I know someone who has one with Peter’s stylus. He loves that thing…

Neville Marriner conducts Bach - The Art of Fugue. The Academy Of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Philips 2LP box 1975

Raymond Leppard conducts Händel - Concerti Grossi Op. 3 / Concerto Grosso In C Alexander's Feast  / Overture In B Flat. English Chamber Orchestra. Philips 3LP box 1972

Congrats @nicks25

Max Goberman conducts Corelli - Twelve Concerti Grossi, Opus 6 Complete. The Vienna Sinfonietta. Odyssey 3LP box 1967

Vittorio Negri Bryks conducts Albinoni - Concerti A Cinque, Op.9, Concerti Nos.1, 4, 7 & 10 For Solo Violin. Italian Baroque Ensemble With Cesare Ferraresi, violin. Dover 1964
 

Received another LP of my old friend Mark today. I’m liking these solo efforts from Mark following the final break-up of the American Music Club.

Mark Eitzel - Hey Mr Ferryman. Merge Records 2017

Spent all day moving and rearranging my bedroom system. Sounds much better. As I moved my Vandy 2CE Sigs into ‘rear’ duties on the main system, I had the 1C’s without a home, so move them upstairs. Then my old streamer and PS Audio DAC just laying around, so added them to the bedroom system too. Thus, although only streaming, have a decent 2 channel option in the bedroom now. Surprised, it sounds pretty good. Thank goodness I’m divorced, my ex would have never ever allowed all this 😁

@slaw 

Brian, I like that you moved up the line with Vandersteen. I've done the same with Usher

Ha, yea Steve, I kinda have a small Vandersteen museum now, or sorts. 🙂 Was never really a question that my next speakers would be Vandy”s too.

The Sundays - Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Geffen reissue 2018, originally 1990

Damn, I love having this on vinyl…..I may have to break-down and get the other two soon, but $$$$$$

The Allman Brothers Band - Eat A Peach. Capricorn reissue, mid-70’s, originally 1972

@slaw 

Richard Thompson "13 Rivers" 

So, what do you think Steve?

I Musici : Scarlatti - 12 Sinfonie Di Concerto Grosso. Philips 2LP box 1981. Holland release

@slaw 

Brian, Just on first listen, I was very impressed with the consistent quality songs and the SQ, which is great. The downside: side one has audible surface noise that dissipates, and other noticeable noise throughout side one. 

Aw man, that is a shame. Overall, that album may be my favorite Thompson effort thus far. I really like it. 

@slaw 

I guess it depends on what era of Thompson one is referring to, right? 

I still Love, Pour Down Like Silver.

As do I Steve. Certainly not taking away from Richard’s earlier releases, I have many, and Fairport. But maybe it’s (me) getting older, and having much respect from a musician like Richard seemingly getting better with age. I got the Hiatt Eclipse album recently, and think that may be my favorite Hiatt release I have right now too. I do have Mystic Pinball on its way though…

We, unfortunately, cannot say the same about many musicians as they grow older, except in ‘classical’ music, where I find ‘better with age’ many times the norm.

You gotta get "Bring The Family" !

Will look for it. Hiatt is another I’ve only had on CD and cassette (and don’t have that on either), so, it’s kinda ‘his turn’ to get some of his releases on vinyl.

Thanks

Raymond Leppard conducts Boccherini - 6 Symphonies Op. 12. New Philharmonia Orchestra. Philips 3LP box 1972. Netherlands release

@noromance spun this a few days ago, and couldn’t believe he had it. Dug my copy out…

Lamb - Cross Between. WB 1971

Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts Bach - Brandenburgische Konzerte Nr. 1-6. Concentus Musicus Wien. Telefunken 2LP box. 1982 German release.

Performed on Period instruments.

Quadro Hotteterre : Telemann - Quartette; Quadro G-moll Für Blockflöte, Violine, Viola Und B.c. / Concerto À 4 A-moll Für Blockflöte, Oboe, Violine Und B.c. / Quartett G-dur Für Blockflöte, Oboe, Violine Und B.c. / Concerto Di Camera G-moll Für Blockflöte, 2 Violinen Und B.c.. Telefunken 1981 German release 
 

The Poll Winners - Straight Ahead (reunion album). Contemporary 1976

As recommended by @tomic601, just arrived today. Hope it plays better than it looks initially…

Joe Sample/Ray Brown/Shelly Manne - The Three. Inner City Records 1978

‘The Three’ turns out to play better than it looked, not in the VG+ as stated, but very nice. 

Another from the same seller, and have concerns about its condition too vs it’s claim….so we’ll see…

Modern Jazz Quartet - European Concert. Atlantic 2LP gatefold 1960. Stereo. 

Recorded in ‘Scandinavia’ April 1960. 

This one has been on my ‘wish list’ for a while.

Last new arrival for the day…

Leo Kottke - Balance. Chrysalis 1979

Thought I had all of Leo’s LP’s through the 70’s, but realized this one was missing. 70’s collection now complete.

Lots of new arrivals today, one new album, and a nice ‘music care package’ of older classical selections from Jim, which was a surprise and much appreciated. 

First up, the new…

John Hiatt - Mystic Pinball. New West Records 1 1/2 LP gatefold, 2012

The first of a few @tomic601 sent me, and arrived today. Thanks Jim!

Wilhelm Rӧrh conducts Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherezade. Nord Deutsches Symphony Orchester. Somerset Stereo-Fidelity 1958.

Fritz Reiner conducts Rachmaninoff - Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Van Cliburn, piano. RCA Victor Red Seal reissue, probably mid-70’s, originally 1962
 

Thanks Jim!

@big_greg

I have a few mono LP”s, and decided on Ortofon’s 2M ‘inexpensive’ mono cart. I like it. I went back and forth regarding getting a phono pre with a mono switch, but after studying the theory of that vs a dedicated mono cart, went for the cart.

I think the Ortofon 2M Mono is pretty good bang for the buck. I believe I paid about $350 for it…..I think.

Of course you can spend much more. I didn’t feel it was justified in the end.

Good luck Joel, and have a great trip. We’ll be awaiting your thoughts….or….decision 😉

Fritz Reiner conducts Haydn - Symphony No. 101 In D ("Clock") & Symphony No. 95 In C Minor. Fritz Reiner And His Orchestra. RCA Victor Red Seal 1964. 

Reiner’s last recording, two months before his death.

Kiril Kondrashin conducts Tchaikovsky - Second Concerto In G Op. 44 For Piano & Orchestra. The Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra with Emil Gilels, piano. Baroque Records 1966

@big_greg

Nice re: the Hana. Similar to the Ortofon 2M Mono SE, except MC.

I’m not sure I’m thinking of this exactly correctly, but as all my mono LP’s are period pressings (50’s-early 60’s), I didn’t go with the SE as it has a ‘fine line’ stylus, as does the Hana SL Mono (shibata). In my thinking at the time, most those LP’s were really made for conical stylus types. Finer cuts didn’t really become standard until a bit later. Thus, I said, why get a fine line stylus if the grooves were not cut for a fine line or shibata cut?

Anyway…..my thinking….😁

Im sure the Hana would be great, as would the SE, or any mono cart Soundsmith would make.

@tomic601 

True Jim, I did consider that as well. Luckily, most my mono LP’s are in really good shape. Perhaps I’m lucky.

Yes, this brings back memories of all the reading of mono, mono carts, mono switches et. al. before I made the leap.

Many camps with various beliefs. One thing to keep in mind, there is no vertical information in a mono groove, only horizontal (sides). Unlike a stereo groove where there is info both horizontal and vertical within the groove. Thus, theoretically, if you have a very clean nice period mono LP, all the info is there no matter how high or deep the stylus goes.

But yes, if you have an abused mono LP that was played many many times with a worn out conical stylus, a new fine line stylus would in theory go deeper into (below) the ‘damaged’ grooves, and sound better.

No doubt though, I would say today, most all the carts, even the Ortofon 2M Mono (with a spherical stylus) would have been better than most all carts available when these old albums were released. But I’m sure some would disagree with that too 😁

The Modern Jazz Quartet - European Concert. Atlantic 2 LP gatefold 1960

@big_greg 

Most (if not all) of the few mono releases I have are newer releases, so the Hana (or another with a 0.7mil) should be best.  My trusty Jelco 750D makes it easy to swap out cartridges.

Absolutely Greg. If you have new mono releases, go with the shibata stylus.

Robert Craft conducts Schoenberg - The Music Of Arnold Schoenberg Vol. VI - Serenade, Op. 24 / Quintet For Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn And Bassoon, Op. 26 / Four Pieces Forward Mixed Choir, Op. 27 / Drei Satiren, Op. 28 / Anhang / Septet, Op. 29. Columbia Chamber Ensemble, Westwood Wind Quintet, & Gregg Smith Singers. Columbia Masterworks 2LP box 

Returned from a meeting, and playing hooky, especially as this just arrived, and my ‘new’ Belles Mb200’s too.

Jerry Garcia Band - S/T. Round Records 4LP box 2021. Recorded live 1990.

@bgross 

As @boxer12 said, condolences man. Sorry to hear.

Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts Strauss - Ein Heldenleben. The Cleveland Orchestra. London 1985
 

Szell conducts Tchaikovsky - Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 / Borodin - Polovetsian Dances From "Prince Igor" / Rimsky-Korsakov - Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34 / Mussorgsky - Dawn On The Moskva River From "Khovantchina" (Prelude To Act 1). The Cleveland Orchestra. Columbia Odyssey reissue, originally 1958

Pere Ubu - Dub Housing. Fire Records reissue/remaster 2018, originally Crysalis 1978

Solti conducts Sir William Walton - Krönungs-Te-Deum & Belsazars Fest. The London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir / Winchester Cathedral Choir / Choir Of Chichester Cathedral / The Choir Of Salisbury Cathedral. Solti Edition Vol. 6 - Chor und Orchesterwerke 18LP box 1981 German release 

@slaw

You might be up all night spinning records Steve 😁👍🏼

Well, it’s been an eventful last couple days. Finally decided to purchase a couple Belles MB200 mono blocks to replace my old 400A. Sent the money to the seller this afternoon, so hopefully they arrive next week.

So, on to music…

Richard Thompson - Rumor and Sigh. Capitol/EMI 1991 European pressing.

@tgilb 

Ive got to get some ELO on vinyl. A few on my Discogs want list

Thanks Steve and Bill. Had a great talk with the seller yesterday, he’s had most everything David Belles has sold except his newest stuff. So, after a nice talk, I have a pretty good feeling about these, their capabilities, and why I should not consider any older Belles I was looking at. Probably won’t make Johnny Rutan happy as I was talking to him about new Belles models. Just could not stop thinking of these.

Fingers crossed!

@boxer12

Thanks Tim. I’m hoping to be pleased. As much as I loved my old Belles 400A, I’m sure this will take things to yet another level, and still pair well with my new Belles Sig pre. Probably better.

Seller already shipped it out today. Should have them Wednesday.