Robert Plant / Alison Krauss - Raise The Roof
Robert Plant - Shaken 'N' Stirred Bad-a$$ rock album!
Showing 50 responses by mammothguy54
Nice conversation tonight. Benard Ighner - Little Dreamer Most people don't know this artist. I met him and he was kind to give me an autographed copy of a Japanese pressing. Outstanding music and vocals. Joh Lee Hooker - It Serve You Right To Suffer Impulse AP/QRP 45rpm reissue. The depth and the musical instruments and the vocals on this album are out of this world. Just a jaw dropping experience, especially at volume👌 |
This genre today... Ben Webster meets Oscar Peterson Verve, AP/QRP reissue 45rpm John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Impulse, Verve Acoustic Sounds Series Basie Jam #2 The second in the series of 3. I think the first one is my favorite, the third is my second favorite, and this one is still pretty darn good. |
@spiritofradio I played side 2 of both of my copies of Pink Floyd, Animals, today. I must have been thinking of another album when I said that I thought it was on the bright side. I found the original copy (an early pressing, right after it was first released) to be a little rough on the edges, sonically. It got a couple of scratches many years ago, probably from a party at my house. That's why I replaced it with the reissue. The reissue copy sounded much smoother and definitely more enjoyable. Mastered by Guthrie, Plante, Grundman. Guthrie makes a statement (when you read about the reissue on Acoustic Sounds) that the original recording is "lo-fi" and that the remix issue helps bring out the music much better. I'll agree that the original recording quality is not up to most other Pink Floyd standards and that the remix does make improvements. I bought my copy, on Pink Floyd Records, in early 2021. The new release is more expensive ($29.95) but includes a 28-page booklet. It's available now (180 gr.) on Music Direct and will likely be available elsewhere any day now. Hope this helps. |
I have an early copy of Animals as well as the reissue on Pink Floyd Records. The mastering on PF Records and Legacy are the same (and the same 3 guys). I don't know about any other parameters, though, such as plating and pressing. My reissue sounds a bit bright, but I need to play it again right after playing (at least one side) of my early pressing copy. I'll let you know ASAP.
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Before I forget about todays' play list. Talking Heads - Remain In Light Early pressing, and good SQ and vinyl. Talking Heads - Speaking In Tongues Rhino reissue, pressed in Germany. Beach Boys - Surfer Girl AP/QRP issue; the best reissues of Beach Boys. Steely Dan - Two Against Nature and Everything Must Go. I played these two back-to-back to compare the two mastering styles. Both albums are nearly identical in recording quality but you can really tell the difference between the style in mastering. I feel that Everything Must Go is the superior of the two. more punchy and much easier to follow the bass line. Both are really outstanding SQ. Al Green - Call Me A Speaker Corners reissue. They do a very good job in their reissues. My wife loves this album, so I played it and for this listening session she stayed in the room. A rarity, she usually goes to another part of the house when my hi-fi system is on. I guess there is a bright side to that😂 |
Michael Franks - The Art Of Tea I haven't played this one in many years. It's a very good Franks album. Glad to have spun it today. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On Awesome album, and so with the times. Stomu Yamashta Steve Winwood Michael Shrieve - Go This album will take you on a ride to outer space. Rickie Lee Jones - it's like this AP/QRP 45rpm and this album is great. All of it is quite good but the absolute standouts, for me, are Show Biz Kids and Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys. Superb recording with dead center vocals. |
Kenny Burrell with Coleman Hawkins - Bluesey Burrell Paul Simon - One Trick Pony Ringo Star - Ringo This is Ringo's first solo album. I bought it right after it came out, in 1973 and it has only been played on a quality turntable and cartridge (my first real high-fidelity system). Still sounds like new. A very well produced album, Recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles and Apple Studios in London. Mastering by (a very young) Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab in Los Angeles. Includes a fabulous 20-page 12' X 12" booklet inside of the gatefold jacket. What a treasure this album is. I was nineteen at the time and was dating a girl who was 16 (still is a friend of mine) so the song 'You're Sixteen' inspired me to buy the album. I am so glad that I did. |
@spiritofradio James, anything from Fleetwood Mac prior to Stevie Nicks is their best music. I will give them excellence to the album "Rumors", though. That is really quite good. Kiln House and Then Play On are my favorites, by far. Completely different music than the pop version of the band, which is about when Stevie Nicks came on board. I saw them play in 1972 and then again much later, after the album Tusk came out. What a world of difference. 1972 was a superb concert. The Tusk concert was rather boring, the same long-winded screaming guitar stuff and Stevie Nicks bellowing like a sick cow. (sorry for the strong opinion here). |
I was fortunate to have seen Robin Trower perform the Bridge Of Sighs concert in 1974, just after the album released. Roughly center stage and about 10 rows from the stage. Very memorable. Friday Music did a reissue but I have no idea if it was properly mastered/plated/pressed and if the SQ is much better. It's no longer available as new and I can find only two NM/M- used at $60 and $225 (some people are beyond ridiculous). Anyway, I'll keep one of my copies and give the other to my brother-in-law. I cherish the music and will listen at a lower volume. That always helps with lesser SQ albums. |
An interesting mix of old and new albums, today. Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On Got this one back in 1971 or 72. It saw many plays on my parents Magnavox console, and sounds it (very noisy vinyl). I have the early US issue that has 'Oh Well' on it. Not too many of these were made. Awesome album, I will have to get the double LP issue, once it comes off of backorder. Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs This is my second attempt at hopefully getting a good sounding copy. They both sound terrible. Damn it, I love the album. Oscar Peterson Trio - We Get Requests AP/QRP Verve reissue. Wonderful! Earl Klugh & Bob James - Two Of A Kind Great modern jazz album. Great SQ. Blue Stingrays - Surf-N-Burn Got this a few weeks ago (thanks to this thread) and am enjoying it several times now. Great surf music album! Dimeola McLaughlin De Lucia - Saturday Night In San Francisco. This is my fourth time to play this new acquisition during the past few weeks. Impex really knows how to produce a fine piece of vinyl. Wish I could have been at that concert. Steel Dan - Everything Must Go Third time I have played this recent acquisition. Of course, there is plenty of digital recording for this album, it was made in 2003. But man, the mastering for analog (vinyl) and the plating/pressing is phenomenal. One the very best studio albums for demo of your system. And of course, the music is fantastic, especially the title track. The bass and kick drum on this album are just stunning. |
A Trick Of The Tail, now that is a great album. I'll have to pull it out and play it. I played some newer music and some very familiar music today as I am still understanding my new speakers. So far, even though they are a long way from being fully broken in, they are sounding absolutely spectacular. Blue Stingrays - Surf-N-Burn I learned of this one on this thread. I don't have any surf music in my collection and really need to add some. I need some Dick Dale, for certain. This one is rather quite good. This thread is a blessing for me. Joni Mitchell - Blue Jonis' voice has never sounded so good on my system. Joni Mitchell - Don Juan's Reckless Daughter This is a Japanese pressing and the vinyl is superb. The sonics are out of this world. Talking Heads - Speaking In Tongues Reissue, German Pressing. Excellent, so well done, the best sounding Talking Heads album I have. And today was even better than ever. Can't wait for tomorrow... |
Thanks Spencer much appreciated. Today was some good Pink Floyd. The Final Cut and The Division Bell Traffic - The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys And one more time, Steely Dan - Everything Must Go AP/QRP 45rpm. I have never heard my system sound so good. Really looking forward to having more than 100 hours on the speakers. Only 8 hours thus far, and they are really something! |
The Police - Outlandos d' Amour It didn't take me long to play this one. Great album, darn good sonics. Al Di Meola - Splendido Hotel Al surely is a great guitarist! Kenny Burrell with Coleman Hawkins - Bluesey Burrell AP/QRP issue. I still find it hard to believe how much excellent sound was made in recording studios so many years ago. And AP gets these master tapes and gets every bit of information out of them. Excellent mastering, plating, and stamping. Excellent music! |
Count Basie - Basie Jam #2 Count Basie - Basie Jam #3 I have Basie Jam (the first of this 3 series album set) and like it so much that I bought the other two, which just arrived. They are all wonderful, but I think that I am quickly placing #3 as the best of them. Excellent performance and really good sonics. Highly recommended. |
Beth Hart - Bang Bang Boom Boom White vinyl reissue, limited to 500 copies. With all that hype I figured it would be great SQ. Well, just so-so. But the music is great! Love Beth Hart. Alan Parsons Project - Eye In The Sky Mobile Fidelity issue, just released. I always like this album very much. But I can't find my copy. So, I bought this reissue from MoFi. WOW, they really did an excellent job on this one. Exceptionally quiet vinyl, killer sonics. |
Steve, ClearAudio makes a great record hole reamer, but it's costly ($50). It's very well built and feels really good in your hand. But it's costly! Dave Mason - Alone Together Again I have said it before, and I'll say it again. This endeavor by Dave Mason is a really great production. The album cover and swirly vinyl are great. The music is exceptionally well done. And the sonics are really good. Could use a little more on cymbals, but that was the mix they chose. The bass line and kick drum are superb, as are the lead guitar and all vocals (lead and backup). Very highly recommended. I listened to a reissue copy of Supersession that I bought last year. It seemed rather strident and thin, even more so than I remember (I do remember that it wasn't impressive last year). This is an all analog issue from Speakers Corner. I bought it thinking the all analog reissue would outperform my original copy. I followed it by playing my original copy, from 1971. What a difference! The 1971 copy sounded so much smoother and elegant. The difference between these two, if I can make an analogy, is like eating a beautiful red and sweet strawberry and then eating one that is equally pretty but is a GMO strawberry that just has no sweetness or real flavor. I wish my original copy was in perfect condition. I played it a lot, and plenty of times on the old Magnavox console before moving on to my first real high fidelity system. A bit noisy in places, but still very good. Fabulous album, by the way. A real classic. Great music and very good SQ. |
Joni Mitchell - Blue Rhino reissue of this Reprise album. Joni Mitchell - Don Juan's Reckless Daughter Japanese issue, with OBI Strip. Beth Hart - A Tribute To Led Zeppelin Recent, new release. Female vocals day. Two female artists at completely opposite ends of style. Both are fabulous artists. Blue sounds very, very good. Beth Hart album sounds good, but not excellent. The Japanese issue of Don Juan's is superb and can easily qualify as a go-to for system demo. My jaw was open for the entire album play. |
@bdp24 is absolutely amazing! What a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience. It really adds to this thread. Thank you bdp24. |
Steve, with 3 jabs you should sail through it. I also have 3 jabs and been lucky so far. I still wear a mask in the supermarket. Maybe one of 10% who do. I wish you the best, take care and be well. Keep us posted. Grover Washington Jr. - Wine Light Beautiful! Jethro Tull - This Was Steven Wilson remix, fabulous! John Mayall - Empty Rooms This album just mesmerizes me. |
Lots of music here that I am not familiar with. I love this thread. I have bought stuff I never heard of because of this thread and it's never been a disappointment. I'll probably give a try to some of what you guys have posted today. Al Green - Call Me Speakers Corner reissue. Very good! David Crosby - If I Could Only Remember My Name 50th Anniversary issue. Earl Klugh and Bob James - Two Of A Kind Lovely way to end the day (before diner). |
I have a friend who does lead guitar for a tribute band of Tom Petty. They are called 'The Pettybreakers'. They are quite good and play throughout many states, mostly with multi-day gigs. If you ever have a chance to see them, do so. It's amazing how faithful they are to sounding like the real deal. And yes, my early pp of Wings, Wild Life sounds a bit thin, too. That's why I had asked Steve to report on his listening experience of the new half-speed issue. Terry Allen - Just Like Moby Dick I just received this yesterday, purchasing it after reading about it on this thread. I went to YouTube and checked out the album and liked the music and it sounded as though it would be a great recording, too. WOW, it certainly is. The music is really very good and the SQ is fantastic. Staging and imaging are the highlights of this recording. Vocals and backup vocals are incredible. Beth Hart - Fire On The Road This is just an excellent album, second time this week. However, it has a veil over the SQ. Drums and cymbals are really in the background and overall it sounds like there is a sheet or blanket over my speakers. There is a new release, limited edition of 500 copies, on clear vinyl. Just came out, I wonder if the SQ is much better? Anyone know about this? |
May I suggest that you contact Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio. He is not only a wealth of knowledge on what you are seeking for a good opinion, but I believe that he also has a Model 7. He will give you the best advice on what action to take (or not to take) in order to maintain the best value of the unit and not depreciate its place in this world. Best of luck to you. |
I brought my copy of Groovin' to Jim's house (Tomic) yesterday. It sounded much better yesterday than it did on my rig last week. I will clean it again in my Degritter tomorrow, this time on the full "Heavy" clean cycle and listen to it again. I think maybe a more moderate volume level may be a better way to listen to it. I don't believe it ever was a reference recording quality, so the remaster/reissue can only make the best of what the original tape has to offer. The music is fabulous and brings back a lot of good memories. I would prefer to keep it. I'll check out the YouTube review, as suggested. |
And then... ELO - On The Third Day Really a great album and very well mixed. ELP - Pictures At An Exhibition MoFi Original Master Recording. ELP was mentioned on this thread a few days ago. I forgot that I have this copy. This is the first light of day it has seen in about 35 years. I'll soon again play it at night, with the lights down. It's really good! |
@tgilb Jimi Hendrix - The Jimi Hendrix Experience Today I played both of my copies, back to back (just for you). The Hendrix Family reissue is very good, and certainly has plenty of bass. However, compared to the UHQR issue, well there practically is no comparison. The new UHQR is much smoother, all around. Top to bottom, the frequency range is much more coherent. There are details of musical information that I have not heard in past years. I first listened to it about 10 days ago and was not as impressed as I was today. This is by far the best issue of this album. And dead quiet vinyl. I am so glad to have this in my collection. |
@roadwhorerecords (love that moniker) That is a very interesting comparison you are undertaking. Please do post about your experience and perceived differences. I have an original pressing of Unplugged and it's so good that I find no reason to justify purchasing the OneStep. I have a copy of Folk Singer from AP/QRP 45rpm and it too is so good that I can't justify buying it again on OneStep. I have Are You Experienced reissue from the Jimi Hendrix Family Edition Series (pressed at QRP) and also the new UHQR. I find the UHQR to be exceptionally detailed but a bit on the "thin" side of tonal quality. Too bad that my very early US pressing was thrashed during my high school years. I am very interested in your evaluations and I imagine most people on this thread are as well. Thank you for your insights. |
That's a BS response from Friday Music. I mean really, they won't disclose if the source they use to master the pressing is from the analog tape or a digital file? I have a difficult time justifying buying from them again. No wonder my copy from them of School Days (Stanley Clark) sounds more brittle than my original copy, an early US press. The vinyl is much quieter, but the SQ on the original is better. |
Hey Steve, I also just received my copy of Groovin'. I listened to it today and my conclusion is that it totally sucks, probably the worst $60 I have ever spent. Thin, squelchy, and other than dead-center vocals, nothing good at all. Too bad, the music is quite good and brings back wonderful memories. I will be contacting Music Direct and requesting a full refund. I'll also contact MoFi and let them know my feelings. I have no problem spending $60 on a superior product. But this one is the worst, by far. Other than that, everything is just groovin' I put on Earl Klugh (a standard issue LP) after Groovin' just to be sure nothing had broken on my hi-fi system. It sounded wonderful! I also have an early press copy of Wild Life. It's fairly good but I really like that album and would crave a superior copy. Please let me know how the 2021 remaster sounds. Thanks much. |
Hey James, there was a reissue some years ago that had the swirl vinyl and was sourced from the analog tapes. I understand those sounded great (note; I have an original, early pressing with the swirl vinyl, in NM condition...yeah baby!). I have no idea about what Friday music will be using as a source. I hope they reply to you with a good answer. But, if you can find one of the reissues from some years ago, maybe for sale on Discogs, those are told to be very good. There was also a pressing from the same reissue in black vinyl which I understand has the same SQ as the swirl vinyl reissue. Again, try Discogs. On another note, Dave did a new album of Alone Together just last year, titled Alone Together Again. It's the same songs, in the same order, in an entirely new recording session. I bought a copy about 6 months ago, when it first released. The music is done extremely well, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it for that alone. The SQ is also really good, in fact, better than the original Alone Together album, by a good margin. Having both is a treasure in my collection. I hope this help. |
John Mayall - Empty Rooms Had to play it again, just got it the other day. Wonderful album Procol Harum - Broken Barricades Awesome album! And sounds great. Procol Harum - S/T Just got this today, Music On Vinyl reissue. Originally a mono album and remastered still in mono. Great music, very flat and quiet vinyl. MOV always does a good job but this SQ is not good. The original recording quality leaves a lot to be desired. No real bass to speak of and fairly thin sounding vocals and instruments. Rather disappointing. Too bad, I was looking forward to this one. |
Beth Hart - Fire On The Floor Awesome!!! The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta Excellent Police album. My copy is a bit shy on the low end frequencies. It's a very early pressing copy. Is that the way they wanted the sound, or is it maybe my copy is late in the pressing? The Crusaders - Chain Reaction MoFi Original Master Recording. I got this just a couple of weeks ago and this is my third time to play it. Fantastic! |
I bought a good pile of used records recently. These are a few of them that I played today. The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn One of the better recorded albums from the Moody Blues. And a great album of music, too. Al Di Meola - Splendido Hotel An excellent group of musicians joined Al in making this very good double album. Earl Klugh and Bob James - Two Of A Kind This is a gold stamped "Promo" copy. An excellent quality production and SQ. Very enjoyable music, so easy to listen to and relax. And I got it for just $5 plus shipping. |
A varied mix of music today. The Moody Blues - To Our Childrens, Childrens, Children The Crusaders - Chain Reaction MoFi Original Master Recording. Fabulous! Rickie Lee Jones - it's like this AP/QRP 45rpm Holy molly, WOW!!! The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are you Experienced AP/QRP UHQR I heard musical information today that I have never heard before. And I have been listening to this album since 1967. I do feel the lower midrange is a little thin, though. I brought up the crossover on my sub from 30hz (where I typically have it at) to about 65hz and that added some, for my taste. But really, this is a special addition to my collection. I am glad that I got one. |
@j_husker Nice choice on the Feickert TT. I got a Feickert TT as well, about 5 months ago. Really, the best TT I have ever owned, by far. |