COPPER

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Opening Salvo

Table of Contents – Issue 211

Table of Contents – Issue 211

It’s safe to say that every Copper reader grew up with Radio Shack, especially if you’ve ever burned your fingers on a soldering iron. Now, every Radio Shack catalog ever published can be accessed on the website, www.RadioShackCatalogs.com. A sister site, www.alliedcatalogs.com, features catalogs from Allied Radio going back to 1929. Both sites offer a wealth of additional material including advertisements, vintage TV commercials and much more. They’re incredible treasure troves of audio history.

The music world has lost two songwriting legends with the passing of Kris Kristofferson (88) and JD Souther (78). Kristofferson wrote iconic songs including “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Me and Bobbie McGee,” and also had a successful acting career. JD Souther struck gold with his “You’re Only Lonely,” and penned many hits for the Eagles and others.

In this issue: B. Jan Montana says the Titanic’s musicians knew…about life and its meaning. Adrian Wu has a report on the Hong Kong High-End Audio Visual Show. Wayne Robins has a conversation with Perla Batalla about her album, A Letter to Leonard Cohen: To a Friend. Batalla sang in Cohen’s band for years and knew him well. Rich Isaacs has the latest installment in his series on test records and demo discs. I talk with singer/songwriter extraordinaire James Lee Stanley about his new album, The Day Today, and review the Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra’s wonderful new Things Will Pass album, with an interview from the composer. Paul McGowan continues his look back on 50 years of PS Audio. Ray Chelstowski offers a tribute to the late JD Souther and interviews the masterful blues guitarist/singer Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Harris Fogel has thoughts on quality, style, and class, in audio and elsewhere. We cover the latest release from Octave Records, The Art of Hi-Fi, Volume 06: Guitars. Rudy Radelic covers The Vinyl Beat and new reissues from Black Sabbath, Idris Muhammad, John Lee Hooker, War, and more. I continue my series on playing in a rock band with advice on getting mentally prepared for a gig. PMA magazine designs the ultimate listening chair. Ken Kessler keeps spinning reel-to-reel tapes. PS Audio earns positive reviews from Hi-Fi News and Alpha Audio. We conclude the issue with potent portables, playlist priorities, and calavera.

 

 

Contributors to This Issue:
Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Harris Fogel, Rich Isaacs, Ken Kessler, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Olivier Meunier-Plante, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, James Schrimpf, Adrian Wu, Peter Xeni.

Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico

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

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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

Table of Contents – Issue 211

Table of Contents – Issue 211

It’s safe to say that every Copper reader grew up with Radio Shack, especially if you’ve ever burned your fingers on a soldering iron. Now, every Radio Shack catalog ever published can be accessed on the website, www.RadioShackCatalogs.com. A sister site, www.alliedcatalogs.com, features catalogs from Allied Radio going back to 1929. Both sites offer a wealth of additional material including advertisements, vintage TV commercials and much more. They’re incredible treasure troves of audio history.

The music world has lost two songwriting legends with the passing of Kris Kristofferson (88) and JD Souther (78). Kristofferson wrote iconic songs including “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Me and Bobbie McGee,” and also had a successful acting career. JD Souther struck gold with his “You’re Only Lonely,” and penned many hits for the Eagles and others.

In this issue: B. Jan Montana says the Titanic’s musicians knew…about life and its meaning. Adrian Wu has a report on the Hong Kong High-End Audio Visual Show. Wayne Robins has a conversation with Perla Batalla about her album, A Letter to Leonard Cohen: To a Friend. Batalla sang in Cohen’s band for years and knew him well. Rich Isaacs has the latest installment in his series on test records and demo discs. I talk with singer/songwriter extraordinaire James Lee Stanley about his new album, The Day Today, and review the Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra’s wonderful new Things Will Pass album, with an interview from the composer. Paul McGowan continues his look back on 50 years of PS Audio. Ray Chelstowski offers a tribute to the late JD Souther and interviews the masterful blues guitarist/singer Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Harris Fogel has thoughts on quality, style, and class, in audio and elsewhere. We cover the latest release from Octave Records, The Art of Hi-Fi, Volume 06: Guitars. Rudy Radelic covers The Vinyl Beat and new reissues from Black Sabbath, Idris Muhammad, John Lee Hooker, War, and more. I continue my series on playing in a rock band with advice on getting mentally prepared for a gig. PMA magazine designs the ultimate listening chair. Ken Kessler keeps spinning reel-to-reel tapes. PS Audio earns positive reviews from Hi-Fi News and Alpha Audio. We conclude the issue with potent portables, playlist priorities, and calavera.

 

 

Contributors to This Issue:
Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Harris Fogel, Rich Isaacs, Ken Kessler, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Olivier Meunier-Plante, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, James Schrimpf, Adrian Wu, Peter Xeni.

Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico

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

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