GAS Music Caravan '07 - Now with PICS!

Scott F. · « **on:** 30 Apr 2007, 03:54 am »

Hiya Guys,

The second annual GAS Music Caravan is right around the corner. On Saturday May 19th we'll be making the trek to our favorite music haunts around town.

I thought I'd put it out to everybody to see if we wanted to do the same stops or make some alterations to to our visits. Here is what we did last year.

We started out at the U City Grill at 8:30 then hit Vintage Vinyl then Euclid Records, stopped by Music for Pleasure, made a pit stop a fine dining establishment (I always forget the name of that place) then went by the Record Exchange and finished up the day at Cookies Jazz and More with an evenings entertainment by a fine local Jazz band.

Last years Music Caravan

If we are going to finish up the evening catching some live music it looks like Cookies has the Bernie Hayes Blues Revue. Since everybody dropped their car at the U City parking lot, we might want to try one of the venues on the Loop this year. Not sure who is playing at the Delmar Lounge, Brandt's or Riddles but that would be fairly easy to find out.

So, what do you think?

sturgus · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 May 2007, 04:53 am »

I'm all in for this one. I think the Delmar lounge would be a good spot for some music, or maybe one of the other venues in the loop. I will have to play hooky from work but I can't miss this one.
Sturgus

bpape · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 May 2007, 05:07 am »

I can't make this one either - my daughter is graduating in Springfield on the 18th.

Have fun.

steve k · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 May 2007, 11:47 am »

Sounds like a plan, Scott. Is Willie playing in the area that night?

drummerwill · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 May 2007, 02:49 pm »

Talk about bad timing. again I'll have to bow out, my daughter is graduating on the 19th.
But ....
Have Fun!
Willie

alana106 · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 May 2007, 02:52 pm »

Looks like I'll miss this one too.

Everyone have a good time.

Sarmck · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 May 2007, 05:45 pm »

I would love to join in on this outing. I have about a four hour window to work with in the afternoon. I will have to get someones cell number to catch up with you all around 1 PM.

Here's to havin' some fun.

(rootbeer)

Blackmore · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 May 2007, 06:48 pm »

I'm in for Saturday. Let me know about where we're going to meet.

mark@marktwain · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 May 2007, 07:38 pm »

I'm there for this one fella's even if gas hits 4 bucks a gallon! I'll just have to grab a few less records.

Mark

Scott F. · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 May 2007, 02:55 am »

You guys want to start at the same place and time as we did last year?

If so, we can all meet at the U City Grill at 9:00, grab a quick breakfast and then walk across the street to Vintage Vinyl at about 9:30.

steve k · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 May 2007, 02:57 am »

Sounds good to me, Scott.

Blackmore · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 May 2007, 12:28 am »

See you at 9:00

DeadFish · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 May 2007, 03:20 am »

Arrrr!
Looks like Mike and I shall catch up wherever it is that breakfast is. Ah, U City Grill. Okay!
8 o'clock here, right Mike?

Can I write this trip off as medical therapy?

DF

Scott F. · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 May 2007, 02:28 pm »

Mornin' Guys

Well, we successfully lightened our wallets one more time. The '07 GAS Music Caravan has come and gone. This year we blazed (pretty much) the same trail that we did last year starting at the U-City Grill for some grub, then panning for black gold at Vintage Vinyl and Euclid Records, then a quick stop for some audio porn at Music For Pleasure, then an extended stay at the watering hole called Giancarlo's and our final stop of the day at The Record Exchange.

The weather was absolutely perfect. I think the high was about 75 with low humidity and the skies were cloud free.

As usual, I forgot my real camera so I had to improvise with the one on my phone (some of the shots are sorta crappy, sorry)(oh, sorry about the dates on the pics too

). So without further adieu, here are the PIC's

Here we all are bulking up at the U-City Grill for the trail that lies ahead. From left to right that is Steve, Sturgus (with the toast in his mouth), Deadfish hiding behind Mike D, mark@marktwain and Blackmore at the back table, and of course, me behind the camera/telephone/record database.

Ron (sarmac) caught up with us down at Music For Pleasure. Chris (MerRev) was MIA but for good reason, he was waiting for his new VTL amp to show up.

Here is a shot from inside Vintage Vinyl

...and one just outside Vintage Vinyl on The Loop.

...here we all are walking in Euclid Records down in Webster Groves. Next up is Music For Pleasure.

Here is a pic of their nearly finished, ULTRA-COOL, Home Theatre

....and the seating area

Here are the Dynaudio Focus speakers being driven by the NAD Reference Series integrated and CD player. NAD is back!

Next up are the Dynaudio Confidence speakers being driven by the Arcam FMJ line

Mark, Deadfish and Mike listening to the FMJ/Dyn's

Then we moved into the BIG room. Here are the Dynaudio Master Reference speakers being driven by the Krell Evolution amp. Oh, the Transparent speaker cables cost more than most our systems

Here is the front end. More Krell Evolution series and the T+A CD player all on a Solid Tech rack.

...and the new Rega P-7 turntable .... pretty cool

and we finish up at MFP with the guys listening to the the mega-system......still no smiles

So there we have it. Another Music Caravan comes to a close. Next up......the GAS Reference Recording

Blackmore · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 May 2007, 02:39 pm »

I had a great time. New vinyl, used vinyl, cd...did anybody pickup any 78s? And even though Scott gave me "the look", the new Beatles "Love" mix is pretty cool. Sort of like when you play Sgt. Pepper's on vinyl for audio newbies. I'll give you the DVD-A from my set and see how you like it. Marktwain wins the sheer volume of used vinyl award. Man can that guy get down and dig for the buried treasure!! Favorite line; Mike D. listening to the new NIN at Vintage Vinyl "Man, this is KILLER,this is just great...and suddenly it SUCKS!" Second place has to go to Deadfish's lines about Percocet with a beer chaser at lunch.

Hey Steve, I think your sandwich order just came up at GianCarlos

Kudos to the guys at Music for Pleasure for enduring the GAS boys. Mike just went in and started pushing all the buttons on the Krell gear (Evolution 402 amp, 202 preamp and 505 SACD/CD) to hear some Kenton. Nobody at the store panicked! Got to say, the sound was a litttle better this year, but that room really doesn't work for the big Dynaudios. Bass was all the same sound no matter what instrument played it (acoustic, electric, drum) and the mids had a plastic sound to them. Maybe we just needed more 15K interconnects to fix that problem.

Other rooms fared better and some Dynaudios in the back room were more pleasing. I think the Focals in the front theatre room might have been the best sound of the store. Wish we could have heard some of the Martin Logans. I could have bought a nice house plus all my audio gear for the cost of the front room's gear!

I really had a great time and can't wait until the next get-together and concert.

bpape · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 May 2007, 02:51 pm »

Looks like a good time - wish I could have been there. Maybe next year... (wait - didn't I say that last year!?)

Bryan

DeadFish · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 May 2007, 05:10 pm »

Thanks for posting the great photo captures of the adventure, Scott!
It has been a while since I got 'out and about' and it was great adventuring with you fellas!

I certainly hope my wife pulls through with buying me a new ankle before I get to do this again. Or maybe a Segway.
I definitely could have drank my lunch for pain relief, but it was worth it. My wife suggests you really wouldn't have enjoyed dragging me through The Record Exchange on percocet and beer. Not pretty.
I did a 5-hour coma once I got home, then found myself awake at midnight. Ah, the sacrifices that must be made....

A little new Angelique Kidjo (Djin Djin) and some old Robben Ford (&The Blue Line) made a great aural pay-off for me.

And just remember for next time, (for you folks that couldna' make it) 'a splendid time is guaranteed for all'.

Best Regards!
DeadFish

steve k · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 May 2007, 01:46 am »

That was a blast! Been spinning lots of new vinyl today. It took all my self control to drag my ass away from those Riverside and Blue Note reissues at Euclid! Now I see why no one was smiling last year at hearing the mega system. Something wasn't quite right--$35,000 cables and all.

I have to hand it to the guys at MFP though, they were certainly cool about us fanning out and securing the place for our pleasure!

The funniest part was Mikey heading straight for the $200,000 system and pushing buttons!!! Excellent. aa That little NAD integrated was the most surprising piece I heard there. Like Mark, I would've liked to hear some Martin Logans and that sexy little Rega P7.

Lunch was certainly an adventure. No one will ever know who ordered that extra beer but that must have been the one that cost us the extra $26! Next time I go there, I'll pack a lunch.

Definitely a fun day--beautiful weather, great vinyl, and great hospitality at Music for Pleasure and of course, great friends.

Looking forward to the pipe organ concert next.

steve

Mike D · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 May 2007, 08:03 pm »

That was a great time.

Sturg and I were kicking around the idea of a road trip to Memphis. Blues and Barbeque!!!!!! We'd drive down, spend the day/evening/night on Beale at the various Blues outlets. We could get hotel rooms and visit Graceland and the Civil Rights museum the next day. After having more ribs for breakfast and lunch, we'd let Bill drive us back up to STL.

Upcoming events may include the Memphis trip, golf, billiards, Kansas City trip, Champaign trip, Chicago trip.

It would be a great success if we managed to do just two of these ideas this summer. I'll get the golf outing going soon.

drummerwill · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 May 2007, 02:27 pm »

Hi Guys
Looks like I missed a good time in the neighborhood, have yet to go inside of U-City Grill
Look really cool from the pics.
Anyone find any irresistable deals they had to take home ?

Willie