Allan Holdsworth - i.o.u. - 1982
3 Likes
After much searching, I finally tracked down an affordable copy of this, the Audio Fidelity numbered release of Vangelis’ Blade Runner, a couple of years ago. I played it once or twice and was a little underwhelmed - the sound was certainly good, but a touch woolly, which I put down to the coloured vinyl, as it was clear that it had hardly been played at all. I added it to the to-be-cleaned pile, eventually cleaned it on the VPI, then forgot about it for a while.
Yesterday I played it for the first time since cleaning it. What a transformation! It’s now one of the best sounding records I own. A huge and solid sound, very detailed and natural, and with surfaces that are almost completely silent. I couldn’t be happier with it.
Having cleaned hundreds of records, I’ve found the process to be a bit of a lottery. Almost all records are somewhat improved, but it’s unpredictable. I might have a record that’s obviously filthy, I clean it so it looks new, and yet it sounds only marginally better. Conversely, I’ve cleaned a few records that look clean but sound sub-par, look little different after cleaning, yet end up transformed. Anyway, the few times it works out as well as this, the whole tedious process ends up being very satisfying.
20 Likes
Beverley Kenny, born to be blue. Actually played this after Bonnie White Horseman, much earlier today, because both Beverley and Bonnie have interesting phrasing techniques. 
5 Likes
Just replaced my battered original with the 2017 version. For me it’s better, as is the 2017 Before & After Science (which is still my favourite Eno release)
2 Likes
Favourite Sting solo album.
1 Like
Good find, thanks