Steely Dan UHQR Series

Music Reviews: Vinyl

December 13th, 2022

Otoboke Beaver Releases "Super Champon" On Vinyl

Japan's queens of punk release on vinyl their "masterpiece of chaos music"

By: Mark Dawes

Kyoto’s four-piece, all-female, Japanese punk sensation Otoboke Beaver are probably the most talented live band I have witnessed in years. My favourite rhythm section in punk rock? No doubt about it, with Hiro-Chan’s bass effortlessly interlocking with the incredible drumming of Kahokiss. Is Kahokiss the best drummer I have ever seen? No question - she can stop and start on a pinhead and hammer out multiple time-signatures in one song at a tempo and force that... Read More

genre Rock Punk format Vinyl

December 11th, 2022

Joni Mitchell Locked in an Asylum Box!

click bait, yes, literally not true, but metaphorically true.

By: Michael Fremer

The speculation below re digital is wrong. Patrick Milligan commented on an unboxing video that it’s from tape. I stand corrected and sorry I didn’t see obscure unboxing video. However, I stand by my sound comments. These records don’t sound great compared to previously released versions and the compression is noticeable and unwelcomed. Compared to nothing I’m sure they will sound okay. And glad they are cut from tape.The four albums in this box document an artist on... Read More

genre Folk Jazz Fusion format Vinyl

December 9th, 2022

Can a Pressing Plant Sound Wonderful? QRP Thinks So

3 LP set began life celebrating Thorens' 125th anniversary

By: Michael Fremer

In 2008 Thorens commissioned Analogue Productions to create a 3 LP package celebrating the company's 125th anniversary. The resulting limited edition set—with songs selected from titles that had either been produced by or licensed by Analogue Productions— quickly sold out and now fetches big dollars on Discogs. The least expensive copy listed as I write this is at $170.00. The top price paid was over $400. Now Analogue Productions has repurposed the package,... Read More

genre Other format Vinyl

December 7th, 2022

Standards And Originals Take Flight on Lori Lieberman's Newest Album

truly her finest vocal performances on record

By: Michael Fremer

Lori Lieberman performs this set of standards without a "net"—no reverb bath, or any kind of cover. Singing directly and closely "on mic" where there's no room for error she delivers her finest vocal performances on record backed by Matt Rollings on keyboards (piano and B3), Lyle Workman on guitars, David Piltch on upright bass and Victor Indrizzo on drums.Lieberman produced the record with Rollings, a player in Lyle Lovett's Large Band... Read More

December 7th, 2022

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' 1997 Fillmore Residency Documented On 3 Vinyl Sets

how much fun do you want to have?

By: Michael Fremer

Fed up with tight set lists and arena tour tedium, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers pitched its musical tent January, 1997 at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium for a two week residency. The Fillmore put 10 shows on sale—box office sale and pickup only— not sure how it would do. It was an immediate sell-out. More show dates followed until there were 20 sell-out shows between January 10 and February 7.

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genre Rock Americana format Vinyl

December 6th, 2022

P's Quirky And Curious Self-Titled Album

From the archives: 'P' presents a wide range of musical variety and coarse, crude humor

By: Tracking Angle

(This review, written by Carl E. Baugher, originally appeared in Issue 7, Spring 1996.)P is Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers), Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhand), Bill Carter and Sal Jenco. Also, as it says on the back of the LP jacket, “P is a land, not a liquid or a fruit.” Uh, ok. Not by any means the discordant thrash you might expect from this Gibby-led bunch, this quirky, curious album is consistently engaging, with a wide range of musical variety and coarse, crude... Read More

genre Rock Alternative Rock format Vinyl