[The Jester]

Sadly the backlog in vinyl pressings are making it less attractive for artists with new releases to include a good vinyl version, selling back catalogue “remasters” is a great money spinner for recording companies to sell their “classic albums” for the third or fourth time, Vinyl original, original CD, remastered CD and now remastered Vinyl, while being a testament to some of those albums being attractive across generations what’s next ?
Those discovering new vinyl may want a better version of albums released in the last 20 years of the enduring “loudness war” after hearing what music can sound like without excessive compression and manipulation, again a nice source of revenue as opposed to nurturing emerging talent which has never been inexpensive, and going with “the next big thing” of ready packaged “talent” from various TV competitions accompanied by the obligatory “music” video, pushing those with the desired market appeal over actual musical talent, luckily there are a few with actual talent that manage to survive the hysteria and realise a successful long term career with enduring support,
So where does that leave the “audiophile” long term ?
Continue to search for better and better remasters of past classic favourites or try to encourage those new artists with real talent to be at their best with the best recording modern technology has to offer, who knows, if vinyl sales continue to increase we may see the end of the “loudness war” and maybe even hear what digital audio can really sound like …
Not holding my breath on that one …

 

[]eep]

Guess what this song is about...

I had it in digital form for a years and I like it. It's at the top of my wanted list.


"Grönland Records released a revised, remastered reissue of Sleepwalkers by David Sylvian. available as a gatefold 2LP with exclusive art print and as a digipak CD in june 2022."

" ‘as many of you will already be aware, despite relatively continuous work on solo albums, i’ve maintained strong ties with a number of musicians throughout my life in one context or another. on this new collection, let’s call it SLEEPWALKERS 2.0, a selection of collaborative work produced over the period encompassing blemish through to manafon, i’ve included compositions by nine horses as well as more fleeting flirtations and one-offs. neglected offspring. represented also is long term friend and writing partner, RYUICHI SAKAMOTO, as well as more recent but potentially equally productive partnerships such as CHRISTIAN FENNESZ, ARVE HENRIKSEN and contemporary classical composer DAI FUJIKURA.

i hope you enjoy the work presented here, personally selected, remixed and sequenced and entirely remastered. these are the orphans, abused, estranged, exotic, migrating from diverse corners of the globe, brought together under one roof which they’re learning to share despite their differences.

we contain multitudes. we’re nothing if not contradictory.’
DAVID SYLVIAN, 2010"

This album is varied and still accessible, as they are not as minimalistic as what followed. There is still a bit of Japan in the sound, some ambient, electronic, sometimes as complex as jazz.
He has made a solo career after Japan but also some very good collaborations with his brother Steve Jansen as 'the Dolphin Brothers', 'Rain Tree Crow' same plus Richard Barbieri, 'Nine Horses' with his brother and Burnt Friedman (stunning album) and cooperations with Robert Fripp and with Holger Czukay.

I saw a new video of Michael 45 this week with the live Japan album 'Exorcising Ghosts'. But as a longtime Japan fan I would not recommend that album. Unless you like live albums. But the studio albums are much better. And he really takes off with 'Brilliant trees'. My favorite is 'Secrets of the beehive' and I would also like a vinyl copy of the 1999 'Dead bees on a cake'.

Artist site https://www.davidsylvian.net/category/releases/albums/


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Fun factoid and goof

I just watched the Quentin Tarantino movie 'Once upon a time in Hollywood' and in Roman Polanskis house was a *drumroll* original Dual 1019 turntable with a not so original AT3600 cartridge. They didn't make those yet when the movie took place.


---

Sniffy Joe's at it again. A continuous source of cringe.

 

[FYFL]

With premium prices on LPs, CD market might experience a resurgence similar to vinyl. Sure, downloads/streaming will grab enormous percentage of the market and it is streaming that will dictate trends for yours to comes. But physical media will continue to be desirable and profitable. With LPs becoming less affordable, CDs will fill the void IMO.
Streaming is the best outlet for upcoming musicians. It’s just the fact. Releasing an album on vinyl for those less known bands is risky for one, and expensive. Unless you wanna put out garbage of a product in such a competitive market. No self respecting artist would submit him/herself to such an embarrassment. Unless you know people who will steer you in the right direction and also care about making your product the best that it could be.
It’s certainly possible.
Chat from Analog Production got his own label APO (Analog Production Originals) that he uses to promote less know artist. Not only do they get a shot to make an amazing product on vinyl, occasionally Chad would offer them to go all they with D2D cutting for maximum impact and offer a SACD release for digital market.
Kevin Gray starts his own label as well. Artist under his labels will definitely not match stardom of Swift or Adel. There are others. So in a way, I do agree with you but there are opportunities out there, but you need to knock on doors and figure out what doors to knock on.
I’ll probably do a showcase of APO records in the very near future. Just to share with the community artists less known and record quality which would put music giants to shame. At least the ridiculously overpriced and trashy records they put out.

 

[FYFL]

Guess what this song is about...

I had it in digital form for a years and I like it.

Quote needed...

Heading out to see Wardruna live but from the thumbnail it looks like Blue Velvet promo. Lol


2hrs later…..
They did bring some.

Ofcause there’s no comparison to a live concert but at least they aren’t torturing me with overloading and muddy bass that sounds like 40feet in diameter Chinese drum.
Pressing - 4.5
Imaging - 4.5
Soundstage - 4
Dynamics - 4.25
Packaging - 4.75
Music - 4
Overall - 4.25
It is a combination of the old and some new material. I guess it’s a happy celebration after long break from touring and doing what they love the most.
Double LP translucent vinyl with black marble accents. There’s a 5 LP version but who needs to flip the record after each song?
Heavy pagan influence with a touch of Viking theme. Certainly not for everyone but unquestionably different musical experience. I think ‘Heilung’ is more creative, original, more technically inclined and polished.

Sample of their music:

 

[]eep]

Lol. Yes, I know it's un-American. Americans are the king of double standards. Sanctimonious hypocrites (*) and the largest porn industry in the world. And the west is seeped with minor attracted persons (the silent P in LGBTQIASP) You can put your kids in the bathtub but if you send a cute photo to grandma you get dragged into court. But there IS a difference between art and abuse. Americans call it 'inappropriate' but that is very culturally defined.

If you can wind back your mind to the age of innocence and not see a child molester behind every tree you can see the beauty, the playfulness, the innocence of youth in these pictures. It's so sad that we always have to assume the worst because there are so many sickos out there. And it is always the dirty minds who accuse others. Even when a father is helping his little daughter on the playground.

* I remember a friend from church telling me of his trip to America. He couldn't believe his eyes: playing the 'born again christian' in church in the morning and going to the tittybar to get drunk in the evening, even inviting him. Thinking that is 'normal'.

** I know of 2 accounts of friends of mine who were accused of sexually molesting children (I'm strongly avoiding the word missionary because catholics have a particularly bad trackrecord as they are part of the root cause). Both were there to help poor people and orphans. One in Bolivia one in India. My friend in India I know since I was 8, he set up several orphanages with his entire enheritamce and he is a saint in every sense of the word. I would have known if he was a MAP. But he was set up because of jealousy.

It's the most common ploy to subject 'elites', to make them susceptible to extortion. Epstein. Pizza. Etc.




But to come back to the song, it's called sleepwalkers. We call them sheep too.

Sylvian has some very striking lyrics. Poetic and with a profundity you don't hear very often. That's what I rely like about him. He is a true multidisciplinar artist. He has a wide and open view. The music is sometimes very melancholic and dark but the strange thing is it illicits the opposite effect in me. It makes me happy and feeling refreshed.

 

[FYFL]

Who are the Americans?
Are they the bogey men?
Imaginary being from dark underworld? Lol
There’s light and darkness.
We are just another shade of gray.
Just an ordinary man fighting demons within. No more, no less.

Just watched that vid. It’s disturbing.

 

[]eep]

Good question. Who are they? It began with a lot of pilgrims, protestants, hugenots, good people who stood up for their right to freedom of religion. Freefrom prosecution of the catholic counter reformation, ie the Jesuit inquisition. In fact good people who could think for themselves and wanted freedom in a new land. That's how it all started. No more teatax. But it didn't stay that way. In came the jesuits, founded Virgin(ia), Mary(land), built the house of Mr White JS. It's not the color that gave it its name... DC is not part of the US. But it's a city state with its own law and police. Like the City of London and the Vatican. All three have a distinct obelisk like the Washington monument which is a male organ. Centre of military, religious and financial power. And then there's Hollywood, the holy wood of holly, the magic wand to beguile the world...

Most common people are normal people who don't take part in this and don't have a clue. Sleepwalkers. Most people are good people. They just want to take care of their family and the people they love. But fear and poverty makes you lose yourself, do things you normally wouldn't do by yourself. That's why the snakes keep beating the drum. Crises after crisis, war after war, famines, earthquakes, tornados and recession.

When all this is coming at you, you need a focus point. A clear mind. The king needs a jester. The crowd needs a protest singer. The museum needs a Picasso to paint a 'Guernica' to remind people of the atrocities of war. The podium needs a bard. To remind people of what is truth. Of history. How did we get here? History sure rhimes with the present. C'est le bon ton qui fait la musique.

Isn't radicalism devoid of humor? Beauty? Nakedness as we are born? Innocence unwitting of evil as we were in the garden of Eden? Just think of one example... Women are covered toe to top because men have no restraint. Pictures are forbidden. Music is forbidden. Dancing in public is forbidden. Alcohol is forbidden. Thinking outside the matrix is forbidden. Holding hands in public is forbidden. Music plays a much bigger roll in life than people think. Especially when things are bad.

But when life is good, music makes it even better. We are made with the power to create. Not to mimic, but to invent something new. Not to destroy but to build. Not to create chaos but to improve the cosmos. Not with fake cosmetics but with true beauty from within, unspoiled and on the true path of life himself. Yes, it takes an intelligence to create information.

To get back to your remark. Why is it disturbing? Should art not be disturbing? Should it not make you think; who am I? Where did I come from. Why do I think the way I think? Real art should be provocative. But not to evil.

To rephrase Forrest Gump: evil sees as evil is.

And then there's that other movie: See no evil, hear no evil.

 

[FYFL]

“The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing”
But question everything…. with a purpose, not self indulgence and vanity.

Pilgrims are long gone and Forest Gump quote, hilariously comes from creators who see no evil ….. in reflection of their own image.

PS
If art supposed to make you feel, think and stimulate well, the word “art” can be easily substituted with a number of other words. (Controversial, ugly words)
Pretty sure you have heard (or read) Tzu’s Art of War.

“Art” these days is as a mockery of the the true form and meaning of it.

Just like a hammer, it can be used to build or destroy.

 

[]eep]

Heading out to see Wardruna live but from the thumbnail it looks like Blue Velvet promo. Lol


2hrs later…..
They did bring some.




Ofcause there’s no comparison to a live concert but at least they aren’t torturing me with overloading and muddy bass that sounds like 40feet in diameter Chinese drum.
Pressing - 4.5
Imaging - 4.5
Soundstage - 4
Dynamics - 4.25
Packaging - 4.75
Music - 4
Overall - 4.25
It is a combination of the old and some new material. I guess it’s a happy celebration after long break from touring and doing what they love the most.
Double LP translucent vinyl with black marble accents. There’s a 5 LP version but who needs to flip the record after each song?
Heavy pagan influence with a touch of Viking theme. Certainly not for everyone but unquestionably different musical experience. I think ‘Heilung’ is more creative, original, more technically inclined and polished.

Sample of their music:

I listened a few things on Qobuz. I like ethnic music. It is not very dynamic. But I like the instruments and the earthiness of it.

I have not been to many concerts at all. One I liked is with a friend who's label celebrated their 10th anniversary and a all their contracted bands were present. I helped a German band/duo schlepping their gear (like a roadie), one piece being a real harpsichord. One advice: you better leave them where they stand. So heavy! Lots of weird instruments. But I got to talk to him, eventually convincing him to just talk in German as mine is close to native. And fortunately they brought their album on vinyl. I was so pleased with that that I bought it instantly. And... something I never do, asked for their signatures. So I have a signatured LP of Sea+Air. He is the sea, deep and brooding, she is the air, light and spirited.

There were several performances all alternating between 2 rooms/venues. I didn't really know any of the bands as it's a small label. But I really enjoyed it. So much creativity and variation. And then came Sea+Air. And I absolutely loved it. Right up my ally. Even a cover of a Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush song. It was incredibly dynamic, lively and direct. There was not a lot of amplification, just voices and electric guitar. And they don't need autotune.

But when I played the record when I came home, there was an incredible difference in sound quality. The album was made in a home studio in cd quality. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice lp, but the difference in dynamics was huge. It is simply not on the lp. Nor on the master. However, it is one of my favorite albums and I'm so glad I bought it.

 

[CJG888]

Just ordered the Tone Poet “Blue Train“ (stereo version). I already have the Classic Records reissue, but have read that this is the definitive version (apart from the original, of course!).

 

[FYFL]

I listened a few things on Qobuz. I like ethnic music. It is not very dynamic. But I like the instruments and the earthiness of it.

I have not been to many concerts at all. One I liked is with a friend who's label celebrated their 10th anniversary and a all their contracted bands were present. I helped a German band/duo schlepping their gear (like a roadie), one piece being a real harpsichord. One advice: you better leave them where they stand. So heavy! Lots of weird instruments. But I got to talk to him, eventually convincing him to just talk in German as mine is close to native. And fortunately they brought their album on vinyl. I was so pleased with that that I bought it instantly. And... something I never do, asked for their signatures. So I have a signatured LP of Sea+Air. He is the sea, deep and brooding, she is the air, light and spirited.

There were several performances all alternating between 2 rooms/venues. I didn't really know any of the bands as it's a small label. But I really enjoyed it. So much creativity and variation. And then came Sea+Air. And I absolutely loved it. Right up my ally. Even a cover of a Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush song. It was incredibly dynamic, lively and direct. There was not a lot of amplification, just voices and electric guitar. And they don't need autotune.

But when I played the record when I came home, there was an incredible difference in sound quality. The album was made in a home studio in cd quality. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice lp, but the difference in dynamics was huge. It is simply not on the lp. Nor on the master. However, it is one of my favorite albums and I'm so glad I bought it.

Nothing comes close to real live sound of instruments and vocals. Even if the sound comes out from mediocre PA system, you can tell that it’s happening live.
If you think about amount of processing, conversions, digital manipulation, amplifiers, EQ etc that signal has to go through, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that dynamics, micro details, reverb, transience and most of all detail/clarity are all substantially lost in the process.
I’ve been to concerts. Helped set up some of them. Some are spectacular and some sound like crap. You get what you pay for it. That’s what it comes down to.

As to Wardruna dynamics. Well, eventho they have tried to preserved some of it by double lp release, which gave them a bit of a wiggle room, it is not even close to live sound. It can’t be. Not possible.
LP sounds a lot “cleaner”, polished but at the same time, over processed/compressed. I own several of their records and they all share similar trades.
Heilung is much more conscious about sound quality and how important it is to tell their story.

 

[FYFL]

Just ordered the Tone Poet “Blue Train“ (stereo version). I already have the Classic Records reissue, but have read that this is the definitive version (apart from the original, of course!).

Don’t have classic records version but it suppose to be on par (maybe slightly inferior) with that version.
For the money, it’s a no brainer. I have ordered both mono and stereo. Stereo arrived already. Mono is on the way with other titles that were released later. Originally I ordered just stereo. It made most sense with the out-takes and extras. But after few days I gave in to those who kept telling me that this is one of those records that deserve to be heard in both mono and stereo. Especially since it was recorded for both at the same time, same gear, same studio, same guy. In a way it makes sense to own both. It’s a trip in time to that recording session. But stereo is really all you need. Some like the mono better since stereo was at its early stage and engineers were still experimenting with it. Therefor it might sound a little different then later, more polished recordings from Blue Note.

 

[FYFL]

Out of curiosity, I checked what’s going on with that mono that they own me, and it turns out that I have ordered it together with Larry Young Unity that’s coming out in three days. And like a fool I’ve asked them to ship it together. Lol
In fact I checked my BN account just now and there’s at least 9 or 10 records they gotta ship my way.
About the same from analog production and random titles from other places.

This is coming out with use of favorably reviewed tape restoration Plangent Process.

​

Some other titles ppl might be interested in (I am).

Newly remastered from hi-res after tape transfers.

You know how crazy ppl get looking for BN Chat Baker sings. And how much they ask for it on Discogs. Well, he sings on this one as well. Something to consider. Very limited.

Cool compilation of Elvis’s best work. Don’t care much about quality but I am hopeful they won’t ruin it. Just wanna put this on and chill.

I think this one is going to be pretty awesome.
I’ll let you know if it is when it arrives.

 

[]eep]

I just saw a nice review of a long existing but not that well known phono-amplifier the Trichord Dino (one that mentioned before because of its 'never connected' powersupply) plus the effect of the upgrade levels.



Ps: this is an English review of an English product. And guess what music he used...

 

[FYFL]

I’ve certainly heard about it but I agree that Trichord Dino never really got a lot of traction and recognition. At least on this side of the pond. What’s it now… third gen of this product? Upgrade path is nice for anyone working with limited budget. Giving an option to upgrade to whichever level they feel comfortable financially.
I do like my soundstage to have more “confidence” and “discipline” as well. Just not sure what that means? Lol
With that being said, I do watch his reviews occasionally but I have to admit that I haven’t seen any in quite a while.