The Hi-Fi ‘97 Show: Vinyl Report #1
Roger S. Gordon

Dateline: San Francisco, May 28 - 31

The Stereophile-sponsored Hi-End show for '97 was an event. It was good to be back in San Francisco. SF is always a treat to visit. With the temperature 15 degrees above average, little fog, and few clouds, it was real hard to stay indoors. However, for the first two and a half days I persevered. By early afternoon on Friday, the first day that the public was allowed into the show, I gave up fighting the crowds and went to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Despite my early departure I saw and heard quite a lot of software at the Show, both CDs and LPs. Amongst the vinyl sellers, Acoustic Sounds had the largest booth. Classic Records was close behind. Also represented were Cisco/King with their latest London reissues, DCC Compact Classics with new classical and rock reissues, M A Recordings with two LPs, and PF’s own Brian Hartsell selling current pop/rock from various labels under his Analog Room store name. There was even used vinyl for sale.

I bought far more than I should have. Fortunately, my wife understands — she had packed empty cardboard LP shipping boxes in our suit cases. Our suitcases were much heavier returning home, but at least the records were securely packed.

From amongst the many LPs at the Show, the following deserve mention.

Decca SXL 6136 Kodaly: Hary Janos Suite, Dances of Galanta, and two arias from Hary Janos with Istvan Kertesz and the London Symphony Orchestra. Side one of this album, with the Hary Janos Suite, is spectacular from both a sound and a performance standpoint. I would buy the LP for just this one side. The Dances of Galanta are nice, but nothing like the Hary Janos. The arias I could skip, but then I do not like opera. If you don’t mind paying $35 for one side of an LP, buy this record.

Decca SXL 6777 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 6 with Walter Weller and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This symphony is a beautiful, melodic work, though many find it on the dark and melancholy side. Here it is given a sensitive, emotional performance. The sound is excellent. If you are tired of your steady diet of Prokofiev’s foot-stomping Classical Symphony and exuberant 5th, you really should listen to this recording of the 6th.

Mercury SR90144 Hi Fi a la Espagnole. The first Mercury reissue on vinyl. The sound is very good. I do not have an original — very few people do as this is a very rare record. However, the sound of the reissue is Hi Fi spectacular. Lots of bass. The music itself is light classical fluff — well played, but still fluff. If you are an audiophile, you have to have this record. If you are a music lover, you might want to listen to it before you buy.

Columbia C3 67989 Dead Man Walking. This is a three LP boxed set of the movie sound track. The artists featured on the album are a very eclectic mixture including Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Suzanne Vega, Lyle Lovett, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Tom Waits, Michelle Shocked, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Eddie Vedder. My favorite cut of the set is Isa Lei with Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt. This cut is from the Water Lily CD A Meeting By the River (WLA-CS-29-CD). I had always been disappointed that this excellent CD never came out on vinyl. Well, now I have at least one of the four tracks on vinyl. The biggest disappointment on the album were the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan cuts. I have other of his albums and think they are great. However, on this album he has left his traditional ethnic music and is trying to appeal to a wider audience. In my opinion, his "world music" is not as involving as his traditional music. In summary, the music on the album is well recorded and sounds great. Take a look at the music though, before you plunk down your money. This might not be your cup of tea.

Columbia MS 6113 Brahms: Symphony No. 4 with Bruno Walter conducting the Columbia Symphony Orchestra. This is arguably the finest Brahms 4th ever recorded. The sound is exceptional. It is not a Hi Fi spectacular. But it is one of the finest recordings for conveying the emotional impact of a full orchestra that I have heard. If you have never heard a Walter performance buy this one. You will not be disappointed. Don’t be put off because this is a Columbia recording. Columbia’s recording engineers were the equal of those at RCA and Mercury. Columbia’s master tapes sound wonderful. The problem was always in the mastering and pressing where Columbia tried to alter the sound so that the LPs sounded good on cheezy $39.95 record players. I have several different pressings of MS 6113. None of them come anywhere close to the sound of this reissue. Buy IT NOW!

Columbia MS 6036 Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 with Bruno Walter conducting the Columbia Symphony Orchestra. I would have preferred Classic Records to have reissued Walter’s Beethoven Symphony No. 6 which is one of the finest 6ths ever recorded. This 3rd is also excellent, but not quite in the same class as the Brahms 4th or Beethoven 6th. Still no collection should be without a copy of this recording. If you can only afford one Walter reissue, buy the Brahms. If you can afford to buy both, do so. You will enjoy both.

RCA LSC-2241 Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture / Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture / Brahms: Tragic Overture conducted by Fritz Reiner with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This record is a rarity for two reasons. First it was recorded and released in 1956 in mono as LM-1999. When Mercury came out with their stereo Hi Fi spectacular of the 1812 Overture, RCA felt they had to be competitive and reached back into their catalog and released this recording as an LSC series. However, unlike LM-1806, which was reissued in stereo as LSC-1806, this record was issued as LSC-2241. It is the only case that I can think of where the RCA mono and the RCA stereo have different numbers.

The second thing that makes this record a rarity is scarcity. This performance of the 1812 Overture does not hold a candle to the Mercury (and besides, it does not have any cannons). Thus, LSC-2241 did not sell well at all. Hence, it is very difficult to find.

However, do you really want to find this album? The sound on the original was given a 10++ by Robert Mitchell (which I can confirm with my slightly battered 1S/1S). The sound of this reissue is also excellent. However, the performance of the 1812 is boring. The Hebrides Cave performance is above average, but there are a lot better ones in the catalog. The Tragic Overture is okay, but again nothing to write home about. If you are a collector or an audiophile, I suppose you need this LP. However, if you are a music lover, you can skip this one.

RCA LSC-6094 Albeniz: Iberia (complete) and Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole with Jean Morel conducting the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra. This is a two LP set. The music is exciting. The performances are quite good. The sound is excellent. What more needs to be said? If you need a copy of Iberia in your collection, this is an excellent one to have.

Now that Mobile Fidelity no longer presses LPs, the mantle of best vinyl maker, in my opinion, now rests on DCC’s shoulders. These latest LPs are proof of that.

Everest Reissues — Two more Everests have now been reissued on DCC vinyl bringing the total to six. The first four reissues were all with Stokowski conducting.1 These two new LPs tap other great recordings from the Everest catalog. If you don’t want to buy the LPs you should at least consider buying the reissue CDs from the Omega Record Group. Omega is reissuing recordings from the Vanguard and Everest catalogs. Harry Pearson, on page 68 of issue 110 of The Absolute Sound said regarding Everest reissue CDs "We now have a series that, in its mettle, is proving superior to BMG’s digital revival of its Living Stereo catalog, and nearly the equal of Wilma Cozart Fine’s re-traversal of the Mercury catalogue."

LPZ-2035 Copland: Billy the Kid Ballet Suite and Gould: Statements for Orchestra, Copland conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. This was originally released as Everest SDBR-3015. My original second pressing purple mountain (I generally prefer the second pressing purple mountains over the first pressing silver/blues), has excellent sound. The sound equals that of most of the RCA Shaded Dogs. The only drawbacks are that the sound can be shrill at times and the music congests slightly at crescendos. In comparison, the DCC is warmer and a bit lusher sounding. The surfaces are dead quiet — no groove noise. There is more detail (a few veils have been lifted) and no congestion at the crescendos. Performance-wise I have never considered Copland to be a great conductor, even of his own works. However, these are good performances — not top-notch, but very acceptable. Add the LSO and superb sound and you have an LP definitely worth buying.

LPZ-2034 Copland: Appalachian Spring and Gould: Spirituals for String Choir and Orchestra, Walter Susskind conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. This was originally released as Everest SDBR-3002. My original middle pressing (Vine Street gold label) does not sound as good as the purple mountain SDBR-3015 discussed above, being more veiled and less dynamic.2 The DCC reissue, however, is wonderful. I suppose an audiophile could ask for a more Hi Fi spectacular sound, but I think the fussiest music lover will think the sound is great. Performance-wise Susskind is a much better conductor than Copland. These are great performances with superb sound. Buy it!

Rock Reissues — DCC has released thirty two reissue LPs; six classical, three soundtracks, eight jazz, ten rock, and five popular. Of the earlier rock releases, The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds made the biggest splash, though I thought the Elton John: Mad Man Across the Water and Cream: Fresh Cream were just as outstanding. The three latest rock releases include two of the three rock albums that I loved when they came out and which I still constantly play and enjoy today.

LPZ-2030 Jethro Tull: Aqualung — I had bought the original USA pressing when the album first came out. However, over the years the record became barely listenable from having been played too many times. Getting a good sounding replacement was almost impossible. The original master tape used to make the original USA pressing had deteriorated to the point were it was no longer usable. Thus, the many reissues from Chrysalis/EMI were made from second generation safeties and did not sound as good as the original pressing. There was the Mobile Fidelity reissue from the ‘70s, but that was too expensive to even consider. Thus, I despaired of ever getting a decent sounding replacement. Fortunately for me and other Aqualung lovers, there was another master tape. Ian Anderson, the lead vocalist and flautist of Jethro Tull, had in his personal library the two track master tape from the original 1971 British pressing. This master was a different mix from the USA pressing. So how does this mix sound? Well, this LP is definitely Aqualung in all his ‘snot running down — greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes’ splendor. In some parts it is obvious that is this a different mix than the USA pressing. However, I found the album as enjoyable as ever. The sound, while not of audiophile quality is at least as good as my original pressing if not better (it is hard to tell with all the wear on my original.) If you liked the original, you have to buy this reissue.

LPZ-2033 Jefferson Airplane: Surrealistic Pillow — This LP was originally issued as RCA LSP-3766. My future wife and I each bought the album as soon as it hit the record stores. Thus, both of our copies are 1S/1S Black Dogs.3 With two copies to play, both of our copies are relatively undamaged. The sound of the original album was quite good. The sound of the DCC reissue is even better. Like the DCC classical LPs, the music arises from a silent, black background — no groove noise. The sound is also slightly warmer and a bit smoother. The lyrics are also clearer. At the end of White Rabbit it is perfectly clear what the dormouse said - "AFeed Your Head." On the original LPs I have to struggle to hear those words.4 If you like this album or if you like late ‘60s San Francisco psychedelic music you have got to buy this album.

LPZ-2036 Jefferson Starship: Red Octopus. This album was a smash hit in 1975, hitting number 1 on Billboard’s album chart. Personally, I prefer Surrealistic Pillow. However, lots of people will disagree with me. In comparison to my original Grunt Records BFL1-0999 pressing, the DCC reissue is a little clearer, a little more detailed. However, I don’t hear that big a difference. If you need a replacement for your worn out copy of Red Octopus, you aren’t going to find anything better than this reissue.

138 118 Boieldieu: Harp Concerto and Rodrigo: Concert-Serenade for Harp and Orchestra conducted by Ernst Marzendorfer and the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin. The Boieldieu concerto is a favorite of mine. I don’t know why there are not more recordings of it. If you don’t have this piece in your collection grab this one. Great music. Excellent performance. Great sound (for DG) and quite acceptable in comparison with other reissues such as the Alto-fins German Deccas and the Testament English EMIs. I am not so keen about the Rodrigo piece, however. Not because the sound is not good — it is. And not because the performance is not good — it is. However, this in my opinion is not one of Rodrigo’s strongest works. It is certainly enjoyable, but a far cry from his Concerto de Aranjuez.

KS 521 Sir Arthur Sullivan: The Tempest / The Merchant of Venice / ‘In Memoriam’ Overture with Sir Vivian Dunn conducting the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. This EMI reissue has been advertised as a Hi Fi blockbuster. I guess if you can’t sell the product, you sell the sizzle instead. Yes, the sound, particularly the bass, is Hi Fi spectacular. Definitely an audiophile recording.

However, the music, though decently played, is not terribly exciting. It is typical English light classical fare. I find it hard to imagine music lovers playing this recording over and over again. If you really must have this album, I would recommend buying the HMV Greensleeves reissue (ESD 7057). The HMV reissue has 95% of the sonics of the Klavier and is much cheaper. I bought my copy in a sale bin at Harold Moore’s in London last year for approximately $3.60.

M A Recording is known for their fine digital recordings. However, they do have two LPs in their catalog. One is Bach’s Goldberg Variations with Itoema playing the piano. The second is entitled Salterio. The name Salterio is derived from Psaltery which is the name for the family of neckless, stringed instruments excluding the harp and lyre. The instruments used in this recording are reconstructions of psaltery instruments for which no original instrument exists. However, from writings, illustrations and paintings it was possible to make these reconstructions. These reconstructed instruments were used to play arrangements of music that was originally written for these instruments. The results are exotic and quite captivating. If you like the many albums of Renaissance music from Harmonia Mundi, you should like this album. At the other end of the scale, if you like Dead Can Dance, particularly their Aeon album, you might like this album as well. This is the type of music on which Dead Can Dance based many of their songs.

Besides wanting to hear the music I also bought the album to learn what digital sounds like if the 44.1 kHz barrier is removed. This recording was recorded digitally at 96 kHz. It was mastered by Bernie Grundman, and pressed at Mobile Fidelity. Based on this album, I would say that there is a future for digital. Most of the things that I find objectionable with digital — coldness — sterility — lack of ambiance — are not present on this recording. This is a fine recording, sound wise. I look forward to the day when we can play 24-bit, 96 kHz, 8 times over sampled CDs on our 24 bit, 96 kHz, 8 times over sampled CD player.

EMI ASD-2889 Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 with Andre Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra. Previn has a natural affinity for modern Russian music, and Rachmaninoff in particular. This recording is no exception. A great performance with great sound. There are not many 2nd Symphony’s that are better than this one.

EMI ASD-3371 Dvorak: Piano Concerto in G with Sviatoslav Richter and Carlos Kleiber conducting the Bavarian State Orchestra. This work is much neglected - seldom performed and seldom recorded. After hearing this LP you really have to wonder why. This is a wonderful piece of music, brilliantly performed. Great EMI sound. When I bought this LP I really debated about it - do I really need this obscure work. Of the stack of classical LPs that I brought back from the show, this is my favorite. Buy it.

EMI SAX 2304 Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 / Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 with David Oistrakh, violin, and the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Oistrakh in the Mozart and by Alceo Galliera in the Prokofiev. Testament has shown excellent judgement in selecting the performances for its reissues. In this case, the Mozart is an excellent performance — the Prokofiev is exceptional. Great EMI sound. If you like the music, and few won’t, buy this album.

FOOTNOTES
1 LPZ 2016 Shostakovitch: Symphony No. 5 is a must buy. One of the greatest performances of this symphony ever, with spectacular sound.

2 The early Everest middle pressings (Silver on black and black on gold labels) do not sound bad. They just don’t sound as good as the silver/blue and purple mountain earlier pressings. The later Everest pressings, however, do sound bad and should be used only for skeet practice.

3 For those of you who don’t speak RCA this means that both sides of the LPs were pressed from stampers made from the first stamper master, thus making them the earliest of the first pressing series. The Black Dog refers to the label which contains a picture of RCA’s Little Nipper on a black background. Actually, this is the Black Dog version of the White Dog classical label as opposed to the Black Dog version of the earlier Shaded Dog classical label. No wonder people think us LP collectors are strange.

4 In college I can remember group bull sessions where we spent hours debating what those three words were. If only we had a good high end system instead of a cheap rack system we could have saved hours of argument and concentrated on something more meaningful — like was Panama Red better than Acapulco Gold (but at $10 a lid, did it really matter?)

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