COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 147 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 147 Opening Salvo

Issue 147

Issue 147

Readers may know I’m a fan of weird fortune cookie sayings. Here’s another one: “Do it now! Today will be yesterday tomorrow.”

There’s simply nothing I can add to that.

We’re saddened by the passing of George Frayne, aka Commander Cody, at 77. Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen (named after a 1951 science fiction movie) were one of the first bands to blend country music with rock, and earned their place in the pantheon of musical greats with their blazing 1971 version of “Hot Rod Lincoln.” We salute you, Commander.

In this issue: I cover the premiere of the first two vinyl releases from Octave Records: jazz trumpeter Gabriel Mervine’s Say Somethin’ and Out of Thin Air by pianist Don Grusin. Anne E. Johnson looks at rock icons the Pretenders and jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. David Snyder brings us Part Two of his comprehensive guide to Roon. Tom Gibbs sees Red – the King Crimson album of the same name, that is. Rich Isaacs has a laugh about 1970s comedy troupes. J.I Agnew is dazzled by direct metal mastering and the DMM Dubplate, Vol. 1. Tom Methans brings us Sevdah, the traditional folk music of Bosnia-Herzegovina. B. Jan Montana rides closer to Sturgis.

Ken Sander revisits Summer Jam at Watkins Glen – and an innovation that changed live concert sound forever. Russ Welton begins a series on getting better sound from computer audio with the least expenditure, and another on choosing speakers. Rudy Radelic surveys the landmark Dionne Warwick recordings with Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Ray Chelstowski interviews rocker Joe Grushecky on the eve of the 25th Anniversary reissue of American Babylon. Steven Bryan Bieler grooves to train songs. Stuart Marvin remembers Sixties rock hype victims Rhinoceros. Andy Schaub has a personal look at FM radio. Larry Jaffee digs Big Bill Broonzy live in Nottingham. The Copper A/V squad concludes the issue with an avian audiophile, this year’s model, multichannel women, and a hole in the wall.

Staff Writers:

J.I. Agnew, Ray Chelstowski, Cliff Chenfeld, Jay Jay French, Tom Gibbs, Roy Hall, Rich Isaacs, Anne E. Johnson, Don Kaplan, Ken Kessler, Don Lindich, Tom Methans, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Tim Riley, Wayne Robins, Alón Sagee, Ken Sander, Larry Schenbeck, John Seetoo, Dan Schwartz, Russ Welton, WL Woodward, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Harris Fogel, Robert Heiblim, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, Stuart Marvin, David Snyder, 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, Steve Rowell

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

 – FD

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#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 #226 From The Audiophile’s Guide: Active Room Correction and Digital Signal Processing by Paul McGowan Jan 05, 2026 #226 PS Audio in the News by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Back to My Reel-to-Reel Roots, Part 25: Half-Full, Not Empty by Ken Kessler Jan 05, 2026 #226 Happy New Year! by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Turn It Down! by Peter Xeni Jan 05, 2026 #226 Ghost Riders by James Schrimpf Jan 05, 2026 #226 A Factory Tour of Audio Manufacturer German Physiks by Markus "Marsu" Manthey Jan 04, 2026 #225 Capital Audiofest 2025: Must-See Stereo, Part One by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 Otis Taylor and the Electrics Delivers a Powerful Set of Hypnotic Modern Blues by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 A Christmas Miracle by B. Jan Montana Dec 01, 2025 #225 T.H.E. Show New York 2025, Part Two: Plenty to See, Hear, and Enjoy by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 Underappreciated Artists, Part One: Martin Briley by Rich Isaacs Dec 01, 2025 #225 Rock and Roll is Here to Stay by Wayne Robins Dec 01, 2025 #225 A Lifetime of Holiday Record (and CD) Listening by Rudy Radelic Dec 01, 2025 #225 Little Feat: Not Saying Goodbye, Not Yet by Ray Chelstowski Dec 01, 2025 #225 How to Play in a Rock Band, Part 18: Dealing With Burnout by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 The People Who Make Audio Happen: CanJam SoCal 2025 by Harris Fogel Dec 01, 2025 #225 Chicago’s Sonic Sanctuaries: Four Hi‑Fi Listening Bars Channeling the Jazz‑Kissa Spirit by Olivier Meunier-Plante Dec 01, 2025

Issue 147

Issue 147

Readers may know I’m a fan of weird fortune cookie sayings. Here’s another one: “Do it now! Today will be yesterday tomorrow.”

There’s simply nothing I can add to that.

We’re saddened by the passing of George Frayne, aka Commander Cody, at 77. Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen (named after a 1951 science fiction movie) were one of the first bands to blend country music with rock, and earned their place in the pantheon of musical greats with their blazing 1971 version of “Hot Rod Lincoln.” We salute you, Commander.

In this issue: I cover the premiere of the first two vinyl releases from Octave Records: jazz trumpeter Gabriel Mervine’s Say Somethin’ and Out of Thin Air by pianist Don Grusin. Anne E. Johnson looks at rock icons the Pretenders and jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. David Snyder brings us Part Two of his comprehensive guide to Roon. Tom Gibbs sees Red – the King Crimson album of the same name, that is. Rich Isaacs has a laugh about 1970s comedy troupes. J.I Agnew is dazzled by direct metal mastering and the DMM Dubplate, Vol. 1. Tom Methans brings us Sevdah, the traditional folk music of Bosnia-Herzegovina. B. Jan Montana rides closer to Sturgis.

Ken Sander revisits Summer Jam at Watkins Glen – and an innovation that changed live concert sound forever. Russ Welton begins a series on getting better sound from computer audio with the least expenditure, and another on choosing speakers. Rudy Radelic surveys the landmark Dionne Warwick recordings with Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Ray Chelstowski interviews rocker Joe Grushecky on the eve of the 25th Anniversary reissue of American Babylon. Steven Bryan Bieler grooves to train songs. Stuart Marvin remembers Sixties rock hype victims Rhinoceros. Andy Schaub has a personal look at FM radio. Larry Jaffee digs Big Bill Broonzy live in Nottingham. The Copper A/V squad concludes the issue with an avian audiophile, this year’s model, multichannel women, and a hole in the wall.

Staff Writers:

J.I. Agnew, Ray Chelstowski, Cliff Chenfeld, Jay Jay French, Tom Gibbs, Roy Hall, Rich Isaacs, Anne E. Johnson, Don Kaplan, Ken Kessler, Don Lindich, Tom Methans, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Tim Riley, Wayne Robins, Alón Sagee, Ken Sander, Larry Schenbeck, John Seetoo, Dan Schwartz, Russ Welton, WL Woodward, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Harris Fogel, Robert Heiblim, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, Stuart Marvin, David Snyder, 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, Steve Rowell

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

 – FD

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