For those readers new to this column, please read the introductory comments in Part one here.
There’s an old stereotype out there that audiophiles don’t really like music, but rather just like playing with equipment. There’s even a “quote” that constantly surfaces, wrongly attributed to Alan Parsons (who never actually said it) that ‘Audiophiles don’t use their systems to listen to your music, but use your music to listen to their systems.’ Though I have actually known a few individuals who might fall into that category, for the most part I haven’t seen it to be overall or generally true.
I’ve been lucky in that over the past fifty years or so, since I first became aware of “audiophiles” while in college, I’ve had the opportunity to know a lot of audiophiles. With few exceptions, pretty much every audiophile I’ve known over the years has had an extensive record, CD, tape, or download collection. One friend back in the 1980s had over thirty-five thousand LPs on library style shelves in an otherwise small two bedroom Hollywood apartment. Amazingly he had thorough knowledge of every one of them. He had a killer system there, too.
And so it has been throughout the years. Even if I haven’t personally liked the music they chose to listen to, almost all the participants I’ve met in this hobby had extensive music collections, and both a deep understanding and love the music they choose.
My favorite audiophile gatherings haven’t been so much equipment related, but rather when we gather some audio buddies together where each of us brings some music to share. It might be some old favorites we think others in the group haven't heard, or it might some new release that someone just got that the rest of the group hadn’t had a chance to hear yet. I tend to bring music that might be out of others general focus, but that maybe they will still find fun or interesting. These are all music-first gatherings and no so much about the equipment, and the conversation tends towards discussing the music being shared.
One thing I’ve noticed about people who joke about or claim audiophiles don’t really like music seems to stem from the type of music many audiophiles do listen to. Usually it boils down to a lack of mentions of modern pop, hip hop, or rap. Sorry if my listening to classical, prog rock, bluegrass, Americana, or a dozen other varied types of music doesn’t count in the naysayers minds because I might have skipped the latest pop or hip-hop release. We all like what we like, though many of us still look for new things to like, especially among genres or styles we maybe aren’t all that familiar with.
But I’ll bet when I, or most any other audiophile, put on an album, regardless of who it might be by, we pay a lot closer attention to it than any of the anti-audiophile types who claim to love music more than us.
Gentle Giant, Gentle Giant
Label: Vertigo – 6360020, Vertigo – 6360 020
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Gatefold, Spaceship Labels
Country: UK
Released: 1973
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock
This is Gentle Giant’s first album though the same cover art was used again for the American release of their third album Three Friends. From the very first song of theirs I heard while in high school, Gentle Giant been a favorite band of mine. In their heyday, they actually put out more great albums (7) than Yes (6), Genesis (5 in the Peter Gabriel era) or ELP (5), but they hardly received the level of recognition of those bands. Maybe because they are also certainly more challenging for many listeners than those other bands to listen to. I have never heard any other band that sounds anything like them.
Tracklist:
A1 - Giant 6:23
A2 - Funny Ways 4:23
A3 - Alucard 6:01
A4 - Isn't It Quiet And Cold? 3:53
B1 - Nothing At All 9:08
B2 - Why Not? 5:31
B3 - The Queen 1:40
https://open.qobuz.com/album/0004228426242
Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys, For The Last Time
Label: United Artists Records – UA-LA216-J2
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Terre Haute Pressing Box Set
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: Jazz, Rock, Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country, Swing, Western Swing
Under Merle Haggard’s direction this session was recorded over a two day span (December 3 & 4, 1973), and included four members of the band that had played with Wills way back in the 1930s. This is a really nice album of some of his best songs. Sounds somewhat like they tried to create a vintage sound (certainly not an audiophile issue) while capturing the essence of Western Swing.
Unfortunately, there is a tragic side to this record, at least as I understand it. The story I’ve read, but is not mentioned on his Wikipedia page, is that on the first day of the session, Bob Wills actively directed the band through four tracks. Wills suffered a massive stroke that night and fell into a coma, never regaining consciousness, though he survived until 1975. The Playboys and Merle Haggard finished the remaining tracks to complete the album as a tribute to the bandleader.
Tracklist:
A1 - Playboy Theme 1:30
A2 - Yearning (Just For You) 2:38
A3 - Faded Love 3:15
A4 - What Makes Bob Holler 2:30
A5 - Stay All Night (Stay A Little Longer) 3:04
A6 - Goin' Away Party 2:40
B1 - Big Balls In Cowtown 2:40
B2 - Keeper Of My Heart 3:35
B3 - Twin Guitar Boogie 3:15
B4 - Bubbles In My Beer 2:52
B5 - Blue Bonnet Lane 2:12
B6 - When You Leave Amarillo (Turn Out The Lights) 2:47
C1 - San Antonio Rose 3:07
C2 - I Wonder If You Feel The Way I Do 2:47
C3 - My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You 2:47
C4 - Miss Molly 2:17
C5 - I Can't Go On This Way 2:22
C6 - That's What I Like 'Bout The South 2:42
D1 - Silver Lake Blues 2:45
D2 - Milk Cow Blues 4:59
D3 - Comin' Down From Denver 2:47
D4 - Baby, That Would Sure Go Good 3:14
D5 - She's Really Gone 2:43
D6 - Crippled Turkey 1:55
https://open.qobuz.com/album/0724382833154
Blind Faith, Blind Faith
Label: ATCO Records – SD 33-304B
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, MO - Monarch Press
Country: US
Released: Jul 21, 1969
Genre: Rock, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Born from the dissolution of Cream, basically swapping Jack Bruce for Ric Grech on bass and adding Steve Winwood on vocals, guitar and keyboards. They didn’t last long and this is their only album. This particular LP is an original from 1969, as far “original” can be considered with the second, less controversial, cover art. As good as this album is, it's almost sad knowing the story behind the band and its inevitable brief lifespan. And, in spite of his reputation and the documentary Beware of Mister Baker, Ginger Baker remains as one of my favorite drummers.
Tracklist:
A1 - Had To Cry Today 8:49
A2 - Can't Find My Way Home 3:17
A3 - Well All Right 4:28
A4 - Presence Of The Lord 4:50
B1 - Sea Of Joy 5:22
B2 - Do What You Like 15:20
https://open.qobuz.com/album/0060253780363
Talking Heads, More Songs About Buildings And Food
Label: Sire – SRK 6058
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Winchester Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave
I saw Talking Heads play in the student union of RIT when I there in college, touring for the initial release of their first album. Though I always thought their frenetic early albums would grow old or sound dated, they still sound as innovative and fresh as they did back then. In fact, I probably enjoy this, their second album, even more now than when I first heard it. I just wish they were better recorded/produced.
I bought two original 1978 copies used for $1.99 each at a thrift store a while ago, and both cleaned up nicely. One for me to replace my long gone original and the other for my son’s slowly growing record collection.
Tracklist:
A1 -Thank You For Sending Me An Angel 2:11
A2 - With Our Love 3:30
A3 - The Good Thing 3:03
A4 - Warning Sign 3:55
A5 - The Girls Want To Be With The Girls 2:37
A6 - Found A Job 5:00
B1 - Artists Only 3:34
B2 - I'm Not In Love 4:33
B3 - Stay Hungry 2:39
B4 - Take Me To The River 5:00
B5 - The Big Country 5:30
https://open.qobuz.com/album/0603497940950
Talking Heads, Speaking In Tongues
Label: Sire – 1-23883, Sire – 9 23883-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Allied Pressing
Country: US
Released: Jun 1983
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: New Wave, Pop Rock, Funk
A surprisingly light and fun album from Talking Heads that still manages not to lose any of their basic sound or character. Another $1.99 thrift store purchase to replace my stolen original that cleaned up like new. It does bug me how much time and money I've had to put into just trying to buy replacement copies of the records that were stolen years ago.
Tracklist:
A1 - Burning Down The House 4:00
A2 - Making Flippy Floppy 4:36
A3 - Girlfriend Is Better 4:25
A4 - Slippery People 3:30
A5 - I Get Wild/Wild Gravity 4:06
B1 - Swamp 5:09
B2 - Moon Rocks 5:04
B3 - Pull Up The Roots 5:08
B4 - This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) 4:56
https://open.qobuz.com/album/0603497940929
Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers, Straight Ahead
Label: Concord Jazz – CJ-168
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Jazz
Style: Hard Bop
I guess I don't listen to jazz as much as many audiophiles. Not that I don't like it, but more that I look for spontaneity and the surprise of a great improvisation when listening to jazz, and once I know the piece on record, some of that is missing for me. Mostly it means I don't revisit my jazz albums very often.
Having said that, this is a thoroughly wonderful album, recorded live in 1981 on the Concord Jazz label. Everyone on this album plays superbly, including a young Wynton Marsalis, just short of his 20th birthday. I never get tired of Blakey's style.
Tracklist:
A1 - Falling In Love With Love 7:52
A2 - My Romance 3:30
A3 - Webb City 9:53
B1 - How Deep Is The Ocean 9:32
B2 - E. T. A. 6:09
B3 - The Theme 2:56
(Qobuz does not have this)
Vanilla Fudge, Near The Beginning
Label: ATCO Records – SD 33-278
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, MO - Monarch Pressing
Country: US
Released: Feb 1969
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock
A 1969 original I picked up in excellent condition as another repalcement record. Sure it sounds dated, and isn't quite as good as Vanilla Fudge's first album released in 1967, but what better example of psychadelic-proto-metal covers of pop tunes can you find that Vanilla Fudge? Their cover of “Some Velvet Morning” makes Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra's original (already pretty bizarre) sound downright mundane! Side two’s live recording is just a showcase for each member of the band to show off, and to great affect. Carmine Appice’s playing on this album really made me want to take up playing the drums.
Tracklist:
A1 - Shotgun 6:10
A2 - Some Velvet Morning 7:34
A3 - Where Is Happiness 6:59
B - Break Song 23:27
(Qobuz has an extended verion with three bonus tracks)
https://open.qobuz.com/album/fvxdse53q34qt
The Roches, The Roches
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 7599-27390-1
Series: WEA Vinyl Revival
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition (#268), Reissue, 180g
Country: Germany
Released: 1997
Genre: Rock
Style: Folk Rock
I found this limited edition (#268 out of who knows how many) German reissue at either CES or T.H.E. Show in Las Vegas. In addition to their odd harmonies and off-the-wall lyrics, there are plenty of great songs to love on this album. Sparse and crystal-clear production from Robert Fripp just adds to the enjoyment. Other than the three Roche sisters, only Fripp and Tony Levin on bass participate. I’ve loved this album since the first time I heard the original LP in 1979.
Tracklist:
A1 - We 2:33
A2 - Hammond Song 5:41
A3 - Mr. Sellack 4:00
A4 - Damned Old Dog 4:03
A5 - The Troubles 3:24
B1 - The Train 3:27
B2 - The Married Men 4:30
B3 - Runs In The Family 3:27
B4 - Quitting Time 4:16
B5 - Pretty And High 4:05
https://open.qobuz.com/album/0075992739061
Cowboy Junkies, The Trinity Session
Label: RCA – 8568-1-R
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Hauppauge Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Rock
Style: Folk Rock, Country Rock
I bought this LP shortly after it came out, and after the first time I heard about the band. Surprised to see this came out in 1988. I could have sworn it was much older than that. Justly famous for both its style and its sound. You can't get much slower or mellower than this. But every song works, and it is an album I wouldn't want to be without. The single microphone to DAT recording shows that not all early digital recordings sounded bad. Maybe they aren’t credited with being the first “slowcore” band, but they certainly set the table for it.
Tracklist:
A1 - Mining For Gold 1:34
A2 - Misguided Angel 4:58
A3 - I Don't Get It 4:34
A4 - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry 5:24
A5 - To Love Is To Bury 4:47
B1 - 200 More Miles 5:29
B2 - Dreaming My Dreams With You 4:28
B3 - Sweet Jane 3:41
B4 - Postcard Blues 3:28
B5 - Walking After Midnight 5:54
https://open.qobuz.com/album/0743211835626
Elliott Carter, The Composers Quartet, String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2
Label: Nonesuch – H-71249
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Country: US
Released: n/a
Genre: Classical
Style: Contemporary
Recorded in 1970 under the supervision of Carter himself. I purchased this record while in college sometime in the late 1970s. Another excellent-sounding Nonesuch release of a modern composer mastered by Bob Ludwig. Somewhat surprising since they pack over thirty minutes onto side two.
Like music from too many modern composers, I find the quartets interesting but lacking a sense of melody or theme, thus leaving me feeling that they are not much more than an exercise in sound. Well played and recorded, but nothing that would ever make me think "Oh, I have to listen to that later today!"
I liked a lot of these 20th Century composers more when I was younger.
Tracklist:
A - String Quartet No. 1 (1951)
A1 - Fantasia: Maestoso - Allegro Scorrevole 11:57
A2 - Allegro Scorrevole - Adagio 12:30
B1 - Variations 13:14
B2 - String Quartet No. 2 (1959) 19:59
Qobuz has several version of the Carter String Quartets available, just not this one.
