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Now With That Out Of The Way, Back To Christmachine – Audio Reference Server

Posted on January 16, 2017 by admin

Now With That Out Of The Way, Back To Christmachine – Audio Reference Server

Ahhh… Where Do You Keep The Vinyl Rips and Hi Resolution Digital Files ? ——————————–>Photo Courtesy Of Doc KEYAZA!!!

So there has been enough (So much!) time passed, it’s blatantly obvious to me that no one else will create an Audio Reference Quality Standards Catalogue for individual album releases. The powers that be have showed us time and time again that they feel that we should be left in the dark about the music we have purchased and continue to purchase. It’s loud and clear, they do not have to, there is no other option.

All we asked for was lineage and provenance of recordings that we spend gobs of cash for, as well as the textual and numerical details as to how they mastered, remastered, and transferred the new releases. Once again we are left clueless as to what we are purchasing. We know it can be done, some releases have done just that, usually projects overseen by reputable audio engineers.

I do understand that in some cases they do not know some of these details as they have been lost to time, poor record keeping, lack of proper labeling, and a sad state of storage of the original master tapes. In some cases they don’t even know whether they are the “original studio masters” or well travelled copies. We saw that in the report on the sad state of historical music archiving, much has been lost or destroyed….as we know back just a few decades ago music industry analysts and label bosses went with the prevailing wisdom, why would we want to preserve all this music–who is going to want it? What is the use?

This:

https://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub148/pub148.pdf

And ESPECIALLY This (Re-Post):

http://www.billholland.net/words/Labels%20Strive%20to%20Rectify%20Past%20Archival%20Problems.pdf

Now that they realize the marketing and money making potential, oh the irony there, eh? All we have asked for is crumbs; forget about the old arguments (for a moment) on the loudness wars, whether high rez audio can be heard by the human ear (The Nyquist Theorem), Wheather vinyl has more warmth and soul, whether expensive cables give a +/- better listening experience, The law of diminishing returns, “Sources? / Laws of Science?, Do CD’s suck, the failure of SACD, .mp3’s are garbage, etc. Noel Gallagher saying there will be no more vinyl niche as an industry in a few short years as a result of streaming (He thinks? I agree, he is probably right).

With that said, our niche is just that–our niche, and it will continue as long as the electric grids are up. Even then some of us crazies will be powering phonographs with a stationary bike, using a carefully sharpened fishbone as a rudimentary needle, a significant other propping up a makeshift jimmy-rigged cardboard cone to telescope and carry those wondrous melodies to the flash mobs in our living rooms. Vinyl wear and tear bad, but for a time the ears are very good.

Remember what is normal any way, and relative to what? With those previous dire predictions of the future, keeping in mind that some of us have never had or witnessed an argument on the early Yahoo and Alta Vista message boards about the wonders of Hi Resolution Audio (It will always be Hi-rez to me, soz!), I will try to parse mixed nuts. Threading the needle like a steaming locomotive on crazy good meds, diplomacy will avail for all, no matter what our differences. Joy!

Why don’t we focus on the things that which we do agree.

We pay a lot of money re-purchasing music over and over.
Music listening is a different subjective experience for each person.
It “can” take a wee bit of trained ear (Not a B.S Degree), to hear improvements.
The music is only as good as it’s source.
ABX’ing can, not always, but “can” manifest as human listening fallibility & weakness.
Placebo affect and bias are real “things”[sic].
Provenance and Lineage of our recordings is Interesting and “nice” to have.
There is such a thing as “brick walling”, “anti aliasing”, and de-noising”.
There is more than one type of compression in music.
Type A removes many of the tiny spaces to make music file formats smaller.
Type B holds the fidelity of the performance together, Very Good!
Good source players are available at many price ranges.
There are good headphones and bad headphones at all price ranges.
When in noisy public settings, audio nuances tend to decline.
You Do NOT need to be an audiophile, to source good quality audio (If Available).
Audiophiles can be nuts, same with Hi-Rez deniers. (In a good way 😉 )
That said, Head-fi has it’s place, and deniers seem to hang around bigly.
There are, subjectively to each of us, good mastering engineers and poor ones.
We all have to listen to our source material and make our own judgements.
I can have (IMO); my own vast archive of “self-proclaimed” Reference Quality Vinyl Rips, Hi-Rez digital lossless [FLAC 24/48, 24/96, 24/172, 24/192, 32 bit float, .WAV, even ALAC and DSD], quality sourced and mastered CD’s [16/44] etc., portable DAP’s/amps/DAC’s, and use .mp3’s and Youtube to preview and stream when need be. It’s fine that you might consider this fodder, trendy, and hipsterish. I often use apple ear buds while on the go with the mobile. I’m not a gobsmacked music snob…I listen to AC/DC cranked on the local radio in the car, beautifully overbearingly loud in all its overly-compressed glory. I’d dance randomly in the street to an 80’s boombox with cassettes daily if these types of gatherings where more frequent.
You can have 50,000 lossy .mp3’s on the go, with an excellent ear, sourcing quality CD’s and audio on your own volition (all without my schtick). You might even listen to vinyl for nostalgia purposes possibly. Further you own low cost but excellent sounding source players as well as an expensive pair of headphones and/ or IEM’s. Even bluetooth love…it’s almost 5.0 (I too am sick of those frickin tangly chords). There’s nothing wrong with any of that. What I’m getting at is it doesn’t matter.
We can all site the Nyquist Theorem till we are blue in the face, and never get anywhere…agree to disagree perhaps. If you’re happy, I am happy.
Electronic music and Hip Hop does not and should not have to follow any of these rules. Electronic music tends to sound great, almost always produced very well, unless it’s a very low bit rate or has been up sampled, but that is usually by design. Hip Hop needs to be vicious or passive aggressive and Bassy…clean tight bassy…Superb dope! The only reservation I have is when either genre is too bright and shreds my ears. It’s rare, again unless by design.
Classical music is on the other end of the spectrum…the rules DO very very very much apply. Soundstage and instrument separation are paramount. Loud and soft, loud and soft just like The Pixies or Nirvana. A muddy midrange is a killer. Attack, sustain, decay should be transparently punchy, grainy, and accurate. The music has to breathe and pulse…ripping the heart right out your chest even with headphones on. Emotions, knocked about, tugged like a puppet to strings. It should convey an air of atmospheric space with perceivable parameters…and in a perfect world, pseudo-holophonic sound, as if you the listener can imagine you’re there live sitting center stage with the orchestra wrapped 180 degrees from ear to ear. You’ll know something is wrong right off, a piano from each and every-little-single-ebony-to-ivory key is muddled together as one, or squashed in a constant spew of notes like an accordion. We should be able to perceive and hear milliseconds of spaciation[sic] and be acute to a differentiation between every single tapped key, no matter how fast the piece. I’ve said before piano is the hardest instrument to reproduce in recording with accuracy. If that’s muddy then it’s all over. I won’t get started on the pneumatic breath of the solo cello…you get my drift.
Pop music…It depends on if it’s good! 😉 😉

So with all that said we arrive at the conclusion that we may not agree subjectively. Please forgive me, as I was being purposefully presumptuous in some of the things I said above… but that is not the point. I’m just generalizing for the sake of getting at the crux. Most of the people reading this will not care one way or the other. Some will be bored to tears as to, “what is the going on and on about”. In the end we all just love music and are devilishly passionate about it–Pretty simple, no? 🙂

So, in the past I did some reviews….Beck, The Beatles Catalogue, Led Zeppelin Catalog, etc., they each get hundreds of hits daily as reference, awesome. I also posted full album playlists (with some lineage)…it was quite subtle, again on purpose as to what I have deemed a Reference Quality Audio Recording. I don’t know if I said it outright, I may have…If not my tongue in cheek went over people’s heads. A failed attempt by me. Yes, you are left to taking me at my word, have to search for it yourself, and availability is spotty. I know it’s somewhat authoritarian but let your ears be the judge. There were many times I have searched for a single particular recording over weeks and months before finally getting a hold of it. Time well spent!

If you search hard enough you will be able to get a hold of same source as I did, some searches will be easy, others will require patience and time. Moderately I will recommend the High-Rez digital transfer available for everyone to purchase with a quick download and some cash. I have no stake in this…no adverts, self funded hosting and servers. I’m just passionate about music and everything else, and I know you are as well, or you would not be reading this.

Just a note **** again, the night site is under maintenance (The links from here the day page are static as of writing this)…It will be up again soon enough. I’m going to do all those recordings here on the main page individually anyhow. So there will probably be some updates as well. When live, it will give you an idea of some of what I will cover, and it is only a small part of projected works.

From now on instead of taking a few months to do mega reviews, although I will someday do the Complete Pink Floyd Archives Posts (Damn there I go again, that’s one exception), from now on there will be single album releases (From past and present) which a single post can be done in one day. I will do whatever I am listening to and I have in my wheelhouse as the best recordings and rips / digital to date. The posts will vary widely in style, genre, and medium. One day or two could be Thrash, the next Classical, Jazz, Electronic, Pop, wherever the music takes me.

In between I will continue to do my sordid stories, post mixes, photos, memorabilia, any type of art really. I intend on making this site better by making it a reference site for individual albums. In that vein It would make it possible for those who do not want to read my silly erotica, still be able to come here intentionally via direct link or search engine in order to just browse my reviews and recommendations on specific albums…quick and easy.

In conclusion, each album will have an easy to read, specific format that I have worked out, and tweak things as I go along. If there is anything extra about a specific release that you would like to see, send me an email or message. If I can get the info – I will post it or write you back. Understand that I cannot council and/or recommend file sharing or piracy, so do not ask…messages from readers as to these types of questions will go unanswered. No disrespect…just being clear.

Thanks For Reading & All Your Endless Support. My Readers Are Awesome!

Love You Lots! Stay Well, Be Kind & Bless.

Tak Tak, Bless!

Grazie, Ciao!

Obrigadx, Tchau! Adeus!

Gracias, Adios!

Danke, Tchuss!

Merci, Au revoir!

Dank je…Bedankt, Alstublieft!

Merci Vilmal, Adeau!

Gracies, Adieu!

Gracies, Adeu!

CM ☕

☠

Please do not reproduce this article either all or in part without the expressed written permission of the author who can be reached via the “Contact” section in the header menu. You may link to the article if you wish, all that we ask is that you give credit to the respective author…”Christmachine” wherever you post a link. Thank you.

Black Mass – Boston Den Of Iniquity, Aerosmith And The Last Child “Get Your Wings”, Plus The Law Of Extracurricular Activities…[2nd Pass Edit]…

Posted on April 26, 2015 by admin

Black Mass – Boston Den Of Iniquity, Aerosmith And The Last Child “Get Your Wings”, Plus The Law Of Extracurricular Activities…

Urban Legend #1 – Within this article…

You’re welcome to join me on Twitter if you want and I’ll follow you back as well.

https://twitter.com/Christ_Machine

ARCHIVES~

http://www.scoop.it/u/christmachineandicelandicgurlagenda

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http://bit.ly/1PxIqfC

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Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

I know you probably read the title and thought hmmmm….that’s not grammatically correct. But no, you read it right it’s messed up for a reason…as a matter of fact this whole story which takes place over thirty years within one half mile in a West Boston Neighborhood is all messed up. So messed up in fact that shit round here is going to get dark, real dark, and real fast. You may have to take a bath after this one; I’m not kidding.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

Moving to Boston was a bit of a culture shock. You have to be somewhat crazy to live there in the winter because it can get crazy with the weather. Being used to lots of snow and ice helps residents to begin to bridge the divide where they literally begin to lose their minds and teeter on the edge of borderline psychosis. Everyone has heard that people in Boston are tough and scrappy, with that said, it’s a wonderful place to live and visit. As in every city there is a dark element, and if you live on the fringes you’re bound to bump up against that fine line at one time or another. If one uses common sense it’s easy to avoid certain situations that can get messy, even if you are an innocent bystander and witness something that never fully goes away.

©Christmachine.com

The first apartment was gross because there were tons of cockroaches, whenever you turn on the light they scatter along the walls. One night sleeping there was a small tactile feel of pitter pattering of feet up the arm. In a reflexive action the other hand on the other arm swoops in and cups whatever it is in the dark so that fucker can’t get away. Flick the lights on and upon removing the hand trap, out drops a large cockroach onto the floor, subsequently a foot lands on the sucker to smash it before it gets away. It could be worse though at least there were no rats in the cellar.

©Christmachine.com

One day the boys were drinking some beers and smoking some weed having a good time. It was summer in the city, not a super hot day but there are hints of humidity moving in or leaving. To be honest it could have been spring or fall, anyway it was sunny and warm with a slight breeze, and everyone would hang out on the rooftop where the students would humorously come out and play their brass instruments at all different levels of musicality. There was the trumpet, and at times it would sound jazzy, eventually trailing of into some kind of trippy hallucinogenic tangle. There was a tuba as well on another roof and they would riff off each other whenever they found themselves out at the same time. It definitely brought a smile to the face and sometimes even laughter. It was the perfect spot for students, there was a huge liquor store just steps away, with an amazing selection of imports and kegs at the ready. Across the street from that was a chicken rotisserie which sold meals to go for very cheap. One could smell that chicken basting from miles around, no doubt. Grab the T right there into the center of the city for a token. Right around behind the chicken place was an infamous club which had been there for decades. It was a dive bar and every night there were shows going down. Aerosmith had lived around the corner as well on Commonwealth Avenue when they were starting out, as well as playing at the club in the 1970’s among many other famous bands that were starting out.

©Christmachine.com

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Aerosmith Live…

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Steven Tyler…

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Aerosmith…The Bad Boys From Boston…

http://www.bahistory.org/RockHistory.html

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

When the beer had run out early in the afternoon, a decision was made to hit up the liquor store. Walking down the front steps to Commonwealth Avenue, Bang…Bang…shots rang out and running like wildfire around the corner and down the side alley seconds after was one of the bouncers from the club behind the chicken place who was not working at that early hour. As the feet hit the bottom of the stairs only to turn and see a girl around twenty on the ground shot and blood all over her and the pavement. Someone was trying to tend to her wounds applying pressure but she was already dead. All there was to do was just stand there in shock as a small crowd of people gathered with occasional screams from those who seemed to know her. Within a few minutes the police arrived and they seemed to know who they were after as some of them ran down the alley to a block of buildings behind the compound.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Joe Perry’s Finger…

Everything was going so fast and soon after the coroner arrived and the police could be heard saying that the suspect had run into his apartment and committed suicide, that he had barricaded himself in his residence and shot himself in the head. It was impossible not to notice every time walking by for years after, the exact spot where the blood had drained off the sidewalk liberally over the curb and into the gutter.

©Christmachine.com

Even though this was the city, many got to know each other in the neighborhood, so everyone knew who or of the girl that had been killed, as well as the person who had done it and then done himself in. The next day, reading in the paper the story went that he was a skinhead that worked at the club around the corner and that his neighbors said that he was known by the police in the past to kill his cats and other animals and skin them for pleasure. Also it supposedly was a crime done out of jealousy as he was dating the girl he had killed and something had gone wrong, very wrong. To make matters worse this person was known to the boys, not just from the club, but from years earlier in a high school outside of the city. Everyone knew him as the guy who had been arrested years earlier for getting caught extracting his blood in a restaurant with a syringe, in front of a crowd of people. Then he proceeded to squirt his blood into a ketchup bottle, putting the cap back on and placing it back on the table. Yes, evil if you believe in that sort of thing, for some unsuspecting person who used the bottle next. He was arrested for it, definately psycho for sure…as they say you can’t make this stuff up.

©Christmachine.com

At some point the boys decided to move to another apartment a few blocks away on the opposite side of Commonwealth Avenue. It was a large place with five bedrooms a large common area with four couches and a kitchen. This time there were no roaches but they would soon find out they were walking into another kind of crazy. It was a front walk down basement apartment. It was full of students rotating in and out and every time someone would move out, they would find some unknown to move in to share the rent. A big giveaway that there would be trouble was that all five rooms had their own door, each with a personal deadbolt. Shortly after moving in the history of the place would make it’s way down in confidence from one roommate to the next that the apartment a few years earlier was a crack house. Further a deal had gone sour between two gangs, one who had been living in the house selling and using crack and another who would still drive by occasionally in the middle of the night, and unload a few bullets into the bricks above their basement door. No wonder it was so cheap to move in there, you get what you pay for. Just the idea that this shit became normal to everyone was whacked.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Steven Tyler On Fiyaaa!!!

Guess it’s safe to say that there were a lot of drugs being used there as well…no need to list them all. There was however a peculiar thing about the drugs…there was one guy from India who lived there, finishing up his Doctorate in Pharmacology and he would bring all types of crazy pharmaceuticals he stole, from fentanyl patches to liquid dilaudid to pharmaceutical methamphetamine and he would never take them himself. He would give them to all the roommates and take notes on the dosages taken and ask all kinds of questions harping on “How is the drug making you feel now?” He would ask everyone this over and over…then when say the fentanyl would run out after a few days he would put everyone on Catapres patches to help with the withdrawals, taking close note as to how each individual would do suddenly without the particular drug. He would get befuddled and angry when everyone would just get ripping drunk and stoned on other substances without a care because he said that it was “Skewing his results of Controls Confounded” from “Concominant drug Use.” Yes this guy was trying to run his own clinical drug trials, it’s not a stretch to say this had reached a whole new level of ‘ethics and efficacy’.

©Christmachine.com

Another thing that will give you an idea of how nasty things were getting is when a few of the gang knocked on the door of the mad doctor pharma, he opened his door and it was in clear sight that he lived amongst a mess in his room. There was a mattress in the middle of the floor and clothes and papers all strewn around the bed. What freaked everyone out was seeing that for months he had been chewing on sunflower seeds in the shell and spitting them wherever they landed in the room with no regard to cleanliness. Piles of shells everywhere it was disgusting. The thing that took the cake though was that there also where full gallons of piss with no caps on them, in what were at one point empty gallon milk jugs, and there were several of them just sitting around his room. The guy was so lazy he did not go to the bathroom to take a piss. Really it was fucking gross…hairs stand up on the back of the spine just thinking about it.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

Anyhow it was now time to take things up another level of douchebaggery. One of the older roommates who sold weed, like lots of weed as in pounds, as in many pounds or elbows. He would bring these trash bags stuffed full into the apartment every couple days. At some point right before he moved out, he comes in the house with four or five full trash bags full. He then went into his room after unlocking the deadbolt and pulled his mattress off a large sheet of plywood and proceeded to dump the bags onto the wood surface. After emptying the bags the pile had to be five or six feet high. He then goes on to tell everyone that he is taking off. Everyone looks at each other like WHATTTTT!?!?! You’re taking off what…it then clicks that he is blowing off his source. The conversation then turns to what do we do when his source comes looking for him, he just said there would be no problem, that the guy deals in hundreds of kilos. What an ass!

©Christmachine.com

Well sure enough he’s gone the next morning and a few days later the source shows up with an entourage and he wants answers. One of the roommates who knew him better than the others said he was from Upstate New York but that’s all anyone knew about him. These guys get on the phone and within an hour they have tracked down the guys parents in New York. The entourage leaves and says they are going to track down his family. You’ve got to pay to play….he was nailed. Never hearing anything further on the matter, everyone was just happy that this responsibility did not land on them harder. Thinking back, it could have been so much worse, the gang could have held everyone in the house responsible. This could have been a severe reality except for the fact that the source was hellbent on taking care of this guy personally. Another moment of luck if you believe in that sort of thing.

©Christmachine.com

At that point it became normal that everyone was packing heat. It was bizarre looking back on it because when the roomies would take of their jackets everyone would have those shoulder slings with pistols in them as they walked around the house high on blow. It was scary stuff…there would be times friends would stop buy and see all the guns and they would be out of there as soon as they could make their way out with any excuse to leave. With faces white as ghosts they would scurry out of the house. Very thankful to not have to carry guns anymore.

©Christmachine.com

It was about this time that a few of the boys would begin working at the infamous club alluded to earlier. It was during one of the reggae nights that one of them would be doing security at the club and while walking across the packed dance floor one night, one of the guns fell out of the holster four feet to the floor in the middle of the pitch black dance floor. There was a feeling somewhere between scared shitless and lucky as hell that the gun did not go off. When the gun hit the floor he froze, inching his feet around slowly while pretending to be in the groove and landing one foot on the pistol about two feet away. Then slowly the pistol was slid toward his body with his foot in the dark crowd with music and lights bouncing everywhere. Once the gun was directly below his body, when the time was just right, he slid down slowly to pick it up and put it back in the holster and continued on as if nothing had happened. Very, very, very lucky…so many horrible things could have gone wrong destroying the lives of many people.

©Christmachine.com

One evening at the compound while a keg party was raging and everyone was tripping hard on psilocybin, one of the roommates comes over and introduces everyone to this guy who says that he lives in the building that Aerosmith lived in across the street. The fact that the band had lived in one of those buildings was well known but no one knew which one. The guy who lived in that building then said that if a few wanted to see something cool, to come on over to his place. What could he be talking about they wondered, but how could anyone turn this invitation down.

©Christmachine.com

So after walking across Commonwealth Avenue the group went into the building as he obviously had keys. Everyone is lead down to the basement and it is immediately obvious the significance of what was there. On the wall was painted the Aerosmith logo and the first question was did Aerosmith actually paint this on the wall or was it painted by someone else after they moved out in homage. He said that no one seems to know but what was even more interesting when Aerosmith first lived in the building in 1970, Brad Whitford was not in the band yet. So at the time the other guitarist beside Joe Perry was Ray Tabano.

©Christmachine.com

Ray Tabano was the guy who designed the Aerosmith logo, so it would not be a stretch to intimate that he ‘could have been’ the person who painted it. This is probably a good time to contact and ask him if he knows how it got there, ya think. Ray eventually was replaced by Brad Whitford on guitar in 1971, who also moved into the apartment at that time. Ray Tabano was originally a friend who grew up in New York with Steven Tyler, and he did continue to work with the band, creating the fan club and designing and handling their merchandising. He also was responsible for writing the fan club newsletter amongst other things. Ray was eventually fired by the band’s management in 1979. So if the information is ever uncovered it will be posted here. It’s safe to say that it was definately one hell of a trip to keep all wondering if this urban legend will ever be solved. As has been said it’s probably best to contact Ray in hopes that memories from that time would not run into the realm of hazy as could be expected.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/allston_brighton/2012/11/aerosmith_plans_concert_outsid.html

©Christmachine.com

Well back at the compound the craziness was always being brought to new heights of insanity. There was a major problem, someone was breaking into the house and stealing small things, but all thought it was someone looking for drugs. There were six or seven times, that everyone knew of, that someone had entered the house without anyone knowing. Over time people began thinking possibly it was an inside job or some old roomate who still had a key. It became apparent that there was actually a good reason that everyone had deadbolts on their doors. A few months later the mystery was solved when one of the roomates went into his large closet which was located in the main common room and did not have a lock. When he was moving his clothing on hangers to the side he saw a ray of light from behind the racks. Clearing the items out of the way revealed a large hole smashed through two layers of drywall which led to a hidden back staircase going to the basement from outside the apartment. Someone had been freely coming in and out of the house without anyone knowing and not leaving any trace of a break in except for missing items. At that point the only thing that was in the common room was ashtrays, empty pill bottles, and the four couches. Pretty crazy stuff.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

It’s hard to know how this apartment did not at some point get condemned. It was pretty nasty…there would be some who tried to keep it clean only to find it was a lost cause with others not pulling their weight. Upon moving in it was gross how dishes would pile up, so the only way to remedy that would be to go out and get cleaning supplies and sort everything out. The dishes would get cleaned as would the kitchen but others would not do their part and eventually they would pile up and start to get moldy…so it was time for drastic action. Someone who will remain not to not be named here decided to put all the dishes in trash bags and put them out for pickup. One of the roommates realized this after the fact and was pretty furious, but the rest of the guys got a good laugh out of it. Oh well, se la vie, remember to ask for paper plates and sporks at the takeout.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

Here’s another story from that time that was definitely interesting. There were always people selling all kinds of drugs but everyone was selling marijuana and acid to pay the rent. One day a friend said that she had some guys that wanted to buy an ounce of weed and was it possible to deliver it. She said that the guys lived next store to her and were cool, so no one thought a thing of it being a bad idea. Remember though at the time weed was still very illegal so everyone had to be careful to who they sold to.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Steven Tyler…

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Brad Whitford…

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

Anyway the boys went over to her house nearby and after drinking some brews and smoking some weed, she asked if it was possible to sell that ounce to her neighbors. So after knocking everyone met one of the gents that lived there. After walking up a stairwell into the living room it became obvious that they were all as high as everyone else, as they were blowing lines on a large mirrored table top. They offered for everyone to partake and handed out beers. After some indulgence it was time to make the transaction for the ounce of weed. So the dope was handed over and money changed hands and no one thought anything of it so everyone just continued to party. A short while later the girl says that the two guys that had bought the weed wanted to show everyone something, so everyone gathered around them and the next thing you know they pull out badges and say that they are cops. The room went dead silent…the conversation continued with them saying that they were state police officers. Everyone was like ‘no way’….’yeah way’….’no way’…’yeah way’, you could imagine that this bizarre and uncomfortable back and forth continued for about five minutes but felt like an hour. They said ‘don’t worry, no one was in any trouble,’ and ironically come to find out that these staties were just hard partiers…just like everyone else, but cops. That sure was a first…and the last time ever seeing them.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

There are a thousand more incidents that could fit into this piece were it not for not wanting to drag this mess out. It is what it is, and these are the first that come to mind and stand out the most. Sooner or later everyone moved out as the bulding was eventually condemned after months of everyone living there for free. The slumlord had taken off and lost the house to foreclosure. It was time to move on and get better living conditions, the things people do when they’re young too get by. As everyone was leaving, the space was buzzing with houseflies like something out of The Amityville Horror…this hell had been driven into the ground. It was only right that the place be torn down and rebuilt from the bottom up as nothing was salvageable. The house really was a black mass and a den of iniquity the needed to be smothered, if you believe in that sort of thing. That was the last any of the roommates would see each other and it was probably for the best. So everyone had earned their wings and the street smarts would help to keep everyone alive for many years later. It could never ever get any worse than that, well that is at least what everyone would like to think. It certainly could and would.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza !

For a moment, as has been said, none of this at the time seemed remotely abnormal but through gentrification and all the squatters being purged, it was the end of the era of the last child. A kind of D*sneyland coming to Times Square or Little Buddha comes to The Combat Zone sort of complex…no more XXX rated shops with fluffers and viewing booths adjacent to Mc*Donalds. On one level, yes, you can bring the family there now but it’s impossible to not miss the days of old grimey streets covered with soot and boarded up storefronts…and the looters and weeks of trash bags and dead appliances piling up. The burned cars, ohhhh it’s not easy to let go of the stripped and burned out cars on the streets. On another level it was quite Lord Of The Flies-ish or in others eyes there were definitely rats in the cellar. Definitely, rats in the cellar.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Steven Tyler’s Hand…

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Aerosmith Live World Tour…

Thanks for reading and for all your kind words and support!

More Interesting Articles and Reviews to come.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza ! Aerosmith Walk Of Fame…

Cheers and Bless Bless!

CM ☕

☠

The New “ABOUT” Page…In Constant Evolution ~ Charmserver Mission:

Posted on November 20, 2014 by admin

Today Up On Christmachine Audio Reference Music Server :

Mission Statement:

This is an educational website only…providing knowledge to those seeking information and artistic criticism in their journey for a more thorough understanding of contemporary media technology and guerrilla journalism.

To help others to navigate the tedious, and sometimes difficult to understand world of Analog to Digital / Digital to Digital Recordings and Transfers or “Rips”.

It’s all about the “Art Of Mastering” and “Source Material”. As you know the sound is only as good as it’s source, thus “Garbage in Garbage Out”.

As of today we have a large “Reference Quality Recordings” catalog (Flat Analog Transfers to Digital) sourced from Vinyl Rips from around the world. Our goal is to pressure the Rec*ording industry to move toward creating a “Reference Quality Digital Recordings Catalog” (Direct Flat Transfers from Original Analog Master Tapes to Digital). There are a few movements that are positively affecting change toward this goal, but the quality of Hi-Res Digital transfers is still extremely selective and spotty.

What is considered the “Best” of any recording is subjective…for example someone may love an official Hi-Res Digital Recording and that is fine, they might find the clarity and detail from such a recording is “The Best they have ever heard”. Whereas another trained ear who has heard many available recordings in different resolutions and formats of the recording in question might find it sterile, clinical, cold and lacking in many ways, as well as the sound being “different” from what the artists in the studio originally intended for the listener to hear. Re-masters and Re-mixes “usually” are not a good thing as people have been led to believe.

It should be stressed that every recording must be taken and analyzed on it’s own merit. Each release must be scrutinized on it’s own, without any bias that has been realized from any other recording. This sounds simple and obvious, but in critical listening, each individual album must be approached in this manner.

Lineage / Provenance of a recording should be the industry standard and it is not. Why are they hiding this information, we think it to be a combination of lack of care as well as the desire to keep the purchasing public in the dark so that they can continue to resell, over and over “Improved Quality Recordings”. This, not providing Lineage / Provenance of a recording is unacceptable.

The main goal of this site over all others is to provide content from all genres of music with no prejudice toward another. Good music is good music, and opening peoples minds to new sounds is extremely relevant here. This obviously does not mean “forced to listen”…this site will cover music you will like and not like. If you do not like something don’t listen and move on to something you do like. It’s sad that some people just give up if they are into Electronic Music and I post something that is Pop or Metal. I don’t mean to pick on Electronic music it is an example, Metal Heads or any other genres fans can give up if I post Jazz or Leftfield. Live a little!

Thanks for reading…you may want to check the “About” page on occasion, as I have said it is constantly evolving.

Again thank you for all your support…let’s enjoy the music!

Cheers and Bless Bless!

CM ☕

☠

Is It Not A Contradiction To Simultaneously Support Vinyl And Hi-Rez Digital Formats. Here Is Why It Is Essential That We Do!

Posted on August 7, 2014 by admin

Today Up On Christmachine Audio Reference Music Server :

Is It Not A Contradiction To Simultaneously Support Vinyl And Hi-Rez Digital Formats.

Here Is Why It Is Essential That We Do!

I have a lot of other things I have been itching to address, but when I saw someone post this question, “Is it a contradiction to support vinyl and digital formats?”, it Immediately caught my attention. The reason being that when I first read it, my mind was in a clusterfuck, as I already do support both simultaneously. The thing is, as I began to think about it more, I could understand why someone who may be new to Hi-Res Audio (HRA) may struggle with this reconciliation. It is a common theme that many think the move to Hi-Res Digital Audio, and it seems logical, is meant to free us from need to use vinyl as a source of High Quality Audio. That may be true, but thinking that we are there would be a big mistake.

As we know Hi-res Audio is becoming a widely recognized format, but aside all the controversy and looking at the facts. It is essential that we entertain both formats for several reasons…

1. It is because of Vinyl and High Quality Vinyl Rips (as well as advances in technology), that we now have the growing demand for Hi-Rez music that we have today.

2. In many cases, High Quality Vinyl rips Still, are the nearest representation to the Original Analog Studio Master Tapes, that is, obviously when the Vinyl is sourced from the Original Master Tape. When an All Analog Signal Chain was used in the Transfer to Cut the Original Vinyl Masters and thus is from what the Vinyl is “Properly” Pressed. In the case of Digital Hi-Res it is Optimal for a Direct Analog To Digital Conversion from the Original Analog Studio Master Tapes to the digital domain. Even with Hi-Rez being offered for purchase at online stores, it is still hit or miss as to the lineage of the new digital recordings.

3. Because of point Number 2, we can use these superior pieces of vinyl, as well as the their High Quality Vinyl Rips, to Compare against Current and Further Digital Hi-Res Releases as well as Re-Issues of Vinyl. This comparison is relevant whether the Vinyl Re-Issues or Hi-Res Digital is a Straight Flat Transfer from the Original Master Tapes, or they have been Remixed and or Remastered and then subsequently Transferred and then Pressed to Vinyl or Converted to Digital. Then a High Quality Vinyl Rip to Digital by a seasoned ripper may be up for consideration as a Hi-Res “Reference Recording” amongst the community. This means that it must have the Characteristic Sound Signature audio enthusiasts look for in excellent recordings. When a Vinyl Rip has these characteristics and there is a consensus, it can be considered to have the nearest representation of what the artist intended us to hear, as well as nearest available source to what the artists heard in the studio.

4. Just because an artist is an amazing or legendary musician, in most cases, does not automatically make them an excellent producer or mastering engineer. As a matter of fact they usually are not, even if they think they are. I am not going to name names so as not to unnecessarily offend anyone. The reason I can come to this conclusion is because of years of listening with a trained ear to the “Right” Reference Recordings. Obviously you come to your own conclusions about which I spout, but what I do know for sure is that this skill does not come from a few months or even years of listening, because it is dependent on “What Recordings” you are listening to and knowing “What Sound Signatures” and “Set Ups” hold weight. How can anyone come to a complete decision if they have not experienced it for themselves? These Vinyl Rips are available for anyone to search for and find, however their acquisition is unconventional and time consuming, but the rewards are immense. Having the ability to “Cross Reference” from a number of Sources in your listening tests is Essential to coming to an “Educated Conclusion”.

5. The recording industry does not make this easy for us, as a matter of fact they would rather we remain confused so as to continue to buy sub par recordings. I am confident and hopeful with the coming Pono releases from the Pono Music Store, overseen by legendary producer Bruce Botnik, will streamline and perfect the process of lineage and quality of transfers to the Hi-Res (HRA) Digital Domain. Those of us who know the difference remain vigilant.

6. I implore CD and Digital Mastering Engineers to check their work against High Quality Vinyl Rips from Seasoned Vinyl Rippers, that have perfected the Art of Vinyl Transfers over years of tweaking set ups and searching every corner of the globe for the Finest Vinyl Pressings Available. In the private communities their rips have evolved exponentially before our eyes and ears, and over time have held up against and withstood intense criticism and discussion from the most trained and particular listeners in the world. In fact although I consider myself to have a very good set of “trained ears”, they are eclipsed by the ears of even more seasoned veterans from nations again around the world. These vinyl rippers have all the experience and techniques to rival the best known and revered audio and mastering engineers.

7. To underscore the strength of High Quality Vinyl Rips…I am not going to name names but I do have knowledge that there have been recordings (especially re-issues) from famous artists that have been released to the public with the Understanding that they were Sourced From High Quality Vinyl Rips. Further murking the waters, there have been Artists (living or dead) who had No Knowledge that this was done by Their Mastering Engineers or Labels because the Particular Vinyl Rip was Better than the Source that had been given them by the Artist or Label in the studio.

There are also cases where the Mastering Engineer was given Vinyl Ripped Sourced Tape or Digital Recordings, and Low Level Audio Mastering Engineers as well as their Labels had no knowledge that they were using said Vinyl Ripped Sourced Masters for Re-Issues and either Willfully or Unknowingly Distorted Lineage on Packaging For Sale. There are many cases where the Packaging and Print on a vinyl pressing or piece of vinyl either confuses the purchaser into thinking that they were buying a pressing sourced from the “Original Analog Master Tapes” when they in fact had not. The details on this underhandedness is again murky and short on details but it is known to have occurred. Please do not ask because I cannot comment further on this…I can promise you that someday someone will write the book.

7. Again to underscore the strength of High Quality Vinyl Rips…There have been Specific Releases by Artists who have Requested to use a Particular Vinyl Rippers High-Quality vinyl transfers for their vinyl pressings and CD releases without the Vinyl Purchasing Public having knowledge. This however, in comparison to point number 6 is a good thing. It seems counter intuitive that certain releases would be sourced from a High Quality Vinyl Rips, but the Consumer are inadvertently getting Quality Sound Because of a Vinyl Ripper. Both points number 6 & 7 have had this result happen quietly for a number of reasons, usually because of Lost or Damaged Original Master Tapes to Unlabeled Masters Without Known Lineage, and a High Quality Vinyl Rip just Sounds Better than what they have available. This practice is not widespread but it is known to have occurred. Again someday someone will write the book. Remember the first rule of fightclub is…and the second rule of fightclub is….

Now with all those points made I hope to address point number 1 sufficiently. To properly describe the movement it seems necessary that I make a long story short in reverse. Again, it is because of Vinyl and High Quality Vinyl Rips that we now have the emergence of demand for “Quality Controlled” Hi-Res Audio (HRA). In some ways it was inadvertent by default, and in others a direct result of deliberate actions from the Vinyl Rippers in the Audio Enthusiast Community. This has been reported and discussed at length in previous articles and forums around the web. All the information is out there for your research…I was able to find it all through search engines, and it is therefore available for you with some dedication. We must make a distinction that there is Good Quality Hi-Res and Poor Quality Hi-Res.

Over the last decade as the music industry was in turmoil, and “The Loudness Wars” took over the stage front and center, savvy music enthusiasts found that they could extract the music from vinyl and render a superior sound signature than the music industry was releasing on CD, .mp3 digital, or on a significant portion of vinyl re-issues. As a matter of fact it was often highly superior, although this phenomenon was not universal, as a piece of vinyl and it’s resulting rip, logically is only as good as it’s original source. The idea that “You can’t polish a turd”, comes into play in this realm. In those cases where the vinyl is as close as possible to the original analog source studio tapes, after a decade of tweaking their setups, rigorous testing of rips that hold up in large listening communities, and finding the best quality vinyl pressings in the world has become in some respects an “Objective Pseudo-Science” in the last few years. Try and wrap your head around that, don’t think too hard as your head might explode. When you find yourself amongst that precipice, it is a truly astonishing event. I must reiterate that all these events are a result of a desire for quality that was not available, so it goes that Quality Hi-Res vinyl rips were born.

Fast forward to recent months…

So the industry was unable to control this underground viral movement, with the collapse of the music industry and as nature abhors a vacuum, there was not much choice left for them to come on board. That is not to say that the record industry came aboard easily. It has also been said that there are two factions in the music industry, one which fights to do quality control of released recordings Vs. the business or money side of the industry. In the end it’s sadly all about money over art, and as a result of the recent growing demand for Portable Hi-Res Audio Players (DAP’s) already on the market, as well as the opening of Hi-Res Audio online vendors such as HD Tracks and others, made it critical that the music industry take notice.

The final piece of the puzzle, was the insistence of the Legendary Musician Neil Young and his new Pono Player (To be released in October), the Coming Pono Music Store, as well as it’s streamlined Ecosystem…which finally shifted the tide in our favor. It took all these factors to finally bring the music industry to the table. It was only a matter of time as well, after convincing the recording industry to see the advantage of a new revenue stream, before they folded.

There has been a lot of Hi-Res Audio that has been officially released over the last few years and what we music junkies have found is that there is still many cases where the best known sourced vinyl still beats out the official Hi-Res Audio releases. So as a result of the desire for the highest quality audio, which can only be sourced from vinyl, it still remains an important tool in our arsenal.

So all of the aforementioned still, for the most part, holds true. It is because we can use High Quality Vinyl Rips as a source of “reference recordings”, that keeps the bar yet raised very high. There is still a lot of change that needs to come from the artists and music industry before we can say that we have an adequate amount of “Reference Recordings” in Hi-Res Digital Format. This is the goal which Pono Music and it’s “Quality Control Ecosystem” will attempt to meet and I believe they can do it. Some have said that a lot of the music that the Pono Music Store will have access to will in many cases consist of what the Artists and Music Industry has already made available for Hi-Res purchase. A lot will depend on the many famous artists stumping for Pono and the influence they have with their labels. Again I prefer to remain optimistic.

To finish we must ask ourselves have we answered the original question, “Is It A Contradiction To Simultaneously Support Vinyl And Hi-Rez Digital Formats?”. In answering, amongst the current surge in vinyl collections and nostalgia for a physical item as well as it’s strength as a indispensable format for comparison, we must remember one thing, that while we for a time gave up on vinyl, just know that vinyl never gave up on us. Again my process my review.

Cheers and Bless Bless!

CM ☕

☠

The Best Of The “Led Zeppelin” Catalog Pressings…[Post Special] [Second Pass Edit 07/02/14]

Posted on July 1, 2014 by admin

Today Up On Christmachine Audio Reference Music Server :

The Best Of The “Led Zeppelin” Catalog Pressings…[Post Special]

You will not find underground compilation lists like this anywhere else on the worldwide web. Christmachine Audio Reference Music Server Exclusive!

It’s what I call Guerrilla Listening Sessions…I’m on Fire here!!!

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

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The Best Of The “Led Zeppelin” Catalog Pressings…[Post Special] Part 1 of 2

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Click On Photos To Enlarge:
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Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

This first section was written early on, I have returned to edit to make it seemless with part two, no latency here. I do not yet know how this mega post review is going to be laid out yet. I know that sounds strange, but I know what releases make the grade, just not sure how I will lay it out here. So this should be interesting. I have been listening to only Led Zeppelin for two weeks now and I am ready to lay it all on the line. Well almost, I had to listen to other stuff like The Black Crowes first three albums in Hi-res to rest my mind. OMG The Black Crowes in Hi-rez (listening now) & The Black Sabbath Dio Albums as well (I’m In good hands fo’ sho’!!!) Obviously that is not to say that this list did not take many years of listening to compile. I had my favorites, but I had to take into account the Deluxe Reissues released at the beginning of this month. This includes the first three records of the catalog reissues, in all three formats available, including CD’s, 24Bit/96kHz Hi-Res, and vinyl.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

At first I had a very hard time being as subjective as possible because although there are the releases that I clearly prefer. There were also many releases that had decent quality, although I still did not prefer them (or find their sound quality better) over my original favorites… some were close but clearly not superior. Therefore different from the few reviews I have done so far, I decided to add some new factors into my decisions specific for this review based on availability, price, and reputation. Of course sound quality will always be the number one determining factor, but there are releases (especially the Original and early Vinyl) that come very close to the best although they are still inferior IMHO.The thing is many people do not know the difference, so I build this guide with you in mind so you can go directly to the pressings recommended and know you are getting decent sound quality even if you have to settle with sources farther down the list. Still although there is lots of good, the bad is still quite bad…I expose the comparable sources with easier availability at a better price and acceptable sound quality to boot. The Law of diminishing returns is in full effect.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

What it came down to here fundamentally was what sound signature each listener is used to. So I am happy to announce there are a lot of choices for the general listening public, it depends a lot on what you know as “The Led Zeppelin Sound” as well as your budget and dedication to the craft of mastering and pressing. For example some reviews I am able to wipe out a whole swath of choices because say there were no good quality CD releases. That is definitely not the case here, with some searching It is possible to find an excellent quality CD in the used CD bins at any record store (or online) on the cheap, as long as you know what the specific years, mastering, and pressings from which the CD or vinyl for sale was cut.

Here is the Led Zeppelin Discography Referred to throughout this review:

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Houses of the Holy (1973)
Physical Graffiti (1975)
Presence (1976)
In Through the Out Door (1979)
Coda (1982)

First We’ll Start with the CD’s:

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

For the CD’s there were two early masterings… The Original 1980’s Atlantic Barry Diament/ Joe Sidore’s and the 1990’s Marino/Page Remasters. It does not matter which countries for the Diament/Sidore’s (US, German, Canadian, Japanese, etc.) the specific year of release is more important as it varies sometimes by one or more years depending on country. Although Barry Diament has stated publicly that he can hear a difference in CD sound quality from one pressing plant to the next. You probably will not be able to tell the difference unless you are a super fan and have multiple copies of which to compare, if at all.

Recommended CD’s Original 1980’s Atlantic Diament/Sidore Example:

http://www.discogs.com/Led-Zeppelin-Led-Zeppelin/release/895323

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

So my standard recommendations would be to look for any of the 1980’s Original Atlantic Diament/Sidore CD’s, they have the punch and dynamics to be highly recommended here. The only caveat would be Led Zeppelin IV (the only title to be mastered by Joe Sidore only), It is well known that he had a sub par copy of the Original Analogue Masters. You would think that with the importance of LZ IV they would get it right, but he only had access to inferior tape. Then again on the other side of the coin they have never made available the Original Analog Master Tapes of Led Zeppelin IV, or any other release ever from Zep, other than for the Original Vinyl from the Complete Catalog, but that’s another story. This is not a killer for me as I still prefer the 1980’s Original Atlantic Led Zeppelin IV mastered by Sidore. If you’re feeling dangerous then try 1990’s Zeppelin IV George Marino Remaster (cheap used) and compare it against the 1980’s Original. Also the Marino Zep IV’s suffer from early fades, unforgivable by some. Get both on the cheap and compare yourself, you’ll see what I mean.

Overall none of the 1990’s Marino Remasters are recommended here as they Distort when turned up loud. They are a victim of “The Loudness Wars” and they do not have the same tight punch that the 1980’s Diament/Sidore’s have. One other problem to note on some of the early 1980’s Diament/Sidore’s, from a few pressing plants have the channels reversed, so be aware if you are a long time listener. This is not restricted to CD’s, it affects vinyl as well. Again if you don’t know the difference, just listen and enjoy!

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Here we can jump on quickly to the June 2014 digital remasters of the first three records just released this month. All of the formats (24Bit/96kHz Hi-res, CD & Vinyl: All Digitally Sourced) were sourced from 24Bit/192kHz digital transfers of the original analog tapes. They were then mastered, compressed, and dithered down to their respective formats. IMO I still like the 1980’s Diament/Sidore’s over these 2014 remaster CD’s, however they are an acceptable CD pressing (espcially over the 1990 Marino Remasters) and if your not hung up on the sound of the Original 1980’s CD’s you will still get good sound and that is great news for all. Dynamically speaking they are not as good as the 1980’s Originals, you will find an prime example here where a lower DR is not the be all end all for the sound quality. Remember kids it’s all about the mastering!

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Coming from the same source as the CD’s, with the added improvement of higher bit depth and sample rate, the Hi-Res 24Bit/96kHz although different in many ways and (IMO) a step down in sound quality from the Original 1980’s CD’s. The 2014 Deluxe Reissue vinyl is included in this, I could not hear much difference between the 2014 Hi-Res and the 2014 vinyl, except for the added warmth typical of vinyl. The 2014 remasters have superior detail over the 1980’s Diament /Sidore’s but I still prefer raw sound of the original 1980’s CD’s. One complaint that I can render from all these 2014 remasters is that they have a more clinical sound signature. So if your a vinyl hound and are not on an endless search for a clean copy of the original vinyls then the 2014 Remastered Vinyl and Hi-Res are a worthy and easily accessible format. With that said I still believe that the 1980’s Diament/Sidore Mastered CD’s are better than all formats of the 2014 Deluxe Reissues. When I mentioned a step down that is subjective opinion on my part, as I said earlier what you make of these 2014 digital remasters will depend on what the “Led Zeppelin Sound” is to you. Many will hear the clarity and detail of the remasters and say they are better. Food for thought.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

The last angle has to do with price and availability. The Original 1980’s Japanese Diament/Sidore mastered CD’s have excellent sound as well, the problem is their availability and price. Add in the Original Red OBI and the price goes up significantly. So unless you are a collector or find one of these CD’s on the cheap I would just go with the other 1980’s Diament/ Sidore’s recommended. One last thought stay away from the 2008 SHM Japanese Releases either in the original box set or separately. Here is an incidence where Japanese does not mean better sound. They are said to be sourced from the 1990’s remasters, and when I heard them, all I got was louder and more compressed in a bad way. They may be no different from the 1990’s Marino CD’s but just a tad louder. You know how I feel about “Louder”. Next!

Recommended CD’s Original 1980’s Japanese Atlantic Diament/Sidore Example:

http://www.discogs.com/Led-Zeppelin-Led-Zeppelin/release/3864824

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

The Best Of The “Led Zeppelin” Catalog Pressings…[Post Special] Part 2 of 2

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

CD Vs Vinyl Vs Hi-Res Digital Vs. Hi-Res Vinyl Rips…

Read this well articulated piece on Led Zeppelin Vinyl, before reading on…my previous concerns are touched on here as to value and the Law of Diminishing Returns:

Taken From The “Every Record Tells A Story” Blog…Link Below Excerpt,

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

“in contrast to the general rule of record collecting that if you buy an early pressing from the country of origin of the artist, you are most likely to be nearer the source tapes, and therefore the sound ought to be better. It seems Led Zep are an exception: they had such great success in the USA that this generally fairly reliable guideline doesn’t hold true – after the first album at least. I didn’t know it at the time, but my US pressing was pretty early and has excellent sound – probably better than an equivalent UK version.”

http://everyrecordtellsastory.com/2014/03/03/led-zeppelin-a-vinyl-buyers-guide/

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, I can get back to form with the Original Vinyl as well as the Classic 45 Reissues and others. How I will do this is start by listing each record of the full Led Zeppelin Catalog. With each record I will list in order IMHO what the best pressings / releases are, and I will incorporate the Original 1980’s Atlantic Barry Diament/ Joe Sidore releases as well as the 2014 Deluxe Remasters.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

You can feel safe knowing I’m in the ballpark after listening to no less than 138 Led Zeppelin Vinyl Sources over the last two weeks. I already had my favorites but had to make a few swaps here and there after some aggressive A/Bing as well as some recent acquisitions. ADHD helps in this regard.:) Also I heard someone say in another forum vinyl rips are not the same as listening to vinyl….bullshit, if your sources drivelines and methodology are the best anywhere, whatever is on that vinyl will come through so transparent and quiet with very limited post processing. Therefore I can say with complete confidence that this technology does not just reveal limitations of the source tapes…it enhances them!

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin I (1969) Best Releases / Pressings:

1. Led Zeppelin – I (1969) (Original US George Piros/Monarch Pressing) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]

2. Led Zeppelin – I (1969) (German Strawberry Pressing) Mach5 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

3. Led Zeppelin – I (1969/2006) (Classic Records 45 RPM Reissue) FnlMstr (NC) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

4. Led Zeppelin – I (1969) (Original UK Plum LP) Early AT33PTG Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

5. Led Zeppelin – I (1969/1987) (1987 US Atlantic Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

6. Led Zeppelin – I (1969/1987) (1987 Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Japan Atlantic Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

7. Led Zeppelin – I (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

8. Led Zeppelin – I (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster) HD Tracks 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

9. Led Zeppelin – I (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

This is the list for Zep 1 but as I said before, don’t fret if you can’t get a hold of any original Zep Vinyl…you will go broke. Just reach and search for the pressings/releases farther down the list.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin II (1969) Best Releases / Pressings:

1. Led Zeppelin – II (1969) (Original US Robert Ludwig Pressing) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

2. Led Zeppelin – II (1969/2006) (Classic Records 200 Gram Reissue) LegMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/48kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

3. Led Zeppelin – II (1969/1987) (1987 US Atlantic Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

4. Led Zeppelin – II (1969/1987) (1987 Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Japan Atlantic Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

5. Led Zeppelin – II (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

6. Led Zeppelin – II (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster) HD Tracks 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

7. Led Zeppelin – II (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

The Original US Robert Ludwig Mastered Vinyl Blows all others away. Clarity, Control, and punch…unsurpassed. From which all other Led Zeppelin II’s are judged!

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin III (1970) Best Releases / Pressings:

1. Led zeppelin – III (1970) (Original Canadian Pressing) FnlMstr (NC) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

2. Led Zeppelin – III (1970/2006) (Classic Records 45 RPM Reissue) ZxAryMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

3. Led Zeppelin – III (1970) (Original UK Atlantic) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

4. Led Zeppelin – III (1969/1987) (1987 US Atlantic Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

5. Led Zeppelin – III (1969/1987) (1987 Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Japan Atlantic Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

6. Led Zeppelin – III (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

7. Led Zeppelin – III (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster) HD Tracks 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

8. Led Zeppelin – III (1969/2014) (2014 Deluxe Digital Remaster CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

I could not find a clean Original US Atlantic Vinyl Rip, if I could it probably would rank high on this list from what I’ve heard from others. Conjecture of course.

Bron-y-aur!

Led Zeppelin IV (1971) Best Releases / Pressings:

1. Led Zeppelin – IV (1971) (Original US Pressing) FnlMstr (NC) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

2. Led Zeppelin – IV (1971) (Original US Pressing) Mach5 Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

3. Led Zeppelin – IV (1971) (Original US 1841 Broadway LP George Peckham “Porky” PECKO DUCK Matrix) Early AT33PTG Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

4. Led Zeppelin – IV (1971) (ZoSo) (Rare UK 1st Stamper) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/192kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

5. Led Zeppelin – IV (1971/2006) (Classic Records Reissue) LegMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [HI-RES]

6. Led Zeppelin – IV (1971/1985) (1985 US Atlantic Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

7. Led Zeppelin – IV (1971/1985) (1985 Atlantic Japan Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

8. Led Zeppelin – IV (1971/1994) (1994 Atlantic US George Marino/Jimmy Page Re-Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

As I said earlier that this is the only CD that was Originally Mastered by Joe Sidore only with an inferior copy of the analogue tapes…I still prefer it over the 1994 George Marino Re-Master but others go for this remaster even with the unforgivable early fades, overly compressed, and loud mastering. Uncrankable without distorting and ear fatigue city. Not much choice other than the vinyl and hopefully the coming 2014 Deluxe Reissues. See for yourself.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy (1973) Best Releases / Pressings:

1. Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy (1973) (Original UK “Porky” George Peckham Pressing) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

2. Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy (1973) (Original US Robert Ludwig Pressing) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

3. Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy (1973/2006) (Classic Records 45 RPM Reissue) FnlMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [HI-RES]

4. Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy (1973/1987) (1987 US Atlantic Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

5. Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy (1973/1987) (1987 Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Japan Atlantic Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

UK George Peckham Porky Beats out US Robert Ludwig IMHO. This is my favorite Zeppelin album with II right at it’s heels!

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975) Best Releases / Pressings:

1. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975) (Original US Pressing) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]

2. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975/2006) (Classic Records 2LP 200gr Pressing) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

3. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975/2006) (Classic Records Reissue) LegMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]

4. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975) (UK) Early AT33PTG Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

5. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975/1987) (1987 US Atlantic Swan Song 2XCD Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD’s) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

If you can get hold of 1987 US Atlantic Swan Song 2XCD Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD’s it is highly recommended.

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin – Presence (1976) Best Releases / Pressings:

1. Led Zeppelin – Presence (1976/2006) (Classic Records 45 RPM Reissue) FnlMstr (NC) Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

2. Led Zeppelin – Presence (1976) (German Second Pressing) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]

3. Led Zeppelin – Presence (1976/1987) (1987 US Atlantic Swan Song Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin – In Through the Out Door (1979) Best Releases / Pressings:

1. Led Zeppelin – In Through The Out Door (1979) (Original US Pressing) Ans2TheMstr Vinyl Rip > Transferred to 24Bit/96kHz Lossless Flac [HI-RES]

2. Led Zeppelin – In Through The Out Door (1979/2006) (Classic Records Reissue) LegMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]

3. Led Zeppelin – In Through The Out Door (1979/1988) (1988 US Atlantic Swan Song Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

Led Zeppelin – Coda (1982) Best Releases / Pressings:

1.Led Zeppelin – Coda (1982/2006) (Classic Records Reissue) LegMstr Vinyl Rip > transferred to 24Bit/48kHz ALAC .MP4 [Hi-Rez]

2. Led Zeppelin – Coda (1982/1988) (1988 US Atlantic Swan Song Barry Diament/Joe Sidore Mastered CD) 16Bit/44.1kHz Lossless Flac

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

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Final Verdict Overall: I recommend that if you cannot get a hold of the Early Vinyl, you search out the 1980’s Barry Diament/ Joe Sidore Mastered CD’s. They are the unsurpassed digital version of the RAW Led Zeppelin “Sound”. As you can see from my rankings all versions of the 2014 Deluxe Reissues fall behind the 1980’s Diament/Sidore Masterings. As I said earlier you may love the 2014 Deluxe Reissues. Whether or not that is the case is up to you. This may be a good time to start to get a trained ear by acquiring different pressings as you probably already have one or two releases. If not and want to just save your cash, you now know which releases to go directly after and enter bliss.

I hope this gives you some reference information. I will be updating it over time as the music continues to evolve. The next batch of Deluxe Issues are slated for Early Fall 2014. Thank you all for you questions, comments, and words of wisdom. Do What Thou Whilt!

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So there you have it…thanks for reading and your massive support.

Bless Bless!

Photo Courtesy Of Doc Keyaza!

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