As Copper’s mailing list subscribers know, I recently had cataract surgery on both eyes. I want to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of good wishes – I’m truly touched by the wonderful sentiment from the Copper family. My eyes are still adjusting, which made the production of this slightly abbreviated issue quite a challenge – if you spot any typos, hey, at least I have a good excuse this time!
We’re deeply saddened to hear about the loss of saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter at 89. His work with the Miles Davis Quintet, Weather Report and so many others reaches almost unimaginable heights, and his solo on Steely Dan’s “Aja” is, of course, iconic. RIP.
In this issue: Tom Gibbs has a report on the 2023 Florida Audio Expo. Adrian Wu begins a new series on tube collecting and his fascination with the technology. Russ Welton interviews Scott Smith and Tadd Swanlund of Comply, makers of high-tech eartips for in-ear headphones. Rich Isaacs picks his desert island disc (singular). Ray Chelstowski interviews bluesman Kenny Wayne Shepherd about the revisiting of his landmark Trouble Is… album. I cover the release of Octave Records' first-ever live album, Live at Nocturne by trumpeter Gabriel Mervine.
Andrew Daly talks with the Beach Boys’ Al Jardine on the rerelease of his rediscovered album, A Postcard from California. Howard Kneller checks out the HiFi Rose RS150B network streamer. Rudy Radelic continues his survey of CTI Records with a look at some of the label’s guitar greats. J.I. Agnew digs more deeply into analog vacuum tube spring reverb. Anne E. Johnson digs harmonica wizard DeFord Bailey. We conclude the issue with some noteworthy gear, sound effects, nose reduction, and life on the edge.
Staff Writers:
J.I. Agnew, Ray Chelstowski, Andrew Daly, Harris Fogel, Jay Jay French, Tom Gibbs, Roy Hall, Rich Isaacs, Anne E. Johnson, Don Kaplan, Ken Kessler, Don Lindich, Stuart Marvin, Tom Methans, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Tim Riley, Wayne Robins, Alón Sagee, Ken Sander, John Seetoo, Dan Schwartz, Russ Welton, Adrian Wu
Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Jack Flory, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, Ted Shafran, David Snyder, Bob Wood
Cover:
“Cartoon Bob” D’Amico
Cartoons:
James Whitworth, Peter Xeni
Parting Shots:
James Schrimpf, B. Jan Montana, Rich Isaacs (and others)
Audio Anthropology Photos:
Howard Kneller, Steve Rowell
Editor:
Frank Doris
Publisher:
Paul McGowan
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– FD
