This is an original 1983 copy of a 1982 recording.  I already had a copy of this but I knew the care the seller takes with his personal collection because I had purchased several from him already.  I decided another excellent copy was worthwhile. This particular seller states that he is selling his collection because he is unable to enjoy it due to deafness and that he hasn't listened to them for years.  I think he just underwent Hip Replacement Surgery.  I hope he did well and gets back to his daily routine soon.

This is a late 60's or early 70's reissue of a 1961 recording...1962 release...The one I have has a jacket that says Mono but with a stereo sticker on it...the matrix #s also are for a stereo LP...definitely stereo by listening...pretty nice

Next is an original copy of this LP in VG+ or better condition.

I also just bought this Jackie McLean 4 CD Mosaic Records set for $70 plus $12 shipping.  I'd been wanting a copy of this for a while...I really wanted a Vinyl copy...maybe later...

Now this 2012 reissue by MFSL.  I came back to vinyl too late to catch a lot of the Sinatra MFSL reissues. Now some are going for obscene prices.   I am keeping my eyes open for a good deal on the OOP box set they put out.

Last nites LP's...






One of my faves from Joni

This one again. I forgot what a monster session AND recording this is. The International Phonography reissue is a system showpiece CD. . . as all their reissues are it's exquisitely produced ad packaged.

Spun a few LP's last nite...both giving me many WOW moments.

The Japanese RVG edition. This is such a good recording by Van Gelder. And everyone is ON.

A few days ago I played CD 2 of 2 of this set....it was alternates and false starts etc.  Today the final product...CD #!...very good...

Some Ian Hunter

Lon wrote on 03/29/17 at 21:54:34:

On to record 2. Thinking about Basie on Roulette. . . . A real peak for this band. The music is often so jubilant and grateful sounding. A great salve for the blues or the negativity we sometimes have to slog through and be tired out by.

No Pres. . . love Pres with Basie. . .but Davis and Foster et al are filling the void well. Sonny Payne really drives this band and Basie himself often seems inspired in ways he wasn't before or since.

Luckily Warner Japan has reissued the albums on cd in great sound. Nothing extra, but each of those albums are well-sequenced works of art. And the sound! So full and swinging!

Lon, I have the Live Roulette Basie CD Box set....need it in vinyl as well as the Studio set on Mosaic records.

I had a moment of weakness...go look at the classifieds...

This next...

Well, it depends on my Mood when I see a copy....haha

Playing Vol 2 of this but discogs didn't have a pic...

Lon, what was the cost of the Japanese Basie CDs...each?  I still have never bought from Japan yet.  In fact I can't remember the last CD I bought.  Lots of vinyl though.  Mark.

PS...DUH...I just bought that Jackie McLean CD box...

Lon, I get an email from them several times a week.  I looked at the link you gave...a lot aren't available any longer.  To tell you the truth, I can wait for the Mosaics or pick up more used Vinyl...I haven't listened to Basie Vinyl in a while.

What tubes are you using in your ZP3 these days?  I just picked up three perfect NOS Sylvania Gold Brand gold pin 5751s from a seller in Austin with 7 others with steel pins...one black plate triple mica and four gray plate triple mica.  These are favorites for the 12AX7 position.

And...I just paid for the CSP3 and ZP3...except for the bases and stepped attenuator in the CSP3, these have the exact options my Main system gear does. I'm going to set up an old Turn Table with the mono blocks.  I need to figure out how to hook up the CSP3 to the monoblocks.

Yes, you have to buy the Japanese releases when they first come out. The Japanese have a market of their own all figured out, and they don't manufacture with the intent of selling world wide. So they figure they can sell 5000 of a title in Japan, and they print 5000 up. If you buy them from outside of Japan in the first six months to a year you can usually get them, if you wait, probably not, have to wait for the next time they do a reissue program. This is the first Roulette program that I can remember from Japan this century. Since Universal bought EMI Universal is putting out Roulette, Jubilee and Roost titles that have not been on cd before or not in a looooooong time. And the mastering is amazing. Some of them I've compared to the original LPs and they sound better. So I pre-ordered the ones I wanted and have them. I do enough business with cdjapan that with their "points" system a lot of dollars come off the shipping, makes it really reasonable. And I'd rather collect Japanese cds than reissue vinyl. . . more affordable, and I can play them in my car, at my Dad's, etc.

These Basie ones surprised me, they are VIVID sounding. These and the Teagardens have been the real treat for me of the last few years. One more Teagarden coming out next month.

Right now I'm using Amperex 12AU7, Amperex 12AX7s, a Westinghouse OB3 (bottle shaped) and an old RCA 5Y3G (bottle shaped) rectifier. Sounds really good, haven't changed any tubes for quite some time, the blend is great. Since I bought that recent Stradivarius Cremona cable I run the ZP3 directly into the Torii, sounds better to me than using the preamp as well. Listened to the three record Bob Dylan "Side Tracks" set today and it sounded so so good.

Okay cool. More than I would pay. . . I just don't want vinyl that much of things I have digital.

Last one...

I understand Lon.  I'm working on an Amperex "Electronics For Medicine" 1968 12AX7.  Anyone tried one?  I would think that it's identical to a well matched 1968 orange globe 12AX7.  I've tried 1959 and 1961 that are different change code...this is I65.  Really not sure what it's worth but tube dealers seem to think they are Gold...at least they price them that way.  Mark.

Indeed, I think you're right, we all would have albums we reach for to evaluate and assess. I also use tapes or cdrs from tapes that I recorded at the end of the 'eighties, those I know very well both from what's on the tape and from being in the room when the recording was made, and for some of them that room being my living space.

In keeping with my Roulette rediscovery I listened to this:



This is a masterpiece of Kansas City inspired jazz in high-fidelity glory. For some reason last year all of a sudden I had Joe Williams fever for a while, rediscovering how incredible his phrasing and swing was. He's properly showcased here and this time through the interplay with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross really hit me hard (in the best possible way).

Then I followed it up with:



I love this album. It is a mature work from a singer better known for his compositions and arrangements truth be told. Here Jobim is singing the songs of others, with one of his best bands, the band of family and friends he spent his last decade working with. This is one of the best recorded, and most moving cds of Braziliam music I have. Over the last few years it has become quite a frequent flyer in my listening for pleasure.