Ben Harper

Welcome to the Cruel World

US

2009

 

This one took a while to grow on me & now I am loving it  

A little noisy on playback - so gave it another VPI clean - but maybe a third clean will improve it more - I am still liking it anyway 😉

 

Edited October 10, 20223 yr by April Snow

Back in the day, I went through at least four copies of that Ben Harper before landing on an only half decent but still slightly noisey copy. From memory Like A King had an unacceptable pressing flaw.

7lp copy of probably my favourite Sigur Ros album

 

25 minutes ago, Citroen said:

Back in the day, I went through at least four copies of that Ben Harper before landing on an only half decent but still slightly noisey copy. From memory Like A King had an unacceptable pressing flaw.

Like A King is OK on my copy (I have not noticed anything put it that way) - but the second clean has helped a lot, I think a third clean may improve it even more. I read on Discogs some really had to do several cleans too. Thank you for letting me know, maybe I should be happy it is as great as it is 🤣 (and stop me whinging.......) hahahaha

ABC - Lexicon of Love

 

This is very high quality bombastic cheese 🧀 

 

But really it's an excuse to show off the stunning walnut case for my Marantz power amplifier that just arrived all the way from Serbia 

 

As soon as i installed the case -all sibilance disappeared- the soundstage widened - the bass was tighter and it was like lifting a blanket from my system 

 

But seriously - also road testing some ds940 speakers 

 

Lol - who said marantz didn't make good speakers? These are mighty fine - not quite as elegant as my bang & olufsens though - but i haven't heard too much that is  😀 

 

 

Edited October 10, 20223 yr by Kristian Kristiansen

1 minute ago, Kristian Kristiansen said:

ABC - Lexicon of Love

 

This is very high quality bombastic cheese 🧀 

 

But really it's an excuse to show off the stunning walnut case for my Marantz power amplifier that just arrived all the way from Serbia 

 

As soon as i installed the case -all sibilance disappeared- the soundstage widened - the bass was tighter and it was like lifting a blanket from my system 

 

But seriously - also road testing some ds940 speakers 

 

Lol - who said marantz didn't make good speakers? These are mighty fine - not quote as elegant as my band & olufsens though - but i haven't heard too much that is 

 

 

 

looking cool KK!!      amazing that there are still guys making cabinets for gear that old.

5 minutes ago, metal beat said:

 

looking cool KK!!      amazing that there are still guys making cabinets for gear that old.

There's a company in Germany - pathe wings - that makes cases for the more common marantz receivers and amps but the ESOTEC stuff - it's literally this one dude in Serbia 

Elvis - Moody Blue - 2013 Friday music reissue - mastered by Kevin Gray  - this sounds really good.

  right to the very end RCA and the colonel were milking Elvis and his music - crappy budget album cover, 1st side has 4 live tracks, then all the studio cuts including Moody Blue, Way On Down are on side 2. no wonder Elvis was depressed and disinterested with treatment like this 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, metal beat said:

Elvis - Moody Blue - 2013 Friday music reissue - mastered by Kevin Gray  - this sounds really good.

  right to the very end RCA and the colonel were milking Elvis and his music - crappy budget album cover, 1st side has 4 live tracks, then all the studio cuts including Moody Blue, Way On Down are on side 2. no wonder Elvis was depressed and disinterested with treatment like this 

 

 

 

 

That is a really $hit cover ..................he deserved much better than that.

2 minutes ago, metal beat said:

Elvis - Moody Blue - 2013 Friday music reissue - mastered by Kevin Gray  - this sounds really good.

  right to the very end RCA and the colonel were milking Elvis and his music - crappy budget album cover, 1st side has 4 live tracks, then all the studio cuts including Moody Blue, Way On Down are on side 2. no wonder Elvis was depressed and disinterested with treatment like this 

 

 

 

My mum was an elvis nut - i recall there's a vegas recording where he's going through the motions of a beatles cover (lady madonna or somesuch garbage) and he turns to the band and asks 'anybody hungry'? Like he wanted to order takeout mid concert lol 

The Doors – Morrison Hotel

 

 

33 minutes ago, Kristian Kristiansen said:

My mum was an elvis nut - i recall there's a vegas recording where he's going through the motions of a beatles cover (lady madonna or somesuch garbage) and he turns to the band and asks 'anybody hungry'? Like he wanted to order takeout mid concert lol 

 

that's how I got into Elvis - mum loved him.

 

the only movies I don't get sick of watching is all the Elvis one's with him singing.

Edited October 10, 20223 yr by metal beat

George Harrison

All Things Must Pass

Australia

1970

 

Hard to get an OG in NM of this one - the quiet passages are a little rice bubbles or reminds me of walking on the frosty grass when I grew up in Tassie 😂😂😂😂😂 - but the other bits are  super dynamic. I know many hate the Phil Spector Wall of Sound - but I wanted to hear it for myself as this is new to me &  I shall now search for a good re-issue of this wonderful album. 

 

 

Edited October 10, 20223 yr by April Snow

10 hours ago, metal beat said:

Elvis - Moody Blue - 2013 Friday music reissue - mastered by Kevin Gray  - this sounds really good.

  right to the very end RCA and the colonel were milking Elvis and his music - crappy budget album cover, 1st side has 4 live tracks, then all the studio cuts including Moody Blue, Way On Down are on side 2. no wonder Elvis was depressed and disinterested with treatment like this 

 

 

 

 

 

Played it a few weeks back.  Brings back lots of memories of growing up.

 

 

 

9 hours ago, April Snow said:

George Harrison

All Things Must Pass

Australia

1970

 

Hard to get an OG in NM of this one - the quiet passages are a little rice bubbles or reminds me of walking on the frosty grass when I grew up in Tassie 😂😂😂😂😂 - but the other bits are  super dynamic. I know many hate the Phil Spector Wall of Sound - but I wanted to hear it for myself as this is new to me &  I shall now search for a good re-issue of this wonderful album. 

 

 

Love that album, have the same pressing and it sounds great specially the third record, apparently Eric Clapton plays uncredited there.

 

49 minutes ago, hlov said:

Love that album, have the same pressing and it sounds great specially the third record, apparently Eric Clapton plays uncredited there.

 

Oh wow - I did not know that about Eric being on that third record. A lot of people hate the "Apple Jam" (3rd record) from what I have read when researching pressings, but I heard it for the first time last night and I really loved it, I found it to be loose and free spirited. I can tell it was not liked much because LP3 played flawlessly so I think had not been played much at all, same with the second LP too - just the first LP had the crackles in the quiet parts. But overall I loved it and felt part of the era whilst spinning the whole album - and the way "My Sweet Lord" builds is incredible - I think the "wall of sound" really made it exciting - I was looking for my tambourine to join in  🤣

Edited October 10, 20223 yr by April Snow

Record I bought this year — Aug #6.

 

 

Jake Xerxes Fussell — Good And Green Again 

2022 US

Record I bought this year — Aug #7.

 

 

Sturgill Simpson — Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2 (The Cowboy Arms Sessions)

2020 US

Record I bought this year — Aug #8. 
 

 

Midland — The Last Resort: Greetings From

2022 EU

1 hour ago, TechnoDoll said:

Record I bought this year — Aug #7.

 

 

Sturgill Simpson — Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2 (The Cowboy Arms Sessions)

2020 US

Never thought I would see George Michael on a ride on mower !!! 🤣

Last night......yes, post movie. I'm a creature of habit.....😉

 

Started with a new arrival.....Japan "Tin Drum" NM German 1st pressing (Sonopress).....and it certainly was NM, a beautiful pressing with stunning SQ, a much better recording than "The Quiet Life" with supreme bass being the highlight. Loved it!

 

 

Next was Duran Duran's self titled debut, Oz 1st pressing.....mastered by Don Bartley using the Maxicut process......really great SQ on this.

 

 

Followed with Simple Minds "Once Upon A Time" Canadian 1st pressing......this is dynamic heaven, the bass is sublime, allowing Mel Gaynor's excellent drumming to truly shine.

 

 

 

Finished with Simple Minds "New Gold Dream 81, 82, 83, 84" Oz 1st pressing. These last two albums are SM's best ever IMO.👍

 

 

 

Edited October 11, 20223 yr by stevoz

Record I bought this year — August #9.

 

 

Stereophonics — Kind

2019 EU

 

Stereophonics probably does not rate for many, I too have not listened to them but I love this album. It’s more strip back and these songs really suited Kelly Jones’ raspy voice. Record sounds great too.

Warren Zevon - Life'll Kill Ya.

Johnny Winter -

The Progressive Blues Experiment.

Tony Joe White.