I have about 14 one steps, quite a few UHQRs, and a decent system (see profile for system). I also have this album on CD and have streamed it recently on Qobuz at 44/16. First off regarding packaging…I’ve been very lucky with my one steps. None have arrived damaged in any way. This one in particular not only had zero seam splits, but the edge of the jackets housing the records ( where the writing is) are super clean and crisp. And yes, the artwork is bunk. It’s a tv screen grab. Let’s not get hung about the visuals… There’s been a lot of talk about recessed vocals on this pressing. On my system the Vocals are clear and present. Yes there are moments when EC is further from or closer to, the mic. These moments exist on the cd and streaming as well. Even in those cases where he backs off a bit, the VOX on the one step are very clear and natural sounding, as compared to the digital versions. This just adds to the effect of it sounding very “live”In fact, all instruments sound very real and exist clearly in their own space across the sound stage, which is wide and filled in between and beyond the speakers. Yet still you get a very intimate and cozy live feel throughout—Like you’re in a small venue. “Tears in heaven” sounds much more “live” on the One Step than it does on the cd and Qobuz. There is much more of the room reproduced. Almost sounds like that particular presence was eq’d out on the digital versions by comparison. You can really tell by focusing on the percussion… On “Lonely Stranger” the bongos and background vocals are far more full and satisfying sounding than the digital versions. Piano also is more focused and the hard acoustic guitar licks near the end sound like they are in the room. Throughout, guitars really sing and the piano sounds wonderful. Drums also reverberate in a natural way. In particular, the percussion in “Love comes over you” and “Old Love” sounds quite real. The toms ring out nicely and cymbals have a satisfying splash and slight sizzle at the end of the hit. On “Walking blues”, you can very distinctly hear the slide moving across the strings and frets. My brother is a professional musician, and a top level slide player, so I know this sound quite well, and on this recording the timbre of the guitar and the sound the slide makes is reproduced very well… including accidental knocks on the neck, fret hits etc. And you can clearly hear EC slap the body of the guitar at one point. The sound of the low E scraping on the slide is also very present…not quite enough to tell if the strings are round or flat wound but pretty damn close! The finger picking on the solo in “Old love” is reproduced with excellent nuance. And you can easily hear the timbre change when EC is picking closer to the bridge. Likewise the guitar fills during the piano solo in that song stand out with some very cool licks. Even when his guitar playing isn’t front and center, you can hear distinctly that EC is supremely musical. Piano throughout is very enjoyable. In “Alberta” it’s amazing, with a woody, full sound and sharp attacks. The acoustic guitar is placed at just right of center and drives the song well. Now, overall, the level is a bit less hot than some of the other one steps, like Mingus or Tapestry. I found the same thing with the recent MW “Folk Singer” release as compared with my AP 33. No big deal…just crank it more! In fact I like this aspect…the same is true on the Beatles in Mono on vinyl…they give you lots of room to crank them up! Any issues at all? Only that at a lot of places there is a lot of low frequency information, and some of it is distracting. The foot stomps on the stage at on “Hey hey” are realistic enough to make my dog go running to the front door. While this is on the recording, they could have toned it down a touch. I guess I should turn the sub off next time I listen to it. Overall this is a far more involving listening experience than either streaming or the cd offer. Way more natural sounding with a realistic room sound. Even the crowd sounds more present. Dig it.
Wow, merlperl....thanks so much for an excellent and very thoughtful review of the MoFi one-step Unplugged! Ha, so true about the foot stomps as they can catch you off guard. I'm looking forward to getting my copy (still in process at MD). Cheers!
still awaiting mine tip ship from MD, this album was huge for me growing up, reading your review has just grown my anticipation further.
Very nicely written and detailed. Thanks. Too bad you don't have the 2LP 33 reissue of this as that would be a useful comparison. But it's the kind of details you mention which help convey the musicians' intentions.
I did not realize this is the best selling live album of all time. It is estimated to have sold 26 million worldwide. Very impressive.
Goes to show that digitally recorded and mixed music isn't necessarily bad and can translate beautifully to vinyl.
It’s a great example of that! But I wonder if the digital recording is responsible for the excessive LFE. They really should have limited that part in my opinion.
Can you upload a high-res version of it for my Grandma? I'm trying to get back at her for something she did to me when I was a kid.
Just got it today, and all you wrote is on point. Sounds fantastic. But my copy is slightly warped. Not a big deal, no audible issues. Should I return it? Do they replace those slightly warped records? I feel bad that it costs pretty penny, shipped to Europe ($200 in total), and it is not perfect. Suggestions? Thanks!
Plus it lead to an amazing revival in acoustic guitar music along with classic blues from Robert Johnson & others. I know Martin sold many guitars because of this album including to myself!
I didn't know that. If I remember correctly Clapton writes in his book that it was his best selling album.
Excellent review! I am looking forward even more to listening to my copy. It does seem a little odd that there are always folk who are complaining about this or that with every 'One Step' they own. I have to question what their expectations are...and in some cases, whether these very same folk have the gear necessary to do these 'One Step' releases justice.
This last point is valid! It takes a resolving system to discern some of the subtleties that make one steps a treat
I own the 2011 two LP 33 rpm pressing and have compared it to my one step pressing. Both are VERY close but I must say I like the 2011 pressing a bit more, both pressings are equal except when it comes to the "punch" and the 2011 just has more of it. IMO the 2011 gets a slight edge. My equipment: Marantz PM8006 - Pro-Ject Carbon EVO with Sumiko Rainer - JBL L-100s and Klipsch RP-800F speakers (I run all 4 together)
I’m finally comparing my one step to the 16/44.1 CD audio. the one step sounds quite a bit rolled off. Maybe to tame some of the digital glare. Bass on the vinyl is more prominent and full, in a good way. overall the new mastering is much smoother, more woodsy sounding. Works for this type of album. But I will say it’s less punch too, like you mentioned. typically my vinyl system is a bit colder than my digital front end, or pretty evenly matched when the mastering is the same. So to hear such a major difference between the CD and this Onestep was surprising! Thus this pressing is not revelatory, but it’s a better all around listen.
Oh that’s just the MoFi modus operandi at this point. Pump that bass! can’t wait for Thriller where the mastering needs more bass.
Has anybody considered that the extended bass might actually be on the master of an album, and Kreig is not reducing it, while other releases have chosen to reduce it? Just saying - if we haven't heard the master ourselves, we don't know which version is the best reflection of the tape. We just assume who is boosting, and who isn't. We could be wrong.
Wasn't this album recorded and mixed in 44/16? What is the point of an analog medium in this case, could'nt such alternate mastering be presented simply on cd?