Rock/Pop-"The Best Of,.." Thread

[jcmusic]

Mate your taste is good,I meant to put in Fleetwood Mac and Rumours,those Beatles tapes were supposedly better by the original manufacturer did you get them recently?
They're pretty good, but I won't necessarily call them better. Like Ampex, Capitol tapes seem to very in quality.  However, Capitol never released all Beatles albums at 7 1/2. For a very short time, all Beatles albums were available from Ampex at 7 1/2ips. After the first few, Capitol switched to 3 3/4 for all reel releases even classical.  After a second listen some 20years later, they sound better than I recall, but not as good as the 7 1/2 tapes.  Loss of high end.

I never said all Beatles tapes, I said the ones that I have.

Jay

[TomR]

Not really rock - folk rock maybe - listening right now to the Stereotape release (7.5 ips, Dolby B) of Gord's Gold - Lightfoot was an excellent songwriter, and there is just a certain rightness to his music. This represents hits pre
Summertime Dream, which had the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, not my own favorite GL song but one that he thinks highly enough to sing, apparently, each concert - the others are Don Quixote, If You Could Read My Mind, and Canadian Railroal Trilogy. I have always thought that If You Could Read My Mind was written by someone who really understood a soured relationship. Yes, the others are on this tape.

[ironbut]

In the summer of '71 (I think) the Canadian National Railroad had a special deal for students where they could ride one way on any line for $35. I was in New York and my friends and I (and about a gazillion other students) took the train from Toronto to Vancouver. 3000 miles for $35 bucks (or $65 for a 2 person sleeper) ending with a trip through the tunnels and bridges that allow you to gaze upon some of the most untouched mountains of the Canadian Rocky's. Because of the special, every car was packed with young folks and for 6 days and nights, you really couldn't ask for more. Needless to say, we listened to and sang a lot of Lightfoot tunes along the way. Thanks for reminding me about that.

On another note,.. what the heck was it with folks songs of that era and nautical tragedies?
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald-G. Lightfoot
The Thresher- Phil Ochs
The Sinking of the USS Titanic-Jamie Brockett
What,.. you never heard of Jamie Brockett?! Well, it was kind of a cult fav and it took me a bit of Googling to find his name. I'm willing to bet that CV remembers him.

[ceved]

Jamie Brockett that is a name I haven't thought about for some time.  Is he still alive? 
That era of early alt /quasi country was fun to witness.  Alot of leather fringe and long hair as in Mason Profitt.
Wounded Bird Records is a great place to find otherwise ignored artists on CD if you can no longer locate good vinyl.
It is my understanding that a former principal of Rhino started this company.  The source material is not typically revealed.  However if it is the CD or nothing, you want to listen to the music anyway regardless of the source of the sound so go for it.
Their catalog is quite interesting regardless of your age.
Reminds me of another favorite one album wonder band Great Speckled Bird (aka Ian and Sylvia) which any Canadian train trip would benefit from.
Too bad the rtr is 3 3/4 speed or I would have acquired it not too long ago.  The recently remastered CD especially the Japanese mini LP remaster is worth having.  The LP on Ampex is also still floating around and is a treat if you can find a clean copy
Anyone remember Earth Opera?  'American Eagle Tragedy' was perhaps the best known of their two albums.  You may be surprised at who was in the line up considering the political nature of the music.
A really enjoyable album over and above nostalgia.
For those of you who like beautifully executed harmonies with a folk/acoustic twinge may I suggest Hart Rouge?
Made up of family members the ensemble singing is just beautiful. lyrics relevant and moving, instruments varied and nuanced.
I enjoy all of their work, and I am particular.
Their earlier music is still available from their Canadian label although it will take a bit of effort to find it.
Later material which is excellent can be found on Red House Records on CD and is still in print.
More on the pop vein, consider the Rankin Family, also siblings but more folk/traditional overtones set to a more pop oriented sensibility.
Regardless your religious beliefs/affiliations the Rankin Sisters Christmas album is a killer of beauty beyond description.  Shimmering
Check out the Rankin Family website if you have any interest.

Yes, Canada has many under appreciated/unknown artists who would give many better known artists a run for their money and in many case win on style and substance.  How about our Canadian friends help out and give us poor uninformed down wind listeners some heads up on your favorite Canadian artists/bands especially current ones.

Last but not least, for a total change of pace may I suggest Tinderstick's new release 'The Hungry Saw'.  This band is as enigmatic as Cowboy Junkies and in most instances makes that groups music sound cheery.  But solemnity never sounded so good.
You definitely need to sample this before committing to a purchase as it is an acquired taste.
Any of these albums would be interesting rtr selections that I would purchase.

[ironbut]

Thanks for the suggestions CV. Those are always appreciated. Somehow I was sure that you'd remember Jamie Brockett. I used to help out running a coffee house that had lots of local folk acts in those fringe leather days. I never found any correlation between those jackets and the quality of music, but they did seem to do wonders with the ladies (it had misunderstood outsider written all over it). We were a folksie lot back then with dulcimers hanging on the walls and Richard and Mimi Farina on the turntable( "Celebrations for a Gray Day" is a good one from them). That was in New York, but when I was still in Atlanta, the local underground rag was called The Great Speckled Bird and I used to sell it (got suspended from high school for that).
I do remember Earth Opera! Although, for the life of me I can remember why. I'll have to pick that up (what a line up!).

To bring in some relevance to tape, I've softened a bit on my stance against 3 3/4ips releases. Some aren't that bad and for those raw sounding recordings, the extra tape hiss seems kind of appropriate. I think this is best served when the ensemble is small and the atmosphere is intimate.

[steveidosound]

"Alot of leather fringe and long hair as in Mason Profitt."
Which begat John Michael Talbot.
Where were you when I started the "Folk anyone?" thread under suggestions?
Being attached to a bit of acoustic pop/folk,
I still would love to hear certain Ian and Sylvia, Peter Paul and Mary, Simon & Garfunkel
as well as some earlier acoustic Gordon Lightfoot and bluegrass Emmylou Harris as TP albums.

[oneobgyn]

How about my Pink Floyd DSOM that I brought to Astrotoy's event

[astrotoy]

The DSOTM was fantasic. It combines both the audiophile sound and for me a truly great rock experience (I'm not the expert here). The fact that there is wonderful overall astronomy theme doesn't hurt.   Larry "astrotoy" Toy

[babyjdrums]

Hi everyone, newcomer here...thought I'd add to the list:

T-Rex the Slider Magtech 7.5ips
Deep purple Come taste the Band Stereotape Dolby 7.5ips
Moody Blues In Search Of The Lost Chord/Days Of Future Passed  Stereotape Dolby 7.5ips
Allman Bbros.  Live at the Fillmore East Stereotape 7.5ips (THIS ONE IS HUGE!)
Rare Earth In Concert Ampex 7.5ips
Heavy Cream Ampex 7.5ips (THIS ONE'S HUGE TOO)
Bill Withers Best Of Ampex 7.5ips
Quincy Jones Smackwater Jack A&M 7.5ips (Who did their dupes, anyone?)
Bernard Herrmann Psycho B/C 7.5ips Dolby
Miles Davis Jack Johnson 7.5ips Columbia
The Who Quadrophenia Stereotape 7.5ips (GOOSE BUMPS ON THE ARMS THROUGH THE WHOLE TAPE!)
Tower Of Power s/t Stereotape 7.5ips
Curtis Mayfield SuperFly Ampex 7.5ips (THIS SOUNDS BETTER THAN THE CD, I SWEAR!)
Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys 7.5ips ampex
"      "          Electric Ladyland BELL & HOWELL RST 6307-P 7.5ips
Grand Funk Railroad Closer To Home Ampex 7.5ips
Doobie Bros. Capt. & me QUAD Stereotape 7.5ips (sounds so huge!)

My question:  Who's going to scan their old Stereotape catalogs to educate us neophytes to what's out there?  I.E. I'm dying to hear Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells on the Stereotape...any word form anyone???

Thanks all of those who have contributed to the Stereotape threads...I plan to release pre-recorded tapes from masters/real time duplicated BUT 7" 1/4 TRACK TAPES as well as 2 tracks.  it's down the line, but you'll all know about it when it happens...email me with some titles that never made it that you'd like to see! [email protected]

[reel zealot]

Great list!  Original 7 1/2ips Tommy release from Decca is great as well.

Been awhile since I listened to Tubular Bells.  My recollection is it was very good, not excellent though.

[steveidosound]

OK, you hit a nerve.
I love some of Mr. Oldfield's work. I have none on R2R, but would suggest Platinum or QE2 as having excelent music and sonics.
Oh, wait, wrong thread. This is not the suggestion box.

[draka1032]

Hello all:
I have not posted previously. In answer to the question about Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells on Stereotape. I have several copies, including a "one off" dolby copy. The person I got it from, many years ago, told me that he lived near the Stereotape facility and took back a copy of Tubular Bells because he thought it was a bit noisy, so they ran him a dolby copy. I haven't listened to this title for many years, but my recollection is that it was quite good. I currently have about 2000 prerecorded tapes, including Barclay Crocker and most Stereotape releases. The only 1/2 track I have, for the most part, are around 200 King Biscuit Flower Hour, BBC Rock Hour and Superstar Concert Series original
7 1/2 IPS 1/2 track live concert rrecordings and some master dubs. This site is great and very informative.

[jcmusic]

Hello all:
I have not posted previously. In answer to the question about Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells on Stereotape. I have several copies, including a "one off" dolby copy. The person I got it from, many years ago, told me that he lived near the Stereotape facility and took back a copy of Tubular Bells because he thought it was a bit noisy, so they ran him a dolby copy. I haven't listened to this title for many years, but my recollection is that it was quite good. I currently have about 2000 prerecorded tapes, including Barclay Crocker and most Stereotape releases. The only 1/2 track I have, for the most part, are around 200 King Biscuit Flower Hour, BBC Rock Hour and Superstar Concert Series original
7 1/2 IPS 1/2 track live concert rrecordings and some master dubs. This site is great and very informative.

Where exactly do you live? LOL!!!

Jay

[draka1032]

Hi:
I live in Ontario, Canada roughly half way between Toronto and Detroit, Michigan. I got into reels in the mid 70S when I worked at Audio stores while at University. I remember buying the Stereotape James Taylor's Greatest Hits, Gordon Lightfoot - Gord's Gold and Elton John's Greatest Hits from a store on Yonge Street in Toronto called Superb Sound. I have always loved Reels and own around 25 reel machines. I also like to collect  "Audiophile" prerecorded cassettes like Nakamichi, Nautilus, In-Sync, Delos, MFSL etc. I guess that I am an anachrophile as although I have CDs and DVD Audio and SACD, I still feel that analog is the closest to live music.

Kevin

[steveidosound]

Hi:
I live in Ontario, Canada roughly half way between Toronto and Detroit, Michigan. I got into reels in the mid 70S when I worked at Audio stores while at University. I remember buying the Stereotape James Taylor's Greatest Hits, Gordon Lightfoot - Gord's Gold and Elton John's Greatest Hits from a store on Yonge Street in Toronto called Superb Sound. I have always loved Reels and own around 25 reel machines. I also like to collect  "Audiophile" prerecorded cassettes like Nakamichi, Nautilus, In-Sync, Delos, MFSL etc. I guess that I am an anachrophile as although I have CDs and DVD Audio and SACD, I still feel that analog is the closest to live music.

Kevin

25+ R2R machines :)
At last! - another collector.
One of us will have to start a new topic thread in another part of the forum on interesting / odd machines we have all owned or still do own...