Crate Diggers (What are you listening to now vinyl edition)

I had some interesting finds today. There was a Baroness album I hadn't heard yet, two Keith Jarrett albums I didn't already own, and a nice looking copy of Graceland. There was also a box of Karajan Beethoven Symphonies; I'm not sure about this particular release, but all the vinyl was in great shape.

I also found a box set from North Texas State University (my college) that was well packaged with some dark green vinyl. It looks like it was probably a shitty pressing, but I'd have probably bought it even if it was completely worn flat. I'd call it equal parts curiosity and nostalgia.

 

That Baroness album is excellent

 

So, I had an Eno binge....all four new re-releases. Sound quality is excellent, what with these and the half speed mastered John Martyn Solid Air pressing, the process can clearly have excellent results particularly for high frequency resolution. The downside with the 45rpm on these is of course the flipping every 10 ish minutes. Not fun.

 

Here's a handful of Musicmatters reissues of some classic that arrived today. They were delayed in arriving as they were delivered to my neighbor instead of me (he got my vinyl, and I got his). So I got some great records and found another vinyl guy right across the street.

 

I recently went to NYC, Toronto and Detroit and picked up a *ton* of records. Around 70% jazz and of the jazz around 70% were RVG mastered with a fair amount of originals (like the two in front there). Killer haul and I should have around another 20 coming. Best part is, for the most part, I paid way under discogs for most of these.

 

Saw him last weekend, and it motivated me to finally plop down the money for what might be my favorite ever live album

 

So for whatever reason I recently decided to start down the rabbit hole of trying to find a good copy of Dark side of the Moon on vinyl.

I've already received an early Canadian pressing, an early US pressing, and a UK copy from (I think) the third pressing.

The condition isn't ideal on any of them. The US copy is unlistenable, the UK copy has quite a bit as well, but it's low enough to tune out for much of the record.

The Canadian pressing isn't bad though. It isn't dead quiet, but it's not too worn and actually sounds quite good. The master on that one is good enough that I can ignore the ticks and pops. I'd say that I easily prefer it to my early '90s MoFi CD.

I can't really say I overpaid for any of the copies I bought (still have a Dutch and another UK pressing on the way), but so far that Canadian pressing is the only one that was a good outcome. Hopefully the others that are headed my way are at least halfway decent.

This was a bit like gambling on tubes with process that seemed a bit to good to be true. I've actually done that quite a bit as well, but I think I've actually had a much higher success rate with potentially sketchy tubes. I wish someone could just do a Musicmatters quality job on this album.

 

Get the 30th Anniversary version. Well, at least that's the one I ended up with and quite like.

 

I got a good deal on a MoFi 45 master of Billy Joel's 52nd Street. Even though you'd assume that they at least took some care in the production, I was still surprised that there was absolutely no noise. All I did was clean the stylus before side one and then give each side a quick brush before playing it (no RCM / no Zerostat).

 

Nice. My 33 of 52nd Street I got for $3, and there are a bunch of pops and noise. Good album though.

 

Few new albums spinning this weekend.

 

Records I've acquired over the past six months. Putting more effort into collecting music rather than collecting gear. There's no turning back now.


Edit: I overpaid for a vinylmeplease subscription to obtain their special repress of Demon Days. Sounds quite exquisite.

 

Shit, I'd love to have Demon Days on vinyl. Original is expensive as hell.

 

Picked up a lovely condition original UK pressing of Moondog (CBS 63906) for a good price.




Gotta love the advert on the sleeve

 

Here's a hidden gem for anyone who's not heard this fantastic album before. Great sounding pressing too.
Also available on non-limited black vinyl

 

If you like Vocal Jazz you need to buy this 3LP release ASAP. Sound and performance both 10. Record pressing gets a 7; I don't like hearing clicks on brand new vinyl. May improve when I stick it in the ultrasonic... will update if that is the case.

 

Trying to do this pic better since I moved the turntable to the top. The cover has seen better times but the record is still fine.