Beatles

McCartney's Misunderstood, Impeccably Produced Beatles "Prequel"

Michael Fremer  |  Jun 7, 2012

Kisses on the Bottom
Paul McCartney
 
MPL/Hear Music 2 180g LPs
Produced by: Tommy LiPuma
Engineered by: Al Shmitt, others
Mixed by: Al Shmitt
Mastered by: Doug Sax and Sangwook "Sunny" Nam at The Mastering Lab, Ojai, CA
 
MUSIC
SOUND
It shouldn't be surprising that The Beatle who sang on Meet The Beatles "Till There Was You" from the Broadway hit "The Music Man" would eventually dip into the old song basket and pull out nearly an album's worth. McCartney has written so many songs in the "old style," from "Honey Pie," to "When I'm Sixty-Four" to "Martha My Dear." His father led a jazz band. I've read so many negative reviews of this misunderstood album, and it's a real shame because it will prevent many people, especially McCartney fans, from listening to it.

Primary Category: 
Beatles
Category: 
Beatles
Artist: 
Paul McCartney
Album: 
Kisses on the Bottom
Cred Label: 
MPL/Hear Music 2 180g LPs
Cred Prod: 
Tommy LiPuma
Cred Eng: 
Al Shmitt, others
Cred Mix: 
Al Shmitt
Cred Mast: 
Doug Sax and Sangwook "Sunny" Nam at The Mastering Lab, Ojai, CA
Michael Fremer
It shouldn't be surprising that The Beatle who sang on Meet The Beatles "Till There Was You" from the Broadway hit "The Music Man" would eventually dip into the old song basket and pull out nearly an album's worth. McCartney has written so many songs in the "old style," from "Honey Pie," to "When I'm Sixty-Four" to "Martha My Dear." His father led a jazz band.

Set-Up Tips

A Turnbuckle In Time Saves Your Stylus

Michael Fremer  |  Jun 7, 2012

I once lived on the second floor of an old farmhouse with a springy floor. How it got in my pants, I'll never know! I had a VPI TNT turntable at the time, on a VPI stand that had been filled with leadshot and sand. It was heavy! But the stand still bounced and the 'table's suspension couldn't deal with it and so the stylus bounced around in the groove.

Playback Accessory Reviews

Rega Spacers: The Final Frontier

Michael Fremer  |  Jun 6, 2012

So you've got a Rega turntable and you love the sound and the performance bang you get for the buck, but you don't like that you can't easily adjust VTA/SRA because the rear of the arm is bolted down?

Album Reviews

Cassandra Wilson's Genre-Bending Masterpiece Finally Gets AAA Issue!

Michael Fremer  |  Jun 6, 2012

Blue Light 'til Dawn
Cassandra Wilson
 
Blue Note/Pure Pleasure PPAN BST81357 2 180g LPs
Produced by: Craig Street
Engineered by: Danny Kopelson, others
Mixed by: Danny Kopelson
Mastered by: Ron McMaster
 
MUSIC
SOUND
While the Mississippi born, now New York based Wilson is labeled a "jazz singer," she's strayed far from her original comfort zone to cover everyone from The Monkees to Van Morrison to Robert Johnson—and more importantly done it effectively by re-imagining both the familiar arrangements and the listener's every musical expectation. These are not "jazzed up" covers.

Primary Category: 
Album Reviews
Category: 
Album Reviews
Artist: 
Cassandra Wilson
Album: 
Blue Light 'til Dawn
Cred Label: 
Blue Note/Pure Pleasure PPAN BST81357 2 180g LPs
Cred Prod: 
Craig Street
Cred Eng: 
Danny Kopelson, others
Cred Mix: 
Danny Kopelson
Cred Mast: 
Ron McMaster
Michael Fremer
While the Mississippi born, now New York based Wilson is labeled a "jazz singer," she's strayed far from her original comfort zone to cover everyone from The Monkees to Van Morrison to Robert Johnson—and more importantly done it effectively by re-imagining both the familiar arrangements and the listener's every musical expectation.

News

Legendary Mastering Engineer George Marino Dies

Michael Fremer  |  Jun 5, 2012

Mastering engineer George Marino, who worked for nearly 40 years at Sterling Sound cutting some of the greatest records of the LP era and helped usher in the vinyl renaissance, passed away on Monday after a year long bout with lung cancer.

Phono Preamp Reviews

Liberty Audio B2B-1 phono preamplifier Measurements

COMMENTS
Balack123's picture
Submitted by Balack123 on Sat, 2013-10-19 00:37

Automobile industry now improved a lot regarding the digital and sound or audio technology. Car connection is one of the latest find of this category. Car infotainment and entertainment are the two most important aspect in case of a car manufacturing company. Because, these days, cars are need to be digitally enabled to help the operator whenever necessary. The communication will be a lot easier. Car sound system needs to be more clear and advance. Car repair and service is more useful whenever any machinary or engine problems or even any sort of technical problems occurs.

DanaHolmes's picture
Submitted by DanaHolmes on Thu, 2015-08-27 07:18

I was looking for a phono preamp to run with my PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated and this little beauty popped up. The review I read spoke of 'rock' music and AC/DC and that is what caught my attention. I loved the sound of my tubes but I also wanted a preamp that would keep my rock and power pop clean and tight before sending the signal to the tubes - this appeared to be the phono stage. I then introduced myself to the manufacturer Peter, and had a few conversations via email. I knew that I could try it out and if I didn't like it I could then just simply ship it back for a refund. I still have it in my system today and really dig it. One solid unit that I am very musically happy with.

JE WARD's picture
Submitted by JE WARD on Thu, 2020-02-06 12:25

I liked the report, although this preamp cannot be heard carefully because the Liberty direct selling system.
Query: Is B2B-1 vastly superior to Graham Slee Accession M, or the Reflex M.
It is a high bet, buying it without being able to compare it. Except for, "It's a mini Boulder 1008, I found myself thinking-a big compliment."
I would also appreciate if dual mono operation is convenient, for Soundsmith H-output the Voice / the Aida.
Thanks!

Pages

Phono Preamp Reviews

Liberty Audio B2B-1 phono preamplifier Specifications

COMMENTS
Balack123's picture
Submitted by Balack123 on Sat, 2013-10-19 00:37

Automobile industry now improved a lot regarding the digital and sound or audio technology. Car connection is one of the latest find of this category. Car infotainment and entertainment are the two most important aspect in case of a car manufacturing company. Because, these days, cars are need to be digitally enabled to help the operator whenever necessary. The communication will be a lot easier. Car sound system needs to be more clear and advance. Car repair and service is more useful whenever any machinary or engine problems or even any sort of technical problems occurs.

DanaHolmes's picture
Submitted by DanaHolmes on Thu, 2015-08-27 07:18

I was looking for a phono preamp to run with my PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated and this little beauty popped up. The review I read spoke of 'rock' music and AC/DC and that is what caught my attention. I loved the sound of my tubes but I also wanted a preamp that would keep my rock and power pop clean and tight before sending the signal to the tubes - this appeared to be the phono stage. I then introduced myself to the manufacturer Peter, and had a few conversations via email. I knew that I could try it out and if I didn't like it I could then just simply ship it back for a refund. I still have it in my system today and really dig it. One solid unit that I am very musically happy with.

JE WARD's picture
Submitted by JE WARD on Thu, 2020-02-06 12:25

I liked the report, although this preamp cannot be heard carefully because the Liberty direct selling system.
Query: Is B2B-1 vastly superior to Graham Slee Accession M, or the Reflex M.
It is a high bet, buying it without being able to compare it. Except for, "It's a mini Boulder 1008, I found myself thinking-a big compliment."
I would also appreciate if dual mono operation is convenient, for Soundsmith H-output the Voice / the Aida.
Thanks!

Pages

T.H.E. Show Newport 2012

Acoustic Sounds Announces New Prestige Vinyl Reissue Series and a Perennial Favorite Reissued in an Enhanced Edition

Michael Fremer  |  Jun 3, 2012

Do I even have to tell you what album this is? Okay, I guess I do. It's Dave Brubeck's "time travel" masterpiece Take Five of course, about to be reissued by Acoustic Sounds as a double 45rpm edition that includes deluxe gatefold packaging

.

T.H.E. Show Newport 2012

VPI's Traveler Turntable Hits the Road After Newport Show

Michael Fremer  |  Jun 3, 2012

VPI demoed a more polished version of the company's new $1300 Traveler turntable/tonearm combination. If this aluminum paltered turntable that new includes a removable arm sounds as good as it looks, it should be a

T.H.E. Show Newport 2012

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Michael Fremer  |  Jun 3, 2012

Nothing a clean mind and heart can't cure. Actually it's an album cover for a 1950s David Oistrach violin recital album on Parliament records (PLP 118) that includes Prokofiev's "Love For Three Oranges."

Pages

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