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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
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.
sonofjim OP
557 posts
 
G m c,
I agree with you and Plato. I've been quiet reguarding component choice because this thread is about enjoying great music but I consider my front end and speakers to be the strong points in my system. If I change anything it will be the amp or phono stage. What the Meadowlarks and Vandersteens have in common(along with Theil, Dunlavy and a few others)is the use of first order crossovers allowing phase coherence, more accurate imaging and lower coloration. If you walk away from a speaker audition thinking those are the most exciting speakers I've ever heard, that should be a red flag that something is wrong. If my biggest mistake so far is choosing a speaker that makes most of my records fun to listen to, that's the type of mistake I'd like to make more often.
All that being said, systems come and go. Only the music is timeless. Thanks for the great list stltrains. I'll be looking for a few of those. If anyone else has any jaw droppers keep them coming.
docdan50
71 posts
 
I put on my copy of Isle of View by Jimmy Spheeris last night. I havent listend to it for years. It was marvelous. My system can separate the faint crackling from use on previous system when I was in school from the wonderful music that is there. That to me is what my turntable/cartridge now are able to do. I find many records at the half price store that are in good condition and sound great. That's where I found my copy of Van Morrison-His band and Street Choir.
sonofjim OP
557 posts
 
Docdan50,
Half price books can be one of the best sources, I agree. You have to sort through a lot of crap but the good ones show up too. Luckily, it's on the way home for me so I can stop several times a week. Consistency and patience pays off there. They do a good job with pricing on the whole but also under price some. Today I found Joni Mitchell's first on the W7 label in near mint condition with a clean cover for just $5.
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