COPPER

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Issue 220 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 220 Table of Contents

Table of Contents – Issue 220

Table of Contents – Issue 220

“And when he feels the world is closing in/he turns his stereo way up high” – The Kinks, “A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy”

In this summer issue: I review the Kinks' The Journey, Part 3, the final volume of the band’s 60th anniversary retrospective releases, and interview original Kinks drummer Mick Avory. David Chesky, composer and founder of HDTracks and The Audiophile Society, ponders the role of the orchestra in today’s social media-shaped world. B. Jan Montana has a report on audio’s T.H.E. Show. Ray Chesltowski talks with guitar legend Robin Trower to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his classic For Earth Below album. Jeff Weiner concludes his series on blues history by way of classic rock. Paul McGowan continues to give advice on room treatment in excerpts from The Audiophile’s Guide book series. Howard Kneller offers a history of…meters for audio.

Wayne Robins reviews Laura Nyro’s last album, Angel in the Dark. I experience an unexpected audiophile upgrade and tell about what it’s like to play six gigs in three days at the Montauk Music Festival. The Vinyl Beat covers new reissues and old LPs from the Blackbyrds, Black Sabbath, Bill Evans, Tears for Fears, and more. I review Octave Records’ newest release, They Say It’s Wonderful from Jazz guitarist/vocalist Brian Nova, and have a deep conversation about guitars and jazz. We take a look at the revealing new book, Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios, which has some real rock and roll stories.

Harris Fogel offers a photo essay from the NAMM 2025 music industry trade show. PS Audio’s Aspen FR5 loudspeakers impress a well-known reviewer. Ken Kessler notes that the reports of reel-to-reel’s demise are premature. We have reviews of new recordings and reissues from the Norwegian Girls Choir, Ola Onabulé and Nicolas Meier, and Patricia Barber. We end the issue with shades of summer, a slow payment history, and an uplifting experience. 

Click here for information on how to post comments in Copper.


Contributors to This Issue:
Ray Chelstowski, Dave Chesky, Harris Fogel, Ken Kessler, Howard Kneller, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, Jeff Weiner, Peter Xeni

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

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Post-publication Nitpicker:
Rich Isaacs

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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#232 What came first: Art or Music? A Conversation With Artist Jose Acosta by Joe Caplan Jul 06, 2026 #232 Blow By Blow: The Jeff Beck Story: An Insightful Book About a Guitar Icon by Ray Chelstowski Jul 06, 2026 #232 Creed Over Camaraderie? by B. Jan Montana Jul 06, 2026 #232 Chronicles of a Sound Pilgrim at the 2026 Montreal Audiofest by Hugues Morin Jul 06, 2026 #232 The Vinyl Beat: Summer Grooves by Rudy Radelic Jul 06, 2026 #232 Hibbing Hillbilly Dylan's Acoustic Rock by Wayne Robins Jul 06, 2026 #232 Quad Quads and Plasmatronics Tweeters: An Extraordinary System Comes to Life by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 In Praise of Live Music, Once Again by Ted Shafran Jul 06, 2026 #232 Allnic Audio’s L-9000 Preamplifier: Design and Engineering Innovation by Howard Kneller Jul 06, 2026 #232 “Best Of” Lists and Rage Bait: Enough Already by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 Quick Takes: Bud Shank, Paulo Almeida, Jakob Dreyer, Tim Eriksen and Peter Irvine by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 My Impressions of AXPONA 2026, Part 2 by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 How to Play in a Rock Band, 25: Encounters With Famous Musicians, Part Three by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 Budgets, and Systems From Small to Outrageous by Paul McGowan Jul 06, 2026 #232 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Jul 06, 2026 #232 Hand It Over by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 Difference of Opinion by Peter Xeni Jul 06, 2026 #232 Wabi-sabi Tree by James Schrimpf Jul 06, 2026 #231 Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie Releases His Debut Album On Octave Records by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 Underappreciated Artists, Part Two: City Boy by Rich Isaacs Jun 01, 2026 #231 Music and the Art of Creation: Talking With Saxophonist Rob Scheps by Joe Caplan Jun 01, 2026 #231 How to Play in a Rock Band, 24: Further Adventures at the 2026 Montauk Music Festival by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 Courtney Barnett: Creature of Habit by Wayne Robins Jun 01, 2026 #231 Angine de Poitrine: Interstellar Guitar Rock Saviors Headed for Late-Night TV Pop Stardom? by Mark Lepage Jun 01, 2026 #231 My Impressions of AXPONA 2026, Part One by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 2026 La Jolla Concours d'Elegance: Another Aesthetic Feast by B. Jan Montana Jun 01, 2026 #231 Country Music Icon Jo Dee Messina’s Bridges: A New Beginning by Ray Chelstowski Jun 01, 2026 #231 The Luxury Dispatch Hosts a Video Podcast With Ken Kessler by Ken Kessler Jun 01, 2026 #231 The Vinyl Beat: Tracking in the Motor City by Rudy Radelic Jun 01, 2026 #231 Lots of Fun With DSP: The Ferrum Audio WANDLA DAC and Its Tube Mode by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 From The Audiophile's Guide: Digital Source Components and Streaming Audio by Paul McGowan Jun 01, 2026 #231 Onkyo’s Monster M-510 power amplifier by The Staff at Just Audio Jun 01, 2026 #231 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Jun 01, 2026 #231 Naming Convention by Peter Xeni Jun 01, 2026 #231 Les Invisibles by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 Wildlife Scene by James Schrimpf Jun 01, 2026 #230 Camaraderie by B. Jan Montana May 04, 2026 #230 AXPONA 2026: A Family Gathering by Paul McGowan May 04, 2026 #230 Pianist Ryan Benthall Explores Jazz Realms and Far Beyond With Divine Sky by Frank Doris May 04, 2026 #230 The Vinyl Beat in AXPONA-Land by Rudy Radelic May 04, 2026 #230 Teddy Thompson’s Musical Growth Deepens With Never Be the Same by Ray Chelstowski May 04, 2026 #230 More Fun in the Sun: Florida Audio Expo, Part Two by Frank Doris May 04, 2026 #230 CanJam NYC 2026 Show Report: Heady Sound, Part Two by Frank Doris and Harris Fogel May 04, 2026 #230 Sonic Youth On Murray Street by Wayne Robins May 04, 2026 #230 Graffeo Coffee: A Symphony of Sensory Experience by Joe Caplan May 04, 2026 #230 The Saul Authority: The Story of Hi-Fi Pioneer Saul Marantz by Olivier Meunier-Plante May 04, 2026 #230 How to Play in a Rock Band, 23: Encounters With Famous Musicians, Part Two by Frank Doris May 04, 2026

Table of Contents – Issue 220

Table of Contents – Issue 220

“And when he feels the world is closing in/he turns his stereo way up high” – The Kinks, “A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy”

In this summer issue: I review the Kinks' The Journey, Part 3, the final volume of the band’s 60th anniversary retrospective releases, and interview original Kinks drummer Mick Avory. David Chesky, composer and founder of HDTracks and The Audiophile Society, ponders the role of the orchestra in today’s social media-shaped world. B. Jan Montana has a report on audio’s T.H.E. Show. Ray Chesltowski talks with guitar legend Robin Trower to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his classic For Earth Below album. Jeff Weiner concludes his series on blues history by way of classic rock. Paul McGowan continues to give advice on room treatment in excerpts from The Audiophile’s Guide book series. Howard Kneller offers a history of…meters for audio.

Wayne Robins reviews Laura Nyro’s last album, Angel in the Dark. I experience an unexpected audiophile upgrade and tell about what it’s like to play six gigs in three days at the Montauk Music Festival. The Vinyl Beat covers new reissues and old LPs from the Blackbyrds, Black Sabbath, Bill Evans, Tears for Fears, and more. I review Octave Records’ newest release, They Say It’s Wonderful from Jazz guitarist/vocalist Brian Nova, and have a deep conversation about guitars and jazz. We take a look at the revealing new book, Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios, which has some real rock and roll stories.

Harris Fogel offers a photo essay from the NAMM 2025 music industry trade show. PS Audio’s Aspen FR5 loudspeakers impress a well-known reviewer. Ken Kessler notes that the reports of reel-to-reel’s demise are premature. We have reviews of new recordings and reissues from the Norwegian Girls Choir, Ola Onabulé and Nicolas Meier, and Patricia Barber. We end the issue with shades of summer, a slow payment history, and an uplifting experience. 

Click here for information on how to post comments in Copper.


Contributors to This Issue:
Ray Chelstowski, Dave Chesky, Harris Fogel, Ken Kessler, Howard Kneller, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, Jeff Weiner, Peter Xeni

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

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Post-publication Nitpicker:
Rich Isaacs

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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