The best and most disappointing vinyl record albums of 2023
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- The best sounding and most disappointing sounding vinyl record albums of 2023; Also, my favorite hifi component purchase of 2023.
#vinyl #hifi #vinylcommunity
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Brother to Brother /Gino Vanelli and Pablo Cruise/Reflector both original year A&M Vynyl lps found at a thrift /antique store and cleaned them up with some La Art du Son and they both sound brand new and have a similar vibe in style and an awesome rich full sound production . .The song Wheels Of Life by Vanelli is something every one should hear ..
Thanks for sharing your collection with us this year, Kenny.
Thank you very much for the super thanks donation I sincerely appreciate that you support my channel 😊 ✌️
Thanks for turning me on to Helen Merrill, Kenny. Did a dive on your Lp and it's hard to find at a reasonable price, so dug deeper and found her first recording with Clifford Brown as a reissue on Acoustic Sounds. Awesome. To think that you found that album at a thrift store leads me to believe that you live in a record nerd's paradise. LOVE & PEACE!
Thank you very much for your kind comments 😀. I hope that you enjoy the great Helen Merrill. I hope that you and your family have a great new year ✌️
Happy Holidays, Kenny! I was very excited when I received Steely Dan's "Gaucho", "Countdown to Ecstasy" and "Pretzel Logic" 180g black vinyl Geffen reissues for Christmas but my elation soon turned to disappointment. All three of them had noisy backgrounds, dulled highs - just muddy compressed affairs all around. I kept on checking my stylus to see if it were caked with dirt but it was clean as a whistle. The comparison between these versions and the hi-res versions on QOBUZ were stark. I put another record on to see if something was wrong with my system but no, no issues. All three are going back. I must say the "Aja" UHQR 45rpm version is the best I've heard, though so that was my best album choice of this year. Second best was a used copy of The Moody Blues "Days of Future Passed" - all of my previous copies were in poor shape or from cassette copies so I thought that it just wasn't a good recording. I also received copies of the Beatles 1964-1967 and 1967-1970 half masters but the streamed versions are good enough for me so they might be going back as well.
I have the Beatles set that you mentioned but I have the vinyl album set but I have not had the chance to listen to it yet. I am a fan of the Moody Blues Day's of Future Past album and I have a about four album copies but I have never tested to see which one sounds the best. I also believe I have it on SACD as well. Sorry about your negative experience with those Steely Dan albums. Thank you very much for your comments ✌️
I agree with you on the best sounding album of 2023 I played my UHQR copy yesterday. This time I listened to it louder (since I could) no one was around. I was fully immersed in the music.
It's a great sounding album for sure 👌
But in my opinion, it’s such a boring album.
Kenny love your enthusiasm for music and the CZcams channel you provide! I’d swear you were a musician or a radio disc jockey in a former life ! Thanks for updates and knowledge you provide us !
Thank you very much for your kind comments, I really appreciate it ✌️
My fave purchase of 2023 was Sergio Mendes and the New Brazil 77, featuring two songs penned by Stevie Wonder, who also guests on keyboards. Fantastic record.
I think I have that album, Brasil 77 was great 👍 👌
thanks for tip on Helen Merrill. I love Helen Merrill, she is one of my fave female singers. I was lucky enough to find her Bossa Nova with OBI OG vinyl pressing from Japan this year. I found Casa Forte for 9 bucks VG+ on discos, can't wait to hear it. thanks again.
Helen Merrill is great. Thank you very much for watching my video and your comments.
Great video
Thank you very much ✌️ 😊
Great video Kenny, happy new year!
Thank you very much Bob. I hope that you and your family have a great new year ✌️.
Thanks for the tip on the record cleaner!.
You're welcome and thank you very much for watching my video ✌️
Best sounding - Essence to essence by Donovan. Worst sounding - TBC after proper cleaning
Thank you very much for your comments ✌️ 😊
Wow, that Helen Merrill record looks very interesting! Killer musicians on it too. Vera Cruz was originally by Milton Nascimento and Casa Forte was originally by Edu Lobo (I know Sergio Mendes did Casa Forte, but I can't find their version of Vera Cruz). In my opinion Elis Regina did the DEFINITIVE version of both of those songs on her album "Como e Porque," check that one out if you don't have it!
I will definitely have to check out Elis Regina's version as I am definitely a fan, thank you very much for your recommendations 😊
If I mentioned that Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 performed Vera Cruz, then that was a error on my part.
Watchhouse and Tedeschi Trucks - different genres, both group play is phenomenal.
Thank you very much for your recommendations 😊 ✌️ 🎶
Love your VC Kenny. BEST advise I heard this year, came from your channel, "stream it before you buy it"! I've followed that way of thinking the last few years. Makes total cents:) Best sounding records were two by Roy Hamilton, Why Fight the Feeling and With All My Love. Picked up original mint copies on Discogs for a few bucks. Nothing wrong with "Popeye" on first or third. Go Dodgers! Have a great New Year and I look forward to your content in 24! Peace
I sincerely appreciate your awesome and kind comments. Thank you very much as always for watching my videos and your comments...I hope that you and your family have a excellent 2024 ✌️
I agree with you on the UHQR Aja, it is an absolutely stunning sounding pressing.
Best album is Steeky Dans UHQR Aja
Worst is a Lightnin Hopkins album that was rated an VG+ and was barely a G so I was very disappointed in that.
Best component I would say I tie but I’ll give it to my new speakers Talon Audio Firebirds with upgraded crossovers, I just posted a couple videos of them. The other is my Teres Audio turntable and Air Tight cartridge, exceptional performance from all 3 pieces.
Thanks for the video and Happy Holidays 👍🏽
Thank you very much for sharing your best album and audio components from 2023. I hope that you and your family have a great new year ✌️
I’ve never seen this Helen Merrill’s album before and it isn’t available to stream. I collect all of her albums and I would be interested if you provide more information on it, not much on Discogs. My favorite jazz album of 2023 would be “The Remarkable Carmell Jones”, but I agree with you on the best sounding albums of 2023, “Aja” and then “Love Supreme”. The best component for me in 2023 was the turntable combo I got, Dr Feickert Blackbird, Kuzma 4pt 11, and Hana Umami Red, it took my listening experience to a different level. By the way I love the Pharoah Sanders - Pharoah box. I highly recommend New Land releases, and Impex Bud Shank’s album. Happy holidays!
Fantastic turntable setup 👌 👏 👍....the Helen Merrill album is on CZcams if you want you want to listen to it. Thank you very much for your comments and Happy New year to you and your family 😊
Part of the issue on Pretzel Logic, was the original was very good, but I agree that I expected more from the UHQR. Aja and Love Supreme are both amazing. Aja is one of my top albums of all time. The UHQR is better than the Cisco pressing. I enjoy your passion. Thanks for your videos. PS: I started listening to John Mayall in the 60s. I also love the AT mono cartridge as I have many mono LP's.
I appreciate your comments and thank you very much for watching my video....John Mayall is fantastic 😀
The best sounding recording in 2023 for me was A World of Piano by Phinaes Newborn. The Contempory reissue is fabulous. The sound quality is great. Highly recommend!
Thank you very much for your recommendation ✌️
Kenny I love your videos! This is a random question but what are your thoughts on sample based music? For example genres like hiphop and electronic music? I know its probably very different from the topics you usually cover but I would love to see a video of u covering the subject.
Personally, I think that sampling music by rap and hip hop artists is fantastic when done with taste and respect to the original music. Thank you very much for your great question ✌️
You Know Kenny, I Can't Believe That That Any Steely Dan Album Would Bad On Any Front... Since Most Og's Were So Bad!!! Very Interesting Finds My Friend!! I Haven't Graded My New Vinyl Pickups Yet!! Most Og Pickups (Used) Were Good!!!!
Brother Dan, I appreciate your comments ✌️ 😊
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews Well Actually Kenny. I MENT that The OG Dan's Sounded So Good . Hard To Believe Any Configuration Would Not!!! This Dang Phone Machine Always Messes Me Up!Lol!!!!
Hi Kenny, are you planning to purchase the Chick Corea Elektric Band box set? I haven’t heard anyone review it yet. Enjoy your vids.
I'm not sure it I'm going to purchase the box set, I may have one or two of the bands albums on LP or CD. Thank you very much for your kind comments.
I’m probably going to buy the newest addition of the Technics turntable (SL1210GR2) I’d like the Grand Class but for the extra $2000 I don’t think I would get that much of return. My point is that I have the Hana SL stereo and mono cartridges and they weigh the same so I have an easy switch with the turn of the collar. My best purchase as far as equipment this year was the acrylic mat that allows me to check the tracking force right on the mat. Also, that mat really gave some extra punch to my jazz albums😊 Best album for me was the Louis Armstrong “Wishes You a Cool Yule” a surprisingly great sounding record and because he is my favorite musician. You should get a copy of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s 25th Anniversary from Real Gone Music and even though it’s on colored vinyl it sounds so great! Available at Acoustic Sounds but do not buy the Louie Louie Louie; horrible recording😢 Thanks as always for the great video!
Thank your very much as always for your outstanding comments and opinions. I will probably purchase the Hana mono cartridge sometime in 2024.
You crazy shopper … but I’m only jealous. But actually love it when you buy records . I just uploaded a new demo of a song I wrote for Carlos Santana, but it’s influenced by Steely Dan too . I think it could be a hit
I appreciate your comments...I can't wait to hear the song that you wrote for Santana, please keep us posted when it's released.
Kenny:
A most happy New Years to you & your family. I am looking forward to more of your videos to come in 2024. I struggled with this list for over two days now. I caught the video just after you posted it. Since then I have been running the choices over and over in my mind. The worst & my favorite were an easy choice. I struggled mightily with the best sounding and my choice reflects that. There were some many great sounding LPs in 2023. Hard to pick. But then I remembered this disc and the choice became easy
Disappointing:
For most disappointing-easy: I needed NO time to think. The UHQR release of Pretzel Logic. I was totally underwhelmed with the sound. First time I have been genuinely disappointed in Analogue Productions. I can’t actually believe Chad heard this pressing and approved it. I was actually SO, SO underwhelmed that I changed my purchasing habits RE: UHQRs going forward. From this point forward, I will buy no more UHQRs without reading some reviews by reviewers I trust. I no longer have FOMO with regards to UHQR’s. If the UHQR sells out before I take the plunge, so be it.
Dishonorable mention to the Beatles Red & Blue albums.
Favorite:
As for my favorite-easy: Wes Montgomery - The Complete Full House Recordings on Craft Recordings, Mastered by Kevin Gray and pressed by Optimal in Germany on super quiet vinyl. Wes is one of my top 3 favorite jazz guitarists (Django Reinhart & Charlie Christian). This session was intended to be just a duo with Johnny Griffin on sax. Miles Davis was in town and at the last minute the Winton Kelly trio, who was playing as Miles Davis’ rhythm section, were added. Paul Chambers (bass), Jimmy Cobb (Drums) & Wynton Kelly (Piano). This was when Wes was in a period where he was very experimental and did some long extended solos. The sound quality is about the best I have heard on a Wes Montgomery LP and the performance was stellar!! Magic always seemed to happen when Wes & The Wynton Kelly Trio performed together.
Best Sounding
Finally for best sounding: It was NOT Aja. Aja sounds as good as I have ever heard it sound, but for me Aja was never the best sounding LP at any time. Sure it was up there, but many other LPs surpass it for me. The Can’t Buy A Thrill & A Countdown to Ecstasy sound as good or better to me. My choice is a limited pressing from a small boutique label from Paris: Sam Records. I was reluctant to pick it, due to its limited availability. I truly had to say it was by far the best of 2023 (or any other year). Sam releases LPs from (mostly American) Jazz & Blues artists recorded both live and in studio from France & other locations in Europe. The release spans two separate LPs from the same sessions. It is Big Bill Broonzy - Blues Singer Vols. 1 & Vols. 2. This is on Sam’s Artisan series. At $99.00 per disc, it is Sam’s equivalent of a UHQR. It is a limited edition series with only 450 LPs. The covers are a step above even a Staughton jacket. The covers are handmade with a silkscreened version of the original cover. The silkscreening was actually done by the owner of Sam. The back cover has a linen-like fabric finish. There is a 6 page booklet with high quality session photos and liner notes. The LPs were pressed at Optimal in Germany on vinyl even quieter than Clarity Vinyl. This is the quietest vinyl I have ever heard. Kevin Gray did the mastering. The original LPs were studio recordings released on 2) 10” LPs in France in 1952. The Sam LP’s are 2) 12” LPs recorded at 45 RPM. So no extra side changes vs the original 10” LP, but even better sound. The LPs were visually checked by the Owner of Sam Records, Fred Thomas. He rejected 10% of the covers for visual defects, so only 450 copies out of 500 were released. The sound is incredible!!! It is only Bill Broonzy & his guitar and they are totally in your listening room. You can hear the raw emotions in his voice. On the final song of the set you can hear the sadness in his voice well up to the point where he no longer can go on and he just stops singing. When I got this LP in October I couldn’t stop playing it.
Best New Gear Purchase:
My Best New Gear Purchase is not a single item, it is part of a group assembly. This fall I had a dedicated circuit run to my equipment. Consisting of a 10 AWG homerun feed back to the panel, a Furutech NCF-D outlet, wall plate & cover plate, 2 AudioQuest Storm Series AC Cables, 2 AudioQuest Niagara Power Conditioners (1 for 2 channel Audio, 1 for Multi-channel & Video). It has made a very noticeable difference in the sound of the Audio and appearance of the Video. I wanted to do this for years.
Congratulations on your new Mono Cartridge. My J3+ does have a Mono switch so I am lucky there. However the tonearm on my EAT C-Sharp has a fixed head shell, so a Mono Cartridge is not a possibility for me with this Turntable. I’ll be curious to hear your results.
Thank you very much for your comments and recommendations, I really appreciate it. I hope that you and your family have a great new year.
Best or worst are just one person’s choice, it’s not a right or wrong choice, just that persons choice. But vinyl is expensive today so to get the best value I am very selective in what I buy, I do not own a UHQR vinyl, not because I cannot afford one but because nothing has been released as yet that makes me go wow I want that. Most of my shopping nowadays is via the pre-loved market, some great bargains to be found. My worst purchase was Miles Davis - Bitches Brew, I just cannot get into this album at all, my favourite buy of the year was Bill Withers Greatest Hits, just superb not my usual genre to listen to but a very welcome and much played surprise.
I totally understand your reasoning for not purchasing a UHQR, I have the same opinion when buying all of my records regardless of price, If I do not like the music I simply will not buy it.
two words excluding themselves: audiophile and vinyl record
The price of records is too damn high 😩
Kenny, just got a Hana EL and it’s great, I’m sure the ML will be awesome.
I totally understand your feelings on the price of records.
I looking forward to listening to the Hana ML
Purchased AS Steely Dan "Gaucho" 33rpm record. It sounds absolutely fantastic. Do not see the need to spend $ 150 for the UHQR version. Also purchased the UHQR version on of Aja. Yes, it is fantastic. But I doubt I will ever buy another UHQR.
I totally understood, those UHQRs are pricey for a album....but the Aja UHQR is outstanding.
Agreed 100% with you. Boo to Pretzel Logic😢 UHQR...Cheers to Love Supreme and Aja UHQR.😊
Thank you very much ✌️ 🎶
Favorite release this year was Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach by Keith Jarrett. It was recorded in 1994 but not released until this year, and sounds amazing
I'll have to check out that Keith Jarrett album.
What are your favorite headphones?
I'm not heavily into headphones yet but the headphones that I use the most are AKG K240s.