Copper

“The songwriter can make you laugh or cry
He’s pumping gas at night just to survive
And all he asks of you is to sing his songs
And put his name in lights where it belongs” – “Songwriter,” the Good Rats

In this issue: I ask: are imperfect audio systems a bad thing? Anne E. Johnson covers the career of jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges, and listens to unusual madrigals. J.I. Agnew continues his examination of how records are made with a look at record plating and pressing. Our Mindful Melophile Don Kaplan enjoys a little knight music. Ken Kessler keeps spinning his reel-to-reel tales. Jay Jay French has his life changed by guitarist Mick Ronson. John Seetoo continues his interview with June Millington of pioneering female rock group Fanny.

FIDELITY magazine offers some loudspeaker crossover design basics, while PMA magazine looks at the contributions of audio pioneers Chester W. Rice and Edward W. Kellogg. Roy Hall goes on a boat trip. Russ Welton considers the effects of listening rooms and speaker performance. Ivan Berger revisits the legendary Acoustic Research AR XA turntable. We round out the issue with freedom from choice, separation anxiety, audio realism, and a free electron.

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, Russ Welton, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Steve Kindig, Ted Shafran, 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, Frank Doris

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

“Wo-oh, what I want to know, where does the time go?” Issue 198 is the 100th issue of Copper I’ve edited. Whoa! I want to thank all the wonderful people on the Copper staff who have provided inspiration, encouragement, constructive criticism, life advice, moral support, friendship – and such exceptional writing and artwork. And of course, Copper’s readers, who I consider to be an extended family. I thank everyone profusely for helping us get to such a monumental milestone.

If the opening lyric doesn’t ring a bell (I’m sure it does for many of you), it’s a line from “Uncle John’s Band” by the Grateful Dead, asking a question that gets no less weighty as time goes on.

In this issue: I interview world-renowned classical guitarist Ana Vidović about her new Octave Records release, Ana Vidović Live at Hampden Hall. Wayne Robins chronicles the Invasion of the Steely Dan Stans. Anne E. Johnson covers the career of jazz pianist Marian McPartland. J.I. Agnew looks at how records are made. FIDELITY magazine pays a visit to Swiss loudspeaker manufacturer Piega. Rich Isaacs’ musical journey starts with a 45. Steven Bryan Bieler listens to an indestructible audio component.

Tom Gibbs has a tutorial on SACD and DSD ripping. John Seetoo revisits his interview series with June Millington of groundbreaking female rock group Fanny. Jay Jay French is mesmerized by blues guitarist Albert King. Ken Kessler revisits his reel-to-reel roots. Professor Larry Schenbeck ponders Henry Purcell’s opera King Arthur. Alón Sagee attends a life-changing classical concert. We wrap up the issue with wedding belle blues, the healing power of music, portable audio, and an unexpected opening. 

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, Russ Welton, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Steve Kindig, Ted Shafran, 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, Frank Doris

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