<B>STEVE EARLE &amp; the Dukes: <I>The Hard Way</I></B><BR>
MCA MCA-6430 (LP), MCAD-6430 (CD). Steve Earle, Joe Hardy, prods.; Joe Hardy, eng. DDA/DDD. TT: 55:53

I know that every time someone dies, it’s now customary to intone about what a hero they were, how much they were always had a smile for everyone, how they were great family men, husbands, fathers, etc. etc. etc. Speak no ill of the dead, I get it.

The September 2009 issue of <i>Stereophile</i> is now on newsstands. What do you think of the cover? Is it exciting enough for you? Does it make you want to rescue our darling magazine from the clutches of the ungodly newsstand and kiss it? Did we obscure too much of our logo with the big Wilson MAXX 3? Did you think that our magazine was called <i>Stereop</i>?

This cream-colored version was my first choice for our September issue cover. Though it has a certain quiet elegance, we decided to go with the <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/now_on_newsstands_stereophile…, less subtle combination</a> of yellow, red, and gold. I think we made a good choice, but I still sort of love the cream version.

We flew cover photographer Eric Swanson to Salt Lake City to shoot the impressive Wilson MAXX 3 loudspeaker. His flight was delayed, of course.

She didn't ask. She <i>demanded</i>.

The Wilson MAXX 3 loudspeaker gets the star treatment. Our cover photographer, Eric Swanson, tells me she was sort of a demanding diva.