I agree, Optimal used to have a good reputation but are slipping, maybe too much demand effecting QC
And a very reasonable price, would be good to see Blue Note Classic series taking note
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With two turntables and a crossfader innit
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I agree, Optimal is very frustrating; just when you think everything is fine and they’re putting out great pressings, along comes something like this. Ugh!! Right now they’re vying with GZ in my estimation, and that’s not a good thing.
Funnily enough I was recently thinking about getting the VMP Herbie Hancock box, but it’s pricey coming from the States, and then I saw the vinyl was being pressed by GZ and it just put me right off. Had it been Pallas I would have pulled the trigger without hesitation.
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It’s great that local record shops are now open again. I had a quick half hour and popped in and snaffled up this today. I have always meant to get a copy for as long as I can remember!
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Tbh Richard whilst GZ have had a bad rep I’ve found them to not always be that bad. Optimal are far worse these days I find. I dont think I’ve had anything pressed at GZ lately but on past experience they are capable of good work, I’m just looking across at The Kinks Mono Box for example which IIRC was pressed at GZ.
As I’ve said many times before, it’s not always fair to solely blame the pressing plant, they often work to the customers spec, so if it’s the lowest cost/quality banged out in the thousands in double quick time the customer (ie record company/label) wants that’s what they get, but if the customer specifies something better that can also be delivered.
I think some of the “better” pressing plants are perhaps less interested in doing the cheap high demand work thus maintaining and caring more about their reputation in the serious record buying community.
I’m glad you mention Pallas, consistently excellent cant recall ever having a duffer, being in Germany I dont know why more Euro record companies aren’t using them, I can only think of Speakers Corner and I think Pure Pleasure off the top of my head. Again very reasonably/sensibly priced.
A while ago Mikey Fremer did a video tour of GZ which is quite interesting if you have 2 1/2 hours to spare, critical of one or two things including a rather crappy turntable used for reference IIRC but in the end his overall conclusion of GZ especially QC (despite the rep) was quite positive.
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Or perhaps I have and theres been nothing wrong with them so I havent noticed
Courtesy Pure Pleasure Records
The Speakers Corner pressing of
Lou Reed - Transformer (Speakers Corner/ RCA LP)
Never really listened much to Velvet Underground or Lou Reed bar a compilation LP (Lou Reed Retro) Really enjoy this album though
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It [the Speakers Corner] is commonly regarded as the best-sounding version of this album @Dreadatthecontrols
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Cheers Kev, I’m looking forward to giving it a whirl after a spot of “gardening”. I had my eye on it for some time but it’s long been out of stock. Pure Pleasure had it back in, only two left when I hit the button
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Probably ought to check out more Velvet Underground
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Just spinning the latest Tone Poet to arrive
Katanga! - Curtis Amy, Jack Wilson, Ray Crawford, Dupree Bolton
This is probably my favourite TP so far. Wonderful pressing and music.
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Still waiting for mine to arrive, but it’s good to know the pressing is a good one.
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Popped in to town and got sucked in to the used record shop. It happens!
Paul & Linda McCartney - RAM. Grotty stickers on it but laminate is too fragile to try removing them.
Third World - 96° In The Shade. Must have been the weather that made me do it, but I have liked this album since it came out.
Charlie Parker - Bird Is Free. Just because it was there.
A thorough clean on the record cleaner and then see if they are any good.
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Mint/Mint/ US/ 1974 reissue.
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These 2 today……
Initial verdicts on these 2 as follows:
Billy Gibbons = 5/10 from me. The Reverend isn’t as good without Dusty and Frank. I’ve not been blown away by either of his last 2 solo albums tbh. I probably won’t play this often. He is far better when he guests on albums I reckon. His appearance on the recent Mick Fleetwood tribute concert for Greeny was amazing. I’d give this one a miss. No memorable tunes or lyrics or melodies on it for me.
Blackberry Smoke - 7/10 for me. this is by far the better of the 2. Not from their top drawer but it’s certainly the 2nd drawer down in a 5 drawer cabinet. The master of ceremonies that is Charlie Starr is on great form here with well-penned songs containing great story telling lyrics and an impressive array of guests including one of the best blues guitarists alive today - Warren Haynes. Warren doesn’t just play with anyone so it’s a testimony to the Smokes that he’s on a single track of 10 here. It is a double vinyl with 3 sides of music and side 4 blank.
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