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Good rock LPs not rare?

Recently, there have been a couple of threads concerning the disappointing sound of classic rock LPs. I've been surprised at the amount of agreement on this point and it really doesn't echo my experience. I don't prefess to be an expert. I've been back into vinyl for three years and have had no problem finding many rock Lps that are not only good but often shockingly so. My system is good but nothing special by many of your standards.(VPI SSM reference with Shelter 90x and Benz Ebony LP, Ps Audio GCPH, BAT VK51se, Krell FPB 600, Vandersteen 5A) I got to thinking about all the amazing rock LPs I've found in just the past 2 years, most on just one or two trys. I felt compelled to compile a list of the ones I could think of. Please feel free to disagree or especially add any you know of. No particular order. I can't be this lucky or good. Are good rock LPs really that hard to find?

Lou Reed-Transformer
Dave Mason-It's like You Never Left, Let It Flow
Brewer and Shipely-Tarkio
Grateful Dead-American Beauty, Working Man's Dead
Traffic- John Barleycorn Must Die
Neil Young-After the Goldrush, Everyone Knows This is
Nowhere, On a Beach
Yes-Fragile, Close to the Edge
Cat Stevens-Teaser and the Firecat, Tea for the Tillerman
Trex-Electric Warrior
Fleetwood Mac-Rumors
Talking Heads-Little Creatures
Roxy Music-Avalon,Sirens
Steve Miller Band-Fly Like an Eagle
Bob Marley-Natty Dread, Uprising
Little Feat-Waiting for Columbus
Jimmy Buffet-Changes in Latitudes...
Beck-Sea Change
Son Volt-Staightaways
Beatles for Sale
Jennifer Warnes-Famous Blue Raincoat
Eddie Money-Eddie Money
Micheal Jackson-Thriller(I know, I know)
Prince- Purple Rain
Hall and Oates-Abandoned Luncheonette,Voices
Eagles-Eagles
America-Homecoming
Ambrosia-Ambrosia
Doors-LA Woman, Morrison Hotel
Dire Straits-Dire Straits, Communique
James Gang-Rides Again
Van Morrison-Moondance,His Band and Street Choir
Mott the Hoople- All the Young Dudes
Linda Ronstadt-Heart Like a Wheel
Queen-The Game, Jazz
Steely Dan-Can't Buy a Thrill, Aja, Gaucho
Joe Walsh-The Smoker You Drink
Roger Waters-Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking
Andrew Gold-What's Wrong with this Picture?
Jackson Browne-Jackson Browne, The Pretender
James Taylor- JT, Mudslide Slim
Molly Hatchet-Flirtin with Disaster
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Street Survivors
Rush-Moving Pictures
Heart-Dreamboat Annie, Little Queen
Humble Pie-Humble Pie
Bread-Baby I'm a Want You, Best of Bread
Eric Clapton-Slowhand(original and MOFI) 461 Ocean Ave
Jefferson Airplane-Surrealistic Pillow
Pink Floyd-Wish You Were Here
INXS-Kick
Traveling Wulburys-Vol 1
Harry Nilsson-Nilsson Schmilson,Nilsson Sings Newman,A Little Touch of Schmilson in the Night
Elton John-Honky Chateau, Don't Shoot the Piano Player
Clash-London Calling
Elvis Costello- My Aim is True, Armed Forces, This Year's Model
Bob Dylan-Blood on the Tracks
Harry Belafonte-At Carnegie Hall
Joni Mitchell-Clouds,Blue

This doesn't even include all the great ones I've found right here in Des Moines. Just the ones I Can think of. I could play any of them as demos. Sorry for the long list. Please add or comment if so inclined.
sonofjim
sns
3,265 posts
 
I started at least one of those bad lp threads. I will qualify my statements, at least in part.

As I've continued to 'voice' and tweak my vinyl rig in, I've gotten more classic rock lps to sound better. However, these recordings remain less than stellar relative to most of my 50's and 60's recordings.

I find I am really having to 'warm' up my vinyl setup in order to get these recordings to sound good. Some major changes in isolating my analog equipment has helped up to this point. Mullard 12ax7s in my phono stage should get me further along this path.

In respect to high res. vs. musical, I believe you can have both in one system. My digital, after many years of mods and 'voicing' gives me both. I expect the same from my vinyl. Thus far, I have the high resolution without the musicality (except on very high quality lps) I want.

At this point on my analog path, my take on classic rock lps, is that they require a very unique balancing act. A high resolution system makes it very difficult to achieve that balance.

I guess what I really want to highlight in these discussions, is the feeling of disappointment I had in first hearing these lps on a high resolution system. It seems most discussions of analog are all hype with no downside. I think its important to discuss some of those downsides, along with the positive virtues. It is not simply plug and play, it is damn hard work to get the most of all your recordings. We do a disservice to potential vinyl adapters when we only speak of positive attributes.

Lp's can sound wonderful, mediocre, or crappy, I don't see any harm in giving that information to the uninitiated. While it is fine to talk about the wonderful recordings, we should also warn people away from the crap.
julius_the_cat
16 posts
 
I intended my post to promote Elvis Costello's first few LPs. Apologies if it sounded like anything else.

I am working my way through a couple hundred records, some forty years old. They've been stored indifferently, transported from dorm to apt to house, left in the back seat of cars or left on the floor for days.

Some don't have the magic that I remember or suffer from poor recording techniques. Seems like copies of the same LP can differ significantly. A new issue I bought last week was flat and disappointing. On the other hand, some are pretty cool. I have a few that I like better than the CD version. I have some for which there is no CD version.

I want to be able to close my eyes and see a stage with amps and drums sets. Yeah there's a little grain here and there, but it works for me and the teenagers at the shows don't have to wonder why that old guy is standing in the corner.
sonofjim OP
557 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. My only intention with this thread was to attempt to demonstrate that the scarcity of good sounding popular music at the average used record store seems to be overstated. What qualifies as rock, pop, folk or whatever isn't that important. Those are just labels. I only listed my components to give some reference as to where I was coming from. If some prefer a more revealing speaker I understand. My Krell amp is from a family of products often accused of being too revealing and harsh. Maybe it's a good match for the Vandersteens on this type of music. Systems evolve out of personal taste and necessity of budget. Whatever the system, finding and playing these recordings has been a joy and not as difficult as might be thought. This list is really just the tip of the iceberg I'm sure so go forth and enjoy.
stltrains
845 posts
 
Sonofjim you are so right. Good rock and any LP can sound very good to me, classic rock is my music of choice. I have gone thou several to get the best vinyl of my favorites. To mention several on top of my list
Moody Blues any well produced and very well performed
Eagles the first LP and Desperado as well as When Hell Freezes Over well recorded open and airy
America the first LP and greatest hits
Beatles any but especially Hey Jude
Blood Sweet and Tears second LP a bench mark LP for production
Caption Beyond first LP another super production
Eric Clapton Unplugged Wow a fantastically recorded show also one of my all time favorites EC was here pure Rock and Roll
Crosby Still and Nash first and second great stuff
Doors Soft Parade
ELP first LP wide open and talk about classic and rock
Faces A nod as good to a wink Oh Miss Judy
Fleetwood Mac most early records or better for me
Jimi Hendrix are you kidding me the best rock guitar ever
Billy Joel I like pianos
Elton John talk about great productions Elton John, Tumbleweed and Mad Man goosebumps
Led Zeppelin added super blues to classic rock super recordings and sound also
Little Feet any great Rock and Roll
Loggins and Messina short time together great Classic Rock
Marshal Tucker Band a little Country to Classic Rock Searchin for a Rainbow a no brainier
Paul McCartney I love Paul if you dont like Ram shame on you
Van Morrison gotta love Van the mans music
Pink Floyd any of there Classic Rock issues are hands down awesome
Santana some super music and recordings
Steely Dan are you kidding music sound recording in most cases it does not get any better
Rod Steward play it again Rod timeless and proven
Traffic anything with Steve Winwood and add Traffic and you have some of the best rock and roll ever
Jethro Tull another of the classic of classic rock bands
Stevie Ray Vaughn yes this man would still be on top a guitar god and some great productions
Who will rock your socks off one of the best of all time
Yes innovation and production
Guys and Gals this is a small grouping theres Blues Soul and Big Band types like Frank and Louie Prima that were at the roots of rock.
In the end its not the system but the music that counts. Of course the better the system the better they sound.
g_m_c
443 posts
 
Sonofjim, Stltrains and you are right on target. This music is great, and even a "mediocre" pressing can bring a smile to your face. It is the music that pushes you to improve your setup so you can hear more of that music. Keep spreading the good cheer. Btw, many respected audio reviewers ( i am sure you know this) put the Vandy 5A’s at the top of quality sound reproduction. I play through Meadowlark Blue Herron 2’s, speakers that have a great affinity to the Vandersteens. I suspect the 5A’s will be my next speaker, if and when my Meadowlarks die from a drunken blow from me or dance kick from my 3yr old daughter.
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