Acoustic Sounds
Lyra
Doors L.A. Woman UHQR
By: Tracking Angle

August 16th, 2024

Category:

Industry News

"Quick Drop" Doors "L.A. Woman" 33 1/3 UHQR From Analogue Productions

limited to 4500 copies, packaged in new style box + die cut direct to board jacket

Kind of a "surprise drop" from Analogue Productions. Bernie Grundman mastered from original analog tape at 33 1/3, AAA all the way, pressed on 200g UHQR Clarity vinyl. New packaging, plus die-cut direct to board jacket duplicates the original. One of the best Doors albums and possibly the best sounding as well.

Comments

  • 2024-08-16 03:16:06 PM

    Tomato Sandwich wrote:

    New box is welcome, but man, $125. Ouch.

    • 2024-08-16 03:59:41 PM

      Josquin des Prez wrote:

      Ordering from Acoustic Sounds makes it closer to $150 once you factor in sales tax and shipping. No thanks.

      • 2024-08-16 06:06:43 PM

        Tomato Sandwich wrote:

        $12 bucks for FedEx to deliver via normal service. I wonder if Kassem will charge $20 for the shipping box?

        • 2024-08-17 12:31:18 AM

          Josquin des Prez wrote:

          I discovered you can get it from Elusive Disc for free shipping and no sales tax, i.e. $125. That's still an eye watering cost, given it includes a bunch of crap no one really needs and many don't care about (outer box, printed materials, etc). I don't even care about the serial number. It's really pretty meaningless.

          • 2024-08-17 10:17:23 PM

            Jeff 'Glotz' Glotzer wrote:

            Agreed. The boxes should be axed. It's a flimsy excuse for excess in packaging and price. With all of the ones I purchased, every time I unbox one to play, I am left shaking my head a bit at the cumbersome nature of opening multiple 'packages' just to get a the LP. It feels superfluous (outside of it 'impressiveness' on the record shelf).

            • 2024-08-18 12:39:35 AM

              Josquin des Prez wrote:

              If they got rid of all the BS excess, and charged a more reasonable price, even as much as $75 for a 33, I would be more inclined to get this. Everything else is silly contrived value. I have the Rhino Lizard Skin box and will stand pat with that.

  • 2024-08-16 04:23:27 PM

    Spin The Black Circle wrote:

    I’m very curious to hear how this reissue sounds. I was not at all impressed with the AP Doors 45rpm reissues from some years ago. In particular, my original US copy of L.A. Woman blows the doors (pun intended) off the AP reissue. I’m wondering if this will have the same mediocre sound?

    • 2024-08-17 08:18:56 PM

      Sam Casanzio wrote:

      I don’t have an original first pressing for comparison. However, outside of their first self-titled album where AP used a safety tape copy, the remaining titles were very well done, especially LA Woman. Various reviewers agreed with my opinion as well. I’ve had the Japanese and DCC of LA Woman, and the AP 45 rpm blew them all away. AP’s 45 rpm of soft parade surpassed my original WLP. In no way, outside the first album, would I classify the AP releases as mediocre.

  • 2024-08-16 05:13:25 PM

    Tom wrote:

    Really surprised you didn’t like the 45rpm cut. In all fairness, it’s been since the early eighties since I played the 1st pressing. Still remember coming back from Korvettes in spring of 71 after buying both LA Woman and Grand Funk’s Survival. I spent the summer of 71 in Europe and remember hearing that Jim died. It shocked me after Jimi and Janis less than a year before. Sorry to get sidetracked, as a Doors completist ordered it as soon as it was announced.

  • 2024-08-17 03:29:19 AM

    Andrew Curtis wrote:

    Good luck if you get a faulty record from AS and you live in Australia, even if you've been a big, loyal customer. Unlike a recent issue I had with a Rhino HF (they sent a replacement and didn't require me to post back faulty LP), Chad's team will require a $25 LP be sent back (at a cost of $40) to get a refund. Even after sending photos and videos. They are the WORST.

  • 2024-08-17 10:13:16 PM

    Jeff 'Glotz' Glotzer wrote:

    I want this. But why isn't this release in a 45rpm?? I have the AP / QRP LA Woman at 45rpm, and while I love the ALL of the others released on Clarity vinyl, I am taken aback by the decision to do 33 here. 45 is superior in playback and my hunch is they are waiting until this sells out to release the 45, like the KOB. I am nonplussed.

    • 2024-08-18 03:25:07 AM

      bwb wrote:

      on the other hand, if offered in 33 and 45 I would opt for the 33. I have a lot of the 45 reissues including all of the Music Matters Blue Notes, but for many I prefer the 33. Not because I'm too lazy to get up and flip over the record, because for many that's how the album was intended, how it was put intentionally put together, how they sequenced the songs to play through one side then the other.

      • 2024-08-19 03:22:28 PM

        Jeff 'Glotz' Glotzer wrote:

        Well, I like that notion of the artist intent, but there is NO comparison between a 33 and 45 playback, if the gear is up to snuff.

        Just ask MF! 45 speeds have less 'hunting and pecking-like' analog jitter and just playback more coherently and smoothly. The absence of it is stark- like removing digital timing errors - jitter - from digital playback.

        I still know LA Woman and its original running order, so I am used to the intended feel of the album and the gains from running 45 far outweigh it, IMO.

  • 2024-08-19 09:42:38 AM

    Will wrote:

    Well, firstly I was hoping for Natty Dread 😁.

    Second, on the subject of postage - I think the $25 AS are charging for FedEx to the UK is very reasonable.

    Third, box or not to box - main benefit is when I pass on; it will be easier for my kids (not into stored music) to identify as a special edition and not sell to a dealer for $2.50. But on the negative they fill up cupboard space and I don’t really want them and additional cost associated.

    Fourth: 45 vs 33 - for me it really depends on the record. I have moved on most of the 45’s I had, including LA Woman, so really interested to see how this 33 compares to the Artisan cut. (Btw IMO the VMP Hissing Of Summer Lawns is stunning.)