I can go on for hours about all that is wrong with the vinyl resurgence and I often do. But occasionally, something is right, and a lot of the time, it's because of Kevin Gray.
Kevin Gray's work as a mastering engineer has been a topic of conversation for years. You can find discussions everywhere from the forums on Steve Hoffman's blog to reviews on Discogs. The comments are always the same. Gray is a genius. "His ears should be insured."
I first heard Kevin Gray's work when Blue Note launched the Tone Poet reissue series. Blue Note records have always been special, with pressings going back 60 years that still sound fresh today. But Gray's mastering on the Tone Poet records was something otherworldly. I felt as if I was standing in the middle of Rudy Van Gelder's studio, while Dexter Gordon and his quartet were playing just for me.
Since the issue of those Tone Poet records, I've been somewhat obsessed with Kevin Gray, tracking down dozens upon dozens of records with his mastering. Basic rock and roll records like the first Boston album, "Who's Next," or Meat Loaf's "Bat Out Of Hell," records that rarely sell for more than $5 or $10, now fetch $75-$150 if they are the pressings mastered by Kevin Gray. I can tell you, from the heart, as your eyes roll into to the back of your head, and your snorts become more contemptuous, that even you non-believers will hear a difference.
That being said, Jackpot Records out of Portland, has just released a three LP bundle featuring the first three records by New Orleans funk legends The Meters, all cut from original analog tapes by Kevin Gray. I preordered the bundle last month and they arrived yesterday. I expected an improvement, as those original pressings on Josie were a muddy mess. But what I heard on these new editions just about brought tears to my eyes.
This is some of my favorite music and now, it was as if I was listening to it as it was being recorded live. Once again, Kevin Gray makes the argument for vinyl, by keeping it simple. Make it sound good and keep the bells and whistles in the closet.
The original Meters records on Josie often sell for triple digits, so to have brilliant sounding copies for an affordable price is a godsend.
Yes, the limited edition bundle had all three LPs on colored vinyl, something I usually don't care about. But they do look purty. That bundle sold out of its limited 500 piece run. But the records are being released individually next week and you can buy one or all three from the Jackpot website.
This isn't really about debating vinyl versus CD, or CD versus streaming. It's about those who still buy vinyl, enjoy their stereo systems and turntables and want to feel like they aren't getting ripped off. If you love The Meters, this new pressing bundle is the deal of the century.
6 comments:
Alright. Shipping costs to the EU be damned. Just bought a set. Thanks, Sal! And, I agree, the Josie lps were just horribly mixd and engineered.
If Kevin Gray touches anything by anybody you like, just buy it.
Dude, I know how tough it is. But to borrow an old cliche, we have to keep on keeping on. I know that saying is not going to change your mind set, but believe me the blogospehere is a much better place with you in it. So enjoy your time off. The world will continue to be geared towards the dishonest and corrupt. Maybe you can find a bit of solice in a song by Ian Drury and the Blockheads by the title of "You'll See Glimpses"
Kevin Gray is the Bill Inglot of vinyl. I remember during the CD era, always knowing if I saw Bill Inglot was involved in the remastering (mainly at Rhino, I believe) it was guaranteed to be top notch audio quality revealing the album as close to what they heard in the studio as possible. No "fixing." No "improving." Just revealing.
Clams at Randazzo's sounds good. Wish I could join you.
Not that I know much about anything, but I do have excellent hearing, and this Meters tune sounds amazing, so I believe what you say about this dude Kevin Gray!
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