Raining this afternoon so its another dig into the long-time unplayed vinyl at 'CJFS Towers'. Five LP's this afternoon, first was Charly Antolin quartet including Charly on drums, **** Morissey saxophone, Brian Lemon piano and Len Skeat bass, album; 'Cookin'. This is an album they signed for me when I heard them live in 1991. How could I have forgotten this jazz gem, it will see much more needle time.
Next, Joni Mitchell, 'Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm' . . . Joni is a folkie type singer, afraid this album does not do it for me.
Chris Rea, 'Deltics', I prefer his later work.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood, 'Pleasure Dome' . . . wow!!! always thought this was a bit raw, either I have changed or my system is doing the business. I think its the latter, turn the wick up, listen to Welcome to the Pleasure Dome and War, drive the speakers to within an inch of their life, fry an egg on the amp!!! Despite this volume abuse it was as sweet as a nut, no distortion, all the layers were there, depth, width, timing perfect . . . Granddad and Grandmar!!! getting a buzz, if only we could dance? The system is spot on, especially the TT, there was enough in there to encourage miss tracking and distortion, not a twitch!
Something a little more easy on the ear, Paul Simon and 'Graceland', again a record I had dismissed back in the 80's . . . wrong, superb production, different, musical, I had to play both sides.
Finally, currently playing, the Carpenters, 'Now &Then' . . . after the drive of Pleasure Dome and the superb production of Graceland, this is a real pleasure. Laid back, brings back many good memories of my very early days of married life and those first tentative moves into hifi, Bush record player and Stereo ad on . . . Considering the amount of play time (we did not have a TV in those days) with not the best stylus, the recording is most enjoyable, very clean.
Happy days, CJSF