It's been a very passionate and rewarding journey for me when it comes to Patricia Barber and her music. As a long term resident of Chicago, I was able to see her and her band perform at the Green Mill many times over the last 30 years. Though she is now performing at several additional venues when in town like the Winter's Jazz Club, her concerts at the Green Mill were a legendary weekly institution for many of us.
Primarily known as a singer songwriter with a definite focus on jazz, it is still very difficult to identify and label her within any one musical genre. Along with her own songs, her interpretations of many jazz and pop/rock standards are wonderfully creative and entertaining. Patricia is also highly underrated as a pianist and vocalist. Her sense of timing and style are without peer. She can gently sweep you off your feet with romance and wit, or have you standing tall rocking with the best air guitar. From top to bottom, she is just one fantastic musician and performer!
Just as important, her band members have always included some of the most brilliant and accomplished musicians in the industry. For this recording, this includes the following:
Patricia Barber – piano, vocal, table knives on strings
Michael Arnopol – bass
John McLean – guitar
Mark Walker – drums, percussion, prepared drum kit
Dave Douglas – trumpet
Jeff Stitely – udu drums
Choral Thunder Vocal Choir
I am a definite completest when it comes Patricia. I own and have reviewed virtually all of her releases on several different formats and labels including CD, SACD, and vinyl. All are spectacular presentations of music, performance and sound quality. My favorite four albums and what many might consider her "big four" include: Café Blue, Nightclub, Companion and Modern Cool. Those first three have all been reissued by IMPEX Records as 45 RPM 1Steps. In many ways, the production, packaging and sound quality of these titles are considered the industry standard for 1Step reissues. Some of you might be familiar with the term, "the IMPEX treatment." That says it all!
The New IMPEX Modern Cool Reissue
This time around, IMPEX has taken a different approach to this final release of the big four. This is not a 45 RPM 1Step. By that I mean, IMPEX has utilized a standard pressing process and not the 1Step process. The vinyl is cut at 33 RPM and not at 45 RPM. It does, however, utilize the new VR900-D2 super vinyl, like many of the most recent 1Step reissues. It also does not include a traditional 1Step type slip cover or something similar, but it does include a beautifully designed thick gatefold jacket and a delightful 16 page heavy stock, high gloss booklet. The booklet comes with complete lyrics and exclusive session photos from Patricia Barber's personal photographer Valerie Booth.
Originally recorded by the award winning and highly acclaimed recording engineer Jim Anderson, Modern Cool has been newly remastered and cut by another industry icon, Bernie Grundman, who also used David Glasser's original master. Again, like many 1Steps, the very best engineers have supported this reissue from beginning to end.
I think that Abey Fonn, Robert Sliger, and Bob Donnelly over at IMPEX have been listening and paying attention to customer feedback. This is a two LP release priced at $89.99, and not the typical $125 to $150 or more for many current 1Steps. It seems that they are providing many but not all of the same features. In particular, there has been a definite calling lately for more 33 RPM reissues of this quality, but the level of interest and demand has still to be clearly defined. It will be interesting to see if this might be the new sweet spot and combination for elite audiophile LP reissues. We shall see!
Comparisons and Sound Quality
Regardless of the format, all of the Patricia Barber original releases and reissues sound superb, and that includes the original CD and vinyl released in 1998. This is a testament to recording engineer Jim Anderson and his digital recordings. Yes, I said digital recordings! If there was ever proof that a digital source can still produce state of the art sound on vinyl, Patricia Barber's entire discography is that proof!
I have four comparisons for this review. This includes the original 1998 Premonition Records LP, the 2014 Premonition Records reissue LP, the 2002 MOFI SACD, and the 2005 MOFI 45 RPM LP box set. I will also include the current Discog's median and high selling prices in my comments on each. I think that this is an important variable in terms of understanding potential value.
Cut at 33 RPM, the single disc OG might surprise many, as it provides an impressive presentation with outstanding dynamics and punch—never over the top or edgy, and always very exciting. Maybe not as layered and three dimensional as the other options, all in all, this is one enjoyable LP pressing from almost every perspective. Unfortunately, I found my copy to have somewhat noisy vinyl, which can sometimes be the case from that era. It carries a median price of $100 on Discogs and with a high selling price of $199.
The 2014 Premonition is a 33 RPM two LP reissue, and it too has much to offer. Possibly the widest and deepest soundstage of the bunch, it packs a punch in terms of speed and immediacy when compared to the OG. Unfortunately, this has also allowed for some significant thinness and sibilance on Patricia's vocals during several tracks. A slight tweak to the VTA on my cartridge did curtail this to some extent, but it was not eliminated. The Discogs median price is $71 with a high of $198.
Next up was the 2002 MOFI SACD. Believe it or not, until the new IMPEX reissue hit my turntable, this SACD might have been my favorite of all these options. There was a certain correctness to the level of warmth and midrange weight presented by the various instruments and vocals that I found very enjoyable. Bass performance was exceptional with additional slam and clarity. There was a relaxed ease and flow to the music, yet the SACD still offered an amazing amount of energy and resolution. The Discogs median price was $55 with a high of $102.
Last but not least, we have the 2005 MOFI 45 RPM three LP box set. I have all of the Patricia Barber MOFI 45 RPM reissues and almost all of them had excessive background noise with occasional clicks and pops, despite several thorough cleanings. Maybe I expected more for the $60 pricing when purchased way back then, but it was a consistent problem. The 45 RPM cut did afford additional inner detail, texture and dynamic expression over the other options. Like the SACD, there was an appealing level of warmth and weight that was quite engaging, but on my system, I preferred the tighter more extended slam of the SACD. The Discogs median price was $265 with a high of $453. Ouch!
With my first needle drop on the IMPEX, I almost immediately knew that this was going to be different. The 33 RPM cut did not hold anything back. The astonishingly quiet VR900-V2 vinyl was also a major contributor. The walls of my listening room had now totally disappeared. The clarity and definition of the upper registers of all the musicians and Barbara's voice now popped out of a deep black background. There just seemed to be more air and three dimensional space around each instrument, well beyond the other pressings. Bass was even tighter and with more impact than the SACD, if that was even possible. The level of attack and newly revealed special cues were sometimes startling. All of this was provided with a natural and very organic sweetness and bloom at all frequencies. Without question, IMPEX has hit this one out of the proverbial ball park!
Two of Our Favorites - Abey Fonn and Patricia Barber at AXPONA 2025
Specific Tracks
"Touch of Trash" is one of my all-time favorite Patricia Barber compositions. When describing the main character in question, Patricia uses the expression, "she's just a button short of trash," also one of my all-time favorite lyrics. On this new IMPEX pressing, the bass has a muscularity and authority that will rattle your listening room walls. The dynamic swings and visceral excitement of both percussion and guitar will have your head spinning as the sound swirls across the sound stage and explodes in all directions. You might even check behind your listening chair to make sure that someone has not snuck in a few rear channel speakers. This track provides a new benchmark for transient speed and dynamic agility.
"Light My Fire" is one of those vocal standards that requires just the right amount of emotional nuance and sophistication to pull off correctly. Barbara has it all in spades. Again, her effortless yet marvelous style and timing are all on display here. The highlight on this track might just be Dave Douglas on trumpet. The sonic beauty of his horn floats in the air with a subtle urgency and flow that would make Miles smile from ear to ear. Like a romantic and intimate dance, and as they rotate and exchange their individual time on the microphone, each of their solos will draw you in and leave you yearning for more. Again, the IMPEX pressing just finds a way to bring you closer to the music, even on the most alluring and seductive tracks!
Bartrcia Barber and band at AXPONA 2025
Final Thoughts
The IMPEX team has provided something very special with this new reissue of Modern Cool. A new bench mark has been established for an outstanding essential album. Regardless of your taste in music or favorite genre, Modern Cool, Café Blue, Nightclub, and Companion should all be strongly considered for every collection. Patricia Barber is a true American treasure that should be enjoyed by all!
This reissue is just another example of what IMPEX can do when they get their hands on an important recording. There has recently been several unexpected choices from IMPEX that are quite the revelation. I was unfamiliar with them all, but I have been spending time with each and I cannot keep them of my turntable. That includes Donovan's The Hurdy Gurdy Man, Al Di Meola's Elegant Gypsy, and The Young Bloods' Elephant Mountain. I cannot wait for what might come next!
Caveat Emptor
It cannot be overstated that system synergy and personal taste are critical when evaluating high-end audio products and the music that is presented. These reviews are based on my subjective requirements, my subjective ears, my specific system configuration, and my specific listening room. Please consider my comments and analysis appropriately.
Review System
I have included a comprehensive list of all my components and a description of my listening room. Please click on my name in red above if this information is needed for reference and comparison purposes.
IMPEX Records
Elusive Disc
