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2016 Records To Die For Page 2

David R. Adler

Julian Lage: World's Fair
Julian Lage, acoustic guitar
Modern Lore 99767 (CD). 2015. Julian Lage, Matt Munisteri, prods.; Armand Hirsch, eng. DDD. TT: 37:56

At 26, Julian Lage sat down with his 1939 Martin 000-18 and mostly original compositions and delivered one of the great albums in the chronicles of solo guitar. From the speedy intricacy of "Peru," "Gardens," and "Missouri" to the contemplative beauty of "40's" and "Day and Age," Lage set the bar high for personal expression and unforced assimilation of influences. Echoes of folk,…

2016 Records To Die For Page 3

Brian Damkroger

Pachelbel & Fasch: Orchestral Works
Pachelbel: Canon in D, Suites for Strings in B-flat and G. Fasch: Trumpet Concerto in D, Symphonies for Strings in G and A.
Maurice André, trumpet; Pierre Pierlot, Jacques Chambon, oboes; Jean-Franáois Paillard Chamber Orchestra, Jean-Franáois Paillard
Musical Heritage Society MHS 1060 (LP), Erato 98475 (CD). 1968/1995. Michel Garcin, prod.; Guy Laporte, eng.; Ysabelle Van Wersch-Cot, mastering. AAA/ADD. TT: 53:15

Like everyone else, I got this album for something like a dollar by joining the…

2016 Records To Die For Page 4

Jon Iverson

Cracker: The Golden Age
Virgin 8 41498 2 (CD). 1996. Dennis Herring, David Lowery prods.; Joe Chiccarelli, Wayne Cook, others, engs. ADD? TT: 48:17

This one was supposed to be the major-label breakthrough for Cracker, but alas, it whistled right past the target. Nonetheless, it has stood the test of time, for being both a demo-worthy recording (in spots) and full of great songs. "Big Dipper" and "Dixie Babylon" stand out as great-sounding, crunchy, hippie country blues numbers, nestled between more aggressive outings that cash in on the 1990s'…

2016 Records To Die For Page 5

Sasha Matson

Shirley Horn: Here's to Life
Shirley Horn, vocal, piano; Johnny Mandel, arr.
Verve 314 511 879-2 (CD). 1992. Johnny Mandel, prod.; Al Schmitt, eng. AAD? TT: 62:00

Here's to Life has been a continual part of mine since its release, in 1992. Shirley Horn was a mature artist when this long-planned collaboration with composer and arranger Johnny Mandel finally came to fruition. It was a match made in heaven. Horn's deep mezzo is surrounded by exquisite arrangements and world-class orchestrations. The sound is beautiful, thanks to Al Schmitt's…

2016 Records To Die For Page 6

Robert Schryer

Frank Zappa: Apostrophe (')
Zappa ZR 3851-1 (LP). 1974/2014. Frank Zappa, prod.; Steve Desper, Terry Dunavan, Barry Keene, Bob Hughes, Kerry McNabb, engs. Mastered directly from the original ½" analog master tapes. ADA. TT: 32:02

Evidence suggests that what Frank Zappa feared most was to create music that might be classified as easy listening. No surprise, then, that Apostrophe ('), a straight-ahead rock record by Zappa standards, became his biggest-selling US release. This doesn't mean it's watered-down Zappa; to quote his son Dweezil,…

Sanctifyin'

Tom Waits singing the blues classic, “John The Revelator?” Call that a perfect match of material and menacing growl. While Son House, among many others, was able to raise a storm of emotion and record a powerful version of that classic blues number, Waits' version on a new tribute to its composer Blind Willie Johnson is right up there with the best. It’s also a good reason to avail yourself of a copy of God Don’t Never Change, the new collection of tracks celebrating Johnson's music.

The final product of a process I wrote about in the April 2015 issue of Stereophile, this long-time comin…

Esoteric Audio's Grand Opening in Arizona, Saturday

High-end retailer Esoteric Audio (111 West Monroe Street, Suite 100, Phoenix) has been a fixture on the Arizona audiophile scene for more than 30 years, since it was founded in 1982 by Gary and Pam Hjerpe. Gary and Pam have handed over the reins of Esoteric to a new owner, Andrew Papanikolas, who is holding a Grand Opening Event on Saturday, February 27, from 1–7pm. "Experience hors d'oeuvres, international wine and craft beer tastings, and a return to music the way it was meant to be enjoyed: in the company of friends," says Andrew.

Taking part will be: Jim White of Aesthetix,…

Recordings of March 2016: The Beach Boys <I>Today!</I> & <I>Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)</I>

The Beach Boys Today!
Analogue Productions AAPP064 (LP). TT: 27:35
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
Analogue Productions AAPP065 (LP).
TT: 27:44
Both: 1965/2016. Brian Wilson, orig. prod.; Chuck Britz, orig. eng.; Mark Linett, Alan Boyd, stereo mixes; Kevin Gray, mastering. ADA.
Performance *****
Sonics *****

It's a classic case of addition by subtraction. On December 23, 1964, on a flight from Houston to Los Angeles, Brian Wilson had a panic attack—or, perhaps, a full-fledged nervous breakdown. Two more such episodes followed in quick succession, and Brian…

When Caruso Was King

One of the benefits of belonging to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a subscription to their monthly magazine, IEEE Spectrum. Superbly written and edited, this journal keeps me up to date on emerging technology, and entertains me with things like reprints, on the final page, of vintage advertisements. Their January 2016 issue, for example, featured an ad from December 1920, promoting the Victor Talking Machine Company's Victrola: "By all means get a Victrola this Christmas, but be sure it is a Victrola and not some other instrument made in imitation. $25 to $…

GoldenEar's Sandy Gross to Appear at Electronics Expo, NJ Saturday

GoldenEar's president and chief designer, Sandy Gross (above) will be appearing at Electronics Expo (491 US 46 West, Wayne, New Jersey) on Saturday February 27, from 1pm–5pm. Sandy will be demonstrating new GoldenEar products, including the Triton Two+ and Triton Three+ tower speakers and the SuperSub XXL, as well as GoldenEar's flagship Triton One.

Sandy will also be available to answer and discuss audiophiles' questions, whether regarding GoldenEar loudspeakers, or any other far-ranging topics of interest to attendees. Food and refreshments will be served.