Copper

“Just because I wrote the song doesn’t mean I know what it means.” – Lou Reed

In this issue: I talk with Steve Morris of Streamline HiFi, who hand builds stereo consoles for the modern age. I offer my memories of audio reviewing legend Anthony H. Cordesman. Paul McGowan makes time for music. B. Jan Montana covers the 2024 NAMM Show and Thomas Fogel goes behind the scenes at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards. Octave Records has two new releases. Reason by pianist Erik Deutsch, vocalist Theo Bleckmann and instrumentalist Sly5thAve is a live excursion into adventurous post-modern jazz. Audiophile Masters Volume IX is the latest in Octave’s series of sonic reference discs. Wayne Robins contemplates music for growing minds.

Ken Kessler visits the Warsaw Audio Video Show. I fall in love with Korean TV show soundtracks. Ray Chelstowski interviews New York rocker extraordinaire Steve Conte on his upcoming album, The Concrete Jangle. Jay Jay French relistens to his past with the Youngbloods’ reissue of Elephant Mountain. Ted Shafran has high praise for live music. Ken Sander remembers when Alice Cooper caught a ride hitchhiking. PS Audio wins a bunch of Editor’s Choice awards. We conclude the issue with synesthesia, job opportunities, and winds of change.

Contributors to this issue:
Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Thomas Fogel, Jay Jay French, Ken Kessler, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Wayne Robins, Ken Sander, Ted Shafran, Peter Xeni

Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

Copper’s Comments Policy:

Copper’s comments sections are moderated. While we encourage thoughtful and spirited discussion, please be civil.

The editor and Copper’s editorial staff reserve the right to delete comments according to our discretion. This includes: political commentary; posts that are abusive, insulting, demeaning or defamatory; posts that are in violation of someone’s privacy; comments that violate the use of copyrighted information; posts that contain personal information; and comments that contain links to suspect websites (phishing sites or those that contain viruses and so on). Spam will be blocked or deleted.

Copper is a place to be enthusiastic about music, audio and other topics. It is most especially not a forum for political discussion, trolling, or rude behavior. Thanks for your consideration.

 – FD

Tony Cordesman was a great friend to those of us at PS Audio and to so many in the industry, and we deeply mourn his passing on January 29 at the age of 84. Anthony H. Cordesman’s “day job” was as a national security analyst, but his avocation was reviewing high-end audio gear, which he did brilliantly over a long career. I will have much more to say in a tribute to him in the next issue.

In this issue: I enter the musical world of the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, a band unlike any other. Paul McGowan considers the unmeasurable aspects of high-end audio. I remember the late Jim Winey of Magnepan, makers of Magneplanar loudspeakers. Wayne Robins talks about the girl genius of boygenius. Rudy Radelic goes hunting for vampire power, the energy used by our electronics. I cover two new releases from Octave Records: Live at Nocturne II by jazz group the Tom Amend Trio, and the folk-and-soul-meets-bluegrass of Sturtz: Live at Roots Music Project. Harris Fogel wraps up his coverage of Capital Audiofest 2023. Roy Hall listens to Handel’s Messiah.

John Seetoo sits in on an immersive audio jazz recording session with trumpeter Franco Ambrosetti. I visit the new Billy Joel exhibit at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Ray Chelstowski talks with Terry Adams of NRBQ on the reissue of Terrible, an album that’s anything but. B. Jan Montana hangs out with the Top Dog. Howard Kneller sits in The Listening Chair with the VAC Statement 452iQ amplifier. We have a guest article from AAA Magazine and Ernst Müller on the symphonies of Jean Sibelius. PS Audio wins a 2023 Brutus Award – a good thing. As we wrap up the issue we’re all dolled up, listening to birds, and born to be wild.

Contributors to this issue:

Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Harris Fogel, Roy Hall, Rich Isaacs, Howard Kneller, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Ernst Müller, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, John Seetoo, Peter Xeni

Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

Copper’s Comments Policy:

Copper’s comments sections are moderated. While we encourage thoughtful and spirited discussion, please be civil.

The editor and Copper’s editorial staff reserve the right to delete comments according to our discretion. This includes: political commentary; posts that are abusive, insulting, demeaning or defamatory; posts that are in violation of someone’s privacy; comments that violate the use of copyrighted information; posts that contain personal information; and comments that contain links to suspect websites (phishing sites or those that contain viruses and so on). Spam will be blocked or deleted.

Copper is a place to be enthusiastic about music, audio and other topics. It is most especially not a forum for political discussion, trolling, or rude behavior. Thanks for your consideration.

 – FD