SUMMER DAYS (AND SUMMER NIGHTS!!) in new ESQ

[Ed Roach]

Interesting and timely summer edition of ESQ just arrived, focusing on the "SUMMER DAYS" album, as well as the new vinyl pressings from Analogue Productions.  Some great photos once again, and looking forward to reading all of  these articles.  Also curious to hear what anyone else that gets it thinks about the issue.

[Alan Smith]

Ed - sorry for a late response, my copy went "MIA" (in the house) but, I'm glad to report this rainy weekend's clean-up unearthed what is a really strong issue and interesting ESQ, possibly my second favourite edition in the (relatively) short time I've been subscribing.

It's winning stuff, Peter Reum introducing and providing additional annotation to the recollections of Mike, Bruce and Al about that delightful Summer Days (And Summer Nights) album - I'm fortunate to have a original UK mono pressing in my collection which has a fat creamy bottom end - nothing better than spinning that wax while reading up events according to those there.

Kathryn Agee's piece on the L&M movie was evocative with out spoilers for those of us who hadn't seen the movie at the time of publication.  I was touched when she conveyed her nervousness at asking the great man a question at the Austin screening she attended, and what an halarious response from Brian.  Gold!

At the end of the day, I gotta say the best thing for me was Lee Dempsey's long awaited (by me) write up about the Analogue Productions remastered reissues of the early BB albums (to date) on vinyl and SACD.  I've been noodling around with my own opinions on a couple of threads here, and was glad to have my pedestrian musings blown out of the water by some like Lee, who hit a great balance between detailing a listening experience, while providing an audiophile details for those interested in such things.

To hear that someone like Lee, who (from what I've read on his posts here and seeing his credits on a BB release or book) has an somewhat comprehensive collection, considers these reissues as definitive or reference level is reassuring, and to me, the final word.  I loved that Lee was also generous enough to fill his in on his rig - a real treat, up there with Stephen Desper including shots of his gear in the recent Recording the BBs online tutorial.

Congrats to David, Lee and co for a sizzlin' edition.  IMHO.

[mikeddonn]

And thanks to you Alan, and the plug you gave on the Hoffman Board, I finally got around to buying the issue in question as well as some back issues!

I will also be taking out a subscription.

[LeeDempsey]

Thanks for the compliments Alan!  I enjoyed writing the Analogue Productions review.  I wanted to do a few more individual song comparisons across all of the LP and CD releases (i.e. maybe take an obscure song like "Shut Down, Part II") but I just didn't have time.  I still may do it -- maybe as an expanded online version.

So do you like that my reference system uses British speakers? 

I am planning to do a full shoot-out of all Pet Sounds releases to date -- LP, CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, even reel-to-reel -- for the 50th anniversary.  I'm pretty sure I have a copy of every release 1966-present, but a few are still sealed (the DCC vinyl; the Capitol From the Vaults release), so I may be reaching out to the board members to see if I can borrow copies.

Lee

[bgas]

Thanks for the compliments Alan!  I enjoyed writing the Analogue Productions review.  I wanted to do a few more individual song comparisons across all of the LP and CD releases (i.e. maybe take an obscure song like "Shut Down, Part II") but I just didn't have time.  I still may do it -- maybe as an expanded online version.

So do you like that my reference system uses British speakers? 

I am planning to do a full shoot-out of all Pet Sounds releases to date -- LP, CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, even reel-to-reel -- for the 50th anniversary.  I'm pretty sure I have a copy of every release 1966-present, but a few are still sealed (the DCC vinyl; the Capitol From the Vaults release), so I may be reaching out to the board members to see if I can borrow copies.

Lee

Try not to forget the 4 & 8 track cart versions, cassette and Playtape !! ( do you have the equipment for these? )
  I think this project seems potentially more time consuming than the Analogues could ever be. Better get started today
As far a s borrowing copies, wouldn't it be easier to just open yours , review, then reseal them? 

[LeeDempsey]

Chris, the sound quality on 8-track, cassette, Playtape, and 4-track aren't really worth the effort for an audiophile review.  Only including reel-to-reel because of the 7 1/2 ips Magtec/Ampex version of Carl & the Passions / Pet Sounds.  First, it's from what some would consider one of the best remasters of the album ever -- the 1972 Warner remaster.  Second, it was released in an audiophile format with twice the track width of cassette or 8-track, and four times the speed of cassette / twice the speed of 8-track.  And the Magtec releases were done with pretty good duplication equipment.

So you want me to pull a Les Harris with my albums, eh?

Lee

[bgas]

Chris, the sound quality on 8-track, cassette, Playtape, and 4-track aren't really worth the effort for an audiophile review.  Only including reel-to-reel because of the 7 1/2 ips Magtec/Ampex version of Carl & the Passions / Pet Sounds.  First, it's from what some would consider one of the best remasters of the album ever -- the 1972 Warner remaster.  Second, it was released in an audiophile format at with twice the track width of cassette or 8-track, and four times the speed of cassette / twice the speed of 8-track.  And the Magtec releases were done with pretty good duplication equipment.

So you want me to pull a Les Harris with my albums, eh?

Lee

You're probably correct, tho 4 track carts rivaled reels for great sound, tho of course not at 7-1/2 IPS. 

Guess you just have to decide which is more important: the depth for your impending reviews or potential $$ value of your collection in an upcoming sale.... 

[LeeDempsey]

I don't mind opening the From the Vaults, but the DCC is another story.  Maybe I'll try to find a second copy with a few scratches for cheap on eBay -- after all I am listening for mastering quality not scratches or lack thereof.  Or maybe I can explain to Steve Hoffman what I'm doing, and he'll send me a loaner.

Lee

[bgas]

I don't mind opening the From the Vaults, but the DCC is another story.  Maybe I'll try to find a second copy with a few scratches for cheap on eBay -- after all I am listening for mastering quality not scratches or lack thereof.  Or maybe I can explain to Steve Hoffman what I'm doing, and he'll send me a loaner.

Lee

  I don't believe I own that version, else I send it to you for review

[Alan Smith]

Thanks for the compliments Alan!  I enjoyed writing the Analogue Productions review.  I wanted to do a few more individual song comparisons across all of the LP and CD releases (i.e. maybe take an obscure song like "Shut Down, Part II") but I just didn't have time.  I still may do it -- maybe as an expanded online version.

So do you like that my reference system uses British speakers? 

I am planning to do a full shoot-out of all Pet Sounds releases to date -- LP, CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, even reel-to-reel -- for the 50th anniversary.  I'm pretty sure I have a copy of every release 1966-present, but a few are still sealed (the DCC vinyl; the Capitol From the Vaults release), so I may be reaching out to the board members to see if I can borrow copies.

Lee

Hi Lee - only just saw your reply (what have I been doing with my life?).  On the off chance you get time to do some A/B'ing AND then time to write up your notes, let us know, especially to hear how some of the late '70s & 80s reissues stand up - not holding you to anything tho', know you're a busy guy.

British speakers  , drool... I have some copasetic Canadian speakers (from Ontario, so almost British  ).

As bgas says, better get movin' on the P/S-athon given the number of editions in the bag - and you'll have to add the anticipated BluRay audio.  Acoustic Sounds had (no more) a 2nd hand DCC on their site not long ago.  200 clams 

 

[LeeDempsey]

British speakers  , drool... I have some copasetic Canadian speakers (from Ontario, so almost British  ).

If they are Paradigms, I almost bought a set -- they are fantastic speakers.  And I was tempted by Axiom Audio, which sells direct to consumer, but since I couldn't audition them locally I was hesitant to buy a set of speakers based purely on third party reviews.

Lee

[Alan Smith]

British speakers  , drool... I have some copasetic Canadian speakers (from Ontario, so almost British  ).

If they are Paradigms, I almost bought a set -- they are fantastic speakers.  And I was tempted by Axiom Audio, which sells direct to consumer, but since I couldn't audition them locally I was hesitant to buy a set of speakers based purely on third party reviews.

Lee

  Bullseye!!! Paradigm Atom Monitors-v6. Bookshelf only, I'm afraid - I did want to get the 4 way floor standers, but I'll just have to bide my time.

I was previously using some B&W 100i's, but I had to mothball them due to some tweeter damage - a series of thin vertical nicks that are curiously in the same formation (distance apart wise) as one of my cats claws.  

Oh & btw, while I'm insanely envious of your Strain Gauge, I do have a Sound Smith stylus - handmade by Peter L himself (as part of a range he cooked up - for a Grace F9 cartridge).

[SMiLE Brian]

Alan, take some pictures of your system!

[Alan Smith]

Alan, take some pictures of your system!

Maybe later.

I'll have to figure out some tricky camera angles to conceal where and how my rig is currently set-up. Due to space constraints, it's currently in a spot that would send any audiophile, or everyday appreciator of good sound, into an emotional cycle of change that would begin with denial, deteriorate to weeping and finally peak in sociopathic rage (I've been there, man).

[LeeDempsey]

Oh & btw, while I'm insanely envious of your Strain Gauge, I do have a Sound Smith stylus - handmade by Peter L himself (as part of a range he cooked up - for a Grace F9 cartridge).

Actually my Soundsmith is one of the moving iron cartridges that Peter initially built as a Bang & Olufsen replacement, but he realized that it was as good or better than many of the sub-$1,000 cartridges on the market and began selling them in adapters that would mount to any headshell.  It's very neutral.  I also have an old stock B&O cartridge that is "warmer" than the Soundsmith cartridge due to some colorization in the lower midrange, but actually sounds better on some of the "thin" pressings of the '60s.  I swap them back and forth.

[ESQ Editor]

Thanks for the compliments Alan!  I enjoyed writing the Analogue Productions review.  I wanted to do a few more individual song comparisons across all of the LP and CD releases (i.e. maybe take an obscure song like "Shut Down, Part II") but I just didn't have time.  I still may do it -- maybe as an expanded online version.

So do you like that my reference system uses British speakers?  

I am planning to do a full shoot-out of all Pet Sounds releases to date -- LP, CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, even reel-to-reel -- for the 50th anniversary.  I'm pretty sure I have a copy of every release 1966-present, but a few are still sealed (the DCC vinyl; the Capitol From the Vaults release), so I may be reaching out to the board members to see if I can borrow copies.

Lee

I agree Alan, Lee's written essay and way of breaking things down makes everything make more sense…Lee's a bit of a genius when it comes to analyzing music.

David