As you read this, I'll have just returned from the Munich High End show, the largest audio show in the world. Or at least the Western world, if we must split hairs.
To my shame, I've never been to the Munich show before. While I'm looking forward to it, I have a bit of angst regarding my very rusty high school Deutsch, no matter how many times folks assure me that it won't be a problem. Oddly, I can still recall several of the dialogues I had to memorize for Frau Shelton, 45 years ago---but I don't really anticipate having too many discussions about how high the grass is!
I'm reminded of the old joke, first told to me by a Dane who speaks six or seven languages:
-What do you call someone who speaks three languages? ---Trilingual. -What do you call someone who speaks two languages? ---Bilingual. -What do you call someone who speaks ONE language? ---AMERICAN.
Hilarious, no? (Okay, no.) I believe my testy response was, "if our country was as TINY as yours, we'd have to speak six or seven languages, also." Oh, well.
At any rate: I hope to have a feature about the Munich show in the next issue---possibly the next two, if there's enough of interest to show you. I certainly won't bore you with the same old tired stuff you've already seen ten times.
Meanwhile, I think we have another strong issue. Professor Schenbeck leads off with his look at classical concept albums, Dan Schwartz writes about Bernie Leadon and the Flying Burrito Brothers ; Richard Murison examines the thorny issue of sample rate conversion; Jay Jay French tells a tale of a high-end system delivered in Long Island; Duncan Taylor goes down the long list of talented folks he's recorded; Anne E. Johnson introduces us to Pura Fe'---and I urge you to listen to this artist, who sounds like Bonnie Raitt one minute, Steely Dan the next; our record reviews were both new, last issue---Anne is back with the Something Old part; Industry News tells about texting music (?) and the latest chapter in big retail; and I write about music education (or lack of it), and the next segment of the horn speakers saga.
As promised last issue, John Seetoo is back with a terrific interview with Chad Kassem, possibly the busiest guy in audio. We're happy to have our old friend Ken Kessler back as well, with another look at Neglected Artists. Think of this installment as the Lost Chapter....
We wrap up with an amazingly detailed In My Room from our pal B. Jan Montana, and another lovely Parting Shot. Our friends Woody Woodward and Jim Smith will be back soon.
Until next time: Später!
Cheers, Leebs.
