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Question

Howard. Do you prefer a reasonable performance with a terrific recording quality or vice-versa?

Answer

Frankly, I don’t know. Depends on my mood, a bit. And then there’s the rarity value. I have some bootleg rock performances that are breathtaking and the recording quality is far from good. Moreover the bands in question probably never played better and so I'm stuck. If I hear it from the audiophile standpoint, I’d never listen to those performances. But with my musical ear, they are irresistible.

Question

How about a play list recommendation to use when comparing systems or individual items?

Answer

How about two? Both of them work for me. None of these tracks are audiophile quality.

Play list 1:

Play list 2:

Question

When did you first become interested in music and what triggered that interest? How did your family regard music?

Answer

My earliest recollection (verified by my mum) was of learning to crawl. In the background, seemingly always, was The BBC Third Programme, now known as Radio 3. Classical music was playing. My early formative years were in this respect rather happy. Even today I can recognise a large amount of classical music. However, putting a name to those pieces, even today, still defies me. I seemed, as best I can recall, to ‘understand’ the music, but was too young to understand, let alone remember the commentaries. My love of it is deep.

With rock music, it was until an epiphany moment at William Grimshaw secondary modern school, only of peripheral interest – as indeed was all music really. The moment was hearing a fellow inmate singing the immortal (to me) line from The Who’s ‘Substitute’ “I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth“. With regard to rock, I never looked back.

With Folk/Rock – the first time I saw Fairport Convention, early 1968. All teenagers – all with terrific talent. I was an FC fanatic from then until RC and SD left.

Psychedelia – seeing Pink Floyd for the first time, and every subsequent time. “Careful With The Axe” rolling out over the audience at a Parliament Hill Fields free midnight open air concert. Unforgettable.

I don’t recall my father having any interest in any music. One of the very few people I have met like this.

Question

I like the classic 60s bands. Have you read any bios on such bands and can you recommend any? I don’t want celebrity stuff. I'm interested in the music, band influence, why they split up, rare recordings, etc. thanks.

Answer

Yup, me too. Best books I’ve read to date include the following:
“Animal Tracks”: The Story of The Animals – by Sean Egan
The Story of the Animals

“Bad Moon Rising” – The Unofficial History of Creedence Clearwater Revival – by Hank Bordowitz.
Bad Moon Rising

“Heavy Load” – The Story of Free – by David Clayton.
Heavy Load

Question

How about the Joe Jackson biography?

Answer

If you mean “A Cure for Gravity” then without doubt, one of the finest music biographies I have ever read. A highly intelligent text about a very interesting musician. I can’t recommend this strongly enough.
Cure For Gravity

 

 

 

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