Category: Vinyl / Tunes Blog

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VINYL LIVES

If you are a follower of my site, you have probably read about my lifelong fascination with records (yeah, those old 7″ and 12″ LPs). When the “vinyl revival” started picking up momentum about five years ago, I watched with interest as a multitude of new pressings and turntables (not to mention new cartridges and phonostages) began appearing on the scene. Made me glad I didn’t sell off my record collection in the late 80’s when CDs were king.

Now it’s downloads (and vinyl records) that have captured the imagination of the young and old alike. The ubiquitous CD is still being released as a physical format, but I wonder for how much longer. For those eager to try (or return to) larger art and a higher resolution warmer sound, playing records has never been easier. Continue reading “”

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PACIFIC OCEAN BLUE

Dennis Wilson, The Beach Boys drummer, produced his one and only solo album 33 years ago. This record resonated with gravelly melancholic vocals and soulful music of lost love and a hopeful future. As might be expected, the depth of emotion contained within the grooves won over a cult following. Continue reading “”

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JOHN LENNON

It was 30 years ago today that John Lennon was senselessly murdered. He was 40 years old.

Many people remember where they were when they first heard the news. Like when JFK was shot in 1963, or when the second plane hit the World Trade Center building. These attacks to all common decency changed history forever and stand out in our minds.

Coincidentally, it was 50 years ago that John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best first met with Brian Epstein. Epstein wanted 25% of their gross fees each week to manage them. He promised that they would never again play for less than £15, except for Cavern lunchtime sessions. Lennon, as leader of The Beatles, accepted on their behalf. Continue reading “”

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WHEN BLACK FRIDAY COMES

Tomorrow, your local indie record store may just be the place to hang out. That’s because independent music stores across the country will be providing some very exclusive audio for sale on “Black Friday.” Some of these items are limited and are sure to sell out quickly. George Harrison album All Things Must Pass has reportedly been re-mastered from the original analog tapes and will be available in a numbered limited edition 3 LP collection commemorating the album’s 40th Anniversary. It’s also available as a high-res download and is sure to sound better than the last digital mastering. Continue reading “”

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ELVIS

55 years ago on this day, Elvis Presley attended the fourth Country Music Disc Jockey Convention in Nashville, Tennessee where he was voted the year’s most promising male artist. Back at his hotel, Mae Boren Axton played him a demo of a new song she had written with Tommy Durden called “Heartbreak Hotel.” Two months later, Presley made his first recordings for RCA choosing this moody song. It was quickly released as a single, bringing Elvis national recognition, his first Billboard #1 hit, and his first gold record. Continue reading “”

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JOHN COLTRANE : MY FAVORITE THINGS

Today is the 50th anniversary of the recording of John Coltrane’s famous jazz rendition of “My Favorite Things” on the album of the same name. It Coltrane’s first session on Atlantic Records. This album clearly marks the epic saxophone player’s change from bebop to modal jazz (with hints of free jazz to come), following his contribution to Miles Davis’ landmark album Kind of Blue. Continue reading “”

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NEIL YOUNG : LE NOISE

Every once in a while Neil Young hits on the notes and words that resonate deep within the subconscious in a fresh and organic way. Think of his latest album Le Noise as music for your soul – homegrown and emotionally satisfying. From the opening distortion laden riffs of “Walk With Me” enveloped in Daniel Lanois’ atmospheric production, you know you’re onto something good. All tracks were recorded without overdubs in fellow Canadian Lanois’ unique home studio with reverberating chambers. Most of the songs are newly written, reflecting where Neil’s at right now. The autobiographical “Hitchhiker” is one exception and is most welcome in its new sonic guise. Continue reading “”

FLEETWOOD MAC

There have been at least three different versions of the band Fleetwood Mac over the years.

This rare video captures the short lived ’71-72 line up with rhythm guitarist Bob Welch on lead vocal, lead guitarist Danny Kirwin and keyboardist Christine McVie on back up vocals, and the band’s founders, Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass. Here they are playing a live “Moses (Lay It All Down)” from the 1971 album Future Games – one of my faves. You will want an original UK LP with yellow cover for best sound. Continue reading “”

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DECIPHERING BEATLES STAMPERS

I’ve had some inquiries on how to decipher the small markings in the vinyl next to the label on UK Beatles LPs. You can deduce the numbering system for early EMI pressings by looking at the label and going to 6 o’clock in the dead wax (run off groove) area of the vinyl. The following holds true for all records pressed by EMI during the 60’s and 70’s. Continue reading “”

THE EARLY 911, FILM AND VINYL – PART 3

So why do those who cling to artifacts from the past continue their quest for experiential freedom? Well, for one there is a considerable amount of “feel” connected to these arguably archaic hobbies of vintage sports cars, film and vinyl. The pursuit of these involvements is more art than science. It’s not pure instrumentation and technology that will get you all the way there. Intuition and a willingness to be open to a non-black and white world are often necessary to achieve that elusive bliss these fans strive for. The pay off is a feeling of satisfaction when the visceral pleasure of playing a great LP, using a mechanical rangefinder, or driving an early Porsche 911 well is truly experienced. Even ordinary tasks become part of the appeal of caretaking something so old, unique and inherently valuable. Continue reading “”

THE EARLY 911, FILM AND VINYL – PART 2

My history with cameras is remarkably similar to that for early 911s. I learned to photograph and develop my own black and white film in 1979 with a German made Leica M3. That first rangefinder camera led to the use of numerous film-based Leica cameras and lenses, which have a smoothness and mechanical precision missing from many other models. I still love using the Leicas for their purity, quiet shutter and silky film advance lever. However I’ve made Canon digital SLRs my choice for most subjects since photography has become my profession (and Leica discontinued its SLR line.). Continue reading “”

THE EARLY 911, FILM AND VINYL – PART 1

You’ve probably read enough analogies of sports cars, fine cameras and luxury audio equipment in high-end lifestyle magazines to get the idea that journalists are passionate about these in a big way. I’m not immune and vinyl records, Leica rangefinders and Porsche 911s have been a primary fascination of mine since 1964. That’s when I bought my first LP, was gifted a camera, and was introduced to the early 911. I immediately fell in love with the feel and sound of the long playing record, the shutter advance of the film camera, and the Porsche 911’s hooligan nature with its air-cooled flat six barking a nasty exhaust note. School and financial obligations kept me from fulfilling my dreams of ownership for a long time, but I promised myself that someday I would have a top notch analog stereo system, a Leica M series rangefinder, and a pre-‘74 911. Continue reading “”

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THE BEATLES PART 4: Bargain Pressings

The vinyl resurgence has brought many older music fans back to their turntables and a younger generation into the wonderful world of records. Large art work and the visceral experience of listening to vinyl is the payoff for many. If you are on a budget and want to acquire clean LPs of this Beatles title at a reasonable cost – there are some options for you. Continue reading “”

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THE BEATLES PART 3: Choosing a STEREO Pressing

The White Album is probably most familiar in stereo, so that’s where I’ll focus most of my attention. The recently re-mastered CD of this seminal album sound very good. It’s a little compressed for my tastes, but successful as a very clean transfer of what it must be like listening to The Beatles in Technicolor. Just be aware that the quieter songs are mastered louder to more closely approximate the dynamics of the rockers, so purists may be a bit shocked by the changes due to limiting. The previous release may be preferred in this instance. Continue reading “”

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THE BEATLES PART 2: Choosing a MONO Pressing

The blank cover of The White Album was perhaps symbolic of the Fab Four’s reluctance to reveal their internal disintegration. Lennon and McCartney still shared songwriting credit, but were being pulled apart by their differing creative and philosophical interests. As a result they were composing almost exclusively on their own. Their songs, along with George Harrison’s, covered a wide variety of emotions – joy, disdain, empathy, boredom, hope, sadness, love, anger, even hysteria. The White Album not only stretched the rules, it broke them.

By 1968, stereo albums were becoming increasingly popular, and this would be the last Beatles album to receive a dedicated mono mix (1969’s Yellow Submarine mono soundtrack is a fold down). The mono mix of The White Album differs from the stereo version on several songs. This makes for interesting listening for those who are intimately familiar with the US LPs – released in stereophonic sound only. One example is Eric Clapton’s guitar solo on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, which is more modulated and goes on longer before the fade-out. Continue reading “”

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THE BEATLES – THE WHITE ALBUM

After Rubber Soul and the artistic heights of Revolver and Sgt. Pepper, The Beatles followed up in 1968 by forming Apple Records and releasing a double LP that would go on to become their biggest seller and perhaps the favorite Beatles album for younger listeners. Sporting a clean white cover featuring only their embossed name and a serial number printed in gray ink, The Beatles (a.k.a. The White Album) was a strong departure from what had come before.

Many of the tunes were written in India where the group had attended a spiritual meditation retreat with the Maharishi Yogi. Recording the tracks in England was a less than blissful experience however. John was bringing Yoko into the studio every day, Ringo temporarily quit the band in frustration, and producer George Martin was unable to end the bickering or edit the band’s output. The result was an album of thirty songs that bordered on the self-indulgent. Continue reading “”