Album Reviews

Eric Clapton Wastes His Talent on “Happy Xmas,” a Snoozefest that Fails to Bring the Christmas Spirit

Malachi Lui  |  Nov 6, 2018

Happy Xmas
Eric Clapton
 
Bushbranch/Surfdog Records 57688-1 2 45rpm colored vinyl LPs
Produced by: Eric Clapton and Simon Climie
Engineered by: Alan Douglas, Rowan McIntosh, Poppy Kavanaugh, Darryl Johnson, Jacob Dennis
Mixed by: Simon Climie
Mastered by: Bob Ludwig (digital files) and Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering (lacquer cutting)
 
MUSIC
SOUND
Over the past 70 years, the world has been treated to Christmas songs recorded by Bing Crosby, the Vince Guaraldi Trio, Nat “King” Cole, and many others. These classics evoke the wonderful feelings of the holiday season among listeners of all ages. Happy Xmas is Eric Clapton’s attempt to create his own seasonal classic. With a “slight blues tinge” to holiday favorites, he falls painfully short with an amazingly boring, emotionless, and by-the-numbers album.

Primary Category: 
Album Reviews
Category: 
Album Reviews
Artist: 
Eric Clapton
Album: 
Happy Xmas
Cred Label: 
Bushbranch/Surfdog Records 57688-1 2 45rpm colored vinyl LPs
Cred Prod: 
Eric Clapton and Simon Climie
Cred Eng: 
Alan Douglas, Rowan McIntosh, Poppy Kavanaugh, Darryl Johnson, Jacob Dennis
Cred Mix: 
Simon Climie
Cred Mast: 
Bob Ludwig (digital files) and Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering (lacquer cutting)
Malachi Lui
Over the past 70 years, the world has been treated to Christmas songs recorded by Bing Crosby, the Vince Guaraldi Trio, Nat “King” Cole, and many others. These classics evoke the wonderful feelings of the holiday season among listeners of all ages. Happy Xmas is Eric Clapton’s attempt to create his own seasonal classic. With a “slight blues tinge” to holiday favorites, he falls painfully short with an amazingly boring, emotionless, and by-the-numbers album.

News

Join Me At Ovation A/V Indianapolis This Friday November 9th

Michael Fremer  |  Nov 5, 2018

AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer appears at Ovation A/V Indianapolis on Friday evening November 9th starting at 6PM as part of the two-day 31st Anniversary event. The store's website calls Fremer a 'sell-out', but that's okay. He'll show up anyway. Ovation's site promises big 31st A

Analog Corner

Analog Corner #100

Michael Fremer  |  Nov 5, 2018  |  First Published: Nov 1, 2003

The Mørch DP-6 tonearm's pillar

This is the 100th "Analog Corner" I've written for Stereophile. Thanks to all for reading the column, and for taking the time to send me and the magazine so many letters, complimentary and otherwise, over the eight years and four months it's taken to reach 100 installments. In that time we've witnessed one of the greatest resurrections since...well, I don't want to get into John Lennon's trap, so let's just say the unlikely survival and rebirth of analog in the age of digital everything has been one of the most gratifying phenomena I've witnessed in my life as an audiophile. If I've played some small part in that, all of the hard work has been worthwhile...

Album Reviews

Bob Dylan's "More Blood, More Tracks The Bootleg Series Vol. 14" Review + Exclusive Interview With Co-Producer Steve Berkowitz

Michael Fremer  |  Nov 2, 2018

More Blood, More Tracks The Bootleg Series Vol. 14
Bob Dylan
 
Columbia/Legacy 19075858971 2 180g LPs
Produced by: Reissue producers Jeff Rosen and Steve Berkowitz
Engineered by: Phil Ramone
Mixed by: Steve Addabbo (2018)
Mastered by: Mark Wilder and Steve Addabbo (lacquers cut by Ryan K. Smith)
 
MUSIC
SOUND
1974's Blood on the Tracks (Columbia PC 33235) was for many at the time a "Bob Dylan's back" album. He was back on Columbia Records after leaving for David Geffen's Asylum for a pair of not particularly well-received at the time albums backed by The Band. But more importantly Dylan was back in the more familiar role as folk-poet and story teller—though spinning more deeply felt tales from various points of view that many observers wrongly thought were personal chronicles.

Primary Category: 
Album Reviews
Category: 
Album Reviews
Interviews
Artist: 
Bob Dylan
Album: 
More Blood, More Tracks The Bootleg Series Vol. 14
Cred Label: 
Columbia/Legacy 19075858971 2 180g LPs
Cred Prod: 
Reissue producers Jeff Rosen and Steve Berkowitz
Cred Eng: 
Phil Ramone
Cred Mix: 
Steve Addabbo (2018)
Cred Mast: 
Mark Wilder and Steve Addabbo (lacquers cut by Ryan K. Smith)
Michael Fremer
1974's Blood on the Tracks (Columbia PC 33235) was for many at the time a "Bob Dylan's back" album. He was back on Columbia Records after leaving for David Geffen's Asylum for a pair of not particularly well-received at the time albums backed by The Band. But more importantly Dylan was back in the more familiar role as folk-poet and story teller—though spinning more deeply felt tales from various points of view that many observers wrongly thought were personal chronicles.

News

Eagles Legacy Box Available Today However You Wish

Michael Fremer  |  Nov 2, 2018

The Eagles' seven studio albums, three live albums plus a collection of rare singles and B-sides are included in the 15 LP vinyl edition of Eagles Legacy along with a 54 page hard-bound book all in a lavish slipcase package costing $349.98 It includes "Hell Freezes Over" and for the first time

News

Join Me In West Palm Beach, Florida at Audio Advisors Thursday Evening November 8th

Michael Fremer  |  Nov 1, 2018

AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer makes an in-store appearance at Audio Advisors, 2271A Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. West Palm Beach, Florida 33409 on the evening of November 8th along with Richard Vandersteen, Mat Weisfeld (who's bringing the new VPI HW 40 Direct Drive turntable) and Audio Research's Aldo Fillipelli.

Album Reviews

Best Digital Release Ever? Analogue Productions Reissues “Axis: Bold As Love” on SACD

Malachi Lui  |  Oct 31, 2018

Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
 
Analogue Productions CAPP 19792 SA Hybrid Stereo SACD
Produced by: Chas Chandler
Engineered by: Eddie Kramer
Mixed by: Eddie Kramer
Mastered by: Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
 
MUSIC
SOUND
“Why another Axis: Bold As Love?” That’s what I asked myself before buying this SACD. After all, mono and stereo AAA LPs have been in print for several years, and were obviously made for audiophiles. For digital listeners, the most recent CD edition mastered by the late George Marino at Sterling Sound isn’t bad. How much better can this album sound?

Primary Category: 
Album Reviews
Category: 
Album Reviews
Artist: 
Jimi Hendrix
Album: 
Axis: Bold As Love
Cred Label: 
Analogue Productions CAPP 19792 SA Hybrid Stereo SACD
Cred Prod: 
Chas Chandler
Cred Eng: 
Eddie Kramer
Cred Mix: 
Eddie Kramer
Cred Mast: 
Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Malachi Lui
“Why another Axis: Bold As Love?” That’s what I asked myself before buying this SACD. After all, mono and stereo AAA LPs have been in print for several years, and were obviously made for audiophiles. For digital listeners, the most recent CD edition mastered by the late George Marino at Sterling Sound isn’t bad. How much better can this album sound?

Features

The Amazing Beverly "Guitar" Watson Performs at "Blues at the Crossroads" 2018

Michael Fremer  |  Oct 31, 2018

79 year old Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, unknown to most in the audience, puts on a fiery, funky and fierce standing ovation hour-long performance on the first night of Chad Kassem's "Blues at the Crossroads" Blues Festival Friday October 26th.

News

Newvelle Records Launches Season Four And There's A Discount For AnalogPlanet Readers

Michael Fremer  |  Oct 30, 2018

The by-subscription Newvelle jazz label just launched season four of its unique original LP series. The vinyl-only 6 LP series consists of original productions, all recorded and mixed at East Side Sound in New York by Marc Urselli with lacquers mastered by Alex DeTurk. Pressing has moved from MPO to Chad Kassem's QRP in Salina, Kansas.

Features

Bobby Rush Live at "Blues at the Crossroads", Salina, Kansas 2018

Michael Fremer  |  Oct 29, 2018

This performance by 85 year old Blues legend Bobby Rush is the first in a series of videos shot at this year's "Blues at the Crossroads Blues festival at Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas. Blue Heaven Studios and the festival are part of Acoustic Sounds' Chad Kassem's music empire.

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