Special Section: Audiophile Discs

Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band (1973) {2010, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band (1973) {2010, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band (1973) {2010, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 360 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Audio Fidelity | USA | Cat#: AFZ 047 | Genre: Hard Rock

Having made several changes in their business and musical efforts in 1972, Grand Funk Railroad made even more extensive ones in 1973, beginning with their name, which was officially truncated to “Grand Funk.” And keyboardist Craig Frost, credited as a sideman on Phoenix, the previous album, was now a full-fledged bandmember, filling out the musical arrangements. Continue reading “Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band (1973) {2010, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}”

Various Artists – Woodstock (1970) {1986, MFSL, Remastered}

Various Artists - Woodstock (1970) {1986, MFSL, Remastered}

Various Artists – Woodstock (1970) {1986, MFSL, Remastered}
EAC Rip | 4xCD | WavPack (.wv) Image + Cue + Log | Scans Included
Total Size: 1.12 GB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL | Japan | Cat#: MFCD 4-816 | Genre: Blues Rock, Folk, Hard Rock

It’s almost impossible to regard the soundtrack albums for the Michael Wadleigh documentary Woodstock, simply as music, apart from the event that inspired them or what that event has come to represent. Music from the Original Soundtrack and More: Woodstock was originally released by Atlantic’s Cotillion imprint as a three-LP set in a gatefold sleeve. Continue reading “Various Artists – Woodstock (1970) {1986, MFSL, Remastered}”

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Second Helping (1974) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Second Helping (1974) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Second Helping (1974) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}
EAC Rip | WavPack (.wv) Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 270 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Audio Fidelity | USA | Cat#: AFZ 054 | Genre: Blues Rock, Southern Rock

Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote the book on Southern rock with their first album, so it only made sense that they followed it for their second album, aptly titled Second Helping. Sticking with producer Al Kooper (who, after all, discovered them), the group turned out a record that replicated all the strengths of the original, but was a little tighter and a little more professional. Continue reading “Lynyrd Skynyrd – Second Helping (1974) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}”

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (1966) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (1966) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 215 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Audio Fidelity | USA | Cat#: AFZ 031 | Genre: Psychedelic Rock

The best Beach Boys album, and one of the best of the 1960s. The group here reached a whole new level in terms of both composition and production, layering tracks upon tracks of vocals and instruments to create a richly symphonic sound. Conventional keyboards and guitars were combined with exotic touches of orchestrated strings, bicycle bells, buzzing organs, harpsichords, flutes, Theremin, Hawaiian-sounding string instruments, Coca-Cola cans, barking dogs, and more. Continue reading “The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (1966) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}”

Kenny Loggins With Jim Messina – Sittin’ In (1971) {1992, Sony MasterSound SBM, Remastered}

Kenny Loggins With Jim Messina - Sittin' In (1971) {1992, Sony MasterSound SBM, Remastered}

Kenny Loggins With Jim Messina – Sittin’ In (1971) {1992, Sony MasterSound SBM, Remastered}
EAC Rip | APE Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans @300 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 270 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Sony MasterSound SBM | USA | Cat#: CK 64414 | Genre: Folk Rock

This debut album was credited to Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina because the project had begun as a solo record by Loggins being produced by Messina. By the time it was finished, however, Messina had written or co-written six of the 11 songs, contributed “first guitar,” and shared lead vocals on many tracks. Continue reading “Kenny Loggins With Jim Messina – Sittin’ In (1971) {1992, Sony MasterSound SBM, Remastered}”

Gerry Rafferty – City To City (1978) {1995, DCC Compact Classics, Remastered}

Gerry Rafferty - City To City (1978) {1995, DCC Compact Classics, Remastered}

Gerry Rafferty – City To City (1978) {1995, DCC Compact Classics, Remastered}
EAC Rip | WavPack Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans @300 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 321 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: DCC Compact Classics | USA | Cat#: GZS-1075 | Genre: Pop Rock

Gerry Rafferty is a huge talent, but a reluctant star. Management struggles and sundry other hindrances limited his output, but couldn’t avert the Scot from releasing two legendary singles — the Tarantino-ized “Stuck in the Middle With You” and the unforgettable “Baker Street,” the latter included on this record. Just a glimpse of John Patrick Byrne’s cool cover art lets the listener know City to City Continue reading “Gerry Rafferty – City To City (1978) {1995, DCC Compact Classics, Remastered}”

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Cosmo’s Factory (1970) {1993, DCC Compact Classics, Remastered}

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory (1970) {1993, DCC Compact Classics, Remastered}

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Cosmo’s Factory (1970) {1993, DCC Compact Classics, Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans @600 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 290 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: DCC Compact Classics | Japan | Cat#: GZS-1031 | Genre: Country Rock

Throughout 1969 and into 1970, CCR toured incessantly and recorded nearly as much. Appropriately, Cosmo’s Factory’s first single was the working band’s anthem “Travelin’ Band,” a funny, piledriving rocker with a blaring horn section — the first indication their sonic palette was broadening. Continue reading “Creedence Clearwater Revival – Cosmo’s Factory (1970) {1993, DCC Compact Classics, Remastered}”

Derek And The Dominos – Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) {1993, MFSL, Remastered}

Derek And The Dominos - Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) {1993, MFSL, Remastered}

Derek And The Dominos – Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) {1993, MFSL, Remastered}
EAC Rip | APE Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans @300 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 510 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL UltraDisc II | USA | Cat#: UDCD 585 | Genre: Blues Rock

Wishing to escape the superstar expectations that sank Blind Faith before it was launched, Eric Clapton retreated with several sidemen from Delaney & Bonnie to record the material that would form Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. From these meager beginnings grew his greatest album. Duane Allman joined the band shortly after recording began, and his spectacular slide guitar pushed Clapton to new heights. Continue reading “Derek And The Dominos – Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) {1993, MFSL, Remastered}”

Eric Clapton – Slowhand (1977) {1991, MFSL, Remastered}

Eric Clapton - Slowhand (1977) {1991, MFSL, Remastered}

Eric Clapton – Slowhand (1977) {1991, MFSL, Remastered}
EAC Rip | WavPack Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans @300 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 237 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL UltraDisc II | USA | Cat#: UDCD 553 | Genre: Blues Rock

After the guest-star-drenched No Reason to Cry failed to make much of an impact commercially, Eric Clapton returned to using his own band for Slowhand. The difference is substantial — where No Reason to Cry struggled hard to find the right tone, Slowhand opens with the relaxed, bluesy shuffle of J.J. Cale’s “Cocaine” and sustains it throughout the course of the album. Continue reading “Eric Clapton – Slowhand (1977) {1991, MFSL, Remastered}”

Blind Faith – Blind Faith (1969) {1987, MFSL, Remastered}

Blind Faith - Blind Faith (1969) {1987, MFSL, Remastered}

Blind Faith – Blind Faith (1969) {1987, MFSL, Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans @400 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 256 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL UltraDisc | Japan | Cat#: UDCD 507 | Genre: Blues Rock

Blind Faith’s first and last album, more than 30 years old and counting, remains one of the jewels of the Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and Ginger Baker catalogs, despite the crash-and-burn history of the band itself, which scarcely lasted six months. As much a follow-up to Traffic’s self-titled second album as it is to Cream’s final output, it merges the soulful blues of the former with the heavy riffing and outsized song lengths of the latter for a very compelling sound unique to this band. Continue reading “Blind Faith – Blind Faith (1969) {1987, MFSL, Remastered}”

Boston – Third Stage (1986) {1993, MFSL, Remastered}

Boston - Third Stage (1986) {1993, MFSL, Remastered}

Boston – Third Stage (1986) {1993, MFSL, Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans @600 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 248 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL UltraDisc II, USA | Cat#: UDCD 582 | Genre: Hard Rock

After rushing their second album Don’t Look Back, Boston took eight years to complete the album Third Stage. The long delay is even more surprising considering that their sound didn’t change at all; even though only songwriter/guitarist Tom Scholz and vocalist Brad Delp remained from the original lineup, they were the ones responsible for Boston’s sound. As such, it is difficult to avoid comparisons with their landmark debut. Continue reading “Boston – Third Stage (1986) {1993, MFSL, Remastered}”

Heart – Greatest Hits (1998) {2011, Audio Fidelity, Remastered}

Heart - Greatest Hits (1998) {2011, Audio Fidelity, Remastered}

Heart – Greatest Hits (1998) {2011, Audio Fidelity, Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans @300 dpi, PNG, Included
Total Size: 526 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Audio Fidelity, USA | Cat#: AFZ 119 | Genre: Hard Rock

Heart had a pair of greatest-hits collections to their credit by 1997, but both did not contain all the renowned studio versions of their classic hits from the ’70s (both 1980’s Heart Greatest Hits: Live on Epic and 1997’s Greatest Hits on Capitol contained half studio and half live material). 1998’s Greatest Hits on Epic/Legacy finally corrected this once and for all — collecting all of Heart’s ’70s studio hits on a single disc Continue reading “Heart – Greatest Hits (1998) {2011, Audio Fidelity, Remastered}”

The Doobie Brothers – Minute By Minute (1978) {2005, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

The Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute (1978) {2005, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

The Doobie Brothers – Minute By Minute (1978) {2005, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans @300 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 222 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Audio Fidelity, USA | Cat#: AFZ 025 | Genre: Pop Rock

With Tom Johnston gone from the lineup because of health problems, this is where the “new” Doobie Brothers really make their debut, with a richly soulful sound throughout and emphasis on horns and Michael McDonald’s piano more than on Patrick Simmons’ or Jeff Baxter’s guitars. Not that they were absent entirely, or weren’t sometimes right up front in the mix, as the rocking, slashing “Don’t Stop to Watch the Wheels” and the bluegrass-influenced Continue reading “The Doobie Brothers – Minute By Minute (1978) {2005, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}”

Boz Scaggs – Silk Degrees (1976) {1990, MFSL, Remastered}

Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees (1976) {1990, MFSL, Remastered}

Boz Scaggs – Silk Degrees (1976) {1990, MFSL, Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans @300 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 249 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL UltraDisc, Japan | Cat#: UDCD 535 | Genre: R&B

Both artistically and commercially, Boz Scaggs had his greatest success with Silk Degrees. The laid-back singer hit the R&B charts in a big way with the addictive, sly “Lowdown” (which has been sampled by more than a few rappers and remains a favorite among baby-boomer soul fans) and expressed his love of smooth soul Continue reading “Boz Scaggs – Silk Degrees (1976) {1990, MFSL, Remastered}”

Basia – Time and Tide (1987) {1993, Sony MasterSound, Remastered}

Basia - Time and Tide (1987) {1993, Sony MasterSound, Remastered}

Basia – Time and Tide (1987) {1993, Sony MasterSound, Remastered}
EAC Rip | WavPack (.wv) Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans @300 dpi, JPG, Included
Total Size: 306 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Sony MasterSound, USA | Cat#: EK 53791 | Genre: Pop

Wisely going only by her first name, Polish-by-way-of-England pop singer Basia Trzetrzelewska (“pronounced Basha Tshetshelevska”), joined by her musical partner Danny White, steps out of the band Matt Bianco to launch her solo career with Time and Tide. She and White create a series of keyboard-based dance-pop arrangements to support her smooth alto Continue reading “Basia – Time and Tide (1987) {1993, Sony MasterSound, Remastered}”