May 28th, 2026
Category:
NewsThe Electric Recording Company just announced its version of The Doors L.A. Woman limited to 450 copies at £395 each. I know people complain about the price but usually by the time I publish the news, which just arrived in my inbox, they are sold out. So if you want one, best to try now. Will it be better than the UHQR? Can't say, but it surely will be different.
2026-05-28 12:31:36 PM
Come on wrote:
Not rising the price topic again, but I personally don't see the need of any audiophile reissue for the kind of basic sound quality of the Doors category to be honest. There's some music that sounds best on the worst playback equipment, at least after having a drink or something else, mandatory to get into the Doors mood anyway ;-)
2026-05-28 01:14:02 PM
MrRom92 wrote:
A title Rhino would be smart to issue in the reel to reel series… €395 for an LP or $300 for a low generation tape copy? Hmm tough choice.
2026-05-30 07:16:28 AM
Michael Fremer wrote:
Both ERC & Rhino tapes share a “flat transfers” policy. Misguided with tapes IMO (Chad’s are EQ’d) and mostly works either ERC’s classical and jazz titles but almost all rock masters need “work” to sound good!
2026-05-30 12:45:01 PM
Come on wrote:
IMO such a policy (without previously ensuring that the respective tape indeed sounds best like that), is as if photographer has a policy to use a certain aperture and exposure time only.
I think in many cases the flat transfer policy is either a lie or doesn’t deliver the best result.
And do we really think Rhino forces Kevin Gray to cut flat (which to my knowledge also might be his preference if possible, but not his policy).
His recent Tres Hombres cut for Rhino a flat transfer? According to what we now know about the bass heaviness of the master, unlikely after listening to his cut I would say.
2026-06-02 06:23:39 AM
MrRom92 wrote:
That would put both on the same playing field. So I presume you don’t expect this ERC to sound particularly good, based on that. I prefer the flat transfer approach myself anyway. But then I am someone who is accustomed to listening to actual master tapes and understands that they are not the finished product.
2026-05-28 01:24:22 PM
Jeff 'Glotz' Glotzer wrote:
If one can't appreciate how great the The Doors Analogue Production 45 series sounds, I question assessments on other recordings. Clearly, ERC felt the sound was worth the price here, and I would agree. The LA Woman Sessions recordings are very transparent sounding and I've heard that echoed from various trusted sources over the years.
2026-05-29 12:23:45 PM
bwb wrote:
I have the UHQR. Some songs like "Riders on the Storm" sound great. Some of the others make my system sound like the AM radio they were intended for, and are definitely not an audiophile experience. Actually worse, because it makes them irritating.
I agree with Come On, the sound quality of most of the Door's recordings, including a lot of this one, do not merit the audiophile treatment.
2026-05-30 07:26:49 AM
Michael Fremer wrote:
There’s one particular “Strange Days” original pressing that’s amazing! Yellow/gold label with the mastering date scribed in the lead out groove area. I’ll digitize it for Track Du Jour…
2026-05-28 05:51:04 PM
AndrewL wrote:
I've ceased to be interested in what ERC are producing. Perhaps the early issues were of some musical worth although not with their business model.
2026-05-28 06:33:54 PM
Georges wrote:
It was with this album that I regretted that Bruce hadn't produced all their albums, both studio and live. For the price, I would prefer £500.
2026-05-28 11:45:07 PM
Anton wrote:
I am an intermittent ERC buyer and went for this one. I like the album and generally like ERC’s aural point of view.
I consider this an indulgence and will report back. I didn’t go for the 45 RPM release through AP because I like listening through an album side as it was programmed and even though I like the sound of the 45s, I’m always on the edge thinking I’m going to jump up in a minute and pick up the stylus. I just don’t fully relax when listening to the 45.
That’s totally idiosyncratic on my part.
I don’t know how all the technology works, but these kind of discussions would be fun to have a chat room where a dozen or so of us could be logged in and all sharing thoughts in real time.
The ERC mono pressing of the doors first album offered a refreshing point of view, sonically. I felt like I got more of a listening to a band vibe versus other pressings.
“Riders on the Storm” and “L.A. Woman” are the final tracks on each side. When I really love those last tracks, I tend to head for a linear tracking tone arm, and it seems to make a pleasing difference.
2026-05-29 12:13:34 PM
Zaphod wrote:
This $500 album is a perfect match for the $7000 record cleaner.
2026-05-30 07:13:11 AM
Michael Fremer wrote:
The $7000 record cleaner is worth the $ if you have it to spend. No physical contact, just water, no chemicals and the results are amazing….
2026-06-04 05:08:23 PM
Zaphod wrote:
Oh, I was only joshing, if I had that kind of money I would buy one.
2026-05-29 12:35:59 PM
bwb wrote:
As of now it is still available to order. Have we finally reached the saturation point for the seemingly endless stream of the same recordings getting re-re-re-re -issued ?? I'm sure I missed some but I'm thinking we probably have enough, at least for me, but if they sell... I get it
1998 DCC 2012 2xLP 45 AP 2020 2xLP 45 AP 2009, 2015, 2021, and 2xLP 45 2025 Rhino 2024 UHQR 2026 ERC
2026-05-29 12:41:17 PM
bwb wrote:
sorry for the run on list.... most modern forums have a text editor that will start a new line when you hit enter so easy to make a list. This antiquated forum reminds me of the earliest days of word processors, except even those has better editing capabilities than whatever this is.
I would insert a picture of me ranting while standing on a soapbox, except you can't insert a picture or a link either.
COME ON FREMER>>> IT"S 2026 !!!!!!
2026-05-29 01:32:40 PM
Come on wrote:
At least the comments section wasn't closed, unlike on that other planet that uses the same awful technology ;-)
2026-05-29 05:21:12 PM
Silk Dome Mid wrote:
Hear, hear! Stereophile also decided to 86 comments. Boooooo! I learn a lot from them.
2026-05-29 05:52:20 PM
Come on wrote:
I guess writing without feedback by comments or otherwise must be like a football match without audience or a speech to an audience with a closed curtain inbetween. A creative job without feedback must be terrible.
2026-05-30 02:28:33 AM
Anton wrote:
Dude! What do you expect from a digital medium?
;-D
2026-05-30 07:23:36 AM
Michael Fremer wrote:
2026 was the year for major upheavals at Tracking Angle. The former webmaster has been replaced, the site is hosted elsewhere, I’ve severed ties with my former business partners at great financial expense and it’s not over yet. I’ve not publicized any of this upfront on the site. Upgrading the comments section to be more interactive is a great idea that might be possible in 2027 and I’ll look into it with the new webmaster… but for now I’m working to get on a firm economic footing.
2026-05-30 08:54:05 AM
Randall Kremer wrote:
Michael, Tracking Angle is a success due to your hard work and diligence. Those of us who follow your reviews and enjoy your commentary can only hope that these issues can be dealt with sufficiently to allow you to spend your time on what you do best — the music. We are behind you.
2026-05-30 10:18:51 AM
PeterPani wrote:
You publish the most interesting site for music by now. And I do not restrict it to audiophile.
2026-06-03 02:02:30 PM
Steelhead wrote:
Love this album and the AP 45 sounds great in my cave
I admit I would love to hear a ERC copy but my AP takes pride of place here.
I will wait for Mr. Fremer to weigh in on it. Interested how it compares as there sure are a lot of options with the Doors catalog.
GREAT album
