Heaven and Earth now on Vinyl
Posted by: JBGWild on 23 January 2012
John Martyn's last album, which made the 'Best of 2011' thread a few times, is now out on heavy duty vinyl. It seems a stunning pressing with a nice black silence behind the music. Its been an interesting experience for me as it was about the first JM album I had to get into on CD only so to have a vinyl version is potentially an unexpected treat. IMHO it is a real treat, the CD version had me almost connect my CD player to my active Linn/Naim vinyl system just to hear what it really sounded like but I never got there. Don't need to. Whilst the CD is no slouch on sound quality anyway the record is quite superb. From the lows of Alan Thompson's fretless bass to Arran Ahmun's superb drum and cymbal playing and everything in-between. If you like drums, this is worth buying for 'Willing to Work' alone, the drum kit and cymbals stunningly mixed across the sound stage, a true hifi system dem track if I ever heard one. Heel of the Hunt, the title track and Could've told you before I met you are the other standouts for me. Nice to have the cover full size, sad to be reminded this was the last. This album proves vinyl is very much alive and kicking!
Cheers John
Posted on: 23 January 2012 by Guido Fawkes
Posted on: 23 January 2012 by Gale 401
JBG,
I missed that.
Thanks for the heads up man.
Just hope a copy can make it here in time?
I will be having a Big Man music fest here Friday running through the weekend.
Stu
Posted on: 24 January 2012 by JBGWild
That sounds cool. It's only just come out so should be stocks around. MIne turned up in two days. Bunked off work for an hour or so this morning, no mrs or neighbours and just given it some welly. I'm sure you will not be disappointed, it will be a fitting finish to your weekend. Im sure you will need to play it first too, just to check the pressing of course. Enjoy
Cheers John
Posted on: 24 January 2012 by lutyens
John
thank you, ordered and waiting! patiently! Well not very patiently really! Can't wait.
atb
james
Posted on: 24 January 2012 by Noogle
Thanks for the recommendation. I bought it on CD today and it's a great album, BTW, ran SeeDeclip and noticed it's a pretty "hot" CD, with lots of clipping (e.g. 3278 clips in the first track alone!).
Posted on: 24 January 2012 by Noogle
Also - is there deliberate crackly distortion on the sax solo in "Heaven and Earth" or is something horribly wrong with my system?
Posted on: 24 January 2012 by JBGWild
Ive just played my CD version, I think I hear what you mean, it almost sounds like the guy has a piece of paper over the mouthpiece, or wet lips! What's a hot CD?
Cheers John
Posted on: 24 January 2012 by Noogle
Does the vinyl sound the same?
A "hot" CD is one that's transferred at a high average volume level. The upside is that it sounds superficially impressive when you play it. The downside is that the peaks of the digital waveforms are chopped off. This means that there are flat sections where (on a 16-bit CD) the data is 65535, 65535, 65535 etc. repeatedly, as the signal is hard against the end-stops. These chopped-off peaks are effectively square waves which have a high content of odd harmonics. The human hearing system really hates odd harmonics - they sound harsh and screechy. Google SeeDeclip for more info.
Posted on: 25 January 2012 by Gale 401
Quit a few of JM'S CDs have copy protection on them.
Have you tried just playing the cd?
Stu.
Posted on: 25 January 2012 by JBGWild
Just played the vinyl version again (bliss) , it sounds to me like the way the guy's playing it, very raspy to start with, perhaps v close miked? As he finishes you can hear his breath fade out too. An understated little solo....
Off to Norway aurora hunting, I hope you guys enjoy the LP when it arrives.
Cheers John
Posted on: 25 January 2012 by FangfossFlyer
My LP version should arrive this weekend....can't wait!
I have to admit it is one of the few CDs I have bought over the decades to play it on my car CD player just to hear it...really good John Martyn in the style I love.
I loved seeing him on tour over the last few years...magnificant!
Sadly missed,
Richard
Posted on: 26 January 2012 by Richard Dane
I have a promo of this on CD. Realised I hadn't properly listened to it yet so took it with me in the car to London and back. Fabulous. Now can't wait to hear it properly at home...
Posted on: 26 January 2012 by Tony2011
Veering off course here, a few months ago I was listening to Nowergian Wood - Patricia Barber(Live is Paris). It was a very sunny afternoon and a beautiful sunshine through my windscreen on a London country road. Whatever I do, I cannot recreate that momemt and atmosphere. I wish I could transport that sunshine into my living room.
Tony
