Black Dub "S/T". I can't say enough about how great this lp sounds! (Mine is the 1st pressing)
Highly recommended!
For any Daniel Lanois detractors, check this one out.
Highly recommended!
For any Daniel Lanois detractors, check this one out.
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a58g, Glad you enjoyed it. I think it's a great softer rock record. Good early morning wake-up call or nighttime sign-off... I've really enjoyed this thread, along with "what's playing on your system" and "what's in your CD player". I've found some great music, or was reminded of some old favorites. I worked late this evening and stopped in the local Half Price Books on the way home. Picked up a few LP's to spin on the Pro-Ject tonight. Got the following: Jeff Beck - Performing This Week.... Live at Ronnie Scott's (new 180G) The Knack - Get the Knack (used) Bruce Springsteen - The River (used) Emmylou Harris with Spyboy - Live in Germany 2000 (new DMM cutting) |
reubent, The music is what still gets me excited. I appreciate your enthusiasm, it is infectious. ( I hope it's alright for one music lover to say that to another?...laughing). If you haven't already, check out "Tune of the day". Springsteen is one of the many artists I always liked but never bought many lps. I recently bought a used "The River" (lp). Lots of good music, however the sonics are kind of thin. Side 4 has one track that stands out (I can't remember off hand which one, but you'll know it when you hear it. It has some good bass). I really liked "Point Blank". On the "Tune of the day" thread, I recently posted "Drive All Night" by Glen Hansard. This is his cover of BS/"The River, side 4, track3. ( I re-listened to "YOTC" this morning. A great sounding lp!) Today, I've been listening to, among others, Radiohead's "OK Computer"/original UK 1st press, and "Moon Shaped Pool". Interesting to hear the growth of this band. Happy Listening! |
astro58go, Glen Hansard.....Who Ray LaMontagne wants to be when he grows up! LOL. Just kiddin'... I had never heard of Glen Hansard. Thanks for the tip. Do you think Jake had anything to do with the choice to cover "Drive All Night"? BTW, I was the same with Springsteen. There were plenty of Springsteen songs I liked, but I didn't have much from the boss, except an old CD of Nebraska. That was until I went to see one of his shows a couple of years ago. Turned me into a big fan. I've been around the concert block, a few of times, but I have yet to see a better show than Springsteen. Magical.... |
astro58go, The Glen Hansard vinyl EP showed up in the mail today. His version of Drive All Night is special. Interestingly the list of musicians is a veritable "who’s who" of Reubent favorites. In addition to Glen Hansard, Jay Bellerose and Patrick Warren, you’ve got some of my favorite musician - Greg Leisz, David Pitch, Jake Clemons and Eddie Vedder. And produced by Joe Henry. Wow, good stuff...... |
Everyone knows the old cliche of rediscovering records when a new piece of gear comes into our systems, right? Well, for me its been rediscovering my records as I get them cleaned with this new diy ultrasonic cleaning regimen I'm now using. Wow! Listening to records I've had for 30-40 years, many of them acquired used even then, and finding clarity, impact and musicality I didn't recall. That was the way with the Carly Simon I mentioned earlier. My wife said "yeah, riiiiiight." Then she heard it and went WOW! So nice to have a whole new collection to explore. :-) For what I'm talking about, see: http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/rushton-paul-diy-approach-ultrasonic-cleaning-lps/ |
Rushton, Big PS fan. I bought the latest re-masters of "Still Crazy..." & "There Goes..." While I don't have an original "Still Crazy..", I do of the other and the latest is very, very good! My favorite lp all time is "Bookends". Have an original early pressing,....nice! (Actually, I own around 4 originals.) Could not agree more regarding the importance of proper cleaning. Thanks for your article! |
rushton, astro58go and All, I do not want to highjack the thread, so please let me know if I should start a new thread for this question....... I've seen many mentions of "original pressing" or "1st pressing" in this thread. My question is regarding how to tell if a record is really a first pressing or an original pressing? Is there a standard labeling scheme that identifies the pressing? If not, how do you know? |
reubent, Great question! I've looked into it. The answers I received were basically, time and experience. I know Fremer is very knowledgeable here. You'd have to have a full time job in deciphering the dead wax/meanings to be an expert. He is the guru. Regarding my mentioning of the Black Dub lp. I know it's a first pressing by the very fact that I ordered it the day I heard it was released. Since then, I know by my ongoing (looking) that it has be re-issued once domestically and Music On Vinyl has their version. (Most MOV are digital files, mostly sounding very good). I've had great luck with MOV, but, I think my pressing would be desirable? From my meager understanding, regarding pressings I say are 1st or close... early pressings of say 60's/70's have in their dead wax on the matrix #'s ..for example 1A, 4A, .... or sometimes the letter/number can be reversed.... for instance B4= side 2...4 stamper/mother. I'm no expert, but this should give you some idea. I'm still learning. Here is one I'd like deciphered... My favorite lp ever, "Bookends", the copy I most listen to is.. Side one...XSM 11887 1F Side two...XSM 11888 1B I found this one for $1.00 at a church yard sale. We are all learning. Happy Listening! |
In the end, for me, I listen/buy so much, that I rely on my ear to tell me which pressing sound the best. I can relate that time frame to others. As far first hand knowledge on any specific older pressing, I defer to what sounds best to me and try and go from there. This method, (without total knowledge behind the #s), brings me the most joy. |
reubent, I agree with astro58go: Good question. And astro offers a nice introduction to the topic. One could go on and on and on about how to determine the answer for particular LPs and record labels. But, here’s the thing... First pressings are not the right guide to finding the best sounding records. So, what are you looking for? If it is "collectability" then yes, seeking out first pressings may make a record more collectable and therefore more valuable. Similar to first editions of books. But if your objective is finding the BEST SOUNDING pressing, first pressings are not always the best. Generally speaking, earlier MIGHT be better. If it is from the first master, first mother, first stamper off the mother, first few records off that particular stamper... But there are so many variables:
Of all the indicators I know to watch for in looking for good pressings, they are the mastering and cutting engineers and what in what pressing plant the record was made. So, I DO examine the deadwax when buying used records. For some of the codes in the deadwax, see: https://richmondaudiosociety.com/2012/07/02/dead_wax_inscriptions/ Overall, I’ve long ago given up on obsessing over first pressings for the sake of finding a first pressing. |
astro58go and Rushton, Thanks for the responses. I’m not really a collector and I currently have a modest, but musically good sounding, system. I am not the type to collect multiple copies of an LP and compare them for sound quality. I’m a "buy and forget" guy. My curiosity was mostly regarding comments I see in this thread, and other threads, regarding LP’s. I often see folks saying an LP they are enjoying is an original pressing, or a first pressing. I was curious to understand how they knew this. Of course, its easy when you buy a record when it is first released. I’m thinking that is almost a guarantee that it is a first pressing. However, years after initial release, it seems like a difficult task to try to determine the pressing. Thanks for your time in replying. It is much appreciated. Tom |