Category: Vinyl / Tunes Blog

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 “”

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 “”

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 “”

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 “”

TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN

Tea For The Tillerman is arguably Cat Stevens’ finest album and a jewel in the crown of early 1970s singer/songwriters. Acoustic Sounds’ new “Quality Record Pressings” plant has chosen this audiophile favorite as the first title to remaster on 200 gram vinyl and hybrid SACD. George Marino of the original mastering plant, Sterling Sound, used the original analog masters in producing this reissue. Reportedly the cover is an exact replica of the original textured British Island gatefold jacket, rather than the non-gatefold U.S. version. Additionally, the original UK Pink Island label design is used. Both LP and SACD are due to be released in August. Review to follow…

For a fascinating look at all that went into this edition see more: Continue reading “”

STICKY FINGERS

Forty years ago today, The Rolling Stones released their seminal ‘70’s album, Sticky Fingers. With landmark songs like “Brown Sugar,” “Sway,” “Wild Horses,” “Bitch,” “Sister Morphine,” “Dead Flowers” and “Moonlight Mile,” Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were reaching their creative and commercial zenith.

The now well-regarded album that followed, 1972’s Exile on Main Street, was grittier and more complex. But the polished songs on this record are arguably just as audacious and even better executed, much like its predecessor Let It Bleed. Interestingly, early versions of songs that would appear on Exile were rehearsed during these sessions. Continue reading “”

RECORD STORE DAY 2011

This Saturday (April 16th) is Record Store Day. And Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath is ambassador!

In addition to raising awareness about the importance of community based independently owned record stores, this day is a chance to collect some very limited production vinyl. The Rolling Stones will be releasing 5,000 copies of the unique “Brown Sugar” single mix on a 7″ 45. Kate Bush will be represented by 1,000 Audio Fidelity 10″ records of Hounds of Love on pink vinyl. Phish will put out “Two Soundchecks,” a 7″ record of their first ever live vinyl release. Green Day, Husker Du, Foo Fighters and Radiohead will also will be releasing exclusive collectibles. Continue reading “”

THE ROLLING STONES & BRIAN JONES

On this day nearly 50 years ago, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met Brian Jones for the first time. Jones was calling himself Elmo Lewis and playing slide guitar with Paul Jones (later of Manfred Mann) at the Ealing Jazz Club in London. Jones’ band was called “The Roosters.” After Brain left the group to form “The Rolliin’ Stones” with Mick and Keith, Eric Clapton took over his position as guitarist. Continue reading “”

SMiLE

Every art form has its holy grail. In popular music, one of those lost masterpieces is The Beach Boys’ unreleased album SMiLE.

To the joy of many fans, Capitol Records just announced it will be releasing a SMiLE sessions box set later this year with the blessing of the remaining Beach Boys. It will include mono and stereo mixes in three versions: a two-CD set, an iTunes LP digital album, and a limited-edition boxed set containing four CDs, two vinyl LPs, two vinyl singles and a 60-page hardbound book. Continue reading “”

KATE BUSH

It was recently announced that Kate Bush will reissue four of her albums later this year: 1982’s The Dreaming, 1985’s Hounds of Love, 1989’s The Sensual World, and 1993’s The Red Shoes. This is good news because a few of these have been out of print (except for lossy downloads) for some time. Unfortunately, this still leaves The Kick Inside, Lionheart, and Never For Ever unaccounted for. Continue reading “”

ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER

On this day in 1968, Jimi Hendrix began recording Bob Dylan’s song “All Along the Watchtower.” It eventually appeared on his album Electric Ladyland in the fall of that year. Dylan had released his original understated version on the 1967 album John Wesley Harding, following his motorcycle accident in the summer of ’66. Continue reading “”