[Wayner]

While on my "restricted" perch, I bought a few new LPs that perhaps you have not heard or knew where available. I'm certainly not going to give my opinion on the performance, but rather on the vinyl quality.

1) Dead Can Dance - Anastasis

I bought this LP many months ago, played it once and was very disappointed. A week ago, I pulled it out of the other room and I simply love it. It is on 180 gram clear vinyl, 2 record set. Sonics are an A- as the recording seems somewhat dark, but then, it's DCD.

2) Emerson, Lake and Palmer (self titled (with Lucky Man)), Tarkus

Both are resent purchases and are pressed on 180 gram by Razor and Tie Records. IMO, both are better then the original releases, way back when (I have both the American and German pressings). There maybe a couple of spots that are over-modulated, but perhaps that is on the original tapes.

If you are a fan of ELP, this is a must buy, highly recommended. Sonics A-

3)Tears for Fears - Songs From the Big Chair, Seeds of Love

These are both 180 gram on the Silver Label from Mobil Fidelity Sound Lab. They are awesome.
Side 2 of Seeds of Love has the weird sputts noise, that I thought was from my first original pressing, but obviously it must be on the master digital tape. These are digital recordings put onto vinyl. Sonics are again an A-

4) Graham Nash - Songs for Beginners.

Remasted by Rhino Records on 180 gram vinyl. This LP brought tears to my eyes. It's better then the original pressing that I have, it's quiet and clear. I almost have to give the sonics an A+

5) Chicago - II

Again, remastered by Rhino records 180 gram. The one Chicago LP that I think is a must have.

All for now. (brother called)

Wayner

[vinyl_guy]

Hi Wayner,

Man, you just lightened my bank account. I have the Chicago II and it is terrific. So is the Rhino 180g of Chicago Transit Authority. The side with Introduction, Does Anbody Know What Time It Is and Beginnings is 2 die 4 -- incredible dynamics, detail and clarity. Rhino, Kevin Gray, Chris Bellman and RTI--a great team

I'm going to get Songs for Beginners and the 2 ELP albums. Dead Can Dance is not my cup of tea and I'll need to listen to the Tears for Fears album I have to see if I still like it. I don't think I've listened to it in over 20 years.

I hope you are doing well. Nice to see you posting.

Blessings,

Laura

[S Clark]

Wayner,
Can you recommend a source for these lp's?

Scott

[orthobiz]

Hey Laura, one of the thousand websites that send me daily deals (not popmarket, however) had the Nash and Crosby first solo albums, as well as remastered Manassas for sale half price a couple of months ago. I got the Nash and Crosby disks and they are truly deluxe and sound great.

The Dead Can Dance, a group I do not know, is on the silver label, apparently because the original master tapes may not be available. But they are still supposed to sound really good.

Paul

[orthobiz]

Actually, I got them at "the music dot com."

Oh, now it's got a changed name:

http://highfidelityla.com/search/?q=crosby

Paul

[rooze]

3)Tears for Fears - Songs From the Big Chair, Seeds of Love

These are both 180 gram on the Silver Label from Mobil Fidelity Sound Lab. They are awesome.
Side 2 of Seeds of Love has the weird sputts noise, that I thought was from my first original pressing, but obviously it must be on the master digital tape. These are digital recordings put onto vinyl. Sonics are again an A-

Wayner

I just bought that 2 weeks ago from Sound Stage! It's a nice album....I was wondering about the spitting noise at the start of side 2, happy to know that it ain't just me!!...

[vinyl_guy]

The Dead Can Dance, a group I do not know, is on the silver label, apparently because the original master tapes may not be available. But they are still supposed to sound really good.

Paul

Hi Paul,

I've heard Dead Can Dance and I hate the music. They were playing it in a room at RMAF and I couldn't get out of the room fast enough. Not as bad as rap, but as I said, not my cup of tea. I don't care how good the pressing is, I ain't buying it.

Laura

[vinyl_guy]

Hey Laura, one of the thousand websites that send me daily deals (not popmarket, however) had the Nash and Crosby first solo albums, as well as remastered Manassas for sale half price a couple of months ago. I got the Nash and Crosby disks and they are truly deluxe and sound great.

Paul

I've got an original pressing of Crosby's first solo and the 180g reissue. Both are good.

Laura

[Wayner]

I do buy lots of my records from Music Direct. I know Rodger pretty well. BTW, Mobil Fidelity Sound Lab owns Music Direct.

One last review for the night.

Yes - Going for the One.

Friday Music, 180 gram. Complete suck. One of the worst "redo's" that Friday has done with the Yes collection. It's as bad as Relayer. No Bass, side 2 has tons of distortion. No volume either, had to turn the volume way up. Original is way better.

Wayner

[vinyl_guy]

I do buy lots of my records from Music Direct. I know Rodger pretty well. BTW, Mobil Fidelity Sound Lab owns Music Direct.

Wayner

I think it is the other way around, Music Direct owns MoFi.

Laura

[jimdgoulding]

Wayner, can you recommend a good source for Paul Simon's Graceland.

[vinyl_guy]

Wayner, can you recommend a good source for Paul Simon's Graceland.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/81157/Paul_Simon-Graceland_25th_Anniversary-180_Gram_Vinyl_Record

Laura

[orthobiz]

Listening to the reissue of Harvest Neil Young right now. The one with the correct paper feel to the cover. It's really quiet and the sound is great.

Paul

[Wayner]

Wayner, can you recommend a good source for Paul Simon's Graceland.

I have the original, and it's in great shape, so I haven't looked for it at all.

The return address for Music Direct says "Mobil Fidelity". They are one company, different divisions.

The only reason I would buy a new LP is to replace an original that is not in the best shape, and I have tried to find used of the same, but failed.

I recently purchased:

Genesis - 1978 - 1982 (boxed set)

This box set is an import, 180 graham and is disappointing. I have the originals of all 5 LPs and they all sound better then this remastered set. The highs seem to be filtered, the sound stage is small and the loss of detail, irritating. I would recommend it with reservations. I'd give it a B- rating.

Wayner

[Scottdazzle]

I have the original, and it's in great shape, so I haven't looked for it at all.

The return address for Music Direct says "Mobil Fidelity". They are one company, different divisions.

The only reason I would buy a new LP is to replace an original that is not in the best shape, and I have tried to find used of the same, but failed.

I recently purchased:

Genesis - 1978 - 1982 (boxed set)

This box set is an import, 180 graham and is disappointing. I have the originals of all 5 LPs and they all sound better then this remastered set. The highs seem to be filtered, the sound stage is small and the loss of detail, irritating. I would recommend it with reservations. I'd give it a B- rating.

Wayner

I had an original version of Graceland that was very good in both sound and surfaces. I bought the new reissue on the basis of the rave reviews and it is even better than the original - more dynamic with better detail and imaging. I highly recommend it. I generally look for used originals but Graceland is an exception to my rule.

[vinyl_guy]

2001: Jim Davis of Music Direct in Chicago purchases the proprietary mastering chain and all intellectual property associated with the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab name. A team of MFSL veterans is assembled to helm technical and engineering departments. Emphasis is placed upon research and development of the mastering chain in both the analog and digital domains.

[jimdgoulding]

Ordered from Laura's recommended source.  Thanks, mi lady, all.