Whats on your turntable tonight?

Hi, Hope everybody had a nice Christmas and great New Year. Tonight I have listened to Ry Cooder's "Jazz" album, Laura Nyro "The First Songs", Willie Nelson "The Red Headed Stranger" and an album by "Hiroshima".

Rushton,
Do you know if the King Super Analogue reissue from the U.S. you were referring to is in an affiliation to King Records Toshiba Japan? The reason why I ask, I have a number of pop rock reissues by the latter with the designation DJM on them. These pressings sound amazing for vocals and acoustic string instruments. The sound is analog, although I was concerned DJM may have meant "digital Japanese Master" before listening. I have not seen a single classical music selection on this label.
My only experience of Albeniz: Suite Espanola was on a London UK pressing that as I recall sounded splendid. Interestingly enough I was so taken by the music that I was not paying too much attention to the fidelity. Is that what might be referred to as suspended disbelief? It also struck me funny that the wind solos through the middle of the piece sounded more eastern or Egyptian in nature than Spanish, but what do I know? I am by no means well versed in classical music. It was very enjoyable in any case. Happy Listening!

Hi, Foster. Yes, the King Super Analogue label is a Japanese label of King Records. They have made some superb LP reissues of London/Decca catalog over the years and I have many of them. Copies of many these LPs are still available new through Acoustic Sounds and others.

At one time the Super Analogues were both mastered and pressed in Japan, and those Japanese pressings now command pretty high prices on the used market. They then switched to US pressing (not sure by whom) and many of mine are these US pressings, which are quite good. Although some claim the US pressings have never have been up to the standard of the original Japanese pressings, my suspicion is that we're just dealing with later stampers but I have no way of knowing that. The major "big deal" about the Super Analogues was always the very simple and direct all-tube mastering chain, done in Japan. Cisco Records is the importer/distributor.

That London pressing you mention of the Albeniz: Suite Espanola is most likely the same performance/recording I was listening to. It's a nice record.

Kind regards,

christmas gifts! 1) richard thompson "front parlour ballads" - stellar, stellar, stellar! 2) cat power "the covers record" - almost as mesmerising as she is in concert 3) dirty three "cinder" - quite good to my ears, i like 'em--chan marshall vocals on one track is icing on the cake 4) jack johnson "on and on" - can't recommend this one on vinyl, sounds pinched and forced (?compression). this is one that you're better off with the CD imho, sorry to say. love the music though.

Once again, Analog is the King. So beautiful and amazing:
- Kyung-Wha-Chung/ Bach/ Parita No.2 in D Minor/The Super Analogue Disc/London Sterephonic/Japanese pressing/1974 Recording.
All the 5 movement were just stunning. The string, strength, vibration of the string, every touch are there!
That's for tonight!