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Interviews
Rufus Wainwright Continues to Unfollow the Rules With the Fully Animalistic Verve, Panache, and Dream Realizations on His Vibrant New 2LP Set, Folkocracy
Mike Mettler  |  Jun 02, 2023  |  2 comments

Rufus Wainwright has pretty much followed the beat of his own musical drum since Day 1. Over the course of his multi-decade career, his impeccably ingrained singer/songwriter chops have often fused alt-rock proclivities with the compositional scope of George Gershwin and Franz Schubert. And now, Wainwright has returned to his other true roots with a new 2LP set dubbed Folkocracy, which was released via BMG today, June 2. The four-sided, 60-minute song cycle runs the gamut of a modern-yet-vintage blend of traditional folk and more contemporary fare alike. In a recent Zoom interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Wainwright discusses why Folkocracy belongs on 2LPs instead of one and confirms the only song on the album he knew he had to go back and redo the vocal for, emphasizes the importance of maximizing his family connections on the second LP, and reveals his “secret dream” for how he’ll be able to thwart A.I. artistically. . .

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Album Reviews
Steely Dan’s Countdown to Ecstasy Almost Achieves Liftoff on New 180g 1LP Reissue From Geffen/UMe
Mark Smotroff  |  Jun 01, 2023  |  9 comments

Geffen/UMe has just released a new 180g 1LP version of Steely Dan’s sophomore album, July 1973’s Countdown to Ecstasy. Read our intrepid reviewer Mark Smotroff’s take on this new-to-2023 version of Ecstasy and how it compares to an original 1973 black-label copy as well as the album’s vintage quad edition. . .

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Analog Gear News
Seen at High End Munich 2023: Soundsmith Cartridges & Phono Preamps
Mike Mettler  |  May 31, 2023  |  3 comments

Nope, we’re not done yet — hence, here’s another installment of our extended takes on some of the coolest gear seen and heard at High End Munich 2023. Today, we delve into all the great new Soundsmith cartridge and phono preamp offerings that were on display in the company’s always impressive booth (plus another notable item or two). Read on to find out more about the latest and greatest from the mind and hands of Soundsmith chief engineering domo Peter Ledermann and company. . .

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Analog Gear News
Seen at High End Munich 2023: Thorens New Reference Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  May 30, 2023  |  5 comments

We continue ever onward with our extended looks at some of the coolest gear seen and heard at High End Munich 2023. Next up is the Thorens New Reference turntable, a stunning piece that’s intended to celebrate 140 years of the company’s design and performance prowess. Read on to find out more about this anniversary-inspired New Reference turntable. . .

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Album Reviews
All-Analog Remaster of Legendary 1957 Sessions Comprising Craft Recordings’ New 180g 1LP Edition of Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane Ushers in a Much Welcome Return of Original Jazz Classics Imprint
Mark Smotroff  |  May 26, 2023  |  8 comments

Good news! Craft Recordings — the boutique vinyl arm of Concord Music, who control the catalogs of Fantasy, Riverside, Milestone, and many other related labels — has duly revived the Original Jazz Classics series as a brand imprint for the now times. One of the first titles being reissued by Craft under the vaunted OJC umbrella is out today, May 26, in a new, 180g 1LP all-analog remastered edition: Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why this seminal mid-century collaboration between two jazz giants immediately belongs in your vinyl collection. . .

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Interviews
Blowin’ Free and Goin’ Deep With Andy Powell About Wishbone Ash’s New Argus 50th Anniversary Edition Multidisc Box Set That Heralds the Full Majesty of Their Milestone Melodically Progressive 1972 Rock LP
Mike Mettler  |  May 25, 2023  |  1 comments

Certain albums serve as defining statements of a band’s career trajectory — and when it comes to the British melodic progressive rock band Wishbone Ash, 1972’s Argus is the shining example. To celebrate the golden anniversary of this milestone album, Wishbone Ash recently released the Argus 50th Anniversary Edition 1972-2022 multidisc box set via Madfish on April 14, 2023, with a special anniversary edition run of 5,000 copies that includes the remastered Argus on black vinyl and five tracks of Argus Live on yellow vinyl. In a recent phone interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Wishbone Ash guitarist/vocalist Andy Powell discusses why the multiple movements in the lengthy album opener “Time Was” were absolutely critical for how the sound of Argus unfolded on vinyl, how the band pioneered the use of twin-guitar harmonics, and the specific sonic elements added to Argus they felt were lacking on previous albums. Read on to get Powell’s inside takes on why Argus continues to throw down the sword on vinyl. . .

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Analog Gear News
Seen at High End Munich 2023: Takumi TT Level 3.1 Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  May 24, 2023  |  1 comments

Continuing with our highlighting of some of the coolest gear seen and heard at High End Munich 2023, we now turn our eyes and ears to Takumi’s TT Level 3.1 turntable, which was being auditioning in fine form as part of a top-shelf demo system consisting of a Moonriver Audio phono stage, Moonriver amplifiers, Aretai speakers, and Viablue cables. Read on to find out more about the new Level 3.1 turntable. . .

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Analog Gear News
Seen at High End Munich 2023: Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary Edition Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  May 22, 2023  |  9 comments

With High End Munich 2023 officially in the books, we now commence our highlighting of some of the coolest gear seen and heard at the big show. First, we’d like to take a moment and commend Rega in recognition of the company’s 50th anniversary this year — especially considering how this venerable high-end British manufacturer was celebrating that golden milestone in style at their booth in Munich by showcasing the 50th anniversary edition of their legendary Planar 3 turntable, replete with walnut finish. Read on to glean more about the full majesty of the 50th anniversary edition of Rega’s vaunted Planar 3 turntable. . .

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News
On the Season Finale of Vinyl Obsession, Vocalist Hunter Hayes & Actor Dan Cortese Gilbert Hunt Down Their Top 5 LPs
Mike Mettler  |  May 21, 2023  |  1 comments

Who's making their Top 5 picks on this week's season finale episode of AXS TV's Vinyl Obsession? Glad you asked. This Sunday evening, May 21, multiplatinum singer/songwriter Hunter Hayes and actor/host Dan Cortese bring us along on their respective shopping trips at Grimey's in Nashville as they both search for their Top 5 LPs. Read on to get a double dose of AP-exclusive sneak previews of tonight's ep. . .

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Album Reviews
David Byrne’s Complete Score From The Broadway Production Of The Catherine Wheel Is Worth Every Spin of This Expanded 2LP RSD 2023 Edition
Mark Smotroff  |  May 19, 2023  |  2 comments

David Byrne’s The Catherine Wheel has long been a favorite release amongst his fervent fanbase, dating back to the album’s first, albeit abbreviated appearance on vinyl in December 1981. Finally, The Complete Score From the Broadway Production of “The Catherine Wheel” gets its full due on 2LP black vinyl, thanks to its Record Store Day 2023 release in a run of 6,500 copies. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if this expanded edition should become an essential part of your own Catherine Wheel listening experience. . .

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