Unbiased reviews of new vinyl releases, audiophile reissues, and more

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Show Review: Brian Wilson at San Francisco Art Exchange -- January 23, 2010

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Last night, a group of roughly one hundred invited guests were treated to the experience of a lifetime as musician, composer, and Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson performed with four members of his band at the San Francisco Art Exchange. SFAE's co-founders, Theron Kabrich and Jim Hartley, hosted the event as a celebration of a "very special collaboration." The performance was in conjunction with the promotion of That Lucky Old Sun, an exclusive fine art book and screen print set from Genesis Publications created by visual artist, Sir Peter Blake, in cooperation with Brian Wilson, and inspired by the album of the same name.

Monday, January 18, 2010

The Rolling Stones in Concert: Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! -- Super Deluxe Edition Vinyl Box Set



Abkco has recently reissued the landmark 1969 concert album, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! in both deluxe and super deluxe edition box sets. The super deluxe vinyl edition, reviewed here, includes the original album, remastered for this release, plus five previously unreleased Stones tracks from the 1969 shows at Madison Square Garden, five tracks from B.B. King's opening performances at the Garden, and seven tracks from opening act, Ike and Tina Turner--all pressed on 180 gram vinyl. Also included is the Maysles Brothers' Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! DVD, which contains performances of the five unreleased Stones songs, as well as backstage footage and video of the photo sessions for the Ya-Ya's album cover. Finally, there is a replica concert poster and a full-size 56-page booklet containing essays, Ethan Russell photos, and the original Lester Bangs album review.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Show Review: The Beatles Love -- Cirque Du Soleil at The Mirage, Las Vegas



I've just returned from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and the most exciting news I have to share isn't a new set of speakers, a fantastic turntable, or even of a new series of audiophile pressings from a yet-to-be remastered artist. Last week, I finally saw Cirque Du Soleil's production of The Beatles Love at The Mirage, Las Vegas, and it was well worth the wait--and without question, the highlight of my trip.

In 1979, just beginning my teenage years, I went to see Beatlemania with a few friends. For the most part, I was underwhelmed, and have since been mostly skeptical of any effort showcasing The Beatles. Now, thirty years later, I wasn't expecting to be truly blown away by how good this show would be--I enjoyed it so much, I went back to see it a second time the very next evening.