Exclusive Sneak Preview: The Rolling Stones -- Exile on Main St Super Deluxe Vinyl Box Set

Next Tuesday, May 18, 2010, The Rolling Stones will finally release the highly anticipated Deluxe Edition of Exile on Main St. This reissue will be released in four formats:  Exile on Main St, Exile on Main St (Dlx), Exile on Main St [Vinyl], and the Super Deluxe Vinyl Box Set.  Longtime fans and collectors have been left wondering whether it will be worth it to spring for the Super Deluxe set, when much of it will be available separately?

Peter Wolf: Midnight Souvenirs 2 LP Vinyl

Peter Wolf is back, with Midnight Souvenirs, his first album since his fantastic, yet criminally underappreciated  2002 effort, Sleepless. Eight years is a long time between albums, and new fans and old should be happy to know that this record was worth waiting for. Recalling a time when artists dared to defy categorization within a single genre, Wolf calls upon rock, country, blues, and  R&B influences in the wide range of songs performed on the record.

The Album
Wolf builds upon the strength of Sleepless, with no less than three duets on this latest effort. On Tragedy, Wolf recalls Nothing But the Wheel, his duet with Mick Jagger--and arguably the finest moment on Sleepless. This time, Shelby Lynne acts as Wolf's perfect foil--and as they trade verses, you never once consider that Wolf is nearly 25 years her senior. 

Exclusive Sneak Preview: John Coltrane -- A Love Supreme -- 45 RPM Analogue Productions 180 Gram Vinyl

Nearly two years ago, when Analogue Productions first announced their upcoming 45 RPM Impulse Jazz Series, there were a myriad of questions about it: Who would do the mastering? Where would the vinyl be pressed? Which tapes would be used? Would there be gatefold covers?  Now, after the first six titles have been released and most of those questions answered, Chad Kassem's Analogue Productions is about to release the most highly anticipated title of the series.

Special Feature: Remembering Alex Chilton

(Andy Hummel, Jody Stephens, Alex Chilton--at the Peabody Hotel, Memphis; photo courtesy of Eggleston Trust)

ALEX AND BOB /  Bruce Eaton

One night a few days after Alex passed away, I was sort of adrift for a book to read (nightly ritual – a half hour of reading before turning out the light), and pulled out the Jonathon Cott compilation of Bob Dylan interviews. A lot of the interviewers noted that although Bob had the reputation as being quite the difficult interviewee, if you asked him about subjects that he felt like talking about, he was quite the opposite. That’s pretty much the way it was with Alex and it reminded me of some notes I had buried away for a possible sidebar in my book that I had shelved early on: an imaginary scenario in which Bob Dylan ended up with Alex Chilton’s career path. I haven’t changed it much other than a little editing, and I’m not really sure why the idea hit me in the first place. But it was fun to put together (readers…feel free to add your own twists--it’s good fodder for a barroom conversation), and underneath it all I knew there was a point: that Bob and Alex were a lot a like in some ways--only the circumstances of how their careers unfolded were different. If Bob’s monumental records in the mid-60’s had bombed, he might have easily followed the Chilton trail . . .

Record Store Day 2010: John Lennon Singles Bag, The Rolling Stones -- Plundered My Soul, Neil Young -- Heart of Gold, The Jimi Hendrix Experience -- Live at Clark University, The Flaming Lips -- Dark Side of the Moon

Now that Record Store Day 2010 has come and gone, chances are that you either couldn't find all of the items you wanted or you couldn't quite decide what was worth picking up. Despite the fact that most of the items were limited, Record Store Day exclusives, many have already made it to Amazon or Ebay--so if you want them, grab them now. Here are a few of the more popular items that you might have been intersted in.

Neil Young Greatest Hits -- 180 Gram Warner/Reprise Vinyl (with bonus 7" single)

 
With the recent development of Classic Records' entire catalog going out of print, record collectors and audiophiles have been scurrying to snap up the titles they haven't yet picked up, in case they're never repressed again. Luckily, some of the finest titles in their catalog, such as The Who's  Quadrophenia and Tommy, Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue, and Big Star's Radio City, are still available at or near original list prices.

Fortunately, most of the titles from Neil Young, including Live At the Fillmore East, and the magnificent, Live At Massey Hall, are now being pressed by Warner/Reprise, using the same excellent masterings from Chris Bellman. Likewise, Warner/Reprise, through their Because Sound Matters campaign, has also taken over production of Greatest Hits, which I am reviewing today.

Alex Chilton turns the page . . .

Last Wednesday, we lost one of pop music's finest. Alex Chilton was a singer, guitarist, and composer of some of the greatest pop songs ever created.


There are basically two kinds of pop songs that move me: those that make me feel young, and those that remind me of what it was like to be young. With Big Star, Alex Chilton succeeded in doing both of these things, like almost no one else. To this day, Big Star is virtually unknown, compared to many of the artists, such as Cheap Trick, The Bangles, and R.E.M., who were so fundamentally influenced by them. Yet, once you hear them, chances are you'll be hooked.

Short Spin: The Jimi Hendrix Experience -- Electric Ladyland 180 Gram Legacy Vinyl

In conjunction with the "new" 2-LP vinyl release from Jimi Hendrix, Valleys Of Neptune, Sony/Legacy has reissued remastered vinyl editions of First Rays Of The Rising Sun, as well as the three "proper" albums from the Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love, and Electric Ladyland. Today, Myvinylreview examines Legacy's 180 gram reissue of the third and final release from the Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland (1968).

The Rolling Stones: Plundered My Soul / All Down the Line 7" Single -- Coming for Record Store Day (April 17, 2010)

Click here to go directly to an Exclusive Sneak Preview of the Exile on Main St Super Deluxe Vinyl Box Set
Fans of the Rolling Stones won't have to wait quite as long as originally thought to get a taste of the expanded deluxe version of Exile on Main St, scheduled to hit the streets on May 18, 2010. Available in select independent stores on Record Store Day (April 17, 2010), is a special 7" single, featuring a previously unreleased track from the Exile sessions at Nellcôte.

The Smiths: The Queen Is Dead -- 180 gram Rhino Vinyl Reissue

Rhino continues its vinyl campaign with a foray into Eighties alternative territory, with reissues of the four proper studio releases from British indie band, The Smiths. Here, I review their 180 gram reissue of the band's third and most commercially successful studio record, The Queen is Dead.

The Who Play Superbowl Halftime Show--What is happening with Classic Records' final two Who Releases?

Following the 2010 Super Bowl Halftime performance by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, also known as The Who, you begin to wonder how much longer these two guys can continue. Like The Rolling Stones, Pete and Roger aren't getting any younger--and unlike the Stones, they've released only one album, Endless Wire (2006), since their last studio release in 1982. Since 2002, when bassist, John Entwistle died, The Who has been down to only half of their orignal lineup. And many would contend, that after Keith Moon's passing in 1978, The Who was never the same.

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

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.

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.

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.

Coming Soon: The Rolling Stones -- Exile on Main St Deluxe Vinyl Edition / Book Review: 33 1/3 Continuum Series

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Show Review: McCoy Tyner Quartet -- Live at Yoshi's Oakland, December 29, 2009

Every time you ask someone to name a living jazz icon, the name McCoy Tyner undoubtedly comes up. As pianist for the legendary John Coltrane Quartet from 1960-1965, and as the leader of his own groups thereafter, Tyner has been one of jazz's most influential figures and continues to inspire pianists around the world.

Tyner and his quartet are back at Yoshi's Oakland, for six nights of shows running from December 29-January 3, 2010. Last night, on the first night of the stand, he showed that he still has what it takes to please a crowd, leaving no doubt why he's had such a lasting impact upon the world of jazz.

2009: The Year in Vinyl

2009 has proved to be another great year to be a vinyl collector and audiophile. The vinyl resurgence continues to gain steam, and because of it, more new releases, archival material, and audiophile reissues are being released on vinyl. Here is a sampling of the best in vinyl from 2009.

Archival Vinyl Release of the Year

Neil Young: Sugar Mountain -- Live at Canterbury House 1968 (Reprise 200 gram vinyl)

In November of 1968, Neil Young was still on the heels of the breakup of Buffalo Springfield and had yet to release his solo debut. For two nights at the Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he would treat a small crowd to a preview of his new record as well as select cuts from his efforts with Buffalo Springfield. Canterbury House reveals a nascent performer engaging in goofy banter with the audience, who delivers a simple, raw vocal performance.

When you drop the needle, it's just Neil and his guitar with you in your living room. While this recording doesn't have quite the presence of Massey Hall, the simplicity of the performance and the recording comes shining through and this superb mastering from Chris Bellman should deliver genuine satisfaction to the audiophile purist and is essential for any fan of Mr. Young.






Honorable Mention




Crosby, Stills & Nash: Demos (Rhino 180 gram)

As great as a vinyl reissue can be, hearing unreleased material for the first time can be even better. CSN went back to the vaults to bring this collection of unreleased demo tracks recorded between 1968-1971. The songs have an unvarnished quality to them that allows you to experience something new and different from songs that you've undoubtedly become intimately familiar with over the past three decades. What sets this set apart from many demo packages is its fantastic sound, which Bernie Grundman accomplishes with a minimum of futzing, simply bringing the vocalist and guitars right into your living room.





45 RPM Jazz Reissue of The Year




Tina Brooks: Back to the Tracks (Music Matters 45 RPM)

With its entrance into the jazz vinyl arena two years ago, Music Matters has single handedly changed the definition of what constitutes an ultra-premium audiophile product. Team leaders Joe Harley and Ron Rambach have done everything right in this series. They're picking superb Blue Note titles--with few, if any duds in the bunch so far. They're using the original analog master tapes. The mastering and cutting of these double 45 RPM sets is being done by the veteran team of Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman, resulting in consistently spectacular sound.



(Left to right: Kevin Gray, Ron Rambach,
Joe Harley, and Steve Hoffman)


Each two-record 45 RPM set comes in a gorgeous, glossy cover made of extra-heavy cardstock. And if all of this isn't enough, there are beautiful, glossy, archival quality Francis Wolff session photos contained inside the gatefold of each and every record issued. The photos alone could easily fetch more than the $50 price of each of these albums.



(Jackie McLean--archival quality photo)

While there are many titles that were released by Music Matters in 2009 that would qualify as superb reissues in the Music Matters series, I'm choosing Tina Brooks' Back to the Tracks for a number of reasons. Brooks happens to be one of my favorite Blue Note aritsts. The album features some of the very best session players of the day, including Blue Mitchell on trumpet and Jackie McLean on alto sax. It exemplifies the famous Blue Note sound, swinging from start to finish. And last but not least, it sounds fantastic--making you feel as if you are "in the room" with the players.


click here to buy
from Music Direct




Honorable Mention




John Coltrane: Giant Steps (Rhino 45 RPM)

Mastered from the original analog master tapes by Bernie Grundman, one immediately notices upon listening to this reissue of this classic title that the 45 RPM format can yield impressive results over 33 RPM, with greater dynamics, faster transients, and more detail immediately coming to the fore. The improved attack and accuracy of the cymbals and realism of the piano are also immediately revealed.

This 45 RPM edition of Giant Steps gives me a similar feeling to listening to my Kind of Blue 45 RPM set. It brings me closer to the performers than I have ever been--and it makes me want to buy a second copy.







Rock Reissue of the Year





Big Star: Radio City (Concord 150 gram, Classic 200 gram Clarity)

2009 saw vinyl reissues of both of Big Star's classic albums: their 1972 debut, #1 Record and their 1974 masterpiece, Radio City. While Chris Bellman did an admirable job on #1 Record, the sonics on his mastering of Radio City are as good or better than the original Ardent vinyl and may very well be definitive.

Available on both 150 gram regular weight vinyl and Classic 200 gram clarity vinyl, this album has simply never sounded better. The bright character of the music has been retained, yet the top end is never strident. The bottom end, as heard on this reissue, brings the music to life in a way that hasn't previously been accomplished. Finally, the all-important midrange faithfully conveys the organic crunch of the guitars and the complexity of the vocals. This reissue is now my preferred way to listen to this power pop classic.


Concord 150 gram


Classic 200 gram



Honorable Mention



Neil Young (Reprise 140 gram)

From the opening instrumental charm of The Emperor of Wyoming, to the fuzz-toned urgency of The Loner and I've Been Waiting for You, to the haunting background vocals of The Old Laughing Lady, this album makes for a compelling listen.

Chris Bellman has done a superb job of transforming this debut album from the sonic mediocrity it has always suffered. In addition to uncovering additional detail, he has kept the EQ on the warm side, and the predominance of vocals, acoustic guitars and strings seem to play better because of it. This is the best I have ever heard this album sound, and it is essential for any fan of Mr. Young.







Soul Reissue of the Year




Marvin Gaye: Let's Get it On (MFSL 180 gram)

This 1973 release was mastered by Shawn Britton for Mobile Fidelity and has very nice stereo separation and imaging, with increased bass extension, more realistic sounding cymbals, and better overall presence than the original Tamla vinyl. The ever-important midrange has also been left intact, allowing Gaye's vocals to shine through with superb clarity and character.




If you don't see your favorite title or you disagree with any of the above choices, feel free to place your comments below. And if there is a particular title you'd like to see reviewed, I'm happy to consider requests. Happy Holidays!

Short Spin: Crosby, Stills & Nash -- 180 gram Rhino Vinyl

Rhino continues their vinyl campaign with the reissue of the self-titled debut from from Crosby, Stills & Nash on 180 gram audiophile quality vinyl. Also known as The Couch Album, this 1969 folk rock classic features songs blending three-part harmonies with acoustic as well as psychedelic-flavored electric guitars.

The original gatefold textured cover has been faithfully reproduced and is made of heavy cardstock, and includes an inner lyric sheet. The 180 gram vinyl is housed in Pallas' preferred poly-lined paper inner sleeve, which I prefer to the stiff poly inner sleeves used by RTI. Pallas is known for their ultra-quiet and clean 180 gram pressings, and the copy I received was no exception, playing quietly from start to finish.

Neil Young: Original Release Series discs 1-4 -- 140 gram vinyl review

As part of the Neil Young Archives reissue campaign that started with the Performance Series releases of Live at the Fillmore East, Live at Massey Hall, and Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House, Reprise continues with reissues of Young's first four albums on vinyl.

Each of the first four titles are available either individually on regular weight 140 gram vinyl or in a limited edition numbered boxset containing all four titles on 180 gram vinyl (available exclusively through NeilYoung.com and BecauseSoundMatters.com). For this review, I compared each of the 140 gram versions to early original U.S. pressings as well as a few of my favorite imports and reissues.

Elvis Costello -- My Aim Is True MFSL 180 gram vinyl

Mobile Fidelity has just released My Aim Is True, the first of three promised titles from Elvis Costello. With this 1977 release, Costello mixed elements of pub rock, rockabilly, and reggae and delivered them with a punk attitude that would come to define a large segment of the popular music scene of the late Seventies and early Eighties, with artists like Joe Jackson following in his footsteps.

Costello is backed on his debut effort by the band Clover--except on the single, Watching the Detectives, where he plays with what would become his regular backing band, The Attractions. Detectives was not included on the original UK Stiff album release, but was added just in time for the U.S. Columbia release. This Mofi pressing is likely one of the only vinyl releases to both use the original analog tapes and include *Detectives.

Short Spin: The Gil Evans Orchestra -- Out of the Cool Impulse 45 RPM 180 gram vinyl

Analogue Productions has finally started releasing titles from their highly anticipated Impulse jazz 45 RPM series. Following the success of their 45 RPM Blue Note jazz series, Analogue Productions, along with a new label, Original Recordings Group (ORG), have each embarked upon campaigns to reissue Impulse jazz titles on 45 RPM 180 gram vinyl.

ORG released their initial Impulse titles in April of this year, including the truly exceptional Live at the Village Vanguard. Among the initial titles just released by Analogue Productions is the 1962 classic from The Gil Evans Orchestra: Out of the Cool.

In preparation for this review, I compared the now out-of-print 33 RPM 180 gram stereo reissue from Alto Analogue, as well as an original Rudy Van Gelder mastered stereo Impulse pressing (which was generously loaned to me by Bay Area analog guru and owner of The Analog Room, Brian Hartsell).

Neil Young: Official Release Series Discs 1-4 Remastered Vinyl and Boxset Coming November 24, 2009

(Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, 1969)
If you are here for reviews of the Neil Young Official Release Series Discs 1-4, please click here to find the Full Reviews.

As part of the Neil Young Archives reissue campaign that started with the Performance Series releases of Live at the Fillmore East, Live at Massey Hall, and Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House, Reprise continues with upcoming vinyl releases of Young's first four albums.


Remastered vinyl editions of Neil Young, Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, After the Goldrush, and Harvest will be released on November 24, 2009. The self-titled 1969 debut release will again feature the original cover art, which was changed shortly after the first vinyl pressings were issued forty years ago.



(After the Goldrush, 1970)


The vinyl will be remastered from the original analog master tapes by Chris Bellman, of Bernie Grundman Mastering. Bellman, who has mastered all of Young's recent vinyl titles, including Greatest Hits, as well as the three live Archives Performance Series titles, has received near-unanimous praise for his job on these titles, and based upon his stellar work on each of them, I have high hopes for these remastered releases as well.



(Harvest, 1972)


The vinyl will be pressed at the Pallas facility in Germany, which is well known for producing ultra-premium vinyl pressings that are flat, clean, and are virtually silent during playback. Each album will be available individually on regular weight 140 gram vinyl. A numbered boxset limited to 3000 copies worldwide, containing 180 gram pressings of each title will also be available exclusively through NeilYoung.com and BecauseSoundMatters.com. Both vinyl versions will use the same mastering and pressing plant.
Stay tuned for a full review of all four remastered releases!










Click here for the review of Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House Vinyl

Click here for the review of Live at Fillmore East and Live at Massey Hall Vinyl