JWM Alyson review now live

I enjoyed several months with JWM Acoustics Alyson AMLII speakers this summer, the very same pair that was in use at RMAF, so if you heard them there you can compare your impressions with mine. Full review now in HiFi'Zine.

Some speakers strike me as the product of science, others seem the application of art. Josh Miles' designs seem like a balance of the two, and with a very heavy helping of art in the enclosure designs.  Worth checking out for sure, see more at http://www.jwmacoustics.com/

Happy new year folks.

Cleaning those LPs on the cheap

So, you never got that ultrasonic machine for Christmas? Fear not, there's plenty of helpful videos online for would-be LP collectors and cleaners, it must be something about audiophiles. Here's my new favorite, you know it helps to dress properly when cleaning vinyl too - consider it a gift:

Check out the HB Channel for good advice on speaker placement

And that humor.....listen carefully or you might miss it :)

Speaking of Hendrix

Amazon link

I can't complain about the various releases coming out as I recently purchased the 9 LP resissue of the older velvet purple box, The Jimi Hendrix Experience Box Set.  Sadly, it's no longer boxed in velvet, and am sure the source is digital but it's a fine collection, both musically and sonically. Previously I'd thought there was not enough  interesting material on it to warrant purchase but when I found it competitively priced compared to used older sets, I bit the bullet.

Packaging is decent, though the individual album sleeves are basic. Contains good book, sized to read (!) and the quality of the vinyl in my copy was uniformly high. The sonics vary, obviously given the range of source material used, but there's enough good stuff here to enjoy and this forms the majority of the collection. It's an overwhelming collection in some ways, hard to review without getting into the minutia of Hendrix's catalog, but even though I have a fairly large Hendrix collection already, and tend to side with those who feel the albums released while he was alive are the only essentials, this collection still seems worthy to me.

The price varies considerably so if interested, search around or park it in your Amazon cart and watch it for a few days (it just changed $14 while I was editing this entry!).

'NEW" Hendrix Album for Spring 2018?

Rolling Stone reporting a new release from the Hendrix Estate. I know, 50 years later, new stuff still being 'found' and packaged for release. I understand the demand, am curious myself, but sometimes I wonder what the artist would think.  My own preference would be for some of the live stuff we know is out there (Royal Albert Hall someone?).  I suppose it speaks to Jimi's enduring legacy that we are even having this discussion but heaven help any new listener to Jimi who lucks onto these 'albums' first and thinks what is the fuss about?  For fans only.

"Ten previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix recordings highlight Both Sides of the Sky, an upcoming posthumous LP from the legendary guitarist. The album will be available March 9th, 2018 via Sony Legacy Recordings on multiple formats, including CD, digital and a numbered, 180-gram audiophile double-vinyl

 The 13-track album compiles material recorded between January 1968 and February 1970. It is the final installment in a trilogy series of unissued archival recordings, following 2010's Valleys of Neptune and 2013's People, Hell and Angels. Engineer Eddie Kramer – who worked on every Hendrix project before the guitar legend's death – co-produced the album with John McDermott and Hendrix's sister, Janie Hendrix. 

Jimi Hendrix – Both Sides of the Sky Track List:1. "Mannish Boy" (previously unreleased)2. "Lover Man" (previously unreleased)3. "Hear My Train A Comin'" (previously unreleased)4. "Stepping Stone" (previously unreleased)5. "$20 Fine" (previously unreleased, featuring Stephen Stills)6. "Power Of Soul" (previously unavailable extended version)7. "Jungle" (previously unreleased)8. "Things I Used to Do" (featuring Johnny Winter)9. "Georgia Blues" (featuring Lonnie Youngblood)10. "Sweet Angel" (previously unreleased)11. "Woodstock" (previously unreleased, featuring Stephen Stills)12. "Send My Love To Linda" (previously unreleased)13. "Cherokee Mist" (previously unreleased)"

Full story here: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/new-jimi-hendrix-lp-unearths-10-previously-unheard-recordings-w513540 

A meeting of the spirits

There's been a lot of bad news recently with deaths in the industry, and we rightly pause to acknowledge the contributions of people like Charlie Hansen,  but last night I witnessed a musical performance that reminded me of how uplifting music can be. John McLaughlin is on a farewell tour of the US with his 4th Dimension band, sharing the stage with Jimmy Herring's band.

I caught them last night at the beautiful Paramount Theater in Austin and came away on a high that defies logic. It is one thing to hear virtuosity live, but add to that the opportunity to hear classic Mahavishnu Orchestra music played live as if transported back in time. McLaughlin can still deliver it. His band is incredible, truly incredible. And Herring's performance, as a player and as a band, was equally sensational.  The music ran for close to four hours, without much by way of stage props, fanfare or self-promotion; just real musicians getting it on live, collectively delivering amazing individual and band performances. I felt lucky to be there. The tour is called the Meeting of the Spirits and if you have an opportunity, go.  We can argue all we like about audio gear, but last night was a reminder of why humans value music.