Definitive Audiophile pressings

[Russ I]

I was listening to a recently acquired 1970 Japan pressing of John Barleycorn Must Die and really digging how it sounds. This is one of those records I've owned a lot of copies of over the years, because I not only enjoy the music, but I've always found it to be a good title for assessing the sound of my system. Not content to just be satisfied with what I was listening to, I decided to compare the Japan pressing to a couple of others I have, including a 1971 US Research Craft pressing, and the 2021 remaster I bought because it was affordable and, well, like I said, this is a record I've had a lot of copies of. Discogs listings for all three are below.

All three sound very good, but to my surprise, the 2021 pressing is notably more crisp and a bit fuller sounding than the others, kind of like a very faint veil was lifted from the music. The 1971 US pressing seems to have the smallest sound stage of the three, and the Japan pressing sounds great--full sound stage and nice separation. The 2021 remaster definitely is the most striking of the three, but it's going to take me a while to decide whether that extra sharpness makes it a better listen or just presents the music in a more striking way. Can't go wrong with either of the two, really, but for anyone looking for a nice copy of this record, the most recent pressing is a very affordable way to go.

Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1971 Vinyl release of "John Barleycorn Must Die" on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1970 Vinyl release of "John Barleycorn Must Die" on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 2021 Vinyl release of "John Barleycorn Must Die" on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

 

[zdkaiser]

Man that’s shit

Primus is one of the those bands you cannot be neutral on. You either hate them or absolutely hate them.

 

[Sonicpharmacist]

Ah shit I have a Kenny Loggins story too.

He has a son who was a year younger than me in college. Son lived on the same dorm floor as some of my friends so we met him during parents weekend. He was the nicest guy.

I went to the premier for Mallrats and got high with Jason Mewes. It was a great night.

 

[Sonicpharmacist]

I jam some Styx. Call me a Boomer but it's not a Mofi IMO

I jam some Styx too. My wife mocks me relentlessly.

Styx was my favorite band when I was a kid.

 

[tvham]

Styx was my favorite band when I was a kid.

Paradise Theater is a pretty solid concept album!

 

[Portland Sheriff]

I jam some Styx. Call me a Boomer but it's not a Mofi IMO

Mofi begs to differ: Styx - The Grand Illusion

I had The Grand Illusion on 8-track! I haven’t listened to that album in ages, but I loved it back in the day and would have no problem listening it to it at least once more before I die, as long as it’s not the last thing I hear before I die. That would be bad!

 

[Portland Sheriff]

Paradise Theater is a pretty solid concept album!

Paradise Theater ended my relationship with Styx (“Too Much Time on My Hands” was their death knell for me), but damn if I didn’t love the etched vinyl!

 

[Jbraswell]

Mofi begs to differ: Styx - The Grand Illusion

I had The Grand Illusion on 8-track! I haven’t listened to that album in ages, but I loved it back in the day and would have no problem listening it to it at least once more before I die, as long as it’s not the last thing I hear before I die. That would be bad!

My Paradise Theatre gets the spins

 

[tvham]

Paradise Theater ended my relationship with Styx (“Too Much Time on My Hands” was their death knell for me), but damn if I didn’t love the etched vinyl!View attachment 143889

I'll take that off your hands since they are dead to you.

 

[Portland Sheriff]

I'll take that off your hands since they are dead to you.

Haha! That’s not mine. It’s a photo from Discogs, but I did have the etched vinyl when it came out.

 

[Jbraswell]

The OG

 

[Sonicpharmacist]

The OGView attachment 143894View attachment 143896

I still have the OG I bought new the day it came out

 

[Jbraswell]

I still have the OG I bought new the day it came out

Well it is settled.
Well need some (more?) Styx Mofi.

 

[Sonicpharmacist]

Well it is settled.
Well need some (more?) Styx Mofi.

Heh heh, idk, MAYBE Grand Illusion. That’s probably the only entire album that still holds up for me.

 

[JohnnyCashFan]

 

[Jbraswell]

Heh heh, idk, MAYBE Grand Illusion. That’s probably the only entire album that still holds up for me.

Journey Don't Stop Believin would blow some sales out.
Maybe THE SONG to come from the 80s

 

[Portland Sheriff]

KGx3 alert @MikeH

 

[jamieanderson1968]

Jackpot is definitely on a hot streak lately

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

KGx3 alert @MikeH
View attachment 143898

These stats sound legit but who the fuck are The Flamin' Groovies and The Fallen Angels?

 

[Matt M]

These stats sound legit but who the fuck are The Flamin' Groovies and The Fallen Angels?

Just buy them, all will be good!

But the Groovies will give you some classic Power Pop