COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 109 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 109 Opening Salvo

Balancing Act

Balancing Act
This issue’s cover: Judy Garland (1922 – 1969). One of the most iconic actresses, recording artists and performers of all time. Though haunted by personal struggles, she attained greatness that few ever achieved. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. Like everyone else, we at Copper have been impacted by the coronavirus, whether by disruption in our work and home lives to financial impact, stress, anxiety and writer’s block. And yes, one of us contracted the virus – thankfully, he’s doing OK. So, over the next few issues you might see some changes – temporary absence of some writers, a different balance of articles and other differences from the usual. We trust you’ll understand, and we look forward to when these pages, and our lives, reach a new equilibrium. It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Stereophile deputy editor Art Dudley. He was one of the finest men ever to grace the audio industry. My tribute to him is in these pages. Also in this issue: Rich Isaacs begins a series on Italian progressive rock with a look at the great PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi). Ken Sander takes us on a wild rock and roll ride with Eric Burdon and War. Professor Larry Schenbeck continues his series on immersive sound. WL Woodward gets jazzed about bass. John Seetoo concludes his series on legendary Yellow Magic Orchestra/film composer/techno-pop pioneer Ryuichi Sakamoto. In a special report we ask audio companies how they’re responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Measurements don’t lie – or do they? J.I. Agnew offers a revealing look. Dan Schwartz is obsessed with stereo. Anne E. Johnson rides with Grand Funk Railroad. Jay Jay French talks about two of the most astounding audio systems he’s ever heard. We conclude the issue with cartoonist James Whitworth seeking variety, Realistic sound, and contemplation in the land of walnut trees.

More from Issue 109

View All Articles in Issue 109

Search Copper Magazine

#228 Serita’s Black Rose Duo Shakes Your Soul With a Blend of Funk, Rock, Blues and a Whole Lot More by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 Vinyl, A Love Story by Wayne Robins Mar 02, 2026 #228 Thrill Seeker by B. Jan Montana Mar 02, 2026 #228 The Vinyl Beat: Donald Byrd, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Eddie Palmieri and Frank Sinatra by Rudy Radelic Mar 02, 2026 #228 Listening to Prestige: The History of a Vitally Important Jazz Record Label by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 How to Play in a Rock Band, 21: Touring With James Lee Stanley by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 The NAMM 2026 Show: The Music Industry’s Premier Event by John Volanski Mar 02, 2026 #228 The Earliest Stars of Country Music, Part Two by Jeff Weiner Mar 02, 2026 #228 From The Audiophile's Guide: A Brief History of Stereophonic Sound by Paul McGowan Mar 02, 2026 #228 A Bone to Pick With Streaming Audio by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 Blast Off With Bluesman Duke Robillard by Ray Chelstowski Mar 02, 2026 #228 A Visit to the Marten Loudspeaker Factory in Göteborg, Sweden by Ingo Schulz and Sebastian Polcyn Mar 02, 2026 #228 Pure Distortion by Peter Xeni Mar 02, 2026 #228 A Nagra Factory Tour by Markus "Marsu" Manthey Mar 02, 2026 #228 Back to My Reel-to-Reel Roots, Part 27: Noodge and Ye Shall Receive, Part Two by Ken Kessler Mar 02, 2026 #228 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Mar 02, 2026 #228 90-Degree Stereo by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 The Keys to Art by Rich Isaacs Mar 02, 2026 #227 Seth Lewis Gets in the Groove With Take a Look Around: a Tribute to the Meters by Frank Doris Feb 02, 2026 #227 Passport to Sound: May Anwar’s Audio Learning Experience for Young People by Frank Doris Feb 02, 2026 #227 Conjectures on Cosmic Consciousness by B. Jan Montana Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Big Takeover Turns 45 by Wayne Robins Feb 02, 2026 #227 Music and Chocolate: On the Sensory Connection by Joe Caplan Feb 02, 2026 #227 Singer/Songwriter Chris Berardo: Getting Wilder All the Time by Ray Chelstowski Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Earliest Stars of Country Music, Part One by Jeff Weiner Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Vinyl Beat Goes Down to Tijuana (By Way of Los Angeles), Part Two by Rudy Radelic Feb 02, 2026 #227 How to Play in a Rock Band, 20: On the Road With Blood, Sweat & Tears’ Guitarist Gabe Cummins by Frank Doris Feb 02, 2026 #227 From The Audiophile’s Guide: Audio Specs and Measuring by Paul McGowan Feb 02, 2026 #227 Our Brain is Always Listening by Peter Trübner Feb 02, 2026 #227 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Listening Chair: Sleek Style and Sound From the Luxman L3 by Howard Kneller Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society Celebrates Its 32nd Anniversary, Honoring David and Sheryl Lee Wilson and Bernie Grundman by Harris Fogel Feb 02, 2026 #227 Back to My Reel-to-Reel Roots, Part 26: Half Full – Not Half Empty, Redux by Ken Kessler Feb 02, 2026 #227 That's What Puzzles Us... by Frank Doris Feb 02, 2026 #227 Record-Breaking by Peter Xeni Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Long and Winding Road by B. Jan Montana Feb 02, 2026 #226 JJ Murphy’s Sleep Paralysis is a Genre-Bending Musical Journey Through Jazz, Fusion and More by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Stewardship by Consent by B. Jan Montana Jan 05, 2026 #226 Food, Music, and Sensory Experience: An Interview With Professor Jonathan Zearfoss of the Culinary Institute of America by Joe Caplan Jan 05, 2026 #226 Studio Confidential: A Who’s Who of Recording Engineers Tell Their Stories by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Pilot Radio is Reborn, 50 Years Later: Talking With CEO Barak Epstein by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 The Vinyl Beat Goes Down to Tijuana (By Way of Los Angeles), Part One by Rudy Radelic Jan 05, 2026 #226 Capital Audiofest 2025: Must-See Stereo, Part Two by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel and Tyler Ramsey Collaborate on Their Acoustic Guitar Album, Celestun by Ray Chelstowski Jan 05, 2026 #226 The People Who Make Audio Happen: CanJam SoCal 2025, Part Two by Harris Fogel Jan 05, 2026 #226 How to Play in a Rock Band, 19: Touring Can Make You Crazy, Part One by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Linda Ronstadt Goes Bigger by Wayne Robins Jan 05, 2026

Balancing Act

Balancing Act
This issue’s cover: Judy Garland (1922 – 1969). One of the most iconic actresses, recording artists and performers of all time. Though haunted by personal struggles, she attained greatness that few ever achieved. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. Like everyone else, we at Copper have been impacted by the coronavirus, whether by disruption in our work and home lives to financial impact, stress, anxiety and writer’s block. And yes, one of us contracted the virus – thankfully, he’s doing OK. So, over the next few issues you might see some changes – temporary absence of some writers, a different balance of articles and other differences from the usual. We trust you’ll understand, and we look forward to when these pages, and our lives, reach a new equilibrium. It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Stereophile deputy editor Art Dudley. He was one of the finest men ever to grace the audio industry. My tribute to him is in these pages. Also in this issue: Rich Isaacs begins a series on Italian progressive rock with a look at the great PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi). Ken Sander takes us on a wild rock and roll ride with Eric Burdon and War. Professor Larry Schenbeck continues his series on immersive sound. WL Woodward gets jazzed about bass. John Seetoo concludes his series on legendary Yellow Magic Orchestra/film composer/techno-pop pioneer Ryuichi Sakamoto. In a special report we ask audio companies how they’re responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Measurements don’t lie – or do they? J.I. Agnew offers a revealing look. Dan Schwartz is obsessed with stereo. Anne E. Johnson rides with Grand Funk Railroad. Jay Jay French talks about two of the most astounding audio systems he’s ever heard. We conclude the issue with cartoonist James Whitworth seeking variety, Realistic sound, and contemplation in the land of walnut trees.

0 comments

Leave a comment

0 Comments

Your avatar

Loading comments...

🗑️ Delete Comment

Enter moderator password to delete this comment:

✏️ Edit Comment

Enter your email to verify ownership: