Author: Randy Wells

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NEW QUALITY RECORD PRESSINGS

CAT STEVENS : TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN

OK, I finally found a few hours to compare the various masterings of Cat Steven’s Tea For the Tillerman that I have in my collection.

First, let me say that I am both a fan of this album and Chad Kassem’s efforts as the producer of this new Quality Record Pressings LP reissue. Whether that disqualifies me from being objective, I will leave up to the reader.

In my mind, being a fan of an album ensures that you have listened to it repeatedly, and you are likely to be intimately familiar with the music on it. If you are also an “audiophile”, you probably have already gone through the trouble of acquiring more than one copy, and may have even compared these copies to see which one sounds best to you, maybe on numerous occasions. Guilty on all counts. Continue reading “”

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A VERY SPECIAL 911S

Is Steve McQueen still the “King of Cool?”

Judging by the price his previously owned 911 brought at auction last night, the answer to this question is unquestionably “yes.”

A 1970 Porsche 911S that McQueen drove in the opening sequences of the film Le Mans sold for a record breaking $1.35 million dollars during the RM Auctions in Monterey, CA yesterday. It was a world record for a 911 sold at auction and was RM Auctions 200th “million dollar vehicle.” This slate grey early 911S Porsche was delivered to McQueen on the film set in Europe in 1970. It became his personal car throughout filming and was subsequently driven by him for a few years in the US. Continue reading “”

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BETH ORTON

Every once in a while I discover a musical talent who has somehow managed (for the most part) to fly under the pop mainstream radar. When I first heard the uplifting “Central Reservation” from Beth Orton’s album of the same name, I knew I had to hear more. I’m glad I did.

This lady has such a catchy, soulful and uniquely modern sound, she absolutely blows me away. Unfortunately she could have been blowing me away for the past ten years, because this album was released in 1999. The album before it, Trailer Park is just as amazing – as is the US top 40 one that followed in 2002, Daybreaker. Continue reading “”

WHO’S NEXT

Today marks the 40th anniversary of The Who’s best album. I would say arguably, but the only other contenders are The Who Sells Out, Tommy and Quadrophenia, and while these are all classics as well, none has this record’s cache.

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” becomes increasingly relevant with each passing year. And in light of today’s news that the U.S. credit rating has been downgraded for the first time ever, I’m playing this song at full volume. Hope the neighbors don’t complain… Continue reading “”

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MORE EXCELLENCE

The latest issue of Excellence (September 2011) includes a feature written by Peter Linsky and illustrated with my images. The subject – Paul Risinger’s incredible concours winning Sand Beige 1967 Porsche 911S. I had the distinct privilege of driving this perfect car and commenting on my experience in a side bar to the article. Here’s an excerpt: Continue reading “”

THE GOLDEN YEARS – ARE THEY OVER?

For those who created intellectual property during the golden years of the 90’s, that time is a distant memory. Yet the music, book publishing and photography industries are still reeling from the changes digital and instant internet access have made to their pricing models. Witness Border’s bankruptcy if you want to see the carnage. Continue reading “”

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PACIFIC NORTHWEST

So where’s my favorite place to be in July and August? Given a free plane ticket I would be hard pressed to leave the Pacific Northwest.

Having been to every continent and more countries than I can count, I would still rather be sitting on a sandy beach or in my little boat on Puget Sound than traveling across the world searching for something else. Guess you know where I am right now… Continue reading “”

PORSCHE RETURNS TO LE MANS

Happy 4th of July!

Porsche has just announced its return to top-tier motor racing. It will debut a works-run LMP1 sports prototype at the 2014 Le Mans 24 hour event. With 16 overall victories, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer at the world’s most famous endurance auto race. The marque’s last overall Le Mans win was in 1998 with the Porsche 911 GT1. From 2006 to 2009 the factory backed the Penske Racing team, which raced the RS Spyder (an LMP2 prototype) with great success in the U.S. The RS Spyder also took class honours at France’s Le Mans in 2008 and 2009, as well as outright victory at the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring. Continue reading “”

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BLUE

Raw, personal, and confessional – this album bleeds aching beauty. Forty years after the day of its release, Blue remains the ultimate singer-songwriter album.

Upon breaking up with her boyfriend Graham Nash in late 1970, Joni Mitchell escaped to Europe writing many of the songs that appear on this album. Most were recorded with very bare production values, just Joni on her piano or guitar. Some songs center around Graham, “My Old Man,” some around her ex-husband, “The Last Time I Saw Richard,” some hint at love interest James Taylor, “Carey,” and some revolve around her lost daughter, “Little Green.” Continue reading “”

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BILL EVANS

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the recording of the late Bill Evans’ famous live dates at the Village Vanguard in NYC. Evans is arguably one of the most influential pianists in jazz. His modal style is written all over Miles Davis’ classic Kind of Blue, and his use of impressionistic chord progression, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz favorites, and harmonic “singing” melodies has influenced a virtual generation of “who’s who” jazz pianists. Continue reading “”

The Road is Calling. from TennXX on Vimeo.

90s R GRUPPE 911

One of the hottest threads on the Early 911S Registry forum was started by my buddy Gib Bosworth extolling the virtues of the Porsche 964. This interim 911 was produced from 1989 to 1994 between the traditional short hood Carrera and the more rounded (and longer geared) 993. It was significantly different from what had come before (better suspension and comfort, more powerful motor and A/C, etc), but was the last model to retain the prominant front fenders, headlamps, and classic shape of the 911. Many early 911 long hood fans own a 964 as well because it still feels nimble while providing a more sophisticated ride. Continue reading “”

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COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

Early summer is the best time to travel to the canyon that is home to the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. Up to 4,000 feet deep, this canyon of high desert cliffs and lush waterfalls stretches for over 80 miles as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean forming the boundary between the State of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south. Continue reading “”