What was the last vinyl you bought?

Ahmad Jamal Trio - The Awakening - (Be With Records) a new UK label specialising in reissuing rare hard to get vinyl.  I have been after a copy of The Awakening for a while but it has become very expensive recently so I'm hoping this reissue sounds as good as the original. 

Be With Records are worth checking out some interesting titles already in their catalogue.

Love - Forever Changes, UK Rhino Reissue. Not a recent purchase - I bought this a few years back - but I must have put it on the shelf and somehow it got lost amongst all the other vinyl.  I found it still sealed a few days ago and so opened it this evening for a listen.  I have no original with which to compare, just my old and much loved CD copy. There was a time when the CD had almost constant play, but I haven't listened to the album in a few years at least.  So listening to the LP was interesting.  It certainly seemed to give a slightly different presentation - more inner detail I would say.  Without any doubt this is one of the better vinyl reissues.  Cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering  allegedly from the "original analog master" and pressed at Pallas, these Rhino reissues so far seem to be consistently good, and Chris Bellman (CB) is definitely someone to look for in the dead wax. This is another top recommendation, although I'm now wondering what more the pricey MFSL reissue brings as it's hard to imagine doing any better than this one.

So recently I've been going through the recent NY vinyl reissues of the first four Neil Young albums.  I'm very familiar with these having grown up with the originals, then bought the vinyl myself while at school in the early '80s. then bought the CDs, and then the Hi-Res DVD-A of Harvest, the HDCD reissues, and then the Pono Music Hi-Res files.  So I like to think I have a good handle on what to expect. The disappointment was Harvest; either it's a lacklustre cut or it sounds like the tapes may have possibly passed their best, which is probably not surprising considering how many reissues there have been. Even a mint '80s German pressing was superior here. The revelation is the first album, which sounds really fresh and rejuvenated. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is also excellent.  The jury is still out on After The Goldrush.  I have only listened to Side One so far.  It's good, but not a knockout.  I'll listen further tonight.

Richard Dane posted:

Love - Forever Changes, UK Rhino Reissue. Not a recent purchase - I bought this a few years back - but I must have put it on the shelf and somehow it got lost amongst all the other vinyl.  I found it still sealed a few days ago and so opened it this evening for a listen.  I have no original with which to compare, just my old and much loved CD copy. There was a time when the CD had almost constant play, but I haven't listened to the album in a few years at least.  So listening to the LP was interesting.  It certainly seemed to give a slightly different presentation - more inner detail I would say.  Without any doubt this is one of the better vinyl reissues.  Cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering  allegedly from the "original analog master" and pressed at Pallas, these Rhino reissues so far seem to be consistently good, and Chris Bellman (CB) is definitely someone to look for in the dead wax. This is another top recommendation, although I'm now wondering what more the pricey MFSL reissue brings as it's hard to imagine doing any better than this one.

Hi Richard, I have both the Rhino and Mfsl re issues. Amazon UK made a mistake with their pre order pricing on the Mfsl and I got it for £24.99. To be honest they are both excellent.

The advantage of the rhino is it’s at 33rpm so you don’t have to keep getting up to change sides. Having listened a few times to both I would say if you have the rhino copy then there is no need to purchase any other copy as it is fantastic. I like the mfsl version a lot also but if I could only have one copy it would be the rhino one.

Prem.

Thanks Prem.  That's good to know.

From an earlier post, I finally opened up my vinyl copy of Gillian Welch's The Harrow And The Harvest and gave it a listen this evening.  I already knew that it was great music, well recorded.  What came as a surprise was just how good is the vinyl issue.  OK, a little disappointed that there was no anti-static inner but otherwise, it's all good. It's not 200g or even 180g but the vinyl is immaculate - reminded me of Nimbus at their best.  Totally silent all the way through, amazing clarity, no crackles, sizzles, no in-fill noises, just vinyl perfection. Wow.  Well done Gillian and all at Acony.  So, why can't all vinyl issues be this good?  Seriously.

Richard Dane posted:

So, why can't all vinyl issues be this good?

That's what we'd all like to know. I'm sure I had more success with vinyl first time round.

Clive, quite a lot of vinyl back in the mid to late '70s and '80s was rubbish, but it was relatively cheap (particularly against the cost of a CD in the early days) so you kind of expected it and put up with it.  These days there does seem to be more effort put into presentation and certainly the "weight" what with the preponderance of 180g and even 200g pressings. There is also a lot of makeweight stuff poorly cut, or taken from 16 bit digital, which is a shame.  However, resources like discogs have made life so much easier in knowing what's what, who mastered, who cut and who pressed what.  I'm really heartened by companies like Acony and also Gearbox, who are small labels doing fantastic quality work with their own studios and cutting facilities.  And QRP who I believe press for Acony should be applauded too for what must be one of the best pressings I've seen in years.  Not far off the old Nimbus quality or perhaps those lovely Japanese pressed virgin vinyl half-speed pressings that were pretty much flawless.

https://www.rhapsodyanalogreco...master-tape-catalog/

Excellent 180 gram vinyl. Recorded straight to tape at the same concert as the renowned digital download;

''Carmen Sings the Blues'' which was recorded to multi-track DXD.

I won't say the vinyl is better or worse than the DXD file,  it is different it's analog , and an analog recording process.

Husker Du - Savage Young Du box set.

PT’s brilliant 2005 release now reissued on Kscope.

The New York Rock and Soul Revue - Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Bozz Scaggs, Phoebe Snow et al. Superb! 

naim_nymph posted:

PT’s brilliant 2005 release now reissued on Kscope.

The album has been remastered by Steven Wilson and the 2017 master has features noticeably less compression and limiting in order to provide a more dynamic listening experience.  

Deadwing was the band's eighth studio album and the second in a run of three releases that for many represent the pinnacle of the band's artistic achievements. Following the breakthrough of In Absentia, Deadwing continued the band’s commercial and critical ascent and was PT's top selling record at the time. 

 

2 x LP + CD - Kscope 2018 reissue : )

 

Arrived with this mornings mail from Burning Shed

 

Just a few years has passed since i've purchased a PT album,

thought my Steve Wilson collection was more or less complete enough...

 

Okay, now my PT collection is complete enough,

i don't need to buy any more! : )

 

Debs

Are you sure about that, Debs?

What's the vinyl like? I've had some problems with K-Scope - so much so, in fact, that I don't bother with K-Scope vinyl anymore. I've also had problems with their CDs now I think about it. But at least Burning Shed has a great no quibble replacement policy. 

Clive B posted:

naim_nymph posted:

PT’s brilliant 2005 release now reissued on Kscope.

The album has been remastered by Steven Wilson and the 2017 master has features noticeably less compression and limiting in order to provide a more dynamic listening experience.  

Deadwing was the band's eighth studio album and the second in a run of three releases that for many represent the pinnacle of the band's artistic achievements. Following the breakthrough of In Absentia, Deadwing continued the band’s commercial and critical ascent and was PT's top selling record at the time. 

 

2 x LP + CD - Kscope 2018 reissue : )

 

Arrived with this mornings mail from Burning Shed

 

Just a few years has passed since i've purchased a PT album,

thought my Steve Wilson collection was more or less complete enough...

 

Okay, now my PT collection is complete enough,

i don't need to buy any more! : )

 

Debs

Are you sure about that, Debs?

What's the vinyl like? I've had some problems with K-Scope - so much so, in fact, that I don't bother with K-Scope vinyl anymore. I've also had problems with their CDs now I think about it. But at least Burning Shed has a great no quibble replacement policy. 

If I could sum up the sound of this in one word, it would be 'flat'.  Massively disappointing would be an understatement.  The vinyl version supposedly uses a less compressed remaster done by Steven Wilson and yet my CD version is miles better.  The vinyl is dynamically stunted, no air, space, or indeed top end extension.  It is also recorded at a low level so needs cranking up to get a decent volume which emphasises surface noise, of which there is a disappointingly large amount.

A waste of my precious cash; there is nothing here that would make me want to listen to this LP over my CD version.

Sadly, I now fear for SQ of the forthcoming release of In Absentia which I have also ordered.

A very sad state of affairs.

Ian

Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue (LP, Album, RE, RM, 180) (Columbia, Legacy - 88697680571)

Remastered and cut at Kevin Grey's Cohearant Audio.

Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus (LP, Mono, RE, 180) (Prestige - PRS00092)

Also remastered and cut at Cohearant Audio and pressed by Quality Record Pressing.

The best bit of the Bristol Show, four for £20 and the relief of getting home and being able to listen to music.

Ricky Lee Jones a German pressing, my original is rather worn.

Sly and Robbie just because, just about the best example of bass playing tunes consistently wherever and whatever they record. The inner lands say Sound Clinic.

Son of Morris On, again to supplement a worn copy. It's fun, brings back memories.

Clive Gregson, top songwriter, evocative performer, again memories. The inner lands say A Porky Prime Cut

REM - Out of Time 25th Anniversary 3LP set.

Gosh, has it really been 25 (or rather 26) years already??  Like many of you I listened to this album non-stop upon release but I bought it on shiny, happy CD, rather than vinyl.  It has been a while since I have listened to this album more recently, but with this reissue it was like listening afresh.  This is an excellent reissue, nicely mastered and cut (By Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman) allegedly "from the original analog masters", and as nice as pressing as I've had, so well done Optimal.  I haven't yet listened to the extra LPs of Demos.  Currently this is on sale on the river for less than £20, which makes it a very good buy indeed!

Ian F posted:

If I could sum up the sound of this in one word, it would be 'flat'.  Massively disappointing would be an understatement.  The vinyl version supposedly uses a less compressed remaster done by Steven Wilson and yet my CD version is miles better.  The vinyl is dynamically stunted, no air, space, or indeed top end extension.  It is also recorded at a low level so needs cranking up to get a decent volume which emphasises surface noise, of which there is a disappointingly large amount.

A waste of my precious cash; there is nothing here that would make me want to listen to this LP over my CD version.

Sadly, I now fear for SQ of the forthcoming release of In Absentia which I have also ordered.

A very sad state of affairs.

Ian

Ian that's really disappointing to hear.  I've been looking forward to the release of the In Absentia remaster on vinyl.  

Ella & Basie - A Perfect Match (Pablo Records)

Richard Dane posted:

Ian F posted:

If I could sum up the sound of this in one word, it would be 'flat'.  Massively disappointing would be an understatement.  The vinyl version supposedly uses a less compressed remaster done by Steven Wilson and yet my CD version is miles better.  The vinyl is dynamically stunted, no air, space, or indeed top end extension.  It is also recorded at a low level so needs cranking up to get a decent volume which emphasises surface noise, of which there is a disappointingly large amount.

A waste of my precious cash; there is nothing here that would make me want to listen to this LP over my CD version.

Sadly, I now fear for SQ of the forthcoming release of In Absentia which I have also ordered.

A very sad state of affairs.

Ian

Ian that's really disappointing to hear.  I've been looking forward to the release of the In Absentia remaster on vinyl.  

Hi Richard,

Me too.  I really had high hopes for these.  A good friend of mine has the Tonefloat version of In Absentia which sounds superb; he has also ordered the forthcoming pressing to compare but I seriously doubt it will be better than the version he already has based on my Deadwing experience!  Should he report otherwise, I will buy it, otherwise I will stick with my pretty good CD; the excellent sounding Tonefloats are fetching in excess of £50 so I won't be going there!

I spoke to Burning Shed re my experience and they responded, rather unexpectedly, by offering me a full refund and happily cancelled my order for In Absentia; great customer service so no complaints there.

Great tip on the REM by the way; off to the river just now.

Cheers,

Ian

Ian F posted:

Clive B posted:

naim_nymph posted:

*PT’s brilliant 2005 release now reissued on Kscope.

The album has been remastered by Steven Wilson and the 2017 master has features noticeably less compression and limiting in order to provide a more dynamic listening experience.  

Deadwing was the band's eighth studio album and the second in a run of three releases that for many represent the pinnacle of the band's artistic achievements. Following the breakthrough of In Absentia, Deadwing continued the band’s commercial and critical ascent and was PT's top selling record at the time. 

 

2 x LP + CD - Kscope 2018 reissue : )

 

Arrived with this mornings mail from Burning Shed

 

Just a few years has passed since i've purchased a PT album,

thought my Steve Wilson collection was more or less complete enough...

 

Okay, now my PT collection is complete enough,

i don't need to buy any more! : )

 

Debs

Are you sure about that, Debs?

What's the vinyl like? I've had some problems with K-Scope - so much so, in fact, that I don't bother with K-Scope vinyl anymore. I've also had problems with their CDs now I think about it. But at least Burning Shed has a great no quibble replacement policy. 

If I could sum up the sound of this in one word, it would be 'flat'.  Massively disappointing would be an understatement.  The vinyl version supposedly uses a less compressed remaster done by Steven Wilson and yet my CD version is miles better.  The vinyl is dynamically stunted, no air, space, or indeed top end extension.  It is also recorded at a low level so needs cranking up to get a decent volume which emphasises surface noise, of which there is a disappointingly large amount.

A waste of my precious cash; there is nothing here that would make me want to listen to this LP over my CD version.

Sadly, I now fear for SQ of the forthcoming release of In Absentia which I have also ordered.

A very sad state of affairs.

Ian

Sorry to take so long to get back to you guys about this album.

It has been a missing PT album from my collection for years, and i'm really not familiar with it. My first listen to Deadwing on the CD last Friday [while the vinyl awaited a go on the RCM] but my initial conclusion is the musical content is no where near as good as i expected considering Deadwing represents a seemingly exulted PT album - with first vinyl release copies selling pre-owned for inflated prices. For some reason i was expecting it to be more like Voyage 34 but it's not.... Deadwing is dull and dire and i had my fill after just one listen, didn't really want to play the vinyl. But after i read the comments above [from Clive and Ian] my curiosity got the better and on the LP12 the vinyl went. Personally; and again talking of the musical content; it's certainly dull and dire on steroids but IMO it's musically over-engineered with too much studio mixing in instrumentals which seems to add it's weight to the saddened sonic wall of flatness... which perhaps is not the worse i've heard but i was expecting something truly exceptional after reading the marketing blurb* [above in blue italics]. 

So yes, i concur,  very disappointed bunny here : (

Debs

Debs,

It's a funny album is Deadwing and it really seems to divide opinion, musically.  I find it to be a mix of some really excellent tracks that just grow better with each listen and some fillers that don't hit the mark at all, pretty much for the reasons you state.

It is also odd in that the CD version has a really low DR rating but actually sounds pretty good on my NDS (proof IMO that DR ratings never tell the whole story about a recording).  Which is also why I was expecting the vinyl (as per the aforementioned blurb) to sound even better; which as you too have discovered it doesn't; at least in sonic terms.

Strangely, when I spoke to Burning Shed, they told me that they have had positive feedback about the SQ of the record.  I was beginning to think I must have cloth ears all of a sudden but thanks to you agreeing with my view, believe it may in fact be others who are so afflicted!

Regardless of musical content, and as Richard references in an earlier post, it is beyond belief that record companies can make such a mess of things in this day and age, especially at the price they are charging for new vinyl.

Cheers,

Ian

Bought at Café Oto in London after seeing a brilliant performance from them there:

from Rough Trade: Nottingham.  Fever Ray, Plunge ...

And Anna Von Hausswolff, Dead Magic...