Copper

Welcome to Copper #83!

I rarely react to PR pronouncements with more than an eye-roll, but when a utility company known for its string of coal-fired generating plants sent out a newsletter headed, "Make Every Day Earth Day", I nearly did a Danny Thomas spit-take with my morning brew.

Of course, the sentiment is valid, and noble---in spite of its painful earnestness. I recall the first Earth Day in 1970 (!), and I'm sure that as a 13-year-old member of Friends of the Earth, I said things that made my elders roll their eyes---and more.

Meanwhile, here on Earth....

Prof. Larry Schenbeck leads off the issue with Mahler and Stravinsky; Dan Schwartz looks at ways of fixing it in the mix; Richard Murison looks at lasers---not directly, of course, those things will put your eye out! Jay Jay French talks with legendary DJ Cousin Brucie; Roy Hall turns his head and coughs; Anne E. Johnson’s Off the Charts brings us Cream, beyond "White Room"; Woody Woodward looks at Steppenwolf, as only Woody can; Anne’s Trading Eights brings us recordings from one of my favorite jazz pianists, Marian McPartland; and The Audio Cynic barely sees Axpona. 

The Copper Interview concludes John Seetoo’s talk with Leslie Ann Jones.

Our friend Rudy Radelic is back with Part 1 of his look around Axpona---luckily, he saw far more than I did.

Copper #83 wraps up with reception issues from Charles Rodrigues, and an overhead view of our little town from Maggie McFalls.

Christian James Hand is tied up in live sessions---with luck, he'll tell us about his session at the Ring. And my apologies, but Vintage Whine will be back next issue.

I hope you enjoy this issue, and I'll see you in two weeks!

Cheers, Leebs.

Welcome to Copper #82!

I've never been good with ambivalence. The song quoted in the title above: does it mean that it's not spring, but just kinda sorta looks like it? I don't like false hope, and here in Colorado, winter is an evil, deceptive and persistent thing, prone to lingering well beyond its sell-by date....

Let's assume it's Spring, by God, and sit out in der Biergarten mit der Hunden und Kindern, and enjoy life.

We've got an amazing issue for you, if I say so myself. And I do.

Prof. Larry Schenbeck brings us more Deutsch---not der Biergarten, but Eine kleine zuviele Nachtmusik; Dan Schwartz finds religion---in his own way; Richard Murison writes about Great Opera---and while some may find one of his mentions controversial, I agree wholeheartedly; Jay Jay French ---well, just read it. He's shaking things up yet again; Roy Hall tells stories that could only occur in New York; Anne E. Johnson's Off the Charts brings us lesser-known cuts from one of my favorites, Rev. Al Green; Anne's Something Old/Something New brings us recent recordings of Handel Arias; and I get serious with Cynic and explore a fascinating sidebar to Fairchild history in Vintage Whine.

The Copper Interview brings us Part 1 of John Seetoo’s talk with Leslie Ann Jones, well-known recordist and daughter of...?

Richard Murison visited the Montréal Audio Fest, and was only able to produce a Gallic shrug for many exhibits; and new contributor Peter Braverman brings us details of the fascinating Sofar concert program. Live music! GO!!

Copper #82 wraps up with an '80s look at turntables from Charles Rodrigues, and a Close Encounters-esque Parting Shot from Paul McGowan.

Poor Woody Woodward and Christian James Hand have both been under the weather, and will return as soon as they're able.

I hope to see you at Axpona---thanks for reading, and we'll be back with #83 on April 22nd---Earth Day!

Cheers, Leebs.

Welcome to Copper #81!

This is being written on the first day of Spring. Here in Colorado we view such markers with skepticism, especially when last week saw the massive "bomb cyclone" that hit our area and much of the Midwest, closed down Denver airport, and generally made a mess of things. Remarkably, aside from a few hours of driving snow that made driving difficult, the Boulder area didn't do too badly at all.

Enough with the Farmer's Almanac, Leebs. What's in the issue?

Prof. Larry Schenbeck leads off with a selection of pieces that feature at least one violin up front; Dan Schwartz tells us how an iPad and Qobuz made a recent stay in the ICU less angst-y; Richard Murison writes about Beet....Monty Python?; Jay Jay French stirs things up yet again with a thesis on how communal societies make good bands; Roy Hall manages to find upheaval even in peaceful Cabo San Lucas; Anne E. Johnson does double duty again, and will in every issue from now on. Her new jazz column, Trading Eights, will alternate with Something Old/Something New. Lee Morgan is her first subject, and Off the Charts brings us lesser-known cuts from Jefferson Airplane; Woody Woodward reviews the remarkable music and too-brief life of Sean Costello; and I get all misty-eyed (not really)  about a TV repairman, and explore another initiative designed to help musicians get paid for their work.

The Copper Interview wraps up John Seetoo's talk with June Millington, founding member of the influential group Fanny, guitarist, and producer.

Fred Schwartz takes a look at the debut and subsequent lengthy career of the beloved Van Cliburn.

Copper #81 wraps up with a look at audio evolution from Charles Rodrigues, and a Parting Shot by Assistant Editor Maggie McFalls.  Christian James Hand will return in the next issue.

Thanks as always for reading—and see you with the next issue!

Cheers, Leebs.