Stereophile Recording of the Month!

“Why is Stereophile publishing its fourth review (at least) in three years of a recording of Bach’s Six Cello Suites? Partly it’s because the suites, which were composed ca 1720 but remained in obscurity until a young Pablo Casals rediscovered them in a secondhand sheet music store in Barcelona in 1890, contain some of the most joyous, moving, and profound music in the Western classical music canon. It’s also because these two volumes, which present Grammy Award–winning cellist Zuill Bailey’s second recorded exploration of the suites (the first was on Telarc more than two decades ago), abound in astoundingly beautiful musicianship illumined by fresh insights and superb engineering.”

Wow. We are honored by this amazing review from Stereophile reviewer Jason Victor Serinus.

And we’ve good reason to be proud. If you’ve not yet secured a copy of this masterpiece recording which has been called the greatest cello recording of all time, you owe it to yourself to grab a copy.

This limited edition Octave Record’s release has already sold out of the double album, so while supplies last we’re sending individual copies of Volumes One and Two. for the same price instead.

There aren’t many left. Don’t miss out on this remarkable piece of musical and recording history.

You can go here to grab one of the few remaining copies.

Read the review

Octave launches vinyl!

We’ve long been promising that Octave Records would release some of its collection on vinyl and we finally did!

This month marks the first two vinyl releases from our record label, Octave.

The first release, Gabriel Mervine’s amazing jazz album, Say Somethin’ sold out in less than a week.

The second vinyl release, pianist Don Grusin’s Out of Thin Air is nearly sold out as well, though I believe there may be just under 100 copies left.

These are limited edition, 180-gram virgin vinyl, individually numbered and exemplifying everything great in the art of producing world-class vinyl.

If you are into vinyl and love the sound of piano, this is one album not to miss.

Grab a copy before they are gone

Gotta Groove

There are but only a rare handful of vinyl pressing plants that meet the standards we set for our vinyl releases. The care and skill required to make perfect 180-gram virgin vinyl masterpieces is rare indeed.

At Octave Records, we’ve chosen to go with one of the world’s very best, Gotta Groove Records out of Cleveland, Ohio. Family owned and operated, this company has both the soul and passion required to make the limited edition audiophile masters that meet our standards.

I thought you might enjoy watching a short little video from Gotta Groove of how their vinyl treasures are made and the process they use.

Watch the video

Copper Magazine

In this issue: WL Woodward offers Part Three of his series on Tom Waits. Don Kaplan is thrilled by some appropriate music for Halloween. Stuart Marvin asks: are musicians’ brains wired differently? Wayne Robins reviews It’s a Good, Good Feeling: The Latin Soul of Fania Records: The Singles. J.I. Agnew digs more deeply into direct metal mastering and the DMM Dubplate, Vol. 1. Tom Gibbs reviews the new Johnny Cash at the Carousel Ballroom, recorded by none other than Owsley “Bear” Stanley. Ken Kessler continues his personal journey into reel-to-reel tape. I wrestle with an engineering inferiority complex. Anne E. Johnson profiles under-recognized composer Louise Ferrenc, and new folk revivalists Mumford & Sons.

Dan Schwartz ponders the role of imagination in listening to audio systems. Tom Methans finds an audio component he’ll never part with. John Seetoo continues his series on Christian music icon Phil Keaggy, and Andy Schaub wonders what audiophile heaven would be like. Ray Chelstowski investigates the case of the return of NRBQ and talks with guitarist Scott Ligon. B. Jan Montana moves on ahead towards Sturgis. Russ Welton continues his quest for better computer audio without spending a lot. Rudy Radelic looks at Burt Bacharach’s music for the big and little screens. We close out the issue with noise reduction, the need for speed, stereosonic sound, and Halloween spirits.

Copper is cost-free, ad-free, and committed to great articles without an attitude.

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Only three days left

If you have ever wanted to own the world’s best CD/SACD transport, then this might just be your last best chance.

Today through the end of October 2021, the PS Audio PerfectWave Transport is on sale for almost half off.

The sale ends this Saturday, October 21st at midnight MST.

Head here to find out details.

Get a PST

The Dutch Baker

Reader Jeff Edmonson was kind enough to send me this wonderful video that I would like to share with you.

Jeff Writes:

For 35 years, Martin Hurkens made his living as a baker. Though he’d always dreamed of being a professional opera singer, he didn’t have the money to stay in music school. So, he sang while he baked (much to the delight of his customers).

Then one day, Martin lost his job with nothing to fall back on. So, Martin took to the streets of Holland. He’d place his hat down and sang his heart out, hoping for any donations he could get.

In 2010, Martin entered a reality TV talent show called “Holland Has Talent.” And what do you know — this aging singer came in first place and was thrust into the spotlight.

In an incredible video, Martin returns to the very streets that gave him the confidence and faith he needed to pursue his dreams.

Though his recording career took off after he won the competition, it’s as if these passers-by hear his perfect tenor voice for the very first time.

As Martin belts out the classic contemporary hymn, “You Raise Me Up” a stunned crowd gathers around him, wandering up to place money in his hat.