Michael Fremer

Video Reviews
Roy Orbison: "In Dreams"
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 23, 2013  |  1 comments
At times he didn't look much like a rock star—and at other times he looked like nothing but one. On stage he didn't act like one either. He hardly moved. Dressed in black and wearing black-rimmed "coke bottle" sun glasses the self-effacing Roy Orbison just stood before the microphone singing and strumming his guitar.

His lips barely parted but what came out seemingly so effortless and free, was a voice that defied and continues to defy explanation. While singing about heartache and loneliness Orbison exuded a spooky detachment that made him sound more like a channeler than an entertainer.

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Book Reviews
"Original Classical LP Labels & Pressings [From the 1950's to the 1980's] Volume One THE EMI YEARS" By Lucas Stephanidis
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 20, 2013  |  1 comments
While it's probably too late to order this book as a Christmas present for your vinyl and classical music loving significant other or friend, (or for yourself) since the book must be ordered from Greece, you could put an IOU in a box, wrap it nicely and your giftee will be happy to receive it.

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News
RTI: a Victim of Industrial Sabotage, A Shipping Snafu, Or Just Getting Sloppy?
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 19, 2013  |  42 comments
When a copy of the new Roy Orbison box set arrived in the mail the other day it was cause for celebration for this big Roy fan. The box includes Roy's first three Monument albums that I already had, both original Monument pressings and Classic Records' reissues, superbly remastered by Bernie Grundman from the original tapes.

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News
Music Matters Returns to 33 1/3 and Some Mono For New Blue Note Reissues
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 18, 2013  |  29 comments
Music Matters, the jazz reissue label best known for its beautifully packaged double 45rpm stereo jazz reissues cut by Kevin Gray from original analog master tapes recently announced a new 33 1/3 Blue Note series. While this may sound like "old news" to some, please listen up!

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Can I Have My Money Back?
The Worst Print Ad Ever Created? (Not the One Pictured Below This Headline)
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 15, 2013  |  42 comments
Look at this print ad for the Manila Hi-Fi Show I recently attended. It is a model of clarity, good taste and communicates effectively the event. Do you agree?
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News
The 78 Project Readies For Release Vinyl Edition of Volume 1 Of a One-Of-A Kind Recording Project
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 15, 2013  |  4 comments
The 78 Project releases on January 28th, 2014, the Volume 1 Soundtrack album to the acclaimed web series that chronicles recordings made using a 1930's vintage Presto direct-to-acetate disc recorder similar to the one Alan Lomax used for his field recordings made between 1933 and 1942.

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Album Reviews
Ensemble HD "Live at the Happy Dog"
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 13, 2013  |  5 comments
Chamber music at a corner dive? Not likely, but this Kickstarter financed double LP set bears witness to the unlikely success of what sounds like an impossible combination of Beethoven and beer at an ex-polka bar located in the recently gentrified but once less than savory area now known as Cleveland, Ohio's Gordon Square Arts District.

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Beatles
Apple Corps/Capitol Announces 50th Anniversary American Releases 13 CD Box Set—"Meat The Beatles"? (Updated 12/15/13)
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 13, 2013  |  28 comments
On January 21st 2014 Apple Corp/Capitol will release a thirteen CD box set containing all of the American Beatle albums from Meet The Beatles (1964) to Hey Jude (1970). Just think: the entire history of the Beatles is like the time between 2007 and now. Think about that. It's guaranteed to blow your mind.

The discs contain both the mono and stereo versions, except for Beatles' Story and Hey Jude, which are in stereo only. And yes, the set will include the famous "Butcherblock cover" for Yesterday and Today

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Album Reviews
Analogue Productions "Goes to the Dogs"—Its "Scheherazade" Living Stereo Reissue Sounds Best
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 12, 2013  |  37 comments
This ravishing beauty, originally released in 1960 or fifty three years ago, has been a long-time audiophile classic. It's also considering to be among the finest if not the finest performance on record or any other format.

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Analog Gear News
Parasound Introduces Improved Edition Halo JC3+ Phono Preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 12, 2013  |  10 comments
Parasound today introduced the John Curl designed JC3+ phono preamplifier, an improved version of the highly regarded JC3. The original JC3 proved problematic for cartridge loading fetishists in that it offered limited fixed moving coil loading of 100ohms or "wide open" 47kOhms chosen via via custom-made NKK selector switches with gold-on-silver contacts.

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