SH Spotlight "In The Wind" stereo SACD by Peter, Paul and Mary from Audio Fidelity. Mastering secrets post #271

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Steve Hoffman, Dec 7, 2013.

  1. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    If you only buy one Peter, Paul and Mary album, this would be the one. It's their most famous album, it captures an era. It has liner notes written by Bob Dylan, it has three songs written by Dylan, "Quit Your Lowdown Ways", "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and "Blowin' In The Wind". Even Dylan will tell you that these songs as recorded by P, P & M made him a household name. This album has songs that were covered by British Invasion groups like the Hollies and the Searchers. Everyone had this back then, even my parents, it was a smash hit. Everybody liked it, kids, teens, parents, everyone. The sound quality of this recording is the best of any of their albums, it's "standing in the room with them" quality.

    They knew what they were doing when they prepared this album for LP release over 5o years ago. It was just after the March On Washington and P, P &M were news. BLOWIN' IN THE WIND had been a big hit and DON'T THINK TWICE was top 10 so when this album was mixed for stereo on September 12, 1963 by Bill Schwartau ( with help from Peter Yarrow), it was already pre-sold for a half a million pieces, unheard of for Warner Bros. Records at the time. September 1963 was also the date for another milestone for WB Records. That was the contract date that Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records went under the arm of WB. The amazing success of P, P & M was directly responsible for that as well.

    This spent almost 2 YEARS on the Billboard album charts, hitting number one in November 1963 and sticking around the charts until the end of 1965!

    So when this comes out on Audio Fidelity next year, grab a copy, you won't be disappointed. The sound of this recording is going to knock your socks off, no matter what stereo system you play it back on. The CD section will amaze you, the DSD section will amaze you more.

    My old stereo LP has something that no other has, Dylan's autograph on the back. He wouldn't sign anything for anybody but I showed him what I wanted him to sign and when he saw it, his face lit up (rare for him) and he signed his name (right over his liner notes on the back). I will cherish my original LP of "In The Wind" for that reason but the SACD is what I will play.

    AF doesn't like me talking about an upcoming release so early (people seem to want it NOW, heh) but I want you to make a note in 2013 to pick this one up in 2014. You will not be disappointed with it.

    peter paul mary in the wind.jpg
     
    Zafu, raphph, Vidiot and 28 others like this.
  2. micksmuse

    micksmuse Forum Resident

    Location:
    san diego
    somebody can't keep a secret. sounds yummy. thanks.
     
  3. Jim G.

    Jim G. Geezer with a nice stereo!

    I love this record. PP&M at Red Rocks in the 60's were some of the best shows ever!
     
  4. hodgo

    hodgo Tea Making Gort (Yorkshire Branch) Staff

    Location:
    East Yorkshire
    Great News Steve I'm really looking forward to this coming my way, it's also nice to know you put a smile on Bob Dylan's face.
     
  5. AJH

    AJH Senior Member

    Location:
    PA Northern Tier
    Gonna buy it as soon as it comes out.

    AJH
     
  6. mpayan

    mpayan A Tad Rolled Off

    Steve, would love to see that Dylan autographed lp!

    Cant wait til these PPMs come out!
     
    kBear and erniebert like this.
  7. Chris C

    Chris C Music was my first love and it will be my last!

    Location:
    Ohio
    One of the first albums I remember handed to me when I was a we small child, was Peter, Paul & Mary's "Moving". Something about that album cover and a little song called, "Puff The Magic Dragon", that has always stuck with me. Strangely, I never became a very big fan of Peter, Paul & Mary, until a few years ago, when PBS showed that special about them, during one of their pledge drives, that I finally sat up and took notice! This most unusual heartfelt endorsement from Mr. Hoffman, says to me that this one is "serious business" and "important" to him and that we would all be wise to jump onboard and quickly. I don't know about all of you, but, "I'M IN"!
     
  8. Batears52

    Batears52 Senior Member

    Location:
    Near Baltimore, MD
    Steve, posts/threads like this are why I enjoy this forum so much. I enjoy reading your insights into how classic albums were recorded & engineered - and how you approach each project. Thanks!

    I am ready for both of these as soon as they are available!
     
    kBear, Tombby and 762rob like this.
  9. Chris C

    Chris C Music was my first love and it will be my last!

    Location:
    Ohio
    I realize that it would break usual Audio Fidelity protocol, but wouldn't it be a cool idea to include a photo of Steve's autographed album, somewhere in the booklet?
     
    Steel Horse likes this.
  10. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    No, it wouldn't be possible, sorry.
     
  11. 762rob

    762rob Forum Resident

    Steve that is a beautiful write-up.
    I think I will get my reel to reel copy threaded up to the RT- 707 and play it back through these Klipschorns!
    I was 12 when it was released.....
     
    McLover likes this.
  12. micksmuse

    micksmuse Forum Resident

    Location:
    san diego
    may i be so bold as to ask a question steve? i am a 5.1 junkie and notice a shifting away from 5.1 in sacd issues. not just with audio fidelity but with most of the japanese re-issues and almost all the analogue prod. releases.
    could you give a little insight into the why's? i am sure cost is a big factor but the ones that are in 5.1 seem to sell at least 5.1 times as many (i sell these things on line and the 5.1's sell at way greater rates than the stereo re-issues)
    or is it artist's not wanting their work tampered with into a 5.1 mix. have always been curious on the dynamic of this. (not just addressed to steve, anyone who has insights on this)
     
  13. Metralla

    Metralla Joined Jan 13, 2002

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Interesting. I thought the hi-res surround-sound/multichannel market had died down a bit after initial interest 10 years ago.
     
  14. Lovealego

    Lovealego Senior Member

    So Steve works on Alice Cooper and then a Peter Paul and Mary Album. How's that for variety. Looking forward to this title though hopefully I receive it soon since I am in the audio fidelity club. Steve thanks for sharing your thoughts and impressions on this upcoming release.
     
  15. abluesky

    abluesky Forum Resident

    Location:
    denver, co, usa
    My first for my 2014 list. Thanks Steve.
     
  16. Quark1134

    Quark1134 Forum Resident

    A definite buy for me - thanks for the heads up Steve. :)
     
  17. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    No idea, but it wouldn't work in this case, unless you wanted to have Mary singing behind you.
     
    GroovinGarrett likes this.
  18. '67 Chevy

    '67 Chevy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ohio
    Well, all right, I guess I'll give this one a try. You twisted my arm. :D
     
  19. shepherdfan

    shepherdfan Western European Socialist Music Lover

    Location:
    Eugene, OR
    You can count on me picking it up.
     
  20. Hamhead

    Hamhead The Bear From Delaware

    This album wouldn't work for a 5.1 mix since it was a 3-track recording.
    Remember all those people whining about the 5.1 remix of the first Doors album claiming "it was a upmix" since there was nothing in the back speakers, it would be the same thing all over again.
     
    McLover likes this.
  21. Juggsnelson

    Juggsnelson Senior Member

    Location:
    Long Island
    Once again, an artist I would not normally seek out but due to Steve's involvement and the excitement presented by other forum members, I will take the plunge gladly! I only know (and like) their hits so I am looking forward to learning a little more!
     
    Tombby and rxcory like this.
  22. Graybeard

    Graybeard Forum Resident

    I love looking through people's record collections and you seem to find this album in everybody's collection if they are of a "certain age". Looking forward to revisiting it.
     
  23. DrJ

    DrJ Senior Member

    Location:
    Davis, CA, USA
    Really looking forward to the AP Peter, Paul and Mary SACDs! Shamefully, I have not a single one of their recordings in my collection at the moment - will be rectifying this soon in the best style possible!
     
  24. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Which ones are they doing again?
     
  25. DrJ

    DrJ Senior Member

    Location:
    Davis, CA, USA
    D'oh! Fumble fingers, as usual - meant to say "AF" not "AP"! :)
     

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